Genetics to improve production of essential oils from Australian trees
We are using a range of different genetic approaches to understand how to improve, the profile, yield and biomass of medicinal tea tree, blue mallee and york mallee.
The oils get their aroma from the complex mixture of terpenes that are held in glands of the leaves. We are using a range of different genetic approaches to understand how to improve, the profile, yield and biomass of medicinal tea tree, blue mallee and york mallee.
Recent publications
- Webb, H. O., R. Lanfear, J. Hammill, W. J. Foley and C. Kulheim. 2013. The yield of essential oils in Melaleuca alternifolia (Myrtaceae) is regulated through transcript abundance of genes in the MEP pathway
- Keszei A, Brubaker C Foley WJ (2008) A molecular perspective on terpene formation in Australian Myrtaceae. Australian Journal of Botany 56:197-213 (PDF, 685 KB)