I am a plant molecular physiologist in the Mitter Lab at the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation. Our team primarily focuses on innovating tissue culture technologies for plant species in close partnership with industry and stakeholders. We deliver world-first propagation protocols for difficult and recalcitrant crops species as well as biotechnologies for crop improvement and cryobanking of recalcitrant plant germplasm. We also have a dedicated research stream in crop genomics and molecular biology. We aim to improve efficiency and resilience in our plant industries as well as support conservation of our key germplasm and endangered species. Our flagship species has been the avocado, and our team has been involved with producing the first genome sequence for avocado as well as the world's first commercial tissue culture pipelines for avocado propagation and cryopreservation. We are now extending this to other key crop species such as macadamia, as well as endangered native species with collaborators. Our ongoing vision is continued extension of these technologies to new species and crops for both horticultural and environmental outcomes.
**We are always looking for motivated Honours, MPhil and PhD applicants - get in contact if this is you!**
Journal Article: Mapping and Identifying Candidate Genes Enabling Cadmium Accumulation in Brassica napus Revealed by Combined BSA-Seq and RNA-Seq Analysis
Wang, Huadong, Liu, Jiajia, Huang, Juan, Xiao, Qing, Hayward, Alice, Li, Fuyan, Gong, Yingying, Liu, Qian, Ma, Miao, Fu, Donghui and Xiao, Meili (2023). Mapping and Identifying Candidate Genes Enabling Cadmium Accumulation in Brassica napus Revealed by Combined BSA-Seq and RNA-Seq Analysis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24 (12) 10163, 10163. doi: 10.3390/ijms241210163
Journal Article: Molecular cues for phenological events in the flowering cycle in avocado
Ahsan, Muhammad Umair, Barbier, Francois, Hayward, Alice, Powell, Rosanna, Hofman, Helen, Parfitt, Siegrid Carola, Wilkie, John, Beveridge, Christine Anne and Mitter, Neena (2023). Molecular cues for phenological events in the flowering cycle in avocado. Plants, 12 (12) 2304, 1-18. doi: 10.3390/plants12122304
Journal Article: Breaking the tight genetic linkage between the a1 and sh2 genes led to the development of anthocyanin-rich purple-pericarp super-sweetcorn
Anirban, Apurba, Hayward, Alice, Hong, Hung T., Masouleh, Ardashir Kharabian, Henry, Robert J. and O'Hare, Tim J. (2023). Breaking the tight genetic linkage between the a1 and sh2 genes led to the development of anthocyanin-rich purple-pericarp super-sweetcorn. Scientific Reports, 13 (1) 1050, 1-13. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-28083-4
(2022–2026) Curtin University
Gossia gonoclada cryopreservation project
(2022–2026) Logan City Council
Tissue-cultured Avocado Plants - from the Lab to the World
(2022–2023) Innovation Connections
Innovating Cryopreservation for Conservation of Endangered Gossia gonoclada
Doctor Philosophy
Novel propagation and conservation technologies for Australian macadamia
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the mechanism responsible for zeaxanthin accumulation in orange-coloured Capsicum.
Doctor Philosophy
Cryobiotechnology to Save Australian Macadamia
Want to do a PhD in conservation with real-world outcomes and close industry links?! Join our team of industry and academic leaders at the Australian PlantBank and The University of Queensland and be the first to develop cryobiotechnology to help save Australia’s macadamia species.
Our lab is dedicated to developing cryopreservation (cryostorage at -196C) protocols to save plant species from climate-change, disease pandemics (e.g. myrtle rust), deforestation and ultimately extinction. This is essential for plants that do not survive seed-banking – including our food species such as macadamia. This technology allows us to safely freeze plant cells and tissues at -196C and then revive them to grow into whole new plants. This provides an insurance bank to conserve incredible genetic diversity of precious species including crops and endangered species that cannot be seed-banked.
You must be an Australian resident and will be based at the Australian PlantBank in NSW and Enrolled through the University of Queensland. Students will learn techniques of plant tissue culture and cryopreservation in close connection with industry and real end-user funders in plant conservation. The student(s) will develop real-world protocols to save these species in Australian cryobanks. The student(s) will also have opportuity to travel, conduct field work, and investigate molecular physiological apsects of cellular cryostorage behaviour.
Location: The Australian PlantBank Mt Annan, NSW.
Tissue culture to feed the world
The Mitter Lab has received global media coverage for developing the world’s first tissue-culture production system for avocado plants - the world's most instagrammed fruit. This is important as a sustainable, cost-effective and climate-secure way to produce plants. The team has also developed systems for pharma crops, hyperacumulating species for industrial application and endgangered species under threat of climate change and disease pandemics.
Dedicated students will be part of our expanding research in a new $20M tissue-culture facility at UQ, developing systems for other high-value crop species as well as endangered native species where prior research is lacking or proved too challenging. Students will work very closely with internationally leading researchers, industry and partners to deliver real-world outcomes and value-add student experience. There is also opportunity for students to discover novel aspects of plant genetics and molecular physiology in relation to tissue culture and crop function.
**We are NOW searching for**:
-Honours student in Custard Apple Tissue Culture -PhD students in Macadamia Tissue Culture -MPhil Student in macadamia molecular biology and informatics
The next generation of avocado crop improvement
Our Lab in QAAFI has been part of a large effort sequencing the genomes of major sub-tropical fruit crops including avocado. We have developed a DNA marker set that can distinguish avocado cultivars available in Australia – this is important for industry to be able to rapidly identify and track plants. We are also producing the first chromosome level genome for avocado, set to signfcantly enhance future assisted breeding and gene-editing tech for avocado. Combining our world-leading strengths in avocado tissue culture innovation and genomics, this project will develop novel platform technologies for avocado crop improvement exploring options for mutatgenesis breeding and gene-editing. The outcomes if successfull could be a game changer for avocado crop development into the future.
