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Professor Emma Mace
Professor

Emma Mace

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 4542 6729
Phone: 
+61 7 336 54368

Overview

Background

Professor Emma Mace’s research interest is in developing and applying innovative genomics approaches to support sorghum improvement activities.

In Professor Mace’s current role leading sorghum genomics research components of research projects funded by the Grains Research Development Corporation (GRDC), the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), the Australian Research Council (ARC),her work focuses on generating significant innovative outcomes across a range of applications, from basic through to applied, specifically in using technologies to bridge the gene to phenotype gap, and to elucidate the genetic basis of quantitative and qualitative traits.

Availability

Professor Emma Mace is:
Not available for supervision

Qualifications

  • Bachelor, University of Nottingham
  • Masters (Coursework) of Science, University of Birmingham
  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Birmingham

Research interests

  • Sorghum

  • Genomics

Research impacts

Australia produces at least 2 million tonnes of grain sorghum each year. Sorghum is one of the most diverse crop species with great potential for improvement in yield, drought resistance, insect resistance and grain quality. An understanding of the genetic control of key characteristics provides plant breeders with new opportunities to increase the rate of genetic gain and breed new improved genotypes. However, the complexity of gene function determination remains one of the major challenges facing plant biologists today, despite the development and application of new technologies, including high throughput genotyping and next-generation sequencing.

The UQ sorghum genomics team, together with researchers at DAF, are using an integrated set of technologies and germplasm collections to enhance gene function determination in sorghum.

Our capacity: marker-assisted selection, genomic selection and mapping

Applications

• high resolution genetic mapping for quantitative traits and identification of beneficial alleles

• development of customised SNP markers for target traits for Marker Assisted Selection

• development of whole-genome prediction models for applying genomic selection for target traits

The integrated application of new technologies and resources within the sorghum breeding program is being used in a range of research projects investigating a range of crop trait characteristics including drought tolerance, grain size, photosynthesis and grain yield.

Works

Search Professor Emma Mace’s works on UQ eSpace

150 works between 1995 and 2024

1 - 20 of 150 works

2024

Journal Article

Diversity and pathogenicity of Fusarium spp. isolated from cultivated sorghum stems and roots in eastern Australia

Gunasinghe, Niroshini, Vaghefi, Niloofar, Shivas, Roger G., Tan, Yu Pei, Jordan, David, Mace, Emma and Martin, Anke (2024). Diversity and pathogenicity of Fusarium spp. isolated from cultivated sorghum stems and roots in eastern Australia. Plant Pathology. doi: 10.1111/ppa.13985

Diversity and pathogenicity of Fusarium spp. isolated from cultivated sorghum stems and roots in eastern Australia

2024

Journal Article

Mapping quantitative trait loci for seminal root angle in a selected durum wheat population

Kang, Yichen, Alahmad, Samir, Haeften, Shanice V., Akinlade, Oluwaseun, Tong, Jingyang, Dinglasan, Eric, Voss‐Fels, Kai P., Potgieter, Andries B., Borrell, Andrew K., Makhoul, Manar, Obermeier, Christian, Snowdon, Rod, Mace, Emma, Jordan, David R. and Hickey, Lee T. (2024). Mapping quantitative trait loci for seminal root angle in a selected durum wheat population. The Plant Genome ARTN e20490, e20490. doi: 10.1002/tpg2.20490

Mapping quantitative trait loci for seminal root angle in a selected durum wheat population

2024

Journal Article

Seminal root angle is associated with root system architecture in durum wheat

Kang, Yichen, Rambla, Charlotte, Haeften, Shanice V., Fu, Brendan, Akinlade, Oluwaseun, Potgieter, Andries B., Borrell, Andrew K., Mace, Emma, Jordan, David R., Alahmad, Samir and Hickey, Lee T. (2024). Seminal root angle is associated with root system architecture in durum wheat. Food and Energy Security, 13 (4) e570. doi: 10.1002/fes3.570

Seminal root angle is associated with root system architecture in durum wheat

2024

Journal Article

The use of fixed shelling percentage biases genotype selection in hybrid maize multi-environment yield trials

Keno, Tolera, Mace, Emma, Godwin, Ian, Jordan, David and Kelly, Alison (2024). The use of fixed shelling percentage biases genotype selection in hybrid maize multi-environment yield trials. Field Crops Research, 315 109437, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.fcr.2024.109437

The use of fixed shelling percentage biases genotype selection in hybrid maize multi-environment yield trials

