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)

81 - 100 of 152 works

2016

Journal Article

Heterosis in locally adapted sorghum genotypes and potential of hybrids for increased productivity in contrasting environments in Ethiopia

Mindaye, Taye T., Mace, Emma S., Godwin, Ian D. and Jordan, David R. (2016). Heterosis in locally adapted sorghum genotypes and potential of hybrids for increased productivity in contrasting environments in Ethiopia. The Crop Journal, 4 (6), 479-489. doi: 10.1016/j.cj.2016.06.020

Heterosis in locally adapted sorghum genotypes and potential of hybrids for increased productivity in contrasting environments in Ethiopia

2016

Journal Article

Quantitative trait loci of plant attributes related to sorghum grain number determination

Spagnolli, Florencia C., Mace, Emma, Jordan, David, Borras, Lucas and Gambin, Brenda L. (2016). Quantitative trait loci of plant attributes related to sorghum grain number determination. Crop Science, 56 (6), 3046-3054. doi: 10.2135/cropsci2016.03.0185

Quantitative trait loci of plant attributes related to sorghum grain number determination

2016

Journal Article

Whole genome sequencing reveals potential new targets for improving nitrogen uptake and utilization in Sorghum bicolor

Massel, Karen, Campbell, Bradley C., Mace, Emma S., Tai, Shuaishuai, Tao, Yongfu, Worland, Belinda G., Jordan, David R., Botella, Jose R. and Godwin, Ian D. (2016). Whole genome sequencing reveals potential new targets for improving nitrogen uptake and utilization in Sorghum bicolor. Frontiers in Plant Science, 7 (OCTOBER2016) 1544, 1544. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2016.01544

Whole genome sequencing reveals potential new targets for improving nitrogen uptake and utilization in Sorghum bicolor

2016

Journal Article

Rice-cold tolerance across reproductive stages

Mitchell, J. H., Zulkafli, S. L., Bosse, J., Campbell, B., Snell, P., Mace, E. S., Godwin, I. D. and Fukai, S. (2016). Rice-cold tolerance across reproductive stages. Crop and Pasture Science, 67 (8), 823-833. doi: 10.1071/CP15331

Rice-cold tolerance across reproductive stages

2016

Journal Article

Fine mapping of qDor7, a major QTL affecting seed dormancy in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench)

Li, Pan, Mace, Emma S., Guo, Yan, Han, Lijie, Wang, Mumu, He, Yanfang, Chen, Jun, Yuyama, Nana, Jordan, David R. and Cai, Hongwei (2016). Fine mapping of qDor7, a major QTL affecting seed dormancy in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench). Tropical Plant Biology, 9 (2), 109-116. doi: 10.1007/s12042-016-9169-0

Fine mapping of qDor7, a major QTL affecting seed dormancy in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench)

2016

Journal Article

Genomic regions influencing seminal root traits in barley

Robinson, Hannah, Hickey, Lee, Richard, Cecile, Mace, Emma, Kelly, Alison, Borrell, Andrew, Franckowiak, Jerome and Fox, Glen (2016). Genomic regions influencing seminal root traits in barley. The Plant Genome, 9 (1), 1-13. doi: 10.3835/plantgenome2015.03.0012

Genomic regions influencing seminal root traits in barley

2016

Journal Article

Erratum: SorGSD: a sorghum genome SNP database (Biotechnology for Biofuels (2016) 9:6 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-015-0415-8)

Luo, Hong, Zhao, Wenming, Wang, Yanqing, Xia, Yan, Wu, Xiaoyuan, Zhang, Limin, Tang, Bixia, Zhu, Junwei, Fang, Lu, Du, Zhenglin, Bekele, Wubishet A., Tai, Shuaishuai, Jordan, David R., Godwin, Ian D., Snowdon, Rod J., Mace, Emma S., Luo, Jingchu and Jing, Hai-Chun (2016). Erratum: SorGSD: a sorghum genome SNP database (Biotechnology for Biofuels (2016) 9:6 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-015-0415-8). Biotechnology for Biofuels, 9 (1) 37, 37-37. doi: 10.1186/s13068-016-0450-0

