Professor Robert Henry
Professor

Robert Henry

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 62445

Background

Professor Henry, is a graduate of the University of Queensland, B Sc (Hons), Macquarie University, M Sc (Hons) and La Trobe University (Ph D). In 2000 Professor Henry was awarded a higher doctorate (D Sc) by UQ for his work on analysis of variation in plants.

He is currently Professor of Innovation in Agriculture. Before being appointed QAAFI Director (May 2010-September 2020), he was Director of the Centre for Plant Conservation Genetics at Southern Cross University, a centre which he established in 1996. Other previous positions held by Professor Henry include Research Director of the Grain Foods Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) (until 2010) and Research Program Leader in the Queensland Agricultural Biotechnology Centre (until 1996).

Professor Henry’s speciality research area is the study of agricultural crops using molecular tools. He is particularly interested in Australian flora and plants of economic and social importance and has led the way in research into genome sequencing to capture novel genetic resources for the diversification of food crops to deliver improved food products.

Availability

Professor Robert Henry is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Crop and pasture production Food sciences Forestry sciences

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Science, The University of Queensland
  • Masters (Research) of Science, Macquarie University
  • Doctor of Philosophy, La Trobe University

Research interests

  • Australian wild crop relatives and potential food species

    The Australian flora is rich in wild relatives of major crops. Many species with traditional or potential new food uses are also present. Genomics characterization of these species provides improved access to this critical biodiversity for global crop diversification.

  • Adaptation of agriculture and food production to climate change

    Study of the variation in the genome of wild plants under natural selection can provide clues as to how we can adapt plants for use in agriculture in response to climate change.

  • Coffee

    Study of the variation in the genome of wild plants under natural selection can provide clues as to how we can adapt plants for use in agriculture in response to climate change.

  • Rice

    Rice is a major human food originally domesticated in Asia. Wild rice in Australia is a major source of genetic diversity to support sustainable rice production globally. The Australian populations have uniquely escaped the genetic pollution from domesticated rice that has impacted wild rice growing in Asia. Whole genome analysis of Australian wild rice is being used to better understand rice domestication and make this diverse genetic resource available for increased rice food security worldwide.

  • Sorghum

    The sorghum genus is largely found in Australia. Current research investigates the genomes of these species to explore their evolution and adaptation to environments.

  • Wheat

    Food security demands an accelerated rate of genetic improvement of major food crops such as wheat and rice. Wheat genes determining traits important for human use in production of bread and other food products are essential in commercial wheat production. These traits have been considered complex and selection for quality characteristics has limited the rate of genetic improvement of wheat. Genomics is being used to increase understanding of the genetic basis of these traits removing this constraint to more rapid improvements in wheat varieties and production globally.

  • Horticultural tree crops (macadamia, mango, avocado, almond and citrus)

    This program develops genomic resources to support the genetic improvement of major horticultural tree crops. These resources include reference genome and transcriptome sequences and re-sequencing of germplasm. Native Australain species of Macadamia and Citrus are a special focus of this work.

  • Eucalypts

    Eucalypts are a diverse group of Australian species that have been planted in many countries for a wide range of uses. Eucalypts have been grown for solid wood, pulp for paper, and a source of firewood but also have use as a feedstock for energy and biomaterials. Research uses our growing understanding of the Eucalypt genome to support selection of Eucalypts.

  • Sugarcane

    Sugarcane is a major industrial crop providing a source of energy, fuel and sugar. Research aims to deliver increased understanding the sugarcane genome and discovery of the genetic control of traits that are important in developing sugarcane as an energy and biomaterial crop.

  • Jojoba

    Jojoba is an oil producing plant from desert environments. The genome of this species is being studied to understand adaptation to desert environments and sex determination in plants.

  • Duboisia

    Duboisia species are found in Australia. These plants are the source of important alkaloids with a range of pharmaceutical applications.

Research impacts

Robert Henry uses DNA-based methods for identification of plants and their pathogens. His interests include; sequencing of plant genomes, development of molecular markers for plant breeding and the genetic transformation and gene editing of plants. A major focus is application of DNA analysis technology to the improvement of the quality of crops and agricultural and food products and analysis of wild-plant populations, especially in Australia, to support their conservation and use in agriculture or forestry.

