PhD position in the Applied Optics Group, University of Kent, Canterbury UK
Project Summary Plant cuticle and underlying epidermis forms the outermost layer protecting plants from desiccation and from abiotic and biotic stresses. The cuticle comprises mainly of polyester cutin and epicuticular waxes that help to prevent moisture loss and maintenance of cell turgor. In fruits changes in surface properties play an important role in increasing consumer appeal during maturation through development of ‘blooms’ and colour changes. Importantly, the cuticle and epidermis form a mechanical barrier acting as the first-line in defence against the ingress from plant pathogens. The PhD Studentship will aim to develop optical coherence tomography (a non-invasive high-resolution microscopy ...
