Professor Emma Mace
Professor

Emma Mace

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

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.

Search Professor Emma Mace’s works on UQ eSpace

152 works between 1995 and 2025
All (152) Journal Article (107) Book Chapter (4) Conference Publication (29) Other Outputs (12)

61 - 80 of 152 works

2019

Conference Publication

Predicting lodging using sensing technologies to enhance selection in sorghum breeding trials

Potgieter, Andries, Laws, Kenneth, George-Jaeggli, Barbara, Hunt, Colleen, Guo, Wei, Reynolds Massey-Reed, Sean, Chapman, Scott, Borrell, Andrew, Mace, Emma, Hammer, Graeme and Jordan, David (2019). Predicting lodging using sensing technologies to enhance selection in sorghum breeding trials. 6th International Plant Phenotyping Symposium, Nanjing, China, 22-26 October 2019.

Predicting lodging using sensing technologies to enhance selection in sorghum breeding trials

2019

Conference Publication

What is the cellular basis for seed size differences in sorghum?

Shipp, Jessica, Mace, Emma, George-Jaeggli, Barbara, Tao, Yongfu, Cruickshank, Alan, Jordan, David and Roberts, T. (2019). What is the cellular basis for seed size differences in sorghum?. Australian Summer Grains Conference (ASGC 2019), Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, 8-10 July 2019.

What is the cellular basis for seed size differences in sorghum?

2019

Conference Publication

Variation in leaf vein density in sorghum and implications for C4 photosynthesis

Borrell, Andrew, Fraija, Juan, Wang, Rui, Hunt, Colleen, Jordan, David, Mace, Emma, Tao. Yongfu, Ghannoum, Oula, Cano, Francisco Javier, Pan, Ling and George-Jaeggli, Barbara (2019). Variation in leaf vein density in sorghum and implications for C4 photosynthesis. Innovations in Agriculture for Food Security, Brisbane, Australia, 30 June - 3 July.

Variation in leaf vein density in sorghum and implications for C4 photosynthesis

2019

Conference Publication

Variation in leaf vein density in sorghum and implications for C4 photosynthesis

Borrell, Andrew, Fraija, Juan, Wang, Rui, Hunt, Colleen, Jordan, David, Mace, Emma, Ghannoum, Oula, Cano, F. Javier, Pan, Ling and George-Jaeggli, Barbara (2019). Variation in leaf vein density in sorghum and implications for C4 photosynthesis. Innovations in Agriculture for Food Security, Brisbane, Australia, 30 June - 3 July 2019.

Variation in leaf vein density in sorghum and implications for C4 photosynthesis

2018

Journal Article

The Sorghum QTL Atlas: a powerful tool for trait dissection, comparative genomics and crop improvement

Mace, Emma, Innes, David, Hunt, Colleen, Wang, Xuemin, Tao, Yongfu, Baxter, Jared, Hassall, Michael, Hathorn, Adrian and Jordan, David (2018). The Sorghum QTL Atlas: a powerful tool for trait dissection, comparative genomics and crop improvement. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 132 (3), 751-766. doi: 10.1007/s00122-018-3212-5

The Sorghum QTL Atlas: a powerful tool for trait dissection, comparative genomics and crop improvement

2018

Journal Article

Novel grain weight loci revealed in a cross between cultivated and wild sorghum

Tao, Yongfu, Mace, Emma, George-Jaeggli, Barbara, Hunt, Colleen, Cruickshank, Alan, Henzell, Robert and Jordan, David (2018). Novel grain weight loci revealed in a cross between cultivated and wild sorghum. The Plant Genome, 11 (2) 170089, 170089. doi: 10.3835/plantgenome2017.10.0089

Novel grain weight loci revealed in a cross between cultivated and wild sorghum

2018

Journal Article

Development of genomic prediction in sorghum

Hunt, Colleen H., van Eeuwijk, Fred A., Mace, Emma S., Hayes, Ben J. and Jordan, David R. (2018). Development of genomic prediction in sorghum. Crop Science, 58 (2), 690-700. doi: 10.2135/cropsci2017.08.0469

Development of genomic prediction in sorghum

2018

Journal Article

Integrating modelling and phenotyping approaches to identify and screen complex traits : transpiration efficiency in cereals

Chenu, K., van Oosterom, E. J., McLean, G., Deifel, K. S., Fletcher, A., Geetika, G., Tirfessa, A., Mace, E. S., Jordan, D. R., Sulman, R. and Hammer, G. L. (2018). Integrating modelling and phenotyping approaches to identify and screen complex traits : transpiration efficiency in cereals. Journal of Experimental Botany, 69 (13), 3181-3194. doi: 10.1093/jxb/ery059

