Robigalia Roundup #1

Hello Robigalia Reader and welcome back to another week of Robigalia, delivering the latest research in plant pathology.

This week, I'm introducing a new format for the newsletter, featuring a round-up of the latest research, tools, jobs, and PhD scholarships in plant pathology. As always, Robigalia subscribers can access my online database and the title song for today’s issue. Keep reading for the latest updates, including recent research on helper NLRs.

Latest plant pathology research

A helper NLR targets organellar membranes to trigger immunity

• If you've been on X recently, you may have already seen this preprint. In a collaborative study from the UK and Taiwan, researchers reveal that the plant helper NLR protein, NRG1, can associate with various organellar membranes—including chloroplasts, mitochondria, and the endoplasmic reticulum—to trigger innate immunity. This challenges the conventional view that NLR resistosomes primarily target the plasma membrane, suggesting a more complex, compartmentalised immune signalling system in plants. The discovery of NRG1’s ability to target multiple membranes opens up new possibilities for enhancing plant immunity through bioengineering and offers insights into the evolution of robust immune responses in plants.

Pathogenicity and colonization of Metrosideros polymorpha by Ceratocystis huliohia

• Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death is a growing threat to Metrosideros polymorpha (ʻōhiʻa), a keystone forest tree species in Hawaiʻi. This study confirms that Ceratocystis huliohia causes a distinct canker disease in ʻōhiʻa, different from the vascular wilt caused by C. lukuohia. The disease progresses more slowly than C. lukuohia, with tree death potentially taking one or more years. These findings clarify the role of C. huliohia in Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death and suggest that different management strategies may be required for trees infected by each pathogen.

Research tools you’re loving

BioRender

• BioRender is a web-based tool designed to create scientific images and illustrations. It features over 50,000 scientifically accurate icons and customisable templates, making it easy to create complex figures quickly. The user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, collaboration capabilities, and accessibility from any computer enhance its convenience. BioRender is widely used for creating publication-ready figures, presentations, and posters, and even offers custom icon requests!

Research student of the week

• COMING SOON!

• Fill out the EOI to have your research featured in Robigalia.

PhD Scholarships and Jobs

PhD Scholarships

• 10 x Projects at the ARC Training Centre in Plant Biosecurity, Canberra, AUS

• Viral manipulation of plants, INRAE, Colmar, France

Jobs

• Plant Pathologist - Mickleham, AUS

• Research and Development Manager - Sydney, AUS

Other News and Opportunities

• Nominations are now open for the 2025 Jeanie Borlaug Laube Women in Triticum (WIT) awards. Nominations close November 29th 2024.
  

• Save the date for the 25th Australasian Plant Pathology Society conference in Sydney in May 2025

Meme of the week

Before you go…

• Like or didn’t like this new newsletter format? Let me know if the comments!
  

• Think a friend (or two) could benefit from reading? I’d love it if you could share this link with them.

Until next week,

Alyssa