New Polymers for Cellulose-based Bioplastics. We will design new cellulose derivatives by combining carefully engineered synthetic polymers to cellulose. We will explore the fundamental science underpinning the manufacture of these bioplastics, and apply the concept to the design of two new materials, with (super)hydrophobic and antibacterial properties. These materials have the potential to replace synthetic plastics, which comprise one of the major outputs of the chemical industry worldwide. P ....New Polymers for Cellulose-based Bioplastics. We will design new cellulose derivatives by combining carefully engineered synthetic polymers to cellulose. We will explore the fundamental science underpinning the manufacture of these bioplastics, and apply the concept to the design of two new materials, with (super)hydrophobic and antibacterial properties. These materials have the potential to replace synthetic plastics, which comprise one of the major outputs of the chemical industry worldwide. Plastic is present everywhere in human life, but its manufacture and disposal have a strong negative impact on the environment; the new materials manufactured in this project are viable alternatives to plastics, and are sustainable from a production and disposal point of view.Read moreRead less
Molecular basis of the antifungal and antimalarial activity of a plant defensin. The plant defensin NaD1 has potent inhibitory activity against a number of agronomically important fungal pathogens. These species are major pathogens of cotton and other important agricultural crops such as canola and potatoes. These pathogens cause serious economic losses and threaten the future of the cotton industry in Australia. NaD1 also has potential as a new antibiotic for treatment of infections in human ....Molecular basis of the antifungal and antimalarial activity of a plant defensin. The plant defensin NaD1 has potent inhibitory activity against a number of agronomically important fungal pathogens. These species are major pathogens of cotton and other important agricultural crops such as canola and potatoes. These pathogens cause serious economic losses and threaten the future of the cotton industry in Australia. NaD1 also has potential as a new antibiotic for treatment of infections in humans.Read moreRead less
Molecular basis of antimicrobial and insecticidal activity of floral defensins from the Solonaceae. The flowers of Solanaceous plants produce high levels of defensins that protect the reproductive tissues against potential damage from microorganisms. The presence of related defensins in mammals, insects and plants indicates that they are part of an ancient defence mechanism. The floral defensins are potent antifungal molecules and surprisingly also have insecticidal activity. The aim of this pro ....Molecular basis of antimicrobial and insecticidal activity of floral defensins from the Solonaceae. The flowers of Solanaceous plants produce high levels of defensins that protect the reproductive tissues against potential damage from microorganisms. The presence of related defensins in mammals, insects and plants indicates that they are part of an ancient defence mechanism. The floral defensins are potent antifungal molecules and surprisingly also have insecticidal activity. The aim of this project is to understand the molecular basis of the antifungal and insecticide activity and to use this knowledge to produce improved molecules for crop protection.Read moreRead less
Dissecting the Indigo Pathway in Natural Indigo Producing Plants: Intricate Pathway Engineering for the Generation of Blue-Fibre Cotton. Australian cotton growers must maintain a sustained competitive advantage in the future to compete within the global cotton market by commanding higher margins for specialty cotton lint over and above current revenues. Development, via biotechnology, of naturally-colored, 'blue' lint cottons is the technical goal, where novel environmentally-benign textile prod ....Dissecting the Indigo Pathway in Natural Indigo Producing Plants: Intricate Pathway Engineering for the Generation of Blue-Fibre Cotton. Australian cotton growers must maintain a sustained competitive advantage in the future to compete within the global cotton market by commanding higher margins for specialty cotton lint over and above current revenues. Development, via biotechnology, of naturally-colored, 'blue' lint cottons is the technical goal, where novel environmentally-benign textile products could be produced without the use of toxic synthetic dyes or caustic dyeing processes. Success will provide a unique opportunity to re-establish an Australian cotton/textile industry by allowing direct participation in the development, branding and marketing of novel Australian textile products, generating potential revenue upwards of $10B/year. Read moreRead less
Structural studies of host-pathogen interactions. The host-pathogen interface represents a major frontier for biomedical and biotechnological applications. This project aims to understand at the atomic level two such interfaces. In the first instance, the project will elucidate the molecular basis for inhibition of premature host cell death by poxviruses, in particular vaccinia and variola virus, the causative agent of smallpox. In the second instance, the aim is to understand how defensins, a ....Structural studies of host-pathogen interactions. The host-pathogen interface represents a major frontier for biomedical and biotechnological applications. This project aims to understand at the atomic level two such interfaces. In the first instance, the project will elucidate the molecular basis for inhibition of premature host cell death by poxviruses, in particular vaccinia and variola virus, the causative agent of smallpox. In the second instance, the aim is to understand how defensins, a major class of host defence molecules, recognise microbial targets such as fungi, and exert a potent antimicrobial effect. Understanding the precise molecular mechanisms operating at both these host-pathogen interfaces this will provide novel avenues for the design of antiviral and antimicrobial agents.Read moreRead less
A novel reversible male sterility system for hybrid seed production in canola, cotton and oilseed mustard. Demand for grains, fibre and other agricultural products has recently increased significantly. Hence, the security of food production is emerging as a critical global issue. We have identified a central component (AtMYB103) controlling tapetum and thus pollen development and designed a novel reversible male sterility system using AtMYB103. The efficient hybrid seed production systems develo ....A novel reversible male sterility system for hybrid seed production in canola, cotton and oilseed mustard. Demand for grains, fibre and other agricultural products has recently increased significantly. Hence, the security of food production is emerging as a critical global issue. We have identified a central component (AtMYB103) controlling tapetum and thus pollen development and designed a novel reversible male sterility system using AtMYB103. The efficient hybrid seed production systems developed in this project for canola, cotton and mustard will increase the productivity of the Australian oilseed and fibre industries. AtMYB103 gene is conserved among many crop plants. Hence, the new technologies and knowledge gained will be applicable to a wide range of crop plants and have important implications for the agricultural and food industries.Read moreRead less