Probing the four photosynthetic membrane protein complexes at work in situ in leaves. This proposal aims at sustainable improvements in plant productivity and photosynthetic adaptation in drastic Australian climates. In photosynthesis, membranes with the four multiprotein complexes use sunlight to make compounds that drive carbon assimilation. Instead of the usual dissection of photosynthetic membranes, this project will develop and refine the applicant's rapid, reliable, non-intrusive technique ....Probing the four photosynthetic membrane protein complexes at work in situ in leaves. This proposal aims at sustainable improvements in plant productivity and photosynthetic adaptation in drastic Australian climates. In photosynthesis, membranes with the four multiprotein complexes use sunlight to make compounds that drive carbon assimilation. Instead of the usual dissection of photosynthetic membranes, this project will develop and refine the applicant's rapid, reliable, non-intrusive techniques to probe the four membrane complexes at work in their native state in leaves. Two portable commercial instruments will potentially emerge from the techniques. This novel non-reductionist approach will identify key limitations to photosynthetic performance under stress, and insights into improvements for primary plant productivity.Read moreRead less
The Shape of Plants; Discovering factors that control morphology by organizing the cytoskeleton. Understanding how plants generate the huge diversity of shapes seen in nature is both a scientific challenge and a biotechnological opportunity. Microtubules dominate cell architecture, providing dynamic, yet rigid, frameworks for defining or changing growth polarity. We recently discovered and cloned MOR1, a gene that is essential for organizing microtubules and controlling morphogenesis. This place ....The Shape of Plants; Discovering factors that control morphology by organizing the cytoskeleton. Understanding how plants generate the huge diversity of shapes seen in nature is both a scientific challenge and a biotechnological opportunity. Microtubules dominate cell architecture, providing dynamic, yet rigid, frameworks for defining or changing growth polarity. We recently discovered and cloned MOR1, a gene that is essential for organizing microtubules and controlling morphogenesis. This places us in a strong position to resolve a long-standing mystery: how are microtubules organized? We intend to define MOR1's structural attributes, identify its interacting proteins and innovate an ambitious screen for additional genes that have related functions. This project should stimulate new ideas and applications.Read moreRead less
Identifying genes controlling the regulatory and metabolic interactions between the energy organelles of the leaf. Plant energy metabolism underlies the synthesis of many important products in crops, and subtle changes in metabolism can enhance key plant traits, such as germination rates, early seedling vigour, biomass/yield, and tolerance to harsh environments. Furthering our understanding on the complex interplay of genes controlling energy metabolism and its impact on leaf function has potent ....Identifying genes controlling the regulatory and metabolic interactions between the energy organelles of the leaf. Plant energy metabolism underlies the synthesis of many important products in crops, and subtle changes in metabolism can enhance key plant traits, such as germination rates, early seedling vigour, biomass/yield, and tolerance to harsh environments. Furthering our understanding on the complex interplay of genes controlling energy metabolism and its impact on leaf function has potential outcomes for smart genetic manipulation either by classical breeding or genetic transformation. There are more than 10,000 genes of unknown function in plant genomes and this represents a tremendous untapped resource for future Australian R&D outcomes and insights from this research proposal will have application to all plant-based agriculture.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989084
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$275,000.00
Summary
Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy for Live Cell Imaging. The University of Newcastle has invested heavily in its biological and life sciences to create a research nexus focusing on national research priorities in biotechnology and environmental protection. The Live Cell Imaging platform will be utilized by scientists researching such strategically important areas including developmental biology, intracellular signalling cascades, cell cycle dynamics, plant development and microbiology. Moreover ....Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy for Live Cell Imaging. The University of Newcastle has invested heavily in its biological and life sciences to create a research nexus focusing on national research priorities in biotechnology and environmental protection. The Live Cell Imaging platform will be utilized by scientists researching such strategically important areas including developmental biology, intracellular signalling cascades, cell cycle dynamics, plant development and microbiology. Moreover, this component of the University's research portfolio plays a major role in the postgraduate training of young Australian scientists who will, in turn, fuel future developments in both the life sciences and biotechnology industries.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989105
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$495,000.00
Summary
