These projects aim to test and develop approaches to multiplex gene editing.
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More about the project
Currently, plant transgenesis represents a bottleneck in crop genetic research and limits cutting-edge gene-editing and SynBio approaches. A series of projects aims to develop and innovate in the next-generation of plant transgenesis and gene-editing technologies enabling their utilization in breeding programs for the generation of future crops with novel, industry-driven traits. The student will work with the ARC Training Centre’s Research Fellows, and its domestic and international technology partners, to gain expertise in the latest plant molecular biology and gene-technology approaches. Students will gain expertise along the crop development pipeline, from the laboratory to greenhouse to field conditions, and will include an Australian breeding company internship. These projects aim to be transformational for crop biotechnology, enabling simple plant transgenesis/gene-editing en masse.
Key areas of research will include:
- Assessment and development of multiplex gene editing
- Determination of the efficiency of multiplex gene editing and testing approaches to maximise efficiency
- Characterisation of gene edited plants for alterations in the trait of interest and testing for any unintended effects
- The student will learn modern biotechnology techniques and work with gene edited plants in greenhouse and field conditions.
Project supervisor
There will be multiple supervisors to work with across the projects, including the following.
Tony Millar
Tony is a Deputy Director of the Training Centre and is focused on students and training to ensure their maximum success. In the lab, Tony works on microRNAs, many of which play pivotal roles in many developmental and physiological processes, in both plants and animals.