Deciphering the regulation and function of the epigenome in eukaryotic development and stress response. The epigenome is an additional regulatory code superimposed upon plant and animal genomes that controls how they operate. This project will aim to understand the information encoded in the epigenome and how it changes in development and environmental stress, enabling manipulation of its function in crops and correction of its dysfunction in disease.
Is the extreme phosphate sensitivity found among Australian plants a consequence of their adaptation to a severely phosphate-limited environment? The phosphorus (P)-impoverished soils of south-western Australia have allowed the evolution of many plants that are amazingly efficient at retrieving P from dying tissues. This project will contribute to the understanding of the mechanism determining P efficiency and will contribute significantly to the development of crops that are less reliant on non ....Is the extreme phosphate sensitivity found among Australian plants a consequence of their adaptation to a severely phosphate-limited environment? The phosphorus (P)-impoverished soils of south-western Australia have allowed the evolution of many plants that are amazingly efficient at retrieving P from dying tissues. This project will contribute to the understanding of the mechanism determining P efficiency and will contribute significantly to the development of crops that are less reliant on non-renewable P fertilisers.Read moreRead less
The functional characterisation of a novel immune response in plants. This project aims to identify the role of pathogenicity-related-1 proteins in plants and characterise a new disease resistance pathway. By focusing on the interaction between key plant and pathogen proteins, this proposal seeks to advance the understanding of how the pathogen causes disease. The expected outcomes from these advances include the generation of new tools to manage plant diseases whilst building strong internation ....The functional characterisation of a novel immune response in plants. This project aims to identify the role of pathogenicity-related-1 proteins in plants and characterise a new disease resistance pathway. By focusing on the interaction between key plant and pathogen proteins, this proposal seeks to advance the understanding of how the pathogen causes disease. The expected outcomes from these advances include the generation of new tools to manage plant diseases whilst building strong international collaborations. This project should provide significant benefits for generating new leads for plant disease management leading to enhanced food security.Read moreRead less
Understanding the mechanisms of peptide cyclisation. This project aims to identify, study, engineer and apply a new class of biocatalysts (called asparaginyl endopeptidase enzymes) as versatile tools for manufacturing of advanced therapeutics and bio-insecticides. The expected outcomes include fundamental new knowledge on the mechanism of action of these catalysts, an expanded toolbox for precision engineering of biomolecules and new strategies for production of high-value pharmaceuticals and cr ....Understanding the mechanisms of peptide cyclisation. This project aims to identify, study, engineer and apply a new class of biocatalysts (called asparaginyl endopeptidase enzymes) as versatile tools for manufacturing of advanced therapeutics and bio-insecticides. The expected outcomes include fundamental new knowledge on the mechanism of action of these catalysts, an expanded toolbox for precision engineering of biomolecules and new strategies for production of high-value pharmaceuticals and crop protecting agents. The project is significant because it will contribute to high value biotechnology and agricultural industries in Australia, with the potential for economic, environmental, training and societal benefits.Read moreRead less
Molecular adaptation of photosynthesis powered by long-wavelength light. Some photosynthetic organisms have a remarkable ability to accumulate long-wavelength absorbing photopigments, such as chlorophyll f, in response to the changed light and nutrient environments. The project aims to demonstrate that the structure and function of undefined chlorophyll f-binding proteins can be changed and controlled in desired light and nutrient conditions. The optimised photosynthesis strengthens their adapta ....Molecular adaptation of photosynthesis powered by long-wavelength light. Some photosynthetic organisms have a remarkable ability to accumulate long-wavelength absorbing photopigments, such as chlorophyll f, in response to the changed light and nutrient environments. The project aims to demonstrate that the structure and function of undefined chlorophyll f-binding proteins can be changed and controlled in desired light and nutrient conditions. The optimised photosynthesis strengthens their adaptation capability and challenges the long wavelength limits of photosynthesis. The research outcome will provide tools and a molecular blueprint for the adaptation of photosynthesis with optimised energy transfer pathway and efficiency for potential future molecular applications. Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210100908
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$461,815.00
Summary
