Pioneering synthetic gene circuits for next-generation crop protection. This project will develop synthetic gene circuits to enhance adaptive disease resistance in canola, a $4 billion industry vulner

Description

Pioneering synthetic gene circuits for next-generation crop protection. This project will develop synthetic gene circuits to enhance adaptive disease resistance in canola, a $4 billion industry vulnerable to blackleg disease, which can cause over 50% yield losses. Current control methods, including fungicides and R genes, are becoming ineffective as the pathogen evolves. By integrating CRISPR-based gene circuits, this research will enable precise, on-demand regulation of resistance (R) and susceptibility (S) genes, improving long-term crop resilience. The outcomes will reduce fungicide dependence, enhance food security, and strengthen Australia’s global leadership in sustainable agriculture, providing a transformative, next-generation approach to plant disease management.. Scheme: Discovery Early Career Researcher Award. Field: 3101 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Lead: Dr Adil Khan