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
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
Exploring RNA interference (RNAi) for controlling Phytophthora cinnamomi in avocado
Agustini, Luciasih, Pame, Leny Jane, Pegg, Ken, Culican, Ethan, Gauthier, Audrey, O'Brien, Chris, Gauthier, Paul, Shuey, Louise, Young, Anthony and Sawyer, Anne (2025). Exploring RNA interference (RNAi) for controlling Phytophthora cinnamomi in avocado. Australasian Plant Pathology Society Biennial Conference, Sydney, NSW Australia, 26-28 May 2025.
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, Thi Thao, 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.
2025
Conference Publication
Utilization of sodium dichloroisocyanurate for nodal culture initiation of Lenwebbia sp. main range – a critically endangered Australian native Myrtaceae
Nguyen, Van Anh, Gleeson, Madeleine, O'Brien, Chris, Kong, Eveline Y. Y., Sommerville, Karen, Adkins, Stephen, Funnekotter, Bryn, Mancera, Ricardo L., Mitter, Neena and Hayward, Alice (2025). Utilization of sodium dichloroisocyanurate for nodal culture initiation of Lenwebbia sp. main range – a critically endangered Australian native Myrtaceae. International Plant Propagation Society (Australia Region) – Annual Conference, Cairns, QLD, Australia, 28–31 May 2025. Bellefonte, PA, United States: International Plant Propagators' Society.
2024
Conference Publication
Novel propagation technology for Australian macadamia
Hu, Zhangpan, Wong, Albert Chern Sun, O'Brien, Chris, Mitter, Neena and Hayward, Alice (2024). Novel propagation technology for Australian macadamia. AusMac 2024 Conference, Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 29-31 October 2024.
2024
Conference Publication
Establishment of protoplast isolation and PEG mediated transformation for a pilot study of genome editing in avocado by targeting the PDS gene
Subroto, Andrea, Ninh, Thao, Hayward, Alice and Chris O'Brien (2024). Establishment of protoplast isolation and PEG mediated transformation for a pilot study of genome editing in avocado by targeting the PDS gene. Flash Talk, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 18–20 October 2024.
2024
Conference Publication
In vitro biotechnologies for Myrtaceae on the brink: progress and possibilities
O'Brien, Chris, Bao, Jingyin, Li, Xueying, Bandaralage, Jayeni, Wong, Albert, Gleeson, Madeleine, Nguyen, Van Anh, Somerville, Karen, Mitter, Neena and Hayward, Alice (2024). In vitro biotechnologies for Myrtaceae on the brink: progress and possibilities. 14th Australasian Plant Conservation Conference, Toowoomba, QLD, Australia, 13-17 October 2024.
2024
Conference Publication
Nodal culture with a view towards cryopreservation of Lenwebbia sp. Main Range and Backhousia citriodora (Lemon myrtle) – two Myrtaceae species facing imminent extinction from Myrtle Rust
Nguyen, Van Anh, O'Brien, Chris, Gleeson, Madeleine, Kong, Eveline, Sommerville, Karen, Adkins, Stephen, Funnekotter, Bryn, Mancera, Ricardo, Mitter, Neena and Hayward, Alice (2024). Nodal culture with a view towards cryopreservation of Lenwebbia sp. Main Range and Backhousia citriodora (Lemon myrtle) – two Myrtaceae species facing imminent extinction from Myrtle Rust. NextGen Ag, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 6 September 2024.
2024
Journal Article
Tissue culture innovations for propagation and conservation of Myrteae—a globally important Myrtaceae tribe
Bao, Jingyin, O’Donohue, Billy, Sommerville, Karen D., Mitter, Neena, O’Brien, Chris and Hayward, Alice (2024). Tissue culture innovations for propagation and conservation of Myrteae—a globally important Myrtaceae tribe. Plants, 13 (16) 2244, 2244. doi: 10.3390/plants13162244
2024
Conference Publication
Ex situconservation approaches for Gossia and Decaspermum species to safeguard plant diversity in Australia.