2024

Journal Article

Complete telomere‐to‐telomere assemblies of two sorghum genomes to guide biological discovery

Wei, Chuanzheng, Gao, Lei, Xiao, Ruixue, Wang, Yanbo, Chen, Bingru, Zou, Wenhui, Li, Jihong, Mace, Emma, Jordan, David and Tao, Yongfu (2024). Complete telomere‐to‐telomere assemblies of two sorghum genomes to guide biological discovery. iMeta, 3 (2) e193, e193. doi: 10.1002/imt2.193

Complete telomere‐to‐telomere assemblies of two sorghum genomes to guide biological discovery

2024

Journal Article

Adaptation and plasticity of yield in hybrid and inbred sorghum

Otwani, Daniel, Hunt, Colleen, Cruickshank, Alan, Powell, Owen, Koltunow, Anna, Mace, Emma and Jordan, David (2024). Adaptation and plasticity of yield in hybrid and inbred sorghum. Crop Science, 64 (2), 560-570. doi: 10.1002/csc2.21160

Adaptation and plasticity of yield in hybrid and inbred sorghum

2023

Journal Article

Genetic dissection of root architecture in Ethiopian sorghum landraces

Menamo, Temesgen, Borrell, Andrew K., Mace, Emma, Jordan, David R., Tao, Yongfu, Hunt, Colleen and Kassahun, Bantte (2023). Genetic dissection of root architecture in Ethiopian sorghum landraces. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 136 (10) 209, 1-12. doi: 10.1007/s00122-023-04457-0

Genetic dissection of root architecture in Ethiopian sorghum landraces

2023

Conference Publication

Evaluating variation in stem strength in response to artificial drought stress amongst sorghum genotypes

Geetika, Geetika, Borrell, Andrew, Thornton, Erin, Hunt, Colleen, Chapman, Scott, Philp, Trevor, Fekybelu, Solomon, Potgieter, Andries, Godwin, Ian, Hammer, Graeme, Mace, Emma and Jordan, David (2023). Evaluating variation in stem strength in response to artificial drought stress amongst sorghum genotypes. Global Sorghum Conference Sorghum in the 21st Century, Montpellier, France, 5-9 June 2023.

Evaluating variation in stem strength in response to artificial drought stress amongst sorghum genotypes

2023

Journal Article

First report of Fusarium madaense as a cause of root and stalk rot on Sorghum bicolor in Australia

Gunasinghe, N., Vaghefi, N., Shivas, R. G., Tan, Y. P., Jordan, D., Mace, E., Cruickshank, A. and Martin, A. (2023). First report of Fusarium madaense as a cause of root and stalk rot on Sorghum bicolor in Australia. New Disease Reports, 47 (2) e12192, 1-3. doi: 10.1002/ndr2.12192

First report of Fusarium madaense as a cause of root and stalk rot on Sorghum bicolor in Australia

2023

Conference Publication

Evaluating variation in stem strength in response to artificial drought stress amongst sorghum genotypes

Geetika, Geetika, Borrell, Andrew, Thornton, Erin, Reed, Sean, Hunt, Colleen, Chapman, Scott, Philp, Trevor, Fekybelu, Solomon, Potgieter, Andries, Godwin, Ian, Hammer, Graeme, Mace, Emma and Jordan, David (2023). Evaluating variation in stem strength in response to artificial drought stress amongst sorghum genotypes. Australian Summer Grains Conference, Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 13-15 March 2023.

Evaluating variation in stem strength in response to artificial drought stress amongst sorghum genotypes

2023

Journal Article

Variation in mitogenome structural conformation in wild and cultivated lineages of sorghum corresponds with domestication history and plastome evolution

Zhang, Shuo, Wang, Jie, He, Wenchuang, Kan, Shenglong, Liao, Xuezhu, Jordan, David R., Mace, Emma S., Tao, Yongfu, Cruickshank, Alan W., Klein, Robert, Yuan, Daojun, Tembrock, Luke R. and Wu, Zhiqiang (2023). Variation in mitogenome structural conformation in wild and cultivated lineages of sorghum corresponds with domestication history and plastome evolution. BMC Plant Biology, 23 (1) 91, 1-17. doi: 10.1186/s12870-023-04104-2

Variation in mitogenome structural conformation in wild and cultivated lineages of sorghum corresponds with domestication history and plastome evolution

2023

Other Outputs

Core Sorghum Breeding (DGP-Central QLD in years 2004 to 2019)

Jordan, David, Cruickshank, Alan, Hunt, Colleen and Mace, Emma (2023). Core Sorghum Breeding (DGP-Central QLD in years 2004 to 2019). The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/2e8465b

