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Associate Professor Brett Ferguson
Associate Professor

Brett Ferguson

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 69951

Overview

Background

A/Prof Brett Ferguson’s research interest are in molecular genetics, genomics, genetic transformation and genome editing, such as CRISPR, to unravel the molecular mechanisms driving plant development. His primary focus is on legume crops, using biotechnology and bioinformatic approaches to identify key genes and signals controlling traits of interest. This includes the agriculturally- and environmentally-important symbiosis between legume plants and beneficial rhizobia bacteria that fix critical nitrogen for their host plant. In addition, A/Prof Ferguson works with the fascinating legume tree, Pongamia pinatta, which has tremendous potential as a feedstock for the sustainable production of biodiesel and aviation fuel.

A/Prof Brett Ferguson leads the Integrative Legume Research Group (ILRG) in the School of Agriculture and Food Sciences (SAFS) at the University of Queensland (UQ). He is an Affiliate of the Centre for Crop Science in the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), and an Affiliate of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science (CIPPS). A/Prof Ferguson is also a Chief Investigator in the large, multi-national Hy-Gain for Smallholders Project primarily funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The work of A/Prof Ferguson has contributed to the discovery of many new genes and signals, such as novel microRNAs and peptide hormones, that have critical roles in controlling plant development. His research group identified the complete family of CLE peptide encoding genes of several legume species using an array of molecular and bioinformatic approaches. Additional discoveries of genes involved in legume nodule formation, nitrogen signalling and the regulation of root development, are also having an impact in the research field. Many of these factors could be useful in supporting translational studies and breeding programs that look to improve crop performance. His work also established a requirement for brassinosteroid hormones in legume nodulation and demonstrated a central role for gibberellins in nodule development. Moreover, he contributed to some of the initial work reporting a role of strigolatones in shoot branching, and demonstrated that plants can transport quantities of auxin far in excess of their endogenous levels.

A/Prof Ferguson has also contributed to the developed of new tools and techniques, such as petiole feeding, precision feeding in growth pouches, stem girdling, pHairyRed for promoter-reporter fusions, new hairy-root transformation techniques, novel integrative vectors to enhance transformation efficiency, synthetic biology approaches to generate mature double stranded miRNA, etc.

Availability

Associate Professor Brett Ferguson is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Tasmania

Research interests

  • Legumes, legume nodulation, nitrogen and nitrogen fixation.

  • Functional genomics using plant biotechnology (genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, transcriptomics), genetic transformation and genome editing (CRISPR).

  • Pongamia pinnata as a source of sustainable biofuel.

  • Plant physiology, signalling and development, plant-microbe interactions (symbioses).

  • Discovery and characterisation of novel genes and signals required for plant development, including CLE peptide hormones, classical plant hormones, and microRNAs.

  • Establishment of the molecular mechanisms responsible for acid-soil inhibition of legume crop development, and nitrogen and phosphorous signalling networks.

  • Development of superior cowpea and sorghum crop varieties (Hy-Gain project).

Works

Search Professor Brett Ferguson’s works on UQ eSpace

93 works between 2001 and 2024

1 - 20 of 93 works

2024

Journal Article

The parallel narrative of RGF/GLV/CLEL peptide signalling

Hastwell, April H., Chu, Xitong, Liu, Yuhan and Ferguson, Brett J. (2024). The parallel narrative of RGF/GLV/CLEL peptide signalling. Trends in Plant Science. doi: 10.1016/j.tplants.2024.07.014

The parallel narrative of RGF/GLV/CLEL peptide signalling

2024

Book Chapter

Rhizobia and Legume Nodulation Genes

Hastwell, A.H. and Ferguson, B.J. (2024). Rhizobia and Legume Nodulation Genes. Reference Module in Life Sciences. Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-12-822563-9.00185-2

Rhizobia and Legume Nodulation Genes

2023

Journal Article

The cytoprotective co-chaperone, AtBAG4, supports increased nodulation and seed protein content in chickpea without yield penalty

