Overview
Background
I am a plant molecular physiologist in the Mitter Lab at the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation. Our team primarily focuses on innovating tissue culture technologies for plant species in close partnership with industry and stakeholders. We deliver world-first propagation protocols for difficult and recalcitrant crops species as well as biotechnologies for crop improvement and cryobanking of recalcitrant plant germplasm. We also have a dedicated research stream in crop genomics and molecular biology. We aim to improve efficiency and resilience in our plant industries as well as support conservation of our key germplasm and endangered species. Our flagship species has been the avocado, and our team has been involved with producing the first genome sequence for avocado as well as the world's first commercial tissue culture pipelines for avocado propagation and cryopreservation. We are now extending this to other key crop species such as macadamia, as well as endangered native species with collaborators. Our ongoing vision is continued extension of these technologies to new species and crops for both horticultural and environmental outcomes.
**We are always looking for motivated Honours, MPhil and PhD applicants - get in contact if this is you!**
Availability
- Dr Alice Hayward is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours), The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Platform tools for horticultural advancement
Developing platform technologies to advance horticultural production and sustainability nationally and globally
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Plant molecular biology to understand the physiological and molecular basis of plant development and productivity
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Plant cryopreservation - conservation of plant species that can not be seed banked
critical for insuring the germplasm of our recalcitrant tropical crops for the future of our industries and food production. Also critical to conserve the genetics of endangered species under extraordinary threats in situ
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Plant tissue culture as a platform technology for crop advancement and sustainable producition
Works
Search Professor Alice Hayward’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Journal Article
Tissue Culture Innovations for Propagation and Conservation of Myrteae—A Globally Important Myrtaceae Tribe
Bao, Jingyin, O’Donohue, Billy, Sommerville, Karen D., Mitter, Neena, O’Brien, Chris and Hayward, Alice (2024). Tissue Culture Innovations for Propagation and Conservation of Myrteae—A Globally Important Myrtaceae Tribe. Plants, 13 (16) 2244, 2244. doi: 10.3390/plants13162244
2023
Conference Publication
Innovative cryopreservation technology for Australian macadamia
Li, Xueying, O’Brien, Chris, Sommerville, Karen, Mitter, Neena and Hayward, Alice (2023). Innovative cryopreservation technology for Australian macadamia. 60th Annual Meeting of the Society for Cryobiology CRYO2023, Minneapolis, MN United States, 25-27 July 2023. Maryland Heights, MO United States: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2023.104759
2023
Conference Publication
Incorporating cold pretreatment in cryopreserving shoot tips of sweet myrtle (Gossia fragrantissima)
Bao, Jingyin, O’Brien, Chris, Sommerville, Karen, Mitter, Neena and Hayward, Alice (2023). Incorporating cold pretreatment in cryopreserving shoot tips of sweet myrtle (Gossia fragrantissima). 60th Annual Meeting of the Society for Cryobiology CRYO2023, Minneapolis, MN United States, 25-27 July 2023. Maryland Heights, MO United States: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2023.104742
2023
Journal Article
Mapping and identifying candidate genes enabling cadmium accumulation in Brassica napus revealed by combined BSA-Seq and RNA-Seq analysis
Wang, Huadong, Liu, Jiajia, Huang, Juan, Xiao, Qing, Hayward, Alice, Li, Fuyan, Gong, Yingying, Liu, Qian, Ma, Miao, Fu, Donghui and Xiao, Meili (2023). Mapping and identifying candidate genes enabling cadmium accumulation in Brassica napus revealed by combined BSA-Seq and RNA-Seq analysis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24 (12) 10163, 1-17. doi: 10.3390/ijms241210163
2023
Journal Article
Molecular cues for phenological events in the flowering cycle in avocado
