Project dates: 01/01/2023 - 20/12/2023
Tree crops, such as macadamia, are highly valuable to Australia, accounting for half of the horticulture industry value. However, many tree crops are recalcitrant to conventional genetic manipulation techniques, which limits the ability to test gene function and genetically manipulate traits of interest in the tree.
Nanotechnology is a rapidly expanding field and the use of nanoparticles to genetically manipulate plants is a relatively recent innovation. Silica nanoparticles show particular promise in this field due to their non-toxic nature and ability to interact with the plant cell wall. Here, we aim to test silica nanoparticle delivery of a gene overexpression vector in the nationally significant tree crop macadamia. The development of this technique will allow us to test gene function in the tree itself and genetically manipulate traits of interest. This will aid the macadamia industry to respond quicker to future challenges, such as climate change and pathogens, by providing new tools to test gene function and manipulate relevant traits.
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