Brassica genome organisation and evolution: unlocking the potential of using genome-specific repetitive elements for crop improvement. Introgression of chromosome segments from related Brassica species provides an opportunity to develop locally adapted varieties with improved agronomic and quality traits. There is a need to understand Brassica genome organisation and how this information can be used for enhancing the efficiency of cultivar development. Dispersed and tandem repetitive DNA sequen ....Brassica genome organisation and evolution: unlocking the potential of using genome-specific repetitive elements for crop improvement. Introgression of chromosome segments from related Brassica species provides an opportunity to develop locally adapted varieties with improved agronomic and quality traits. There is a need to understand Brassica genome organisation and how this information can be used for enhancing the efficiency of cultivar development. Dispersed and tandem repetitive DNA sequences provide valuable information on the organisation and evolution of plant chromosomes. Methods for monitoring chromosome segment transfer across Brassica species will be developed based on detecting and quantifying genome-specific repetitive DNA sequences. Australian Brassica improvement programs could benefit from this research by adopting methods to detect chromosome segment transfer during interspecific hybridisation.Read moreRead less
Exploiting the Arabidopsis genome sequence as a molecular 'toolbox' for Brassica improvement. Australia's position as a major exporter of canola (Brassica napus) is under threat from genetic improvements in yield and quality being made by our international competitors. We will identify genes from Arabidopsis (the 'tool-box') that will be used to increase the speed of selection of new canola varieties with improved oleic acid content, disease resistance, and agronomic traits such as early flower ....Exploiting the Arabidopsis genome sequence as a molecular 'toolbox' for Brassica improvement. Australia's position as a major exporter of canola (Brassica napus) is under threat from genetic improvements in yield and quality being made by our international competitors. We will identify genes from Arabidopsis (the 'tool-box') that will be used to increase the speed of selection of new canola varieties with improved oleic acid content, disease resistance, and agronomic traits such as early flowering and cold tolerance. Genome similarity between Arabidopsis and canola will be exploited to map specific genes from Arabidopsis directly into canola. Based on this knowledge, we will develop gene-specific molecular markers for rapid selection of Australian-adapted canola varieties.Read moreRead less
Developing technology for the cost effective de novo sequencing and analysis of complex genomes. Applying the latest scientific advances supports society directly through promoting a knowledge based economy, as well as indirectly through securing agricultural productivity and improved biomedical applications. Establishing these methods places Australia at the forefront of genomics technology with direct applications for Australian biomedical and biotechnology industries. Maintaining agricultural ....Developing technology for the cost effective de novo sequencing and analysis of complex genomes. Applying the latest scientific advances supports society directly through promoting a knowledge based economy, as well as indirectly through securing agricultural productivity and improved biomedical applications. Establishing these methods places Australia at the forefront of genomics technology with direct applications for Australian biomedical and biotechnology industries. Maintaining agricultural production in an unreliable environment remains a national challenge, both for rural and urban communities. This sequencing technology will provide a detailed understanding of crop genome structure and lead to the development of crops that are better suited to the Australian climate, supporting a sustainable agricultural industry. Read moreRead less
Characterising genetic variation in Brassica napus. Applying the latest scientific advances supports society through promoting a knowledge based economy, as well as through securing agricultural productivity and biomedical applications. Establishing these methods places Australia at the forefront of genomics technology with direct applications for Australian agricultural, biomedical and biotechnology industries. Maintaining agricultural production in an unreliable environment remains a national ....Characterising genetic variation in Brassica napus. Applying the latest scientific advances supports society through promoting a knowledge based economy, as well as through securing agricultural productivity and biomedical applications. Establishing these methods places Australia at the forefront of genomics technology with direct applications for Australian agricultural, biomedical and biotechnology industries. Maintaining agricultural production in an unreliable environment remains a national challenge, both for rural and urban communities. This technology will provide a detailed understanding of crop genome variation in relation to agronomic traits and lead to the development of crops that are better suited to the Australian climate, supporting a sustainable agricultural industry.Read moreRead less
Unravelling the relationship between growth and wood properties in temperate eucalypts. The most important biological traits affecting profit in eucalypt plantations grown for pulpwood are growth, wood density and pulp yield. Shrinkage and collapse are important for timber production. Little information is available on the size and direction of the correlations between these traits, yet they are important in determining selection response in breeding as well as environmental impacts on pulp and ....Unravelling the relationship between growth and wood properties in temperate eucalypts. The most important biological traits affecting profit in eucalypt plantations grown for pulpwood are growth, wood density and pulp yield. Shrinkage and collapse are important for timber production. Little information is available on the size and direction of the correlations between these traits, yet they are important in determining selection response in breeding as well as environmental impacts on pulp and sawlog yield. The collaborating growers and breeders have brought together a unique base of Eucalyptus globulus and E. nitens field trials that will allow an integrated quantitative and molecular genetic study of the interrelationships amongst these key profit traits.Read moreRead less
Expanding the gene pool of canola (Brassica napus) by introgressing valuable genes from related species. Canola is a high value export crop from Australia, and an important rotational crop which improves sustainability of agriculture through a disease and weed break for cereal crops. While breeders have improved quality, disease resistance and adaptation of canola to Australian conditions over the past 30 years, this has reduced genetic variation to dangerously low levels. Wide crossing with d ....Expanding the gene pool of canola (Brassica napus) by introgressing valuable genes from related species. Canola is a high value export crop from Australia, and an important rotational crop which improves sustainability of agriculture through a disease and weed break for cereal crops. While breeders have improved quality, disease resistance and adaptation of canola to Australian conditions over the past 30 years, this has reduced genetic variation to dangerously low levels. Wide crossing with drought tolerant Brassica carinata (Ethiopean mustard) will help to alleviate this problem. New uses of biotechnology, combined with molecular genetics, will help to overcome species barriers to introduce useful new genes into canola for Australian canola breeders.Read moreRead less
Genomic Synteny in Legumes; Application to Crop Breeding. Synteny is defined as the degree of colinearity between the order of orthologous genes in chromosomes of related species. New data suggests that legumes share widespread synteny. Extensive genomic resources are being accumulated for the model legume, Medicago truncatula including the full genome sequence. We propose to use these resources to uncover patterns of synteny between M. truncatula and the cultivated legumes chickpeas, lupins, ....Genomic Synteny in Legumes; Application to Crop Breeding. Synteny is defined as the degree of colinearity between the order of orthologous genes in chromosomes of related species. New data suggests that legumes share widespread synteny. Extensive genomic resources are being accumulated for the model legume, Medicago truncatula including the full genome sequence. We propose to use these resources to uncover patterns of synteny between M. truncatula and the cultivated legumes chickpeas, lupins, faba-beans, lentils and lucerne. In addition to revealing patterns of chromosomal evolution in this large plant family, we will generate genetic maps and molecular markers for use in practical plant breeding of these important crops.Read moreRead less