**We are now searching for: PhD students in Avocado transformation and mutagenesis!**
Advances in avocado propagation for the sustainable supply of planting materials
Hiti-Bandaralage, Jayeni, Hayward, Alice, O’Brien, Chris, Gleeson, Madeleine, Nak, William and Mitter, Neena (2020). Advances in avocado propagation for the sustainable supply of planting materials. Achieving sustainable cultivation of tropical fruits. (pp. 215-237) Cambridge, United Kingdom: Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing. doi: 10.19103/as.2019.0054.19
Avocado transcriptomic resources
Shaw, Lindsay, Nath, Onkar, Fletcher, Stephen, Henry, Robert, Mitter, Neena and Hayward, Alice (2020). Avocado transcriptomic resources. Reference Module in Food Science. (pp. 544-557) Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-08-100596-5.22733-9
Avocado (Persea americana Mill.)
O’Brien, Christopher, Hiti-Bandaralage, Jayeni C. A., Hayward, Alice and Mitter, Neena (2018). Avocado (Persea americana Mill.). Step wise protocols for somatic embryogenesis of important woody plants. Volume II. (pp. 305-328) edited by Shri Mohan Jain and Pramod Gupta. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-79087-9_24
Introduction - Oilseed Brassicas
Hayward, Alice (2012). Introduction - Oilseed Brassicas. Genetics, genomics and breeding of Oilseed Brassicas. (pp. 1-13) edited by David Edwards, Jacqueline Batley, Isobel Parkin and Chittaranjan Kole. Enfield, United States: Science Publishers.
Wang, Huadong, Liu, Jiajia, Huang, Juan, Xiao, Qing, Hayward, Alice, Li, Fuyan, Gong, Yingying, Liu, Qian, Ma, Miao, Fu, Donghui and Xiao, Meili (2023). Mapping and Identifying Candidate Genes Enabling Cadmium Accumulation in Brassica napus Revealed by Combined BSA-Seq and RNA-Seq Analysis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24 (12) 10163, 10163. doi: 10.3390/ijms241210163
Molecular cues for phenological events in the flowering cycle in avocado
Ahsan, Muhammad Umair, Barbier, Francois, Hayward, Alice, Powell, Rosanna, Hofman, Helen, Parfitt, Siegrid Carola, Wilkie, John, Beveridge, Christine Anne and Mitter, Neena (2023). Molecular cues for phenological events in the flowering cycle in avocado. Plants, 12 (12) 2304, 1-18. doi: 10.3390/plants12122304
Anirban, Apurba, Hayward, Alice, Hong, Hung T., Masouleh, Ardashir Kharabian, Henry, Robert J. and O'Hare, Tim J. (2023). Breaking the tight genetic linkage between the a1 and sh2 genes led to the development of anthocyanin-rich purple-pericarp super-sweetcorn. Scientific Reports, 13 (1) 1050, 1-13. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-28083-4
Structural disparity of avocado rootstocks in vitro for rooting and acclimation success
Hiti-Bandaralage, Jayeni, Hayward, Alice and Mitter, Neena (2022). Structural disparity of avocado rootstocks in vitro for rooting and acclimation success. International Journal of Plant Biology, 13 (4), 426-442. doi: 10.3390/ijpb13040035
O'Donohue, Billy, Hiti-Bandaralage, Jayeni, Gleeson, Madeleine, O'Brien, Chris, Harvey, Maggie-Anne, van der Ent, Antony, Pinto Irish, Katherine, Mitter, Neena and Hayward, Alice (2022). Tissue culture tools for selenium hyperaccumulator Neptunia amplexicaulis for development in phytoextraction. Natural Products and Bioprospecting, 12 (1) 28, 1-9. doi: 10.1007/s13659-022-00351-2
A haplotype resolved chromosomal level avocado genome allows analysis of novel avocado genes
Nath, Onkar, Fletcher, Stephen J., Hayward, Alice, Shaw, Lindsay M., Kharabian Masouleh, Ardashir, Furtado, Agnelo, Henry, Robert J. and Mitter, Neena (2022). A haplotype resolved chromosomal level avocado genome allows analysis of novel avocado genes. Horticulture Research, 9 uhac157, 1-10. doi: 10.1093/hr/uhac157
Chen, Sheng, Hayward, Alice, Dey, Shyam S., Choudhary, Mukesh, Witt Hmon, Khaing P., Inturrisi, Fabian C., Dolatabadian, Aria, Neik, Ting Xiang, Yang, Hua, Siddique, Kadambot H. M., Batley, Jacqueline and Cowling, Wallace A. (2022). Quantitative trait loci for heat stress tolerance in Brassica rapa L. are distributed across the genome and occur in diverse genetic groups, flowering phenologies and morphotypes. Genes, 13 (2) 296, 296. doi: 10.3390/genes13020296
Nath, Onkar, Fletcher, Stephen J., Hayward, Alice, Shaw, Lindsay M., Agarwal, Rimjhim, Furtado, Agnelo, Henry, Robert J. and Mitter, Neena (2022). A comprehensive high-quality DNA and RNA extraction protocol for a range of cultivars and tissue types of the woody crop avocado. Plants, 11 (3) 242. doi: 10.3390/plants11030242