Erratum: SorGSD: a sorghum genome SNP database (Biotechnology for Biofuels (2016) 9:6 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-015-0415-8)

2016

Journal Article

SorGSD: A sorghum genome SNP database

Luo, Hong, Zhao, Wenming, Wang, Yanqing, Xia, Yan, Wu, Xiaoyuan, Zhang, Limin, Tang, Bixia, Zhu, Junwei, Fang, Lu, Du, Zhenglin, Bekele, Wubishet A., Tai, Shuaishuai, Jordan, David R., Godwin , Ian D., Snowdon, Rod J., Mace, Emma S., Jing, Jingchu and Luo, Hai‑Chun (2016). SorGSD: A sorghum genome SNP database. Biotechnology for Biofuels, 9 (1) 6, 6. doi: 10.1186/s13068-015-0415-8

SorGSD: A sorghum genome SNP database

2016

Book Chapter

Genetic manipulation of root system architecture to improve drought adaptation in sorghum

Joshi, Dinesh, Singh, Vijaya, van Oosterom, Erik, Mace, Emma, Jordan, David and Hammer, Graeme (2016). Genetic manipulation of root system architecture to improve drought adaptation in sorghum. The sorghum genome. (pp. 207-226) edited by Sujay Rakshit and Yi-Hong Wang. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-47789-3_11

Genetic manipulation of root system architecture to improve drought adaptation in sorghum

2015

Journal Article

Fine mapping of qGW1, a major QTL for grain weight in sorghum

Han, Lijie, Chen, Jun, Mace, Emma S., Liu, Yishan, Zhu, Mengjiao, Yuyama, Nana, Jordan, David R. and Cai, Hongwei (2015). Fine mapping of qGW1, a major QTL for grain weight in sorghum. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 128 (9), 1813-1825. doi: 10.1007/s00122-015-2549-2

Fine mapping of qGW1, a major QTL for grain weight in sorghum

2015

Journal Article

Genetic differentiation analysis for the identification of complementary parental pools for sorghum hybrid breeding in Ethiopia

Mindaye, Taye T., Mace, Emma S., Godwin, Ian D. and Jordan D.R. (2015). Genetic differentiation analysis for the identification of complementary parental pools for sorghum hybrid breeding in Ethiopia. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 128 (9), 1765-1775. doi: 10.1007/s00122-015-2545-6

Genetic differentiation analysis for the identification of complementary parental pools for sorghum hybrid breeding in Ethiopia

2015

Journal Article

Spot form of net blotch resistance in barley is under complex genetic control

Wang, Xuemin, Mace, Emma S., Platz, Gregory J., Hunt, Colleen H., Hickey, Lee T., Franckowiak, Jerome D. and Jordan, David R. (2015). Spot form of net blotch resistance in barley is under complex genetic control. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 128 (3), 489-499. doi: 10.1007/s00122-014-2447-z

Spot form of net blotch resistance in barley is under complex genetic control

2014

Journal Article

Two distinct classes of QTL determine rust resistance in sorghum

Wang, Xuemin, Mace, Emma, Hunt, Colleen, Cruickshank, Alan, Henzell, Robert, Parkes, Heidi and Jordan, David (2014). Two distinct classes of QTL determine rust resistance in sorghum. BMC Plant Biology, 14 (1) 366, 366. doi: 10.1186/s12870-014-0366-4

Two distinct classes of QTL determine rust resistance in sorghum

2014

Journal Article

QTL analysis in multiple sorghum populations facilitates the dissection of the genetic and physiological control of tillering

Alam, M. M., Mace, E. S., van Oosterom, E. J., Cruickshank, A., Hunt, C. H., Hammer G.L. and Jordan, D. R. (2014). QTL analysis in multiple sorghum populations facilitates the dissection of the genetic and physiological control of tillering. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 127 (10), 2253-2266. doi: 10.1007/s00122-014-2377-9

QTL analysis in multiple sorghum populations facilitates the dissection of the genetic and physiological control of tillering