Integrating modelling and phenotyping approaches to identify and screen complex traits : transpiration efficiency in cereals

2018

Journal Article

Characterization of Linkage Disequilibrium and Population Structure in a Mungbean Diversity Panel

Noble, Thomas J., Tao, Yongfu, Mace, Emma S., Williams, Brett, Jordan, David R., Douglas, Colin A. and Mundree, Sagadevan G. (2018). Characterization of Linkage Disequilibrium and Population Structure in a Mungbean Diversity Panel. Frontiers in Plant Science, 8 2102, 1-9. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2017.02102

Characterization of Linkage Disequilibrium and Population Structure in a Mungbean Diversity Panel

2018

Conference Publication

Determining crop growth dynamics in sorghum breeding trials through remote and proximal sensing technologies

Potgieter, Andries B., Watson, James, Eldridge, Mark, Laws, Kenneth, George-Jaeggli, Barbara, Hunt, Colleen, Borrell, Andrew, Mace, Emma, Chapman, Scott C., Jordan, David R. and Hammer, Graeme L. (2018). Determining crop growth dynamics in sorghum breeding trials through remote and proximal sensing technologies. 38th IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS), Valencia, Spain, Jul 22-27, 2018. NEW YORK: IEEE. doi: 10.1109/IGARSS.2018.8519296

Determining crop growth dynamics in sorghum breeding trials through remote and proximal sensing technologies

2018

Conference Publication

Variation in Leaf Vein Density (LVD) in sorghum: leaf anatomy and C4 photosynthesis

Borrell, Andrew, Fraija, Juan, Wang, Rui, Hunt, Colleen, Mace, Emma, Jordan, David and George-Jaeggli, Barbara (2018). Variation in Leaf Vein Density (LVD) in sorghum: leaf anatomy and C4 photosynthesis. Variation in Leaf Vein Density (LVD) in sorghum: leaf anatomy and C4 photosynthesis, Redcliffe, QLD, Australia, 17-18 July 2018.

Variation in Leaf Vein Density (LVD) in sorghum: leaf anatomy and C4 photosynthesis

2018

Conference Publication

Trial results - Tactical agronomy for sorghum and maize and agronomy for high yielding sorghum and wheat in the northern region

George-Jaeggli, Barbara, Potgieter, Andries, James, Watson, Chapman, Scott, Zheng, Bangyou, Eldridge, Mark, Laws, Kenneth, Mace, Emma, Hunt, Colleen, Hathorn, Adrian, Borrell, Andrew, Hammer, Graeme and Jordan, David (2018). Trial results - Tactical agronomy for sorghum and maize and agronomy for high yielding sorghum and wheat in the northern region. 2nd Asia-Pacific Plant Phenotyping Conference, Nanjing, China, 23- 25 March 2018.

Trial results - Tactical agronomy for sorghum and maize and agronomy for high yielding sorghum and wheat in the northern region

2017

Journal Article

Investigating successive Australian barley breeding populations for stable resistance to leaf rust

Ziems, L. A., Franckowiak, J. D., Platz, G. J., Mace, E. S., Park, R. F., Singh, D., Jordan, D. R. and Hickey, L. T. (2017). Investigating successive Australian barley breeding populations for stable resistance to leaf rust. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 130 (11), 2463-2477. doi: 10.1007/s00122-017-2970-9

Investigating successive Australian barley breeding populations for stable resistance to leaf rust

2017

Journal Article

The vegetative nitrogen response of sorghum lines containing different alleles for nitrate reductase and glutamate synthase

Diatloff, Eugene, Mace, Emma S., Jordan, David R., Filleur, Sophie, Tai, Shuaishuai, Schmidt, Susanne and Godwin, Ian D. (2017). The vegetative nitrogen response of sorghum lines containing different alleles for nitrate reductase and glutamate synthase. Molecular Breeding, 37 (11) 138. doi: 10.1007/s11032-017-0738-1

The vegetative nitrogen response of sorghum lines containing different alleles for nitrate reductase and glutamate synthase

