Dr Ralf Dietzgen
Dr

Ralf Dietzgen

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 66503

Background

Plant viruses and horticultural crop improvement

Dr Dietzgen is internationally recognised for his work on plant virus characterisation, detection and engineered resistance. Before joining UQ, Dr Dietzgen was a Science Leader in Agri-Science in the Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation. He previously held research positions at the University of Adelaide, University of California, Cornell University and University of Kentucky. Dr Dietzgen’s research interests are in molecular virus-plant-insect interactions, virus biodiversity and evolution, and disease resistance mechanisms. His focus is on the biology of RNA viruses in the family Rhabdoviridae and the molecular protein interactions of plant-adapted rhabdoviruses and tospoviruses. He has published extensively on plant virus characterisation and genetic variability, RNAi- mediated virus resistance and diagnostic technologies with 20 review articles and book chapters and over 65 peer-reviewed publications.

Availability

Dr Ralf Dietzgen is:
Not available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Agricultural, Veterinary and Food Sciences Bioinformatics and computational biology Biological Sciences Crop and pasture production Gene expression (incl. microarray and other genome-wide approaches) Genetics Horticultural crop protection (incl. pests, diseases and weeds) Horticultural production Microbiology Molecular evolution Phylogeny and comparative analysis Proteomics and intermolecular interactions (excl. medical proteomics) Virology

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Eberhard-Karls- Universitat, Tubingen

Research interests

  • Pest and disease management and control

    Study of molecular plant-virus-insect interactions to identify novel targets for plant disease & pest control. Main focus on negative strand RNA virus (rhabdovirus, tospovirus) characterization, biodiversity, taxonomy and interactions with their hosts and insect vectors. Host-delivered RNA silencing for disease resistance against pests and diseases. Application of next generation sequencing technologies for virus characterization and diagnostics.

Search Professor Ralf Dietzgen’s works on UQ eSpace

226 works between 1982 and 2024
All (226) Journal Article (178) Book Chapter (9) Conference Publication (38) Other Outputs (1)

1 - 20 of 226 works

Featured

2013

Journal Article

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) peel extract fractions from different cultivars differentially affect lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocyte cells

Taing, Meng-Wong, Pierson, Jean-Thomas, Shaw, Paul N., Dietzgen, Ralf G., Roberts-Thomson, Sarah J., Gidley, Michael J. and Monteith, Gregory R. (2013). Mango (Mangifera indica L.) peel extract fractions from different cultivars differentially affect lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocyte cells. Food & Function, 4 (3), 481-491. doi: 10.1039/c2fo30224a

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) peel extract fractions from different cultivars differentially affect lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocyte cells

Featured

2012

Journal Article

In planta localization and interactions of impatiens necrotic spot tospovirus proteins

Dietzgen, Ralf G., Martin, Kathleen M., Anderson, Gavin and Goodin, Michael M. (2012). In planta localization and interactions of impatiens necrotic spot tospovirus proteins. Journal of General Virology, 93 (PART 11), 2490-2495. doi: 10.1099/vir.0.042515-0

In planta localization and interactions of impatiens necrotic spot tospovirus proteins

Featured

2012

Journal Article

Use of hairpin RNA constructs for engineering plant virus resistance

Mitter, Neena and Dietzgen, Ralf G. (2012). Use of hairpin RNA constructs for engineering plant virus resistance. Methods in Molecular Biology, 894, 191-208. doi: 10.1007/978-1-61779-882-5_13

Use of hairpin RNA constructs for engineering plant virus resistance

Featured

2012

Journal Article

Lettuce necrotic yellows cytorhabdovirus protein localization and interaction map, and comparison with nucleorhabdoviruses

Martin, Kathleen M., Dietzgen, Ralf G., Wang, Renyuan and Goodin, Michael M. (2012). Lettuce necrotic yellows cytorhabdovirus protein localization and interaction map, and comparison with nucleorhabdoviruses. Journal of General Virology, 93 (4), 906-914. doi: 10.1099/vir.0.038034-0

Lettuce necrotic yellows cytorhabdovirus protein localization and interaction map, and comparison with nucleorhabdoviruses

Featured

2012

Book Chapter

Morphology, genome organization, transcription and replication of rhabdoviruses

Dietzgen, Ralf G. (2012). Morphology, genome organization, transcription and replication of rhabdoviruses. Rhabdoviruses: Molecular taxonomy, evolution, genomics, ecology, host-vector interactions, cytopathology and control. (pp. 5-11) edited by Ralf G. Dietzgen and Ivan V. Kuzmin. Norfolk, England, UK: Caister Academic Press.

