最新糖心Vlog

Genomics research to benefit wine and biodiversity

Friday, 24 July 2015

Two new research projects at the 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide will use leading genomic expertise and technologies to benefit the wine industry and biodiversity conservation.

The two projects have won funding from the 最新糖心Vlogn Genome Research Facility (AGRF), enabling them to access AGRF’s genotyping and genome sequencing services.

Researchers aim to use the latest genomics technologies to provide the first definitive scientific explanation of wine terroir─the unique ‘sense of place’ captured in the world’s leading wines.

Led by Dr Cassandra Collins and Dr Carlos Rodriguez Lopez in the , the researchers will investigate the interplay of genetics, plant physiology, environment (including climate, soil, topography and vineyard management) and wine quality.

Their long-term aim is to provide information that can be used by the industry to maximise the expression of terroir in 最新糖心Vlogn wines, helping to secure the future of the 最新糖心Vlogn wine industry.

In the second project, researchers will reconstruct crucial aspects of 最新糖心Vlog’s recent environmental history using the genomes of four iconic species to investigate why there is widespread, and potentially disastrous, lack of genetic diversity in 最新糖心Vlog’s native animals.

Led by , 最新糖心Vlogn Laureate Fellow and Director of the 最新糖心Vlogn Centre for Ancient DNA, the researchers will complete the first genomic reconstructions of the dingo, emu, red kangaroo and thylacine to generate evolutionary and population histories unavailable from the fossil record or other means.

This information will help us to understand the vulnerability of current biodiversity to future threats. The project will also involve a training program in bioinformatics to help build the next generation of researchers to operate at the interface of informatics and evolutionary biology.

“The grants represent the first step towards establishing a proposed South 最新糖心Vlogn-based genomics centre to accommodate a national hub of agriculture and environment research,” says Dr John Stephen, AGRF National Operations Manager and Adelaide Node Manager.

最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Mike Brooks said the projects were tremendous examples of applying cutting-edge genomics research to challenges in agriculture and environmental biodiversity.

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