Integrating a physical and functional genetic map of Prunus dulcis. Genome wide physical mapping is the centrepiece of current genomics research in virtually all plant and animal species. The proposal seeks to champion the development of Prunus dulcis (Rosaceae) as a model perennial species towards parity with other plant model systems for gene discovery and validation. The Rosaceae represents a rich repository of genes of relevance to perenniality, adaptation, sustainable agriculture, health a ....Integrating a physical and functional genetic map of Prunus dulcis. Genome wide physical mapping is the centrepiece of current genomics research in virtually all plant and animal species. The proposal seeks to champion the development of Prunus dulcis (Rosaceae) as a model perennial species towards parity with other plant model systems for gene discovery and validation. The Rosaceae represents a rich repository of genes of relevance to perenniality, adaptation, sustainable agriculture, health and nutrition and the bioindustries. Ultimately, comparative genomics across the family will advance molecular eco-genetics via dissection of traits determining adaptive response. Access to user-friendly molecular markers will also bring greater precision to breeding programmes. Read moreRead less
Controlling accumulation of elements in the shoots of higher plants by manipulating processes in specific cell types in the roots. This project will provide novel, fundamental understanding of the processes controlling accumulation of elements in the shoots of plants. As such, it will impact on our understanding of processes relevant to stress tolerance, plant nutrition, human nutrition and the removal of toxic metals from soils by plants. These are all areas of great importance to Australian ag ....Controlling accumulation of elements in the shoots of higher plants by manipulating processes in specific cell types in the roots. This project will provide novel, fundamental understanding of the processes controlling accumulation of elements in the shoots of plants. As such, it will impact on our understanding of processes relevant to stress tolerance, plant nutrition, human nutrition and the removal of toxic metals from soils by plants. These are all areas of great importance to Australian agriculture, environmental sustainability and human health. The increased understanding arising from this project will underpin future work to increase agricultural productivity and the quality of life for all in the Australian and international communities.Read moreRead less
How common and what is the significance of cis-acting regulatory variation and genomic imprinting in plants? Plant based processes provide truly sustainable solutions to many of the challenges facing Australia. The proposed research will help elucidate how plants regulate variation in gene expression rather than changes in the structure of encoded proteins. This is an area of gene expression, that has not been approached before, that explains the plant's ability to respond to external stimuli. ....How common and what is the significance of cis-acting regulatory variation and genomic imprinting in plants? Plant based processes provide truly sustainable solutions to many of the challenges facing Australia. The proposed research will help elucidate how plants regulate variation in gene expression rather than changes in the structure of encoded proteins. This is an area of gene expression, that has not been approached before, that explains the plant's ability to respond to external stimuli. Variation between plant species in the number of genes does not fully explain the differences between them. This information will come not from seqenceing genomes but from investigation of regulatory elements. Read moreRead less
Harnessing genetic diversity for complex traits. Genetic diversity underpins crop improvement but has become increasingly narrow in our major crops. Strategies exist for mobilising simple traits (e.g. disease resistance) from wild accessions or landraces into cultivars, but there are no effective approaches for introducing complex traits, including stress tolerance or components of yield. Using barley as an important crop and a genetic model, the project aims to address this problem by applying ....Harnessing genetic diversity for complex traits. Genetic diversity underpins crop improvement but has become increasingly narrow in our major crops. Strategies exist for mobilising simple traits (e.g. disease resistance) from wild accessions or landraces into cultivars, but there are no effective approaches for introducing complex traits, including stress tolerance or components of yield. Using barley as an important crop and a genetic model, the project aims to address this problem by applying a novel approach; partial redomestication of wild accessions by introgressing genes required for modern farming, then evaluating the resulting partially adapted germplasm in hybrids with elite cultivars. The project expects to generate new and diverse germplasm pools for breeding.Read moreRead less
The genetic and molecular organisation of the self incompatibility gene region in the grasses. Self-incompatibility (SI) is a cell-cell recognition process used by plants to prevent self-pollination and force outcrossing. It is widespread, occurring in a third of plant families. Although studies of SI go back to the 1800s, the origin of SI remains a mystery. Recent advances in the molecular characterisation of SI loci in some species has re-ignited debate on its origins but has provided few answ ....The genetic and molecular organisation of the self incompatibility gene region in the grasses. Self-incompatibility (SI) is a cell-cell recognition process used by plants to prevent self-pollination and force outcrossing. It is widespread, occurring in a third of plant families. Although studies of SI go back to the 1800s, the origin of SI remains a mystery. Recent advances in the molecular characterisation of SI loci in some species has re-ignited debate on its origins but has provided few answers. This project uses the grasses to explore the origins of SI. As a model system, the grasses offer detailed genetic and molecular data and aspects of floral architecture associated with SI can be investigatedRead moreRead less