Morphology, genome organization, transcription and replication of rhabdoviruses

Featured

2011

Journal Article

Rhabdovirus accessory genes

Walker, Peter J., Dietzgen, Ralf G., Joubert, D. Albert and Blasdell, Kim R. (2011). Rhabdovirus accessory genes. Virus Research, 162 (1-2), 110-125. doi: 10.1016/j.virusres.2011.09.004

Rhabdovirus accessory genes

Featured

2011

Book Chapter

Rhabdoviridae

Dietzgen, R. G., Calisher, C. H., Kurath, G., Kuzmin, I. V., Rodriguez, L. L., Stone, D. M., Tesh, R. B., Tordo, N., Walker, P. J., Wetzel, T. and Whitfield, A. E. (2011). Rhabdoviridae. Virus taxonomy: Ninth report of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses. (pp. 654-681) edited by Andrew M. Q. King, Michael J. Adams, Eric B. Carstens and Elliot J. Lefkowitz. Oxford, United Kingdom: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-384684-6.00136-1

Rhabdoviridae

Featured

2010

Journal Article

Isolation and functional characterization of a lycopene beta-cyclase gene that controls fruit colour of papaya (Carica papaya L.)

Devitt, Luke C., Fanning, Kent, Dietzgen, Ralf G. and Holton, Timothy A. (2010). Isolation and functional characterization of a lycopene beta-cyclase gene that controls fruit colour of papaya (Carica papaya L.). Journal of Experimental Botany, 61 (1), 33-39. doi: 10.1093/jxb/erp284

Isolation and functional characterization of a lycopene beta-cyclase gene that controls fruit colour of papaya (Carica papaya L.)

Featured

2006

Journal Article

Completion of the genome sequence of Lettuce necrotic yellows virus, type species of the genus Cytorhabdovirus

Dietzgen, RG, Callaghan, B, Wetzel, T and Dale, JL (2006). Completion of the genome sequence of Lettuce necrotic yellows virus, type species of the genus Cytorhabdovirus. Virus Research, 118 (-), 16-22. doi: 10.1016/j.virusres.2005.10.024

Completion of the genome sequence of Lettuce necrotic yellows virus, type species of the genus Cytorhabdovirus

Featured

2005

Journal Article

Biology of plant rhabdoviruses

Jackson, Andrew O., Dietzgen, Ralf G., Goodin, Michael M., Bragg, Jennifer N. and Deng, Min (2005). Biology of plant rhabdoviruses. Annual Review of Phytopathology, 43, 623-660. doi: 10.1146/annurev.phyto.43.011205.141136

Biology of plant rhabdoviruses

Featured

2002

Journal Article

pGD vectors: versatile tools for the expression of green and red fluorescent protein fusions in agroinfiltrated plant leaves

Goodin, MM, Dietzgen, RG, Schichnes, D, Ruzin, S and Jackson, AO (2002). pGD vectors: versatile tools for the expression of green and red fluorescent protein fusions in agroinfiltrated plant leaves. Plant Journal, 31 (3), 375-383. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-313X.2002.01360.x

pGD vectors: versatile tools for the expression of green and red fluorescent protein fusions in agroinfiltrated plant leaves

Featured

2001

Journal Article

Suppression of gene silencing: a threat to virus-resistant transgenic plants?

Mitter, N., Sulistyowati, E., Graham, M. W. and Dietzgen, R. G. (2001). Suppression of gene silencing: a threat to virus-resistant transgenic plants?. Trends in Plant Science, 6 (6), 246-247. doi: 10.1016/S1360-1385(01)01947-1

Suppression of gene silencing: a threat to virus-resistant transgenic plants?

