Identifying Genes Controlling the Regulatory and Metabolic Interactions Between the Energy Organelles of the Leaf

The products of all plant industries, including food, fuels, fabrication materials, and vitamins, arise from the metabolic activity of plant cells. These products are the result of energy metabolism in sub-cellular compartments (organelles) called mitochondria, chloroplasts and peroxisomes. This research project aims to discover and characterise molecular components and control mechanisms that underpin the metabolic function of these organelles, using functional genomic analysis. This knowledge will enable improved breeding of crop plants with such improvements as enhanced yield, water and nutrient use efficiency, environmental stress tolerance and optimised synthesis of many essential nutrients important for human and animal health.