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

155 works between 1989 and 2024
All (155) Journal Article (100) Book Chapter (2) Conference Publication (50) Book (2) Other Outputs (1)

61 - 80 of 155 works

2015

Conference Publication

Effect on increasing temperature on the pathogenic fitness of Fusarium Pseudograminearum

Sabburg, R., Obanor, F. and Aitken, E. (2015). Effect on increasing temperature on the pathogenic fitness of Fusarium Pseudograminearum. Agriculture and Climate Change - Adapting Crops to Increased Uncertainty (AGRI 2015), Amsterdam, Netherlands, 15-17 February 2015. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.proenv.2015.07.250

Effect on increasing temperature on the pathogenic fitness of Fusarium Pseudograminearum

2015

Journal Article

Corrigendum to ‘Effect of Increasing Temperature on the Pathogenic Fitness of Fusarium Pseudograminearum’: [Procedia Environmental Sciences (2015) 182–183]

Sabburg, R., Obanor, F. and Aitken, E. (2015). Corrigendum to ‘Effect of Increasing Temperature on the Pathogenic Fitness of Fusarium Pseudograminearum’: [Procedia Environmental Sciences (2015) 182–183]. Procedia Environmental Sciences, 29, 309-309. doi: 10.1016/j.proenv.2015.10.066

Corrigendum to ‘Effect of Increasing Temperature on the Pathogenic Fitness of Fusarium Pseudograminearum’: [Procedia Environmental Sciences (2015) 182–183]

2014

Journal Article

Fusarium crown rot under continuous cropping of susceptible and partially resistant wheat in microcosms at elevated CO2

Khudhair, M., Melloy, P., Lorenz, D. J., Obanor, F., Aitken, E., Datta, S., Luck, J., Fitzgerald, G. and Chakraborty, S. (2014). Fusarium crown rot under continuous cropping of susceptible and partially resistant wheat in microcosms at elevated CO2. Plant Pathology, 63 (5), 1033-1043. doi: 10.1111/ppa.12182

Fusarium crown rot under continuous cropping of susceptible and partially resistant wheat in microcosms at elevated CO2

2014

Journal Article

The influence of increasing temperature and CO2 on Fusarium crown rot susceptibility of wheat genotypes at key growth stages

Melloy, P., Aitken, E., Luck, J., Chakraborty, S. and Obanor, F. (2014). The influence of increasing temperature and CO2 on Fusarium crown rot susceptibility of wheat genotypes at key growth stages. European Journal of Plant Pathology, 140 (1), 19-37. doi: 10.1007/s10658-014-0441-6

The influence of increasing temperature and CO2 on Fusarium crown rot susceptibility of wheat genotypes at key growth stages

2014

Journal Article

First report of Pythiogeton ramosum (Pythiales) in Australia

Le, Duy Phu, Smith, Mike and Aitken, Elizabeth (2014). First report of Pythiogeton ramosum (Pythiales) in Australia. Australasian Plant Disease Notes, 9 (1) 130. doi: 10.1007/s13314-014-0130-5

First report of Pythiogeton ramosum (Pythiales) in Australia

2014

Journal Article

Pythium soft rot of ginger: Detection and identification of the causal pathogens, and their control

Le, Duy Phu, Smith, Mike, Hudler, George William and Aitken, Elizabeth (2014). Pythium soft rot of ginger: Detection and identification of the causal pathogens, and their control. Crop Protection, 65, 153-167. doi: 10.1016/j.cropro.2014.07.021

Pythium soft rot of ginger: Detection and identification of the causal pathogens, and their control

2013

Journal Article

The effect of surface sterilants on spore germination of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4

Meldrum, R. A., Daly, A. M., Tran-Nguyen, L. T. T. and Aitken, E. A. B. (2013). The effect of surface sterilants on spore germination of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4. Crop Protection, 54, 194-198. doi: 10.1016/j.cropro.2013.08.014

The effect of surface sterilants on spore germination of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4

2013

Journal Article

Infection of mungbean seed by Macrophomina phaseolina is more likely to result from localized pod infection than from systemic plant infection

Fuhlbohm, M. J., Ryley, M. J. and Aitken, E. A. B. (2013). Infection of mungbean seed by Macrophomina phaseolina is more likely to result from localized pod infection than from systemic plant infection. Plant Pathology, 62 (6), 1271-1284. doi: 10.1111/ppa.12047

Infection of mungbean seed by Macrophomina phaseolina is more likely to result from localized pod infection than from systemic plant infection

2013

Journal Article

Morphological and molecular diversity of Colletotrichum spp. causing pepper spot and anthracnose of lychee (Litchi chinensis) in Australia

Anderson, J. M., Aitken, E. A. B., Dann, E. K. and Coates, L. M. (2013). Morphological and molecular diversity of Colletotrichum spp. causing pepper spot and anthracnose of lychee (Litchi chinensis) in Australia. Plant Pathology, 62 (2), 279-288. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3059.2012.02632.x

Morphological and molecular diversity of Colletotrichum spp. causing pepper spot and anthracnose of lychee (Litchi chinensis) in Australia

2013

Journal Article

Mode of infection of Phyllosticta maculata on banana as revealed by scanning electron microscopy

Wong, Mee-Hua, Henderson, Juliane, Aitken, Elizabeth A. B. and Drenth, Andre (2013). Mode of infection of Phyllosticta maculata on banana as revealed by scanning electron microscopy. Journal of Phytopathology, 161 (3), 135-141. doi: 10.1111/jph.12042

Mode of infection of Phyllosticta maculata on banana as revealed by scanning electron microscopy

2013

Journal Article

Are banana weevil borers a vector in spreading Fusarium oxysporum f. sp cubense tropical race 4 in banana plantations?

