Project
Developing genomic resources for the blue-green aphid, Acyrthosiphon kondoi, an emerging pest of Australian grains
I am a population geneticist: my work focuses on using genomic data to address both fundamental biological questions as well as real-world applied challenges. My fundamental biological work has contributed to increased understanding of the importance of different ecological and evolutionary factors in shaping patterns of biodiversity. My work in the applied sciences include conservation of wildlife and pest management in agriculture.
The aim of my research as part of UniMelb's Global Collaboration Award was to develop genomic resources for an emerging aphid pest in Australia: the blue green aphid (Acyrthosiphon kondoi). Blue green aphid is a major pest of Australian pasture and legumes. It has recently evolved resistance to pesticides, which has made it challenging for growers to control using traditional chemical pest control methods.
In my project, I travelled to the UK to visit Prof. Chris Bass, a world leader in aphid genomics, to develop the first reference genome for blue green aphid and identify the genetic mechanisms of pesticide resistance. This work has demonstrated that resistance has evolved from a single 'superclone' which is now spreading across south-eastern Australia. It has also been instrumental in identifying an important candidate gene for resistance that can be used to genetically monitor resistance in the field (preprint).
Follow Up: Joshua was awarded a 2024 ARC Early Career Industry Fellowship.
This award provided an awesome opportunity to travel to the UK and form a new collaboration with Prof Chris Bass. This would not have been possible without the award and I hope to continue working with Prof Bass into the future - this will be important for my future career and showcasing my capacity to maintain and build a global network. I also gained new skills in genomic analyses thanks to the Prof Bass' postdoctoral researchers, which will greatly enhance my ability to perform high quality research here in Australia.