Cell wall invertase regulates fruit and seed development through sugar signals, sugar transporters and plasmodesmal gating. This project seeks to understand the molecular and cellular events controlling carbohydrate allocation in fruit and seed by focusing the coupling between sugar metabolism and transport using tomato as a model. The information generated may provide technological opportunities to improve fruit and seed development hence, crop yield.
Mechanisms regulating plant cell expansion: assessing the role of aquaporins and sugar signalling. This project seeks to understand the role of water channel genes in controlling water flow into expanding plant cells by using cotton fibre as a model cell. Water flow plays critical roles in plant growth, hence yield. The information generated may provide technological opportunities for improving water flow and utilization, hence, crop yield.
Does manipulation of carbon and nitrogen metabolism in transgenic rice modify flag leaf senescence and grain filling at elevated CO2? This collaborative project between Australia and Japan aims to develop strategies for genetic manipulation of rice to improve grain yield of crops growing under rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations. A promising strategy is to slow aging of leaves that supply sugars and nitrogen to the developing grain for synthesis of starch and protein. High CO2 ....Does manipulation of carbon and nitrogen metabolism in transgenic rice modify flag leaf senescence and grain filling at elevated CO2? This collaborative project between Australia and Japan aims to develop strategies for genetic manipulation of rice to improve grain yield of crops growing under rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations. A promising strategy is to slow aging of leaves that supply sugars and nitrogen to the developing grain for synthesis of starch and protein. High CO2 alters the balance between supply and demand processes and consequently the first step in developing a strategy is to understand how these processes are regulated. To achieve this understanding we will use genetically modified plants with single alterations to either supply or demand functions.Read moreRead less
Regulation of photosynthesis by phosphorus in Australia’s C3 and C4 tropical grasses. Tropical grasses with distinctly different photosynthetic biochemistry (C3 and C4) dominate Australia's vast tropical grasslands. The soils of this ancient landscape are chronically low in the mineral nutrient phosphorus that plays a crucial role in regulating photosynthesis. The project will use an integrated experimental approach and novel techniques such as metabolomics to unravel and define the intricate ....Regulation of photosynthesis by phosphorus in Australia’s C3 and C4 tropical grasses. Tropical grasses with distinctly different photosynthetic biochemistry (C3 and C4) dominate Australia's vast tropical grasslands. The soils of this ancient landscape are chronically low in the mineral nutrient phosphorus that plays a crucial role in regulating photosynthesis. The project will use an integrated experimental approach and novel techniques such as metabolomics to unravel and define the intricate mechanisms by which phosphorus regulates the complex photosynthetic biochemistry of C4 grasses. The new scientific knowledge generated by the project will be used for pasture management models to ensure that successful strategies are implemented to reduce soil loss from our fragile grasslands.Read moreRead less
A novel signalling pathway in plant cells: the phospholipase-microtubule link. Plant development is closely linked to a dynamic network of microtubules and associated proteins. The network responds to a variety of hormonal and environmental signals, although the details of the signalling mechanism are unclear. Recently we made an outstanding discovery - a unique phospholipase D, a key signal-transducing enzyme that links the plasma membrane to the microtubule network. This project aims to def ....A novel signalling pathway in plant cells: the phospholipase-microtubule link. Plant development is closely linked to a dynamic network of microtubules and associated proteins. The network responds to a variety of hormonal and environmental signals, although the details of the signalling mechanism are unclear. Recently we made an outstanding discovery - a unique phospholipase D, a key signal-transducing enzyme that links the plasma membrane to the microtubule network. This project aims to define the molecular details of this novel signal-transduction pathway and establish how external signals modulate developmental events or initiate protective responses such as resistance to drought or pathogen attack.Read moreRead less
The use of molecular sponges to inhibit small Ribonucleic acid activity in plants. The deletion of gene activity is the most powerful way to understand gene function; however for genes encoding small Ribonucleic acids (RNAs) no current methodology can efficiently achieve this. Here, we aim to develop a gene silencing technology for small RNA encoding genes, which can be utilised to determine their function and used for biotechnological applications.
