Unsaturation of vapour pressure inside leaves: fundamental, but unknown. This project aims to determine when and to what extent the air inside leaves becomes unsaturated with water vapour. All current interpretation and modelling of leaf gas exchange assumes saturation under all circumstances. Compelling evidence has been obtained that suggests this is not true under moderate air vapour pressure deficits. A novel technique will be employed to assess the water vapour concentration of the air insi ....Unsaturation of vapour pressure inside leaves: fundamental, but unknown. This project aims to determine when and to what extent the air inside leaves becomes unsaturated with water vapour. All current interpretation and modelling of leaf gas exchange assumes saturation under all circumstances. Compelling evidence has been obtained that suggests this is not true under moderate air vapour pressure deficits. A novel technique will be employed to assess the water vapour concentration of the air inside leaves based on stable isotope analysis of carbon dioxide and water vapour exchanged between leaves and air. The project is expected to provide fundamental knowledge about how stomata regulate photosynthesis and water use, with significant implications for modelling vegetation function and for improving the performance of crop plants.Read moreRead less
Will stomatal responses to humidity and carbon dioxide constrain tropical forest productivity as atmospheric carbon dioxide rises? This project will investigate two physiological processes that will partly determine growth responses of tropical forest trees to rising atmospheric carbon dioxide. The project will produce equations summarising physiological responses that can be incorporated into process-based models of tropical forest productivity.
Reading the isotopic archive: carbon and oxygen stable isotope ratios as recorders of plant physiological processes. This project will investigate how plant physiological processes are reflected in stable isotope ratios of carbon and oxygen in plant tissues. Results will contribute towards a mechanistic understanding of the processes that cause isotopic modifications, thereby enabling an improved interpretation of naturally occurring stable isotope signals.
The other half of the G-protein story: Functional analysis of the plant G-protein gamma subunits. It is now established that G-proteins are involved in the transduction of a number of important processes in plants (Cell division, stomata control, defence, light perception, etc). Nevertheless the data accumulated to date is based on the study of one of the two subunits (alpha) of the G-proteins. Almost nothing is known about the role of the second (and independent) subunit: beta-gamma. We will st ....The other half of the G-protein story: Functional analysis of the plant G-protein gamma subunits. It is now established that G-proteins are involved in the transduction of a number of important processes in plants (Cell division, stomata control, defence, light perception, etc). Nevertheless the data accumulated to date is based on the study of one of the two subunits (alpha) of the G-proteins. Almost nothing is known about the role of the second (and independent) subunit: beta-gamma. We will study for the first time the role of the beta-gamma subunit in plants. We will use a comprehensive approach combining biochemical, physiological, phenotypic, genomic and proteomic studies.Read moreRead less
Discovering the activity of novel CLE peptide hormones that regulate legume nodulation. This project aims to functionally characterise novel peptide hormones that regulate the number of nitrogen-fixing root nodules that legumes form. Findings will enhance the current nodulation model and could help to alleviate our reliance on expensive, often polluting, nitrogen-fertilisers by helping to optimise the nodulation process in agriculture.
Discovery of the systemic regulator of legume nodulation. This project aims to discover the novel, shoot-derived factor that legumes produce to regulate the number of nitrogen-fixing root nodules they form. Outcomes will enhance the current nodulation model and could help optimise the process in agriculture, which would help alleviate current reliance on nitrogen-fertilisers that are expensive and pollute.
ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Cell Wall Biology. The ARC Centre for Plant Cell Wall Biology will define the regulatory mechanisms that control molecular, enzymic and cellular processes involved in the synthesis, deposition, re-modelling and depolymerisation of cell wall polysaccharides of cereals and grasses. Plant cell walls represent the world's largest renewable carbon resource, but the regulatory mechanisms responsible for their synthesis and assembly are not understood. Key distinguishi ....ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Cell Wall Biology. The ARC Centre for Plant Cell Wall Biology will define the regulatory mechanisms that control molecular, enzymic and cellular processes involved in the synthesis, deposition, re-modelling and depolymerisation of cell wall polysaccharides of cereals and grasses. Plant cell walls represent the world's largest renewable carbon resource, but the regulatory mechanisms responsible for their synthesis and assembly are not understood. Key distinguishing features of the Centre will be the international, integrative, and multidisciplinary approach towards addressing major questions in plant biology, its strategy to leverage ARC funding, and its linkages with potential national and international end-users of the fundamental scientific discoveries.Read moreRead less
Genomic strategies for reducing losses during processing and improving the nutritional value of wheat in human diets. Wheat breeding requires efficient tools to allow selection of varieties with both high grain yield and good functional and nutritional value. Whole genome analysis will be used to develop screening methods to deliver wheat varieties with novel processing and nutritional properties for human diets contributing to global food and nutritional security.
Towards high efficiency biofuel systems: a molecular resolution three-dimensional atlas of the photosynthetic machinery of a high-efficiency green algae cell. Solar-powered single-cell green-algae systems represent a powerful and environmentally friendly biotechnology used to produce clean fuels, food and high value products. This project is focused on solving the three-dimensional structure of key components of the photosynthetic machinery to improve the efficiency and profitability of advance ....Towards high efficiency biofuel systems: a molecular resolution three-dimensional atlas of the photosynthetic machinery of a high-efficiency green algae cell. Solar-powered single-cell green-algae systems represent a powerful and environmentally friendly biotechnology used to produce clean fuels, food and high value products. This project is focused on solving the three-dimensional structure of key components of the photosynthetic machinery to improve the efficiency and profitability of advance microalgae production systems.Read moreRead less
Bioengineering High Efficiency Solar Driven H2 Production. The project aims to bio-engineer high-efficiency microalgae cell-lines that can drive solar powered H2 production from water. It plans to do so by increasing proton and electron supply to the H2-producing hydrogenase. It builds on patented cell lines that have enhanced light capture efficiency and H2 production capabilities. The aim of this project is to increase the efficiency of the last stage of the process (three fold) in a major ste ....Bioengineering High Efficiency Solar Driven H2 Production. The project aims to bio-engineer high-efficiency microalgae cell-lines that can drive solar powered H2 production from water. It plans to do so by increasing proton and electron supply to the H2-producing hydrogenase. It builds on patented cell lines that have enhanced light capture efficiency and H2 production capabilities. The aim of this project is to increase the efficiency of the last stage of the process (three fold) in a major step in developing economic solar-fuel systems. National benefits include the development of advanced microalgae fuels systems to increase future fuel security, reduce CO2 emissions and assist with regional development.Read moreRead less