Dr Jean Finnegan: understanding flowering

Dr Jean Finnegan leads research into the control of the initiation of flowering and the role of epigenetic regulation in plant development at CSIRO Plant Industry.

Understanding floodplain ecosystems

CSIRO is undertaking research to better understand and predict the response of floodplain ecosystems to environmental changes.

Licensing RNAi gene technology

Having developed the 'hairpin RNAi' gene silencing technology, CSIRO is now working with commercial partners to develop specific product applications.

Dr Adnane Nemri: understanding virulence in flax rust

Dr Nemri's research centres on understanding the mechanisms involved in plant-pathogen interactions and how they co-evolve.

CSIRO’s other icon celebrates 50 years

It may not have spawned its own movie or played a part in NASA's moon landings, but in its own way, CSIRO’s Phytotron facility has made no less a contribution to science than its more famous cousin, the Parkes Radio Telescope, aka "The Dish".

Phytotron

CSIRO's Phytotron continues to produce great science and act as a melting pot for the world's leading plant scientists to tackle pressing global issues. Here we celebrate the building's illustrious past and its bright future.

Dr Colleen MacMillan: investigating plant fibre development

Dr Colleen MacMillan investigates molecular aspects of plant fibre development and biomechanics to improve selected traits in cotton and plantation trees.

Sugar research at CSIRO Plant Industry

CSIRO helps produce better sugarcane varieties to make sugarcane based industries more profitable and sustainable.

Dr Sally-Ann Walford: studying cotton fibre

Dr Sally-Ann Walford is investigating the molecular basis for cotton fibre growth and development.

Dr Richard Richards: breeding better wheat

Dr Richard Richards is leading research to breed higher yielding wheats by better understanding the variation in growth, development and yield of wheat.

Australian Academy of Science honours CSIRO scientists

Dr Richard Richards and Dr Brian Walker have been honoured for their outstanding contributions to science by their election as Fellows to the Australian Academy of Science.

Improving cereal performance

Working within national regulations, researchers have established several trials around Australia to test how genetically modified wheat and barley varieties respond to field conditions.

Dr Andrew Moore: analysing grazing and mixed farming systems in southern Australia

Dr Andrew Moore builds and applies mathematical models of soil, plant, animal and human dynamics to analyse the effects of management and risk on a range of farming systems.

Dr Afshin Grahramani: Modelling future agricultural systems

Dr Afshin Ghahramani is investigating how agricultural systems will adapt to predicted changes to the climate.

Dr John Manners: Chief, CSIRO Plant Industry

Dr John Manners, Chief of CSIRO Plant Industry, has an interest in researching sub-tropical crops, including sugar, in northern Australia.

Gene technology: risk assessment

Understanding the impact of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) provides essential information to help make decisions about their release into the environment.

GM wheat and barley trial DIR117

The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) has approved an application from CSIRO to establish a small field plot of experimental genetically modified (GM) wheat and barley in central New South Wales. (2 pages)

RNAi team wins 2005 CSIRO Chairman's Medal

The RNAi-based gene silencing team received the 2005 CSIRO Chairman's Medal.

Gene silencing information sheet

This two-page information sheet is about CSIRO’s gene silencing technology and its potential applications.

Gene technology: gene silencing

CSIRO's gene silencing technology is enabling researchers around the world protect animals from diseases and develop new crop varieties.

Hairpin RNAi

RNA interference (RNAi) is one of the most powerful technologies for discovering important trait genes and for use in the development of novel traits in plants.

Enabling the gene silencing revolution

CSIRO’s hairpin RNAi gene silencing technology promises to revolutionise molecular biology and the way some diseases are treated in the future. CSIRO’s hairpin RNAi gene silencing technology promises to revolutionise molecular biology and the way some diseases are treated in the future.

BARLEYmax grain FAQs

BARLEYmax™ grain is a natural wholegrain with enhanced nutritional benefits. This 'supergrain' is now available to consumers in a range of products. Find out how and where to buy these products.

Dr Michelle Watt: helping wheat roots take up water

Dr Michelle Watt researches how roots grow and take up water from soil, and how they interact with soil microorganisms.

Deep roots for a dry country

Indian and Australian scientists are working together to develop new wheat varieties with deeper root systems that can reach stored water deep in the soil.