Investigations of signals involved in redox-regulation of carbon storage. This project seeks molecular understanding of signals optimising storage processes in plants in response to nutrient supply and environmental stress. Discovering regulatory signals that control carbon storage and yield will maintain Australia's international reputation in this field of research and may provide technical opportunities to improve crops in healthy or stressful environments. This is an issue of increasing impo ....Investigations of signals involved in redox-regulation of carbon storage. This project seeks molecular understanding of signals optimising storage processes in plants in response to nutrient supply and environmental stress. Discovering regulatory signals that control carbon storage and yield will maintain Australia's international reputation in this field of research and may provide technical opportunities to improve crops in healthy or stressful environments. This is an issue of increasing importance especially in the context of global warming. Read moreRead less
Novel laser isotopic techniques to assess the potential for water-use efficiency improvement of Australian crops. This project aims to develop new methods to reduce the water used by grain crops while maintaining productivity by advancing knowledge of the regulation plant carbon gain and water loss. Novel laser-lased measurement systems developed and applied in this project will provide new mechanistic understanding of plant carbon-water dynamics for individual leaves and at the whole crop scal ....Novel laser isotopic techniques to assess the potential for water-use efficiency improvement of Australian crops. This project aims to develop new methods to reduce the water used by grain crops while maintaining productivity by advancing knowledge of the regulation plant carbon gain and water loss. Novel laser-lased measurement systems developed and applied in this project will provide new mechanistic understanding of plant carbon-water dynamics for individual leaves and at the whole crop scale. Water availability is the most pressing environmental issue facing the Australian grain industry, so improvements in the efficiency with which water is used will have profound economic and environmental effects.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140101143
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$395,220.00
Summary
An electrophysiological insight into the role of chloroplasts in stomatal drought signalling. Drought implies a range of stresses with which plants have to cope. Drought is not only a domestic issue for Australian people who live in this dry continent but also significantly affects global food supply and drives climate change. Stomata guard cells exert major controls on global water and carbon cycles. Although the total stomatal pore area may be five per cent of a leaf surface, transpirational w ....An electrophysiological insight into the role of chloroplasts in stomatal drought signalling. Drought implies a range of stresses with which plants have to cope. Drought is not only a domestic issue for Australian people who live in this dry continent but also significantly affects global food supply and drives climate change. Stomata guard cells exert major controls on global water and carbon cycles. Although the total stomatal pore area may be five per cent of a leaf surface, transpirational water loss through the stomata contributes to 70 per cent of total agricultural water usage. As an environmental signal, drought regulates stomatal movements. This project seeks to understand the mechanisms of drought induced molecular retrograde signals and their regulation over stomata. The outcomes will aid the development of strategies for reducing water loss from crops.Read moreRead less
The role of the ammonium transport bHLHm1/AMF1 regulatory loci in plants. This project aims to investigate the role of a regulatory locus in the regulation of ammonium transport in plants and the interacting genetic and biochemical signalling promoting the interaction. Ammonium is an important nutrient source for plant growth and development. It has been recently identified that a new transport mechanism (AMF1 ) mediates ammonium transport across legume root nodule cellular membranes. AMF1 was i ....The role of the ammonium transport bHLHm1/AMF1 regulatory loci in plants. This project aims to investigate the role of a regulatory locus in the regulation of ammonium transport in plants and the interacting genetic and biochemical signalling promoting the interaction. Ammonium is an important nutrient source for plant growth and development. It has been recently identified that a new transport mechanism (AMF1 ) mediates ammonium transport across legume root nodule cellular membranes. AMF1 was identified through a transcriptional interaction with a membrane localised bHLHm1 transcription factor. Both bHLHm1 and AMF1 belong to a unique chromosomal regulatory locus common across sequenced dicot plant species.Read moreRead less