Professor Elizabeth Aitken
Professor

Elizabeth Aitken

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 54775

Background

Professor Elizabeth Aitken (Liz) obtained her BSc Hons in Agricultural Science (Crop Science) from Edinburgh University where she specialised in Plant Pathology. She then went on to undertake her PhD studies at Aberdeen University in conjunction with the UK Forestry Commission on a study of dieback on Scots pine trees. This was followed with postdoctoral studies at Birmingham University and the Sainsbury Lab, aiming to identify a rust resistance gene by transposon tagging. In 1993 she moved to Australia and joined UQ as an academic staff member.

Much of Liz’s research at UQ has focused on diseases of tropical crops in particular banana, ginger, cotton and sunflower. Research topics have included the genetics of plant-pathogen interactions, molecular aspects of pathogenicity and disease diagnostics. This research has been undertaken with strong collaborations with the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and with CSIRO. Research topics have included the genetics of plant-pathogen interactions, molecular aspects of pathogenicity and disease diagnostics. This work has assisted in the identification of disease incursions in particular in banana and of cryptic plant pathogen species of Pythium in ginger and Phomopsis in sunflower. One current research focus includes identification of resistance to Fusarium wilt in diploid banana lines for potential deployment against TR4 in commercial banana cultivars; this has received funding from BMGF in collaboration with the International Institute of Topical Agriculture in Africa as well as from Hort Innovation Australia. Other studies include analysis of putative pathogenicity genes including Six genes in Fusarium oxysporum affecting banana, strawberry and ginger and in collaboration with colleagues at CSIRO studies on Fusarium spp on wheat particularly with regard to influence of environmental factors related to climate change.

Since commencing at UQ in 1993, Liz has supervised numerous postgraduate and honours students and participated in undergraduate teaching at all levels in plant science and in particular in plant pathology and fungal biology. She has also taken on various roles and committee membership in postgraduate student mentoring, research integrity and biosafety.

Availability

Professor Elizabeth Aitken is:
Not available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Agricultural, Veterinary and Food Sciences Biological Sciences Horticultural crop protection (incl. pests, diseases and weeds) Horticultural production Plant biology

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), University of Edinburgh
  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Aberdeen
  • Fellow, Australasian Plant Pathology Society, Australasian Plant Pathology Society

Research interests

  • Fusarium oxysporum

    Analysis of the role of endophytic Fusarium oxysporum among members of the Zingeberales

  • Putative effector genes in Fusarium oxysporum

    Analysis of putative pathogenicity genes including "Six" genes in Fusarium oxysporum that affect a range of crop species including strawberry and ginger

  • Resistance to Fusarium wilt in banana

    Identification and characterization of resistance to Fusarium wilt in seeded diploid banana lines for potential deployment against TR4

  • Verticillium dahliae on cotton

    Histological and molecular interaction of Verticillium dahliae on cotton

  • Diversity of macrofungi

    I am very keen to help in expanding our knowledge of Australian macrofungi and lichens

Research impacts

Much of Prof. Aitken’s research at UQ has focused on diseases of tropical crops in particular banana, ginger and sunflower. Research topics have included the genetics of plant-pathogen interactions, molecular aspects of pathogenicity and disease diagnostics. This work has assissted in the identification of disease incursions in particular in banana and of cryptic plant pathoegn species in ginger and sunflower. Current research focus includes identification of resistance to Fusraium wilt in diploid banana lines for potential deployment against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense race 4 in commercial banana cultivars.

