Is transport of miRNAs essential for plant development? This project will provide knowledge of how a new class of biologically active molecule (micro RNA) regulates expression of genes at sites in the plant that are critical for growth and development. MicroRNAs are believed to influence the size and shape of plants, how rapidly they grow and how well they produce and fill seeds. These molecules are part of a group of bioactive signals that move throughout the plant, functioning like hormones bu ....Is transport of miRNAs essential for plant development? This project will provide knowledge of how a new class of biologically active molecule (micro RNA) regulates expression of genes at sites in the plant that are critical for growth and development. MicroRNAs are believed to influence the size and shape of plants, how rapidly they grow and how well they produce and fill seeds. These molecules are part of a group of bioactive signals that move throughout the plant, functioning like hormones but directly influencing how well critical genes work. Their exploitation holds great promise for manipulating plant performance and enhancing crop yields. Read moreRead less
Carboxylate exudation and phosphate nutrition in Hakea prostrata (Proteaecea). Nonmycorrhizal Proteaceae are very successful in acquiring phosphate from nutrient-impoverished soils; their cluster roots account for this. They are also extremely sensitive to phosphate toxicity. We will elucidate aspects of production and release of carboxylates that are associated with functioning of cluster roots, using Hakea prostrata (Proteaceae) as a model. Types and rates of exudation by cluster roots, as in ....Carboxylate exudation and phosphate nutrition in Hakea prostrata (Proteaecea). Nonmycorrhizal Proteaceae are very successful in acquiring phosphate from nutrient-impoverished soils; their cluster roots account for this. They are also extremely sensitive to phosphate toxicity. We will elucidate aspects of production and release of carboxylates that are associated with functioning of cluster roots, using Hakea prostrata (Proteaceae) as a model. Types and rates of exudation by cluster roots, as influenced by development and environmental signals, will be assessed. Our findings will provide key information on adaptive mechanisms associated with both phosphate acquisition from phosphate-fixing soils and phosphate toxicity.Read moreRead less
Genome Approaches to Investigate Metabolic Coordination in Plant Cells. Metabolism of C and N in legume nodules requires interaction between the symbiotic bacteria and plant organelles, particularly metabolism in plastids and mitochondria. Fixed N is assimilated through the de novo synthesis of purines in both plastids and mitochondria. However, each of the nine pathway enzymes is encoded by a single gene, indicating each protein is targeted to both organelles. Purine metabolism will provide ....Genome Approaches to Investigate Metabolic Coordination in Plant Cells. Metabolism of C and N in legume nodules requires interaction between the symbiotic bacteria and plant organelles, particularly metabolism in plastids and mitochondria. Fixed N is assimilated through the de novo synthesis of purines in both plastids and mitochondria. However, each of the nine pathway enzymes is encoded by a single gene, indicating each protein is targeted to both organelles. Purine metabolism will provide a model to assess the more general occurrence of dual-targeted proteins in plants. The aim is to identify and eventually exploit the signalling mechanism(s) that mediate communication between plastids and mitochondria.Read moreRead less
Functional genomics approaches to the mechanisms of starch mobilisation in Arabidopsis. Starch is a key carbon and energy reserve that underpins plant growth. This in turn underpins much of Australia's $60 billion agriculture industry. Starch also provides most of the calories in the human diet and is a renewable commodity supporting manufacturing industries. Dependence of society on starch will increase as it becomes used more for novel materials and for bio-ethanol production, which in turn w ....Functional genomics approaches to the mechanisms of starch mobilisation in Arabidopsis. Starch is a key carbon and energy reserve that underpins plant growth. This in turn underpins much of Australia's $60 billion agriculture industry. Starch also provides most of the calories in the human diet and is a renewable commodity supporting manufacturing industries. Dependence of society on starch will increase as it becomes used more for novel materials and for bio-ethanol production, which in turn will create new jobs in the rural economy. A major quality problem in cereal grain is pre-harvest starch breakdown caused by warm wet weather triggering events associated with germination. By understanding starch metabolism in plants we will be better able to manage and enhance growth of crop plants, starch production and seed quality.Read moreRead less
Translocated signals regulating stem cell (meristem) activity in legumes. Translocation channels of phloem and xylem allocate nutrients to growing plant organs. They also mediate communication between organs through transport of signals that elicit responses to developmental and environmental cues. The most important sites for signal transduction are the stem cells of root and shoot apical meristems. This project will discover and identify these signals using a metabolomic/proteomic approach an ....Translocated signals regulating stem cell (meristem) activity in legumes. Translocation channels of phloem and xylem allocate nutrients to growing plant organs. They also mediate communication between organs through transport of signals that elicit responses to developmental and environmental cues. The most important sites for signal transduction are the stem cells of root and shoot apical meristems. This project will discover and identify these signals using a metabolomic/proteomic approach and relying on a unique feature of lupin that permits collection of transport fluids. The project will identify ways to modify signal action to enhance performance of legumes.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0668413
