Disorder as a novel determinant of photosynthetic structure and function: an experimental study. Australia enjoys a world reputation in photosynthesis research, typified by hosting the 2001 International Photosynthesis Congress. It also has a claim to fame for theoretical work in non-equilibrium thermodynamics concerning production of disorder or entropy, yielding new insights into planetary climates. This experimental project investigates the novel relation between entropy/entropy production ....Disorder as a novel determinant of photosynthetic structure and function: an experimental study. Australia enjoys a world reputation in photosynthesis research, typified by hosting the 2001 International Photosynthesis Congress. It also has a claim to fame for theoretical work in non-equilibrium thermodynamics concerning production of disorder or entropy, yielding new insights into planetary climates. This experimental project investigates the novel relation between entropy/entropy production and the structure/function of the solar powerhouse of plants (chloroplasts), and addresses fundamental questions at the interface of biology and physics. The research explores chloroplasts as a manifestation of the all-pervading Second Law of Thermodynamics, advancing Australia's contribution to basic science and helping to train researchers.Read moreRead less
What limits CO2 diffusion inside leaves? Dissecting the diffusion path with Arabidopsis mutants. Human induced increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide is now generally accepted as contributing to global warming. Forecasting our future impact relies on models of terrestrial photosynthesis which use a signature in the atmosphere created by plants when they discriminate against the heavy stable isotope of carbon during photosynthesis. Discrimination between isotopes is affected by carbon dioxide dif ....What limits CO2 diffusion inside leaves? Dissecting the diffusion path with Arabidopsis mutants. Human induced increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide is now generally accepted as contributing to global warming. Forecasting our future impact relies on models of terrestrial photosynthesis which use a signature in the atmosphere created by plants when they discriminate against the heavy stable isotope of carbon during photosynthesis. Discrimination between isotopes is affected by carbon dioxide diffusion within leaves and key steps in this process will be identified through the use of Arabidopsis mutants. Better representation of this process in models will improve estimates of terrestrial photosynthesis and climate change forecastsRead moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0668294
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$110,000.00
Summary
Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry Facility for Nitrogen and Water Analysis in Plants. Continual improvement to agricultural plant production is key to maintaining future sustainable growth in Australian agriculture. Our respective research teams are focussed on improving how plants utilise both nitrogen and water. Many questions remain with respect to where, how and when plants use and or access these important nutrients. The proposed facility will enable plant scientists to begin in-depth anal ....Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry Facility for Nitrogen and Water Analysis in Plants. Continual improvement to agricultural plant production is key to maintaining future sustainable growth in Australian agriculture. Our respective research teams are focussed on improving how plants utilise both nitrogen and water. Many questions remain with respect to where, how and when plants use and or access these important nutrients. The proposed facility will enable plant scientists to begin in-depth analysis of both nitrogen transport mechanisms and the ability to model root development and water allocation in crop species. This research will ultimately lead to improved knowledge on how plants respond to their environment and where modifications can be made to generate sustainable crops suited to Australian agriculture.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354715
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$40,000.00
Summary
The Australian Plant Nutriomics Network. The Australian Plant Nutriomics Network will link Australian scientists investigating aspects of the plant nutriome - the summation of processes that deliver nutrients and water from soil to plants. The network will establish a coordinated approach to understanding genes, proteins and metabolites involved in element acquisition and how their functions are linked to soil conditions to maximise food quality and overcome soil environmental challenges. Inter ....The Australian Plant Nutriomics Network. The Australian Plant Nutriomics Network will link Australian scientists investigating aspects of the plant nutriome - the summation of processes that deliver nutrients and water from soil to plants. The network will establish a coordinated approach to understanding genes, proteins and metabolites involved in element acquisition and how their functions are linked to soil conditions to maximise food quality and overcome soil environmental challenges. International articulation will ensure information exchange and enhance postgraduate and postdoctoral training by reciprocal visits and focused workshops. A major goal will be a strategy to integrate research using a complex systems approach to problems.Read moreRead less
Molecular analysis of photosynthetically-linked, active CO2 uptake and CO2 signal transduction by cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) have evolved a very efficient means of capturing and concentrating CO2 for photosynthetic fixation into sugars, the basic building blocks for cell growth. This process is dependent on the operation of several unique, active uptake systems for CO2 and HCO3-, with their genetic expression regulated by CO2 supply. This proposal will cap ....Molecular analysis of photosynthetically-linked, active CO2 uptake and CO2 signal transduction by cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) have evolved a very efficient means of capturing and concentrating CO2 for photosynthetic fixation into sugars, the basic building blocks for cell growth. This process is dependent on the operation of several unique, active uptake systems for CO2 and HCO3-, with their genetic expression regulated by CO2 supply. This proposal will capitalize on our progress in describing the functional genetics of this process and aims to elucidate the mechanism of active CO2 uptake and the way that cells sense the ambient CO2 concentration. The information gained is likely to be useful for designing improved crops.Read moreRead less
