Professor Elizabeth Aitken
Professor

Elizabeth Aitken

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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)

141 - 158 of 158 works

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

2002

Conference Publication

Genetic differentiation in the Mycosphaeralla leaf spot pathogens of bananas

Carlier, J., Hayden, H., Rivas, G., Zapater, M - F., Abadie, C. and Aitken, E. A. B. (2002). Genetic differentiation in the Mycosphaeralla leaf spot pathogens of bananas. 2nd International Workshop on Mycosphaerella Leaf Spot Diseases of Bananas, San Jose, Costa Rica, 20-23 May 2002. San Jose, Costa Rica: Corporation Banana National.

Genetic differentiation in the Mycosphaeralla leaf spot pathogens of bananas

2002

Conference Publication

Phomopsis pathogenic on sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) in Australia is not Phomopsis helianthi munt.-cvet et al

Miric, E., Aitken, E. A. B. and Goulter, K. C. (2002). Phomopsis pathogenic on sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) in Australia is not Phomopsis helianthi munt.-cvet et al. Australasian Plant Pathology Society 13th Biennial Conference, Cairns, Q, Australia, 24-27 September 2001. Cairns, Q, Australia: Australasian Plant Pathology Assoc..

Phomopsis pathogenic on sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) in Australia is not Phomopsis helianthi munt.-cvet et al

2002

Conference Publication

Association of pollen traits with ergot resistance in Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)

Parh, D., Jordan, D., Aitken, E. A. B., McIntyre, L. and Godwin, I. D. (2002). Association of pollen traits with ergot resistance in Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor). Plant Breeding for the 11th Millennium, Perth, W.A./Hyatt Regency Perth, 15-20 September, 2002. Perth, W.A.: The Australasian Plant Breeding Association Inc..

Association of pollen traits with ergot resistance in Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)

2001

Conference Publication

The population genetics of Mycophaerella musicola in Australia

Hayden, H., Carlier, S. G. and Aitken, E. A. B. (2001). The population genetics of Mycophaerella musicola in Australia. 2nd International Symposium on the Molecular and Cellular Biology of Banana, Byron Bay, NSW, Australia, 29 October -3 November 2000. Montpellier, France: Bioversity International.

The population genetics of Mycophaerella musicola in Australia

2000

Conference Publication

Genetic variation among populations of Thielaviopsis basicola, the causal agent of Black Root Rot.

Pattemore, J. A. and Aitken, E. A. B. (2000). Genetic variation among populations of Thielaviopsis basicola, the causal agent of Black Root Rot.. 10th Australian Cotton Conference, Brisbane, Australia, 16 -18 August 2000. Orange, N.S.W., Australia: Australian Cotton Growers' Research Association.

Genetic variation among populations of Thielaviopsis basicola, the causal agent of Black Root Rot.

2000

Journal Article

Characterisation of Australian isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp cubense by DNA fingerprinting analysis

Gerlach, K. S., Bentley, S., Moore, N. Y., Pegg, K. G. and Aitken, E. A. B. (2000). Characterisation of Australian isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp cubense by DNA fingerprinting analysis. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 51 (8), 945-953. doi: 10.1071/AR99172

Characterisation of Australian isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp cubense by DNA fingerprinting analysis

2000

Book Chapter

Genetic variation in Ganoderma spp. from Papua New Guinea as revealed by molecular (PCR) methods

Pilotti, C., Sanderson, F. R., Aitken, E. A. B. and Bridge, P. D. (2000). Genetic variation in Ganoderma spp. from Papua New Guinea as revealed by molecular (PCR) methods. Ganoderma Diseases of Perennial Crops. (pp. 195-204) edited by J. Flood, P. D. Bridge and M. Holderness. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

Genetic variation in Ganoderma spp. from Papua New Guinea as revealed by molecular (PCR) methods

1999

Journal Article

Identification in Australia of the quarantine pathogen of sunflower Phoma macdonaldii (Teleomorph : Leptosphaeria lindquistii)