2014

Journal Article

The plasticity of NBS resistance genes in sorghum is driven by multiple evolutionary processes

Mace, Emma, Tai, Shuaishuai, Innes, David, Godwin, Ian, Hu, Wushu, Campbell, Bradley, Gilding, Edward, Cruickshank, Alan, Prentis, Peter, Wang, Jun and Jordan, David (2014). The plasticity of NBS resistance genes in sorghum is driven by multiple evolutionary processes. BMC Plant Biology, 14 (1) 253, 253.1-253.14. doi: 10.1186/s12870-014-0253-z

The plasticity of NBS resistance genes in sorghum is driven by multiple evolutionary processes

2014

Journal Article

Association mapping of resistance to Puccinia hordei in Australian barley breeding germplasm

Ziems, L. A., Hickey, L. T., Hunt, C. H., Mace, E. S., Platz, G. J., Franckowiak, J. D. and Jordan, D. R. (2014). Association mapping of resistance to Puccinia hordei in Australian barley breeding germplasm. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 127 (5), 1199-1212. doi: 10.1007/s00122-014-2291-1

Association mapping of resistance to Puccinia hordei in Australian barley breeding germplasm

2013

Journal Article

Whole-genome sequencing reveals untapped genetic potential in Africa's indigenous cereal crop sorghum

Mace, Emma S., Tai, Shuaishuai, Gilding, Edward K., Li, Yanhong, Prentis, Peter J., Bian, Lianle, Campbell, Bradley C., Hu, Wushu, Innes, David J., Han, Xuelian, Cruickshank, Alan, Dai, Changming, Frere, Celine, Zhang, Haikuan, Hunt, Colleen H., Wang, Xianyuan, Shatte, Tracey, Wang, Miao, Su, Zhe, Li, Jun, Lin, Xiaozhen, Godwin, Ian D., Jordan, David R. and Wang, Jun (2013). Whole-genome sequencing reveals untapped genetic potential in Africa's indigenous cereal crop sorghum. Nature Communications, 4 (1) 2320, 2320.1-2320.8. doi: 10.1038/ncomms3320

Whole-genome sequencing reveals untapped genetic potential in Africa's indigenous cereal crop sorghum

2013

Journal Article

QTL for root angle and number in a population developed from bread wheats (Triticum aestivum) with contrasting adaptation to water-limited environments

Christopher, Jack, Christopher, Mandy, Jennings, Raeleen, Jones, Shirley, Fletcher, Susan, Borrell, Andrew, Manschadi, Ahmad M., Jordan, David, Mace, Emma and Hammer, Graeme (2013). QTL for root angle and number in a population developed from bread wheats (Triticum aestivum) with contrasting adaptation to water-limited environments. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 126 (6), 1563-1574. doi: 10.1007/s00122-013-2074-0

QTL for root angle and number in a population developed from bread wheats (Triticum aestivum) with contrasting adaptation to water-limited environments

2013

Journal Article

Supermodels: sorghum and maize provide mutual insight into the genetics of flowering time

Mace, E. S., Hunt, C. H. and Jordan, D. R. (2013). Supermodels: sorghum and maize provide mutual insight into the genetics of flowering time. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 126 (5), 1377-1395. doi: 10.1007/s00122-013-2059-z

Supermodels: sorghum and maize provide mutual insight into the genetics of flowering time

2013

Journal Article

Recent emergence of the wheat Lr34 multi-pathogen resistance: insights from haplotype analysis in wheat, rice, sorghum and Aegilops tauschii

Krattinger, Simon G., Jordan, David R., Mace, Emma S., Raghavan, Chitra, Luo, Ming-Cheng, Keller, Beat and Lagudah, Evans S. (2013). Recent emergence of the wheat Lr34 multi-pathogen resistance: insights from haplotype analysis in wheat, rice, sorghum and Aegilops tauschii. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 126 (3), 663-672. doi: 10.1007/s00122-012-2009-1

Recent emergence of the wheat Lr34 multi-pathogen resistance: insights from haplotype analysis in wheat, rice, sorghum and Aegilops tauschii

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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