Plants, Plastics, and Pathogens: Assessing the Impact of Microplastic Contamination on Crop Resilience and Food Safety
Supervisors:
Dr Michael Ormsby, Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine
Prof Anna Amtmann, School of Molecular Biosciences
Lorena Rangel, James Hutton Institute
Kelly Houston, James Hutton Institute
Summary:
Plastic contamination of agricultural soils is a global challenge with unknown consequences for crop productivity, food quality, and human health. This PhD project will investigate how soil-derived plastics influence plant health, nutritional quality, and food safety using an interdisciplinary One Health approach.
The student will examine whether plastics alter the uptake of essential micronutrients, compromise plant immune responses, and increase susceptibility to bacterial and fungal pathogens. The research will also determine whether plastic-associated contaminants accumulate in edible tissues, assessing potential risks for consumer exposure. Using a powerful combination of plant growth experiments, microbiological techniques, and advanced chemical analyses, the student will provide vital new insights into the impact of environmental pollution on global food systems.
The student will receive multidisciplinary training spanning microbiology, plant science, environmental pollution, and analytical chemistry. They will develop expertise in experimental design, plant physiology, pathogen biology, contaminant detection, and ICP-MS elemental analysis. Through the University of Glasgow, the James Hutton Institute, and the NorthWest Bio DTP, the student will acquire essential transferable skills in data science, research management, and public engagement. This training equips graduates for impactful careers in academia, environmental consultancy, biotechnology, agricultural policy, and global food security.