Professor Neena Mitter
Professor

Neena Mitter

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 66513

Background

Prof Neena Mitter is the founding Director of both the QAAFI Centre for Horticultural Science and the Australian Research Council Industrial Transformational Research HUB for Sustainable Crop Protection at The University of Queensland (UQ). The Centre of Horticultural Science, which constitutes over 70 core staff and students and champions over $37 Million worth of research projects, is collectively committed to developing the horticulture of tomorrow. As Director Neena purposely oversees that the three major research themes of the Centre; ‘horticulture crop breeding and agronomy’, ‘plant protection’ and ‘emerging technologies’, are carefully networked across multiple regional Centre locations and that they operate in close collaboration with industry, growers and government, to boost innovation, productivity and economic growth.

Neena’s career and passion for delivering real world outcomes has received recognitions such as Fellowship to Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering, Young Scientist Award from the Prime Minister of India, Queensland International Fellowship, Gates Grand Challenges Explorations Award and Women in Technology Outstanding Life Sciences Award. Neena is continually driven by the realisation of agriculture’s significance in shaping the world, economically, socially, environmentally and politically. Her high impact science and exceptional industry engagement has led to commercially focused innovations namely 'BioClay for crop protection', 'Nanovaccines for animal health', and ‘Clonal propagation of avocado using plant stem cells’. Her incomparable collaboration and industry commitment has awarded her directorship of ARC Industrial Transformational Research HUB for Sustainable Crop Protection so she can continue to bridge the gap between fundamental and applied science and place Australia squarely on the world stage as a provider of a non-toxic, non-GM, ecologically sustainable Ag-Nano innovation. Her world’s first avocado tissue culture technology has the disruptive power to meet the growing global demand for new plants, will smash 2022 backlog of supply and demand. Neena has served as an invited member on the Federal Government’s Decadal Plan for Agriculture and was invited to the OECD summit to develop policy and risk assessment guidelines on RNA based pesticides. She is an active Deputy member of the National Leadership Council on Cultural Diversity (https://www.leadershipdiversity.org.au/) liaises within its business, government, universities and civil society membership. Neena is highly and consistently sort after to present at internationally hosted Forums such as Nature conferences and the World Science Festival.

Availability

Professor Neena Mitter is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Agricultural biotechnology Genetics Plant biology

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Indian Agricultural Research Institute

Research impacts

Globally, pest and diseases reduce crop yields by 20 to 40% constraining global food security. The need for new sustainable disease control agents grows each year, driven by the need for greater production, climate change, pesticide resistance and toxicity to human health and environment. RNA interference (RNAi) or gene silencing is a powerful approach for combating biotic and abiotic stresses, but at present is limited in its adoption as genetically modified (GM) crops. A/Prof. Mitter and A/Prof. Xu (AIBN) secured Gates Foundation Grand Challenges Explorations Award (2012) (selected out of 2700 applicants, the only one from Australia in the field of Agriculture) leading to the development of ‘BioClay’ crop protection platform. It is a simple and elegant amalgamation of biology and nanotechnology to deliver RNAi as a non-toxic, non-GM, easy to adopt, environmentally sustainable spray for protecting crops from pests and diseases. BioClay innovation takes nanotechnology for delivery of RNAi for human therapeutics into the world’s first use in crop protection. BioClay technology is being further developed under A/Prof Mitter’s leadership of a global multidisciplinary consortium funded by Queensland Govt. Accelerate Partnerships (~$1.6m). It comprises academics from UQ (QAAFI, AIBN, SCMB, SBS and SAFS), international partners from USA and Africa and a strong industry partner. The ‘flow-on’ impact of BioClay will reduce pesticide usage, reduce toxic run off to our precious waterways enhance the clean green image of produce and lead to economic prosperity and jobs for future.