Development of cryopreservation for high value provenance collections of recalcitrant plant species used in post-mining restoration. This project will develop new and innovative ways to store highly valued native plant germplasm at ultra cold temperatures (-196 °C, in liquid nitrogen) as a means to ensure that elite genotypes used in minesite restoration and critically endangered species are not lost forever to extinction. This project will be the first of its type in Australia utilising a multi ....Development of cryopreservation for high value provenance collections of recalcitrant plant species used in post-mining restoration. This project will develop new and innovative ways to store highly valued native plant germplasm at ultra cold temperatures (-196 °C, in liquid nitrogen) as a means to ensure that elite genotypes used in minesite restoration and critically endangered species are not lost forever to extinction. This project will be the first of its type in Australia utilising a multidisciplinary approach to answer key storage questions and will provide significant national benefits to conservation programs and landcare groups, providing these with additional resources to ensure the long-term survival of native plant germplasm collections. Read moreRead less
Probing the four photosynthetic membrane protein complexes at work in situ in leaves. This proposal aims at sustainable improvements in plant productivity and photosynthetic adaptation in drastic Australian climates. In photosynthesis, membranes with the four multiprotein complexes use sunlight to make compounds that drive carbon assimilation. Instead of the usual dissection of photosynthetic membranes, this project will develop and refine the applicant's rapid, reliable, non-intrusive technique ....Probing the four photosynthetic membrane protein complexes at work in situ in leaves. This proposal aims at sustainable improvements in plant productivity and photosynthetic adaptation in drastic Australian climates. In photosynthesis, membranes with the four multiprotein complexes use sunlight to make compounds that drive carbon assimilation. Instead of the usual dissection of photosynthetic membranes, this project will develop and refine the applicant's rapid, reliable, non-intrusive techniques to probe the four membrane complexes at work in their native state in leaves. Two portable commercial instruments will potentially emerge from the techniques. This novel non-reductionist approach will identify key limitations to photosynthetic performance under stress, and insights into improvements for primary plant productivity.Read moreRead less
Phloem unloading of sucrose: cloning, functional characterisation and regulation of novel membrane transporters. Sucrose is the principal form in which plant biomass, produced in photosynthetic leaves, is transported to non-photosynthetic organs for growth and storage. Sucrose transport proteins play pivotal roles in facilitating sucrose transport around plants. Hence activities of sucrose transporters directly impact on plant growth rates and crop yields. Our aim is to isolate hitherto unkno ....Phloem unloading of sucrose: cloning, functional characterisation and regulation of novel membrane transporters. Sucrose is the principal form in which plant biomass, produced in photosynthetic leaves, is transported to non-photosynthetic organs for growth and storage. Sucrose transport proteins play pivotal roles in facilitating sucrose transport around plants. Hence activities of sucrose transporters directly impact on plant growth rates and crop yields. Our aim is to isolate hitherto unknown membrane proteins that move sucrose at high rates between cells and discover their transport properties. Expected outcomes are to better understand mechanisms and regulation of sucrose transport and hence provide novel opportunities to enhance crop yield. The project will foster a productive international collaboration.Read moreRead less
The response of mitochondria to oxidative stress in plants. Crops encounter many situations in their environment which place them under stress. Reactive oxygen molecules produced in these situations act as messengers to trigger defence mechanisms but also cause cellular damage. Mitochondria are the subcellular compartments involved in energy production and are essential for plant development and growth. However, they also have been implicated in the response of plants to stress and pathogen atta ....The response of mitochondria to oxidative stress in plants. Crops encounter many situations in their environment which place them under stress. Reactive oxygen molecules produced in these situations act as messengers to trigger defence mechanisms but also cause cellular damage. Mitochondria are the subcellular compartments involved in energy production and are essential for plant development and growth. However, they also have been implicated in the response of plants to stress and pathogen attack, and in production of reactive oxygen molecules. This proposal seeks to investigate how mitochondria are involved in these processes, focusing on the role of terminal oxidases. Potential outcomes include crops better able to cope with environmental stress.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0561161
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$110,000.00
Summary
Joint Facility for Genome Analysis of Nutrient Transport Proteins. The joint facility for genome analysis of nutrient transport proteins is a new initiative between the University of Adelaide, the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics, and the University of Western Australia to use a high throughput Xenopus oocyte expression system to screen plant cDNA/cRNA collections for genes encoding nutrient transport proteins. The facility will also provide a platform to rapidly accelerate our p ....Joint Facility for Genome Analysis of Nutrient Transport Proteins. The joint facility for genome analysis of nutrient transport proteins is a new initiative between the University of Adelaide, the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics, and the University of Western Australia to use a high throughput Xenopus oocyte expression system to screen plant cDNA/cRNA collections for genes encoding nutrient transport proteins. The facility will also provide a platform to rapidly accelerate our present capacity for Xenopus oocyte expression analysis of nutrient transport proteins. This facility will greatly aid our current research quantum in this field and allow for new discoveries related to nutrient transport in plants.Read moreRead less