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Herbicide resistance is threatening global food supply.
- Summary of the project
- Eligibility criteria
- Readings
- Contact the research team
- How to apply
- Scholarships
Summary of the project
The recent Global Herbicide Resistance Challenge conference noted that "no new herbicide mode of action discoveries had been made" and that there are "no new ones coming in the foreseeable future".
This belief was reiterated by Stephen Duke (2012) in a paper entitled 'Why have no new herbicide modes of action appeared in recent years?' saying: 'Herbicides with new modes of action are badly needed to manage the evolution of resistance of weeds to existing herbicides. Yet no major new mode of action has been introduced to the market place for about 20 years'. This problem coupled with decades of over-reliance on glyphosate means there has never been a greater need for new, effective and safe herbicides.
We recently found an exciting connection between plants and drugs made for human use which in turn has led to the discovery of new herbicidal compounds. This project will evaluate some of these to determine their viability as true herbicides plus undertake more fundamental work understanding how they are working in the plant.
This project will involve interaction with a team consisting of organic chemists and herbicide physiologists giving exposure to a broad repertoire of skills.
Eligibility criteria
General UWA PhD entrance requirements can be found on the Future Students website.
In addition applicants need to demonstrate adequate research by showing:
Requirement specific to this project:
- Experience with plants and/or organic chemistry
Readings
- Duke (2012) Why have no new herbicide modes of action appeared in recent years? Pest Manag Sci. Apr;68(4):505-12.
- Duke (2010) Herbicide and Pharmaceutical Relationships Weed Science 58(3):334-339.
Contact the research team leader
Once you have ensured that you meet the eligibility criteria and are ready to discuss a proposal, contact the research team leader to identify a potential supervisor. - Research team leader: Dr Joshua Mylne
- In 2013 I joined the Faculty of Science at The University of Western Australia and took up an ARC Future Fellowship, jointly appointed in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry and The ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology. My research interests are protein evolution, plant chemical biology and biosynthesis of bioactive peptides.
How to apply
After you have discussed your project with the research team leader you should be in a position to proceed to step two of the UWA application process: 'Lodge an application'.
Different procedures apply to domestic and international students.
Scholarships
Domestic students
All domestic students may apply for Research Training Program and University Postgraduate Awards (UPA) scholarships.
The Australian Government's Endeavour Awards and Scholarships are available to Australian applicants for study in participating countries and regions.
International students
A range of scholarships are available from international organisations and governments. The full list, organised by country, is available on the Future Students website.
In addition, all international students may apply for International Research Training Program scholarships.
The Australian Government's Endeavour Awards and Scholarships are available to international applicants from participating countries and regions.
Indigenous students
Indigenous students are encouraged to apply for Indigenous Postgraduate Research Supplementary Scholarships.
Forrest Foundation scholarships
All international and Australian students who wish to study towards the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at The University of Western Australia may apply for Forrest Scholarships.
University information
CRICOS Code: 00126G
