New approaches for screening cereal germplasm for enhanced microbial pathogen resistance and desirable grain texture. The trait of grain hardness (texture) is of significance to the Australian infrastructure, as exports of hard wheat contribute over 5 billion dollars per year on average to the national economy and hard wheats are also important for domestic usage. The genes responsible for grain texture also impart resistance to bacterial and fungal pathogens which can cause extensive damage. ....New approaches for screening cereal germplasm for enhanced microbial pathogen resistance and desirable grain texture. The trait of grain hardness (texture) is of significance to the Australian infrastructure, as exports of hard wheat contribute over 5 billion dollars per year on average to the national economy and hard wheats are also important for domestic usage. The genes responsible for grain texture also impart resistance to bacterial and fungal pathogens which can cause extensive damage. However, the Australian gene pool has very limited genetic diversity in grain textures and thus possibly in pathogen resistance. The project will work out the science behind these two traits and identify lines with new variants of textures and pathogen resistances, thus greatly benefiting the national infrastructure and local primary industries.Read moreRead less
Molecular basis of synergy between PIs and defensins against fungi. The plant defensin nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase subunit 1 (NaD1) has potent antifungal activity against agricultural and human pathogens and has potential in the treatment of serious diseases that affect crop production and human health. NaD1 has been found to permeabilise membranes and allows entry of other molecules into the fungal cytoplasm. While screening for molecules that enhance the activity of defensi ....Molecular basis of synergy between PIs and defensins against fungi. The plant defensin nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase subunit 1 (NaD1) has potent antifungal activity against agricultural and human pathogens and has potential in the treatment of serious diseases that affect crop production and human health. NaD1 has been found to permeabilise membranes and allows entry of other molecules into the fungal cytoplasm. While screening for molecules that enhance the activity of defensins a number of proteinase inhibitors were identified that act synergistically with NaD1. This project aims to identify the molecular basis of this synergy which is expected to lead to better control of fungal diseases of crops and in humans.Read moreRead less
Reconstructing wheat evolution using ancient DNA. The domestication of wild grasses by farmers was a step change in human history; it led to the emergence of modern cereals and with them, western civilisation. This project will apply modern DNA sequencing methods to 5000-year-old cereal seeds to reconstruct the history of wheat, barley and other crops, and identify lost ancient forms and diversity.