Prof. Mitter is also leading the development of silica vesicle based vaccine delivery platform in collaboration with Prof Yu at AIBN. This novel platform targeting animal health circumvents the challenges of multiple doses, cold chain requirements and adjuvant toxicity concerns posed by current vaccines. A global consortium funded by Queensland Govt, School of Global Animal Health, Washington State University and pharmaceutical company Zoetis (~$ 3.6M) has generated proof of concept with significant diseases of interest to the cattle industry including Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus and Cattle Tick Fever. The excellent research has resulted in 2 patents, one commercial lock-out agreement, 3 PhDs and 11 publications in high impact journals: The vision moving forward is to target key animal health issues of $12.6b beef, $3.9b sheep, $3.4b pork and $1.1b aquaculture industries in Australia. Nanovaccines for animal health will result in multiple benefits including estimated revenue generation of $2-5m / disease target.

Prof. Mitter’s research on various aspects of avocado improvement is poised for a significant impact on avocado productivity. Retail value of $767 million with Queensland contributing to 50% of this production, increasing local demand (3kg/year) and opening up of Asian markets for consumption as the sought after health food calls out for innovation to sustain productivity of the rapidly expanding avocado industry. Avocado is a grafted tree and good quality disease resistant rootstocks are integral to increased productivity. Clonal propagation of avocado rootstocks in Australia currently follows a 40 year-old practice that takes ~18 months to generate field-ready trees, at high cost. The pioneering research in Mitter lab supported by ARC linkage (~$ 600k) has led to the world’s first use of PLANT STEM CELLS, or meristems, for clonal propagation of avocado. It has the potential to be a “game changer” for avocado growers by halving the time and cost to supply disease free clonal rootstocks. Mitter lab is also exploring nanoparticles to deliver RNA to promote rooting in avocado. As an epicentre of subtropical agriculture, Queensland is in a unique position to benefit from this UQ led research including capturing a bigger share of the global markets, particularly Asia.

Search Professor Neena Mitter’s works on UQ eSpace

167 works between 1989 and 2025
All (167) Journal Article (123) Book Chapter (4) Conference Publication (39) Other Outputs (1)

21 - 40 of 167 works

2022

Conference Publication

Topical application of RNAi to improve crop health against fungal pathogens

Ravichander, Pratyush, Czislowski, Elizabeth, Aitken, Elizabeth, Gardiner, Donald and Mitter, Neena (2022). Topical application of RNAi to improve crop health against fungal pathogens. TropAg Internation Agriculture Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 31 October - 2 November 2022.

Topical application of RNAi to improve crop health against fungal pathogens

2022

Conference Publication

Novel Propagation Technologies for Australian Macadamia

Wong, Albert Chern Sun, Hu, Zhangpan, Hiti-Bandaralage, Jayeni, O'Brien, Chris, Hayward, Alice and Mitter, Neena (2022). Novel Propagation Technologies for Australian Macadamia. International Agriculture Conference (TropAg 2022), Brisbane, Australia, 31 October - 2 November 2022. doi: 10.5281/ZENODO.7672445

Novel Propagation Technologies for Australian Macadamia

2022

Journal Article

RNAi-Based Biocontrol of Pests to Improve the Productivity and Welfare of Livestock Production

Menezes, Pia S., Yan, Yakun, Yang, Yunjia, Mitter, Neena, Mahony, Timothy J. and Mody, Karishma T. (2022). RNAi-Based Biocontrol of Pests to Improve the Productivity and Welfare of Livestock Production. Applied Biosciences, 1 (3), 229-243. doi: 10.3390/applbiosci1030015

RNAi-Based Biocontrol of Pests to Improve the Productivity and Welfare of Livestock Production

2022

Journal Article

Structural disparity of avocado rootstocks in vitro for rooting and acclimation success

Hiti-Bandaralage, Jayeni, Hayward, Alice and Mitter, Neena (2022). Structural disparity of avocado rootstocks in vitro for rooting and acclimation success. International Journal of Plant Biology, 13 (4), 426-442. doi: 10.3390/ijpb13040035

Structural disparity of avocado rootstocks in vitro for rooting and acclimation success

2022

Journal Article

Clay nanoparticles efficiently deliver small interfering RNA to intact plant leaf cells