Search Professor Elizabeth Aitken’s works on UQ eSpace

158 works between 1989 and 2024
All (158) Journal Article (103) Book Chapter (2) Conference Publication (50) Book (2) Other Outputs (1)

21 - 40 of 158 works

2021

Journal Article

Effector profiles of endophytic Fusarium associated with asymptomatic banana (Musa sp.) hosts

Czislowski, Elizabeth, Zeil-Rolfe, Isabel and Aitken, Elizabeth A. B. (2021). Effector profiles of endophytic Fusarium associated with asymptomatic banana (Musa sp.) hosts. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22 (5) 2508, 2508-25. doi: 10.3390/ijms22052508

Effector profiles of endophytic Fusarium associated with asymptomatic banana (Musa sp.) hosts

2021

Journal Article

Southern sting nematode (Ibipora lolii): its occurrence and population dynamics in Western Australia and an assessment of resistance and tolerance to the nematode in turf grasses

Ruscoe, P. E., Aitken, E. A.B. and Stirling, G. R. (2021). Southern sting nematode (Ibipora lolii): its occurrence and population dynamics in Western Australia and an assessment of resistance and tolerance to the nematode in turf grasses. Australasian Plant Pathology, 50 (5), 559-569. doi: 10.1007/s13313-021-00805-0

Southern sting nematode (Ibipora lolii): its occurrence and population dynamics in Western Australia and an assessment of resistance and tolerance to the nematode in turf grasses

2020

Conference Publication

Unique secreted in xylem genes in banana-infecting endophytic Fusarium oxysporum

Lyons, Rebecca, Czislowski, Elizabeth, Zeil-Rolfe, Isabel, Kaur, Shubhdeep, Liu, Zhendong, Chen, Andy and Aitken, Elizabeth (2020). Unique secreted in xylem genes in banana-infecting endophytic Fusarium oxysporum. The Third International Tropical Agriculture Conference (TROPAG 2019), Brisbane, QLD Australia, 11-13 November 2019. Basel, Switzerland: MDPI. doi: 10.3390/proceedings2019036180

Unique secreted in xylem genes in banana-infecting endophytic Fusarium oxysporum

2020

Journal Article

Fusaristatin A production negatively affects the growth and aggressiveness of the wheat pathogen Fusarium pseudograminearum

Khudhair, Mohammed, Kazan, Kemal, Thatcher, Louise F., Obanor, Friday, Rusu, Anca, Sørensen, Jens L., Wollenberg, Rasmus D., McKay, Alan, Giblot-Ducray, Danièle, Simpfendorfer, Steven, Aitken, Elizabeth and Gardiner, Donald M. (2020). Fusaristatin A production negatively affects the growth and aggressiveness of the wheat pathogen Fusarium pseudograminearum. Fungal Genetics and Biology, 136 103314, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.fgb.2019.103314

Fusaristatin A production negatively affects the growth and aggressiveness of the wheat pathogen Fusarium pseudograminearum

2020

Journal Article

Response of strawberry cultivars inoculated with Macrophomina phaseolina in Australia

Gomez, Apollo O., De Faveri, Joanne, Neal, Jodi M., Aitken, Elizabeth A. B. and Herrington, Mark E. (2020). Response of strawberry cultivars inoculated with Macrophomina phaseolina in Australia. International Journal of Fruit Science, 20 (sup2), 1-14. doi: 10.1080/15538362.2019.1709114

Response of strawberry cultivars inoculated with Macrophomina phaseolina in Australia

2020

Journal Article

The dietary relationships of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) with microfungi

McFarlane, D. J., Aitken, E. A.B., Ridley, A. W. and Walter, G. H. (2020). The dietary relationships of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) with microfungi. Journal of Applied Entomology, 145 (1-2) jen.12830, 158-169. doi: 10.1111/jen.12830

The dietary relationships of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) with microfungi

2019

Journal Article

Small RNA profiling of Cavendish banana roots inoculated with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense race 1 and tropical race 4

Fei, Shulang, Czislowski, Elizabeth, Fletcher, Stephen, Peters, Jonathan, Batley, Jacqueline, Aitken, Elizabeth and Mitter, Neena (2019). Small RNA profiling of Cavendish banana roots inoculated with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense race 1 and tropical race 4. Phytopathology Research, 1 (1) 22. doi: 10.1186/s42483-019-0029-3

Small RNA profiling of Cavendish banana roots inoculated with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense race 1 and tropical race 4