Cryopreservation of woody crops: The avocado case
O’Brien, Chris, Hiti-Bandaralage, Jayeni, Folgado, Raquel, Hayward, Alice, Lahmeyer, Sean, Folsom, Jim and Mitter, Neena (2021). Cryopreservation of woody crops: The avocado case. Plants, 10 (5) 934, 934. doi: 10.3390/plants10050934
Snow, Val, Rodriguez, Daniel, Dynes, Robyn, Kaye-Blake, William, Mallawaarachchi, Thilak, Zydenbos, Sue, Cong, Lei, Obadovic, Irena, Agnew, Rob, Amery, Nicole, Bell, Lindsay, Benson, Cristy, Clinton, Peter, Dreccer, M. Fernanda, Dunningham, Andrew, Gleeson, Madeleine, Harrison, Matthew, Hayward, Alice, Holzworth, Dean, Johnstone, Paul, Meinke, Holger, Mitter, Neena, Mugera, Amin, Pannell, David, Silva, Luis F.P., Roura, Eugeni, Siddharth, Prince, Siddique, Kadambot H.M. and Stevens, David (2021). Resilience achieved via multiple compensating subsystems: The immediate impacts of COVID-19 control measures on the agri-food systems of Australia and New Zealand. Agricultural Systems, 187 103025, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.agsy.2020.103025
O'Brien, C., Hiti-Bandaralage, J. C. A., Folgado, R., Lahmeyer, S., Hayward, A., Folsom, J. and Mitter, N. (2020). First report on cryopreservation of mature shoot tips of two avocado (Persea americana Mill.) rootstocks. Plant Cell Tissue and Organ Culture, 144 (1), 103-113. doi: 10.1007/s11240-020-01861-y
O’Brien, C., Hiti-Bandaralage, J., Folgado, R., Lahmeyer, S., Hayward, A., Folsom, J. and Mitter, N. (2020). A method to increase regrowth of vitrified shoot tips of avocado (Persea americana Mill.): First critical step in developing a cryopreservation protocol. Scientia Horticulturae, 266 109305, 109305. doi: 10.1016/j.scienta.2020.109305
Hiti-Bandaralage, Jayeni, Hayward, Alice, O’Brien, Chris, Ahsan, Umair, Gleeson, Madeline, Xue, Yuxin and Mitter, Neena (2020). Phase change related microRNA profiles in the plant regeneration process of avocado through shoot-tip culture. Annals of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, 4 (2). doi: 10.22606/as.2020.42001
Scion control of miRNA abundance and tree maturity in grafted avocado
Ahsan, Muhammad Umair, Hayward, Alice, Alam, Mobashwer, Bandaralage, Jayeni Hiti, Topp, Bruce, Beveridge, Christine Anne and Mitter, Neena (2019). Scion control of miRNA abundance and tree maturity in grafted avocado. BMC Plant Biology, 19 (1) 382, 382. doi: 10.1186/s12870-019-1994-5
Rendon-Anaya, Martha, Ibarra-Laclette, Enrique, Mendez-Bravo, Alfonso, Lan, Tianying, Zheng, Chunfang, Carretero-Paulet, Lorenzo, Anahi Perez-Torres, Claudia, Chacon-Lopez, Alejandra, Hernandez-Guzman, Gustavo, Chang, Tien-Hao, Farr, Kimberly M., Barbazuk, W. Brad, Chamala, Srikar, Mutwil, Marek, Shivhare, Devendra, Alvarez-Ponce, David, Mitter, Neena, Hayward, Alice, Fletcher, Stephen, Rozas, Julio, Sanchez Gracia, Alejandro, Kuhn, David, Barrientos-Priego, Alejandro F., Salojarvi, Jarkko, Librado, Pablo, Sankoff, David, Herrera-Estrella, Alfredo, Albert, Victor A. and Herrera-Estrella, Luis (2019). The avocado genome informs deep angiosperm phylogeny, highlights introgressive hybridization, and reveals pathogen-influenced gene space adaptation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 116 (34), 17081-17089. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1822129116
Juvenility and vegetative phase transition in tropical/subtropical tree crops
Ahsan, Muhammad Umair, Hayward, Alice, Irihimovitch, Vered, Fletcher, Stephen, Tanurdzic, Milos, Pocock, Alexander, Beveridge, Christine Anne and Mitter, Neena (2019). Juvenility and vegetative phase transition in tropical/subtropical tree crops. Frontiers in Plant Science, 10 729, 729. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2019.00729
Worrall, Elizabeth A., Hayward, Alice C., Fletcher, Stephen J. and Mitter, Neena (2018). Molecular characterization and analysis of conserved potyviral motifs in bean common mosaic virus (BCMV) for RNAi-mediated protection. Archives of Virology, 164 (1), 181-194. doi: 10.1007/s00705-018-4065-6
Acclimatization of micropropagated mature avocado
Hiti Bandaralage, J.C.A., Hayward, A., O’Brien, C., Beveridge, C. and Mitter, N. (2018). Acclimatization of micropropagated mature avocado. Acta Horticulturae, 1224 (1224), 13-20. doi: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2018.1224.3
Micropropagation of Avocado (Persea americana Mill.)
