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State:
QLD
University:
Queensland University of Technology
Status:
Domestic Student
Discipline:
Medical, Biological and other Sciences
Research Specialty:
Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Molecular Genetics, Plant Physiology

Amanda Johnson completed her BAppSc in Biotechnology and Molecular biology at The Queensland University of Technology, Australia and has a Masters in Agricultural Science, in Plant protection from the University of Queensland. She worked for Queensland University, the Plant Molecular Laboratory, AgResearch and Sugar Research Australia, until she started her PhD at QUT. Amanda’s current work at QUT focuses on fruit tree Genomics in Australian fruit trees to improve breeding time. Amanda would like the opportunity to apply her research.

Application of Research to Industry

Economically important woody crops, such as fruit trees, present unique challenges for commercial breeders in Australia. Compared with herbaceous crops, trees can spend a significant time (3-20yrs) in a juvenile state during which the tree cannot flower or produce fruit. This lengthy juvenile period is a less desirable trait. It significantly delays the production of a fruit crop and has greatly limited the speed of tree domestication and genetic improvement of elite varieties. My resarch will thoroughly investigate the roles and protein interactions that FT and TFL genes have in three significant Australian tropical fruit trees, macadamia, mango, and avocado. This research aims to provide genetic resources that could be used to shorten the juvenile phase of fruit trees and enable a shorter breeding cycle to select traits for genetic improvements, including disease resistance and abiotic stress resistance.

Key Skills

  • Technical Skills – Molecular biology skills including tissue culture, genetic transformation, glasshouse work, Gateway cloning, RNA sequencing, data analysis, DNA & RNA extraction, PCR & qPCR.
  • Soft skills – team work, collaboration, presentation skills, interpersonal skills.

 

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