2019

Journal Article

Molecular diagnostics of banana Fusarium wilt targeting secreted-in-xylem genes

Carvalhais, Lilia C., Henderson, Juliane, Rincon-Florez, Vivian A., O'Dwyer, Cecilia, Czislowski, Elizabeth, Aitken, Elizabeth A. B. and Drenth, Andre (2019). Molecular diagnostics of banana Fusarium wilt targeting secreted-in-xylem genes. Frontiers in Plant Science, 10 547, 547. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2019.00547

Molecular diagnostics of banana Fusarium wilt targeting secreted-in-xylem genes

2019

Journal Article

Assessing variations in host resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f sp. cubense race 4 in Musa species, with a focus on the subtropical race 4

Chen, Andrew, Sun, Jiaman, Matthews, Andrea, Armas-Egas, Liz, Chen, Ning, Hamill, Sharon, Mintoff, Sharl, Tran-Nguyen, Lucy T. T., Batley, Jaqueline and Aitken, Elizabeth A. B. (2019). Assessing variations in host resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f sp. cubense race 4 in Musa species, with a focus on the subtropical race 4. Frontiers in Microbiology, 10 (MAY) 1062, 1062. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01062

Assessing variations in host resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f sp. cubense race 4 in Musa species, with a focus on the subtropical race 4

2019

Conference Publication

Evaluation of discriminatory primers for Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum on Australian and United States Fusarium isolates

Everts, K. L., Aitken, E., Tran-Nguyen, L. T. T., Maul, J. and Bagley, G. A. (2019). Evaluation of discriminatory primers for Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum on Australian and United States Fusarium isolates. American Phytopathological Society (APS) Plant Health Annual Meeting (Plant Health), Cleveland, OH, United States, 3-7 August, 2019. St. Paul, MN, United States: American Phytopathological Society. doi: 10.1094/PHYTO-109-10-S2.1

Evaluation of discriminatory primers for Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum on Australian and United States Fusarium isolates

2019

Journal Article

Comparative analysis of genetic structures and aggressiveness of Fusarium pseudograminearum populations from two surveys undertaken in 2008 and 2015 at two sites in the wheat belt of Western Australia

Khudhair, M., Thatcher, L. F., Gardiner, D. M., Kazan, K., Roper, M. M., Aitken, E. and Obanor, F. (2019). Comparative analysis of genetic structures and aggressiveness of Fusarium pseudograminearum populations from two surveys undertaken in 2008 and 2015 at two sites in the wheat belt of Western Australia. Plant Pathology, 68 (7) ppa.13056, 1337-1349. doi: 10.1111/ppa.13056

Comparative analysis of genetic structures and aggressiveness of Fusarium pseudograminearum populations from two surveys undertaken in 2008 and 2015 at two sites in the wheat belt of Western Australia

2018

Journal Article

The movement of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp cubense (sub-tropical race 4) in susceptible cultivars of banana

Warman, Noeleen M. and Aitken, Elizabeth A. B. (2018). The movement of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp cubense (sub-tropical race 4) in susceptible cultivars of banana. Frontiers in Plant Science, 9 1748, 1748. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2018.01748

The movement of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp cubense (sub-tropical race 4) in susceptible cultivars of banana

2018

Journal Article

Diaporthe novem isolated from sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and other crop and weed hosts in Australia

Thompson, S. M., Tan, Y. P., Neate, S. M., Grams, R. M., Shivas, R. G., Lindbeck, K. and Aitken, E. A.B. (2018). Diaporthe novem isolated from sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and other crop and weed hosts in Australia. European Journal of Plant Pathology, 152 (3), 823-831. doi: 10.1007/s10658-018-1515-7

Diaporthe novem isolated from sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and other crop and weed hosts in Australia

2018

Journal Article

First reports of Diaporthe kongii, D. masirevicii, and D. ueckerae Associated with stem and peg dieback on peanut in Australia