Hiti-Bandaralage, Jayeni , Hayward, Alice and Mitter, Neena (2017). Micropropagation of Avocado (Persea americana Mill.). American Journal of Plant Sciences, 8 (11), 2898-2921. doi: 10.4236/ajps.2017.811197
Analysis of the genome sequence of the medicinal plant Salvia miltiorrhiza
Xu, Haibin, Song, Jinyuan, Luo, Hongmei, Zhang, Yujun, Li, Qiushi, Zhu, Yingjie, Xu, Jiang, Li, Ying, Song, Chi, Wang, Bo, Sun, Wei, Shen, Guoan, Zhang, Xin, Qian, Jun, Ji, Aija, Xu, Zhichao, Luo, Xiang, He, Liu, Li, Chuyuang, Sun, Chao, Yan, Haixia, Cui, Guanghong, Li, Xiwen, Li, Xian'en, Wei, Jianhe, Liu, Juyan, Wang, Yitao, Hayward, Alice, Nelson, David ... Chen, Shilin (2016). Analysis of the genome sequence of the medicinal plant Salvia miltiorrhiza. Molecular Plant, 9 (6), 949-952. doi: 10.1016/j.molp.2016.03.010
Zeng, Shaohua, Liu, Yongliang, Pan, Lizhu, Hayward, Alice and Wang, Ying (2015). Identification and characterization of miRNAs in ripening fruit of lycium barbarum L. Using high-throughput sequencing. Frontiers in Plant Science, 6 (September) 778, 778. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2015.00778
Microspore culture reveals complex meiotic behaviour in a trigenomic Brassica hybrid
Mason, Annaliese S., Takahira, Junko, Atri, Chhaya, Samans, Birgit, Hayward, Alice, Cowling, Wallace A., Batley, Jacqueline and Nelson, Mattew N. (2015). Microspore culture reveals complex meiotic behaviour in a trigenomic Brassica hybrid. BMC Plant Biology, 15 (1) 173, 1-15. doi: 10.1186/s12870-015-0555-9
Zhu, Yingjie, Xu, Jiang, Sun, Chao, Zhou, Shiguo, Xu, Haibin, Nelson, David R., Qian, Jun, Song, Jingyuan, Luo, Hongmei, Xiang, Li, Li, Ying, Xu, Zhichao, Ji, Aijia, Wang, Lizhi, Lu, Shanfa, Hayward, Alice, Sun, Wei, Li, Xiwen, Schwartz, David C., Wang, Yitao and Chen, Shilin (2015). Chromosome-level genome map provides insights into diverse defense mechanisms in the medicinal fungus Ganoderma sinense. Scientific Reports, 5 (1) 11087, 1-14. doi: 10.1038/srep11087
Li, Jiqiang, Zhao, Zunkang, Hayward, Alice, Cheng, Hongyu and Fu, Donghui (2015). Integration analysis of quantitative trait loci for resistance to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in Brassica napus. Euphytica, 205 (2), 483-489. doi: 10.1007/s10681-015-1417-0
Enhanced seed oil content by overexpressing genes related to triacylglyceride synthesis
Liu, Fang, Xia, Yuping, Wu, Lei, Fu, Donghui, Hayward, Alice, Luo, Junling, Yan, Xiaohong, Xiong, Xiaojuan, Fu, Ping, Wu, Gang and Lu, Changming (2015). Enhanced seed oil content by overexpressing genes related to triacylglyceride synthesis. Gene, 557 (2), 163-171. doi: 10.1016/j.gene.2014.12.029
Molecular marker applications in plants
Hayward, Alice C., Tollenaere, Reece, Dalton-Morgan, Jessica and Batley, Jacqueline (2015). Molecular marker applications in plants. Methods in Molecular Biology, 1245, 13-27. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-1966-6_2
Genome-wide identification of phenolic acid biosynthetic genes in Salvia miltiorrhiza
Wang, Bo, Sun, Wei, Li, Qiushi, Li, Ying, Luo, Hongmei, Song, Jingyuan, Sun, Chao, Qian, Jun, Zhu, Yingjie, Hayward, Alice, Xu, Haibin and Chen, Shilin (2014). Genome-wide identification of phenolic acid biosynthetic genes in Salvia miltiorrhiza. Planta, 241 (3), 711-725. doi: 10.1007/s00425-014-2212-1
Liu, Fang, Xiong, Xiaojuan, Wu, Lei, Fu, Donghui, Hayward, Alice, Zeng, Xinhua, Cao, Yinglong, Wu, Yuhua, Li, Yunjing and Wu, Gang (2014). BraLTP1, a lipid transfer protein gene involved in epicuticular wax deposition, cell proliferation and flower development in Brassica napus. PLoS ONE, 9 (10) e110272, 1-12. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0110272
Dalton-Morgan, Jessica, Hayward, Alice, Alamery, Salman, Tollenaere, Reece, Mason, Annaliese S., Campbell, Emma, Patel, Dhwani, Lorenc, Michał T., Yi, Bin, Long, Yan, Meng, Jinling, Raman, Rosy, Raman, Harsh, Lawley, Cindy, Edwards, David and Batley, Jacqueline (2014). A high-throughput SNP array in the amphidiploid species Brassica napus shows diversity in resistance genes. Functional and Integrative Genomics, 14 (4), 643-655. doi: 10.1007/s10142-014-0391-2
What is crop heterosis: new insights into an old topic
Fu, Donghui, Xiao, Meili, Hayward, Alice, Jiang, Guanjie, Zhu, Longrong, Zhou, Qinghong, Li, Jiqiang and Zhang, Min (2014). What is crop heterosis: new insights into an old topic. Journal of Applied Genetics, 56 (1), 1-13. doi: 10.1007/s13353-014-0231-z
Liu, Di, Sun, Wei, Yuan,Yaowu, Zhang, Ning, Hayward, Alice, Liu, Yongliang and Wang, Ying (2014). Phylogenetic analyses provide the first insights into the evolution of OVATE family proteins in land plants. Annals of Botany, 113 (7), 1219-1233. doi: 10.1093/aob/mcu061
Utilization of crop heterosis: a review
Fu, Donghui, Xiao, Meili, Hayward, Alice, Fu, Ying, Liu, Gui, Jiang, Guanjie and Zhang, Haihuan (2014). Utilization of crop heterosis: a review. Euphytica, 197 (2), 161-173. doi: 10.1007/s10681-014-1103-7
Comparative analysis of anthocyanin biosynthesis during fruit development in two Lycium species
