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Beyond Myrtle Rust is proud to bring you the myrtle rust webinar series

How to take part

Our monthly myrtle rust webinar series seeks to bring you the latest in myrtle rust research. You can register for upcoming myrtle rust webinars below. You can view past webinars here and on the Beyond Myrtle Rust YouTube playlist . Access even more myrtle rust information and research updates by following us on social media. 

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Upcoming webinars

The molecular dialogue between Eucalyptus grandis and the myrtle rust pathogen

Presenter: Shae Swanepoel, PhD candidate at the University of Pretoria, South Africa

Date and time: 13 November, 7:00pm NZST

Eucalyptus grandis is among the most important agricultural forestry species grown worldwide for their value in the paper, pulp and timber industries. As a myrtle, E. grandis is known to be susceptible to Austropuccinia psidii, the pathogen that causes myrtle rust. Little is known about the molecular dialogue that exists between this host and pathogen and understanding this complex interplay will facilitate the development of robust disease management strategies. In this webinar, Shae Swanepoel (PhD candidate at the University of Pretoria) will share the results of a study that investigated these molecular interactions in resistant and susceptible E. grandis and the pandemic biotype of A. psidii using a dual RNA-seq approach.

Seedlings from Australia were screened, and leaf samples were collected at 12 hours, 1, 2 and 5 days post inoculation (hpi/dpi). RNA-seq was performed at a read depth of 40 million that enabled dual mapping to the E. grandis and A. psidii reference genomes. Resistant seedlings showed up-regulation of genes involved in brassinosteroid signalling at 2-dpi, and genes associated with this pathway underlie two previously identified disease resistance loci. Numerous disease resistance genes were identified within these loci, showing extensive transcriptional reprogramming in the presence of the pathogen. A. psidii expressed a total of 890 genes during the interactions with E. grandis, and a rust transferred protein was identified as uniquely expressed in susceptible hosts at 5-dpi. These findings offer targets for improved disease control strategies against this devastating pathogen.

Register for the webinar here:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1485615474571167835 

Registering will sign you up to receive future invites to the myrtle rust webinar series. 

 

Previous webinars

Forest community attributes and myrtle rust vulnerability

Presenter: Kristy Stevenson, Queensland University of Technology, October 2024  

 

E heke e Heka! The myrtle rust learning app

Presenter: Katerina Pihera-Ridge, Scion, September 2024  

 

Beyond Myrtle Rust... and beyond!

Presenter: Mahajabeen Padamsee, Beyond Myrtle Rust Programme Leader, June 2024  

 

Evidence for sexual reproduction in myrtle rust pathogen Austropuccinia psidii

Presenter: Michael Bartlett, Scion, May 2024  

 

Using mating-compatibility gene markers to detect new incursions of Austropuccinia psidii  

Presenter: Thaís Boufleur, University of São Paulo, April 2024  

 

Ngā Rākau Taketake research into myrtle rust  

Presenter: Beccy Ganley, Plant & Food Research, March 2024   

 

Te Rātā Whakamaru: Community-science solutions for employment and myrtle rust resistance   

Presenter: Heidi Dungey (Scion) and Te Rātā Whakamaru, February 2024   

 

The foliar microbiome and implications for myrtle rust infection 

Presenter: Hayley Ridgway, Plant & Food Research, December 2023

 

What does myrtle rust resilience look like for Māori?       

Presenter: Alby Marsh, Plant & Food Research, November 2023

 

Putative pathogenicity transcript targets for control of Austropuccinia psidii     

Presenter: Grant Smith, Plant & Food Research, October 2023

 

Growing rust fungi on artificial substrates – A step closer to studying infection in the lab without using plants   

Presenter: Sarah Sale, University of Canterbury, September 2023

 

Ex situ conservation to support recovery of species severely affected by myrtle rust 

Presenters: Karen Sommerville and Veronica Viler, Australian PlantBank, Botanic Gardens of Sydney, August 2023

 

Restoration genetics of Syzygium maire

Presenter: Colan Balkwill, PhD candidate at Victoria University of Wellington, July 2023

 

Boots on the Ground – Rōhutu Preservation at Mahanihani

Presented by:  Nicky Reynolds, Te Korowai o Papatūānuku, May 2023

 

Pre-visual and early detection of myrtle rust on rose apple  

Presented by: Michael Watt, Scion, April 2023 

 

Understanding and managing impacts with a focus on long-term conservation

Presenter: Craig Stehn, NSW Government, Australia, March 2023

 

Mapping genetic loci linked to myrtle rust resistance in mānuka 

Presenter: David Chagné, Plant & Food Research, February 2023

 

Melaleuca quinquenervia; towards a model for myrtle rust research

Presenter: Alyssa Martino, The University of Sydney, December 2022

 

Te Mana Motuhake o te kākano: What seed sovereignty means for us

Presenter: Melanie Mark-Shadbolt, Te Tira Whakamātaki, November 2022

 

Optimising fungicide sprays for myrtle rust control in plant nurseries 

Presenter: Robert Beresford, Plant & Food Research, October 2022

 

 

Exogenous RNAi inhibits infection physiology myrtle rust in planta

Presenter: Rebecca Degnan, The University of Queensland, August 2022

 

Using metabolites as biomarkers to ID resistance to myrtle rust and to detect early-stage infection 

Presenter: Michelle Moffit, May 2022

 

Chasing fungal antagonists of the myrtle rust fungus in Brazil 

Presenters: Robert Barreto & Gleiber Quintão, June 2022

  

The ecological importance of the Myrtaceae in the woody ecosystems of New Zealand

Presenter: Insu Jo, April 2022

 

Finding and developing genetic resistance to disease in forest trees

Presenter: Richard Sniezko, July 2022

 

  

From surveillance to epidemiology: learning from myrtle rust

Presenter: Rebecca Campbell, March 2022

 

Molecular detection of different strains of Austropuccinia psidii 

Presenter: Jane Stewart, February 2022

 

Unprecedented extinction of tree species by fungal disease

Presenter: Rod Fensham, December 2021

 

Can seed banking fleshy Myrtaceae seeds buy time in the myrtle rust battle?

Presenter: Karin van der Walt, November 2021

 

Can different strains of Austropuccinia psidii outcross on a universal host?

Presenter: Alistair McTaggart, October 2021

Predicting future spread of myrtle rust in Aotearoa New Zealand

Presenter: Rob Beresford, September 2021

 

Monitoring the impact of Austropuccinia psidii on native Myrtaceae in the ngahere

Presenter: Roanne Sutherland, August 2021

 

Austropuccinia psidii rust (myrtle rust) in the Western Hemisphere

Presenter: Phil Cannon, July 2021

  

Harnessing foliar fungal communities for endangered plant conservation 

Presenter: Mason Kamalani Chock, June 2021

 

RNA interference-mediated control of myrtle rust

Presenter: Anne Sawyer, May 2021

 

Strings attached: Managing ex-situ plants highly susceptible to pathogens

Presenter: Emma Bodley, April 2021

 

Austropuccinia psidii: the threat of other strains 

Presenter: Julia Soewarto, March 2021

Chasing myrtle rust in NZ: biosecurity response diagnostics and beyond

Presenter: Merje Toome, February 2021

The other pandemic: unlocking the Austropuccinia psidii genome to help fight myrtle rust 

Presenter: Peri Tobias, December 2020

Fire and rust: The impact of myrtle rust on post-fire regeneration in Australia

Presenter: Geoff Pegg, November 2020

Predicting Refuges from Myrtle Rust

Presenter: James McCarthy, October 2020