Using the fractionation of hydrogen and carbon isotopes to analyse the mechanisms of the primary processes of photosynthesis. The primary processes of CO2 fixation and reduction in photosynthesis leave their signatures in the isotopic composition of organic matter. Although these signatures are used widely in geochemistry, biology and climatology to infer the dynamics and history of the biosphere, the information they provide about the mechanisms of the processes that produce them has not been e ....Using the fractionation of hydrogen and carbon isotopes to analyse the mechanisms of the primary processes of photosynthesis. The primary processes of CO2 fixation and reduction in photosynthesis leave their signatures in the isotopic composition of organic matter. Although these signatures are used widely in geochemistry, biology and climatology to infer the dynamics and history of the biosphere, the information they provide about the mechanisms of the processes that produce them has not been exploited fully. We propose to map the underlying biochemistry responsible for fractionation of hydrogen isotopes, to assess its ability to indicate the water relations of plants, and to use carbon-isotope discrimination to probe the catalytic chemistry of the CO2-fixing enzyme, Rubisco.Read moreRead less
Striving for the path of least herbicide resistance. This project aims to investigate novel strategies to mitigate the rise in herbicide resistance threatening Australian agricultural production and exports. The project expects to pioneer long-term strategies for the development of herbicides that “resist” resistance generation in weeds to prolong their effectiveness. Expected outcomes include advances in the development of single- and multi-target herbicidal compounds with new modes of action, ....Striving for the path of least herbicide resistance. This project aims to investigate novel strategies to mitigate the rise in herbicide resistance threatening Australian agricultural production and exports. The project expects to pioneer long-term strategies for the development of herbicides that “resist” resistance generation in weeds to prolong their effectiveness. Expected outcomes include advances in the development of single- and multi-target herbicidal compounds with new modes of action, and validation of their potential to yield synergistic combinations and delay the evolution of resistance. This should lay the foundations for significant long-term benefits to farmers and consumers, both in Australia and globally, including increased crop yields and improved food security.Read moreRead less
Re-purposing shelved 'antibiotics' in the search for new herbicides. This project aims to identify target-specific herbicidal compounds that inhibit amino acid biosynthesis pathways to tackle herbicide resistance. This project expects to validate a novel herbicide discovery strategy by exploiting the similarity between bacterial and plant enzymes in these pathways to re-purpose failed 'antibiotics'. Expected outcomes include advances in our knowledge of the structure, function and inhibition of ....Re-purposing shelved 'antibiotics' in the search for new herbicides. This project aims to identify target-specific herbicidal compounds that inhibit amino acid biosynthesis pathways to tackle herbicide resistance. This project expects to validate a novel herbicide discovery strategy by exploiting the similarity between bacterial and plant enzymes in these pathways to re-purpose failed 'antibiotics'. Expected outcomes include advances in our knowledge of the structure, function and inhibition of novel herbicide targets, and the identification of compounds with herbicidal activity. This should lay the foundations for long-term benefits related to improving the quantity and quality of Australia’s crops to ensure our food security.Read moreRead less
Exploring the catalytic role of the Rubisco small subunit: a new target for improving carbon dioxide-fixation in plants. This project uses new biotechnological tools to improve the performance of the photosynthetic protein Rubisco, the primary carbon dioxide-fixing enzyme in plants. By supercharging photosynthesis, this research will help to boost yield and reduce water and nitrogen use in crops.
Rubisco for all climates: unlocking the enzyme's structure-function relations for more efficient photosynthesis. This projects biotechnological research will identify structural features in the carbon dioxide (CO2)-capturing enzyme from plants that improve its performance, particularly at warmer temperatures. This knowledge is vital for predicting the influence of climate change on crop productivity and paving the way for supercharging photosynthesis to boost crop performance.