His research seeks to improve food and energy security by applying biochemical and molecular tools to the development of improved crop varieties. This research involves analysis of domesticated crops, wild relatives of crop species and potential new crop species. Research aims to define the basis of human selection for quality in food and non-food crops. These traits are critical to satisfying food and energy security because new plant varieties that may have higher yields may not be accepted for production by farmers if they fail to meet consumer expectations of quality and as a result are not marketable. Current research focuses on the major global food crops, rice and wheat and the leading current and potential energy crops, sugarcane and Eucalypts. Analysis of nutritional and functional characteristics ranges from determination of human preferences for properties of foods from bread to coffee and the chemical composition that determines the suitability of plant biomass for biofuel or biomaterial production. Whole genome sequencing and targeted sequencing of the functional parts of the genome allow associations between genetic variation and important traits to be established. Chemical and biochemical dissection of vital traits is facilitated by linking genetic variation at the whole genome level to function at the biochemical and molecular level.

Search Professor Robert Henry’s works on UQ eSpace

686 works between 1977 and 2025
All (686) Journal Article (532) Book Chapter (85) Conference Publication (44) Book (16) Other Outputs (9)

161 - 180 of 686 works

2019

Conference Publication

Diversity of domestication loci in wild rice populations

Hasan, Sharmin, Furtado, Agnelo and Henry, Robert (2019). Diversity of domestication loci in wild rice populations. The Third International Tropical Agriculture Conference TropAg 2019 , Brisbane, QLD Australia, 11-13 November 2019. Basel, Switzerland: MDPI. doi: 10.3390/proceedings2019036014

Diversity of domestication loci in wild rice populations

2019

Journal Article

Innovations in plant genetics adapting agriculture to climate change

Henry, Robert J. (2019). Innovations in plant genetics adapting agriculture to climate change. Current Opinion in Plant Biology, 56, 168-173. doi: 10.1016/j.pbi.2019.11.004

Innovations in plant genetics adapting agriculture to climate change

2019

Journal Article

Comparative transcriptome profiling of resistant and susceptible sugarcane cultivars in response to infection by Xanthomonas albilineans

Ntambo, Mbuya Sylvain, Meng, Jian-Yu, Rott, Philippe C., Henry, Robert J., Zhang, Hui-Li and Gao, San-Ji (2019). Comparative transcriptome profiling of resistant and susceptible sugarcane cultivars in response to infection by Xanthomonas albilineans. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 20 (24) 20, 6138. doi: 10.3390/ijms20246138

Comparative transcriptome profiling of resistant and susceptible sugarcane cultivars in response to infection by Xanthomonas albilineans

2019

Journal Article

Target prediction of candidate miRNAs from Oryza sativa for silencing the RYMV genome

Jabbar, Basit, Iqbal, Muhammad Shahzad, Batcho, Anicet A., Nasir, Idrees A., Rashid, Bushra, Husnain, Tayyab and Henry, Robert J. (2019). Target prediction of candidate miRNAs from Oryza sativa for silencing the RYMV genome. Computational Biology and Chemistry, 83 107127, 107127. doi: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2019.107127

Target prediction of candidate miRNAs from Oryza sativa for silencing the RYMV genome

2019

Conference Publication

Avocado genome sequencing and development of genetic markers for breeding and germplasm identification

Nath, O., Shaw, L. M., Hayward, A., Fletcher, S., Albert, V., Henry, R. and Mitter, N. (2019). Avocado genome sequencing and development of genetic markers for breeding and germplasm identification. TropAg 2019, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 11-13 November 2019.

