The 2019 WRI AgriFood & Wine Research Showcase (formerly AFW Research Day), was held on Friday 8 November at the National Wine Centre. Hosted and organised by the WRI on behalf of the School of AFW Research Committee, this year’s event brought researchers from SARDI, Roseworthy, and other faculties of The University of Adelaide together with AFW people and invited industry and state government partners – a total attendance of around 250.
The full-day program of talks featured even greater diversity than usual, covering off on current research and partnerships in ag-tech, wine, edible insects, livestock, horticultural innovations, food trends, grains, climate-related challenges, food in the media, international projects and more. As always, this event also celebrated the achievements and successes of the year.
There was excellent networking in evidence throughout the day, particularly during the closing drinks, which featured a pop-up gin bar (courtesy of Australian Distilling Co) with tastings of Adelaide Gin, co-developed by Graham Jones, and its counterparts from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.
Feedback about the day has been extremely positive, particularly from attendees outside the School of AFW who haven’t participated before, and we look forward to hearing about the new collaborations and interactions that come out of the extended scope of the WRI’s membership and remit.
The research photo competition was won by Kara Levin, with James Cowley voted runner up (see images below). The 17 photos entered were a good representation of the variety, outcomes and impact of Waite research, spanning microscopy images, field work in different settings and the lab bench. Thanks to all entrants and to everyone who helped make the day a success.
Photography competition winner: Mickey Mouse Root by Kara Levin (Marker Lab, Plant Genomics Centre).
A transverse section from a nematode infected wheat root stained with calcofluor white and propidium iodide imaged on a Confocal Microscope. This root shows what happens when a nematode makes its home within a root: a pocket of large cells are formed (center), and the formation of lateral roots are induced (the two budding ‘mickey mouse’ ears).
Photography competition runner-up: Eruption by James Cowley (Burton Lab), stained with Calcofluor White and imaged on Zeiss AxioImager M2.
Despite what you might think on first glance, this is not an erupting volcano shot at night! We have used special fluorescent stains and powerful microscopes to watch how clumps of dietary fibre on the surface of Salvia seeds bloom like flowers when the seeds get wet. Learning how and why plants use so much energy to produce dietary fibre, how the fibres interact with one another and how the fibres behave in our guts is key to ensuring good gut health! .