Importance of Pollination:
Pollination is essential for the reproductive success of many plants, with numerous species dependent on animals for pollen transfer. While generalised pollination is widespread, certain plants have evolved intricate adaptations to attract specific pollinators. These plants exhibit exquisite variation in scent, colour, and morphology shaped by pollinator-mediated evolution. These interactions are thus prime candidates for ecological, molecular, and evolutionary studies. However, unprecedented environmental change and pollinator decline heighten extinction risks for plants reliant on specific pollinators, underscoring the importance of conservation studies in safeguarding these delicate relationships.

Focus on Orchids:
The orchid family, Orchidaceae, boasts over 26,000 species known for their diverse and intricate floral arrangements. As a hub for the intriguing phenomenon of sexual deception in pollination, Australia is home to over 500 orchid species employing this strategy. Using visual and chemical mimicry to attract pollinators, these species provide a rich field for ecological and evolutionary research.

Project Details:
1: Molecular Insights into Orchid Floral Colour Evolution and Diversity
Explore gene expression and datasets of floral colour, volatiles, and nectar across diverse orchids to uncover evolutionary adaptations in their pollination strategies.

2: Genome Biology of Pollination and Evolution in Orchids
Using comparative genomics, delve into the genomic diversity of Australian orchids to uncover the evolutionary drivers behind their pollination strategies.

3: Pollination Biology and Chemical Ecology of Sexual Deception
Investigate the chemical strategies of sexually deceptive orchids to understand their interaction with pollinators, assisted by two decades of pioneering chemical research.

4: High Throughput DNA Barcoding of Pollinators for Underground Orchids in NSW
Examine the interaction between underground orchids and their pollinators through advanced DNA barcoding techniques and AI tools for rapid species identification.

Candidates for these 4 projects will exhibit strong computational and/or bioinformatics skills, with a project-dependent background in one or more of the following: ecology, entomology, biochemistry, molecular biology and genome biology.