2017

Journal Article

VERNALIZATION1 modulates root system architecture in wheat and barley

Voss-Fels, Kai P., Robinson, Hannah, Mudge, Stephen R., Richard, Cecile, Newman, Saul, Wittkop, Benjamin, Stahl, Andreas, Friedt, Wolfgang, Frisch, Matthias, Gabur, Iulian, Miller-Cooper, Anika, Campbell, Bradley C., Kelly, Alison, Fox, Glen, Christopher, Jack, Christopher, Mandy, Chenu, Karine, Franckowiak, Jerome, Mace, Emma S., Borrell, Andrew K., Eagles, Howard, Jordan, David R., Botella, Jose R., Hammer, Graeme, Godwin, Ian D., Trevaskis, Ben, Snowdon, Rod J. and Hickey, Lee T. (2017). VERNALIZATION1 modulates root system architecture in wheat and barley. Molecular Plant, 11 (1), 226-229. doi: 10.1016/j.molp.2017.10.005

VERNALIZATION1 modulates root system architecture in wheat and barley

2017

Journal Article

Whole-genome analysis of candidate genes associated with seed size and weight in Sorghum bicolor reveals signatures of artificial selection and insights into parallel domestication in cereal crops

Tao, Yongfu, Mace, Emma S., Tai, Shuaishuai, Cruickshank, Alan, Campbell, Bradley C., Zhao, Xianrong, Van Oosterom, Erik J., Godwin, Ian D., Botella, Jose R. and Jordan, David R. (2017). Whole-genome analysis of candidate genes associated with seed size and weight in Sorghum bicolor reveals signatures of artificial selection and insights into parallel domestication in cereal crops. Frontiers in Plant Science, 8 1237, 1237.1-1237.14. doi: 10.3389/fp/s.2017.01237

Whole-genome analysis of candidate genes associated with seed size and weight in Sorghum bicolor reveals signatures of artificial selection and insights into parallel domestication in cereal crops

2017

Journal Article

Development of a phenotyping platform for high throughput screening of nodal root angle in sorghum

Joshi, Dinesh C., Singh, Vijaya, Hunt, Colleen, Mace, Emma, van Oosterom, Erik, Sulman, Richard, Jordan, David and Hammer, Graeme (2017). Development of a phenotyping platform for high throughput screening of nodal root angle in sorghum. Plant Methods, 13 (1) 56, 56. doi: 10.1186/s13007-017-0206-2

Development of a phenotyping platform for high throughput screening of nodal root angle in sorghum

2017

Conference Publication

High-throughput phenotyping and genotyping of variation in photosynthesis traits for increased crop yields

George-Jaeggli, Barbara, Potgieter, Andries, Chapman, Scott, Laws, Kenneth, Watson, James, Eldridge, Mark, van Oosterom, Erik, Geetika, Geetika, Mace, Emma, Hathorn, Adrian, Hunt, Collen, Borrell, Andrew, von Caemmerer, Susanne, Hammer, Graeme and Jordan, David (2017). High-throughput phenotyping and genotyping of variation in photosynthesis traits for increased crop yields. Chloroplast Metabolism and Photosynthesis Symposium, Neuchâtel, Switzerland, 26-28 July 2017.

High-throughput phenotyping and genotyping of variation in photosynthesis traits for increased crop yields

2017

Conference Publication

Adapting cereals to drought: genetic and management solutions

Borrell, A. K., George-Jaeggli, B., van Oosterom, E. J., Mace, E. S., Jordan, D. R., Kassahun, B., Matiwos, T., Vadez, V., Talwar, H., Christopher, J. T., Chenu, K., Richard, C., Robinson, H., Hickey, L., Nagothu, S. U. and Hammer, G. L. (2017). Adapting cereals to drought: genetic and management solutions. TropAg2017, International Tropical Agriculture Conference, Brisbane, Australia, 20-22 November 2017. Trop Ag.

Adapting cereals to drought: genetic and management solutions

2016

Journal Article

Domestication and the storage starch biosynthesis pathway: signatures of selection from a whole sorghum genome sequencing strategy

Campbell, Bradley C., Gilding, Edward K., Mace, Emma S., Tai, Shuaishuai, Tao, Yongfu, Prentis, Peter J., Thomelin, Pauline, Jordan, David R. and Godwin, Ian D. (2016). Domestication and the storage starch biosynthesis pathway: signatures of selection from a whole sorghum genome sequencing strategy. Plant Biotechnology Journal, 14 (12), 2240-2253. doi: 10.1111/pbi.12578

Domestication and the storage starch biosynthesis pathway: signatures of selection from a whole sorghum genome sequencing strategy

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2027
    Unlocking crop epigenomics to uncover and engineer hidden diversity
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 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

Availability

Professor Emma Mace is:
Not available for supervision

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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