About us
The Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy brings together QUT’s expertise in agriculture and bioeconomy research to help feed the world sustainably and develop cleaner, greener bioproducts.
What we do
How can we help farmers grow more food using less resources? How do we make our agricultural systems more resistant to climate change? Can agricultural waste be processed into valuable, renewable products? These are some of the research questions being investigated by the Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy.
Our programs
Our research programs bring together an inclusive, multidisciplinary and outwardly-focused group of researchers with the capacity to deliver real-world solutions for our planet, our partners and our community.
Agrifood systems
We conduct research in food security, waste and governance, and develop technologies and processes for sustainable food systems.
Read moreBanana biotechnology
We are a world leader in banana biotechnology working to develop bananas with disease resistance and improved nutrition.
Read moreBioprocessing
We develop agricultural commodities, by-products and waste streams into value-added products.
Read moreGenetics and Molecular Biology
We sequence, edit and study the genomes and epigenomes of a wide range of plant species.
Read moreFood Innovation
We find solutions to healthy and sustainable eating through novel food technologies or dietary shifts to traditional foods (such as pulses).
Read moreFuture leaders
Our future leaders program provides collaborative support and opportunities for early and mid-career researchers in agriculture and the bioeconomy.
Read moreIndustrial and synthetic biotechnology
We develop agricultural and industrial processes and products that are better for consumers, the environment and the economy.
Read moreSustainable agroecosystems
We specialise in the integrated study of soils, plants and the atmosphere for profitable and environmentally sustainable food and fibre production.
Read moreLeadership
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Helen Shorthouse
Centre Manager
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Associate Professor Geoff Kent
Deputy Director
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Professor Peter Prentis
Acting Centre Director
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Associate Professor Darryn Rackemann
Deputy Director
Research facilities
Supported by QUT, the Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy has access to a wide range of world-class research facilities to support research, teaching and learning and enable real-world results.
Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy Q Block Laboratories, QUT Gardens Point
Research never rests in the CAB laboratories! Our dedicated team manages a broad range of research infrastructure and capability to support cutting-edge developments in chemistry, microbiology, plant science, and biotechnology.
Read moreRedlands & Queensland Crop Development Research Facility
The Queensland Government owned Redlands Research Facility is located at Cleveland near the shores of Moreton Bay and is approximately 22 km from Brisbane. The facility evolved from a general horticulture (vegetable, fruit and ornamental) facility to focus on servicing the needs of the nursery, cut flower, parks and gardens, landscape and turf industries and housed the peak bodies for these industries. More recently, commercial entities in these fields have moved onto the site. There has also been more focus on servicing the needs of science groups from DAF, CSIRO, QUT, UQ and some private companies that are not based on the site.
Read moreResearch Engineering Facility
The Research Engineering Facility provides cutting-edge research engineering and technology services including drones, aviation, robotics and autonomous systems. The Banyo Pilot Plant enables the Thermochemical Transformation Group at the Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy provides bioprocessing hydrothermal liquefaction and pyrolysis technologies to produce effective and economically viable outcomes for our research and development project partners. Our supercritical fluid group within the Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy explores the supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and supercritical anti-solvent (SAS) fractionation of feedstock to produce a variety of products.
Learn moreSamford Ecological Research Facility
The Samford Ecological Research Facility is a living laboratory for ecological research and educational experiences for researchers, students and visitors. Associate Professor Caroline Hauxwell’s Invertebrates & Microbiology team use insect screenhouses at SERF to investigate the impact and management of the mealybug (Heliococcus summervillei), the cause of the pasture dieback that is devastating hundreds of thousands of hectares of pasture across Queensland and New South Wales. The team also have established a bee yard of 42 hives to investigate the use of sensing technology to monitor colony strength and health for pollination.
Learn moreBiorefining Research Facility
The Biorefining Research Facility develops innovative products and processes to build a sustainable and profitable biorefining industry in Australia. As part of this the Mackay Renewable Biocommodities Pilot Plant enables research and development in industrial biotechnology and biomass processing, technologies and practices. Researchers from within QUT's Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy, external institutions and commercial organisations use the plant to conduct commercial-scale research in industrial biotechnology, sugarcane processing and biomass conversion for high-value product development.
Learn moreCentral Analytical Research Facility
The Central Analytical Research Facility provides specialist equipment and expert scientists to help carry out analytical research.
Learn moreThis research supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
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