Miric, E, Aitken, EAB and Goulter, KC (1999). Identification in Australia of the quarantine pathogen of sunflower Phoma macdonaldii (Teleomorph : Leptosphaeria lindquistii). Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 50 (3), 325-332. doi: 10.1071/A98072

Identification in Australia of the quarantine pathogen of sunflower Phoma macdonaldii (Teleomorph : Leptosphaeria lindquistii)

1998

Conference Publication

Potential for the use of molecular markers in improvement of Musa for disease resistance - Reviewed paper

Smith, L. W., Aitken, E. A. and Godwin, I. D. (1998). Potential for the use of molecular markers in improvement of Musa for disease resistance - Reviewed paper. International Symposium on Biotechnology of Tropical and Subtropical Species, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 29 September - 3 October 1997. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/ActaHortic.1998.461.14

Potential for the use of molecular markers in improvement of Musa for disease resistance - Reviewed paper

1997

Journal Article

Application of inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers to plant genetics

Godwin, ID, AitkenEAB and SmithLW (1997). Application of inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers to plant genetics. Electrophoresis, 18 (9), 1524-1528. doi: 10.1002/elps.1150180906

Application of inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers to plant genetics

1996

Journal Article

Macrophomina phaseolina causing leaf spot of mungbean

Fuhlbohm, MJ, Ryley, MJ and Aitken, EAB (1996). Macrophomina phaseolina causing leaf spot of mungbean. Australasian Plant Pathology, 25 (4), 247-248. doi: 10.1071/AP96045

Macrophomina phaseolina causing leaf spot of mungbean

1994

Journal Article

Genetic-relationships as assessed by molecular markers and cross-infection among strains of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides

Hayden, H. L., Pegg, K. G., Aitken, E. A. B. and Irwin, J. A. G. (1994). Genetic-relationships as assessed by molecular markers and cross-infection among strains of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Australian Journal of Botany, 42 (1), 9-18. doi: 10.1071/BT9940009

Genetic-relationships as assessed by molecular markers and cross-infection among strains of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides

1993

Journal Article

SUSCEPTIBILITY OF 4 CONIFER SPECIES TO GREMMENIELLA-ABIETINA

AITKEN, EAB (1993). SUSCEPTIBILITY OF 4 CONIFER SPECIES TO GREMMENIELLA-ABIETINA. European Journal of Forest Pathology, 23 (3), 153-162. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0329.1993.tb00955.x

SUSCEPTIBILITY OF 4 CONIFER SPECIES TO GREMMENIELLA-ABIETINA

1992

Journal Article

MUTAGENESIS OF A RACE-SPECIFIC RUST RESISTANCE GENE IN ANTIRRHINUM-MAJUS USING A TRANSPOSON-TAGGING PROTOCOL

AITKEN, EAB, CALLOW, JA and NEWBURY, HJ (1992). MUTAGENESIS OF A RACE-SPECIFIC RUST RESISTANCE GENE IN ANTIRRHINUM-MAJUS USING A TRANSPOSON-TAGGING PROTOCOL. Plant Journal, 2 (5), 775-782. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-313X.1992.tb00146.x

MUTAGENESIS OF A RACE-SPECIFIC RUST RESISTANCE GENE IN ANTIRRHINUM-MAJUS USING A TRANSPOSON-TAGGING PROTOCOL

1989

Journal Article

RACES OF RUST (PUCCINIA-ANTIRRHINI) OF ANTIRRHINUM-MAJUS AND THE INHERITANCE OF HOST-RESISTANCE

AITKEN, EAB, NEWBURY, HJ and CALLOW, JA (1989). RACES OF RUST (PUCCINIA-ANTIRRHINI) OF ANTIRRHINUM-MAJUS AND THE INHERITANCE OF HOST-RESISTANCE. Plant Pathology, 38 (2), 169-175. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3059.1989.tb02130.x

RACES OF RUST (PUCCINIA-ANTIRRHINI) OF ANTIRRHINUM-MAJUS AND THE INHERITANCE OF HOST-RESISTANCE

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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