Genetic engineering, molecular biology and signal transduction in plants

Dr Botella's research interests are in genetic engineering, molecular biology and signal transduction in plants.


Dr Botella is the head of the Plant Genetic Engineering Laboratory (PGEL). The PGEL employs more than 20 scientists working on a wide range of biotechnology projects. Research at the PGEL has generated 8 international patents and two spin-off biotechnology companies.

Among the PGEL research highlights are the production and field trials of the world's first genetically engineered pineapple plants with control of flowering. Postharvest characteristics of tropical fruits are being improved by the cloning of important genes and the production of transgenic plants.

Current projects:
Signal transduction
Heterotrimeric G-proteins
Plant pathogen defence mechanisms
Genetic engineering of flowering in pineapple
Development of microarrays for pineapple
New technologies to confer Nematode resistance in plants
Control of ripening in papaya by genetic engineering
Changing the volatile profile of flowers

Awards:

Finalist Australian Awards for University Teaching, awarded 1/9/2000
University of Queensland Award for Excellence in Teaching, awarded 1/9/2001

Selected Publications:

Trusov, Y., Rookes, J.E., Chakravorty, D., Armour, D., Schenk, P.M. and Botella, J.R. (2006). Heterotrimeric G proteins facilitate Arabidopsis resistance to necrotrophic pathogens and are involved in jasmonate signaling. Plant Physiol. 140:210-220.

Petsch, K.A., Mylne, J. and Botella, J.R. (2005). Cosuppression of eukaryotic release factor 1-1 in Arabidopsis affects cell elongation and radial cell division. Plant Physiol. 139:115-126.

Moyle, R., Crowe, M., Ripi, J., Fairbairn, D.J. and Botella, J.R. (2005). PineappleDB: An online pineapple bioinformatics resource. BMC Plant Biology 5.

Cazzonelli, C.I., McCallum, E.J., Lee, R. and Botella, J.R. (2005). Characterization of a strong, constitutive mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) promoter with a complex mode of regulation in planta. Transgenic Research 14:941-967.

Mason, M.G. and Botella, J.R. (2000). Completing the heterotrimer: Isolation and characterization of an Arabidopsis thaliana G protein gamma-subunit cDNA. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 97:14784-14788.

Professional Associations:

American Society of Plant Biologists

Australian Society of Plant Scientists

International Society of Plant Molecular Biology

International Society for Horticultural Research

Student Projects Available:

Characterisation of a new class of G-proteins in plants

Student Level: Honours Start Year: 2006 Sem Available: 1

Control of plant defense by G-proteins

Student Level: Honours Start Year: 2006 Sem Available: 1

Control of plant defense by G-proteins

Student Level: PhD Start Year: 2006 Sem Available: 1

Control of ripening in papaya by genetic engineering

Student Level: PhD Start Year: 2006 Sem Available: 1

Insects, plants and pollinators. Modification of plant volatiles and effects on insect interactors

Student Level: PhD Start Year: 2006 Sem Available: 1

Postdoctoral Staff:

TRUSOV Yuri - The University of Queensland
FAIRBAIRN David - The University of Queensland - Molecular and cellular aspects of plant biotic and abiotic stress responses
ANGUS Rebecca - The University of Queensland
MOYLE Richard - The University of Queensland
ROOKES James - The University of Queensland

Students:

MCCALLUM Emily - PhD
O'CONNELL Anthony - PhD
CHAKRAVORTY David - PhD
FERRIS Rebecca - PhD
PETSCH Katherine - PhD
RIPI-KOIA, Jonni - PhD
RIPI-KOIA Jonni - PhD
RIPI-KOIA Jonni - PhD
THUNG Leena - PhD