Yong, Jiaxi, Wu, Miaomiao, Zhang, Run, Bi, Shengnan, Mann, Christopher W. G., Mitter, Neena, Carroll, Bernard J. and Xu, Zhi Ping (2022). Clay nanoparticles efficiently deliver small interfering RNA to intact plant leaf cells. Plant Physiology, 190 (4), 2187-2202. doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiac430

Clay nanoparticles efficiently deliver small interfering RNA to intact plant leaf cells

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

Tissue culture tools for selenium hyperaccumulator Neptunia amplexicaulis for development in phytoextraction

O'Donohue, Billy, Hiti-Bandaralage, Jayeni, Gleeson, Madeleine, O'Brien, Chris, Harvey, Maggie-Anne, van der Ent, Antony, Pinto Irish, Katherine, Mitter, Neena and Hayward, Alice (2022). Tissue culture tools for selenium hyperaccumulator Neptunia amplexicaulis for development in phytoextraction. Natural Products and Bioprospecting, 12 (1) 28, 1-9. doi: 10.1007/s13659-022-00351-2

Tissue culture tools for selenium hyperaccumulator Neptunia amplexicaulis for development in phytoextraction

2022

Journal Article

A haplotype resolved chromosomal level avocado genome allows analysis of novel avocado genes

Nath, Onkar, Fletcher, Stephen J., Hayward, Alice, Shaw, Lindsay M., Kharabian Masouleh, Ardashir, Furtado, Agnelo, Henry, Robert J. and Mitter, Neena (2022). A haplotype resolved chromosomal level avocado genome allows analysis of novel avocado genes. Horticulture Research, 9 uhac157, 1-10. doi: 10.1093/hr/uhac157

A haplotype resolved chromosomal level avocado genome allows analysis of novel avocado genes

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

2022

Journal Article

RNAi as a foliar spray: efficiency and challenges to field applications

Hoang, Bao Tram L., Fletcher, Stephen J., Brosnan, Christopher A., Ghodke, Amol B., Manzie, Narelle and Mitter, Neena (2022). RNAi as a foliar spray: efficiency and challenges to field applications. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23 (12) 6639, 6639. doi: 10.3390/ijms23126639

RNAi as a foliar spray: efficiency and challenges to field applications

2022

Journal Article

Foliar application of clay-delivered RNA interference for whitefly control

Jain, Ritesh G, Fletcher, Stephen J, Manzie, Narelle, Robinson, Karl E, Li, Peng, Lu, Elvin, Brosnan, Christopher A, Xu, Zhi Ping and Mitter, Neena (2022). Foliar application of clay-delivered RNA interference for whitefly control. Nature Plants, 8 (5), 535-548. doi: 10.1038/s41477-022-01152-8

Foliar application of clay-delivered RNA interference for whitefly control

2022

Journal Article

Effective RNAi-mediated control of the crop pest whitefly

Jain, Ritesh, Fletcher, Stephen and Mitter, Neena (2022). Effective RNAi-mediated control of the crop pest whitefly. Nature Plants, 8 (5), 461-462. doi: 10.1038/s41477-022-01160-8

Effective RNAi-mediated control of the crop pest whitefly

2022

Conference Publication

Celebrating International Women's Day at UQ

Harpur, Paul, Pachana, Nancy, Fitzsimmons, Terrance, French, Flic, Bunda, Tracey and Mitter, Neena (2022). Celebrating International Women's Day at UQ. International Women's Day 2022, University of Queensland, March 8.

