Dr

Chris O'Brien

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 66519

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

Search Professor Chris O'Brien’s works on UQ eSpace

86 works between 1998 and 2026
All (86) Journal Article (18) Other Outputs (1) Conference Publication (65) Book Chapter (2)

81 - 86 of 86 works

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

Progress in backcrossing between Carica papaya x Vasconcellea quercifolia intergeneric hybrids and C. papaya

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

Cryopreservation of papaya germplasm

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

Development of PRSV-P resistant Carica papaya genotypes by introgression of genes from wild Vasconcella species

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

Papaya ringspot virus in Australia and the development of virus resistant plants

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

Maternal inheritance of cytoplasmic organelles in intergeneric hybrids of Carica papaya L. and Vasconcellea spp. (Caricaceae Dumort., Brassicales)

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

Development of Carica interspecific hybrids

Current funding

  • 2026 - 2029
    Innovating Vanilla for advanced climate smart production systems
    ARC Early Career Industry Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2026
    Innovating avocado for indoor cropping - Advanced climate-smart production systems
    Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2030
    Gossia gonoclada cryopreservation project
    Logan City Council
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2020 - 2022
    Cryobiotechnology for conservation of endangered Sweet Myrtle
    Australian Flora Foundation Inc.
    Open grant

Availability

Dr Chris O'Brien is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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