Binks Institute for Sustainability: Modelling host-microbiome interactions: a nature-based alternative to artificial fertilisers

Overall Aim

Through this research we will learn more about the way that plant roots (the 'host') and the associated soil microbes (the 'microbiome') interact. Current mathematical models focus on the impact of the microbiome on its host. However, they are unable to capture feedback between a host and its microbiome. To address this shortfall, we will develop a new mathematical framework. We will adapt mathematical tools used to study other real-world systems and combine them in new ways. In this way we will build what is called a digital twin of this host-microbiome system so we can test hypotheses using a computer instead of in the field. Using this framework, we will uncover how the microbiome works together to support its host. In turn, we will find out how the host controls the microbiome. We know that changing the conditions of the environment where the plants live affect these interactions, so we will work out how we can ensure the plants and microbes are able to stand up to these changes and thrive. On farms, many plants are grown together and their microbiomes interact. We will use our digital-twin of the field system to predict how groups of plant-hosts respond collectively to environmental changes. We will also uncover the impact of introducing new microbes into the microbiome. We will investigate how differences between the plants affects how robust groups of hosts are to these changes.  

Our main modelling hypotheses at the outset are:  

Feedback between the host and its microbiome is critical in setting the microbiome population structure and function (Year 1)

Robustness of the host-microbiome interactions to environmental change defines a new concept of fitness. (Year 2)

Heterogeneities across a network of hosts affects fitness of each individual and defines collective robustness (Year 3) 

Significance and Impact

The UK imports almost half of the total food consumed and the proportion of imports is rising. Advances in global food security are therefore of national importance. The current, extensive use of artificial, inorganic fertilisers attempts to support the growing pressure on global food supplies. However, their use is a major contributor to climate change. Agricultural and land-use of nitrogen compounds is the major global source for anthropogenic N2O production, a significant contributor to climate change. Hence there is now a critical need for the development of alternative methods of enhancing agricultural food production that (i) do not exacerbate rapid climate change and (ii) are robust to current and near future climatic effects. It is therefore critical that the proposed work is conducted now so it can support near-future research and development of robust solutions to agricultural food production in the context of climate change and a rapidly expanding global population. 

Diversity statement

Our research community thrives on the diversity of students and staff which helps to make the University of Dundee a UK university of choice for postgraduate research. We welcome applications from all talented individuals and are committed to widening access to those who have the ability and potential to benefit from higher education.