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
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
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. doi: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2009.839.28
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
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
Conference Publication
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. International Symposium on Harnessing the Potential of Horticulture in the Asian-Pacific Region, Coolum, QLD, Australia, 1-3 September 2004. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/actahortic.2005.694.8
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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
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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