An Advanced Mass Spectrometry Facility for Applications in Proteomics and Organic Chemistry. Biomolecular research and research training, in which proteomics is core, has become a critical component of post-industrial development in the Hunter region. Development of a cutting edge proteomics facility will benefit a research community comprising over 50 researchers and 150 undergraduate students significantly enhancing their research productivity and translation of outcomes in areas of national i ....An Advanced Mass Spectrometry Facility for Applications in Proteomics and Organic Chemistry. Biomolecular research and research training, in which proteomics is core, has become a critical component of post-industrial development in the Hunter region. Development of a cutting edge proteomics facility will benefit a research community comprising over 50 researchers and 150 undergraduate students significantly enhancing their research productivity and translation of outcomes in areas of national importance. These include understanding the impact of the environment on plant and animal development, pest animal control, development of new biotechnology tools, new drugs and new methods for the detection of narcotics and explosives.Read moreRead less
Preparation of Photo-Affinity Molecular Probes for the Identification of Gibberellin Receptors. Bioactive gibberellins affect numerous processes during plant growth and development, including seed germination, leaf expansion, stem elongation, flowering and fruit development. However, only very limited information is available regarding their mode of action at the molecular level. The central aim of the project is to prepare a family of photo-affinity molecular probes based on the gibberellin m ....Preparation of Photo-Affinity Molecular Probes for the Identification of Gibberellin Receptors. Bioactive gibberellins affect numerous processes during plant growth and development, including seed germination, leaf expansion, stem elongation, flowering and fruit development. However, only very limited information is available regarding their mode of action at the molecular level. The central aim of the project is to prepare a family of photo-affinity molecular probes based on the gibberellin molecule that will be designed to provide critical information on the location and structure of gibberellin receptors. Screening of the probes for potential effectiveness will be determined initially by the measurement of alpha-amylase produced in a standard barley aleurone assay.Read moreRead less
New functions for bioactive flavonoids in plants and mammals. We have discovered natural products with biological activity in plants and mammals. These molecules affect plant shape and development and the process of mammalian blood vessel formation. We seek to understand how these molecules work. More understanding is required before one can begin to utilise these molecules for possible beneficial agriculture or human health outcomes. Plant shape influences such things as yield or more drought-r ....New functions for bioactive flavonoids in plants and mammals. We have discovered natural products with biological activity in plants and mammals. These molecules affect plant shape and development and the process of mammalian blood vessel formation. We seek to understand how these molecules work. More understanding is required before one can begin to utilise these molecules for possible beneficial agriculture or human health outcomes. Plant shape influences such things as yield or more drought-resilient root systems. Importantly, we have discovered specific molecules that either promote or inhibit blood vessel formation. A better understanding of how these molecules work could lead to novel treatments for cancer or cardiovascular disease.Read moreRead less
Elucidating the interactions between drought tolerance and photoprotection in plants. The 2002-03 drought cost Australia in the order of $10Billion and 70,000 jobs. Associated with reduced rainfall is increased sunlight irradiance, which exacerbates the reduction in crop yield due to the combined damage of a water deficit and oxidative damage caused by the excess light. Plants have networks of responses to minimise damage due to drought and excess light. We have identified a novel class of genes ....Elucidating the interactions between drought tolerance and photoprotection in plants. The 2002-03 drought cost Australia in the order of $10Billion and 70,000 jobs. Associated with reduced rainfall is increased sunlight irradiance, which exacerbates the reduction in crop yield due to the combined damage of a water deficit and oxidative damage caused by the excess light. Plants have networks of responses to minimise damage due to drought and excess light. We have identified a novel class of genes that optimise or alter different aspects of these networks and we wish to define the nature of that optimisation to determine how it could be transfered to crop plants.Read moreRead less
Chloroplast pigments as developmental signals. This project will define roles of chloroplast pigments in cellular signaling, plant growth and development. Effective communication between the chloroplast and the nucleus is essential for maintaining viability and productivity of the cell. Similarly, long-distance signaling is required for coordinated growth and development and we hypothesise that pigments also have importance in this role. Our proposal brings together the multidisciplinary skills ....Chloroplast pigments as developmental signals. This project will define roles of chloroplast pigments in cellular signaling, plant growth and development. Effective communication between the chloroplast and the nucleus is essential for maintaining viability and productivity of the cell. Similarly, long-distance signaling is required for coordinated growth and development and we hypothesise that pigments also have importance in this role. Our proposal brings together the multidisciplinary skills and resources of six investigators to define how certain carotenoids and chlorophyll precursors regulate gene expression and to determine the identity of what is most likely a carotenoid derivative with hormonal properties that controls lateral branch growth.Read moreRead less