Overview
Background
Karen is a Research Fellow in QAAFI at the University of Queensland whose research group is focused on the improvement of crops using genomic and biotechnological tools. She began her scientific journey through obtaining an Honours BSc in Pharmaceutical sciences (Genomics) from the University Ottawa where her honours focused on the impact of RNA stability in cold-treated wheat seedlings. From there she joined Ian Godwin's group in SAFS at UQ to start her PhD in developing and optimising biotechnological tools in sorghum to understand food and feed quality. As a research fellow, she has applied these initiatives to numerous tropical grain crops and using these tools to study a range of traits focused on understanding key developmental pathways.
Availability
- Dr Karen Massel is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), University of Ottawa
- Doctor of Philosophy of Agricultural Biotechnology, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Improving CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology in crops
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Improving abiotic tolerance through the elucidation of developmental pathways
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Genetic improvement of grain quality traits
Research impacts
Karen's research group leverages targeted and precise genetic manipulation to unravel the complexities of biological systems and integrating these outcomes into breeding programs. The focus is currently modulating the crops developmental patterning to improve their abiotic stress tolerance strategies, with dreams of advancing these initiatives into crops with superior performance tailored for specific environments. The group is continually expanding it's research scope to include crops such as sorghum, barley, tropical pasture grasses, and both tropical and temperate legumes. Karen is a strong advocate for the benefits of biotechnology, supporting both GM and gene edited plants to promte sustainable crop and food production.
Works
Search Professor Karen Massel’s works on UQ eSpace
2023
Journal Article
Metabarcoding airborne pollen from subtropical and temperate eastern Australia over multiple years reveals pollen aerobiome diversity and complexity
Campbell, B. C., Van Haeften, S., Massel, K., Milic, A., Al Kouba, J., Addison-Smith, B., Gilding, E. K., Beggs, P. J. and Davies, J. M. (2023). Metabarcoding airborne pollen from subtropical and temperate eastern Australia over multiple years reveals pollen aerobiome diversity and complexity. Science of the Total Environment, 862 160585, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160585
2022
Journal Article
CRISPR-knockout of β-kafirin in sorghum does not recapitulate the grain quality of natural mutants
Massel, Karen, Hintzsche, Jessica, Restall, Jemma, Kerr, Edward D., Schulz, Benjamin L. and Godwin, Ian D. (2022). CRISPR-knockout of β-kafirin in sorghum does not recapitulate the grain quality of natural mutants. Planta, 257 (1) 8, 1-14. doi: 10.1007/s00425-022-04038-3
2022
Conference Publication
New technologies to accelerate mungbean improvement
Van Haeften, Shanice, Dudley, Caitlin, Douglas, Colin, Udvardi, Michael, Massel, Karen, Beveridge, Christine, Robinson, Hannah, Hickey, Lee, Potgieter, Andries and Smith, Millicent (2022). New technologies to accelerate mungbean improvement. Queensland Legume Symposium, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 22 July 2022.
2022
Journal Article
Biotechnological road map for innovative weed management
Wong, Albert Chern Sun, Massel, Karen, Lam, Yasmine, Hintzsche, Jessica and Chauhan, Bhagirath Singh (2022). Biotechnological road map for innovative weed management. Frontiers in Plant Science, 13 887723, 887723. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2022.887723
2021
Journal Article
Endogenous U6 promoters improve CRISPR/Cas9 editing efficiencies in Sorghum bicolor and show potential for applications in other cereals
Massel, Karen, Lam, Yasmine, Hintzsche, Jessica, Lester, Nicholas, Botella, Jose R. and Godwin, Ian D. (2021). Endogenous U6 promoters improve CRISPR/Cas9 editing efficiencies in Sorghum bicolor and show potential for applications in other cereals. Plant Cell Reports, 41 (2), 489-492. doi: 10.1007/s00299-021-02816-z
2021
Journal Article
Tunable crops are just a spray away
Massel, Karen, Godwin, Ian and Hickey, Lee (2021). Tunable crops are just a spray away. Nature Plants, 7 (2), 102-103. doi: 10.1038/s41477-021-00849-6
2021
Journal Article
Hotter, drier, CRISPR: the latest edit on climate change
Massel, Karen, Lam, Yasmine, Wong, Albert C. S., Hickey, Lee T., Borrell, Andrew K. and Godwin, Ian D. (2021). Hotter, drier, CRISPR: the latest edit on climate change. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 134 (6), 1691-1709. doi: 10.1007/s00122-020-03764-0
