Research in plant sciences serves as a focal point for graduate students interested in the broad range of research in plant biology that exists in the scientific community in Canberra. This community is unique in Australia, contains many world leaders in plant science. The staff, together with many visiting world experts, provide students with opportunities to work in world renowned research teams and on cutting edge research projects. They also enable students to establish contacts with groups in other states and countries, and to experience the stimulating scientific atmosphere of a leading research centre. Annual graduate student retreats, conference travel awards, graduate training workshops and a seminar series enrich the student experience.

There are many opportunities for research that is directly or indirectly related to problems in Australian biotechnology, agriculture and forestry. The scope of research is broad and includes:

• cellular and molecular analysis of plant growth and development
• functional genomics of plant growth and development
• plant microbe interactions (including symbiotic and pathogenic interactions)
• plant environmental biology and stress physiology
• plant nutrition.

Plant sciences students enjoy some of the finest research facilities available in Australia. In addition to modern research laboratories, there are state-of-the-art plant culture facilities; a scanning and transmission electron microscopy unit; advanced light microscopy facilities; a mass spectroscopy unit; nucleic acid and protein synthesis and sequencing facilities; proteomics and microarray facilities; plant transformation and functional genomic imaging facilities; and substantial computing facilities.