PhD Student off to Japan after winning scholarship

CRCNPB PhD candidate Matthew Tan has been rewarded for the research he is undertaking – to develop diagnostic tests for potential exotic nematode pests – with a scholarship from the APPS Australia-Japan Foundation.

Matthew will travel to Japan – likely to be during April – to collect samples of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, commonly known as pine wood nematode or PWN. PWN is not present in Australia and this trip will allow Matthew to learn how to collect field samples and conduct molecular identification of this biosecurity pest.

PWN is a major issue for pine trees in Japan. Matthew will be working on the project in collaboration with Dr Natsumi Kanzaki – one of the leading researchers on PWN at the Forest Pathology Laboratory, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, which is located south of Tokyo.

The PWN has a fascinating life cycle, which involves nematodes in the tree waiting for beetle larvae to hatch, then being transported to the tops of new pine trees by the beetle, which enables the nematodes to infect new trees. The nematodes multiply rapidly and infested trees can die in a matter of weeks.

Matthew believes he was awarded the scholarship as his research is critical to Australia’s biosecurity. “I guess it is because the samples I will be collecting are a real biosecurity issue,” Matthew said.

“As we know, the Australian pine plantation industry is worth about $18 billion per annum. The development of a test to identify if this emergency pest is present in Australia is needed.”

The visit to Japan will enable Matthew to develop a diagnostic test for PWN. First-hand knowledge of this pest, gained from leading researchers in Japan, will provide a new perspective and ideas that he can apply to his PhD studies. It will also establish research ties for him with leading researchers in Japan.

More information about Matthew’s PhD is available on the CRCNPB website.

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