Project description
Plants roots interact with the soil and the microbes living within to grow and complete their life cycles. The microbes closely associate with the rhizosphere of the roots and colonise the roots living within the endosphere. Interactions can be beneficial or pathogenic. The beneficial plant-soil-microbe interactions drive the bioavailability of key nutrients, water and may influence soil structure and health. Importance of the soil microbiome and its influence on native and pasture grasses has been well studied in restoration and conservation research areas. However, there is little knowledge and research into the drivers of root-microbial associations in different soil types and how the diversity of microbial communities influences the crop growth, development and yield. In this project, students will investigate these interactions in cereal crops with soils from different agricultural fields and rainfall zones. Students will develop skills in whole plant physiology, microbiology, molecular biology and bioinformatics. Knowledge gained from this project will be valuable in identifying specific microbes that improve stress resilience , improve growth, yield and promote sustainable practices.
Assumed knowledge
Plant Science, Microbiology, Ecology
Supervisors research focus
My research program involves two major research themes – Food security and Human health. Under Food security theme, our group investigates the role of membrane proteins and associated signalling cascades in improving crop abiotic stress tolerance. Of particular interest is the role of non-protein amino acid, gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) in ameliorating abiotic stress and its role in plant stress signalling. The second theme of 'Human Health' focuses on finding ways to limit aggressive invasiveness of Glioblastoma tumour cells (brain cancer). Our research focuses on inhibiting transporters and channels involved in cell motility and identifying novel natural compounds that can be used to limit tumour cell invasion. Limiting cell motility in recurrent tumours would lead to increase in therapeutic window for clinicians.
Note: You need to register interest in projects from different supervisors (not a number of projects with the one supervisor).
You must also contact each supervisor directly to discuss both the project details and your suitability to undertake the project.