Avocado genome sequencing and development of genetic markers for breeding and germplasm identification

2019

Journal Article

Relationships between Iraqi rice varieties at the nuclear and plastid genome levels

Badro, Hayba, Furtado, Agnelo and Henry, Robert (2019). Relationships between Iraqi rice varieties at the nuclear and plastid genome levels. Plants, 8 (11) 481, 481. doi: 10.3390/plants8110481

Relationships between Iraqi rice varieties at the nuclear and plastid genome levels

2019

Journal Article

Genomics and gene-editing technologies accelerating grain product innovation

Henry, Robert J. (2019). Genomics and gene-editing technologies accelerating grain product innovation. Cereal Foods World, 64 (6). doi: 10.1094/CFW-64-6-0066

Genomics and gene-editing technologies accelerating grain product innovation

2019

Journal Article

Australian wild rice populations: a key resource for global food security

Henry, Robert J. (2019). Australian wild rice populations: a key resource for global food security. Frontiers in Plant Science, 10 1354, 1354. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2019.01354

Australian wild rice populations: a key resource for global food security

2019

Journal Article

Relationship between sugarcane culm and leaf biomass composition and saccharification efficiency

Hodgson-Kratky, K., Papa, G., Rodriguez, A., Stavila, V., Simmons, B., Botha, F., Furtado, A. and Henry, R. (2019). Relationship between sugarcane culm and leaf biomass composition and saccharification efficiency. Biotechnology for Biofuels, 12 (1) 247, 247. doi: 10.1186/s13068-019-1588-3

Relationship between sugarcane culm and leaf biomass composition and saccharification efficiency

2019

Journal Article

Segregation distortion observed in the progeny of crosses between Oryza sativa and O. meridionalis caused by abortion during seed development

Toyomoto, Daiki, Uemura, Masato, Taura, Satoru, Sato, Tadashi, Henry, Robert, Ishikawa, Ryuji and Ichitani, Katsuyuki (2019). Segregation distortion observed in the progeny of crosses between Oryza sativa and O. meridionalis caused by abortion during seed development. Plants, 8 (10) 398, 398. doi: 10.3390/plants8100398

Segregation distortion observed in the progeny of crosses between Oryza sativa and O. meridionalis caused by abortion during seed development

2019

Journal Article

Advances in molecular genetics and genomics of african rice (Oryza glaberrima Steud)

Wambugu, Peterson W., Ndjiondjop, Marie-Noelle and Henry, Robert (2019). Advances in molecular genetics and genomics of african rice (Oryza glaberrima Steud). Plants, 8 (10) 376, 376. doi: 10.3390/plants8100376

Advances in molecular genetics and genomics of african rice (Oryza glaberrima Steud)

2019

Journal Article

Phenotypic variation in Australian wild Cajanus and their interspecific hybrids

Vanambathina, Prameela, Rachaputi, Rao C. N., Henry, Robert J. and Norton, Sally L. (2019). Phenotypic variation in Australian wild Cajanus and their interspecific hybrids. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, 66 (8), 1699-1712. doi: 10.1007/s10722-019-00818-1

Phenotypic variation in Australian wild Cajanus and their interspecific hybrids

2019

Journal Article

Midrib sucrose accumulation and sugar transporter gene expression in YCS-affected sugarcane leaves

Marquardt, Annelie, Henry, Robert J. and Botha, Frederik C. (2019). Midrib sucrose accumulation and sugar transporter gene expression in YCS-affected sugarcane leaves. Tropical Plant Biology, 12 (3), 186-205. doi: 10.1007/s12042-019-09221-7

Midrib sucrose accumulation and sugar transporter gene expression in YCS-affected sugarcane leaves

2019

Journal Article

Evaluation of chloroplast genome annotation tools and application to analysis of the evolution of coffee species

Guyeux, Christophe, Charr, Jean-Claude, Tran, Hue T. M., Furtado, Agnelo, Henry, Robert J., Crouzillat, Dominique, Guyot, Romain and Hamon, Perla (2019). Evaluation of chloroplast genome annotation tools and application to analysis of the evolution of coffee species. PLoS One, 14 (6) e0216347, e0216347. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0216347

Evaluation of chloroplast genome annotation tools and application to analysis of the evolution of coffee species

2019

Journal Article

Genetic modification of biomass to alter lignin content and structure

Pazhany, Adhini S. and Henry, Robert J. (2019). Genetic modification of biomass to alter lignin content and structure. Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, 58 (35), 16190-16203. doi: 10.1021/acs.iecr.9b01163