Thanthrige, Nipuni, Weston-Olliver, Grace, Das Bhowmik, Sudipta, Friedl, Johannes, Rowlings, David, Kabbage, Mehdi, Ferguson, Brett J., Mundree, Sagadevan and Williams, Brett (2023). The cytoprotective co-chaperone, AtBAG4, supports increased nodulation and seed protein content in chickpea without yield penalty. Scientific Reports, 13 (1) 18553, 18553. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-45771-3

The cytoprotective co-chaperone, AtBAG4, supports increased nodulation and seed protein content in chickpea without yield penalty

2023

Journal Article

Legumes regulate symbiosis with rhizobia via their innate immune system

Grundy, Estelle B., Gresshoff, Peter M., Su, Huanan and Ferguson, Brett J. (2023). Legumes regulate symbiosis with rhizobia via their innate immune system. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24 (3) 2800, 2800. doi: 10.3390/ijms24032800

Legumes regulate symbiosis with rhizobia via their innate immune system

2023

Journal Article

Editorial: Metabolic adjustments and gene expression reprogramming for symbiotic nitrogen fixation in legume nodules, volume II

Fan, Kejing, Ferguson, Brett James, Muñoz, Nacira Belen, Li, Man-Wah and Lam, Hon-Ming (2023). Editorial: Metabolic adjustments and gene expression reprogramming for symbiotic nitrogen fixation in legume nodules, volume II. Frontiers in Plant Science, 14 1141269, 1141269. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1141269

Editorial: Metabolic adjustments and gene expression reprogramming for symbiotic nitrogen fixation in legume nodules, volume II

2023

Journal Article

A nitrogen fixing symbiosis-specific pathway required for legume flowering

Yun, Jinxia, Wang, Can, Zhang, Fengrong, Chen, Li, Sun, Zhengxi, Cai, Yupeng, Luo, Yuanqing, Liao, Junwen, Wang, Yongliang, Cha, Yanyan, Zhang, Xuehai, Ren, Ya, Wu, Jun, Hasegawa, Paul M., Tian, Changfu, Su, Huanan, Ferguson, Brett J., Gresshoff, Peter M., Hou, Wensheng, Han, Tianfu and Li, Xia (2023). A nitrogen fixing symbiosis-specific pathway required for legume flowering. Science Advances, 9 (2) eade1150, 1-15. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.ade1150

A nitrogen fixing symbiosis-specific pathway required for legume flowering

2023

Journal Article

Nodule formation and nitrogen fixation in Acacia holosericea plants grown in soil admixed with iron ore tailings

Yu, Lina, You, Fang, Wu, Songlin, Lu, Zhaohua, Hastwell, April, Ferguson, Brett and Huang, Longbin (2023). Nodule formation and nitrogen fixation in Acacia holosericea plants grown in soil admixed with iron ore tailings. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 23 (1), 1085-1095. doi: 10.1007/s42729-022-01105-2

Nodule formation and nitrogen fixation in Acacia holosericea plants grown in soil admixed with iron ore tailings

2022

Journal Article

Spatiotemporal changes in gibberellin content are required for soybean nodulation

Chu, Xitong, Su, Huanan, Hayashi, Satomi, Gresshoff, Peter M. and Ferguson, Brett J. (2022). Spatiotemporal changes in gibberellin content are required for soybean nodulation. New Phytologist, 234 (2), 479-493. doi: 10.1111/nph.17902

Spatiotemporal changes in gibberellin content are required for soybean nodulation

2022

Book Chapter

Soybean CLE peptides and their CLAVATA-like signaling pathways

Jones, Candice H., Hastwell, April H., Gresshoff, Peter M. and Ferguson, Brett J. (2022). Soybean CLE peptides and their CLAVATA-like signaling pathways. Soybean physiology and genetics. (pp. 153-175) edited by Hon-Ming Lam and Man-Wah Li. London, United Kingdom: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/bs.abr.2022.02.006

Soybean CLE peptides and their CLAVATA-like signaling pathways

2021

Journal Article

Potential biotechnological applications of autophagy for agriculture

Thanthrige, Nipuni, Bhowmik, Sudipta Das, Ferguson, Brett J., Kabbage, Mehdi, Mundree, Sagadevan G. and Williams, Brett (2021). Potential biotechnological applications of autophagy for agriculture. Frontiers in Plant Science, 12 760407, 760407. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2021.760407

