Professor Jenny Mortimer, Deputy Director of the WRI; SAFW, Adelaide University

Date: Thursday, 20 August; 10-11 am,  SARDI Auditorium

Title: Sweet green tales: biosynthesis and engineering of plant complex

Abstract: Plant glycosylation is a highly complex and essential biological process, yet it is still poorly understood. From glycan modifications of proteins and metabolites to the structural complexities of cell wall polysaccharides, these shape how plants grow and respond to the environment. My research has focused on understanding how these complex glycans are formed, how their structure relates to their function, and how we can harness them to support a transition away from fossil-fuel based technologies and support long distance space exploration.

Here, I will highlight our work in identifying key enzymes involved in cell wall biosynthesis, and our progress in linking polysaccharide structure to function. I will explore how we are engineering these glycans to enhance biomass traits for biorefinery applications, extending their utility beyond serving as a carbon source for microbial conversion to a broader range of sustainable uses. I will also discuss new methods we have developed for interrogating cell wall fine- and macro- structure, including lignin analysis Finally, I will discuss how understanding the regulation of plant cell wall biosynthesis is important when growing plants in a controlled environment, whether in a vertical farm on earth, or on the lunar surface.

Bio: Jenny Mortimer is Professor of Plant Synthetic Biology in the School of Agriculture, Food and Wine at Adelaide University (AU), where she is also Deputy Director of the AU Waite Research Institute. She holds an Affiliate Staff Scientist position at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, USA, where she is Director of Plant Systems Biology at the US Department of Energy Joint BioEnergy Center (JBEI). Her team’s research centres on understanding and manipulating plant cell metabolism, particularly complex glycosylation and the cell wall, to develop the tools, knowledge and crops that underpin a sustainable bioeconomy.

She holds several senior roles in research consortia, including as Chief Investigator and AU node lead for the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space (P4S). P4S is an interdisciplinary, seven-year centre developing plants to support long-distance space exploration, alongside closed-environment agriculture and synthetic biology driven biomanufacturing on Earth. She is also part of the team who have established the Adelaide node of Plant Synthetic Biology Australia, a new NCRIS investment, here at the Waite. 

Followed by morning tea

https://adelaide.zoom.us/j/88324941961?pwd=iBEvCU8wU2bKbEa3JaDzLIDGOZtEkj.1

Webinar ID: 883 2494 1961, Passcode:429141