Zeng, Shaohua, Wu, Min, Zou, Caiyun, Liu, Xiaomin, Shen, Xiaofei, Hayward, Alice, Liu, Chunzhao and Wang, Ying (2014). Comparative analysis of anthocyanin biosynthesis during fruit development in two Lycium species. Physiologia Plantarum, 150 (4), 505-516. doi: 10.1111/ppl.12131
Sun, Wei, Huang, Wenjun, Li, Zhineng, Song, Chi, Liu, Di, Liu, Yongliang, Hayward, Alice, Liu, Yifei, Huang, Hongwen and Wang, Ying (2014). Functional and evolutionary analysis of the AP1/SEP/AGL6 superclade of MADS-box genes in the basal eudicot Epimedium sagittatum. Annals of Botany, 113 (4), 653-668. doi: 10.1093/aob/mct301
Mason, Annaliese S., Batley, Jacqueline, Bayer, Philipp Emanuel, Hayward, Alice, Cowling, Wallace A. and Nelson, Matthew N. (2014). High-resolution molecular karyotyping uncovers pairing between ancestrally related Brassica chromosomes. New Phytologist, 202 (3), 964-974. doi: 10.1111/nph.12706
Applications and challenges of next-generation sequencing in Brassica species
Wei, Lijuan, Xiao, Meili, Hayward, Alice and Fu, Donghui (2013). Applications and challenges of next-generation sequencing in Brassica species. Planta, 238 (6), 1005-1024. doi: 10.1007/s00425-013-1961-6
New insights into helitron transposable elements in the mesopolyploid species Brassica rapa
Fu, Donghui, Wei, Lijuan, Xiao, Meili and Hayward, Alice (2013). New insights into helitron transposable elements in the mesopolyploid species Brassica rapa. Gene, 532 (2), 236-245. doi: 10.1016/j.gene.2013.09.033
Zander, Manuel, Patel, Dhwani A., Van de Wouw, Angela, Lai, Kaitao, Lorenc, Michal T., Campbell, Emma, Hayward, Alice, Edwards, David, Raman, Harsh and Batley, Jacqueline (2013). Identifying genetic diversity of avirulence genes in Leptosphaeria maculans using whole genome sequencing. Functional and Integrative Genomics, 13 (3), 294-308. doi: 10.1007/s10142-013-0324-5
Second-generation sequencing for gene discovery in the Brassicaceae
Hayward, Alice, Vighnesh, Guru, Delay, Christina, Samian, Mohd Rafizan, Manoli, Sahana, Stiller, Jiri, McKenzie, Megan, Edwards, David and Batley, Jacqueline (2012). Second-generation sequencing for gene discovery in the Brassicaceae. Plant Biotechnology Journal, 10 (6), 750-759. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-7652.2012.00719.x
Characterization and functional annotation of nested transposable elements in eukaryotic genomes
Gao, Caihua, Xiao, Meili, Ren, Xiaodong, Hayward, Alice, Yin, Jiaming, Wu, Likun, Fu, Donghu and Li, Jiana (2012). Characterization and functional annotation of nested transposable elements in eukaryotic genomes. Genomics, 100 (4), 222-230. doi: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2012.07.004
Tollenaere, Reece, Hayward, Alice, Dalton-Morgan, Jessica, Campbell, Emma, Lee, Joanne R. M., Lorenc, Michal T., Manoli, Sahana, Stiller, Jiri, Raman, Rosy, Raman, Harsh, Edwards, David and Batley, Jacqueline (2012). Identification and characterization of candidate Rlm4 blackleg resistance genes in Brassica napus using next-generation sequencing. Plant Biotechnology Journal, 10 (6), 709-715. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-7652.2012.00716.x
Genomic advances will herald new insights into the Brassica: Leptosphaeria maculans pathosystem
Hayward, A., McLanders, J., Campbell, E., Edwards, D. and Batley, J. (2012). Genomic advances will herald new insights into the Brassica: Leptosphaeria maculans pathosystem. Plant Biology, 14 (Supp. 1), 1-10. doi: 10.1111/j.1438-8677.2011.00481.x
Kurepin, Leonid V., Walton, Linda J., Hayward, Allison, Emery, R. J. Neil, Pharis, Richard P. and Reid, David M. (2012). Interactions between plant hormones and light quality signaling in regulating the shoot growth of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings. Botany, 90 (3), 237-246. doi: 10.1139/b11-108
SNP discovery and applications in Brassica napus
Hayward, Alice, Mason, Annaliese S., Dalton-Morgan, Jessica, Zander, Manuel, Edwards, David and Batley, Jacqueline (2012). SNP discovery and applications in Brassica napus. Journal of Plant Biotechnology, 39 (1), 49-61. doi: 10.5010/JPB.2012.39.1.049
The genome of the mesopolyploid crop species Brassica rapa
The Brassica rapa Genome Sequencing Project Consortium, Wang, Xiaowu, Wang, Hanzhong, Wang, Jun, Sun, Rifei, Wu, Jian, Liu, Shengyi, Bai, Yinqi, Mun, Jeong-Hwan, Bancroft, Ian, Cheng, Feng, Huang, Sanwen, Li, Xixiang, Hua, Wei, Wang, Junyi, Wang, Xiyin, Freeling, Michael, Pires, J. Chris, Paterson, Andrew H., Chalhoub, Boulos, Wang, Bo, Hayward, Alice, Sharpe, Andrew G., Park, Beom-Seok, Weisshaar, Bernd, Liu, Binghang, Li, Bo, Liu, Bo, Tong, Chaobo ... Zhang, Zhonghua (2011). The genome of the mesopolyploid crop species Brassica rapa. Nature Genetics, 43 (10), 1035-1040. doi: 10.1038/ng.919
Targeted identification of genomic regions using TAGdb
Marshall, Daniel J., Hayward, Alice, Eales, Dominic, Imelfort, Michael, Stiller, Jiri, Berkman, Paul J., Clark, Terry, McKenzie, Megan, Lai, Kaitao, Duran, Chris, Batley, Jacqueline and Edwards, David (2010). Targeted identification of genomic regions using TAGdb. Plant Methods, 6 (19) 19, 1-6. doi: 10.1186/1746-4811-6-19
Axillary bud outgrowth in herbaceous shoots: How do strigolactones fit into the picture?