Potential biotechnological applications of autophagy for agriculture

2021

Journal Article

Shoot‐derived miR2111 controls legume root and nodule development

Zhang, Mengbai, Su, Huanan, Gresshoff, Peter M. and Ferguson, Brett J. (2021). Shoot‐derived miR2111 controls legume root and nodule development. Plant, Cell and Environment, 44 (5), 1627-1641. doi: 10.1111/pce.13992

Shoot‐derived miR2111 controls legume root and nodule development

2021

Journal Article

Characterisation of Medicago truncatula CLE34 and CLE35 in nitrate and rhizobia regulation of nodulation

Mens, Celine, Hastwell, April H., Su, Huanan, Gresshoff, Peter M., Mathesius, Ulrike and Ferguson, Brett J. (2021). Characterisation of Medicago truncatula CLE34 and CLE35 in nitrate and rhizobia regulation of nodulation. New Phytologist, 229 (5) nph.17010, 2525-2534. doi: 10.1111/nph.17010

Characterisation of Medicago truncatula CLE34 and CLE35 in nitrate and rhizobia regulation of nodulation

2020

Conference Publication

Local and systemic effect of cytokinins on soybean nodulation and regulation of their isopentenyl transferase (IPT) biosynthesis genes following rhizobia inoculation

Mens, C., Li, D., Haaima, L.E., Gresshoff, P.M. and Ferguson, B.J. (2020). Local and systemic effect of cytokinins on soybean nodulation and regulation of their isopentenyl transferase (IPT) biosynthesis genes following rhizobia inoculation. Third International Legume Society Conference, Poznan, Poland, 21-24 May 2019. Cordoba, Spain: The International Legume Society.

Local and systemic effect of cytokinins on soybean nodulation and regulation of their isopentenyl transferase (IPT) biosynthesis genes following rhizobia inoculation

2020

Other Outputs

Characterisation of Medicago truncatula CLE34 and CLE35 in nodulation control

Mens, Celine, Hastwell, April, Su, Huanan, Gresshoff, Peter, Mathesius, Ulrike and Ferguson, Brett (2020). Characterisation of Medicago truncatula CLE34 and CLE35 in nodulation control.

Characterisation of Medicago truncatula CLE34 and CLE35 in nodulation control

2020

Other Outputs

Shoot-derived miR2111 controls legume root and nodule development

Zhang, M.B., Su, H.N., Gresshoff, P.M. and Ferguson, B.J. (2020). Shoot-derived miR2111 controls legume root and nodule development.

Shoot-derived miR2111 controls legume root and nodule development

2020

Journal Article

Centrality of BAGs in Plant PCD, Stress Responses, and Host Defense

Thanthrige, Nipuni, Jain, Sachin, Bhowmik, Sudipta Das, Ferguson, Brett J., Kabbage, Mehdi, Mundree, Sagadevan and Williams, Brett (2020). Centrality of BAGs in Plant PCD, Stress Responses, and Host Defense. Trends in Plant Science, 25 (11), 1131-1140. doi: 10.1016/j.tplants.2020.04.012

Centrality of BAGs in Plant PCD, Stress Responses, and Host Defense

2019

Journal Article

Editorial: Metabolic adjustments and gene expression reprogramming for symbiotic nitrogen fixation in legume nodules

Ferguson, Brett James, Minamisawa, Kiwamu, Munoz, Nacira Belen and Lam, Hon-Ming (2019). Editorial: Metabolic adjustments and gene expression reprogramming for symbiotic nitrogen fixation in legume nodules. Frontiers in Plant Science, 10 898, 898. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2019.00898

Editorial: Metabolic adjustments and gene expression reprogramming for symbiotic nitrogen fixation in legume nodules

2019

Journal Article

GmYUC2a mediates auxin biosynthesis during root development and nodulation in soybean

