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
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.
2023
Conference Publication
Developing cryopreservation for endangered Gossia – A genus of plants threatened by Myrtle Rust
Bao, Jingyin, O'Brien, Chris, Sommerville, Karen, Mitter, Neena and Hayward, Alice (2023). Developing cryopreservation for endangered Gossia – A genus of plants threatened by Myrtle Rust. Australasian Myrtle Rust Conference, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 21-23 June 2023.
2023
Conference Publication
Cryopreservation for the conservation of endangered Gossia species
Bao, Jingyin, O'Brien, Chris, Sommerville, Karen, Mitter, Neena and Hayward, Alice (2023). Cryopreservation for the conservation of endangered Gossia species. IV International Symposium on Plant Cryopreservation, Olso, Norway, 12-15 June 2023.
2023
Conference Publication
Cryopreservation of av3-ocado shoot tips for long term conservation
O'Brien, Chris, Hayward, Alice and Mitter, Neena (2023). Cryopreservation of av3-ocado shoot tips for long term conservation. World Avocado Congress, Auckland, New Zealand, 2 - 5 April 2023.
2022
Conference Publication
Cold pretreatment for cryopreservation of an endangered Australian native plant species Gossia fragrantissima
Bao, Jingyin, O’Brien, Chris, Sommerville, Karen, Mitter, Neena and Hayward, Alice (2022). Cold pretreatment for cryopreservation of an endangered Australian native plant species Gossia fragrantissima. CRYO2022 Joint Meeting of SLTB and Society for Cryobiology, Dublin, Ireland, 19-22 July 2022. Maryland Heights, MO United States: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2022.11.045
2022
Conference Publication
Innovative cryopreservation technology for Australian macadamia
Li, Xueying, O’brien, Chris, Sommerville, Karen, Mitter, Neena and Hayward, Alice (2022). Innovative cryopreservation technology for Australian macadamia. CRYO2022 59th Annual Meeting of the Society for Cryobiology, Dublin, Ireland, 19-22 July 2022. Maryland Heights, MO United States: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2022.11.198
2022
Conference Publication
Innovating cryopreservation for conservation of the endangered Australian native plant Gossia fragrantissima
Bao, Jingyin, O'Brien, Chris, Sommerville, Karen, Mitter, Neena and Hayward, Alice (2022). Innovating cryopreservation for conservation of the endangered Australian native plant Gossia fragrantissima. TropAg, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 31 October - 2 November 2022.
2022
Conference Publication
Cryopreservation of an endangered Australian native plant species Gossia fragrantissima
Bao, Jingyin, O'Brien, Chris, Sommerville, Karen, Mitter, Neena and Hayward, Alice (2022). Cryopreservation of an endangered Australian native plant species Gossia fragrantissima. QAAFI student Symposium, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 30 September 2022.
2022
Journal Article
Tissue culture tools for selenium hyperaccumulator Neptunia amplexicaulis for development in phytoextraction
O'Donohue, Billy, Hiti-Bandaralage, Jayeni, Gleeson, Madeleine, O'Brien, Chris, Harvey, Maggie-Anne, van der Ent, Antony, Pinto Irish, Katherine, Mitter, Neena and Hayward, Alice (2022). Tissue culture tools for selenium hyperaccumulator Neptunia amplexicaulis for development in phytoextraction. Natural Products and Bioprospecting, 12 (1) 28, 1-9. doi: 10.1007/s13659-022-00351-2
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
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
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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
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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