Core Sorghum Breeding (DGP-Central QLD in years 2004 to 2019)

2023

Other Outputs

Core Sorghum Breeding (DGP-South West QLD in years 2006 to 2011)

Jordan, David, Cruickshank, Alan, Hunt, Colleen and Mace, Emma (2023). Core Sorghum Breeding (DGP-South West QLD in years 2006 to 2011). The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/ad0ed20

Core Sorghum Breeding (DGP-South West QLD in years 2006 to 2011)

2023

Other Outputs

Core Sorghum Breeding (Midge-South East QLD in years 2017 to 2020)

Jordan, David, Cruickshank, Alan, Hunt, Colleen and Mace, Emma (2023). Core Sorghum Breeding (Midge-South East QLD in years 2017 to 2020). The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/44b9cad

Core Sorghum Breeding (Midge-South East QLD in years 2017 to 2020)

2023

Other Outputs

Core Sorghum Breeding (Breeding Trials-South West QLD in years 2006 to 2011)

Jordan, David, Cruickshank, Alan, Hunt, Colleen and Mace, Emma (2023). Core Sorghum Breeding (Breeding Trials-South West QLD in years 2006 to 2011). The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/e05c9c6

Core Sorghum Breeding (Breeding Trials-South West QLD in years 2006 to 2011)

2023

Other Outputs

Core Sorghum Breeding (Breeding Trials-Central QLD in years 2004 to 2020)

Jordan, David, Cruickshank, Alan, Hunt, Colleen and Mace, Emma (2023). Core Sorghum Breeding (Breeding Trials-Central QLD in years 2004 to 2020). The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/8bd7ba2

Core Sorghum Breeding (Breeding Trials-Central QLD in years 2004 to 2020)

2023

Other Outputs

Core Sorghum Breeding (Breeding Trials-South East QLD in years 2004 to 2022)

Jordan, David, Cruickshank, Alan, Hunt, Colleen and Mace, Emma (2023). Core Sorghum Breeding (Breeding Trials-South East QLD in years 2004 to 2022). The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/35920ea

Core Sorghum Breeding (Breeding Trials-South East QLD in years 2004 to 2022)

2023

Other Outputs

Core Sorghum Breeding (Breeding Trials-North East NSW in years 2007 to 2018)

Jordan, David, Cruickshank, Alan, Hunt, Colleen and Mace, Emma (2023). Core Sorghum Breeding (Breeding Trials-North East NSW in years 2007 to 2018). The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/b1a9171

Core Sorghum Breeding (Breeding Trials-North East NSW in years 2007 to 2018)

2023

Other Outputs

Core Sorghum Breeding (Crop Wild Relatives-Central QLD in 2018)

Jordan, David, Cruickshank, Alan, Hunt, Colleen and Mace, Emma (2023). Core Sorghum Breeding (Crop Wild Relatives-Central QLD in 2018). The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/50244a4

Core Sorghum Breeding (Crop Wild Relatives-Central QLD in 2018)

2023

Other Outputs

Core Sorghum Breeding (Breeding Trials-North West NSW in years 2004 to 2016)

Jordan, David, Cruickshank, Alan, Hunt, Colleen and Mace, Emma (2023). Core Sorghum Breeding (Breeding Trials-North West NSW in years 2004 to 2016). The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/8fb3d48

Core Sorghum Breeding (Breeding Trials-North West NSW in years 2004 to 2016)

Funding

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2027
    Root structure and function traits: Overcoming the root phenotyping bottleneck in cereals
    PROC-9176895 Phenomics methods and tools to enable improved resource capture efficiency in grain crops
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    Predicting Perfect Partners: climate resilient seed production technology
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2025
    Institutional Capacity Improvement for Breeding Programs of the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR)-II
    Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2026
    Hy-Gain for Smallholders (2020-2025)
    Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2019 - 2023
    Climate-smart interventions for smallholder farmers in Ethiopia
    International Development Research Centre-Cultivate Africa's Future Fund
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    Beat the heat: Adapting sorghum crops for global climate futures
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    DAQ00187 National Barley Foliar Pathogen Variety Improvement Program (GRDC Project led by DAF)
    Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2021
    Development of a wild sorghum BCNAM panel
    Global Crop Diversity Trust
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    Sorghum with more feed grain energy: bigger grain with higher starch content
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Professor Emma Mace is:
Not available for supervision

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

For media enquiries about Professor Emma Mace's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au