Discovering how respiration affects plant development

Chemical design of new herbicides using structural guidance

This project involves using information from large-scale docking experiments and chemical synthesis to guide herbicide design. Compounds prepared are then validated as herbicides against a model plant, A. thaliana.

Unravelling the mechanisms of macromolecule trafficking

This project will unravel the underlying mechanisms of protein import and macromolecule targeting to organelles such as the mitochondria, chloroplast and peroxisomes. A variety of functional genomic approaches will be utilized to identify the protein transporters involved in macromolecule trafficking across organelles and to determine the factors that can regulate these processes within the cell. These are processes that are key regulatory mechanisms that govern cellular activity, plant growth and responses to stress.

Genetic analysis of ascorbate and glutathione functions in grapevine

From studies in annual plants we know that the antioxidants ascorbate and glutathione are immensely important regulators of plant growth and stress response, however we know very little about their function in perennial life cycles.

Deciphering organelle transport mechanisms in plants

This project undertakes a multidisciplinary approach to investigate and identify key transporters involved in regulating mitochondrial biogenesis

Discovering the roles for mitochondrial metabolite transporters in plants

This UWA research project analyses mutant plant lines, metabolic analysis of responses and transporter studies to define transport protein function.

Unveiling the biosynthesis and biological roles of cryptic metabolites and peptides encoded in fungal genomes

Fungal genomes encode vast untapped capabilities for biosynthesis of diverse bioactive metabolites and peptides, which serve as a source for drug and agrochemical discovery. Some fungal metabolites are also known to function as virulence factors for plant and animal pathogens.

Smoke alarm: Discovering new signalling compounds that operate in plants

The aims of this UWA research project are to investigate diverse sources of biological material for karrikin-like activity using existing bioassays and develop new bioassays, and characterise them with karrikins to determine their performance.

Discovering how respiration affects plant development

This research project uses knockout and overexpressing lines of plant specific complex II subunits to characterise their functions.

Exploiting chemical signals to boost plant performance

Understanding how plants perceive and respond to changes in their environment is fundamental to improving the performance of crops in the field. This UWA project aims to define the function of the karrikin signalling pathway in plant physiology and establish how it interacts with that of other plant hormones.

Deciphering chemical signaling processes during plant development

This UWA research project investigates how plants use chemical signals to control their growth and development in response to different environments.

Tackling carbohydrate processing enzymes head on

This research project investigates the role of carbohydrate-processing enzymes implicated in human disease, antibiotic resistance and digestion.

Developmental functions of oxygen and redox cues in plants

Understanding how salinity damages wheat and barley crops

This research project will build a more complete picture of global protein expression changes in salt-stressed wheat or barley seedling roots.

What are the wheat proteins that define wheat quality, enable disease resistance and tolerate harsh environmental conditions?

This UWA research project will assess metabolic pathway expression in wheat tissues to develop protein markers for industry.

Validation of a dried milk spot card

This project aims to simplify sampling and storage of human milk from collection into tubes to be frozen to placing drops of milk on a card.

Exploiting natural variation to understand molecular evolution

This research project aims to understand the molecular events responsible for the evolution of C4 photosynthesis.

More than just nutrition - the synergistic effects of the immune components in human milk

This project aims to explore relationships of immune components with infant growth, health and development.

Secondary metabolite biosynthesis

This UWA research project uses functional genomics to identify gene clusters in the fungal pathogens that may encode secondary metabolites.

Protein turnover to measure the role of degradation in the costs of cell function and the acclimation of plants to environments

This research project considers which protein features are responsible for degradation rates and builds evidence for changing protein turnover.