Plant Biology

Australia has a proud history of world-class research into plant science and has important centres of excellence in several universities in this discipline. As with many biological systems, the study of plants is entering a new genomic era. In plant genomics, new DNA markers will provide faster and easier ways to discover and manipulate important disease resistance traits in commercially important grass varieties such as wheat. Australian plant biology leads the world in the genetic and molecular analysis of metabolic networks, energy metabolism, nutrient acquisition, and the response to environmental stress.

In plant development, analysis of important developmental decisions, affecting cell division and cell fate determination, are elucidating the processes that give rise to adult structures such as shoots and roots. Through the integration of cell division with plant development, important plant-specific aspects have been revealed, including novel regulatory proteins and modes of regulation that link expression of cell cycle genes to cell type-specific developmental control.

Other areas of plant research seek to connect the cell cycle control of stem cell activity with tissue level growth and differentiation of the vascular system, hormonal control mechanisms and natural genetic variation. Future research will focus on marrying these important new discoveries in model plants such as Arabidopsis with Australia's traditional strength in plant breeding, to develop crops with enhanced growth and resistance to environmental conditions, taking advantage of superlative plant research through ARC Centres of Excellence. Members include CSIRO Plant Industry which conducts research to promote agrifood, fibre and horticultural industries, develop new plant products and improve natural resource management as well as conservation genetics, and The University of Western Australia, establishing an International Centre for Plant Breeding Education and Research, and The University of Sydney’s increased emphasis on plant biology. Collectively these Network partners can support research into:

• genetic and molecular analysis of metabolic networks
• energy metabolism
• nutrient acquisition
• response to environmental stress