Research Fellow
Overview
Dr Karl Robinson joined QAAFI’s Centre for Horticultural Science (frm. Centre for Plant Sciences) in 2012 as a molecular biologist specialising in RNAi applications against animal and plant viruses. Karl received his doctoral degree from The University of Queensland, School of Veterinary Science in 2009 and was awarded the 2009 UQ Deans Award. Karl has held postdoctoral research positions within Queensland Government/The University of Queensland - Agricultural Biotechnology Centre and the Viral Pathogenesis and Vaccine Group at the Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Organisation, The University of Saskatchewan, Canada, before joining The Mitter Group. In 2017, Dr Robinson was awarded the Queensland State Government - Advance Queensland Reseach Fellowship to conduct research into alternative insect and virus control methods using RNAi and nanotechnology. Currently, a senior research fellow, supported by Grains Research Development Corporation and Horticulture Innovation Australia, Karl is leading research into spray-on RNAi applications for viruses and insects in high value grain and horticultural crops with the aim of effectively translating these technologies to industrial cropping systems. Karl supervises a team of several honors and higher degree research students and delivers the plant virology lectures of School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences 3rd year virology course at UQ.
PhD Scholarships are available.
Research Interests
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RNAi Biopesticides.
Design, production and testing of spray-on RNA interference (RNAi) solutions to control viruses and insects that affect horticultural crops grown in protected cropping environs and broad acre grains crops such as wheat, barley, and canola. -
Development of live viral vaccines Australian animal industries.
Explore the utility of Herpesviruses as a multi-valent live viral vaccine platform for the vaccination of animals. -
Phage therapy in agriculture.
Isolation, identification and establishment of lytic bacteriophages populations that may alleviate the bacterial disease burden in agricultural production systems.
Qualifications
- Graduate Certificate of Food Sciences, University of Ballarat
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
- Masters (Coursework) of Clinical Microbiology, Griffith University
- Bachelor of Industrial Microbiology, Griffith University
Publications
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Journal Article: Development of a soybean leaf disc assay for determining oral insecticidal activity in the lepidopteran agricultural pest Helicoverpa armigera
Wang, Yachen, Guo, Shaodong, Ventura, Tomer, Jain, Ritesh, Robinson, Karl E., Mitter, Neena and Herzig, Volker (2024). Development of a soybean leaf disc assay for determining oral insecticidal activity in the lepidopteran agricultural pest Helicoverpa armigera. Toxicon, 238 107588, 107588. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107588
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Journal Article: Foliar application of clay-delivered RNA interference for whitefly control
Jain, Ritesh G, Fletcher, Stephen J, Manzie, Narelle, Robinson, Karl E, Li, Peng, Lu, Elvin, Brosnan, Christopher A, Xu, Zhi Ping and Mitter, Neena (2022). Foliar application of clay-delivered RNA interference for whitefly control. Nature Plants, 8 (5), 535-548. doi: 10.1038/s41477-022-01152-8
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Journal Article: Current status and potential of RNA interference for the management of tomato spotted wilt virus and thrips vectors
Nilon, Alexander, Robinson, Karl, Pappu, Hanu R. and Mitter, Neena (2021). Current status and potential of RNA interference for the management of tomato spotted wilt virus and thrips vectors. Pathogens, 10 (3) 320, 1-15. doi: 10.3390/pathogens10030320
Grants
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Effective virus management in grain crops
(2023–2028) GRDC - PROC-9176724 - Effective virus management in grain crops
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(2018–2020) Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
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Topical application of BioClay-delivered dsRNS for management of pineapple and avocado diseases
(2018–2020) Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
Supervision
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Application of RNAi to viruses and insects of importance to Australian horticultural industries.
Doctor Philosophy
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The Development of a Novel Approach for the Differentiation of Bovine herpesvirus 1 field and vaccine strains
Master Philosophy
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Identification of the host and viral transcripts that are post-transcriptionally regulated by the microRNAs encoded by bovine herpesvirus 1
Doctor Philosophy
Available Projects
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Effective virus management in grain crops
We are looking for domestic (Australia and New Zealand) PhD applicants passionate about applied plant virology research in cereal grain crops. This project aims to investigate the effectiveness of RNA-based sprays as a potential control strategy for BYDV (wheat and barley), TuYV (canola and pulses) and their aphid vectors to reduce viral load in planta and quantify the associated reduction in yield loss following application pre- and post-infection. Working closely with partners at DPIRD, Macquarie University and DAF QLD, this project will accelerate the translation of RNAi-based biopesticide applications as novel viricides to Australian grains industries.
