Overview
Background
Chris O'Brien is a research fellow at QAAFI leading the avocado tissue culture, gene editing and cryopreservation program. He is a global expert in optimising tissue culture and in vitro technologies for recalcitrant crops. His pioneering work on propagation and cryopreservation of avocado has contributed to global licensees for technology uptake. Chris is passionate to deliver world-first technology platforms for horticultural crop improvement. This innovative tech-development will address critical challenges of traditional breeding, enabling rapid development of future-smart cultivars.
Availability
- Dr Chris O'Brien is:
- Available for supervision
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Applied Science, The University of Queensland
- Masters (Coursework), Griffith University
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Plant tissue culture
My research interests focus on plant tissue culture, in vitro propagation, cryopreservation, and germplasm conservation to improve the resilience and sustainability of horticultural industries. With extensive experience in avocado and papaya biotechnology, I aim to develop innovative clonal propagation and in vitro breeding systems for crop improvement and genetic resource preservation. My work integrates tissue culture and cryo-storage technologies to support sustainable horticulture, biodiversity conservation, and industry-driven research outcomes.
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Plant cryopreservation
My research interests focus on plant cryopreservation and germplasm conservation to support the resilience and sustainability of horticultural industries and ecosystems. I am particularly interested in developing innovative cryo-storage technologies and in vitro systems for the long-term preservation of valuable plant genetic resources, especially in crops such as avocado and papaya. My work integrates plant tissue culture and cryobiology to enhance crop improvement, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable agricultural production.
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Plant Genetic Improvement
My research interests focus on plant gene editing and tissue culture technologies for sustainable horticultural crop improvement. I am particularly interested in advancing avocado biotechnology through gene discovery, transient transformation, and in vitro systems. My work has contributed to major breakthroughs including optimization of the avocado ‘Ashdot’ cultivar, identification of dwarfing genes, and the first transient transformation of avocado meristems and protoplasts, overcoming longstanding global research challenges in avocado biotechnology.
Works
Search Professor Chris O'Brien’s works on UQ eSpace
2026
Conference Publication
Establishment of protoplast isolation and PEG mediated transformation for pilot study in avocado
Subroto, Andrea, Ninh, Thao, Hayward, Alice and O'Brien, Chris (2026). Establishment of protoplast isolation and PEG mediated transformation for pilot study in avocado. IHC, Kyoto, Japan, 23-28 August 2026.
2026
Conference Publication
Droplet vitrification cryopreservation for germplasm conservation of the critically endangered Lenwebbia sp. Main Range
Nguyen, Van Anh, O'Brien, Chris, Whelehan, Lily, Kong, Eveline, Gleeson, Madeleine, Sommerville, Karen, Adkins, Stephen, Funnekotter, Bryn, Mancera, Ricardo, Mitter, Neena and Hayward, Alice (2026). Droplet vitrification cryopreservation for germplasm conservation of the critically endangered Lenwebbia sp. Main Range. SIVB 2026 In Vitro Biology Meeting, Reno, NV, United States, 6-10 June 2026.
2026
Conference Publication
Development of Genetic transformation Systems for genome editing applications in avocado (Persea americana)
Subroto, Andrea, Ninh, Thao, O'Brien, Chris and Hayward, Alice (2026). Development of Genetic transformation Systems for genome editing applications in avocado (Persea americana). TropAg 2026 Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 17-20 March 2026.
2025
Conference Publication
Tissue culture of custard apple
O'Brien, Chris and Hayward, Alice (2025). Tissue culture of custard apple. Custard Apple Australia - Industry Meeting, Brookfield, QLD Australia, 21 November 2025.
2025
Conference Publication
Innovating vanilla for indoor cropping - Advanced climate-smart production systems
Chris O’Brien, Ninh, Thi Thao, Murillo Rodríguez, Daniela, Gleeson, Madeline and Hayward, Alice (2025). Innovating vanilla for indoor cropping - Advanced climate-smart production systems. Tropag2025, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 11-13 November 2025.
2025
Conference Publication
Development of genetic transformation systems for genomic editing applications in avocado
Subroto, Andrea, Ninh, Thao, Hayward, Alice and Chris O'Brien (2025). Development of genetic transformation systems for genomic editing applications in avocado. NextGen Ag, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 7 November 2025.
2025
Conference Publication
CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing for functional analysis and trait improvement in tomato.
Ninh, T., Trusov, Y., Wang, Y., Halter, A., Murillo, D. and O'Brien, C. (2025). CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing for functional analysis and trait improvement in tomato.. Vin Uni, Hanoi, Vietnam, 27-28 October 2025.
2025
Conference Publication
Improving cryopreservation success through optimized pre-cryo culture conditions: A case study on Gossia fragrantissima
Bao, Jingyin, O'Brien, Chris, Sommerville, Karen, Gleeson, Madeleine, Mitter, Neena and Hayward, Alice (2025). Improving cryopreservation success through optimized pre-cryo culture conditions: A case study on Gossia fragrantissima. V International Symposium on Plant Cryopreservation, Beijing, China, 15-17 October 2025.
2025
Conference Publication
Innovative cryopreservation technology for Australian macadamia
Li, Xueying, O'Brien, Chris, Sommerville, Karen, Mitter, Neena and Hayward, Alice (2025). Innovative cryopreservation technology for Australian macadamia. V International Symposium on Plant Cryopreservation, Beijing, China, 14-18 October 2025.
2025
Conference Publication
Tissue culture for conservation of Myrtle Rust threatened Myrtaceae
O'Brien, Chris, Bao, Jingyin and Hayward, Alice (2025). Tissue culture for conservation of Myrtle Rust threatened Myrtaceae. Australasian Seed Science Conference, Horsham, VIC, Australia, 22-25 September 2025.