Bao, Jingyin, O'Brien, Chris, Gleeson, Maddy, Sommerville, Karen, Mitter, Neena and Hayward, Alice (2024). Ex situconservation approaches for Gossia and Decaspermum species to safeguard plant diversity in Australia.. 8th Global Botanic Gardens Congress, Singapore, Singapore, 5-10 August 2024.
2024
Conference Publication
Mitigating myrtle rust threat in Gossia and Decaspermum species through innovative ex situ conservation techniques
Bao, Jingyin, O'Brien, Chris, Sommerville, Karen, Mitter, Neena and Hayward, Alice (2024). Mitigating myrtle rust threat in Gossia and Decaspermum species through innovative ex situ conservation techniques. Rainforest Connections 2024, Ballina, NSW, Australia, 4-7 June 2024.
2024
Conference Publication
In vitro nodal culture with a view towards cryopreservation of Lenwebbia sp. Main Range and Backhousia citriodora (Lemon myrtle) – two Myrtaceae species facing imminent extinction from Myrtle Rust
Nguyen, Van Anh, O'Brien, Chris, Gleeson, Madeleine, Kong, Eveline, Sommerville, Karen, Adkins, Stephen, Funnekotter, Bryn, Mancera, Ricardo, Mitter, Neena and Hayward, Alice (2024). In vitro nodal culture with a view towards cryopreservation of Lenwebbia sp. Main Range and Backhousia citriodora (Lemon myrtle) – two Myrtaceae species facing imminent extinction from Myrtle Rust. Rainforest Connections, Ballina, NSW, Australia, 4-7 June 2024.
2023
Conference Publication
Innovative cryopreservation technology for Australian macadamia
Li, Xueying, O’Brien, Chris, Sommerville, Karen, Mitter, Neena and Hayward, Alice (2023). Innovative cryopreservation technology for Australian macadamia. 60th Annual Meeting of the Society for Cryobiology CRYO2023, Minneapolis, MN United States, 25-27 July 2023. Maryland Heights, MO United States: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2023.104759
2023
Conference Publication
Incorporating cold pretreatment in cryopreserving shoot tips of sweet myrtle (Gossia fragrantissima)
Bao, Jingyin, O’Brien, Chris, Sommerville, Karen, Mitter, Neena and Hayward, Alice (2023). Incorporating cold pretreatment in cryopreserving shoot tips of sweet myrtle (Gossia fragrantissima). 60th Annual Meeting of the Society for Cryobiology CRYO2023, Minneapolis, MN United States, 25-27 July 2023. Maryland Heights, MO United States: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2023.104742
2023
Conference Publication
Cryopreservation for conserving avocado germplasm
O'Brien, Chris (2023). Cryopreservation for conserving avocado germplasm. Hort Connections, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 4 - 6 June 2025.
2023
Conference Publication
Incorporating cold pretreatment in cryopreserving shoot tips of sweet myrtle (Gossia fragrantissima)
Bao, Jingyin, O'Brien, Chris, Sommerville, Karen, Mitter, Neena and Hayward, Alice (2023). Incorporating cold pretreatment in cryopreserving shoot tips of sweet myrtle (Gossia fragrantissima). The 60th Annual Meeting of the Society for Cryobiology (CRYO2023), Minneapolis, MN, United States, 25-27 July 2023.
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, Dr Thi Thao Ninh
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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
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
Optimising production of vanilla using novel propagation techniques
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alice Hayward, Dr Thi Thao Ninh
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Doctor Philosophy
Human-Centred Foundations for Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Media Optimisation in Plant Tissue Culture
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alice Hayward, Dr Eveline Kong, Dr Liqi Han
Completed supervision
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2026
Doctor Philosophy
Cryopreservation technology for the conservation of the Australian Macadamia species
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alice Hayward
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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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