Publications
Book Chapter
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The construction and evaluation of herpesvirus vectors
Robinson, K. E. and Mahony, T. J. (2020). The construction and evaluation of herpesvirus vectors. Viral vectors in veterinary vaccine development. (pp. 95-110) Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-51927-8_7
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Herpesvirus mutagenesis facilitated by infectious bacterial artificial chromosomes (iBACs)
Robinson, Karl E. and Mahony, Timothy J. (2015). Herpesvirus mutagenesis facilitated by infectious bacterial artificial chromosomes (iBACs). Bacterial artificial chromosomes. (pp. 181-197) edited by Kumaran Narayanan. New York, NY, United States: Springer Science+Business Media. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-1652-8_8
Journal Article
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Wang, Yachen, Guo, Shaodong, Ventura, Tomer, Jain, Ritesh, Robinson, Karl E., Mitter, Neena and Herzig, Volker (2024). Development of a soybean leaf disc assay for determining oral insecticidal activity in the lepidopteran agricultural pest Helicoverpa armigera. Toxicon, 238 107588, 107588. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107588
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Foliar application of clay-delivered RNA interference for whitefly control
Jain, Ritesh G, Fletcher, Stephen J, Manzie, Narelle, Robinson, Karl E, Li, Peng, Lu, Elvin, Brosnan, Christopher A, Xu, Zhi Ping and Mitter, Neena (2022). Foliar application of clay-delivered RNA interference for whitefly control. Nature Plants, 8 (5), 535-548. doi: 10.1038/s41477-022-01152-8
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Nilon, Alexander, Robinson, Karl, Pappu, Hanu R. and Mitter, Neena (2021). Current status and potential of RNA interference for the management of tomato spotted wilt virus and thrips vectors. Pathogens, 10 (3) 320, 1-15. doi: 10.3390/pathogens10030320
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Current scenario of RNAi ‐based hemipteran control
Jain, Ritesh G., Robinson, Karl E., Asgari, Sassan and Mitter, Neena (2020). Current scenario of RNAi ‐based hemipteran control. Pest Management Science, 77 (5) ps.6153, 2188-2196. doi: 10.1002/ps.6153
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RNAi-based functional genomics in hemiptera
Jain, Ritesh G., Robinson, Karl E., Fletcher, Stephen J. and Mitter, Neena (2020). RNAi-based functional genomics in hemiptera. Insects, 11 (9) 557, 557-22. doi: 10.3390/insects11090557
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Worrall, Elizabeth A., Bravo-Cazar, Ana, Nilon, Alexander T., Fletcher, Stephen J., Robinson, Karl E., Carr, John P. and Mitter, Neena (2019). Exogenous application of RNAi-inducing double-stranded RNA inhibits aphid-mediated transmission of a plant virus. Frontiers in Plant Science, 10 265, 265. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2019.00265
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Induction of virus resistance by exogenous application of double-stranded RNA
Mitter, Neena , Worrall, Elizabeth A., Robinson, Karl E., Xu, Zhi Ping and Carroll, Bernard J. (2017). Induction of virus resistance by exogenous application of double-stranded RNA. Current Opinion in Virology, 26, 49-55. doi: 10.1016/j.coviro.2017.07.009
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Clay nanosheets for topical delivery of RNAi for sustained protection against plant viruses
Mitter, Neena, Worrall, Elizabeth A., Robinson, Karl E., Li, Peng, Jain, Ritesh G., Taochy, Christelle, Fletcher, Stephen J., Carroll, Bernard J., Lu, G. Q. (Max) and Xu, Zhi Ping (2017). Clay nanosheets for topical delivery of RNAi for sustained protection against plant viruses. Nature Plants, 3 (2) 16207, 16207.1-16207.10. doi: 10.1038/nplants.2016.207
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Diet-delivered RNAi in Helicoverpa armigera – progresses and challenges
Lim, Zhi Xian, Robinson, Karl E., Jain, Ritesh G., Chandra, G. Sharath, Asokan, R., Asgari, Sassan and Mitter, Neena (2016). Diet-delivered RNAi in Helicoverpa armigera – progresses and challenges. Journal of Insect Physiology, 85, 86-93. doi: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2015.11.005
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Robinson, Karl E., Worrall, Elizabeth A. and Mitter, Neena (2014). Double stranded RNA expression and its topical application for non-transgenic resistance to plant viruses. Journal of Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Online First (3), 1-7. doi: 10.1007/s13562-014-0260-z
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Expression of Two N1 Clones with Single Amino Acid Dissimilarity of Avian Influenza H5N1 Virus
Hartawan, Risza, Dharmayanti, Ni Luh Putu Indi, Robinson, Karl, Mahony, Timothy and Meers, Joanne (2012). Expression of Two N1 Clones with Single Amino Acid Dissimilarity of Avian Influenza H5N1 Virus. HAYATI Journal of Biosciences, 19 (4), 169-176. doi: 10.4308/hjb.19.4.169
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Hartawan, Risza, Robinson, K., Mahony, T. and Meers, J. (2011). In vitro expression of native H5 and N1 genes of avian influenza virus by using Green Fluorescent Protein as reporter. Indonesian Journal of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, 16 (3), 234-241. doi: 10.14334/jitv.v16i3.618
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Polyvalent Alphaherpesvirus vectors in veterinary vaccine research
Robinson, K. E., Meers, J. and Mahony, T. J. (2010). Polyvalent Alphaherpesvirus vectors in veterinary vaccine research. Current Topics in Virology, 8, 71-88.