Genetic modification of biomass to alter lignin content and structure

2019

Journal Article

Analysis of the diversity and tissue specificity of sucrose synthase genes in the long read transcriptome of sugarcane

Thirugnanasambandam, Prathima P., Mason, Patrick J., Hoang, Nam V., Furtado, Agnelo, Botha, Frederik C. and Henry, Robert J. (2019). Analysis of the diversity and tissue specificity of sucrose synthase genes in the long read transcriptome of sugarcane. BMC Plant Biology, 19 (1) 160, 160. doi: 10.1186/s12870-019-1733-y

Analysis of the diversity and tissue specificity of sucrose synthase genes in the long read transcriptome of sugarcane

2019

Journal Article

Advances in understanding salt tolerance in rice

Ganie, Showkat Ahmad, Molla, Kutubuddin Ali, Henry, Robert J., Bhat, K. V. and Mondal, Tapan Kumar (2019). Advances in understanding salt tolerance in rice. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 132 (4), 851-870. doi: 10.1007/s00122-019-03301-8

Advances in understanding salt tolerance in rice

2019

Journal Article

Exploring and exploiting pan-genomics for crop improvement

Tao, Yongfu, Zhao, Xianrong, Mace, Emma, Henry, Robert and Jordan, David (2019). Exploring and exploiting pan-genomics for crop improvement. Molecular Plant, 12 (2), 156-169. doi: 10.1016/j.molp.2018.12.016

Exploring and exploiting pan-genomics for crop improvement

2019

Journal Article

The impact of cDNA normalization on long-read sequencing of a complex transcriptome

Hoang, Nam V., Furtado, Agnelo, Perlo, Virginie, Botha, Frederik C. and Henry, Robert (2019). The impact of cDNA normalization on long-read sequencing of a complex transcriptome. Frontiers in Genetics, 10 (JUN) 654, 654. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00654

The impact of cDNA normalization on long-read sequencing of a complex transcriptome

2019

Journal Article

Analysis of the expression of transcription factors and other genes associated with aleurone layer development in wheat endosperm

Nirmal, Ravi C., Singh, Amit Kumar, Furtado, Agnelo and Henry, Robert J. (2019). Analysis of the expression of transcription factors and other genes associated with aleurone layer development in wheat endosperm. Journal of Cereal Science, 85, 62-69. doi: 10.1016/j.jcs.2018.11.010

Analysis of the expression of transcription factors and other genes associated with aleurone layer development in wheat endosperm