Ahsan, Muhammad Umair, Barbier, Francois, Hayward, Alice, Powell, Rosanna, Hofman, Helen, Parfitt, Siegrid Carola, Wilkie, John, Beveridge, Christine Anne and Mitter, Neena (2023). Molecular cues for phenological events in the flowering cycle in avocado. Plants, 12 (12) 2304, 1-18. doi: 10.3390/plants12122304
2023
Journal Article
Oxygen delivery in pediatric cardiac surgery and its association with acute kidney injury using machine learning
Hayward, Alice, Robertson, Alex, Thiruchelvam, Timothy, Broadhead, Michael, Tsang, Victor T., Sebire, Neil J. and Issitt, Richard W. (2023). Oxygen delivery in pediatric cardiac surgery and its association with acute kidney injury using machine learning. Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, 165 (4), 1505-1516. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2022.05.039
2023
Journal Article
Breaking the tight genetic linkage between the a1 and sh2 genes led to the development of anthocyanin-rich purple-pericarp super-sweetcorn
Anirban, Apurba, Hayward, Alice, Hong, Hung T., Masouleh, Ardashir Kharabian, Henry, Robert J. and O'Hare, Tim J. (2023). Breaking the tight genetic linkage between the a1 and sh2 genes led to the development of anthocyanin-rich purple-pericarp super-sweetcorn. Scientific Reports, 13 (1) 1050, 1-13. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-28083-4
2022
Conference Publication
Cold pretreatment for cryopreservation of an endangered Australian native plant species Gossia fragrantissima
Bao, Jingyin, O’Brien, Chris, Sommerville, Karen, Mitter, Neena and Hayward, Alice (2022). Cold pretreatment for cryopreservation of an endangered Australian native plant species Gossia fragrantissima. CRYO2022 Joint Meeting of SLTB and Society for Cryobiology, Dublin, Ireland, 19-22 July 2022. Maryland Heights, MO United States: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2022.11.045
2022
Conference Publication
Innovative cryopreservation technology for Australian macadamia
Li, Xueying, O’brien, Chris, Sommerville, Karen, Mitter, Neena and Hayward, Alice (2022). Innovative cryopreservation technology for Australian macadamia. CRYO2022 59th Annual Meeting of the Society for Cryobiology, Dublin, Ireland, 19-22 July 2022. Maryland Heights, MO United States: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2022.11.198
2022
Conference Publication
Novel Propagation Technologies for Australian Macadamia
Wong, Albert Chern Sun, Hu, Zhangpan, Hiti-Bandaralage, Jayeni, O'Brien, Chris, Hayward, Alice and Mitter, Neena (2022). Novel Propagation Technologies for Australian Macadamia. International Agriculture Conference (TropAg 2022), Brisbane, Australia, 31 October - 2 November 2022. doi: 10.5281/ZENODO.7672445
2022
Journal Article
Structural disparity of avocado rootstocks in vitro for rooting and acclimation success
Hiti-Bandaralage, Jayeni, Hayward, Alice and Mitter, Neena (2022). Structural disparity of avocado rootstocks in vitro for rooting and acclimation success. International Journal of Plant Biology, 13 (4), 426-442. doi: 10.3390/ijpb13040035
2022
Journal Article
Tissue culture tools for selenium hyperaccumulator Neptunia amplexicaulis for development in phytoextraction
O'Donohue, Billy, Hiti-Bandaralage, Jayeni, Gleeson, Madeleine, O'Brien, Chris, Harvey, Maggie-Anne, van der Ent, Antony, Pinto Irish, Katherine, Mitter, Neena and Hayward, Alice (2022). Tissue culture tools for selenium hyperaccumulator Neptunia amplexicaulis for development in phytoextraction. Natural Products and Bioprospecting, 12 (1) 28, 1-9. doi: 10.1007/s13659-022-00351-2
2022
Journal Article
A haplotype resolved chromosomal level avocado genome allows analysis of novel avocado genes
Nath, Onkar, Fletcher, Stephen J., Hayward, Alice, Shaw, Lindsay M., Kharabian Masouleh, Ardashir, Furtado, Agnelo, Henry, Robert J. and Mitter, Neena (2022). A haplotype resolved chromosomal level avocado genome allows analysis of novel avocado genes. Horticulture Research, 9 uhac157, 1-10. doi: 10.1093/hr/uhac157
2022
Conference Publication
Designing high zeaxanthin capsicums
Agarwal, R., Hayward, A., Hong, H., Harper, S. and O'Hare, T. (2022). Designing high zeaxanthin capsicums. Brain and Ocular Nutrition Conference 2022, Cambridge, United Kingdom, 27-29 July 2022. Amsterdam, Netherlands: IOS Press. doi: 10.3233/JAD-229008
2022
Conference Publication
Unexpected side-effects of zeaxanthin biofortification
Agarwal, Rimjhim, Hong, Hung, Hayward, Alice, Harper, Steve and O'Hare, Tim (2022). Unexpected side-effects of zeaxanthin biofortification. 2nd Virtual International Conference on Carotenoids, Online, 12-14 April 2022. Miami, FL, United States: International Carotenoid Society.
