Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775503
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$255,000.00
Summary
Robotics for plant genomics: Increasing throughput in plant genetic analyses. Plant genomics has direct benefit to crop improvement, especially as focussed in the applicants' laboratories. Thus, the Australian agri-food sector will benefit substantially from the acceleration in plant functional genomics that will arise from the installation of the robotics equipment described in the current application, by both underpinning more applied research and also being used directly in crop improvement p ....Robotics for plant genomics: Increasing throughput in plant genetic analyses. Plant genomics has direct benefit to crop improvement, especially as focussed in the applicants' laboratories. Thus, the Australian agri-food sector will benefit substantially from the acceleration in plant functional genomics that will arise from the installation of the robotics equipment described in the current application, by both underpinning more applied research and also being used directly in crop improvement programs such as are based at the Waite Campus. The outputs will include crops with increased tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses, a reduced dependence on chemical inputs such as fertilisers and improved food quality, with consequent benefits to the environment and human health and nutrition.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354908
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
The Insect-Plant Chemical Ecology Network (IPCEN). We bring together plant molecular biology, entomology and analytical chemistry to transform three leading fields of Australian research into an advanced science with far reaching capabilities in innovative research and applied outcomes. Expertise studying the biochemical pathways that produce specific plant compounds and expertise in insect recognition and response to these chemicals will be brought together. This will lead to new research outco ....The Insect-Plant Chemical Ecology Network (IPCEN). We bring together plant molecular biology, entomology and analytical chemistry to transform three leading fields of Australian research into an advanced science with far reaching capabilities in innovative research and applied outcomes. Expertise studying the biochemical pathways that produce specific plant compounds and expertise in insect recognition and response to these chemicals will be brought together. This will lead to new research outcomes and solutions to problems in agriculture, horticulture, forestry and protection of Australia's native flora. Researchers are struggling to create these links, constrained by disciplinary boundaries and geographical isolation. Key industries and researchers already support this proposal.Read moreRead less
Functional genomics of light stress resistance in the model organism Chlamydomonas: combining molecular genetics, transcriptome and proteome analysis. This project aims at combining molecular genetics, transcriptome and proteome analysis to identify genes and pathways underlying high light stress tolerance in previously isolated mutants of the chlorophyte Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Comprehensive profiles of transcriptome-proteome linkage will be constructed without the complications of multicel ....Functional genomics of light stress resistance in the model organism Chlamydomonas: combining molecular genetics, transcriptome and proteome analysis. This project aims at combining molecular genetics, transcriptome and proteome analysis to identify genes and pathways underlying high light stress tolerance in previously isolated mutants of the chlorophyte Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Comprehensive profiles of transcriptome-proteome linkage will be constructed without the complications of multicellularity for this unicellular photosynthetic model organism. We will establish a public proteome reference database and provide new microarrays and molecular markers beneficial for research in Chlamydomonas. We expect to advance understanding of high light resistance mechanisms so that it will eventually be applicable to improve productivity in crop plants growing under various environmental stress conditions.Read moreRead less
The role of chlorophyll f in photosynthesis. The knowledge of energetic limits of oxygenic photosynthesis will provide opportunities for improving the efficiency of photosynthesis by using a wider range of the solar spectrum. This project aims to understand the roles of newly discovered chlorophyll f in central photoreactions and its biosynthesis.
The role of long non-coding RNAs in the epigenetic control of gene expression during endosperm development in plants. Elucidating the molecular events underlying the biology of seed development is important in both understanding plant development and in developing new methods to enhance the productivity and qualities of grain crops. In recent years it has become clear that various classes of non-coding RNAs have important roles in gene regulation. Of these non-coding RNAs, small RNAs (20-25 nucl ....The role of long non-coding RNAs in the epigenetic control of gene expression during endosperm development in plants. Elucidating the molecular events underlying the biology of seed development is important in both understanding plant development and in developing new methods to enhance the productivity and qualities of grain crops. In recent years it has become clear that various classes of non-coding RNAs have important roles in gene regulation. Of these non-coding RNAs, small RNAs (20-25 nucleotides) are beginning to be understood however less is known about the role and complexity of long non-coding RNAs. This project would identify new regulators of seed development that may lead to novel methods to increase grain yields, ultimately benefitting the Australian grains industry.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140101886
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$386,929.00
Summary