2020
Journal Article
Tracking seasonal changes in diversity of pollen allergen exposure: targeted metabarcoding of a subtropical aerobiome
Campbell, B. C., Al Kouba, J., Timbrell, V., Noor, M. J., Massel, K., Gilding, E. K., Angel, N., Kemish, B., Hugenholtz, P., Godwin, I. D. and Davies, J. M. (2020). Tracking seasonal changes in diversity of pollen allergen exposure: targeted metabarcoding of a subtropical aerobiome. Science of the Total Environment, 747 141189, 141189. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141189
2020
Book Chapter
Biolistic DNA delivery and its applications in Sorghum bicolor
Liu, Guoquan, Massel, Karen, Tabet, Basam and Godwin, Ian D. (2020). Biolistic DNA delivery and its applications in Sorghum bicolor. Biolistic DNA delivery in plants: methods and protocols. (pp. 197-215) New York, NY, United States: Humana Press. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0356-7_10
2019
Other Outputs
Optimising molecular tools to study nitrogen utilisation for grain protein storage in Sorghum bicolor
Massel, Karen (2019). Optimising molecular tools to study nitrogen utilisation for grain protein storage in Sorghum bicolor. PhD Thesis, School of Agriculture & Food Sciences, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/uql.2019.929
2019
Journal Article
Correction to: Applications and potential of genome editing in crop improvement
Zhang, Yi, Massel, Karen, Godwin, Ian D. and Gao, Caixia (2019). Correction to: Applications and potential of genome editing in crop improvement. Genome Biology, 20 (1) 13, 13-13. doi: 10.1186/s13059-019-1622-6
2019
Conference Publication
Temporal changes in molecular aerobiome diversity by applying DNA metabarcode sequencing across the pollen season
Campbell, B., Al Kouba, J., Noor, M., Timbrell,, Gilding, E., Angel, N., Kemish, B., Massel, K., Hugenholz, P., Godwin, and Davies, J. M. (2019). Temporal changes in molecular aerobiome diversity by applying DNA metabarcode sequencing across the pollen season. Congress of the European-Academy-of-Allergy-and-Clinical-Immunology (EAACI), Lisbon, Portugal, 1-5 June 2019. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell.
2018
Journal Article
Applications and potential of genome editing in crop improvement
Zhang, Yi, Massel, Karen, Godwin, Ian D. and Gao, Caixia (2018). Applications and potential of genome editing in crop improvement. Genome Biology, 19 (1) 210, 210. doi: 10.1186/s13059-018-1586-y
2017
Conference Publication
Group II introns in wheat mitochondria have degenerate structural features and varied splicing pathways
Ngu, Matthew, Massel, Karen and Bonen, Linda (2017). Group II introns in wheat mitochondria have degenerate structural features and varied splicing pathways. 1st International Caparica Conference in Splicing (SPLICING), Lisbon Portugal, Sep 12-14, 2016. Kidlington, Oxford United Kingdom: PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD. doi: 10.1016/j.biocel.2017.05.014
2016
Journal Article
Whole genome sequencing reveals potential new targets for improving nitrogen uptake and utilization in Sorghum bicolor
Massel, Karen, Campbell, Bradley C., Mace, Emma S., Tai, Shuaishuai, Tao, Yongfu, Worland, Belinda G., Jordan, David R., Botella, Jose R. and Godwin, Ian D. (2016). Whole genome sequencing reveals potential new targets for improving nitrogen uptake and utilization in Sorghum bicolor. Frontiers in Plant Science, 7 (OCTOBER2016) 1544, 1544. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2016.01544
2016
Journal Article
Multiple splicing pathways of group II trans-splicing introns in wheat mitochondria
Massel, Karen, Silke, Jordan R. and Bonen, Linda (2016). Multiple splicing pathways of group II trans-splicing introns in wheat mitochondria. Mitochondrion, 28, 23-32. doi: 10.1016/j.mito.2016.03.002
Funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Karen Massel is:
- Available for supervision
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Available projects
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Honours/MSc - Expanding the sorghum genotypes used for CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing
As the climate becomes more unpredictable, global agricultural production will continue to face challenges to meet the rising food demands. Creative approaches should be integrated into breeding programs utilising all available tools to overcome the pressure these shifting climate realities place on food security. CRISPR/Cas9 is a revolutionary genome editing system that can create targeted genetic alterations such as gene knockouts, nucleotide modifications, large insertions/deletions, as well as regulation of genetic networks. However, there is a major limitation in the implementation of this techniques based on their recalcitrant nature in tissue culture.