Waldie, Tanya, Hayward, Alice and Beveridge, Christine Anne (2010). Axillary bud outgrowth in herbaceous shoots: How do strigolactones fit into the picture?. Plant Molecular Biology, 73 (1-2), 27-36. doi: 10.1007/s11103-010-9599-2
Interactions between Auxin and Strigolactone in Shoot Branching Control
Hayward, A, Stirnberg, P, Beveridge, C and Leyser, O (2009). Interactions between Auxin and Strigolactone in Shoot Branching Control. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY, 151 (1), 400-412. doi: 10.1104/pp.109.137646
Bao, Jingyin, O’Brien, Chris, Sommerville, Karen, Mitter, Neena and Hayward, Alice (2022). Cold pretreatment for cryopreservation of an endangered Australian native plant species Gossia fragrantissima. CRYO2022 Joint Meeting of SLTB and Society for Cryobiology, Dublin, Ireland, 19-22 July 2022. Maryland Heights, MO United States: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2022.11.045
Innovative cryopreservation technology for Australian macadamia
Li, Xueying, O’brien, Chris, Sommerville, Karen, Mitter, Neena and Hayward, Alice (2022). Innovative cryopreservation technology for Australian macadamia. CRYO2022 59th Annual Meeting of the Society for Cryobiology, Dublin, Ireland, 19-22 July 2022. Maryland Heights, MO United States: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2022.11.198
Novel Propagation Technologies for Australian Macadamia
Wong, Albert Chern Sun, Hu, Zhangpan, Hiti-Bandaralage, Jayeni, O'Brien, Chris, Hayward, Alice and Mitter, Neena (2022). Novel Propagation Technologies for Australian Macadamia. International Agriculture Conference (TropAg 2022), Brisbane, Australia, 31 October - 2 November 2022. doi: 10.5281/ZENODO.7672445
Designing high zeaxanthin capsicums
Agarwal, R., Hayward, A., Hong, H., Harper, S. and O'Hare, T. (2022). Designing high zeaxanthin capsicums. Brain and Ocular Nutrition Conference 2022, Cambridge, United Kingdom, 27-29 July 2022. Amsterdam, Netherlands: IOS Press. doi: 10.3233/JAD-229008
Unexpected side-effects of zeaxanthin biofortification
Agarwal, Rimjhim, Hong, Hung, Hayward, Alice, Harper, Steve and O'Hare, Tim (2022). Unexpected side-effects of zeaxanthin biofortification. 2nd Virtual International Conference on Carotenoids, Online, 12-14 April 2022. Miami, FL, United States: International Carotenoid Society.
Chillies as potential candidates in breeding for high zeaxanthin bell-pepper varieties
Agarwal, Rimjhim, Hong, Hung, Cave, Robyn, Hayward, Alice, Harper, Steve and O'Hare, Tim (2021). Chillies as potential candidates in breeding for high zeaxanthin bell-pepper varieties. 1st Virtual International Conference on Carotenoids, Online, 22-25 June 2021. Miami, FL, United States: International Carotenoid Society.