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$723,000.00
Summary
The Nanoscale Characterisation Centre WA Analytical Biological Transmission Electron Microscope Facility. A new regional analytical biological TEM (BioTEM) will provide critical support to acclaimed medical and biological groups researching nationally significant age-related health, agricultural and environmental questions. The BioTEM, for example, will allow a unique opportunity to detect metal uptake and accumulation in bone-forming cells. This research will provide insight into metal induce ....The Nanoscale Characterisation Centre WA Analytical Biological Transmission Electron Microscope Facility. A new regional analytical biological TEM (BioTEM) will provide critical support to acclaimed medical and biological groups researching nationally significant age-related health, agricultural and environmental questions. The BioTEM, for example, will allow a unique opportunity to detect metal uptake and accumulation in bone-forming cells. This research will provide insight into metal induced afflictions, such as nasal ulcer, lung cancer, contact dermatitis and hypersensitivity reactions like asthma. The BioTEM will also be used to study how plants take up nutrients and how they use these compounds for growth, development and reproduction. Successes in this research will transfer to the important development of salt-tolerant plant species.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989782
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$524,000.00
Summary
A Core Western Australian Cell Sorting Facility - Ultra-Small Objects and Rare Cell Populations. This new generic capacity to rapidly isolate structures smaller than the cell has extraordinarily wide application in the biological sciences. Making this capacity widely accessible through a core facility to the Western Australian research community will generate research outcomes of national and community benefit. Sorting chromosomes to better understand genetic abnormalities and sorting bacteria t ....A Core Western Australian Cell Sorting Facility - Ultra-Small Objects and Rare Cell Populations. This new generic capacity to rapidly isolate structures smaller than the cell has extraordinarily wide application in the biological sciences. Making this capacity widely accessible through a core facility to the Western Australian research community will generate research outcomes of national and community benefit. Sorting chromosomes to better understand genetic abnormalities and sorting bacteria to better understand and reduce bacterial infection will result in improvements in human health. Sorting parasites, bacteria and immune cells will lead to new animal vaccines for parasites and diseases such as bird flu. Sorting marine plankton will lead to more sustainable marine ecosystems and fisheries.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120101117
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Understanding the molecular machines making proteins essential for life: investigating specialisation of plastid ribosome composition and function. Plastid ribosomes are complex molecular machines responsible for the production of proteins required for photosynthesis, a process which underlies global food and oxygen production. By determining if distinct plastid types have ribosomes that differ in both composition and function, the project could benefit biotechnological applications.
Regulation and role of metabolic networks for respiration in plants. This project aims to understand the regulation of respiration in plants which underpins the energy provision that cells need to operate. Understanding respiration and how it responds to the changing environment is a building block needed for rational engineering of our future food from plants.
Protein Complexes and Supercomplexes of Plant Organelles. Ample parts of plant primary metabolism occur in subcellular structures called mitochondria, plastids and peroxisomes. They are vital for plant growth and development and are central to the early success of germinating and growing seedlings. This project intends to analyze the protein complexes and supercomplexes within these organelles using state of the art instrumentation and technologies. Findings from this research have the potential ....Protein Complexes and Supercomplexes of Plant Organelles. Ample parts of plant primary metabolism occur in subcellular structures called mitochondria, plastids and peroxisomes. They are vital for plant growth and development and are central to the early success of germinating and growing seedlings. This project intends to analyze the protein complexes and supercomplexes within these organelles using state of the art instrumentation and technologies. Findings from this research have the potential to directly flow into the plant biotechnology industry and could assist the future development of Australian agriculture through genetic improvements. The expertise developed by this work will ensure that Australia is well placed to meet future needs and to generally improve agricultural technology. Read moreRead less