Celebrating International Women's Day at UQ

2022

Journal Article

Temporal expression of defence and susceptibility genes and tospovirus accumulation in capsicum chlorosis virus-infected capsicum

Borges Naito, Fernanda Yuri, Widana Gamage, Shirani Manel Kumari, Mitter, Neena and Dietzgen, Ralf Georg (2022). Temporal expression of defence and susceptibility genes and tospovirus accumulation in capsicum chlorosis virus-infected capsicum. Archives of Virology, 167 (4), 1061-1074. doi: 10.1007/s00705-022-05401-1

Temporal expression of defence and susceptibility genes and tospovirus accumulation in capsicum chlorosis virus-infected capsicum

2022

Journal Article

Effects of elevated temperature on the susceptibility of capsicum plants to capsicum chlorosis virus infection

Tsai, Wei-An, Shafiei-Peters, Jonathan R., Mitter, Neena and Dietzgen, Ralf G. (2022). Effects of elevated temperature on the susceptibility of capsicum plants to capsicum chlorosis virus infection. Pathogens, 11 (2) 200, 1-19. doi: 10.3390/pathogens11020200

Effects of elevated temperature on the susceptibility of capsicum plants to capsicum chlorosis virus infection

2022

Journal Article

A comprehensive high-quality DNA and RNA extraction protocol for a range of cultivars and tissue types of the woody crop avocado

Nath, Onkar, Fletcher, Stephen J., Hayward, Alice, Shaw, Lindsay M., Agarwal, Rimjhim, Furtado, Agnelo, Henry, Robert J. and Mitter, Neena (2022). A comprehensive high-quality DNA and RNA extraction protocol for a range of cultivars and tissue types of the woody crop avocado. Plants, 11 (3) 242, 242. doi: 10.3390/plants11030242

A comprehensive high-quality DNA and RNA extraction protocol for a range of cultivars and tissue types of the woody crop avocado

2022

Book Chapter

The use of genome sequencing to improve crops for tropical agriculture

Okemo, Pauline, Wijesundra, Upendra, Nakandala, Upuli, Ananda, Galaihalage K.S., Vanambathina, Prameela, Hasan, Sharmin, Abdulla, Muhammad, Sharma, Priyanka, Manatunga, Sachini, Pazhany, Adhini, Kharabian Masouleh, Ardy, Nath, Onkar, Mitter, Neena, Furtado, Agnelo and Henry, Robert J. (2022). The use of genome sequencing to improve crops for tropical agriculture. Next-generation sequencing and agriculture. (pp. 59-91) edited by Philipp E. Bayer and David Edwards. Wallingford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom: CAB International. doi: 10.1079/9781789247848.0004

The use of genome sequencing to improve crops for tropical agriculture

2021

Journal Article

miRNA communication on another level

Brosnan, Christopher A. and Mitter, Neena (2021). miRNA communication on another level. Nature Plants, 7 (10), 1328-1329. doi: 10.1038/s41477-021-01006-9

miRNA communication on another level

2021

Journal Article

Eco‐friendly biomolecule‐nanomaterial hybrids as next‐generation agrochemicals for topical delivery

Li, Peng, Huang, Yun, Fu, Changkui, Jiang, Shang Xu, Peng, Wei, Jia, Yi, Peng, Hong, Zhang, Ping, Manzie, Narelle, Mitter, Neena and Xu, Zhi Ping (2021). Eco‐friendly biomolecule‐nanomaterial hybrids as next‐generation agrochemicals for topical delivery. EcoMat, 3 (5) eom2.12132, 1-19. doi: 10.1002/eom2.12132

Eco‐friendly biomolecule‐nanomaterial hybrids as next‐generation agrochemicals for topical delivery

2021

Journal Article

Sheet-like clay nanoparticles deliver RNA into developing pollen to efficiently silence a target gene

Yong, Jiaxi, Zhang, Run, Bi, Shengnan, Li, Peng, Sun, Luyao, Mitter, Neena, Carroll, Bernard J and Xu, Zhi Ping (2021). Sheet-like clay nanoparticles deliver RNA into developing pollen to efficiently silence a target gene. Plant Physiology, 187 (2), 1-14. doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiab303

Sheet-like clay nanoparticles deliver RNA into developing pollen to efficiently silence a target gene

