Pogson Group - Chloroplast to nuclear signalling: light, drought and carotenoids

Pogson group

Pogson Group - Chloroplast to nuclear signalling: light, drought and carotenoids

The overarching theme of our research is to determine the controls and regulators of communication between the chloroplast and nucleus.

About

The overarching theme of our research is to determine the controls and regulators of communication between the chloroplast and nucleus. This includes discovery of genes and metabolites involved in epigenetics, RNA metabolism, chloroplast-nuclear signaling, translational regulation, carotenoid biosynthesis, photosynthesis and drought.

The Pogson Group plays a key role in the Australian Research Council Laureate Fellowship funded project aiming to produce transformative solutions targeting crop resilience and food security. The chloroplast, the site of photosynthesis, regulates a suite of cellular processes that control photosynthesis, growth and drought resilience. It is expected that a first ever blueprint of the suite of communication networks used by the chloroplast will be discovered. I will use synthetic biology to rewire the network in order to generate 'smart plants' that are higher-yielding and more resilient in both good and bad seasons by precisely switching on and off resilience. Such re-imaginings of crop systems, inclusive of societal implications, will help chart the future of Australian agriculture.

The ARC Training Centre for Accelerated Future Crop Development if offering bespoke training for 20+ PhD students across The Australian National University and The University of Adelaide connecting students with industry partners offering unique project and career opportunities. The Centre is create a new generation of leaders in the implementation of advanced gene and field technologies for the benefit of the Australian agriculture industry. We are building a workforce and foundations that will drive translation of breakthroughs in advanced breeding, phenotyping and genetic technologies into higher-yielding crops. This will increase productivity across the sector and create new markets. Our technical training programs for graduates, trainees and industry will interface with best evidence-based practices in the wider socio-economic, regulatory and environmental contexts. Coupled with community and stakeholder engagement, the Centre will redefine and secure Australia’s future in agriculture.

Current grants

  • ARC Laureate Fellowship 2019 Smart Plants and Solutions for Enhancing Crop Resilience and Yield (FL190100056) 2020-2025
  • ARC Training Centre for Accelerated Future Crop Development 2021 (IC210100047). 2022- 2027.
  • ARC Discovery Project 2022 Regulators of protein translation reveal new pathways to plant productivity (DP220103640) 2022-2024

Awards

Publications

For a complete list of publications, go to ist of publications on the ISI website.

Projects

Solve the Bottleneck That Slows Down All Plant Biotechnology!

Student intake

Open for Bachelor, Honours, PhD students

Status

Current

People

Are you interested in cutting-edge plant biology and biotechnology? Join our research team to investigate how plants rapidly communicate during stress!

Student intake

Open for Bachelor, Honours, PhD students

Status

Current

People

Members

PSBA Facility Manager

Group Leader

ARC Laureate Fellow

Postdoctoral Fellows

FCTC Chief Executive Officer

FCTC Innovation Fellows

FCTC Project Officer

PSBA Head of Facility

Senior Technical Officer

Technical Officers

Technical Assistants

PhD Students

Honours Student

Honorary Professor

Divisional Visitors

News

A new research centre based at ANU will train the next generation of scientists to develop more resilient crops and significantly grow Australia's agricultural sector.

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A plant biologist and geochemist from The Australian National University have both been recognised for their outstanding contributions to their fields of science.

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Esteemed senior ANU biologist and mentor, Professor Barry Pogson, has been awarded the highest accolade for staff, the 2019 Peter Baume Award.

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Events

Natalie Tsang

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is a key retrograde signal in plants, linking chloroplast-derived stress cues to nuclear gene expression.

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