Overview
Background
I work on developing tissue culture and cryopreservation protocols for endangered Australian plant species. Currently I am working on Queensland Myrtaceae species affected by myrtle rust, an invasive fungal pathogen which is a significant threat to Australian species and ecosystems. I have a background in investigating plant mitochondrial function and an interest in the molecular biology and physiology underlying plant responses to tissue culture and cryopreservation.
Availability
- Miss Lily Whelehan is:
- Available for supervision
Research interests
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Cryobiotechnology
Cryobiotechnology is the use of modern techniques and multidisciplinary expertise to investigate core mechanisms and processes underlying plant responses to cryopreservation. Though cryopreservation is a highly effective long term conservation method, protocols take a long time and lots of resources to develop for each individual plant species. Cryobiotechnology aims to expedite this process by improving our understanding of the biological systems involved in cryopreservation and their responses to cryopreservation related stressors. My research in this area so far has centred on the areas of respirometry and mitochondrial function, but I am also interested in the role of programmed cell death, reactive oxygen species, and the effect of exogenous substrates or drugs on plant stress responses.
Works
Search Professor Lily Whelehan’s works on UQ eSpace
2022
Journal Article
How does metabolic rate in plant shoot tips change after cryopreservation?
Whelehan, Lily M., Dalziell, Emma L., Bunn, Eric, Mancera, Ricardo L. and Funnekotter, Bryn (2022). How does metabolic rate in plant shoot tips change after cryopreservation?. Cryobiology, 109, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2022.10.003
2022
Journal Article
Review: the case for studying mitochondrial function during plant cryopreservation
Whelehan, Lily M., Funnekotter, Bryn, Bunn, Eric and Mancera, Ricardo L. (2022). Review: the case for studying mitochondrial function during plant cryopreservation. Plant Science, 315 111134. doi: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2021.111134
2021
Conference Publication
Assessing plant metabolic rates during cryopreservation
Whelehan, Lily, Funnekotter, Bryn, Leahy, Georgia, Bunn, Eric and Mancera, Ricardo L. (2021). Assessing plant metabolic rates during cryopreservation. CRYO2021, 58th Annual Meeting of the Society For Cryobiology, Virtual, 20-23 July 2021. Maryland Heights, MO, United States: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2021.11.047
2019
Journal Article
Current issues in plant cryopreservation and importance for ex situ conservation of threatened Australian native species
Streczynski, Robyn, Clark, Hamish, Whelehan, Lily M., Ang, Sze-Tieng, Hardstaff, Lyndle K., Funnekotter, Bryn, Bunn, Eric, Offord, Catherine A., Sommerville, Karen D. and Mancera, Ricardo L. (2019). Current issues in plant cryopreservation and importance for ex situ conservation of threatened Australian native species. Australian Journal of Botany, 67 (1), 1-15. doi: 10.1071/bt18147
Supervision
Availability
- Miss Lily Whelehan is:
- Available for supervision
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Media
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