Maximising the beneficial impacts of mycorrhizal fungi on grain nutrition. This project aims to determine the effects of beneficial soil fungi on wheat and rice grain quality for human nutrition using an innovative combination of physiological, molecular and agronomic techniques. The project expects to generate fundamental knowledge in sustainable agriculture, to improve grain quality and value. Expected outcomes of this project include enhanced understanding of the mechanisms underlying improve ....Maximising the beneficial impacts of mycorrhizal fungi on grain nutrition. This project aims to determine the effects of beneficial soil fungi on wheat and rice grain quality for human nutrition using an innovative combination of physiological, molecular and agronomic techniques. The project expects to generate fundamental knowledge in sustainable agriculture, to improve grain quality and value. Expected outcomes of this project include enhanced understanding of the mechanisms underlying improved grain quality, and the capacity to use soil fungi to increase grain micronutrient concentrations and bioavailability. This should provide significant environmental and societal benefits, such as promotion of the sustainable use of agricultural soils and more nutritious grain products for human consumption.Read moreRead less
Photosynthesis under extreme conditions. The aim of this project is to characterise modifications to the light dependent reactions of photosynthesis of simple, single cell organisms that live under harsh environmental conditions including: i) elevated temperature; ii) low, variable and low energy (red) light; iii) arid and variable hydration; and iv) chemical stress e.g. low pH. In a changing biosphere brought about by anthropological climate change, a better understanding of existing adaptions ....Photosynthesis under extreme conditions. The aim of this project is to characterise modifications to the light dependent reactions of photosynthesis of simple, single cell organisms that live under harsh environmental conditions including: i) elevated temperature; ii) low, variable and low energy (red) light; iii) arid and variable hydration; and iv) chemical stress e.g. low pH. In a changing biosphere brought about by anthropological climate change, a better understanding of existing adaptions of bacterial photosynthetic organisms may allow more resilient crops and other essential plants to be developed in the future. The project brings together an international consortium of world renowned experts across key aspects of photosynthesis. Read moreRead less
Advancing programmable genetic computation to control plant gene activity. Plants can sense diverse internal and external conditions and integrate them to appropriately tune their response and maximize fitness. Plant biotechnology relies heavily on manipulating gene activity to change cell functions and confer advantageous agronomic traits. However, our ability to control plant gene activity remains rudimentary, limiting our biotechnology capabilities. This project aims to develop synthetic gene ....Advancing programmable genetic computation to control plant gene activity. Plants can sense diverse internal and external conditions and integrate them to appropriately tune their response and maximize fitness. Plant biotechnology relies heavily on manipulating gene activity to change cell functions and confer advantageous agronomic traits. However, our ability to control plant gene activity remains rudimentary, limiting our biotechnology capabilities. This project aims to develop synthetic gene logic gates in plants, to enable the construction of programmable genetically-encoded computational functions that can sense and process customizable inputs to drive desired changes in plant function. This advance will underpin useful applications in plant biotechnology such as improved crop stress tolerance and yield.Read moreRead less
Investigating a novel signalling pathway for crop improvement. This project will dissect a newly identified signalling pathway in plants that regulates plant water use and carbon gain. It will deploy multiple techniques, including novel biosensors, to understand the links between the metabolism of plants and their environmental responses. The project will build partnerships with scientists at leading international institutions for enhanced outcomes, including access to specialised equipment and ....Investigating a novel signalling pathway for crop improvement. This project will dissect a newly identified signalling pathway in plants that regulates plant water use and carbon gain. It will deploy multiple techniques, including novel biosensors, to understand the links between the metabolism of plants and their environmental responses. The project will build partnerships with scientists at leading international institutions for enhanced outcomes, including access to specialised equipment and upskilling of our scientists. The generation of barley with the latest gene editing techniques aims to produce a non-GM crop with the potential for enhanced root C sequestration, lower water use and improved yield, three key goals for agricultural sustainability in the face of a drying Australian climate.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190100249
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$391,743.00
Summary
Molecular systems biology of novel flower colour evolution. This project aims to discover new and potentially useful structural and regulatory genes while advancing knowledge of the chemical, genetic and ecological basis of unique evolutionary flower colour shifts. Dramatic shifts in floral colour is widespread in flowering plants, however, just how changes in flower colour occur remains poorly understood. This project will take advantage of unique Australian plants to investigate the molecular ....Molecular systems biology of novel flower colour evolution. This project aims to discover new and potentially useful structural and regulatory genes while advancing knowledge of the chemical, genetic and ecological basis of unique evolutionary flower colour shifts. Dramatic shifts in floral colour is widespread in flowering plants, however, just how changes in flower colour occur remains poorly understood. This project will take advantage of unique Australian plants to investigate the molecular mechanisms and evolutionary shift in flower colour changes. This project expects to advance knowledge on plant specialised metabolism with potential contributions to the floriculture, food and flavour industries.Read moreRead less