Overview
Background
Dr. Thao Ninh obtained her PhD degree from School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability, The University of Queensland in 2021. Her research during her doctoral studies aimed to uncover the function of the Heterotrimeric G proteins in plants. By using gene editing technology CRISPR/Cas9 to knockout G alpha and G beta gene in tomato, Dr. Thao found that the phenotypes of tomato G alpha/beta-knockout mutants are very similar to those observed in monocots, but not in Arabidopsis. Her research results, therefore, raise important questions about whether some G protein functions/signaling have been lost in Arabidopsis during evolution. In 2023, Dr. Thao joined the Mitter group as postdoctoral researcher. Her current research focuses on using CRISPR/Ca9 technology in crop improvement including modulation in fruit appearance in strawberry, disease resistance in tomato, plant architecture in avocado and other preferred traits of various crops.
Availability
- Dr Thi Thao Ninh is:
- Available for supervision
Qualifications
- Masters (Research) of Plant Science, LEIBNIZ UNIVERSITY HANNOVER
- Doctoral (Research) of Plant Science, The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy of Plant Biology, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Genome editing
Genome editing technologies (CRISPR/Cas9, Cpf1; transgene-free, RNP transfection) for basic and applied research.
Works
Search Professor Thi Thao Ninh’s works on UQ eSpace
2026
Conference Publication
Multiplex CRISPR/Cas9 editing of SlTOM susceptibility genes in tomato ‘moneymaker’ to improve resistance to ToBRFV
Ninh, Thi Thao, Man Chun, Wong, O'Brien, Chris, Rodríguez, Daniela Murillo and Hayward, Alice (2026). Multiplex CRISPR/Cas9 Editing of SlTOM Susceptibility Genes in Tomato ‘Moneymaker’ to Improve Resistance to ToBRFV. 32nd International Horticultural Congress (IHC2026), Kyoto, Japan, 23–28 August 2026.
2026
Book Chapter
Nanomaterials for genetic transformation in plants
Ninh, Thao Thi, Njaci, Isaac, Wong, Albert Chern Sun, Nguyen, Linh Thi Thuy, Nong, Hue Thi, O’Brien, Chris and Hayward, Alice (2026). Nanomaterials for genetic transformation in plants. Exploring nanotechnology for in vitro plant improvement. (pp. 133-167) edited by Azamal Husen and Manu Pant. Singapore: Springer Singapore. doi: 10.1007/978-981-95-8765-0_6
2026
Newspaper Article
Understanding blueberry root-crown disorder: a progress update
Eveline, Kong, William, de Stefani, Nhu Quynh Thi, Truong, Madeleine, Gleeson, Alison, Kelly, Gerardo, Nunez, Chris, O'Brien, Thi Thao, Ninh and Alice, Hayward (2026, 01 01). Understanding blueberry root-crown disorder: a progress update Australian Berry Journal 108-110.
2026
Conference Publication
Substrate effects on early shoot and root development of container-grown blueberry
Truong, Nhu Quynh Thi, Ninh, Thi Thao, Kelly, Alison, Nunez, Gerardo, O'Brien, Chris, Gleeson, Madeleine, Hayward, Alice and Kong, Eveline Yee Yan (2026). Substrate effects on early shoot and root development of container-grown blueberry. Australia–Vietnam Conference on Smart and Sustainable Agriculture, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 30 July 2026.
2025
Conference Publication
Innovating vanilla for indoor cropping - Advanced climate-smart production systems
Chris O’Brien, Ninh, Thi Thao, Murillo Rodríguez, Daniela, Gleeson, Madeline and Hayward, Alice (2025). Innovating vanilla for indoor cropping - Advanced climate-smart production systems. Tropag2025, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 11-13 November 2025.
2025
Conference Publication
Optimization of protoplast isolation and PEG-mediated transfection for CRISPR/Cas9 validation in Solanum lycopersicum cv. Moneymaker
Wong, Man Chun, Ninh, Thao T., O’Brien, Chris and Murillo Rodríguez, Daniela (2025). Optimization of protoplast isolation and PEG-mediated transfection for CRISPR/Cas9 validation in Solanum lycopersicum cv. Moneymaker. Tropag2025, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 11-13 November 2025.
