Dr Philip Larkin: improving wheat

Dr Philip Larkin researches wheat germplasm improvement.

• 2 April 2007 | Updated 24 November 2011

Overview

• Current activities
• Background
• Academic qualifications
• Achievements

Current activities 

Dr Philip Larkin's research currently focuses on developing disease resistance in wheat, using natural genes and genetic modification, such as artificial microRNA transgenes and hairpin RNAi transgenes.

The group has developed world first wheat genotypes resistant to Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV) through the introduction of a fragment of chromosome from a related grass species. This resistance has been deployed as new varieties for the High Rainfall Zone where this disease is particularly problematic.

Recently, Dr Larkin and his team combined leaf rust, stem rust and BYDV resistances into one gene package. 

These stable new gene packages can be transferred to elite wheat germplasm using selection with a single molecular marker. New sources of BYDV resistance are also being developed.

Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus (WSMV) is another virus of economic importance.

Three natural resistances are being incorporated into wheat germplasm. New sources of WSMV have been identified from Th. intermedium.

In collaboration with Dr Steve Haber, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, one of the resistances was shown to be more stable at higher growth temperatures than the resistances deployed elsewhere.

The group’s current transgenic work involves development of robust resistance to Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus (WSMV) in wheat.

They have established total immunity to WSMV in transgenic wheat employing synthetic genes which transcribe to hairpin RNA designed to induce sequence specific viral RNA degradation.

Background 

Dr Larkin has long been involved in plant cell culture and gene transfer technology. 

He was a leader in recognising and describing the genetic changes that arise in plants regenerated from cultured cells - somaclonal variation. 

His previous work with colleagues includes:

• metabolic engineering of alkaloids in opium poppy - the profile of morphine-related alkaloids has been modified through gene over-expression and RNAi suppression
• molecular biology of condensed tannin synthesis - research was aimed at producing bloat-safe pasture legumes. The gene encoding the first committed step toward tannin synthesis - leucoanthocyanidin reductase - was cloned.

Academic qualifications

Dr Larkin holds the following qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science with First Class Honours from the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
• Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Adelaide, South Australia.

Achievements

Dr Larkin has written two books and is author or co-author of over 180 scientific publications and a number of patents.

He was previously on the editorial board of Transgenic Research, and is currently on the editorial board of Plant Biotechnology Journal.

See a list of scientific papers published by Dr Larkin on the next page.