Overview
Background
Chris O'Brien is a research fellow at QAAFI leading the cryopreservation program. The program involves the conservation of exceptional species such as avocado and macadamia as well as other plants like Gossia spp which are affected by myrtle rust. The lab focuses on developing and optimizing protocols to store plant germplasm in liquid nitrogen. Storing plants in liquid nitrogen is the safest way to ensure long-term ex situ conservation.
Chris is also leading a project looking at avocado genomics/tissue culture propagation technologies to deliver world-first technology platforms for avocado improvement. This innovative tech-development will address critical challenges of traditional breeding, enabling rapid development of future-smart avocado 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
-
Plant tissue culture
-
Plant molecular biology
-
Plant cryopreservation
-
Plant Genetic Improvement
Works
Search Professor Chris O'Brien’s works on UQ eSpace
2016
Conference Publication
Cryopreservation of avocado (Persea americana Mill.) using somatic embryos
O'Brien, C., Parisi, A., Yuan, J. Lim Yiing, Constantin, M. and Mitter, N. (2016). Cryopreservation of avocado (Persea americana Mill.) using somatic embryos. XXIX International Horticultural Congress on Horticulture: Sustaining Lives, Livelihoods and Landscapes (IHC2014): International Symposium on Micropropagation and In Vitro Techniques, Brisbane, QLD., Australia, 17-22 August 2014. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2016.1113.39
2015
Conference Publication
Gibberellin and cytokinin in synergy for a rapid nodal multiplication system of avocado
Hiti Bandaralage, J., Hayward, A., O'Brien, C. and Mitter, N. (2015). Gibberellin and cytokinin in synergy for a rapid nodal multiplication system of avocado. VIII World Avocado Congress, Lima, Peru, 13- 18 September 2015. Lima Peru: World Avocado Congress.
2015
Conference Publication
Factors affecting avocado shoot health in culture
Mohd Rodzi, A., Hayward, A., Hiti Bandaralage, J., O'Brien, C., Gleeson, M. and Mitter, N. (2015). Factors affecting avocado shoot health in culture. VIII World Avocado Congress, Lima, Peru, 13- 18 September 2015. Lima Peru: World Avocado Congress.
2014
Journal Article
Enhancing somatic embryogenesis in avocado (Persea americana Mill.) using a two-step culture system and including glutamine in the culture medium
Encina, Carlos López, Parisi, Ann, O'Brien, Chris and Mitter, Neena (2014). Enhancing somatic embryogenesis in avocado (Persea americana Mill.) using a two-step culture system and including glutamine in the culture medium. Scientia Horticulturae, 165, 44-50. doi: 10.1016/j.scienta.2013.10.019
2013
Journal Article
Potential of Australian bermudagrasses (Cynodon spp.) for pasture in subtropical Australia
Hacker, Andrew, Puachuay, Meena, Max Shelton, H., Dalzell, Scott, Al Dabbagh, Haider, Jewell, Margaret, van Tran, Thinh, Ngo, The, Zhou, Yi, Halliday, Michael, Giles, Hayley, Loch, Don S., Godwin, Ian D., Fukai, Shu, O'Brien, Chris, Pearce, Will, Anderson, William F. and Lambrides, Christopher J. (2013). Potential of Australian bermudagrasses (Cynodon spp.) for pasture in subtropical Australia. Tropical Grasslands-Forrajes Tropicales, 1 (1), 81-83. doi: 10.17138/TGFT(1)81-83
2013
Conference Publication
Potential of Australian bermudagrasses (Cynodon spp.) for pasture in subtropical Australia
Hacker, Andrew, Puachuay, Meena, Shelton, H. Max, Dalzell, Scott, Al Dabbagh, Haider, Jewell, Margaret, Tran, Thinh Van, Ngo, The, Zhou, Yi, Halliday, Michael, Giles, Hayley, Loch, Don S., Godwin, Ian D., Fukai, Shu, O'Brien, Chris, Pearce, Will, Anderson, William F. and Lambrides, Christopher J. (2013). Potential of Australian bermudagrasses (Cynodon spp.) for pasture in subtropical Australia. IGC2013: 22nd International Grassland Congress 2013, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 15-19 September, 2013. Santiago de Cali, Colombia: Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical.