2022
Journal Article
Quantitative trait loci for heat stress tolerance in Brassica rapa L. are distributed across the genome and occur in diverse genetic groups, flowering phenologies and morphotypes
Chen, Sheng, Hayward, Alice, Dey, Shyam S., Choudhary, Mukesh, Witt Hmon, Khaing P., Inturrisi, Fabian C., Dolatabadian, Aria, Neik, Ting Xiang, Yang, Hua, Siddique, Kadambot H. M., Batley, Jacqueline and Cowling, Wallace A. (2022). Quantitative trait loci for heat stress tolerance in Brassica rapa L. are distributed across the genome and occur in diverse genetic groups, flowering phenologies and morphotypes. Genes, 13 (2) 296, 296. doi: 10.3390/genes13020296
2022
Journal Article
A comprehensive high-quality DNA and RNA extraction protocol for a range of cultivars and tissue types of the woody crop avocado
Nath, Onkar, Fletcher, Stephen J., Hayward, Alice, Shaw, Lindsay M., Agarwal, Rimjhim, Furtado, Agnelo, Henry, Robert J. and Mitter, Neena (2022). A comprehensive high-quality DNA and RNA extraction protocol for a range of cultivars and tissue types of the woody crop avocado. Plants, 11 (3) 242, 242. doi: 10.3390/plants11030242
2021
Conference Publication
Chillies as potential candidates in breeding for high zeaxanthin bell-pepper varieties
Agarwal, Rimjhim, Hong, Hung, Cave, Robyn, Hayward, Alice, Harper, Steve and O'Hare, Tim (2021). Chillies as potential candidates in breeding for high zeaxanthin bell-pepper varieties. 1st Virtual International Conference on Carotenoids, Online, 22-25 June 2021. Miami, FL, United States: International Carotenoid Society.
2021
Journal Article
Cryopreservation of woody crops: The avocado case
O’Brien, Chris, Hiti-Bandaralage, Jayeni, Folgado, Raquel, Hayward, Alice, Lahmeyer, Sean, Folsom, Jim and Mitter, Neena (2021). Cryopreservation of woody crops: The avocado case. Plants, 10 (5) 934, 934. doi: 10.3390/plants10050934
2021
Journal Article
Resilience achieved via multiple compensating subsystems: The immediate impacts of COVID-19 control measures on the agri-food systems of Australia and New Zealand
Snow, Val, Rodriguez, Daniel, Dynes, Robyn, Kaye-Blake, William, Mallawaarachchi, Thilak, Zydenbos, Sue, Cong, Lei, Obadovic, Irena, Agnew, Rob, Amery, Nicole, Bell, Lindsay, Benson, Cristy, Clinton, Peter, Dreccer, M. Fernanda, Dunningham, Andrew, Gleeson, Madeleine, Harrison, Matthew, Hayward, Alice, Holzworth, Dean, Johnstone, Paul, Meinke, Holger, Mitter, Neena, Mugera, Amin, Pannell, David, Silva, Luis F.P., Roura, Eugeni, Siddharth, Prince, Siddique, Kadambot H.M. and Stevens, David (2021). Resilience achieved via multiple compensating subsystems: The immediate impacts of COVID-19 control measures on the agri-food systems of Australia and New Zealand. Agricultural Systems, 187 103025, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.agsy.2020.103025
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Alice Hayward is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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Cryobiotechnology to Save Australian Macadamia
Want to do a PhD in conservation with real-world outcomes and close industry links?! Join our team of industry and academic leaders at the Australian PlantBank and The University of Queensland and be the first to develop cryobiotechnology to help save Australia’s macadamia species.
