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
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Tasmania
Research interests
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Legumes, legume nodulation, nitrogen and nitrogen fixation.
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Functional genomics using plant biotechnology (genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, transcriptomics), genetic transformation and genome editing (CRISPR).
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Pongamia pinnata as a source of sustainable biofuel.
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Plant physiology, signalling and development, plant-microbe interactions (symbioses).
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Discovery and characterisation of novel genes and signals required for plant development, including CLE peptide hormones, classical plant hormones, and microRNAs.
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Establishment of the molecular mechanisms responsible for acid-soil inhibition of legume crop development, and nitrogen and phosphorous signalling networks.
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Development of superior cowpea and sorghum crop varieties (Hy-Gain project).
Works
Search Professor Brett Ferguson’s works on UQ eSpace
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, 29 (12), 1342-1355. doi: 10.1016/j.tplants.2024.07.014
2024
Journal Article
New integrative vectors increase Agrobacterium rhizogenes transformation and help characterise roles for soybean GmTML gene family members
Su, Huanan, Zhang, Mengbai, Grundy, Estelle B. and Ferguson, Brett J. (2024). New integrative vectors increase Agrobacterium rhizogenes transformation and help characterise roles for soybean GmTML gene family members. bioRxiv. doi: 10.1101/2024.07.25.605222
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. (pp. 1-1) Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-12-822563-9.00185-2
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
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
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Brett Ferguson is:
- Available for supervision
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Available projects
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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Doctor Philosophy
Molecular analysis of novel CLE peptide hormones that respond to legume pathogens
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Elizabeth Aitken, Dr April Hastwell
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Doctor Philosophy
Nannochloropsis: a potential chassis strain for synthetic biology in microbial photoautotrophs
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Harendra Parekh
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Doctor Philosophy
Regulators of female reproductive development in cowpea
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Anna Koltunow
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Doctor Philosophy
Characterising novel molecular signals involved in Legume nodulation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Peter Gresshoff
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Doctor Philosophy
Nannochloropsis: a synthetic biology platform
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Harendra Parekh
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Doctor Philosophy
Revolutionising CRISPR genome editing to generate superior legume crops
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr April Hastwell
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Doctor Philosophy
The Characterization of Root Meristem Growth Factor (RGF) Peptides in Soybean Root Development and Nodulation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr April Hastwell
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Doctor Philosophy
Helping crops cope as climatic extremes escalate: elucidating plant responses to novel growth enhancing compounds
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jitka Kochanek
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Doctor Philosophy
Expediting genetic gains in faba bean using new breeding strategies
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Karen Massel
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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
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Doctor Philosophy
A Biomimetic Modular Platform to Deliver Plant Actives and Microbes to Crop Seed to Improve Seed Germination and Plant Development
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jitka Kochanek
Completed supervision
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Functional characterisation of defence-related genes acting in soybean nodulation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Peter Gresshoff
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2022
Master Philosophy
Characterising novel molecular players in soybean nodulation under low pH conditions
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr April Hastwell
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Characterisation of Phaseolus vulgaris CLE peptides with potential agricultural applications
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Peter Gresshoff
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Molecular mechanisms in nitrate dependent regulation of nodulation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Peter Gresshoff
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Functional Characterisation of Gibberellin in Soybean Nodulation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Peter Gresshoff
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Functional analysis of genes involved in the regulation of nodulation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Peter Gresshoff
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Functional characterisation of novel peptide hormones in legume nodulation and plant development
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Peter Gresshoff
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Topical application of biomolecules to manipulate the adventitious rooting pathway
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alice Hayward, Professor Neena Mitter
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Bio-discovery of biological control agents against Phytophthora spp.: elucidating the mechanisms of microbe-microbe interactions
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Peter Moyle, Dr Lilia Carvalhais
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Construction and analysis of the Brassica oleracea pangenome
Associate Advisor
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2016
Master Philosophy
Molecular genetic and biochemical analysis of gibberellic acid involvement in the stages of soybean (Glycine max L.) nodule development
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Peter Gresshoff
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Molecular Characterisation of Early Nodulation Events in Soybean
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Peter Gresshoff
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Functional characterisation of the LRR receptor kinase GmCLAVATA1A gene of soybean
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Peter Gresshoff
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Characterising the Inhibition of Soybean Nodulation by Low pH Conditions
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Peter Gresshoff
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2012
Doctor Philosophy
The Soybean Nodulation Inhibitory Factor SDI
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Peter Gresshoff
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2012
Doctor Philosophy
Identification of mobile signals in the soybean nodulation symbiosis
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Peter Gresshoff
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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