
Overview
Background
Dr Botella's research interests are in genetic engineering, molecular biology and signal transduction in plants.
Dr. Jimmy Botella is Professor of Plant Biotechnology at the University of Queensland. He obtained a degree in Quantum Chemistry from the University of Madrid (Spain) and a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Malaga (Spain). After postdoctoral positions at Michigan State University and Pennsylvania State University he joined the University of Queensland in 1995. At UQ he founded the Plant Genetic Engineering Laboratory (PGEL) specialising in the fields of tropical and subtropical agricultural biotechnology for almost 15 years. J. Botella has eleven international patents in the field of Plant Biotechnology and is a founding member of two biotechnology companies (Coridon Ltd. and Origo Biotech).
Dr Botella is a member of the Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology research group.
Some highlights of the Plant Genetic Engineering Laboratory’s research:
- Production and field trial of the world’s first genetically modified pineapples with genetic constructs to control flowering time. These pineapples will allow farmer control over harvesting times.
- Development of a new technology to confer protection against nematode infestation.
- Discovery of a gene that can confer resistance to the devastating fungus Fusarium oxysporum in plants.
- Development of a new technology to confer protection against pathogenic fungi in plants.
Research interests
Dr. Botella’s research has two major foci: basic cell biology and applied biotechnology. In cell biology he is interested in studying the function of the Heterotrimeric G proteins in plants. This family of proteins is extremely important in humans but their role in pant systems is still largely unknown. Dr. Botella’s research has strongly contributed to the current body of knowledge available in plants with critical contributions such as the discovery and characterization of the first plant gamma subunits and the establishment of these subunits as the critical element conferring function specificity to all plant G proteins. Dr. Botella’s team has also discovered the important role that these proteins play in defense against pathogens. New and unpublished data has now revealed that G proteins are important yield enhancing factors in crops such as rice. Another research interest resides in the communication between plants and insects. There is plenty of knowledge of how important smell, volatiles emitted by the plant, is for foraging insects in order to determine their host preferences. Nevertheless, most of the available studies have been performed using synthetic chemicals in artificial experimental settings. Dr. Botella’s team and collaborators have genetically engineered plants to produce different volatile mixes in the flowers in order to perform in vivo behavioral studies in insects.
Biotechnology research at the Plant Genetic Engineering Laboratory mostly arises from discoveries made in basic research. The PGEL focuses in tropical and subtropical crops. These crops have attracted little attention in terms of biotechnology but are essential sources of food and energy for a large part of the world’s population, especially in Asia and the Indian subcontinent. The PGEL has developed a number of platform technologies that can be applied to multiple crops in order to confer resistance to pathogens, modify plant architecture and control flowering time.
Current research projects include:
- Plant heterotrimeric G proteins: New roles in defence, stomatal control and ABA perception.
- Putting smells into context: using in vivo technologies to understand plant-insect odour communication.
- Use of host-derived RNA interference technology to control plant pathogens (especially pathogenic fungi and nematodes).
- Control of Fusarium wilt disease.
- Genetic improvement of grain crops.
