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)

101 - 120 of 152 works

2013

Journal Article

Allelic variation at a single gene increases food value in a drought-tolerant staple cereal

Gilding, Edward K., Frere, Celine H., Cruickshank, Alan, Rada, Anna K., Prentis, Peter J., Mudge, Agnieszka M., Mace, Emma S., Jordan, David R. and Godwin, Ian D. (2013). Allelic variation at a single gene increases food value in a drought-tolerant staple cereal. Nature Communications, 4 (1) 1483, 1483.1-1483.5. doi: 10.1038/ncomms2450

Allelic variation at a single gene increases food value in a drought-tolerant staple cereal

2013

Conference Publication

An Integrated Approach to Sorghum Crop Improvement in Australia

Jordan, D., Mace, E., Borrell, A., Cruickshank, A., Chapman, S., van Oosterom, E. and Hammer, G. (2013). An Integrated Approach to Sorghum Crop Improvement in Australia. 4th International Conference on Integrated Approaches to Improve Crop Production under Drought-Prone Environments (InterDrought-IV), Perth, WA, Australia, 2 - 6 September 2013.

An Integrated Approach to Sorghum Crop Improvement in Australia

2013

Conference Publication

Sorghum crop improvement in Australia: integrating breeding, genomics, physiology, molecular biology, bioinformatics, and simulation modelling

Jordan, D., Mace, E. and Borrell, A. (2013). Sorghum crop improvement in Australia: integrating breeding, genomics, physiology, molecular biology, bioinformatics, and simulation modelling. 2013 Annual Meeting of the Sorghum Research Institute, Liaoning Academy of Agricultural Science, Shenyang, China, 28-30 January, 2013.

Sorghum crop improvement in Australia: integrating breeding, genomics, physiology, molecular biology, bioinformatics, and simulation modelling

2013

Conference Publication

Nodal root angle in Sorghum and its association with drought adaptation

Singh, V., van Oosterom, E. J., Jordan, D. R., Mace, E., Colleen, H. and Hammer, G. L. (2013). Nodal root angle in Sorghum and its association with drought adaptation. 30th Interdisciplinary Plant Group Symposium, Columbia Missouri, United States, 29 - 31 May 2013.

Nodal root angle in Sorghum and its association with drought adaptation

2013

Conference Publication

Improving cereal productivity with stay-green technology.

Borrell, A., Hammer, G., Van Oosterom, E., George-Jaeggli, B., McLean, G., Hamlet, S., Hunt, C., Mace, E., Mullet, J., Klein, P., Weers, B. and Jordan, D. (2013). Improving cereal productivity with stay-green technology.. 2013 QAAFI Annual Research Meeting, Brisbane, Australia, 6-7 August 2013.

Improving cereal productivity with stay-green technology.

2012

Journal Article

QTL for nodal root angle in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) co-locate with QTL for traits associated with drought adaptation

Mace, E.S., Singh, V., Van Oosterom, E.J., Hammer, G.L., Hunt, C.H. and Jordan, D.R. (2012). QTL for nodal root angle in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) co-locate with QTL for traits associated with drought adaptation. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 124 (1), 97-109. doi: 10.1007/s00122-011-1690-9

QTL for nodal root angle in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) co-locate with QTL for traits associated with drought adaptation

2011

Journal Article

Mapping and characterization of Rf(5): A new gene conditioning pollen fertility restoration in A(1) and A(2) cytoplasm in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench)

Jordan, D. R., Klein, R. R., Sakrewski, K. G., Henzell, R. G., Klein, P. E. and Mace, E. S. (2011). Mapping and characterization of Rf(5): A new gene conditioning pollen fertility restoration in A(1) and A(2) cytoplasm in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench). Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 123 (3), 383-396. doi: 10.1007/s00122-011-1591-y

Mapping and characterization of Rf(5): A new gene conditioning pollen fertility restoration in A(1) and A(2) cytoplasm in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench)

2011

Journal Article

Exploring and exploiting genetic variation from unadapted sorghum germplasm in a breeding program

Jordan, D. R., Mace, E. S., Cruickshank, A. W., Hunt, C. H. and Henzell, R. G. (2011). Exploring and exploiting genetic variation from unadapted sorghum germplasm in a breeding program. Crop Science, 51 (4), 1444-1457. doi: 10.2135/cropsci2010.06.0326

Exploring and exploiting genetic variation from unadapted sorghum germplasm in a breeding program

2011

Journal Article

Integrating sorghum whole genome sequence information with a compendium of sorghum QTL studies reveals uneven distribution of QTL and of gene-rich regions with significant implications for crop improvement

Mace, E. S. and Jordan, D. R. (2011). Integrating sorghum whole genome sequence information with a compendium of sorghum QTL studies reveals uneven distribution of QTL and of gene-rich regions with significant implications for crop improvement. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 123 (1), 169-191. doi: 10.1007/s00122-011-1575-y

Integrating sorghum whole genome sequence information with a compendium of sorghum QTL studies reveals uneven distribution of QTL and of gene-rich regions with significant implications for crop improvement

2011

Conference Publication

Management of traits and genes involved in adaptation of barley to north-eastern Australia

Franckowiak, J., Platz, G., Lawson, W., Killian, A, Fox, G., Kelly, A., Mace, E. and Jordan, D. (2011). Management of traits and genes involved in adaptation of barley to north-eastern Australia. 16th Australian Barley Technical Symposium, Adelaide, Australia, 18-21 September 2011.