2013
Conference Publication
Ecoturf - a case study on genetic variation and agronomic potential of bermudagrass (cynodon spp.) germplasm collected from Australian biodiversity
Lambrides, Christopher J., Zhou, Yi, Fukai, Shu, Jewell, Margaret, Loch, Don, Godwin, Ian, Holton, Tim, Innes, David, Frere, Celine, Hanna, Wayne, Ye, Changrong, Van Tran, Thinh, Le, Thu, Cao, Ninh, Al Dabbagh, Haider, O'Brien, Chris, Roche, Matt, Fullelove, Garry, Ballard, Emma, Kearns, Ryan, Pearce, Will, Hacker, Andrew, Puachuay, Meena, Shelton, Max, Dalzell, Scott, Anderson, Bill, Harris-Shultz, Karen and Cremer, Julia (2013). Ecoturf - a case study on genetic variation and agronomic potential of bermudagrass (cynodon spp.) germplasm collected from Australian biodiversity. ITRC 2013: 12th International Turfgrass Research Conference, Beijing, China, 14-19 July 2013. Overland Park, KS, USA: Intertec Publishing.
2010
Journal Article
Marker-assisted hybridisation and backcrossing between Vasconcellea species and Carica papaya for prsv-p resistance
O'Brien, C.M. and Drew, R.A. (2010). Marker-assisted hybridisation and backcrossing between Vasconcellea species and Carica papaya for prsv-p resistance. Acta Horticulturae (859), 361-368. doi: 10.17660/actahortic.2010.859.43
2009
Conference Publication
The use of infrared thermometer to detect drought resistance of green couch grass (Cynodon sp.) genotypes collected from the world'd driest inhabited continent
Zhou, Y., Fukai, S., Cao, N., Ye, C. R., Le, T., Loch, D., Godwin, I., O'Brien, C., Dunne, R., Giles, H., Wilson, M., Halliday, M. and Lambrides, C. (2009). The use of infrared thermometer to detect drought resistance of green couch grass (Cynodon sp.) genotypes collected from the world'd driest inhabited continent. The 3rd International Conference on Integrated Approaches to Improve Crop Production Under Drought Prone Environments, Shanghai, China, 11-16 October 2009.
2009
Journal Article
Potential for using Vasconcellea parviflora as a bridging species in intergeneric hybridisation between V. pubescens and Carica papaya
O'Brien, C. M. and Drew, R. A. (2009). Potential for using Vasconcellea parviflora as a bridging species in intergeneric hybridisation between V. pubescens and Carica papaya. Australian Journal of Botany, 57 (7), 592-601. doi: 10.1071/bt09111
2009
Conference Publication
Cryopreservation of Papaya (Carica papaya L.) Seed: Overcoming Dormancy and Optimizing Seed Desiccation and Storage Conditions
Ashmore, S. E., Drew, R. A., O'Brien, C. and Parisi, A. (2009). Cryopreservation of Papaya (Carica papaya L.) Seed: Overcoming Dormancy and Optimizing Seed Desiccation and Storage Conditions. 1st International Symposium on Biotechnology of Fruit Species - BIOTECHFRUIT, Dresden, Germany, 14 July 2009. Leuven, Belgium: International Society of Horticultural Science.