- Genetic engineering research projects
Availability
- Professor Jimmy Botella is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Quantum Chemistry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
- Masters (Coursework) of Science, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
- Doctor of Philosophy of Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry
Works
Search Professor Jimmy Botella’s works on UQ eSpace
2022
Journal Article
The high chlorophyll fluorescence 244 (HCF244) Is potentially involved in glutathione peroxidase 7-regulated high light stress in Arabidopsis thaliana
Li, Kun, Jia, Qianyun, Guo, Jinggong, Zhu, Zhijuan, Shao, Mengying, Wang, Jin, Li, Weiqiang, Dai, Jie, Guo, Minghui, Li, Rui, Song, Jieqiong, Yang, Fengbo, Du, Jingyi, Botella, Jose R., Song, Chun-Peng and Miao, Yuchen (2022). The high chlorophyll fluorescence 244 (HCF244) Is potentially involved in glutathione peroxidase 7-regulated high light stress in Arabidopsis thaliana. Environmental and Experimental Botany, 195 104767, 104767. doi: 10.1016/j.envexpbot.2021.104767
2022
Journal Article
Abscisic acid-induced cytoplasmic translocation of constitutive photomorphogenic 1 enhances reactive oxygen species accumulation through the HY5-ABI5 pathway to modulate seed germination
Chen, Qing‐Bin, Wang, Wen‐Jing, Zhang, Yue, Zhan, Qi‐Di, Liu, Kang, Botella, José Ramón, Bai, Ling and Song, Chun‐Peng (2022). Abscisic acid-induced cytoplasmic translocation of constitutive photomorphogenic 1 enhances reactive oxygen species accumulation through the HY5-ABI5 pathway to modulate seed germination. Plant, Cell and Environment, 45 (5), 1474-1489. doi: 10.1111/pce.14298
2021
Journal Article
Non-GM genome editing approaches in crops
Gong, Zheng, Cheng, Ming and Botella, Jose R. (2021). Non-GM genome editing approaches in crops. Frontiers in Genome Editing, 3, 817279. doi: 10.3389/fgeed.2021.817279
2021
Journal Article
Endogenous U6 promoters improve CRISPR/Cas9 editing efficiencies in Sorghum bicolor and show potential for applications in other cereals
Massel, Karen, Lam, Yasmine, Hintzsche, Jessica, Lester, Nicholas, Botella, Jose R. and Godwin, Ian D. (2021). Endogenous U6 promoters improve CRISPR/Cas9 editing efficiencies in Sorghum bicolor and show potential for applications in other cereals. Plant Cell Reports, 41 (2), 489-492. doi: 10.1007/s00299-021-02816-z
2021
Journal Article
Tomato and cotton G protein beta subunit mutants display constitutive autoimmune responses
Ninh, Thi Thao, Gao, Wei, Trusov, Yuri, Zhao, Jing‐Ruo, Long, Lu, Song, Chun‐Peng and Botella, Jose Ramon (2021). Tomato and cotton G protein beta subunit mutants display constitutive autoimmune responses. Plant Direct, 5 (11) e359, 1-17. doi: 10.1002/pld3.359
2021
Journal Article
Heterotrimeric G proteins in plants: canonical and atypical Gα subunits
Maruta, Natsumi, Trusov, Yuri, Jones, Alan M. and Botella, Jose R. (2021). Heterotrimeric G proteins in plants: canonical and atypical Gα subunits. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22 (21) 11841, 11841. doi: 10.3390/ijms222111841
2021
Journal Article
Manipulating assimilate availability provides insight into the genes controlling grain size in sorghum
Tao, Yongfu, Trusov, Yuri, Zhao, Xianrong, Wang, Xuemin, Cruickshank, Alan W., Hunt, Colleen, van Oosterom, Erik J., Hathorn, Adrian, Liu, Guoquan, Ian, Godwin D., Botella, Jose R., Mace, Emma S. and Jordan, David R. (2021). Manipulating assimilate availability provides insight into the genes controlling grain size in sorghum. The Plant Journal, 108 (1) tpj.15437, 1-13. doi: 10.1111/tpj.15437
2021
Journal Article
GTP binding by Arabidopsis extra-large G protein 2 is not essential for its functions
Maruta, Natsumi, Trusov, Yuri, Urano, Daisuke, Chakravorty, David, Assmann, Sarah M., Jones, Alan M. and Botella, Jose R. (2021). GTP binding by Arabidopsis extra-large G protein 2 is not essential for its functions. Plant Physiology, 186 (2), 1-14. doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiab119
2021
Journal Article
Rapid parasite detection utilizing a DNA dipstick
Aula, Oyime Poise, McManus, Donald Peter, Mason, Michael Glenn, Botella, José Ramón and Gordon, Catherine Amy (2021). Rapid parasite detection utilizing a DNA dipstick. Experimental Parasitology, 224, 224. doi: 10.1016/j.exppara.2021.108098