Wang, Youning, Yang, Wei, Zuo, Yanyan, Zhu, Lin, Hastwell, April H., Chen, Liang, Tian, Yinping, Su, Chao, Ferguson, Brett J. and Li, Xia (2019). GmYUC2a mediates auxin biosynthesis during root development and nodulation in soybean. Journal of Experimental Botany, 70 (12), 3165-3176. doi: 10.1093/jxb/erz144

GmYUC2a mediates auxin biosynthesis during root development and nodulation in soybean

2019

Journal Article

Complete genome sequence of Achromobacter spanius UQ283, a soilborne isolate exhibiting plant growth-promoting properties

Wass, Taylor J., Syed-Ab-Rahman, Sharifah Farhana, Carvalhais, Lilia C., Ferguson, Brett J. and Schenk, Peer M. (2019). Complete genome sequence of Achromobacter spanius UQ283, a soilborne isolate exhibiting plant growth-promoting properties. Microbiology Resource Announcements, 8 (16) e00236-19. doi: 10.1128/mra.00236-19

Complete genome sequence of Achromobacter spanius UQ283, a soilborne isolate exhibiting plant growth-promoting properties

2019

Journal Article

Suppression of Phytophthora capsici infection and promotion of tomato growth by soil bacteria

Syed-Ab-Rahman, Sharifah Farhana, Xiao, Yawen, Carvalhais, Lilia C., Ferguson, Brett J. and Schenk, Peer M. (2019). Suppression of Phytophthora capsici infection and promotion of tomato growth by soil bacteria. Rhizosphere, 9, 72-75. doi: 10.1016/j.rhisph.2018.11.007

Suppression of Phytophthora capsici infection and promotion of tomato growth by soil bacteria

Funding

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2028
    Genetic initiative to transform symbiotic nitrogen fixation in Australian pulse crops
    PROC-9176963 Genetic initiative to transform symbiotic nitrogen fixation in Australian pulse crops
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    Rapid generation of superior legume crops using tissue culture-free genome editing
    The Hermon Slade Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2026
    Hy-Gain for Smallholders (2020-2025)
    Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2024
    Molecular dissection of systemic regulation of nodulation in legumes
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2024
    Development of sterile Leucaena to enhance red-meat production in new regions of Australia
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2014 - 2017
    Identification and characterisation of new plant peptide hormones that control legume nodulation and nitrogen fixation.
    The Hermon Slade Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2017
    Developing sugarcane-legume companion cropping systems
    Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    Discovering the Activity of Novel CLE Peptide Hormones that Regulate Legume Nodulation
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2018
    Discovery of the Systemic Regulator of Legume Nodulation
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Characterising the function of novel legume nodulation genes using virus-induced gene silencing
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Associate Professor Brett Ferguson is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Available projects

  • Discovery and Functional Characterisation of New Plant Peptide Hormones

    The world is facing a serious and urgent threat to food security, with several studies concluding that crop production needs to double by the year 2050 to feed the rapidly growing population. Discovering new factors that enhance crop growth and yields is regarded as a pivotal step in meeting this demand. This project will characterise and synthesise exciting new peptide hormones recently identified in soybean that control plant development. Known members of this peptide family have critical roles in regulating shoot, root and seed growth, but the function of most remains unknown. Findings will enhance the molecular mechanisms of plant development, and could benefit agricultural sustainability and food security by aiding in the selection of superior crops and the commercialisation of novel regulatory compounds that increase crop yields.

  • Development of new tools for genetic transformation and genome editing of legume plants.

    Looking to improve genetric transformation and CRISPR genome editing capacity of plants through the development of new vectors, methods and techniques.

  • Overcoming Negative Impacts of Soil Acidity on Legume Nodulation and Nitrogen Fixation

    Legume plants can enter into a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing rhizobia bacteria. This relationship can considerably improve soil health and crop yields, whilst also reducing the need for expensive and polluting nitrogen fertilisers, thus helping to enhance agricultural sustainability and food security. Legume plants form new root organs, called nodules, to house their rhizobia partners. The process of forming a nodule is called nodulation and it is tightly regulated by the host plant to optimise resources, often based on environmental conditions. Soil acidity is one environmental factor that can negatively influence nodulation. It represents a serious global problem as many of the world’s agricultural soils are acidic. This project aims to identify and characterize critical new molecular factors of legumes that function in acid-regulation of nodulation. Findings will enhance our knowledge of the genes and signals that act in acid-inhibition, and could benefit future efforts to overcome the negative effect of soil acidity on legume nodulation.

