Research in genetics and genomics

We develop and apply genomics and genetics techniques to enhance understanding of molecular and cellular biology, animal and plant reproduction and development, ecology and evolution. Our work improves our understanding of health and disease, crop farming, livestock production, biosecurity, disease and pest management, and climate change resilience.

Research groups and labs

  • Alex Idnurm Lab - Mycology

    This research aims to prevent fungi from causing problems to humans and to find new treatment and management strategies, while addressing also the potential fungi have to enhance our lives.

  • Andrianopoulos Lab - Microbial and Developmental Genetics

    Using an array of genetic and genomic approaches, the research in the lab aims to understand how fungi infect humans, get around the immune defence systems and cause disease.

  • Baxter Group - Biology of Insect Pests

    We analyse and manipulate insect genomes using molecular genetics to better understand the biology of economically important pests.

  • Crop Agronomy Group

    The Crop Agronomy Group specialise in improving water limited productivity of dry-land cropping and mixed farming systems.

  • CropGEM Lab: Crop Genetics and Molecular Evolution Lab

    The Crop Evolution and Molecular Genetics Group (CropGEM) researches the genetic and molecular basis of cereal improvement, focussing primarily on cereal crops including wheat, barley, and oat.

  • Frankenberg Lab – Synthetic Biology for Conservation

    Researching evolution, development and reproduction (Evo-Devo-Repro) and genomics of vertebrates, especially marsupials, and synthetic biology with ecologically therapeutic applications.

  • Golz Group - Plant Developmental Genetics

    Understanding how complex patterns of gene expression are generated and maintained during cell-type specification and differentiation in multicellular organisms.

  • Haydon Plant Cell Signalling Lab

    We use genetics, chemical biology, molecular biology, biochemistry and systems analyses to understand mechanisms that control circadian rhythms with a particular focus on metabolic signalling and nutrient balance.

  • Jusuf Lab - Neural Development and Regeneration

    Understanding the genetic networks that co-ordinate the generation of different types of neurons in the central nervous system of vertebrates.

  • The Mackinnon Project

    The Mackinnon Project is a recognised leader in sheep and beef consultancy in Australia and internationally.

  • Plant Pathology

    Plant Pathology focuses on using the latest molecular biology tools combined with a basic disciplinary approach to drive cutting-edge research in host-pathogen relationships, taxonomy and genetic diversity of fungal plant pathogens and development of diagnostics for biosecurity.

  • Plant Systematics Group - Herbarium / Systematics and Biogeography

    We study the phylogeny, classification and biogeography of Australasian plants, including eucalypts, acacias, Eremophila, Nicotiana, Dianella, Grevillea, the family Rutaceae, ferns and bryophytes.

  • Specifly Lab

    Combining evolutionary genomics, functional genetics, and cutting-edge genetic engineering to understand how arthropods evolve resistance to chemical insecticides — and to build the next generation of precise, species-specific alternatives.

  • Sustainable Agricultural Production

    The Sustainable Agricultural Production research group has internationally recognised expertise in sustainable intensification of crop, pasture and animal production.

  • Watt Group - Plant and Root System Biology

    Led by Michelle Watt, the Adrienne Clarke Professorial Chair of Botany, making discoveries about the root systems of plants, and applying those discoveries to engineering plant systems that sustain healthy life on Earth and in future in space.

  • Wedell Group - Evolutionary insect lab

    Researching the role of genomic parasites in generating intragenomic conflict, predominantly working with insects, by elucidating the consequences for mating systems, the evolution of new traits, the creation of biological novelty, and the survival of populations.

Research centres, partnerships and institutes

More research into life and people

We are solving critical global issues such as human and animal health through food sciences, veterinary medicine, epidemiology, genetics, biology, and human geography.

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Life, the Universe and everything in between – our discoveries build an understanding of the world around us and help make it a better place.

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