2024

Journal Article

Involvement of MicroRNAs in the Hypersensitive Response of Capsicum Plants to the Capsicum Chlorosis Virus at Elevated Temperatures

Tsai, Wei-An, Brosnan, Christopher A., Mitter, Neena and Dietzgen, Ralf G. (2024). Involvement of MicroRNAs in the Hypersensitive Response of Capsicum Plants to the Capsicum Chlorosis Virus at Elevated Temperatures. Pathogens, 13 (9) 745, 745. doi: 10.3390/pathogens13090745

Involvement of MicroRNAs in the Hypersensitive Response of Capsicum Plants to the Capsicum Chlorosis Virus at Elevated Temperatures

2023

Journal Article

Novel tri-segmented rhabdoviruses: a data mining expedition unveils the cryptic diversity of cytorhabdoviruses

Bejerman, Nicolas, Dietzgen, Ralf and Debat, Humberto (2023). Novel tri-segmented rhabdoviruses: a data mining expedition unveils the cryptic diversity of cytorhabdoviruses. Viruses, 15 (12) 2402, 1-53. doi: 10.3390/v15122402

Novel tri-segmented rhabdoviruses: a data mining expedition unveils the cryptic diversity of cytorhabdoviruses

2023

Conference Publication

Development of highly sensitive RT-PCR assays for universal detection of orthotospoviruses and internal control in thrips testing

Chao, H., Geering, A., Thomas, J. and Dietzgen, R. (2023). Development of highly sensitive RT-PCR assays for universal detection of orthotospoviruses and internal control in thrips testing. 24th Biennial Conference of the Australasian Plant Pathology Society, Adelaide, SA Australia, 20-24 November 2023.

Development of highly sensitive RT-PCR assays for universal detection of orthotospoviruses and internal control in thrips testing

2023

Journal Article

Annual (2023) taxonomic update of RNA-directed RNA polymerase-encoding negative-sense RNA viruses (realm Riboviria: kingdom Orthornavirae: phylum Negarnaviricota)

Kuhn, Jens H., Abe, Junya, Adkins, Scott, Alkhovsky, Sergey V., Avšič-Županc, Tatjana, Ayllón, María A, Bahl, Justin, Balkema-Buschmann, Anne, Ballinger, Matthew J., Kumar Baranwal, Virendra, Beer, Martin, Bejerman, Nicolas, Bergeron, Éric, Biedenkopf, Nadine, Blair, Carol D., Blasdell, Kim R., Blouin, Arnaud G., Bradfute, Steven B., Briese, Thomas, Brown, Paul A., Buchholz, Ursula J., Buchmeier, Michael J., Bukreyev, Alexander, Burt, Felicity, Büttner, Carmen, Calisher, Charles H., Cao, Mengji, Casas, Inmaculada, Chandran, Kartik ... Økland, Arnfinn Lodden (2023). Annual (2023) taxonomic update of RNA-directed RNA polymerase-encoding negative-sense RNA viruses (realm Riboviria: kingdom Orthornavirae: phylum Negarnaviricota). The Journal of General Virology, 104 (8) ARTN 001864, 1-55. doi: 10.1099/jgv.0.001864

Annual (2023) taxonomic update of RNA-directed RNA polymerase-encoding negative-sense RNA viruses (realm Riboviria: kingdom Orthornavirae: phylum Negarnaviricota)

2022

Journal Article

2022 taxonomic update of phylum Negarnaviricota (Riboviria: Orthornavirae), including the large orders Bunyavirales and Mononegavirales

Kuhn, Jens H., Adkins, Scott, Alkhovsky, Sergey V., Avšič-Županc, Tatjana, Ayllón, María A., Bahl, Justin, Balkema-Buschmann, Anne, Ballinger, Matthew J., Bandte, Martina, Beer, Martin, Bejerman, Nicolas, Bergeron, Éric, Biedenkopf, Nadine, Bigarré, Laurent, Blair, Carol D., Blasdell, Kim R., Bradfute, Steven B., Briese, Thomas, Brown, Paul A., Bruggmann, Rémy, Buchholz, Ursula J., Buchmeier, Michael J., Bukreyev, Alexander, Burt, Felicity, Büttner, Carmen, Calisher, Charles H., Candresse, Thierry, Carson, Jeremy, Casas, Inmaculada ... Økland, Arnfinn Lodden (2022). 2022 taxonomic update of phylum Negarnaviricota (Riboviria: Orthornavirae), including the large orders Bunyavirales and Mononegavirales. Archives of Virology, 167 (12), 2857-2906. doi: 10.1007/s00705-022-05546-z