The metabolic and enzymatic regulation of C4 photosynthesis and its impact on photosynthetic productivity. Australia's tropical pastures are dominated by plants utilising the C4 photosynthetic pathway. World wide C4 grasslands contribute to approximately 20% of global primary productivity. C4 plants also include important crop species such as maize, sorghum and sugar cane and are considered ideal species for bio-fuel production. This project will use a novel functional genomic/metabolomics appro ....The metabolic and enzymatic regulation of C4 photosynthesis and its impact on photosynthetic productivity. Australia's tropical pastures are dominated by plants utilising the C4 photosynthetic pathway. World wide C4 grasslands contribute to approximately 20% of global primary productivity. C4 plants also include important crop species such as maize, sorghum and sugar cane and are considered ideal species for bio-fuel production. This project will use a novel functional genomic/metabolomics approach to provide fundamental insights into the biochemical regulation of C4 photosynthesis under different environmental conditions. This will aid in the development of mathematical models of C4 photosynthesis required in climate models of CO2 exchange and enhance our ability to improve photosynthetic performance of agricultural species.Read moreRead less
Development of new herbicides targeting enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of branched-chain amino acids. Modern agriculture is heavily reliant on the use of herbicides. An inevitable consequence of herbicide usage is that resistant weeds will develop. Therefore, there is a continuing need to develop new herbicides to kill these resistant species. Herbicides interact with vulnerable molecular targets in plants, such as photosynthesis or the biosynthesis of certain amino acids. This project wil ....Development of new herbicides targeting enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of branched-chain amino acids. Modern agriculture is heavily reliant on the use of herbicides. An inevitable consequence of herbicide usage is that resistant weeds will develop. Therefore, there is a continuing need to develop new herbicides to kill these resistant species. Herbicides interact with vulnerable molecular targets in plants, such as photosynthesis or the biosynthesis of certain amino acids. This project will attempt to develop new herbicides that act upon two molecular targets that are not exploited by herbicides that are used currently. We will design, synthesize and test a variety of new compounds as potential environmentally-benign herbicides.Read moreRead less
Alternative Oxidase to Optimise Plant Growth and Stress Tolerance. Biomass accumulation in plants is the balance of CO2 fixed into carbohydrates through photosynthesis and carbohydrate burned (respired), ~ 50% of fixed CO2, to fuel growth. Plants possess energy conserving and non-conserving respiratory pathways. The alternative energy non-conserving pathway appears wasteful but is necessary for plant tolerance to adverse growth conditions. Our research has achieved modification of the alternativ ....Alternative Oxidase to Optimise Plant Growth and Stress Tolerance. Biomass accumulation in plants is the balance of CO2 fixed into carbohydrates through photosynthesis and carbohydrate burned (respired), ~ 50% of fixed CO2, to fuel growth. Plants possess energy conserving and non-conserving respiratory pathways. The alternative energy non-conserving pathway appears wasteful but is necessary for plant tolerance to adverse growth conditions. Our research has achieved modification of the alternative respiratory pathway that positively impacts plant growth. We will dissect the mechanism(s) of how the alternative respiratory pathway stimulates growth, from a molecular level to whole plant physiology, answering a long-standing question of the role of the alternative respiratory pathway in plant cell biology.Read moreRead less
Design and evaluation of new environmentally-benign herbicides that inhibit branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis. Herbicides interfere with processes that occur in plants, such as photosynthesis or the biosynthesis of certain amino acids. In this project we will focus on branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis, designing and evaluating inhibitors of the first two enzymes in this process. Based on their three dimensional structures we will develop an understanding of the molecular features that ....Design and evaluation of new environmentally-benign herbicides that inhibit branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis. Herbicides interfere with processes that occur in plants, such as photosynthesis or the biosynthesis of certain amino acids. In this project we will focus on branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis, designing and evaluating inhibitors of the first two enzymes in this process. Based on their three dimensional structures we will develop an understanding of the molecular features that contribute to a potent inhibitor and those that are required for it to be effective upon plants. Using this information we will design and synthesis new compounds as potential environmentally-benign herbicides.Read moreRead less
Feasting on protein? Strategies of organic nitrogen acquisition by plant roots. Crops require large amounts of nitrogen for growth. Application of nitrogen fertiliser enhances yield, but causes off-site nitrogen pollution, a main threat to ecosystem integrity. Most nitrogen in soil occurs as organic complexes that are broken down by soil organism into small compounds, which are taken up roots or lost from the soil. This project will generate fundamental knowledge of how an Australian species and ....Feasting on protein? Strategies of organic nitrogen acquisition by plant roots. Crops require large amounts of nitrogen for growth. Application of nitrogen fertiliser enhances yield, but causes off-site nitrogen pollution, a main threat to ecosystem integrity. Most nitrogen in soil occurs as organic complexes that are broken down by soil organism into small compounds, which are taken up roots or lost from the soil. This project will generate fundamental knowledge of how an Australian species and a crop species with unusual root specialisations access soil organic nitrogen, thus increasing the efficiency of nitrogen use and reducing nitrogen loss. The research employs cutting-edge techniques for sustainable resource use, improved efficiency of crops and farming systems, and preservation of Australia's biodiversity.Read moreRead less