Management of traits and genes involved in adaptation of barley to north-eastern Australia

2010

Journal Article

Mapping spot blotch resistance genes in four barley populations

Bovill, Jessica, Lehmensiek, Anke, Sutherland, Mark W., Platz, Greg J., Usher, Terry, Franckowiak, Jerome and Mace, Emma (2010). Mapping spot blotch resistance genes in four barley populations. Molecular Breeding, 26 (4), 653-666. doi: 10.1007/s11032-010-9401-9

Mapping spot blotch resistance genes in four barley populations

2010

Journal Article

Allelic variation of the β-, γ- and δ-kafirin genes in diverse Sorghum genotypes

Laidlaw, H.K.C., Mace, E.S., Williams, S.B., Sakrewski, K., Mudge, A.M., Prentis, P.J., Jordan, D.R. and Godwin, I.D. (2010). Allelic variation of the β-, γ- and δ-kafirin genes in diverse Sorghum genotypes. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 121 (7), 1227-1237. doi: 10.1007/s00122-010-1383-9

Allelic variation of the β-, γ- and δ-kafirin genes in diverse Sorghum genotypes

2010

Journal Article

Location of major effect genes in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench)

Mace E. S. and Jordan D. R. (2010). Location of major effect genes in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench). Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 121 (7), 1339-1356. doi: 10.1007/s00122-010-1392-8

Location of major effect genes in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench)

2010

Journal Article

Testing of North American barley cultivars for a sub-tropical environment

Franckowiak, J. D., Platz, G. J., Fox, G. P., Sturgess, J., Mace, E., Lawson, W., Sulman, M., Herde, D. J. and Poulsen, D. M. E. (2010). Testing of North American barley cultivars for a sub-tropical environment. SABRAO Journal of Breeding and Genetics.

Testing of North American barley cultivars for a sub-tropical environment

2010

Journal Article

QTL analysis of feed quality traits in two barley F6-derived RIL populations

Lawson, W., Mace, E., Collard, B. C. Y., Fox, G., Kelly, A., Sutherland, M., Franckowiak, J. and Bowman, J. (2010). QTL analysis of feed quality traits in two barley F6-derived RIL populations. SABRAO Journal of Breeding and Genetics.

QTL analysis of feed quality traits in two barley F6-derived RIL populations

2010

Journal Article

Molecular mapping and candidate gene identification of the Rf2 gene for pollen fertility restoration in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench).

Jordan, D. R., Mace, Emma S., Henzell, R. G., Klein, P. E. and Klein, R. R. (2010). Molecular mapping and candidate gene identification of the Rf2 gene for pollen fertility restoration in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench).. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 120 (7), 1279-1287. doi: 10.1007/s00122-009-1255-3

Molecular mapping and candidate gene identification of the Rf2 gene for pollen fertility restoration in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench).

2010

Book Chapter

Development of a regional core collection (Oceania) for taro, Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott, based on molecular and phenotypic characterization

Mace, E. S., Mathur, P. N., Godwin, I. D., Hunter, D., Taylor, M. B., Singh, D., DeLacy, I. H. and Jackson, G. V. H. (2010). Development of a regional core collection (Oceania) for taro, Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott, based on molecular and phenotypic characterization. The Global Diversity of Taro: Ethnobotany and Conservation. (pp. 185-201) edited by V. Ramanatha Rao, P. J. Matthews, P. B. Eyzaguirre and D. Hunter. Rome, Italy: Bioversity International.

Development of a regional core collection (Oceania) for taro, Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott, based on molecular and phenotypic characterization

2010

Conference Publication

Investigating the molecular genetics of malt and feed quality traits in barley

Lawson, W., Mace, E., Collard, B., Fox, G., Kelly, A., Sutherland, M. and Franckowiak, J. (2010). Investigating the molecular genetics of malt and feed quality traits in barley. 6th Canadian Barley Technical Symposium, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, 25-28 July 2010. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada: University of Saskatchewan.

Investigating the molecular genetics of malt and feed quality traits in barley

2010

Conference Publication

Genetic control of root system architecture in sorghum and its implications on water extraction

Singh, Vijaya, van Oosterom, Erik, Jordan, David, Mace, Emma and Hammer, Graeme (2010). Genetic control of root system architecture in sorghum and its implications on water extraction. Agro2010 XIth ESA Congress, Montpellier, France, 29 August - 3 September, 2010. Montpellier, France: Agropolis International Editions.

Genetic control of root system architecture in sorghum and its implications on water extraction

2010

Journal Article

Identification of genetic regions associated with black point in barley

Tah, Priya R., Lehmensiek, A, Fox, Glen P., Mace, Emma, Sulman, Maria, Bloustein, Gary and Daggard, Grant E. (2010). Identification of genetic regions associated with black point in barley. Field Crops Research, 115 (1), 61-66. doi: 10.1016/j.fcr.2009.10.003

Identification of genetic regions associated with black point in barley

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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