Gene identification and functional characterization for metabolism-based herbicide resistance in Lolium rigidum. Evolution of multiple herbicide resistance is widespread in Lolium rigidum in Australia. This resistance is very often endowed by enhanced rates of herbicide metabolism (metabolic resistance) involving cytochrome P450. This project aims to identify, clone and characterise important herbicide-metabolising P450 and other genes from multiple herbicide-resistant L. rigidum biotypes, and d ....Gene identification and functional characterization for metabolism-based herbicide resistance in Lolium rigidum. Evolution of multiple herbicide resistance is widespread in Lolium rigidum in Australia. This resistance is very often endowed by enhanced rates of herbicide metabolism (metabolic resistance) involving cytochrome P450. This project aims to identify, clone and characterise important herbicide-metabolising P450 and other genes from multiple herbicide-resistant L. rigidum biotypes, and develop transcriptional and biochemical markers for metabolic resistance diagnosis. Herbicide-metabolising gene discovery, characterisation and marker development will greatly extend the currently limited knowledge and understanding of metabolic resistance and help achieve sustainable weed management.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
Revealing novel mechanisms conferring evolution of resistance to glufosinate and glyphosate in Eleusine indica. Glyphosate and its alternative glufosinate are the most important herbicides in world agriculture. The world’s first cases of glufosinate resistance in Eleusine indica have been recently reported. The aims of the proposed research is to identify the currently unknown biochemical and molecular mechanisms conferring glufosinate resistance, to unravel the novel molecular mechanism endowin ....Revealing novel mechanisms conferring evolution of resistance to glufosinate and glyphosate in Eleusine indica. Glyphosate and its alternative glufosinate are the most important herbicides in world agriculture. The world’s first cases of glufosinate resistance in Eleusine indica have been recently reported. The aims of the proposed research is to identify the currently unknown biochemical and molecular mechanisms conferring glufosinate resistance, to unravel the novel molecular mechanism endowing very high level glyphosate resistance, and to elucidate the evolutionary trajectory of glyphosate resistance in E. indica. This will advance our current knowledge and understanding of resistance evolution and have impact on resistance management.Read moreRead less
Starting closer to home: disease control and the nonhost resistance paradigm in plants. The wellbeing of all humans depends upon plant production. This project will investigate the feasibility of transferring disease resistance genes among wheat, barley and oats, which account for 78 per cent of Australian grain production, to achieve sustained disease control, by dissecting the genetic bases of resistance to stem rust across these three crop species.