  • Enhancing the genetic and genomic understanding of the legume tree, Pongamia pinnata, as a source of sustainable biodiesel and aviation fuel.

    Pongamia pinnata is a fast-growing legume tree native to Australia that produces abundant seeds that are rich in oil (35–55%), including mono-unsaturated oleic acid (C18:1). These properties make Pongamia ideal for the production of renewable biofuel, including biodiesel and sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs). Indeed, Pongamia oil can be readily converted via transesterification to form a biodiesel called FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester) or it can be converted to aviation fuel using hydrogenation in place of transesterification. Being a legume, Pongamia trees can engage into a symbiotic relationship with compatible rhizobia bacteria, resulting in the formation of nitrogen-fixing root nodules. This provides Pongamia with a tremendous competitive advantage as they can access critical nitrogen for growth and development that is unavailable to non-legume plants. As a result, Pongamia can thrive in the absence of excessive nitrogen fertiliser inputs, which are expensive and pollute. This represents a tremendous economic and agriculturally-sustainable advantage for growing Pongamia compared with alternative, non-legume, feedstocks that are used for biofuels.

  • Functional Characterisation of Novel Components Required for the Development and Control of Legume Nodules.

    Nitrogen fertiliser use in agriculture is inefficient, costly and can be environmentally damaging. Legume crops represent an economically and environmentally sound alternative, as their relationship with nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria enables them to thrive in the absence of nitrogen fertiliser. The bacteria (commonly referred to as rhizobia) are housed in specialised root organs, called nodules. Identifying critical components in the development and control of legume nodules is now needed to optimise the process and improve agriculture sustainability. Projects include those that aim to discover and functionally characterise novel factors that 1) are required early in the molecular process of legume nodule development, 2) act to control legume nodule numbers, or 3) are regulated by acid soils to inhibit nodule formation. Findings can considerably enhance the current nodulation model and could help to underpin strategies to reduce the over-reliance on nitrogen fertiliser use in agriculture.

  • Genetic transformation and CRISPR genome editing to establish molecular mechanisms of plant development.

    We have identified numerous genetic targets having roles in controlling plant growth and development in response to abiotic and biotic factors, including interactions with beneficial microbes. These factors now need to be functionally characterised to understand their activity and to establish alleles to target of generate in breeding programs to optimise crop performance. Genetic transformation of genes of interest, promotor:reporter fusions, and CRISPR genome editing represent three biotechnology approaches we can use to help achieve this.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Regulators of female reproductive development in cowpea

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Anna Koltunow

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Characterising novel molecular signals involved in Legume nodulation

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Peter Gresshoff

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Revolutionising CRISPR genome editing to generate superior legume crops

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr April Hastwell

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Molecular analysis of novel CLE peptide hormones that respond to legume pathogens

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Elizabeth Aitken, Dr April Hastwell

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Nannochloropsis: a potential chassis strain for synthetic biology in microbial photoautotrophs

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Harendra Parekh

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Helping crops cope as climatic extremes escalate: elucidating plant responses to novel growth enhancing compounds

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Jitka Kochanek

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Expediting genetic gains in faba bean using new breeding strategies

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Karen Massel

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The Characterisation of Root Meristem Growth Factor (RGF)/GOLVEN (GLV)/CLE-Like (CLEL) Peptides in Soybean Root Development and Nodulation

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr April Hastwell

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

Contact Associate Professor Brett Ferguson directly for media enquiries about:

  • Biofuel
  • Genetics - plants
  • Legumes
  • Microbe-plant interactions
  • Nodulation - Botany
  • Plant molecular biology
  • Plant-microbe interactions
  • Plants - development, physiology, genetics
  • Pongamia pinnata
  • Soybean
  • Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
  • Symbiosis

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