2025
Journal Article
Response surface optimization of basal nutrients for in vitro conservation of endangered plants: a Gossia fragrantissima case study
Bao, Jingyin, Gleeson, Madeleine, Sommerville, Karen D., Mitter, Neena, O’Brien, Chris and Hayward, Alice (2025). Response surface optimization of basal nutrients for in vitro conservation of endangered plants: a Gossia fragrantissima case study. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture, 163 (1) 10, 1-15. doi: 10.1007/s11240-025-03177-1
2025
Conference Publication
Australian bushfoods
Hayward, Alice and O'Brien, Chris (2025). Australian bushfoods. Australian Bushfoods, Logan, QLD Australia, 31 August 2025.
2025
Journal Article
Securing the future: time for an Australian tropical cryobank
Hayward, Alice, Gleeson, Madeleine, Whelehan, Lily and O'Brien, Chris (2025). Securing the future: time for an Australian tropical cryobank. Australasian Plant Conservation, 34 (1), 18-22.
2025
Conference Publication
Cryopreservation for conserving Gossia species threatened by myrtle rust in Australia
Bao, Jingyin, Gleeson, Madeleine, Sommerville, Karen, Mitter, Neena, O'Brien, Chris and Hayward, Alice (2025). Cryopreservation for conserving Gossia species threatened by myrtle rust in Australia. Australasian Myrtle Rust Conference 2025, Auckland, New Zealand, 17-18 June 2025.
2025
Conference Publication
Establishing a cryopreservation protocol for critically endangered Australian native Lenwebbia sp. Main Range
Nguyen, Van Anh, O'Brien, Chris, Gleeson, Madeleine, Kong, Eveline, Sommerville, Karen, Adkins, Stephen, Funnekotter, Bryn, Mancera, Ricardo, Mitter, Neena and Hayward, Alice (2025). Establishing a cryopreservation protocol for critically endangered Australian native Lenwebbia sp. Main Range. Australasian Myrtle Rust Conference, Auckland, New Zealand, 16-17 June 2025.
2025
Journal Article
Advances in micropropagation for clonal macadamia rootstocks
Hu, Zhangpan (Magnolia), Li, Xueying, O'Brien, Chris, Wong, Albert Sun Chern, Gleeson, Maddy, Mitter, Neena and Hayward, Alice (2025). Advances in micropropagation for clonal macadamia rootstocks. Australian Macadamia Society. News Bulletin, 53 (3), 68-70.
2025
Conference Publication
Long-term conservation of critically endangered Lenwebbia sp. Main Range through nodal culture and droplet-vitrification
Nguyen, Van Anh, O'Brien, Chris, Gleeson, Madeleine, Kong, Eveline, Sommerville, Karen, Adkins, Stephen, Funnekotter, Bryn, Mancera, Ricardo, Mitter, Neena and Hayward, Alice (2025). Long-term conservation of critically endangered Lenwebbia sp. Main Range through nodal culture and droplet-vitrification. Cincinnati Zoo Virtual Global Symposium and Workshop, Cincinnati, OH, United States, 8-9 April 2025.
2025
Conference Publication
Cryopreservation of Gossia fragrantissima: Optimizing explant condition for improved regeneration.
Bao, J., Gleeson, M., Sommerville, K., Mitter, N., O'Brien, C. and Hayward, A. (2025). Cryopreservation of Gossia fragrantissima: Optimizing explant condition for improved regeneration.. 2nd Virtual Global Symposium and Workshop on Conserving Exceptional Plants – Cryobiotechnologies, Status, and Scale, Virtual, 8-9 April 2025.
2025
Conference Publication
Optimization of protoplast isolation and PEG-mediated transfection for CRISPR/Cas9 validation in Solanum lycopersicum cv. Moneymaker
Wong, M., Ninh, T., O'Brien, C. and Murillo, D. (2025). Optimization of protoplast isolation and PEG-mediated transfection for CRISPR/Cas9 validation in Solanum lycopersicum cv. Moneymaker. TropAg 2025 Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 17-20 March 2025.
2025
Conference Publication
Innovating vanilla for indoor cropping: advanced climate-smart production systems
O'Brien, Chris, Ninh, Thi Thao, Murillo, Daniela, Gleeson, Madeline and Hayward, Alice (2025). Innovating vanilla for indoor cropping: advanced climate-smart production systems. TropAg 2025 Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 17-20 March 2025.
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Chris O'Brien is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Novel Propagation Technology for Australian Macadamia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alice Hayward, Dr Albert Wong
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Doctor Philosophy
Establishment of avocado genome editing: Dwarfing avocado
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alice Hayward
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Doctor Philosophy
Cryopreservation technology for the conservation of the Australian Macadamia species
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alice Hayward
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Doctor Philosophy
Accelerating in vitro Plant Biodiversity Conservation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Lily Whelehan, Dr Alice Hayward
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Doctor Philosophy
Optimising production of vanilla using novel propagation techniques
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alice Hayward
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Doctor Philosophy
Developing cryopreservation for endangered Myrtaceae
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Eveline Kong, Dr Lily Whelehan, Dr Alice Hayward
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Doctor Philosophy
Impacts of Nursery Practices on Root-Crown Disorders in Blueberries
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alison Kelly, Dr Eveline Kong, Dr Alice Hayward
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Doctor Philosophy
Developing Root and Canopy Trait Analysis Tools for Breeding and Yield Optimisation in Controlled Environment Vertical Farming Systems
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alice Hayward, Dr Eveline Kong, Dr Liqi Han
Completed supervision
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2026
Doctor Philosophy
Cryopreservation for Conservation of Endangered Gossia Species
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alice Hayward
Media
Enquiries
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