Thompson, S. M., Grams, R. A., Neate, S. M., Shivas, R. G., Ryley, M. J., Tan, Y. P., Aitken, E. A. B., Wright, G. C. and O'Connor, D. J. (2018). First reports of Diaporthe kongii, D. masirevicii, and D. ueckerae Associated with stem and peg dieback on peanut in Australia. Plant Disease, 102 (7), 1459-1459. doi: 10.1094/PDIS-12-17-1930-PDN

First reports of Diaporthe kongii, D. masirevicii, and D. ueckerae Associated with stem and peg dieback on peanut in Australia

2018

Conference Publication

RNAi-based management for Fusarium wilt of banana

Fei, S., Constantin, M., Peters, J., Batley, J., Aitken, E. and Mitter, N. (2018). RNAi-based management for Fusarium wilt of banana. International Symposia on Tropical and Temperate Horticulture (ISTTH), Cairns Australia, Nov 20-25, 2016. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/actahortic.2018.1205.88

RNAi-based management for Fusarium wilt of banana

2018

Conference Publication

Genetic analysis of a source of Fusarium wilt resistance in banana from Musa acuminata ssp malaccensis

Aitken, E., Chen, A., Dalton-Morgan, J., Fraser-Smith, S., Batley, J. and Hamill, S. (2018). Genetic analysis of a source of Fusarium wilt resistance in banana from Musa acuminata ssp malaccensis. International Congress of Plant Pathology (ICPP), Boston, MA United States, July 29-August 03 2018. St Paul, MN, United States: American Phytopathological Society.

Genetic analysis of a source of Fusarium wilt resistance in banana from Musa acuminata ssp malaccensis

2018

Conference Publication

Increased aggressiveness of Fusarium pseudograminearum isolates causing crown rot disease on wheat in Western Australia

Khudhair, M., Obanor, F., Thatcher, L. F., Gardiner, D., Kazan, K. and Aitken, E. (2018). Increased aggressiveness of Fusarium pseudograminearum isolates causing crown rot disease on wheat in Western Australia. International Congress of Plant Pathology (ICPP), Boston, MA United States, 29 July - 3 August 2018. St Paul, MN United States: American Phytopathological Society.

Increased aggressiveness of Fusarium pseudograminearum isolates causing crown rot disease on wheat in Western Australia

2018

Conference Publication

Uncovering molecular mechanisms of pathogenicity in the banana pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f.sp cubense

Czislowski, E., Zeil-Rolfe, I., Fraser-Smith, S., Dalton-Morgan, J. and Aitken, E. (2018). Uncovering molecular mechanisms of pathogenicity in the banana pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f.sp cubense. International Congress of Plant Pathology (ICPP), Boston, MA United States, July 29-August 03 2018. St Paul, MN, United States: American Phytopathological Society.

Uncovering molecular mechanisms of pathogenicity in the banana pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f.sp cubense

2018

Conference Publication

Secreted in Xylem genes used for PCR-based diagnostics of distinct Fusarium oxysporum f. sp cubense races and vegetative compatibility groups

Carvalhais, L. Costa, Henderson, J., O'Dwyer, C., Czislowski, E., Rincon-Florez, V., Aitken, E. and Drenth, A. (2018). Secreted in Xylem genes used for PCR-based diagnostics of distinct Fusarium oxysporum f. sp cubense races and vegetative compatibility groups. International Congress of Plant Pathology (ICPP), Boston, MA, United States, 29 July-3 August 2018. St. Paul, MN, United States: American Phytopathological Society. doi: 10.1094/PHYTO-108-10-S1.1

Secreted in Xylem genes used for PCR-based diagnostics of distinct Fusarium oxysporum f. sp cubense races and vegetative compatibility groups

2018

Conference Publication

Contribution of Fusarium spp. to sugarcane yellow canopy syndrome (YCS) in Australia

Basnayake, S., Czislowski, E., Olsen, D., Basnayake, J., Aitken, E. and Geering, A. (2018). Contribution of Fusarium spp. to sugarcane yellow canopy syndrome (YCS) in Australia. International Congress of Plant Pathology (ICPP), Boston, Massachusetts, 29 July - 3 August 2018. St Paul, MN, United States: American Phytopathological Society.

