PS Seminar Series (LEAPS Edition) - ANU Plant Science in 2018 - where to next?
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Description
Abstract - coming soon
Biography - Owen Atkin obtained his BSc (Hons) in 1987 (ANU) and his PhD in 1993 (Toronto). From 1993-1995 he held an EU Post Doctoral Fellowship (Utrecht). From 1996-1999 he held an ARC Post Doctoral Fellowship at ANU. Thereafter, he moved to UK to take up a faculty position in the Biology Dept at the University of York (1999-2008). He then returned to ANU in 2008 and held an ARC Future Fellowship from 2009 to 2013. Since 2014, his work has been supported by funding by the ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, and by a grant from the International Wheat Yield Program. He is the Environment Section Editor for New Phytologist and is the current Head of the Division of Plant Sciences in RSB. A major focus of his research is assessing the impact of environmental gradients on plant physiological processes, particularly respiration.
Location
Slatyer Seminar Room, Level 2, RN Robertson Building (46), ANU
Upcoming events in this series
Dr Allen (Zhengyu) Wen - Maize lethal necrosis (MLN) threatens food security for smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. Our research identified two genetic solutions: a mutated peroxisomal peptidase that blocks viral invagination and a eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E mutant that stops viral protein translation while preserving plant growth. Using gene editing, we introduced these traits into elite maize varieties. In Kenyan trials, edited lines showed complete MLN resistance with no yield loss, offering a major advance for protecting millions of farmers’ livelihoods.
Dr Thomas Vanhercke - Plant synthetic biology and metabolic engineering enable precise redesign of plant genomes for improved traits and new functions. For over 20 years, the CSIRO Synthetic Traits group has led in applying advanced genetics to oil crops. This presentation highlights omega-3 transgenic canola as a real-world example delivering health benefits and addressing global supply challenges. I’ll also outline emerging developments such as high-throughput in-planta library screening, advanced RNAi, and novel complex traits pushing plant synthetic biology’s limits.