Robigalia Roundup #3

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

This week, the first phased genome for cassava has been released, we learn about the capabilities of AlphaFold3, and some new research opportunities available to ECRs! As always, Robigalia subscribers can access my online database with summaries of Robigalia featured articles.

Keep reading for the latest updates!

Plant pathology research

The haplotype-resolved assembly of COL40 a cassava (Manihot esculenta) line with broad-spectrum resistance against viruses causing Cassava brown streak disease unveils a region of highly repeated elements on chromosome 12

Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is a crucial staple crop for millions of people, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, production is threatened by diseases such as Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD), which severely affects edible storage roots. While the African cassava varieties lack effective resistance to CBSD, the South American cassava line COL40 was identified as having broad-spectrum resistance to all known strains of CBSD-causing viruses.

This recent study sequenced the genome of COL40. The high-quality, haplotype-resolved genome assembly revealed structural variations, including transposable elements. Chromosome 12 showed a region with reduced coverage and a high density of transposable elements, which the authors suggest plays a role in the resistance mechanism. The genome will provide a valuable and much needed resource for breeding CBSD-resistant cassava varieties in the future.

Research tools you’re loving

AlphaFold3

In last week’s edition, I share a recent preprint where AlphaFold2 was used to predict the structures of thousands of pathogen effectors. Now, the game has changed again with the recent release of AlphaFold3 by Google DeepMind. Their latest model goes beyond protein structure prediction - it now predicts interactions between proteins and DNA, RNA, or small molecules. This opens up the doors for exploring molecular interactions between hosts and pathogens, offering deeper insights into how these interactions may shape disease outcomes. I’ve had a lot of fun trying it out myself! I generated a stunning structure of a resistosome complex, a hexmameric structure of an NLR protein from the Australian broad-leaved paperbark (Melaleuca quinquenervia).

Jump on the free Online server to try it out yourself!

Research student of the week

COMING SOON!

Fill out the EOI to have your research featured in Robigalia

PhD Scholarships and Jobs

PhD Scholarships

• Be sure to regularly check out the CSIRO Industry PhD Program website which includes all of the current PhD Scholarship opportunities in Australia

• John Innes Foundation Rotation PhD Programme, Norwich, England

• Viral manipulation of plants, INRAE, Colmar, France

Jobs

• Apply for a Research Scientist role in Applied Entomology & Integrated Pest Management, Mildura, AUS

• Hort Innovation are on the lookout for a Research and Development Manager based in Sydney, AUS

Other News and Opportunities

• Registrations are still open for the Australasian Plant Virology Workshop, happening 29th -31st October in the Gold Coast

• Register your interest for the 17th Australasian Plant Breeding Conference in Sydney in June 2025

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

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

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