Plant genetics and gene regulation
About
Genome content and the regulation of gene expression are crucial for plant development, form & function. At ANU we use molecular genetics to understand gene regulation, epigenetic control processes, evolution and gene/protein function. These approaches are used to study such problems as organ development, plant-pathogen interactions & plant energy biology.
Groups
Atkin Group studies plant metabolic responses to environmental gradients, including how leaf respiration varies within and among biomes across the globe.
We study the genetic basis of Climate Adaptation in foundation plant species, using state of the art Genomic and Phenomic techniques
We aim to unravel molecular and biochemical mechanisms that enable plant cells to adapt to challenging environmental conditions
Our group studies plasmodesmata to answer important plant science questions related to development, cellular transport, root biology, signalling and evolution.
Sustainable food security is of utmost importance to the future of the planet.
The aim of our research is to understand the ecology and evolution of interactions between plants and animals in the Australian biota.
Our research focuses on the identification of enhanced photosynthetic properties in crop and model plant germplasm, and improving C4 photosynthesis.
The Masle group's central interest is on the interplay between genetic and environmental determinants of plant development and adaptation to stress.
The Melonek Group studies the genetic and molecular basis of cytoplasmic male sterility and fertility restoration in plants.
The principal interest of the lab is gene silencing mediated by microRNAs, with a focus on microRNAs that control plant disease resistance.
The overarching theme of our research is to determine the controls and regulators of communication between the chloroplast and nucleus.
The Price lab is presently focusing on the molecular biology and physiology of photosynthesis in cyanobacteria (blue-green photosynthetic bacteria) and plants
Rathjen group focuses on all aspects of plant immunity, characterising the fascinating interplay between host and pathogen.
We focus on the development and use of synthetic tools to scrutinize the biology of the most abundant protein, the photosynthetic CO2-fixing enzyme Rubisco.
Projects
News
David Kainer and Carsten Kulheim have published an article in The Conversation, which describes how Australia could use the diversity of its naturally occurring eucalypts to develop and sustainably farm variants with high yields of desirable essential oils, for new commercial purposes.
Biologists have discovered how the rice plant's immune system is triggered by disease, in a discovery that could boost crop yields and lead to more disease-resistant types of rice.
The study investigated Western Australian populations of a rare orchid, and discovered that one population attracted a novel, common species of wasp pollinator in addition to a known rare wasp species.