Overview
Background
Karen is a Senior Research Fellow at QAAFI, University of Queensland, where she leads a research group dedicated to advancing crop improvement through cutting-edge genomic and biotechnological approaches. Her team applies targeted and precise genetic manipulation to unravel complex biological systems and translate these discoveries into innovative breeding programs. Currently, her research focuses on modulating crop developmental patterning to enhance abiotic stress tolerance, with the long-term goal of developing high-performing crops tailored for specific environments. The group is actively expanding its research portfolio to include crops such as sorghum, barley, tropical pasture grasses, and both tropical and temperate legumes. Karen is a passionate advocate for biotechnology, championing both GM and gene-edited plants to promote sustainable crop and food production.
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 for crops
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Studying traits in elite grasses using biotechnological tools
Works
Search Professor Karen Massel’s works on UQ eSpace
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
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Karen Massel is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Available projects
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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 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
Improving meiotic recombination frequency in sorghum using gene editing
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ian Godwin, Dr Will Shaffer
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Doctor Philosophy
Expediting genetic gains in faba bean using new breeding strategies
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Brett Ferguson, Dr Eric Dinglasan
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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
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
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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2026
Doctor Philosophy
Harnessing natural genetic variation and genome engineering to optimise barley root systems
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ian Godwin, Dr Hannah Robinson, Dr Peter Crisp, Professor Lee Hickey
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2025
Doctor Philosophy
Development of efficient genome editing technologies for crop improvement
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jimmy Botella
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Building Blocks for Designer Ideotypes: Dissecting Plant Architecture Genes using CRISPR/Cas9
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: 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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