Thesis subject

Dissecting Xanthomonas black rot resistance in cabbage

Black rot, caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris campestris (Xcc), is one of the most destructive diseases of cabbage. Currently grown cultivars do not provide adequate resistance, and no resistance genes have been cloned so far. This project aims to unravel novel defense mechanisms during early bacterial attack.

Start date

29/11/2025

End date

31/07/2029

You will:

  • Explore natural variation in black rot resistance using bio-panels of related cabbage species (Brassica rapa, B. oleracea and B. napus) and diverse wild relatives.
  • Quantify expression of candidate genes in differential Xcc-Brassica interactions.
  • Characterise candidate genes for resistance against black rot.
  • Set-up new methods for gene-silencing in Brassica, and test mutants with diverse Xcc isolates to detect changes in disease susceptibility.