2021
Journal Article
Expanding the target range of base editing in plants without loss of efficiency by blocking RNA-silencing
Mao, Yanfei, Wang, Mugui, Zhao, Yuhang, Huang, Boyu, Wu, Qingbing, Zheng, Qijie, Botella, Jose Ramon and Zhu, Jian-Kang (2021). Expanding the target range of base editing in plants without loss of efficiency by blocking RNA-silencing. Plant Biotechnology Journal, 19 (12), 2389-2391. doi: 10.1111/pbi.13712
2021
Journal Article
Genome editing for plant research and crop improvement
Zhan, Xiangqiang, Lu, Yuming, Zhu, Jian-Kang and Botella, Jose Ramon (2021). Genome editing for plant research and crop improvement. Journal of Integrative Plant Biology, 63 (1), 3-33. doi: 10.1111/jipb.13063
2020
Journal Article
COP1 promotes ABA‐induced stomatal closure by modulating the abundance of ABI/HAB and AHG3 phosphatases
Chen, Qingbin, Bai, Ling, Wang, Wenjing, Shi, Huazhong, Botella, José Ramón, Zhan, Qidi, Liu, Kang, Yang, Hong‐Quan and Song, Chun‐Peng (2020). COP1 promotes ABA‐induced stomatal closure by modulating the abundance of ABI/HAB and AHG3 phosphatases. New Phytologist, 229 (4) nph.17001, 2035-2049. doi: 10.1111/nph.17001
2020
Journal Article
Rapid (30-second), equipment-free purification of nucleic acids using easy-to-make dipsticks
Mason, Michael G. and Botella, José R. (2020). Rapid (30-second), equipment-free purification of nucleic acids using easy-to-make dipsticks. Nature Protocols, 15 (11), 3663-3677. doi: 10.1038/s41596-020-0392-7
2020
Journal Article
Evaluation and improvement of isothermal amplification methods for point-of-need plant disease diagnostics
Zou, Yiping, Mason, Michael Glenn and Botella, Jose Ramon (2020). Evaluation and improvement of isothermal amplification methods for point-of-need plant disease diagnostics. PLoS One, 15 (6) e0235216, e0235216. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235216
2020
Journal Article
ABC1K10a, an atypical kinase, functions in plant salt stress tolerance
Qin, Xiaohui, Duan, Zhikun, Zheng, Yuan, Liu, Wen-Cheng, Guo, Siyi, Botella, José Ramón and Song, Chun-Peng (2020). ABC1K10a, an atypical kinase, functions in plant salt stress tolerance. BMC Plant Biology, 20 (1) 270, 270. doi: 10.1186/s12870-020-02467-4
2020
Other Outputs
Development and on-site evaluation of an easy-to-perform and low-cost food pathogen diagnostic workflow for low-resource communities
Mason, Michael Glenn and Botella, José Ramón (2020). Development and on-site evaluation of an easy-to-perform and low-cost food pathogen diagnostic workflow for low-resource communities. doi: 10.1101/2020.05.29.122994
2020
Journal Article
The gland localized CGP1 controls gland pigmentation and gossypol accumulation in cotton
Gao, Wei, Xu, Fu‐Chun, Long, Lu, Li, Yang, Zhang, Jun‐Li, Chong, Leelyn, Botella, Jose Ramon and Song, Chun‐Peng (2020). The gland localized CGP1 controls gland pigmentation and gossypol accumulation in cotton. Plant Biotechnology Journal, 18 (7) pbi.13323, 1-12. doi: 10.1111/pbi.13323
2019
Journal Article
An easy‐to‐perform, culture‐free Campylobacter point‐of‐management assay for processing plant applications
Mason, M.G., Blackall, P.J., Botella, J.R. and Templeton, J.M. (2019). An easy‐to‐perform, culture‐free Campylobacter point‐of‐management assay for processing plant applications. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 128 (3) jam.14509, 620-629. doi: 10.1111/jam.14509
2019
Journal Article
Nucleotide exchange–dependent and nucleotide exchange–independent functions of plant heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins
Maruta, Natsumi, Trusov, Yuri, Chakravorty, David, Urano, Daisuke, Assmann, Sarah M. and Botella, Jose R. (2019). Nucleotide exchange–dependent and nucleotide exchange–independent functions of plant heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins. Science Signaling, 12 (606) eaav9526, eaav9526. doi: 10.1126/scisignal.aav9526
2019
Journal Article
A simple, robust and equipment-free DNA amplification readout in less than 30 seconds
Mason, Michael Glenn and Botella, José Ramón (2019). A simple, robust and equipment-free DNA amplification readout in less than 30 seconds. RSC Advances, 9 (42), 24440-24450. doi: 10.1039/c9ra04725e