Contribution of Fusarium spp. to sugarcane yellow canopy syndrome (YCS) in Australia

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2025
    Development of Molecular Diagnostic for Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. zingiberi (Foz)
    Agrifutures Australia
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2027
    Building an advanced genomics platform for Australian horticulture
    Murdoch University
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2027
    Technical assistance to enable acceleration of the identification of the resistance genes in banana and the generation of markers for the banana breeding program
    Bayer Cropscience Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2025
    ARC Research Hub for Sustainable Crop Protection
    ARC Industrial Transformation Research Hubs
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2024
    Testing banana germplasm with molecular markers
    NQ Banana Research Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2024
    Identifying new resistance genes for Panama Tropical Race 4
    Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    Impact of myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii) infection on community composition and ecological function
    Australian Plant Biosecurity Science Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    Accelerated breeding of better bananas (Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation grant led by IITA)
    International Institute of Tropical Agriculture
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2021
    Development of molecular markers for Fusarium wilt resistance in banana
    Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2020
    Development of GFP transformants of Verticillium and assessment in plants
    New South Wales Department of Primary Industries
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2022
    Strengthening the banana industry diagnostic capacity
    Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2020
    BA14014 Fusarium Wilt Tropical Race 4 Research Program
    Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2019
    Improvement of banana for smallholder farmers in the Great Lakes Region of Africa
    International Institute of Tropical Agriculture
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2019
    PRJ-008308 - Improved tissue culture production of ginger clean planting material
    Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
    Open grant
  • 2013
    Accelerated crop development and environmental compliance of agricultural and food systems
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    Assessment of Pythium diversity in ginger
    Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Confocal Microscopy Infrastructure for Plant Sciences
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2016
    Rapid introgression of crown rot resistance into hexaploid wheat
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2010
    Analyses of the effect of silicon on Fusarium wilt on banana
    Horticulture Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    Assessing the potential of silicone in the control of Fusarium wilt in banana
    Horticulture Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2008
    Controlled Environment Facilities for the Challenges of the 21st Century
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2011
    Strengthening disease detection, diagnosis and surveillance in the Australian banana industry
    Horticulture Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2005
    Identification and analysis of banana defence genes confering resistance to soil borne pathogens
    Horticulture Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2004
    PCR primer verification and analysis of the black Sigatoka outbreak in Tully
    Horticulture Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2002
    CAPITAL ITEM GRANT: PCR MACHINE (THERMAL CYCLER)
    Cotton Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2001
    Travel grant for Ms Elizabeth Miric to attend the Australasian Plant Pathology Society 13th Biennial Conference - September 2001.
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 1998
    Travel grant for Ms BC Engel to attend 7th International Congress of Plant Pathology, Edinburgh 1998
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 1998 - 2000
    Population and pathogenicity studies of the Black Sigatoka fungus
    Horticultural Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 1998
    Study of genes involved in initiating trap production in nematode-trapping fungi
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant
  • 1997 - 1998
    Population and pathogenicity studies of Mycosphaerilla spp.
    Queensland Department Primary Industries
    Open grant
  • 1997
    Travel grant for Ms BC Engel to attend and present a paper at the Australasian Plant Pathology Society 11th Biennial Conference
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 1997
    Analysis of constitutive and induced peroxidase and polyphenoloxidase levels in a Banana population segregating for reaction to Fusarium oxysporum f.sp cubense
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant
  • 1995 - 1997
    Molecular identification of strains of Sclerotinia spp.
    Horticultural Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 1995 - 1997
    Population and pathogenicity studies of Mycosphaerella spp.
    Horticultural Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 1995
    Genetic variation and sexual recombination in Australian field populations of the bean rust fungus
    UQ External Support Enabling Grant
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Elizabeth Aitken is:
Not available for supervision

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Elizabeth Aitken directly for media enquiries about:

  • Banana
  • Mycology
  • Plant Pathology

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