2007
Conference Publication
Intergeneric hybridisation between Carica papaya and wild Vasconcellea species and identification of a PRSV-P resistance gene
Drew, R., Siar, S. V., Dillon, S., Ramage, C., O'Brien, C. and Sajise, A. G. C. (2007). Intergeneric hybridisation between Carica papaya and wild Vasconcellea species and identification of a PRSV-P resistance gene. International Symposium on Biotechnology of Temperate Fruit Crops and Tropical Species, Daytona Beach, FL United States, 10-14 October 2005. Leuven, Belgium: International Society of Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/actahortic.2007.738.14
2006
Journal Article
Progress in backcrossing between Carica papaya x Vasconcellea quercifolia intergeneric hybrids and C. papaya
Drew, R.A., Siar, S.V., O'Brien, C.M. and Sajise, A.G.C. (2006). Progress in backcrossing between Carica papaya x Vasconcellea quercifolia intergeneric hybrids and C. papaya. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 46 (3), 419-424. doi: 10.1071/ea04248
2006
Conference Publication
Application of SCAR markers linked to a putative PRSV-P resistance locus for assisted breeding of resistant C-papaya cultivars
Dillon, S., O'Brien, C. M., Drew, R. A. and Ramage, C. (2006). Application of SCAR markers linked to a putative PRSV-P resistance locus for assisted breeding of resistant C-papaya cultivars. 5th International Symposium on In Vitro Culture and Horticultural Breeding, Debrecen, Hungary, 12-17 September 2004. Leuven, Belgium: International Society of Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/actahortic.2006.725.87
2006
Journal Article
Breeding for Papaya ringspot virus resistance in Carica papaya via hybridisation with Vasconcellea quercifolia
Drew, R.A., Siar, S.V., O'Brien, C.M., Magdalita, P.M. and Sajise, A.G.C. (2006). Breeding for Papaya ringspot virus resistance in Carica papaya via hybridisation with Vasconcellea quercifolia. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 46 (3), 413-418. doi: 10.1071/ea04247
2005
Journal Article
Cryopreservation of papaya germplasm
Azimi, M., O'Brien, C., Ashmore, S. and Drew, R. (2005). Cryopreservation of papaya germplasm. Acta Horticulturae (692), 43-50. doi: 10.17660/actahortic.2005.692.4
2005
Journal Article
Development of PRSV-P resistant Carica papaya genotypes by introgression of genes from wild Vasconcella species
Drew, R.A., Siar, S.V., Villegas, V.N., O´Brien, C.M. and Sajise, A.G.C. (2005). Development of PRSV-P resistant Carica papaya genotypes by introgression of genes from wild Vasconcella species. Acta Horticulturae (694), 73-77. doi: 10.17660/actahortic.2005.694.8
2005
Journal Article
Maternal inheritance of cytoplasmic organelles in intergeneric hybrids of Carica papaya L. and Vasconcellea spp. (Caricaceae Dumort., Brassicales)
Van Droogenbroeck, B., Maertens, I., Haegeman, A., Kyndt, T., O'Brien, C., Drew, R.A. and Gheysen, G. (2005). Maternal inheritance of cytoplasmic organelles in intergeneric hybrids of Carica papaya L. and Vasconcellea spp. (Caricaceae Dumort., Brassicales). Euphytica, 143 (1-2), 161-168. doi: 10.1007/s10681-005-3156-0
2005
Conference Publication
Papaya ringspot virus in Australia and the development of virus resistant plants
Drew, R., Persley, D., O'Brien, C. and Bateson, M. (2005). Papaya ringspot virus in Australia and the development of virus resistant plants. 2nd International Symposium on Biotechnology of Tropical and Subtropical Species, Taipei, Taiwan, 5-9 November 2001. Leuven, Belgium: International Society of Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/actahortic.2005.692.12
1998
Conference Publication
Development of Carica interspecific hybrids
Drew, R.A., O'Brien, C.M. and Magdalita, P.M. (1998). Development of Carica interspecific hybrids. International Symposium on Biotechnology of Tropical and Subtropical Species, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 29 September - 3 October 1997. Leuven, Belgium: International Society of Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/actahortic.1998.461.31
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Chris O'Brien is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Establishment of avocado genome editing: Dwarfing avocado
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alice Hayward, Professor Neena Mitter
-
Doctor Philosophy
Cryobiotechnology Innovations for Threatened Australian Myrtaceae
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Neena Mitter, Professor Paul Gauthier, Dr Alice Hayward, Dr Eveline Kong
-
Doctor Philosophy
Innovating Cryopreservation for Conservation of Endangered Gossia gonoclada
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Neena Mitter, Dr Alice Hayward
-
Doctor Philosophy
Novel propagation and conservation technologies for Australian macadamia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Neena Mitter, Dr Alice Hayward
-
Doctor Philosophy
Novel Propagation and Conservation Technologies for Australian Macadamia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alice Hayward, Dr Albert Wong, Professor Neena Mitter
-
Master Philosophy
Developing cryopreservation for endangered Myrtaceae
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Steve Adkins, Professor Neena Mitter, Dr Alice Hayward, Dr Eveline Kong
Media
Enquiries
For media enquiries about Dr Chris O'Brien's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team: