How is the plant genome reactivated and controlled during seed germination? This project aims to determine the mechanisms by which plant genomes are regulated during seed germination. The genomes of cells in mature, inactive seeds are repressed, but later must be rapidly reactivated to allow the gene expression that drives early seedling growth and development. This project will study proteins that turn genes on and off, and how these interact with the structure of DNA, in order to understand ho ....How is the plant genome reactivated and controlled during seed germination? This project aims to determine the mechanisms by which plant genomes are regulated during seed germination. The genomes of cells in mature, inactive seeds are repressed, but later must be rapidly reactivated to allow the gene expression that drives early seedling growth and development. This project will study proteins that turn genes on and off, and how these interact with the structure of DNA, in order to understand how spatial and temporal patterns of gene expression are controlled. It will advance our understanding of genome regulatory programs controlling germination and growth, and how they vary between Arabidopsis and barley. This can improve our ability to manipulate seed behaviour which would benefit growers and producers. Read moreRead less
Novel biological and genetic disease control tools for the barley industry. This project places Australian barley breeders at the forefront of disease resistance by providing them with novel tools to develop varieties with enhanced protection against fungal diseases. The aims are to produce fungal strains with multiple virulence genes for fast and cost-effective testing of barley lines, untangle the fungal/host gene interaction for resistance breeding and identify new sources of resistance. The ....Novel biological and genetic disease control tools for the barley industry. This project places Australian barley breeders at the forefront of disease resistance by providing them with novel tools to develop varieties with enhanced protection against fungal diseases. The aims are to produce fungal strains with multiple virulence genes for fast and cost-effective testing of barley lines, untangle the fungal/host gene interaction for resistance breeding and identify new sources of resistance. The outcomes will lead to the commercialisation by Australian breeding companies of barley varieties with durable fungal resistance. This will benefit the Australian economy by providing sustainability and protection for barley breeding thereby significantly reducing crop losses for this important global agricultural commodity.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240100959
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Unlocking The Agricultural Potential Of The Dark Genome. Sustaining competitive agricultural production in the face of climate change demands more resilient, diverse, and adaptable crop varieties. Studies on the genes of crop plants have had huge benefits for agriculture, but genes themselves make up only a tiny fraction of the genome. It has until recently been impossible to assemble the 'dark' space between genes. Using ultra-modern barley genomes, this project aims to harness information from ....Unlocking The Agricultural Potential Of The Dark Genome. Sustaining competitive agricultural production in the face of climate change demands more resilient, diverse, and adaptable crop varieties. Studies on the genes of crop plants have had huge benefits for agriculture, but genes themselves make up only a tiny fraction of the genome. It has until recently been impossible to assemble the 'dark' space between genes. Using ultra-modern barley genomes, this project aims to harness information from the dark genome to (i) discover new genes with agricultural importance, (ii) illuminate invisible genomic features that can slow down plant breeding programs, and (iii) identify opportunities to transfer useful new genes into the cultivated gene pool.Read moreRead less
Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Signalling in Plants . This proposal aims to define the mechanisms of how mitochondrial growth and stress signalling interact and are regulated. Mitochondria are central machines in cells that use energy obtained through photosynthesis to drive growth and also play an important role in sensing and responding to non-optimal environmental growth conditions. As mitochondrial growth and stress signalling are antagonistic, growth is retarded when stress signalling is acti ....Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Signalling in Plants . This proposal aims to define the mechanisms of how mitochondrial growth and stress signalling interact and are regulated. Mitochondria are central machines in cells that use energy obtained through photosynthesis to drive growth and also play an important role in sensing and responding to non-optimal environmental growth conditions. As mitochondrial growth and stress signalling are antagonistic, growth is retarded when stress signalling is activated. Thus, the outcomes will be new knowledge and understanding of how plants balance growth and stress responses. This benefit of this knowledge and understanding is that it can be used to pursue novel avenues to optimise crop performance in changing and adverse environments.Read moreRead less