Agarwal, Rimjhim, Hong, Hung T., Hayward, Alice, Harper, Stephen, Mitter, Neena and O’Hare, Tim J. (2020). Carotenoid profiling of orange-coloured capsicums: In search of high-zeaxanthin varieties for eye health. 1st International Electronic Conference on Food Science and Functional Foods, Online, 10–25 November, 2020. Basel, Switzerland: MDPI. doi: 10.3390/foods_2020-07717
Temporary silencing targeted plant genes with exogenous application of dsRNA
Nak, W., Hayward, A., Gleeson, M. and Mitter, N. (2020). Temporary silencing targeted plant genes with exogenous application of dsRNA. International Horticultural Congress IHC2018: V International Symposium on Plant Genetic Resources and International Symposium on Applied Functional Molecular Biology, Istanbul, Turkey, 12-16 August 2018. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2020.1297.79
Structural relation for acclimatization success for in vitro cultured avocado
Hiti-Bandaralage, J. C.A., Hayward, A. and Mitter, N. (2020). Structural relation for acclimatization success for in vitro cultured avocado. XXX International Horticultural Congress IHC2018: II International Symposium on Micropropagation and In Vitro Techniques, Istanbul, Turkey, 8 July 2020. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2020.1285.39
Investigating new methods to increase adventitious root formation
Nak, William, Hayward, Alice and Mitter, Neena (2020). Investigating new methods to increase adventitious root formation. The Third International Tropical Agriculture Conference TropAg 2019 , Brisbane, QLD Australia, 11-13 November 2019. Basel, Switzerland: MDPI. doi: 10.3390/proceedings2019036052
O’Brien, C., Hiti-Bandaralage, J.C.A., Folgado, R., Lahmeyer, S., Hayward, A. and Mitter, N. (2020). Developing a cryopreservation protocol for avocado (Persea americana Mill.) apical shoot tips using different antioxidants. International Horticultural Congress, Istanbul, Turkey, 12-16 August 2018. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/actahortic.2020.1285.3
Nath, O., Shaw, L. M., Hayward, A., Fletcher, S., Albert, V., Henry, R. and Mitter, N. (2019). Avocado genome sequencing and development of genetic markers for breeding and germplasm identification. TropAg 2019, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 11-13 November 2019.
O'Brien, Chris, Bandaralage, Jayeni Hiti, Folgado, Raquel, Lahmeyer, Sean, Hayward, Alice and Mitter, Neena (2019). The Use Of Sucrose Pre-Culture For Cryopreservation Of Avocado (Persea Americana Mill.) Cultivar ‘Velvick’. 56th Annual Meeting of the Society for Cryobiology CRYO 2019, San Diego, CA United States, 22-25 July 2019. Maryland Heights, MO United States: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2019.10.056
Adventitious Rooting in Avocado - Unravelling the Bottleneck to Propagation
Gleeson, Madeleine , Hayward, Alice , Hiti Bandalarage, Jayeni , Fletcher, Stephen and Mitter, Neena (2018). Adventitious Rooting in Avocado - Unravelling the Bottleneck to Propagation. Plant and Animal Genome Conference XXIV, San Diego, CA, United States, 13-17 January 2018. San Diego, CA, United States:
Developing a cryopreservation protocol for avocado (Persea Americana Mill.) shoot tips
O’Brien, Chris, Hiti Bandaralage, Jayeni C. A., Folgado, Raquel, Lahmeyer, Sean, Hayward, Alice and Mitter, Neena (2018). Developing a cryopreservation protocol for avocado (Persea Americana Mill.) shoot tips. CRYO2018, Madrid, Spain, 10-13 July 2018. Maryland Heights, MO United States: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2018.10.199
MicroRNA control of flowering and annual crop cycle in tropical/subtropical horticultural trees
Ahsan, M. U., Hayward, A., Powell, R., Wilkie, J., Beveridge, C. and Mitter, N. (2018). MicroRNA control of flowering and annual crop cycle in tropical/subtropical horticultural trees. International Symposia on Tropical and Temperate Horticulture, Cairns, QLD Australia, 20 November 2016. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2018.1205.84
Micropropagation: The Future of Clonal Propagation of Avocado
Hiti Bandalarage, Jayeni , Hayward, Alice , O'Brien, Christopher and Mitter, Neena (2017). Micropropagation: The Future of Clonal Propagation of Avocado. International Tropical Agriculture Conference, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 20-22 November 2017. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: TropAg.
Factors affecting avocado shoot health in culture
Mohd Rodzi, A., Hayward, A., Hiti Bandaralage, J., O'Brien, C., Gleeson, M. and Mitter, N. (2015). Factors affecting avocado shoot health in culture. VIII World Avocado Congress, Lima, Peru, 13- 18 September 2015. Lima Peru: World Avocado Congress.
Gibberellin and cytokinin in synergy for a rapid nodal multiplication system of avocado
Hiti Bandaralage, J., Hayward, A., O'Brien, C. and Mitter, N. (2015). Gibberellin and cytokinin in synergy for a rapid nodal multiplication system of avocado. VIII World Avocado Congress, Lima, Peru, 13- 18 September 2015. Lima Peru: World Avocado Congress.
Synergistic effect of Gibberellin and Cytokinin for a rapid nodal multiplication system of Avocado
Hiti Bandalarage, Jayeni , Hayward, Alice and Mitter, Neena (2015). Synergistic effect of Gibberellin and Cytokinin for a rapid nodal multiplication system of Avocado. International Tropical Agriculture Conference, Brisbane, Australia, 16-18 November 2015. Brisbane, Australia: International Tropical Agriculture Conference.
Characterising diversity in the brassica genomes
Golicz, A. A., Bayer, P. E., Martinez, P. A., Lai, K., Lorenc, M. T., Alamery, S., Hayward, A., Tollenaere, R., Batley, J., Edwards, D., Long, Y. and Meng, J. (2013). Characterising diversity in the brassica genomes. 6th International Symposium on Brassicas / 18th Crucifer Genetics Workshop, Catania, Italy, 12-16 November 2012. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2013.1005.1
Finding partners of the GmNARK Protein Kinase
Hayward, A. C. (2003). Finding partners of the GmNARK Protein Kinase. The Inaugural Retreat for the ARC Centre of Excellence for Inh, Moreton Bay Research Station, North Stradbroke Island, 27th February to 2nd March, 2003. UQ: ARC Centre of Excellence For Integrative Legume Research.