Meldrum, R. A., Daly, A. M., Tran-Nguyen, L. T. T. and Aitken, E. A. B. (2013). Are banana weevil borers a vector in spreading Fusarium oxysporum f. sp cubense tropical race 4 in banana plantations?. Australasian Plant Pathology, 42 (5), 543-549. doi: 10.1007/s13313-013-0214-2

Are banana weevil borers a vector in spreading Fusarium oxysporum f. sp cubense tropical race 4 in banana plantations?

2013

Conference Publication

The effect of postharvest hot fungicidal dip and exogenous ethylene gas application on the incidence of dendritic spot and stem end rot in Kensington Pride (KP) mangoes

Qureshi, Arslan, Galea, Victor, Akem, Chrys, Aitken, Elizabeth and Bally, Ian (2013). The effect of postharvest hot fungicidal dip and exogenous ethylene gas application on the incidence of dendritic spot and stem end rot in Kensington Pride (KP) mangoes. 19th Australasian Plant Pathology Conference, Auckland, New Zealand, 25-28 November, 2013. Auckland , New Zealand: Australasian Plant Pathology Society (APPS).

The effect of postharvest hot fungicidal dip and exogenous ethylene gas application on the incidence of dendritic spot and stem end rot in Kensington Pride (KP) mangoes

2012

Journal Article

New weed hosts of Macrophomina phaseolina in Australia

Fuhlbohm, M. J., Ryley, M. J. and Aitken, E. A. B. (2012). New weed hosts of Macrophomina phaseolina in Australia. Australasian Plant Disease Notes, 7 (1), 193-195. doi: 10.1007/s13314-012-0082-6

New weed hosts of Macrophomina phaseolina in Australia

2012

Journal Article

The lateral organ boundaries domain transcription factor LBD20 functions in Fusarium wilt susceptibility and jasmonate signaling in Arabidopsis

Thatcher, Louise F., Powell, Jonathan J., Aitken, Elizabeth A. B., Kazan, Kemal and Manners, John M. (2012). The lateral organ boundaries domain transcription factor LBD20 functions in Fusarium wilt susceptibility and jasmonate signaling in Arabidopsis. Plant Physiology, 160 (1), 407-418. doi: 10.1104/pp.112.199067

The lateral organ boundaries domain transcription factor LBD20 functions in Fusarium wilt susceptibility and jasmonate signaling in Arabidopsis

2012

Journal Article

Antimicrobial potential of Australian macrofungi extracts against foodborne and other pathogens

Bala, Neeraj, Aitken, Elizabeth A. B., Cusack, Andrew and Steadman, Kathryn J. (2012). Antimicrobial potential of Australian macrofungi extracts against foodborne and other pathogens. Phytotherapy Research, 26 (3), 465-469. doi: 10.1002/ptr.3563

Antimicrobial potential of Australian macrofungi extracts against foodborne and other pathogens

2012

Journal Article

Rapid phenotyping for adult-plant resistance to stripe rust in wheat

Hickey, Lee T., Wilkinson, Peter M., Knight, Cheridan R., Godwin, Ian D., Kravchuk, Olena Y., Aitken, Elizabeth A. B., Bansal, Urmil K., Bariana, Harbans S., DeLacy, Ian H. and Dieters, Mark J. (2012). Rapid phenotyping for adult-plant resistance to stripe rust in wheat. Plant Breeding, 131 (1), 54-61. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0523.2011.01925.x

Rapid phenotyping for adult-plant resistance to stripe rust in wheat

2011

Journal Article

Stem cankers on sunflower (Helianthus annuus) in Australia reveal a complex of pathogenic Diaporthe (Phomopsis) species

Thompson, S. M., Tan, Y. P., Young, A. J., Neate, S. M., Aitken, E. A. B. and Shivas, R. G. (2011). Stem cankers on sunflower (Helianthus annuus) in Australia reveal a complex of pathogenic Diaporthe (Phomopsis) species. Persoonia, 27 (1), 80-89. doi: 10.3767/003158511X617110

Stem cankers on sunflower (Helianthus annuus) in Australia reveal a complex of pathogenic Diaporthe (Phomopsis) species

2011

Journal Article

Auxin signaling and transport promote susceptibility to the root infecting fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum in Arabidopsis

Kidd, Brendan N., Kadoo, Narendra Y., Dombrecht, Bruno, Tekeoglu, Mücella, Gardiner, Donald M., Thatcher, Louise F., Aitken, Elizabeth A. B., Schenk, Peer M., Manners, John M. and Kazan, Kemal (2011). Auxin signaling and transport promote susceptibility to the root infecting fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum in Arabidopsis. Molecular Plant Microbe Interactions, 24 (6), 733-748. doi: 10.1094/MPMI-08-10-0194

Auxin signaling and transport promote susceptibility to the root infecting fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum in Arabidopsis

2011

Journal Article

Evaluation of antibacterial activity of Australian basidiomycetous macrofungi using a high-throughput 96-well plate assay

Neeraj, Bala, Aitken, Elizabeth A. B., Fechner, Nigel, Cusack, Andrew and Steadman, Kathryn (2011). Evaluation of antibacterial activity of Australian basidiomycetous macrofungi using a high-throughput 96-well plate assay. Pharmaceutical Biology, 49 (5), 492-500. doi: 10.3109/13880209.2010.526616

Evaluation of antibacterial activity of Australian basidiomycetous macrofungi using a high-throughput 96-well plate assay

2011

Journal Article

Population structure of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on sunflower in Australia

Ekins, M. G., Hayden, H. L., Aitken, E. A. B. and Goulter, K. C. (2011). Population structure of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on sunflower in Australia. Australasian Plant Pathology, 40 (2), 99-108. doi: 10.1007/s13313-010-0018-6

Population structure of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on sunflower 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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