Current funding

  • 2023 - 2026
    Assessment of dsRNA to control blackleg of canola
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2028
    Effective virus management in grain crops
    GRDC - PROC-9176724 - Effective virus management in grain crops
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2026
    Gossia gonoclada cryopreservation project
    Logan City Council
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2025
    Novel propagation and conservation technologies for Australian macadamia
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2026
    RNA-based Biopesticides for Sustainable Crop Protection
    Australia-India Strategic Research Fund
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2025
    ARC Research Hub for Sustainable Crop Protection
    ARC Industrial Transformation Research Hubs
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    National Tree Genomics Program - Genotype Prediction (Molecular Physiology)
    Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2022 - 2023
    Lean design workshop to understand future challenges for horticulture production in tropical and subtropical regions of Australia
    Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2023
    Tissue-cultured Avocado Plants - from the Lab to the World
    Innovation Connections
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Development of Duboisia in Australia for enhanced alkaloid production
    India Glycols Limited
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    Tissue Cultured Avocado for Costas Trial
    North Fresh Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    Application of Bioclay to aphids and seed treatment
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Clay nanoparticle-facilitated RNAi for non-transgenic modification of crops
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Advanced Nanoparticle, Colloid and Microparticle Characterisation and Precision Engineering Nanosystems Facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2022
    Innovative BioClay platform for Fire Ant Eradication
    Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2020
    Nanotechnology for flystrike and lice control
    Australian Wool Innovation
    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
    BioClay delivery platform targeting fungal diseases of crop plants
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    Investigate tissue culture propagation of Duboisia
    India Glycols Limited
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    Novel Tropical Vegetable and Cotton Virus Protection
    Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Advanced imaging with wide spectrum molecular, quantitative and morphological applications in biological research
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2021
    Cryopreservation of Avocado shoot tips for the conservation of Persea Germ plasm.
    Huntington Library
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2021
    Avocado Tissue-Culture: From Lab-to-Orchard
    Queensland Government Advance Queensland Innovation Partnerships
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2023
    Improving bovine respiratory disease control through the characterisation of pathogen genomics and host interactions
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    Nanotechnology for prolonged flystrike and lice control
    Australian Wool Innovation
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    Bioclay formulation research collaboration sub-contract
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    Novel Nano-Pesticides for Animal Healthcare
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2018
    Innovative Solutions to Management of Tospoviruses of Vegetable Crops
    Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    Herbicide nanotechnology efficacy trial
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Development of an advanced Hepatitis B nanovaccine for human use - Stage 1
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Beyond genomes, transcriptomes and proteomes: high throughput analysis of gene and protein expression and function
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Australia-India Horticulture linkages workshop
    Horticulture Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2018
    Strength in uniformity - Novel clonal technologies for a more productive avocado industry
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Crop protection through topical application of clay-based nano-reservoir to deliver RNAi
    UQ Collaboration and Industry Engagement Fund - Seed Research Grant
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2020
    Transforming subtropical/tropical tree crop productivity
    Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2016
    RNA silencing based Phytophthora root rot resistant avocado rootstocks for improved production of GM free fruit - Phase 2
    Horticulture Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    New Vaccines for Improved Animal Health
    Queensland Government Smart Futures Research Partnerships Program
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    BioClay - Managing biotic stresses from field to market
    Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Changing the vaccination paradigm: A single-dose cattle-tick vaccine for Queensland's extensive beef cattle enterprises using biopolymer platform
    Queensland Government Smart Futures Research Partnerships Program
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Nanovaccines for improved animal health
    Queensland Government Smart Futures Research Partnerships Program
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Plant Molecular Genetics and Genomics Facility.
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Novel approaches for clonal propagation of avocado rootstocks
    UQ Collaboration and Industry Engagement Fund
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2014
    Discovery and manipulation of miRNAs involved in high-temperature tolerance in crop plants
    Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research - Australia-India Strategic Research Fund
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    Small RNA mediated resistance to tospoviruses
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    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 - 2009
    Assessing the potential of silicone in the control of Fusarium wilt in banana
    Horticulture Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2006
    Discovery of genes involved in long-distance signalling in RNA interference
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Neena Mitter is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Neena Mitter directly for media enquiries about:

  • Agricultural Nanotechnology
  • Animal health
  • Avocado clonal propagation
  • Avocado genomics
  • Crop protection
  • Nanovaccines
  • RNA interference

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