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)

141 - 152 of 152 works

2006

Conference Publication

Predicting flowering time in sorghum using a simple gene network: functional physiology or fictional functionality?

Chapman, S. C., Doherty, A., Hammer, G. L., Jordan, D., Mace, E. and Van Oosterom, E. J. (2006). Predicting flowering time in sorghum using a simple gene network: functional physiology or fictional functionality?. 5th Australian Sorghum Conference, Gold Coast, 30 January - 2 February 2006. Toowoomba, QLD, Australia: Range Media.

Predicting flowering time in sorghum using a simple gene network: functional physiology or fictional functionality?

2006

Conference Publication

Applications of pedigree-based genome mapping in wheat and barley breeding programs

Christopher, Mandy J., Mace, Emma, Jordan, David, Rodgers, David, McGowan, Paul, DeLacy, Ian H., Banks, Phillip M., Sheppard, John., Butler, David G. and Poulsen, David (2006). Applications of pedigree-based genome mapping in wheat and barley breeding programs. 13th Australasian Plant Breeding Conference, Christchurch, New Zealand, 18-21 April 2006. Dunedin, New Zealand: New Zealand Grassland Association.

Applications of pedigree-based genome mapping in wheat and barley breeding programs

2005

Journal Article

Evaluation of Variability Among Breeding Lines and Cultivars of Taro (Colocasia Esculenta) in Papua New Guinea Using ISSR Fingerprinting and Agro-Morphological Characterization

Okpul, T., Mace, E. S., Godwin, I. D., Singh, D. and Wagih, M. E. (2005). Evaluation of Variability Among Breeding Lines and Cultivars of Taro (Colocasia Esculenta) in Papua New Guinea Using ISSR Fingerprinting and Agro-Morphological Characterization. Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter (143), 8-16.

Evaluation of Variability Among Breeding Lines and Cultivars of Taro (Colocasia Esculenta) in Papua New Guinea Using ISSR Fingerprinting and Agro-Morphological Characterization

2004

Conference Publication

Biotechnology-based contributions to enhancing legume productivity in resource-poor areas

Crouch, JH, Buhariwalla, HK, Blair, M, Mace, E, Jayasharee, B and Serraj, R (2004). Biotechnology-based contributions to enhancing legume productivity in resource-poor areas. International Workshop on the Biological Nitrogen Fixation for Increased Crop Productivity, Montpellier France, Jul 10-14, 2002. ENFIELD: SCIENCE PUBLISHERS INC.

Biotechnology-based contributions to enhancing legume productivity in resource-poor areas

2004

Book Chapter

Genomics and genetic enhancement of peanut

Paterson, Andrew H., Stalker, H. Thomas, Meagher, Maria, Burow, Mark D., Dwivedi, Sangam L., Crouch, Jonathan H. and Mace, Emma S. (2004). Genomics and genetic enhancement of peanut. Legume Crop Genomics. (pp. 97-109) edited by Richard F. Wilson, H. Thomas Stalker and E. Charles Brummer. Champaign, United States: AOCS Press.

Genomics and genetic enhancement of peanut

2003

Journal Article

A high-throughput DNA extraction protocol for tropical molecular breeding programs

Mace E.S., Buhariwalla H.K. and Crouch J.H. (2003). A high-throughput DNA extraction protocol for tropical molecular breeding programs. Plant Molecular Biology Reporter, 21 (4)

A high-throughput DNA extraction protocol for tropical molecular breeding programs

2002

Journal Article

Development and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite markers in taro (Colocasia esculenta)

Mace, Emma S. and Godwin, Ian D. (2002). Development and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite markers in taro (Colocasia esculenta). Genome, 45 (5), 823-832. doi: 10.1139/G02-045

Development and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite markers in taro (Colocasia esculenta)

2000

Journal Article

Documenting the genetic diversity of taro with microsatellites

Mace, E. and Godwin, I. D. (2000). Documenting the genetic diversity of taro with microsatellites. The Satellite, 3 (1), 4-6.

Documenting the genetic diversity of taro with microsatellites

1999

Journal Article

AFLP analysis of genetic relationships among the cultivated eggplant, Solanum melongena L., and wild relatives (Solanaceae)

Mace, ES, Lester, RN and Gebhardt, CG (1999). AFLP analysis of genetic relationships among the cultivated eggplant, Solanum melongena L., and wild relatives (Solanaceae). Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 99 (3-4), 626-633. doi: 10.1007/s001220051277

AFLP analysis of genetic relationships among the cultivated eggplant, Solanum melongena L., and wild relatives (Solanaceae)

1999

Journal Article

AFLP analysis of genetic relationships in the tribe Datureae (Solanaceae)

Mace, ES, Gebhardt, CG and Lester, RN (1999). AFLP analysis of genetic relationships in the tribe Datureae (Solanaceae). Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 99 (3-4), 634-641. doi: 10.1007/s001220051278

AFLP analysis of genetic relationships in the tribe Datureae (Solanaceae)

1997

Journal Article

Typification of linnaean Datura names (Solanaceae)

Hadkins, ES, Bye, R, Brandenburg, WA and Jarvis, CE (1997). Typification of linnaean Datura names (Solanaceae). Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 125 (4), 295-308. doi: 10.1111/j.1095-8339.1997.tb02259.x

Typification of linnaean Datura names (Solanaceae)

1995

Conference Publication

The European Solanaceae Information Network

Hadkins, ES, Lester, RN and Maxted, N (1995). The European Solanaceae Information Network. 1st International Symposium on Solanacea for Fresh Market, Malaga Spain, Mar 28-31, 1995. LEUVEN 1: INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE. doi: 10.17660/ActaHortic.1995.412.7

The European Solanaceae Information Network

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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