The Other Side: Long-distance Feedback and Cross-talk in the Arabidopsis Branching Gene Network. Shoot structure in nearly all plants impacts on water relations, yield and sustainability. Isolation of novel genes and plant hormone pathways that affect shoot structure should allow us to capture IP for Australia and enhance plant improvement and sustainability. One of the pathways we will investigate produces glucosinolates, small plant-specific molecules that have considerable value as anti-cance ....The Other Side: Long-distance Feedback and Cross-talk in the Arabidopsis Branching Gene Network. Shoot structure in nearly all plants impacts on water relations, yield and sustainability. Isolation of novel genes and plant hormone pathways that affect shoot structure should allow us to capture IP for Australia and enhance plant improvement and sustainability. One of the pathways we will investigate produces glucosinolates, small plant-specific molecules that have considerable value as anti-cancer agents in humans. Flavonoids, another pathway regulated in our shoot branching lines, also benefit human health. Graduate students and postdoctoral researchers will gain skills in research management, design, ethics and experimental methods pertinent to the growing biotechnology industry in Australia.Read moreRead less
Genetic and molecular analysis of long-distance gene silencing in Arabidopsis. Gene silencing is a surveillance mechanism in plants and animals to ensure that all genes are switched on or off at the right time. It is also a defence mechanism against viruses. Perturbation of gene silencing can be a cause of genetic diseases, and conversely, gene silencing has immense potential as a therapeutic tool for correcting genetic diseases and curing viral diseases. When silencing is triggered against a ge ....Genetic and molecular analysis of long-distance gene silencing in Arabidopsis. Gene silencing is a surveillance mechanism in plants and animals to ensure that all genes are switched on or off at the right time. It is also a defence mechanism against viruses. Perturbation of gene silencing can be a cause of genetic diseases, and conversely, gene silencing has immense potential as a therapeutic tool for correcting genetic diseases and curing viral diseases. When silencing is triggered against a gene or virus in plants, genetic signals are transmitted throughout the organism to systemically switch off the specific gene or virus. Expected long-term national/community benefits from understanding gene silencing are wide-ranging, from improved crops through to drugs and gene therapy.Read moreRead less
Feasting on protein? Strategies of organic nitrogen acquisition by plant roots. Crops require large amounts of nitrogen for growth. Application of nitrogen fertiliser enhances yield, but causes off-site nitrogen pollution, a main threat to ecosystem integrity. Most nitrogen in soil occurs as organic complexes that are broken down by soil organism into small compounds, which are taken up roots or lost from the soil. This project will generate fundamental knowledge of how an Australian species and ....Feasting on protein? Strategies of organic nitrogen acquisition by plant roots. Crops require large amounts of nitrogen for growth. Application of nitrogen fertiliser enhances yield, but causes off-site nitrogen pollution, a main threat to ecosystem integrity. Most nitrogen in soil occurs as organic complexes that are broken down by soil organism into small compounds, which are taken up roots or lost from the soil. This project will generate fundamental knowledge of how an Australian species and a crop species with unusual root specialisations access soil organic nitrogen, thus increasing the efficiency of nitrogen use and reducing nitrogen loss. The research employs cutting-edge techniques for sustainable resource use, improved efficiency of crops and farming systems, and preservation of Australia's biodiversity.Read moreRead less