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Jimmy Botella is:
- Available for supervision
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Available projects
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Development of new genome editing technologies for crop improvement
The advent of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) has had a profound impact on plant biology, and crop improvement. Nevertheless, CRISPR technology is still in its infancy and a number of important problems need to be solved before it can be widely used in multiple crops. Projects are available to explore new CRISPR systems and develop more efficient approaches to improve genome editing applications in crops.
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Molecular mechanisms of crop disease resistance
Heterotrimeric G-proteins (G-proteins) play a vital role in the defence against many important crop pathogens. Our group has been a pioneer in establishing the importance of these proteins in plant immunity and has recently produced a series of CRISPR mutants to further analyse the molecular mechanisms controlling disease resistance in crops. Projects are available to study the defence response in a number of transgenic CRISPR tomato lines.
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Development of point-of-care diagnostics for agriculture
Early detection of pests and pathogens is of paramount importance in reducing agricultural losses. One approach to early detection is point-of-care (POC) diagnostics, which can provide early warning and therefore allow fast deployment of preventive measures to slow down the establishment of crop diseases. Among the available diagnostic technologies, nucleic acid amplification–based diagnostics provide the highest sensitivity and specificity, and those technologies that forego the requirement for thermocycling show the most potential for use at POC.
Projects are available in the design and evelopment of POC diagnostic applications for multiple diseases in crops.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Biotechnological improvement of Vanilla planifolia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Robert Henry
-
Doctor Philosophy
Biotechnological improvement of Vanilla planifolia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Robert Henry
-
Doctor Philosophy
Characterizing the role of the heterotrimeric G protein alpha subunit in plant defence
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Yuri Trusov
-
Doctor Philosophy
Development of efficient genome editing technologies for crop improvement
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Karen Massel
-
Doctor Philosophy
Development of efficient genome editing technologies for crop improvement
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Karen Massel
-
Doctor Philosophy
Control of flowering in pineapple by genome editing.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Guoquan Liu, Dr Yuri Trusov
-
Doctor Philosophy
Development of Transgene-free Genome Editing Technologies for the Improvement of Dicot Crops
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Peter Crisp
-
Doctor Philosophy
Towards pathogen free coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) germplasm and identifying varietal resistant markers to Bogia coconut disease: A focus on Papua New Guinea genotypes.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Steve Adkins, Dr Sundar Kalaipandian
-
Doctor Philosophy
Genome editing tools for monocot crop improvement
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Peter Crisp
-
Doctor Philosophy
Development of on farm diagnostics via nanopore for the pig industry.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Noman Naseem, Dr Lida Omaleki, Dr Conny Turni
Completed supervision
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2025
Doctor Philosophy
Biotechnological improvement of Vanilla planifolia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Robert Henry
-
2021
Master Philosophy
Roles of Extra-Large G-protein XLG2 domains in Arabidopsis thaliana
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Yuri Trusov
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating the mechanism of G-proteins mediated defence in plants