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2030
    ARC Research Hub for Engineering Plants to Replace Fossil Carbon
    ARC Industrial Transformation Research Hubs
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2027
    Bio-based solutions for a sustainable agriculture
    Queensland-Germany Bioeconomy Collaborative Science Program
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    The past, present and future of Indigenous ethnobotanical knowledge
    ARC Discovery Indigenous
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2027
    Building an advanced genomics platform for Australian horticulture
    Murdoch University
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2025
    Novel propagation and conservation technologies for Australian macadamia
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2027
    The Cumberland Plain Woodland Knowledge Infrastructure (CPWKI) project
    The Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2030
    Sorghum Properties and Improvement Research
    Carlsberg
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2027
    ARC Centre of Excellence for Plant Success in Nature and Agriculture
    ARC Centres of Excellence
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2023
    Blueberry Genotyping
    Mountain Blue Orchards Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Development of Duboisia in Australia for Enhanced Alkaloid Production
    India Glycols Limited
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2024
    Australia's native sorghums: a model for testing plant adaptation theories (ARC Discovery Project administered by Monash University)
    Monash University
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2023
    Suitable sugarcane to diversify income and add value
    CRC for Developing Northern Australia
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Genome sequencing and functional analysis of Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) to elucidate drought and salt tolerance using most advanced OMICS technologies
    King Faisal University
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    A situational analysis for developing a Rice industry in Northern Australia
    CRC for Developing Northern Australia
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2020
    Genomics of Mangifera species
    Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2024
    National Tree Genomics Program - Genomics Toolbox
    Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2020
    Evaluation of the potential to expand horticultural industries in Northern Australia
    CRC for Developing Northern Australia
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    Investigate tissue culture propagation of Duboisia
    India Glycols Limited
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    Australia's native sorghums (ARC Discovery Project administered by Monash University)
    Monash University
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    Development of Duboisia in Australia for Enhanced Alkaloid Production
    India Glycols Limited
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2020
    Manipulation of carbon partitioning to enhance the value of sugarcane
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    Bio-actives: Value-adding to industrial hemp production
    UQ Collaboration and Industry Engagement Fund - FirstLink
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Molecular characterization of complex biological polymers
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    Australia, the centre of diversity and the centre of origin of rice?
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Director Funding 2015
    Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2017
    Understanding Coffee Quality
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2014
    Director Funding 2014
    Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry
    Open grant
  • 2013
    Accelerated crop development and environmental compliance of agricultural and food systems
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    Australian wild rice characterization
    Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    Genomic strategies for reducing losses during processing and improving the nutritional value of wheat in human diets
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    Future biofuels
    Queensland Government Smart Futures Research Partnerships Program
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Queensland as a source of herbaceous plants for year round raw material supply system
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2012
    High performance, high throughput genotyping equipment to drive research surrounding the improvement of agriculture and animal breeding at The University of Queensland.
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Nucleic acid biobanking, extraction storage and analysis facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2015
    Research Agreement for the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation
    Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2011
    Sustainable production and use of forest biomass - native species
    Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2011
    Evaluation of biomass potential of some Australian native grasses (RIRDC project novated from SCU)
    Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2006
    Real time PCR and nanoparticle diagnostic facilities for high-throughput quantitative analysis of genomic structure and gene expression
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Robert Henry is:
Available for supervision

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Available projects

  • Domestication of new food crops

    Food security would be enhanced by the use of a wider range of plants. Capturing more Australian biodiversity for food production may utilize wild crop relatives or domesticate new species. This project will evaluate the potential of Australian species.

  • Genomics of horticultural crops

    Genome analysis provides a knowledge base on the biology of plants. This project will work with domesticated horticultural crops and their wild relatives. Key target species in the work include, banana, pineapple, mango, citrus, papaya, macadamia, avocado, passion fruit and custard apple

  • Genomics of Australian plants

    This project will conduct analysis of the genomics of Australian plants, including endangered species, to provide key tools to support their conservation.

  • Engineering plants to replace fossil carbon

    Plants are a renewable source of carbon with potential to replace fossil carbon in production of chemicals and carbon-based materials. This project will evaluate options for engineering plants to be more suitable for these uses.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Genomic analysis of potential food crops in the channel country

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Agnelo Furtado, Dr Pauline Okemo

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Integrating Genomics, Tissue Culture, and CRISPR/Cas9 to Unlock the Agricultural Potential of Australian Wild Rice

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Agnelo Furtado, Dr Pauline Okemo

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Analysis of the contribution of non-leaf photosynthesis to growth in cereal crops

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Pauline Okemo

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Genome diversity in the Macadamia genus

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Agnelo Furtado, Professor Bruce Topp

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Techno-economic analysis of options for the use of sugarcane bagasse as a source of chemicals and energy

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Genomic analysis of mechanisms of adaptive evolution

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Agnelo Furtado, Dr Pauline Okemo

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Genome variation in mango and related species

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Agnelo Furtado

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Conservation genomics - developing broadly applicable workflows that work from locally to internationally.

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Editing nutritional traits in rice.

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Agnelo Furtado, Dr Pauline Okemo

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The exploration of disease resistance across the wild Oryza species

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Genetic solutions for determining fibre quality traits in sugarcane

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Impact of temperature, light intensity and quality on carbon partitioning in Theobroma Cacao grown in controlled environment

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Paul Gauthier

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Developing a rapid and cost effective genotyping method for blueberry breeding

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Bruce Topp, Associate Professor Craig Hardner

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Robert Henry directly for media enquiries about:

  • Biomaterials
  • DNA fingerprinting
  • Food
  • Genetic engineering - plants
  • Plant identification

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