2025
Journal Article
Direct organogenesis of Epipremnum aureum G.S. bunting for mass propagation
Nguyen, Hai T., Khuat, Quyet V., Ninh, Thao T., Dang, Anh T. P., Nguyen, Le T., Kalasnıkova, Elena A., Batukaev, Abdulmalik A. and Kirakosyan, Rima N. (2025). Direct organogenesis of Epipremnum aureum G.S. bunting for mass propagation. Plants, 14 (21) 3299, 3299. doi: 10.3390/plants14213299
2025
Conference Publication
CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing for functional analysis and trait improvement in tomato
Ninh, Thao T., Trusov, Yuri, Wang, Yijie, Halter, Alice C., Chris O’Brien and Murillo Rodríguez, Daniela (2025). CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing for functional analysis and trait improvement in tomato. SAGA2025, Hanoi, Vietnam, 27-28 October 2025.
2025
Conference Publication
CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing for functional analysis and trait improvement in tomato.
Ninh, T., Trusov, Y., Wang, Y., Halter, A., Murillo, D. and O'Brien, C. (2025). CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing for functional analysis and trait improvement in tomato.. Vin Uni, Hanoi, Vietnam, 27-28 October 2025.
2025
Conference Publication
Recombinant production of an antimalarial peptide in Nicotiana benthamiana
Nguyen, Linh T.T., Harding, Maxim D., Healy, Wing L., Thanthrige, Nipuni P., Ninh, Thao T., Jackson, Mark A., Gilding, Edward K., Lawrence, Nicole and Craik, David (2025). Recombinant production of an antimalarial peptide in Nicotiana benthamiana. The 16th Australian Peptide Conference, Launceston, TAS, Australia, 12-17 October 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
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.
2024
Journal Article
Assessment of genetic diversity of Stephania rotunda Lour. collected in Northern Vietnam using RAPD and ISSR markers
Ninh, Thi Thao, Nguyen, Tien Phat, Dang, Huyen Trang, Chu, Ha Duc, Dinh, Truong Son, Nguyen, Xuan Canh, Pham, Thi Dung, Nguyen, Thanh Hai and Nong, Thi Hue (2024). Assessment of genetic diversity of Stephania rotunda Lour. collected in Northern Vietnam using RAPD and ISSR markers. Australian Journal of Crop Science, 18 (7), 374-381. doi: 10.21475/ajcs.24.18.07.pne19
2023
Journal Article
Designing CRISPR/Cas9 system targeting OsERF922 Gene of J02 rice variety
Bui, Huong, Dong, Gioi, Le, Cuong, Chu, Ha, Duong, Duy, Phung, Linh, Phung, Huong, Nguyen, Cuu, Nguyen, Ngoc, Nguyen, Phuong and Ninh, Thao (2023). Designing CRISPR/Cas9 system targeting OsERF922 Gene of J02 rice variety. Asian Journal of Plant Sciences, 22 (1), 66-74. doi: 10.3923/ajps.2023.66.74
2022
Journal Article
Genetic diversity of avocado (Persea americana Mill.) germplasm in Vietnam using RAPD and ISSR molecular markers
Ninh, Thao Thi, Doan, Hien Thi, Nguyen, Mai Thi, Tran, Tran Tu, Dang, Phong Dinh Duc, Dinh, Son Truong, Nguyen, Hai Thanh, Nong, Hue Thi and Nguyen, Canh Xuan (2022). Genetic diversity of avocado (Persea americana Mill.) germplasm in Vietnam using RAPD and ISSR molecular markers. Australian Journal of Crop Science, 16 (6), 856-862. doi: 10.21475/ajcs.22.16.06.p3667
2022
Journal Article
In Vitro Propagation of the Dendrobium anosmum Lindl. Collected in Vietnam
Nguyen, Hai T., Dinh, Son T., Ninh, Thao T., Nong, Hue T., Dang, Tam T. T., Khuat, Quyet V., Dang, Anh T. P., Ly, My T., Kirakosyan, Rima N. and Kalashnikova, Elena A. (2022). In Vitro Propagation of the Dendrobium anosmum Lindl. Collected in Vietnam. Agronomy, 12 (2) 324, 1-14. doi: 10.3390/agronomy12020324
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
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Thi Thao Ninh is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Optimising production of vanilla using novel propagation techniques
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alice Hayward, Dr Chris O'Brien
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Doctor Philosophy
Uncovering and Editing Basil Susceptibility Genesfor Durable Resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. basilici
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alice Hayward
-
Doctor Philosophy
Dissecting the Physiological Basis of Blueberry Root Wrapping and Crown disorder
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alison Kelly, Dr Alice Hayward, Dr Eveline Kong
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Doctor Philosophy
Establishment of avocado genome editing: Dwarfing avocado
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alice Hayward, Dr Chris O'Brien
Completed supervision
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2026
Doctor Philosophy
Characterizing the role of the heterotrimeric G protein alpha subunit in plant defence and development
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Yuri Trusov, Professor Jimmy Botella
Media
Enquiries
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