A novel DNA motif involved in plant mitochondrial stress responses. The future of Australia's agriculture is threatened by limited water resources, temperature extremes and soil salinity. This project aims to unravel how plants are able to adapt to this continuously changing environment, by focusing on the role of mitochondria - cellular compartments essential for energy metabolism and plant stress responses.
Tightening the phosphorus cycle for grain legumes. Using unique core collections of chickpea, soybean and peanut with diverse genetic backgrounds, this project aims to unravel the mechanisms underlying high phosphorus-use efficiency (PUE) at morphological, physiological, biochemical and molecular levels in three major legume crops. Reduced levels of phosphorus and phytate in seeds will improve seed quality for humans and livestock and dramatically reduce phosphorus-fertiliser inputs. The identif ....Tightening the phosphorus cycle for grain legumes. Using unique core collections of chickpea, soybean and peanut with diverse genetic backgrounds, this project aims to unravel the mechanisms underlying high phosphorus-use efficiency (PUE) at morphological, physiological, biochemical and molecular levels in three major legume crops. Reduced levels of phosphorus and phytate in seeds will improve seed quality for humans and livestock and dramatically reduce phosphorus-fertiliser inputs. The identification of traits and genes associated with high PUE will allow transfer of key traits into commercial cultivars using molecular breeding approaches. Cultivars with improved PUE will enable reduced phosphate fertiliser input and loss of phosphate in runoff from agricultural systems.Read moreRead less
Phosphorus - A Key Factor in the Development of Novel Perennial Herbaceous Deep-rooted Pasture Legumes. This research aims at the development of urgently needed perennial pasture legumes, to expand perennial pasture options for southern Australia beyond lucerne. The development of new deep-rooted perennial pasture legumes has enormous potential to improve nutrient and water use over large areas of agricultural land. Benefits in terms of reducing soil erosion and acidification are also likely. An ....Phosphorus - A Key Factor in the Development of Novel Perennial Herbaceous Deep-rooted Pasture Legumes. This research aims at the development of urgently needed perennial pasture legumes, to expand perennial pasture options for southern Australia beyond lucerne. The development of new deep-rooted perennial pasture legumes has enormous potential to improve nutrient and water use over large areas of agricultural land. Benefits in terms of reducing soil erosion and acidification are also likely. An understanding of the responses of new perennial legumes to soil phosphorus is a prerequisite for the development of new perennial farming systems. Overall, both environmental and financial benefits will accrue at scales ranging from individual farmers and rural industries through to the general community.Read moreRead less
Propagation of terrestrial orchids for cultivation and conservation using in vitro symbiotic germination and tuberisation . The objective is to make Australian terrestrial orchids which have spectacular and unusual flower shapes and colours easier to grow, by producing tubers coated with mycorrhizal fungi. The availability of such propagules will be of value for horticulture, reintroduction of orchid species when rehabilitating mined land, and restoration of populations of rare and endangered ....Propagation of terrestrial orchids for cultivation and conservation using in vitro symbiotic germination and tuberisation . The objective is to make Australian terrestrial orchids which have spectacular and unusual flower shapes and colours easier to grow, by producing tubers coated with mycorrhizal fungi. The availability of such propagules will be of value for horticulture, reintroduction of orchid species when rehabilitating mined land, and restoration of populations of rare and endangered species. At present germination of the dust-like seeds with the appropriate mycorrhizal fungus, and handling the slow growing delicate seedlings makes these beautiful species unavailable except to the dedicated orchid enthusiast. Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0561161
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$110,000.00
Summary
Joint Facility for Genome Analysis of Nutrient Transport Proteins. The joint facility for genome analysis of nutrient transport proteins is a new initiative between the University of Adelaide, the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics, and the University of Western Australia to use a high throughput Xenopus oocyte expression system to screen plant cDNA/cRNA collections for genes encoding nutrient transport proteins. The facility will also provide a platform to rapidly accelerate our p ....Joint Facility for Genome Analysis of Nutrient Transport Proteins. The joint facility for genome analysis of nutrient transport proteins is a new initiative between the University of Adelaide, the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics, and the University of Western Australia to use a high throughput Xenopus oocyte expression system to screen plant cDNA/cRNA collections for genes encoding nutrient transport proteins. The facility will also provide a platform to rapidly accelerate our present capacity for Xenopus oocyte expression analysis of nutrient transport proteins. This facility will greatly aid our current research quantum in this field and allow for new discoveries related to nutrient transport in plants.Read moreRead less
Functional analysis of novel mitochondrial outer membrane proteins in Arabidopsis. Mitochondria play central roles in the life and death of cells. This project will characterise the functions of proteins on the mitochondrial surface, which mediate signals that define mitochondrial function, providing novel approaches to modify mitochondrial function and plant growth.
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
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120101562
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Quantifying the contribution of leaf vein networks to the leaf economics spectrum in native and agricultural species. Using a combination of eco-physiological and geometric measures this project will evaluate the influence of leaf vein networks on leaf economics. It is expected that this work will identify vein investment and network design as major sources of variability underlying species adaptive strategies, and the global leaf economics spectrum as a whole.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE130100073
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$280,000.00
Summary
High-throughput sample preparation robotics to enable emerging large-scale plant genomics, metabolomics and proteomics research. Discovering and breeding plants that are best suited for new environmental conditions requires the analysis of many samples to discover the underlying genes, metabolites and proteins. The project will build two robotic instruments that will facilitate the rapid grinding and extraction of plant tissues to facilitate these discoveries across Australia.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150100130
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$362,000.00
Summary
Control of plant mitochondrial metabolism by reversible enzyme acetylation. Plant metabolism is more complex and less well understood than metabolism in other groups such as animals or bacteria. Our lack of understanding of how plants control their metabolism is currently a major roadblock in the development and use of plants to produce increased quantities of nutritional, medicinal and chemical compounds. It was recently discovered that animal and bacterial cells coordinate the activity of cent ....Control of plant mitochondrial metabolism by reversible enzyme acetylation. Plant metabolism is more complex and less well understood than metabolism in other groups such as animals or bacteria. Our lack of understanding of how plants control their metabolism is currently a major roadblock in the development and use of plants to produce increased quantities of nutritional, medicinal and chemical compounds. It was recently discovered that animal and bacterial cells coordinate the activity of central metabolic pathways via a specific chemical modification (acetylation) of key enzymes. As enzyme acetylation may function in plant cells as well, this project aims to perform a fundamental yet practical assessment of how this mechanism works in plants and how it can be exploited to accurately manipulate plant metabolism.Read moreRead less