Plant microRNA targeting: defining regulatory factors additional to complementarity. Central to our understanding of microRNA biology is the identification of which genes they target. In plants, high complementarity is regarded as the sole determinant, and drives bioinformatic predictions. However, functional evidence is inconsistent with this, arguing that complementarity alone is insufficient to accurately predict targets. This project uses novel applications of next generation sequencing to c ....Plant microRNA targeting: defining regulatory factors additional to complementarity. Central to our understanding of microRNA biology is the identification of which genes they target. In plants, high complementarity is regarded as the sole determinant, and drives bioinformatic predictions. However, functional evidence is inconsistent with this, arguing that complementarity alone is insufficient to accurately predict targets. This project uses novel applications of next generation sequencing to categorise bioinformatically predicted Arabidopsis targets as either strongly or poorly regulated. These categories will be analysed to determine what factors, in addition to complementarity, are required for strong targeting. The outcomes will impact artificial microRNA design and have important implications for biotechnology. Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE170100225
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$410,000.00
Summary
Western Australia single-cell isolation and genomics preparation facility. This project aims to give Western Australian researchers direct access to new platforms in single-cell isolation and single-cell RNA, genome and exome sample library preparation, so they can participate in the precision single-cell based research driving biology worldwide. This project will give researchers access to single-cell analysis techniques, integrated with other analysis methods, microscopy, and preclinical imagi ....Western Australia single-cell isolation and genomics preparation facility. This project aims to give Western Australian researchers direct access to new platforms in single-cell isolation and single-cell RNA, genome and exome sample library preparation, so they can participate in the precision single-cell based research driving biology worldwide. This project will give researchers access to single-cell analysis techniques, integrated with other analysis methods, microscopy, and preclinical imaging. The characterisation of rare and complex biological samples is expected to advance effective, socio-economically important research programmes in cell and molecular biology, sports science, plant and crop sciences, agriculture, clean energy (biofuels) resources and production, greenhouse gas reduction, environmental microbiology and marine science.Read moreRead less
Mechanistic characterisation of genotype x environment interactions in sorghum and arabidopsis. Sorghum is an economically important cereal crop for Australia. In Australia, sorghum is used as a staple animal feed and it is very important for the live stock industry. With the predicted changes of temperature and rainfall patterns due to climate change, negative effects on sorghum yield are expected, which can have adverse effects on Australian economy. Our studies will identify and mark genes th ....Mechanistic characterisation of genotype x environment interactions in sorghum and arabidopsis. Sorghum is an economically important cereal crop for Australia. In Australia, sorghum is used as a staple animal feed and it is very important for the live stock industry. With the predicted changes of temperature and rainfall patterns due to climate change, negative effects on sorghum yield are expected, which can have adverse effects on Australian economy. Our studies will identify and mark genes that regulate flowering and seed production in sorghum in response to changes in temperature and light interactions. These studies will help to develop novel sorghum varieties with desirable characters through plant-breeding programmes.Read moreRead less
The biology and epidemiology of the grapevine canker fungi, Botryosphaeria sp. Decline and dieback of grapevines is becoming an increasing problem for the viticulture industry in NSW. Recently, species of the fungus Botryosphaeria, were isolated from grapevines exhibiting these symptoms. In order to understand the biology and epidemiology of the causal organisms, we aim to; (i) determine species of Botryosphaeria present in NSW vineyards; (ii) determine which species are pathogenic on grapevines ....The biology and epidemiology of the grapevine canker fungi, Botryosphaeria sp. Decline and dieback of grapevines is becoming an increasing problem for the viticulture industry in NSW. Recently, species of the fungus Botryosphaeria, were isolated from grapevines exhibiting these symptoms. In order to understand the biology and epidemiology of the causal organisms, we aim to; (i) determine species of Botryosphaeria present in NSW vineyards; (ii) determine which species are pathogenic on grapevines; (iii) characterise the genetic diversity of strains and; (iv) screen fungicides for the control of these fungi. Information on the species, their biology and pathogenicity on grapevines, will enable the development of appropriate management strategies for its control and may lead to the development of molecular tools to identify species of Botryosphaeria.Read moreRead less
Development of molecular markers for resistance to blackleg disease (Leptosphaeria maculans) in canola. Canola (Brassica napus) is a valuable oil seed crop grown in many parts of the world and contributes annually $A450 million to the Australian economy. The overall aim of this project is to develop molecular markers for blackleg resistance using Australian germplasm along with evaluation in Australian disease nurseries which are regarded worlwide to develop the highest levels of disease pressu ....Development of molecular markers for resistance to blackleg disease (Leptosphaeria maculans) in canola. Canola (Brassica napus) is a valuable oil seed crop grown in many parts of the world and contributes annually $A450 million to the Australian economy. The overall aim of this project is to develop molecular markers for blackleg resistance using Australian germplasm along with evaluation in Australian disease nurseries which are regarded worlwide to develop the highest levels of disease pressure. Once molecular marker systems are developed and evaluated, they will be applied to facilitate the selection of Nugrain's (Industry Partner) canola breeding programs. Any molecular markers and QTL developed for Australian cultivars would find commercial application in breeding programmes.Read moreRead less