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
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Plant molecular biology
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Plant cryopreservation
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Plant Genetic Improvement
Works
Search Professor Chris O'Brien’s works on UQ eSpace
2018
Conference Publication
Developing a cryopreservation protocol for avocado (Persea Americana Mill.) shoot tips
O’Brien, Chris, Hiti Bandaralage, Jayeni C. A., Folgado, Raquel, Lahmeyer, Sean, Hayward, Alice and Mitter, Neena (2018). Developing a cryopreservation protocol for avocado (Persea Americana Mill.) shoot tips. CRYO2018, Madrid, Spain, 10-13 July 2018. Maryland Heights, MO United States: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2018.10.199
2018
Conference Publication
Acclimatization of micropropagated mature avocado
Hiti Bandaralage, J. C. A., Hayward, A., O’Brien, C., Beveridge, C. and Mitter, N. (2018). Acclimatization of micropropagated mature avocado. VII International Symposium on Production and Establishment of Micropropagated Plants, Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil, 24-28 April 2017. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2018.1224.3
2017
Conference Publication
Micropropagation: The Future of Clonal Propagation of Avocado
Hiti Bandalarage, Jayeni , Hayward, Alice , O'Brien, Christopher and Mitter, Neena (2017). Micropropagation: The Future of Clonal Propagation of Avocado. International Tropical Agriculture Conference, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 20-22 November 2017. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: TropAg.
2016
Journal Article
Cryopreservation of somatic embryos for avocado germplasm conservation
O'Brien, C., Constantin, M., Walia, A., Yiing, J. L. Y. and Mitter, N. (2016). Cryopreservation of somatic embryos for avocado germplasm conservation. Scientia Horticulturae, 211, 328-335. doi: 10.1016/j.scienta.2016.09.008
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
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.
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.
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
Conference Publication
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. International Symposium on Molecular Markers in Horticulture, Corvallis, OR, United States, 29 July-1 August 2009. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science. 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
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
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
2005
Conference Publication
Cryopreservation of papaya germplasm
Azimi, M., O'Brien, C., Ashmore, S. and Drew, R. (2005). Cryopreservation of papaya germplasm. II International Symposium on Biotechnology of Tropical and Subtropical Species, Taipei, Taiwan, 5-9 November 2001. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/actahortic.2005.692.4
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
Establishment of avocado genome editing: Dwarfing avocado
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alice Hayward
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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
Accelerating in vitro Plant Biodiversity Conservation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Lily Whelehan, Dr Alice Hayward
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Doctor Philosophy
Cryopreservation for Conservation of Endangered Gossia Species
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: Professor Paul Gauthier, Dr Alice Hayward, Dr Eveline Kong
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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
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Doctor Philosophy
Novel propagation and conservation technologies for Australian macadamia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alice Hayward
Media
Enquiries
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