In sorghum, there is a model transformable genotype that is often used in biotechnolgical studies. However, if we could find alternative genotypes improtant to breeding programs, we can improve the speed of implementing gene edited outcomes within the breeding pipeline, as well as expand the types of traits we are capable of studying. This would enhance the feasibility of implementing these novel genetic outcomes in breeding programs and allow for researchers to really showcase the potential of this technology in crops. There a few different methodologies that can be used to test these lines in tissue culture with help from breeding programs.
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Honours/MSc - Gene editing to manipulate inflorescence development and boost yield
Grain sorghum is the fifth most important cereal crop worldwide and is a staple food for over half a billion people worldwide. Although it has many inherent drought and heat tolerance traits which make it an important crop for global food security efforts, its widespread use as a food/feed crop are curbed by its low yields and grain quality. This project is utilising new breeding technologies such as CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to improve our understanding of floret and panicle architecture in an attempts to boost yields. Previous research into studying genes involved in stem cell development and maintenance have shown that through targeted modifications, reserachers can have significant boosts to yield through tweaking the expression by targeting the promtoer region of major target genes. We currently have mutant knockout lines that show a promising fasciated phenotype, and we believe through targeting the promoter of these genes we can reduce the deleterious effects of a complete knockout and create mutant sorghum varieties wtih improved yield.
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Honours/MSc - Gene editing seed storage proteins for improved grain quality
Sorghum bicolor is an important animal feedstock cereal crop throughout Australia and the southern United States, where its use as a food product is limited by issues with low calorific and nutritive value. Qualities such as low digestibility and essential amino acid content are directly attributed to the kafirin grain storage proteins. Specifically, the β- and γ-kafirins are low in protease cleavage sites and high in cysteine residues, forming a highly cross-linked shell that encapsulates the more digestible α- and δ-kafirins in the core of the protein bodies. We have developed gene edited lines with significantly improvements in grain protein digestibility using in vitro assays for both monogastric and ruminants. Further work is required to demonstrate changes in starch properties and visualise microstructural modifications within the protein-starch matrix via microscopy.
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Honours/MSc - Gene editing of elite grass species
Developing tissue culture and gene editing systems for elite grass species will provide the framework to perform a variety of experiments for a range of industries, and can have a huge impact for sustainable living. Providing a mechanism for quick genetic gains could provide councils with climate-adapted grass that use less water or fertiliser, or producing non-allergenic varieties that reduce the levels of hayfever that is often triggered through exposure of grass pollens. Alternatively, developing a system could help produce better forage feed for pasture grasses that would provide a superior feed for a range of animals for more sustainable animal production.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Expediting genetic gains in faba bean using new breeding strategies
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Brett Ferguson
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Doctor Philosophy
Development of efficient genome editing technologies for crop improvement
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jimmy Botella
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Doctor Philosophy
Modification of root system architecture to increase climate resilience in barley
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Lee Hickey, Professor Ian Godwin, Dr Hannah Robinson
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Doctor Philosophy
Nitrogen use dynamics in high protein gene edited sorghum
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Peter Crisp, Dr Millicent Smith, Professor Ian Godwin
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Doctor Philosophy
Improving meiotic recombination frequency in sorghum using gene editing
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ian Godwin
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Doctor Philosophy
Exploring the molecular and physiological basis of flowering behaviour in mungbean
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Elizabeth Dun, Professor Christine Beveridge, Professor Lee Hickey, Professor Michael Udvardi, Dr Millicent Smith
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Doctor Philosophy
Harnessing natural genetic variation and genome engineering to optimise barley root systems
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Andrew Borrell, Professor Ian Godwin, Dr Peter Crisp, Professor Lee Hickey, Dr Hannah Robinson
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Doctor Philosophy
Modification of root system architecture to increase climate resilience in barley
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Lee Hickey, Dr Hannah Robinson, Professor Ian Godwin
Completed supervision
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Building Blocks for Designer Ideotypes: Dissecting Plant Architecture Genes using CRISPR/Cas9
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Andrew Borrell, Dr Erik Van Oosterom, Professor Lee Hickey, Professor Ian Godwin
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Karen Massel directly for media enquiries about:
- Biotechnology
- CRISPR/Cas9
- Gene Editing
- Genetic modification
- GMOs
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