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Hartawan, Risza, Robinson, Karl, Mahony, Timothy and Meers, Joanne (2010). Characterisation of the H5 and N1 genes of an Indonesian highly pathogenic avian influenza virus isolate by sequencing of multiple clone approach. Indonesian Journal of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, 15 (3), 240-251. doi: 10.14334/jitv.v15i3.663
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The essential and non-essential genes of Bovine herpesvirus 1
Robinson, Karl E., Meers, Joanne, Gravel, Jennifer L., McCarthy, Fiona M. and Mahony, Timothy J. (2008). The essential and non-essential genes of Bovine herpesvirus 1. Journal of General Virology, 89 (11), 2851-2863. doi: 10.1099/vir.0.2008/002501-0
Conference Publication
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Tenth Scientific Biennial Meeting of the Australasian Virology Society-AVS10 2019
Helbig, Karla J., Bull, Rowena A., Ambrose, Rebecca, Beard, Michael R., Blanchard, Helen, Böcking, Till, Chua, Brendon, Colmant, Agathe M. G., Crosse, Keaton M., Purcell, Damian F. J., Fraser, Johanna, Hayward, Joshua A., Hamilton, Stuart T., Husain, Matloob, MacDiarmid, Robin, Mackenzie, Jason M., Moseley, Gregory W., Nguyen, Thi H O, Quiñones-Mateu, Miguel E., Robinson, Karl, Rodrigo, Chaturaka, Rodriguez-Andres, Julio, Rudd, Penny A., Werno, Anja, White, Peter, Young, Paul, Speck, Peter, Hibma, Merilyn, Drummer, Heidi E. and Tachedjian, Gilda (2020). Tenth Scientific Biennial Meeting of the Australasian Virology Society-AVS10 2019. Tenth Scientific Biennial Meeting of the Australasian Virology Society, Queenstown, New Zealand, 2–5 December 2019. Basel, Switzerland: M D P I AG. doi: 10.3390/v12060621
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RNAi-mediated management of whitefly Bemisia tabaci by oral delivery of double-stranded RNAs
Jain, Ritesh G., Robinson, Karl and Mitter, Neena (2019). RNAi-mediated management of whitefly Bemisia tabaci by oral delivery of double-stranded RNAs. The Third International Tropical Agriculture Conference TropAg 2019 , Brisbane, QLD Australia, 11-13 November 2019. Basel, Switzerland: MDPI. doi: 10.3390/proceedings2019036011
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Vectoring of avian influenza antigens using a recombinant avian herpes virus vector
Hartawan, Risza, Meers, Joanne, Mahony, Tim and Robinson, Karl (2010). Vectoring of avian influenza antigens using a recombinant avian herpes virus vector. Global Biosecurity 2010, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 28 February-3 March 2010.
Other Outputs
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Essential and Nonessential Genes of Bovine Herpesvirus-1
Karl Robinson (2009). Essential and Nonessential Genes of Bovine Herpesvirus-1. PhD Thesis, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland.
Grants (Administered at UQ)
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Effective virus management in grain crops
(2023–2028) GRDC - PROC-9176724 - Effective virus management in grain crops
-
(2018–2020) Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
-
Topical application of BioClay-delivered dsRNS for management of pineapple and avocado diseases
(2018–2020) Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
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(2018) UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
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New horizons with BioClay: Protecting crops from aphids and whiteflies
(2017–2020) Advance Queensland Research Fellowships
PhD and MPhil Supervision
Current Supervision
-
Application of RNAi to viruses and insects of importance to Australian horticultural industries.
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
-
The Development of a Novel Approach for the Differentiation of Bovine herpesvirus 1 field and vaccine strains
Master Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
-
Identification of the host and viral transcripts that are post-transcriptionally regulated by the microRNAs encoded by bovine herpesvirus 1
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
-
Innovative RNAi for ectoparasites of livestock
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Completed Supervision
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Topical application of RNA interference to manage insect pests
(2022) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
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BioClay for Control of Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus
(2021) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
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RNAi-based management of Helicoverpa armigera
(2020) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Possible Research Projects
Note for students: The possible research projects listed on this page may not be comprehensive or up to date. Always feel free to contact the staff for more information, and also with your own research ideas.
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Effective virus management in grain crops
We are looking for domestic (Australia and New Zealand) PhD applicants passionate about applied plant virology research in cereal grain crops. This project aims to investigate the effectiveness of RNA-based sprays as a potential control strategy for BYDV (wheat and barley), TuYV (canola and pulses) and their aphid vectors to reduce viral load in planta and quantify the associated reduction in yield loss following application pre- and post-infection. Working closely with partners at DPIRD, Macquarie University and DAF QLD, this project will accelerate the translation of RNAi-based biopesticide applications as novel viricides to Australian grains industries.
