Characterisation of interacting genes that condition avirulence and resistance between Phytophthora pathogens and soybean. Plant pathogens from the genus Phytophthora cause severe crop losses in Australia and worldwide. Resistance in host plants is frequently overcome by mutation of avirulence genes in the pathogen to create virulent new races. We will clone and characterise genes from Phytophthora sojae that control virulence and avirulence, and isolate soybean genes whose products interact w ....Characterisation of interacting genes that condition avirulence and resistance between Phytophthora pathogens and soybean. Plant pathogens from the genus Phytophthora cause severe crop losses in Australia and worldwide. Resistance in host plants is frequently overcome by mutation of avirulence genes in the pathogen to create virulent new races. We will clone and characterise genes from Phytophthora sojae that control virulence and avirulence, and isolate soybean genes whose products interact with the Phytophthora gene products. An understanding of the molecular mechanisms than enable current plant varieties to recognise Phytophthora pathogens leading to resistance or susceptibility will assist the development of novel strategies for durable disease resistance in soybean and other crop plants.Read moreRead less
Efficient organelle transformation. Chloroplasts and mitochondria are the powerhouses of plant and animal cells. Ability to express introduced genes in these organelles has enormous biotechnological potential in agriculture and medicine, but practical development has been almost stalled for 15 years by very low transformation efficiency. Plastid transformation is today routine only in tobacco; and mitochondrial transformation has been achieved only in yeasts and algae. We have developed a soluti ....Efficient organelle transformation. Chloroplasts and mitochondria are the powerhouses of plant and animal cells. Ability to express introduced genes in these organelles has enormous biotechnological potential in agriculture and medicine, but practical development has been almost stalled for 15 years by very low transformation efficiency. Plastid transformation is today routine only in tobacco; and mitochondrial transformation has been achieved only in yeasts and algae. We have developed a solution, and achieved the key technical requirements for proof of concept. This collaboration between industry, government and university partners will deliver key Australian-owned IP, for environmentally-friendly plant biofactories, and for treatment of mitochondrial genetic disorders.Read moreRead less
Circular Plant Proteins with Pharmaceutical Applications. The proposed research will develop methods for using plants as protein production factories. Initially I will use plants to create engineered cyclotides that incorporate peptides with proven therapeutic activity against cancer and multiple sclerosis. Successful production of therapeutic proteins in plants will benefit Australians by making treatments for these and other diseases more accessible. It also has the potential for a major econo ....Circular Plant Proteins with Pharmaceutical Applications. The proposed research will develop methods for using plants as protein production factories. Initially I will use plants to create engineered cyclotides that incorporate peptides with proven therapeutic activity against cancer and multiple sclerosis. Successful production of therapeutic proteins in plants will benefit Australians by making treatments for these and other diseases more accessible. It also has the potential for a major economic benefit from the sales of Australian-based drugs. This proposal will also provide outstanding research training for graduate students in multidisciplinary methods that constitute state-of the-art structural and plant molecular biology.Read moreRead less