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)

121 - 140 of 158 works

2006

Journal Article

Genetic Components of Variance and the Role of Pollen Traits in Sorghum Ergot Resistance

Parh, D. K., Jordan, D. R., Aitken, E. A. B., Gogel, B. J., McIntyre, L. C. and Godwin, I. D. (2006). Genetic Components of Variance and the Role of Pollen Traits in Sorghum Ergot Resistance. Crop Science, 46 (6), 2387-2395. doi: 10.2135/cropsci2005.12.0476

Genetic Components of Variance and the Role of Pollen Traits in Sorghum Ergot Resistance

2006

Journal Article

Black Sigatoka disease: new technologies to strengthen eradication strategies in Australia

Henderson, J., Pattemore, J. A., Porchun, S. C., Hayden, H. L., Van Brunschot, S., Grice, K. R. E., Peterson, R. A., Thomas-Hall, S. R. and Aitken, E. A. B. (2006). Black Sigatoka disease: new technologies to strengthen eradication strategies in Australia. Australasian Plant Pathology, 35 (2), 181-193. doi: 10.1071/AP06017

Black Sigatoka disease: new technologies to strengthen eradication strategies in Australia

2006

Journal Article

Homothallism in Sclerotinia minor

Ekins, M., Aitken, E. A. and Coulter, K. C. (2006). Homothallism in Sclerotinia minor. Mycological Research, 110 (10), 1193-1199. doi: 10.1016/j.mycres.2006.07.014

Homothallism in Sclerotinia minor

2006

Journal Article

Diversity in the sunflower: Puccinia helianthi pathosystem in Australia

Sendall, B. C., Kong, G. A., Goulter, K. C., Aitken, E. A. B., Thompson, S. M., Mitchell, J. H. M., Kochman, J. K., Lawson, W., Shatte, T. and Gulya, T. J. (2006). Diversity in the sunflower: Puccinia helianthi pathosystem in Australia. Australasian Plant Pathology, 35 (6), 657-670. doi: 10.1071/AP06071

Diversity in the sunflower: Puccinia helianthi pathosystem in Australia

2005

Conference Publication

The identification and characterization of a Chitinolytic bacterium of inducing system resistance in banana to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Cubense

Smith, L. J., Forsyth, L. M., Lewis, S. D., Aitken, E. A. B, Feagan, M. and Galea, V. J. (2005). The identification and characterization of a Chitinolytic bacterium of inducing system resistance in banana to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Cubense. 15th Biennial Australasian Plant Pathology Society Conference, Geelong, VIC, Australia, 26 - 29 September 2005.

The identification and characterization of a Chitinolytic bacterium of inducing system resistance in banana to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Cubense

2005

Journal Article

The genetic structure of Australian populations of Mycosphaerella musicola suggests restricted gene flow at the continental scale

Hayden, H. L., Carlier, J. and Aitken, E. A. B. (2005). The genetic structure of Australian populations of Mycosphaerella musicola suggests restricted gene flow at the continental scale. Phytopathology, 95 (5), 489-498. doi: 10.1094/PHYTO-95-0489

The genetic structure of Australian populations of Mycosphaerella musicola suggests restricted gene flow at the continental scale

2005

Journal Article

Relationships between hard-seededness and seed weight in mungbean (Vigna radiata) assessed by QTL analysis

Humphry, M. E., Lambrides, C. J., Chapman, S. C., Aitken, E. A. B., Imrie, B. C., Lawn, R. J., McIntyre, C. L. and Liu, C. J. (2005). Relationships between hard-seededness and seed weight in mungbean (Vigna radiata) assessed by QTL analysis. Plant Breeding, 124 (3), 292-298. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0523.2005.01084.x

Relationships between hard-seededness and seed weight in mungbean (Vigna radiata) assessed by QTL analysis

2005

Journal Article

Identification of Sclerotinia species

Ekins, M. G., Aitken, E. A. B. and Goulter, K. C. (2005). Identification of Sclerotinia species. Australasian Plant Pathology, 34 (4), 549-555. doi: 10.1071/AP05068

Identification of Sclerotinia species

2004

Journal Article

Morphological variation and host range of two Ganoderma species from Papua New Guinea

Pilotti, Carmel A., Sanderson, Frank R., Aitken, Elizabeth A. B. and Armstrong, Wendy (2004). Morphological variation and host range of two Ganoderma species from Papua New Guinea. MYCOPATHOLOGIA, 158 (2), 251-262. doi: 10.1023/B:MYCO.0000041833.41085.6f

Morphological variation and host range of two Ganoderma species from Papua New Guinea

2004

Conference Publication

Sorghum ergot: revealing the genetic architecture of resistance

Parh, D. K., Jordon, D., Aitken, E. A. B., McIntyre, L. and Godwin, I. D. (2004). Sorghum ergot: revealing the genetic architecture of resistance. New Directions for a Diverse Planet: 4th International Crop Sciences Congress, Brisbane Australia, 26 September -1 Oct ober. Gosford, NSW, Australia: The Regional Institute Ltd.

