Discovery of the molecular mode of action of karrikins in plants. Karrikins are a newly-discovered family of naturally-occurring plant growth regulators that stimulate seed germination and seedling vigour. They were discovered in smoke and while they are centrally important in fire ecology they have far wider significance since species from non-fire-prone regions also respond to karrikins. Our research will discover how karrikins work at the molecular level in plant cells. Our discoveries will b ....Discovery of the molecular mode of action of karrikins in plants. Karrikins are a newly-discovered family of naturally-occurring plant growth regulators that stimulate seed germination and seedling vigour. They were discovered in smoke and while they are centrally important in fire ecology they have far wider significance since species from non-fire-prone regions also respond to karrikins. Our research will discover how karrikins work at the molecular level in plant cells. Our discoveries will be applied to improve growth of crop plants, to stimulate germination of weeds so that they can be eradicated, and in restoration ecology to revegetate degraded land such as minesites. Australia's world-leading position in this new important research area will be enhanced.Read moreRead less
Dual-targeting of proteins and its role in coordinating organelle functions in plants. Innovative agricultural solutions in Australia's future will be built on understanding and manipulating the expression of groups of genes to influence whole plant phenotypes providing more robust plants and high value plant products. Plant energy organelles are central components in plant metabolism, their coordination by processes such as dual-targeting has potential to modify germination characteristics, ear ....Dual-targeting of proteins and its role in coordinating organelle functions in plants. Innovative agricultural solutions in Australia's future will be built on understanding and manipulating the expression of groups of genes to influence whole plant phenotypes providing more robust plants and high value plant products. Plant energy organelles are central components in plant metabolism, their coordination by processes such as dual-targeting has potential to modify germination characteristics, early seedling vigour, and stress tolerance. Studying energy organelles could generate valuable intellectual property to be applied within Australia's large plant-based industries and at the same time provide a rich intellectual environment for the training of research students and postdoctoral researchers.Read moreRead less
The role of changes to the proteome in the signalling of stress response in plant mitochondria. Innovative agricultural solutions in Australia's harsh climate will be built on manipulating the expression of groups of genes and understanding how the proteins they encode operate to influence whole plant phenotypes under stress to provide more robust plants and improved plant products. Mitochondria are central components in plant metabolism. Stabilizing their function during stress has the potentia ....The role of changes to the proteome in the signalling of stress response in plant mitochondria. Innovative agricultural solutions in Australia's harsh climate will be built on manipulating the expression of groups of genes and understanding how the proteins they encode operate to influence whole plant phenotypes under stress to provide more robust plants and improved plant products. Mitochondria are central components in plant metabolism. Stabilizing their function during stress has the potential to modify germination characteristics, early seedling vigour, and stress tolerance. Studying plant mitochondria supports the generation of intellectual property to be applied within Australia's plant-based industries and at the same time provide a rich intellectual environment for the training of students and researchers.Read moreRead less