A novel role for phytochrome in dormancy release inhibition. Seed dormancy contributes to the persistence of weeds in agriculture by enabling seeds to remain viable in the soil for many years, and is a major reason why annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) has become the most economically damaging weed in Australian agriculture. Recently we discovered a new way to control dormancy release and germination in these seeds. This project to identify the changes occurring within the seeds during dormancy r ....A novel role for phytochrome in dormancy release inhibition. Seed dormancy contributes to the persistence of weeds in agriculture by enabling seeds to remain viable in the soil for many years, and is a major reason why annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) has become the most economically damaging weed in Australian agriculture. Recently we discovered a new way to control dormancy release and germination in these seeds. This project to identify the changes occurring within the seeds during dormancy release will underpin our efforts to manipulate emergence timing in order to improve the efficacy of current weed control practices and contribute to sustainable farming systems.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL140100179
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,800,000.00
Summary
Controlling gene expression with synthetic RNA-binding proteins. Controlling gene expression with synthetic RNA-binding proteins. The growth and development of living organisms is largely determined by the genes they contain, but converting the genetic information into biological activity requires intermediary processes involving RNA and proteins that bind to and process RNA. This project aims to understand how the largest class of RNA-binding protein in plants recognise their target RNAs and ai ....Controlling gene expression with synthetic RNA-binding proteins. Controlling gene expression with synthetic RNA-binding proteins. The growth and development of living organisms is largely determined by the genes they contain, but converting the genetic information into biological activity requires intermediary processes involving RNA and proteins that bind to and process RNA. This project aims to understand how the largest class of RNA-binding protein in plants recognise their target RNAs and aims to develop custom-designed proteins for switching genes on or off. This technology will be used to create new hybrid cereal varieties and will also be valuable for applications in human health, such as the correction of genetic mutations.Read moreRead less
Wheat biomarkers - the effect of nitrogen withdrawal on the proteome and peptidome. Nitrogen is a crucial macroelement for plants. Its importance is highlighted by the wide use of agricultural nitrogen fertilizers in Australia and world wide. This comes at substantial costs for the environment and the economy, due to low nitrogen use efficiency of cereals and environmental impacts. By understanding plant responses to nitrogen we can improve nitrogen efficiency. This project will identify protein ....Wheat biomarkers - the effect of nitrogen withdrawal on the proteome and peptidome. Nitrogen is a crucial macroelement for plants. Its importance is highlighted by the wide use of agricultural nitrogen fertilizers in Australia and world wide. This comes at substantial costs for the environment and the economy, due to low nitrogen use efficiency of cereals and environmental impacts. By understanding plant responses to nitrogen we can improve nitrogen efficiency. This project will identify proteins and peptides as biomarkers of plant responses to nitrogen withdrawal. Such biomarkers can be used in plant breeding and in agricultural prediction of plant nitrogen requirements with the potential to reduce agricultural costs and environmental impacts.Read moreRead less
ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology. We propose a novel approach to improve sustainable yield by optimising the overall efficiency of energy capture, conversion and use by plants. Efficiency gains in metabolism, transport, and development will be more effective than optimising single nutrient inputs or product outputs. Improving multiple parameters simultaneously is a necessary solution to the increasing demand for more crop yield from finite land, water, and nutrient resources. Unp ....ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology. We propose a novel approach to improve sustainable yield by optimising the overall efficiency of energy capture, conversion and use by plants. Efficiency gains in metabolism, transport, and development will be more effective than optimising single nutrient inputs or product outputs. Improving multiple parameters simultaneously is a necessary solution to the increasing demand for more crop yield from finite land, water, and nutrient resources. Unpredictable environmental challenges adversely affect plant growth and further perturb plant energy balance, limiting yield. The epigenetic controls, gene variants and signals discovered will provide a new basis for sustainable productivity of crops and will future-proof plants in changing climates.Read moreRead less
Biosynthesis and functions of two phytotoxins in Septoria nodorum blotch. This project aims to investigate how a fungal plant pathogen makes and uses small bioactive molecules to facilitate infection. It will characterise the function of the genes and enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of a light-activated phytotoxic molecule and a potential anti-plant defence molecule found in the pathogenic wheat fungus Parastagonospora nodorum, and investigate their contribution to disease development. Expe ....Biosynthesis and functions of two phytotoxins in Septoria nodorum blotch. This project aims to investigate how a fungal plant pathogen makes and uses small bioactive molecules to facilitate infection. It will characterise the function of the genes and enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of a light-activated phytotoxic molecule and a potential anti-plant defence molecule found in the pathogenic wheat fungus Parastagonospora nodorum, and investigate their contribution to disease development. Expected outcomes include better understanding of plant-microbe interactions, disease management strategies, technologies for identifying biosynthetic pathways in other fungi, and enzyme technology for synthesising molecules. This could lead to new herbicides, biopesticides and drugs.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
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130101350
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$373,038.00
Summary
A synthetic biology approach for mining the secondary metabolomes of fungal phytopathogens. Synthetic biology approaches will be employed to identify the secondary metabolites produced by the two important wheat pathogens, Stagonospora nodorum and Mycosphaerella graminicola. This will lead to the discovery of novel chemicals and facilitate our understanding of the roles of secondary metabolites in wheat diseases.
What is the function of gamma-aminobutyric acid-gated anion channels in plants? The project will identify the molecular basis of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) signalling in plants. This is significant because GABA regulates proteins that release molecules involved in root-soil interactions, growth, and fertilisation. The project's discoveries will allow improvement of these agronomic traits that ultimately determine crop yield.
Functional network analysis of plant metabolism in response to salinity and temperature through targeted proteomics. This project will measure changes in plant metabolism and provide methods and a pipeline for quantification and modelling. It will assess nitrogen linked metabolism under environmental stress experienced in Australian wheat cropping systems and build fundamental knowledge of changes in networks of nitrogen metabolism in model plants.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE140100096
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$180,000.00
Summary
Biomolecular Interaction Facility. Biomolecular interaction facility: A biomolecular interaction facility located in Perth is essential to support the research performed by a growing community of key protein researchers. The infrastructure provided by this integrated facility will act as a hub for analysis of samples produced by high-throughput protein production methods and will provide high-level training with cutting-edge equipment for researchers at all levels. It will underpin faster and be ....Biomolecular Interaction Facility. Biomolecular interaction facility: A biomolecular interaction facility located in Perth is essential to support the research performed by a growing community of key protein researchers. The infrastructure provided by this integrated facility will act as a hub for analysis of samples produced by high-throughput protein production methods and will provide high-level training with cutting-edge equipment for researchers at all levels. It will underpin faster and better fundamental and translational research in the areas of structural biology, biotechnology, biomedical science, plant science and nanotechnology, supporting the activities of researchers and their collaborators in Australia and worldwide.Read moreRead less