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Yuri Trusov
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Functional Characterization of Heterotrimeric G Protein Alpha and Beta Subunits in Tomato
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Yuri Trusov
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Development of diagnostic technologies for point-of-need applications
Principal Advisor
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Identification of a novel activation mechanism of plant heterotrimeric G proteins
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Yuri Trusov
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
FUNCTION OF ARABIDOPSIS CALMODULIN BINDING RECEPTOR-LIKE CYTOPLASMIC KINASE IN DEFENSE AND PROGRAMMED CELL DEATH
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Yuri Trusov
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Development of point-of-care and multiplex diagnostic methods for the detection of plant pathogens
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Matt Trau
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
Characterization of Heterotrimeric G protein Gamma Subunits in Solanum lycopersicum cv MicroTom: Establishing the Functional Roles of a Novel Type B Gamma Subunit.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Yuri Trusov
-
2014
Master Philosophy
Studying the Role of Heterotrimeric G proteins in Defense Against Biotrophic and Hemibiotrophic Pathogens
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Yuri Trusov
-
2012
Doctor Philosophy
Molecular Analysis of Genes Involved in Pineapple Fruit Development
Principal Advisor
-
2012
Doctor Philosophy
Establishing the Role of Gamma Subunits in Heterotrimeric G-Protein Signaling Specificity
Principal Advisor
-
2011
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring Heterotrimeric G Protein Diversity in Plants: Identification of a Novel Third ¿ Subunit and Other Aspects of Gß¿ Signalling in Arabidopsis
Principal Advisor
-
2010
Doctor Philosophy
Plants, pests and pollinators: combining technologies to crack the odour code
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Myron Zalucki
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2009
Doctor Philosophy
Cellular roles for Developmentally Regulated G-proteins in plants: Heat stress and protein renaturation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bostjan Kobe
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2007
Doctor Philosophy
FINDING CLUES TO THE FUNCTION OF THE UNKNOWN ARABIDOPSIS GENE AT2G47270.
Principal Advisor
-
2006
Doctor Philosophy
CHARACTERISATION OF THE Arabidopsis BROOMHEAD PHENOTYPE
Principal Advisor
-
2003
Doctor Philosophy
FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERISATION OF atdrgl
Principal Advisor
-
2002
Doctor Philosophy
PROMOTER ANALYSIS OF AIM-1 - A TOUCH INDUCIBLE GENE
Principal Advisor
-
2002
Doctor Philosophy
THE ROLE OF GLUTAMATE DEHYDROGENASE IN HIGHER PLANTS
Principal Advisor
-
2002
Doctor Philosophy
DETAILED MOLECULAR CHARACTERISATION OF A NOVEL GTP-BINDING PROTEIN
Principal Advisor
-
2002
Doctor Philosophy
MOLECULAR CHARACTERISATION OF FACTORS INTERACTING WITH G-PROTEINS
Principal Advisor
-
2002
Doctor Philosophy
HETEROTRIMERIC G PROTIEN IN PLANT SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION: CHARACTERISATION OF A TOBACCO BETA SUB UNIT
Principal Advisor
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Optimising molecular tools to study nitrogen utilisation for grain protein storage in Sorghum bicolor
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Emma Mace, Professor Ian Godwin
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2003
Doctor Philosophy
THE INFLUENCE OF LIGHT ON NITROGEN METABOLISM
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Susanne Schmidt
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Jimmy Botella directly for media enquiries about:
- Agricultural biotechnology
- Biology - plants
- Biotechnology - plants
- Botany
- Genetic engineering - plants
- Genetic modification
- Genetics
- Genome editing
- GM foods
- Molecular biology - plant
- Plant biotechnology
- Plant genetic engineering
- Plant molecular biology
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