Sorghum ergot: revealing the genetic architecture of resistance

2003

Journal Article

Population differentiation in the banana leaf spot pathogen Mycosphaerella musicola, examined at a global scale

Hayden, H. L., Carlier, J. and Aitken, E. A. B. (2003). Population differentiation in the banana leaf spot pathogen Mycosphaerella musicola, examined at a global scale. Plant Pathology, 52 (6), 713-719. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3059.2003.00929.x

Population differentiation in the banana leaf spot pathogen Mycosphaerella musicola, examined at a global scale

2003

Journal Article

Genetic structure of Mycosphaerella fijiensis populations from Australia, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands

Hayden, H. L., Carlier, J. and Aitken, E. A. B. (2003). Genetic structure of Mycosphaerella fijiensis populations from Australia, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands. Plant Pathology, 52 (6), 703-712. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3059.2003.00883.x

Genetic structure of Mycosphaerella fijiensis populations from Australia, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands

2003

Journal Article

Identification of a major locus conferring resistance to powdery mildew (Erysiphe polygoni DC) in mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) by QTL analysis

Humphry, M. E., Magner, T., McIntyre, C. L., Aitken, E. A. B. and Liu, C. J. (2003). Identification of a major locus conferring resistance to powdery mildew (Erysiphe polygoni DC) in mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) by QTL analysis. Genome, 46 (5), 738-744. doi: 10.1139/G03-057

Identification of a major locus conferring resistance to powdery mildew (Erysiphe polygoni DC) in mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) by QTL analysis

2003

Journal Article

Genetic structure of a population of Ganoderma boninense on oil palm

Pilotti, C. A., Sanderson, F. R. and Aitken, E. A. B. (2003). Genetic structure of a population of Ganoderma boninense on oil palm. Plant Pathology, 52 (4), 455-463. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-3059.2003.00870.x

Genetic structure of a population of Ganoderma boninense on oil palm

2002

Journal Article

Development of a mungbean (Vigna radiata) RFLP linkage map and its comparison with lablab (Lablab purpureus) revelas a high level of colinearity between the two genomes

Humphry, M. E., Konduri, V., Lambrides, C. J., Magner, T., McIntyre, C. L., Aitken, E .A. B. and Liu, C.J. (2002). Development of a mungbean (Vigna radiata) RFLP linkage map and its comparison with lablab (Lablab purpureus) revelas a high level of colinearity between the two genomes. Theoretical And Applied Genetics, 105 (1), 160-166. doi: 10.1007/s00122-002-0909-1

Development of a mungbean (Vigna radiata) RFLP linkage map and its comparison with lablab (Lablab purpureus) revelas a high level of colinearity between the two genomes

2002

Conference Publication

Susceptibility of provenances of spotted gums to ramularia shoot blight

Self, N., Aitken, E. A. B. and Dale, M. (2002). Susceptibility of provenances of spotted gums to ramularia shoot blight. Proceedings of the 55th NZPPS Conference, New Zealand, 2002. Palmerston North, N.Z: New Zealand Plant Protection Society.

Susceptibility of provenances of spotted gums to ramularia shoot blight

2002

Journal Article

Sexuality and interactions of monokaryotic and dikaryotic mycelia of Ganoderma boninense

Pilotti, C. A., Sanderson, F. R. and Aitken, E. A. B. (2002). Sexuality and interactions of monokaryotic and dikaryotic mycelia of Ganoderma boninense. Mycological Research, 106 (11), 1315-1322. doi: 10.1017/S0953756202006755

Sexuality and interactions of monokaryotic and dikaryotic mycelia of Ganoderma boninense

2002

Journal Article

Carpogenic germination of Sclerotinia minor and potential distribution in Australia

Ekins, M. G., Aitken, E. A. B. and Goulter, K. C. (2002). Carpogenic germination of Sclerotinia minor and potential distribution in Australia. Australasian Plant Pathology, 31 (3), 259-265. doi: 10.1071/AP02022

Carpogenic germination of Sclerotinia minor and potential distribution in Australia

2002

Conference Publication

Mycoherbicides for grass weeds of cereals can be improved by the addition of fungal germination stimulants

Lindhout, K., Aitken, E. A. B., Dale, M. and Hetherington, S. D. (2002). Mycoherbicides for grass weeds of cereals can be improved by the addition of fungal germination stimulants. Australasian Plant Pathology Society 13th Biennial Conference, Cairns, Q, Australia, 24-27 September 2001. Carins, Australia: Australasian Plant Pathology Society (APPS).

Mycoherbicides for grass weeds of cereals can be improved by the addition of fungal germination stimulants

2002

Conference Publication

The population structure of Ganoderma boninense in oil palm plantations in Papua New Guinea

Pilotti, C., Sanderson, F. R. and Aitken, E. A. B. (2002). The population structure of Ganoderma boninense in oil palm plantations in Papua New Guinea. Australasian Plant Pathology Society 13th Biennial Conference, Cairns, Q, Australia, 24-27 September 2001. Cairns Australia: Australasian Plant Pathology Assoc..

The population structure of Ganoderma boninense in oil palm plantations in Papua New Guinea

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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