Interactions between auxin and strigolactone in the control of arabidopsis shoot branching
Hayward, Alice Catherine (2009). Interactions between auxin and strigolactone in the control of arabidopsis shoot branching. PhD Thesis, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland.
(2022–2026) Curtin University
Gossia gonoclada cryopreservation project
(2022–2026) Logan City Council
Tissue-cultured Avocado Plants - from the Lab to the World
(2022–2023) Innovation Connections
Novel propagation and conservation technologies for Australian macadamia
(2021–2025) ARC Linkage Projects
Tissue Cultured Avocado for Costas Trial
(2021–2023) North Fresh Pty Ltd
National Tree Genomics Program - Genotype Prediction (Molecular Physiology)
(2020–2024) Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited
National Tree Genomics Program - Genomics Toolbox
(2018–2024) Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited
National Tree Genomics Program - Phenotype Prediction
(2018–2023) Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited
Cryopreservation of Avocado shoot tips for the conservation of Persea Germ plasm.
(2017–2021) Huntington Library
(2016–2020) Advance Queensland Research Fellowships
MICROpropagator - a small RNA application for plant propagation
(2016) UQ Foundation
Bringing Avocado into the Genomics Era - Reinventing Avocado Improvement
(2015–2016) Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics
Travel Award - Alice Hayward (UQ) to attend the Plant and Animal Genome XX Conference 2012
(2012) Grains Research & Development Corporation
Epigenetic Regulation of Important Agricultural Traits in Canola
(2011–2012) UQ Early Career Researcher
DNA Methylation Analysis in Canola (Brassica napus)
(2010–2012) UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
Innovating Cryopreservation for Conservation of Endangered Gossia gonoclada
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Novel propagation and conservation technologies for Australian macadamia
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Understanding the mechanism responsible for zeaxanthin accumulation in orange-coloured Capsicum.
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Novel Propagation and Conservation Technologies for Australian Macadamia
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Optimising yield of Indoor Strawberry plants using environmental manipulations and Advanced genetics
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Genome Sequencing, annotation and application in avocado (Persea americana Mill.)
(2022) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
The development of purple-pericarp super-sweetcorn
(2022) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Cryopreservation of avocado shoot tips for the conservation of Persea germplasm
(2021) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Topical application of biomolecules to manipulate the adventitious rooting pathway
(2020) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Micropropagation as an Alternative for Avocado Clonal Propagation
(2019) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Molecular regulation of phase transition and flowering in tropical/subtropical tree crops.
(2019) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Regulation of adventitious rooting in avocado for improved clonal propagation technologies
(2018) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
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.
Cryobiotechnology to Save Australian Macadamia
Want to do a PhD in conservation with real-world outcomes and close industry links?! Join our team of industry and academic leaders at the Australian PlantBank and The University of Queensland and be the first to develop cryobiotechnology to help save Australia’s macadamia species.
Our lab is dedicated to developing cryopreservation (cryostorage at -196C) protocols to save plant species from climate-change, disease pandemics (e.g. myrtle rust), deforestation and ultimately extinction. This is essential for plants that do not survive seed-banking – including our food species such as macadamia. This technology allows us to safely freeze plant cells and tissues at -196C and then revive them to grow into whole new plants. This provides an insurance bank to conserve incredible genetic diversity of precious species including crops and endangered species that cannot be seed-banked.
You must be an Australian resident and will be based at the Australian PlantBank in NSW and Enrolled through the University of Queensland. Students will learn techniques of plant tissue culture and cryopreservation in close connection with industry and real end-user funders in plant conservation. The student(s) will develop real-world protocols to save these species in Australian cryobanks. The student(s) will also have opportuity to travel, conduct field work, and investigate molecular physiological apsects of cellular cryostorage behaviour.
Location: The Australian PlantBank Mt Annan, NSW.
Tissue culture to feed the world
The Mitter Lab has received global media coverage for developing the world’s first tissue-culture production system for avocado plants - the world's most instagrammed fruit. This is important as a sustainable, cost-effective and climate-secure way to produce plants. The team has also developed systems for pharma crops, hyperacumulating species for industrial application and endgangered species under threat of climate change and disease pandemics.
Dedicated students will be part of our expanding research in a new $20M tissue-culture facility at UQ, developing systems for other high-value crop species as well as endangered native species where prior research is lacking or proved too challenging. Students will work very closely with internationally leading researchers, industry and partners to deliver real-world outcomes and value-add student experience. There is also opportunity for students to discover novel aspects of plant genetics and molecular physiology in relation to tissue culture and crop function.
**We are NOW searching for**:
-Honours student in Custard Apple Tissue Culture -PhD students in Macadamia Tissue Culture -MPhil Student in macadamia molecular biology and informatics
The next generation of avocado crop improvement
Our Lab in QAAFI has been part of a large effort sequencing the genomes of major sub-tropical fruit crops including avocado. We have developed a DNA marker set that can distinguish avocado cultivars available in Australia – this is important for industry to be able to rapidly identify and track plants. We are also producing the first chromosome level genome for avocado, set to signfcantly enhance future assisted breeding and gene-editing tech for avocado. Combining our world-leading strengths in avocado tissue culture innovation and genomics, this project will develop novel platform technologies for avocado crop improvement exploring options for mutatgenesis breeding and gene-editing. The outcomes if successfull could be a game changer for avocado crop development into the future.
**We are now searching for: PhD students in Avocado transformation and mutagenesis!**