Optimising the Strategy for Breeding Micronutrient-Dense Staple Foods that Improve Human health and Nutrition. The project is part of a new paradigm for agriculture in which staple crops are bred with greater micronutrient density to improve human health. It generates strategic basic information on how nutrients interact in the body of animal models in absorption, transport and utilisation that will allow plant breeders to optimise the breeding strategy for maximum outcomes in health and minimum ....Optimising the Strategy for Breeding Micronutrient-Dense Staple Foods that Improve Human health and Nutrition. The project is part of a new paradigm for agriculture in which staple crops are bred with greater micronutrient density to improve human health. It generates strategic basic information on how nutrients interact in the body of animal models in absorption, transport and utilisation that will allow plant breeders to optimise the breeding strategy for maximum outcomes in health and minimum breeding cost. Animals deficient in the nutrients of most concern (iron, zinc, vitamin A - and inulin) will be fed new varieties with enhanced levels of these factors, and from the responses, a superior strategy will be developed.Read moreRead less
Derivation of Emissions Models for Commercial Vehicles. This research project will develop emissions models for commercial vehicles that are capable of modelling changes in driver behaviour. Second by second emissions data from certification tests will be disaggregated into their component phases of acceleration, cruise, deceleration and idle. The emissions characteristics of these phases will be established and analysed to produce empirical models of emissions per unit time versus mode of opera ....Derivation of Emissions Models for Commercial Vehicles. This research project will develop emissions models for commercial vehicles that are capable of modelling changes in driver behaviour. Second by second emissions data from certification tests will be disaggregated into their component phases of acceleration, cruise, deceleration and idle. The emissions characteristics of these phases will be established and analysed to produce empirical models of emissions per unit time versus mode of operation. These models will then be able to describe the changes in emission characteristics under different commercial vehicle operating modes for a range of commercial vehicle types.Read moreRead less
Derivation of Emissions Models from Vehicle Certification Tests. This research project will aim to prove the concept that emissions models capable of modelling changes in driver behaviour can be obtained from data that has been used as part of the vehicles emission certification process. Second by second emissions data from certification tests will be disaggregated into their component phases of acceleration, cruise, deceleration and idle. The emissions characteristics of these phases will be es ....Derivation of Emissions Models from Vehicle Certification Tests. This research project will aim to prove the concept that emissions models capable of modelling changes in driver behaviour can be obtained from data that has been used as part of the vehicles emission certification process. Second by second emissions data from certification tests will be disaggregated into their component phases of acceleration, cruise, deceleration and idle. The emissions characteristics of these phases will be established and analysed to produce empirical models of emissions per unit time versus mode of operation. These models will then be able to describe the changes in emission characteristics under different vehicle operating modes modes for a range of vehicle types.Read moreRead less
Molecular switches and genetic consequences of grain retention in cereals. Grain retention at maturity was key for crop domestication and laid the basis for farming. Wheat and barley have evolved a novel mechanism for ensuring grain retention and, although the genes are known, the mechanisms for action are not. Grain dispersal in the wild relatives involves highly targeted changes in the walls of a small number of cells. This project will explore how the two identified genes control this proces ....Molecular switches and genetic consequences of grain retention in cereals. Grain retention at maturity was key for crop domestication and laid the basis for farming. Wheat and barley have evolved a novel mechanism for ensuring grain retention and, although the genes are known, the mechanisms for action are not. Grain dispersal in the wild relatives involves highly targeted changes in the walls of a small number of cells. This project will explore how the two identified genes control this process and clarify their mode of action. The genes ensuring grain retention have been so critical for domestication that the region surrounding them has become genetically fixed. The project will assess the implication of fixation on genetic diversity and develop options to bring novel variation into breeding programs.Read moreRead less
Investigating the coupled dependencies of soot in turbulent flames by advanced laser diagnostics and modelling. The community will benefit from the project by reduced air pollution and improved health and safety. Soot is a major air pollutant, adversely effecting public health, while also contributing directly to global warming. It also dominates heat transfer and influences the emissions of NOx and CO2. The project will significantly advance detailed understanding and modelling capability of fl ....Investigating the coupled dependencies of soot in turbulent flames by advanced laser diagnostics and modelling. The community will benefit from the project by reduced air pollution and improved health and safety. Soot is a major air pollutant, adversely effecting public health, while also contributing directly to global warming. It also dominates heat transfer and influences the emissions of NOx and CO2. The project will significantly advance detailed understanding and modelling capability of flames containing soot. Hence it will provide significantly improved capability to optimise these flames in applications spanning gas turbines, power generation, minerals processing and fires.Read moreRead less