2022 taxonomic update of phylum Negarnaviricota (Riboviria: Orthornavirae), including the large orders Bunyavirales and Mononegavirales

2022

Journal Article

Unlocking the hidden genetic diversity of varicosaviruses, the neglected plant rhabdoviruses

Bejerman, Nicolas, Dietzgen, Ralf G. and Debat, Humberto (2022). Unlocking the hidden genetic diversity of varicosaviruses, the neglected plant rhabdoviruses. Pathogens, 11 (10) 1127, 1-17. doi: 10.3390/pathogens11101127

Unlocking the hidden genetic diversity of varicosaviruses, the neglected plant rhabdoviruses

2022

Journal Article

Perspectives on plant virus diseases in a climate change scenario of elevated temperatures

Tsai, Wei-An, Brosnan, Christopher A., Mitter, Neena and Dietzgen, Ralf G. (2022). Perspectives on plant virus diseases in a climate change scenario of elevated temperatures. Stress Biology, 2 (1) 37, 1-26. doi: 10.1007/s44154-022-00058-x

Perspectives on plant virus diseases in a climate change scenario of elevated temperatures

2022

Journal Article

Tospoviruses induce small interfering RNAs targeting viral sequences and endogenous transcripts in solanaceous plants

Fletcher, Stephen J., Peters, Jonathan R., Olaya, Cristian, Persley, Denis M., Dietzgen, Ralf G., Carroll, Bernard J., Pappu, Hanu and Mitter, Neena (2022). Tospoviruses induce small interfering RNAs targeting viral sequences and endogenous transcripts in solanaceous plants. Pathogens, 11 (7) 745, 745. doi: 10.3390/pathogens11070745

Tospoviruses induce small interfering RNAs targeting viral sequences and endogenous transcripts in solanaceous plants

Current funding

  • 2021 - 2026
    RNA-based Biopesticides for Sustainable Crop Protection
    Australia-India Strategic Research Fund
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2025
    Improving on-farm surveillance strategies for tospoviruses and thrips to enhance the bio-security of the nursery industry
    Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2019 - 2021
    Ornamental and Asian vegetables as entry pathways for viruses
    Australian Plant Biosecurity Science Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Molecular characterization and evolution of newly detected Australian and Brazilian dichorhaviruses and identification of their Brevipalpus mite vectors
    UQ-FAPESP Strategic Research Fund SPRINT
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2019
    Potential exotic virus threats to Lucerne seed production in Australia
    Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2020
    Transforming subtropical/tropical tree crop productivity
    Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
    Open grant
  • 2012
    UQ Category 1 Travel Award - Chi-Wei Tsai
    UQ Travel Awards for International Collaborative Research (Category 1)
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2014
    Cellular and molecular interactions of rhabdoviruses with their plant hosts and insect vectors
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Establishment of a robotic liquid handling platofrm for the use of 384 and 1536 well plates
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2011
    Queensland International Fellowship: Visualising novel molecular targets for plant disease control
    Queensland International Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2013
    RNA silencing based Phytophthora root rot resistant avocado rootstocks for improved production of GM free fruit (HAL project led by DAFF)
    Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2011
    Nutritional properties of mango fruits: linking plant genomics to cellular bioactivities
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2008
    Identification of nutritional bioactives in tropical fruit
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant

Availability

Dr Ralf Dietzgen is:
Not available for supervision

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Improving surveillance strategies for tospoviruses and thrips to enhance the biosecurity of the nursery industry

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Andrew Geering

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Dr Ralf Dietzgen directly for media enquiries about:

  • Mango
  • Molecular plant virology
  • Papaya
  • Plant genomics
  • Plant pathology - diagnostics
  • Plants
  • Protein expression
  • Virus-plant-insect interactions

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