Project Overview
Fungal diseases continue to threaten global food security and the profitability of Australian grain production. Conventional fungicides, though widely used, face growing challenges including resistance development, environmental persistence, and tightening regulatory restrictions. To sustain productivity, innovative and environmentally responsible solutions are urgently needed.
This PhD project will explore the development of nucleic acid–based nanoparticles—specifically DNA and RNA origami nanostructures—as a next-generation crop protection technology. These biodegradable, programmable nanoparticles can be precisely engineered to interact with molecular targets in fungal pathogens, representing a transformative alternative to traditional chemistry-based fungicides.
Building on recent discoveries showing that DNA nanoparticles can naturally associate with fungal cells, this project will investigate how such particles behave on and within plants, addressing a major knowledge gap that must be resolved before these nanotechnologies can be applied in agricultural systems.
Aim
The overall aim of this PhD is to investigate the behaviour, stability, and potential expression of nucleic acid–based nanoparticles in plants to support their future use as a sustainable and programmable crop protection platform.
Objectives
The project will pursue two main research objectives:
- Characterise the on-plant stability, uptake, and movement of exogenously applied DNA origami nanoparticles under varying environmental and physiological conditions using model and crop plant systems (e.g. Arabidopsis thaliana, wheat, and canola).
- Develop and evaluate in vivo expression systems capable of assembling RNA origami nanoparticles within plant cells and whole plants, providing a foundation for transgene-encoded antifungal nanostructures.
In addition, the project will contribute to broader objectives, including:
- Training and development of an early-career researcher in the emerging fields of agricultural nanotechnology and synthetic biology.
- Enhancing national research capacity in novel bio-based crop protection technologies.
- Promoting interdisciplinary collaboration between plant scientists, molecular biologists, and nanotechnologists.
Significance
This project sits at the frontier of synthetic biology and agricultural innovation, offering a completely new paradigm for disease management in crops. By elucidating how nucleic acid–based nanoparticles behave and can be expressed within plants, the research will generate foundational knowledge critical for developing biodegradable, non-toxic, and resistance-resilient fungicide alternatives.
The outcomes align with Curtin University’s research strengths, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (particularly SDG 2: Zero Hunger and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production). This work has the potential to transform how crop protection technologies are designed, paving the way for a more sustainable and secure agricultural future.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will undertake all the requirements for the fulfilment of a PhD enrolled via the School of Molecular and Life Sciences. Ideal candidates should be enrolled as full-time, on-campus students with an expected start date in 2026. An opportunity to travel to an international laboratory for the purposes of training may also made available to the candidate. Therefore, the ideal candidate should be able and willing to travel internationally for several weeks.
It is not a requirement for applicants to have experience in the field of agriculture and/or environmental studies as training opportunities can be made available to assist with skill development. Applicants should be able to demonstrate experience in one or more of the following fields;
- Molecular/ cell biology
- Microbiology
- Synthetic biology
- Nanotechnology
- Plant breeding and genetics and/or
- Agriculture
This Project is open to domestic and International applicants.
Applicants must meet the entry requirements for a Higher degree by research program. This may be an Australian Honours/ or international equivalent or Masters with a research component in the relevant field.
Scholarship
The candidate will be supported by a John Curtin Graduate Research HDR Scholarship, generously supported by Curtin University. The PhD will be completed within Curtin University’s Centre for Crop and Disease Management (CCDM). CCDM is a leading national research centre based at Curtin University, established through a strategic partnership with the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC). CCDM delivers innovative, world-class research to reduce the impact of crop diseases and improve the profitability and sustainability of Australian grain production. The Centre brings together expertise in molecular biology, plant pathology, genetics, and agronomy to develop practical, science-driven solutions for the grains industry. CCDM is recognised internationally for its pioneering work in fungicide resistance management, pathogen genomics, and the development of novel crop protection technologies.
The PhD stipend will be awarded at the Curtin base rate (valued at ~$37 500 per annum) with a top-up scholarship generously supported by the Centre for Crop and Disease Management, Curtin University. The top-up scholarship will be valued at $15000 per annum.
Application Closing Date: 19th December 2025
Enquiries
For enquiries contact Dr Elizabeth Czislowski at Elizabeth.Czislowski@curtin.edu.au
To apply submit an Expression of Interest to Dr Elizabeth Czislowski via the online Expression of Interest Form