Our lab is dedicated to developing cryopreservation (cryostorage at -196C) protocols to save plant species from climate-change, disease pandemics (e.g. myrtle rust), deforestation and ultimately extinction. This is essential for plants that do not survive seed-banking – including our food species such as macadamia. This technology allows us to safely freeze plant cells and tissues at -196C and then revive them to grow into whole new plants. This provides an insurance bank to conserve incredible genetic diversity of precious species including crops and endangered species that cannot be seed-banked.
You must be an Australian resident and will be based at the Australian PlantBank in NSW and Enrolled through the University of Queensland. Students will learn techniques of plant tissue culture and cryopreservation in close connection with industry and real end-user funders in plant conservation. The student(s) will develop real-world protocols to save these species in Australian cryobanks. The student(s) will also have opportuity to travel, conduct field work, and investigate molecular physiological apsects of cellular cryostorage behaviour.
Location: The Australian PlantBank Mt Annan, NSW.
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Tissue culture to feed the world
The Mitter Lab has received global media coverage for developing the world’s first tissue-culture production system for avocado plants - the world's most instagrammed fruit. This is important as a sustainable, cost-effective and climate-secure way to produce plants. The team has also developed systems for pharma crops, hyperacumulating species for industrial application and endgangered species under threat of climate change and disease pandemics.
Dedicated students will be part of our expanding research in a new $20M tissue-culture facility at UQ, developing systems for other high-value crop species as well as endangered native species where prior research is lacking or proved too challenging. Students will work very closely with internationally leading researchers, industry and partners to deliver real-world outcomes and value-add student experience. There is also opportunity for students to discover novel aspects of plant genetics and molecular physiology in relation to tissue culture and crop function.
**We are NOW searching for**:
-Honours student in Custard Apple Tissue Culture -PhD students in Macadamia Tissue Culture -MPhil Student in macadamia molecular biology and informatics
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The next generation of avocado crop improvement
Our Lab in QAAFI has been part of a large effort sequencing the genomes of major sub-tropical fruit crops including avocado. We have developed a DNA marker set that can distinguish avocado cultivars available in Australia – this is important for industry to be able to rapidly identify and track plants. We are also producing the first chromosome level genome for avocado, set to signfcantly enhance future assisted breeding and gene-editing tech for avocado. Combining our world-leading strengths in avocado tissue culture innovation and genomics, this project will develop novel platform technologies for avocado crop improvement exploring options for mutatgenesis breeding and gene-editing. The outcomes if successfull could be a game changer for avocado crop development into the future.
**We are now searching for: PhD students in Avocado transformation and mutagenesis!**
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Understanding the Physiology and Cause of Blueberry Crown Disorders
Want to do a PhD in horticulture with real-world outcomes and close industry links?! Join our team of industry and academic leaders at The University of Queensland and be the first in Australia to help explore the cause of an emerging issue in blueberry related to root wrapping and crown disorder(s). This project will focus on the physiology of the disorder(s) and the potential relationship to plant nutrition and root and shoot architecture. You will work very closely with industry partners to come up with hypotheses, and work on the solutions.
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Propagation innovation for foods, fibers and ecosystems
The QAAFI tissue culture lab pioneered by Prof Neena Mitter (ATSE) has received global media coverage for developing the world’s first tissue-culture production system for avocado plants. The team has also developed systems for pharma crops, tuber species, corm species and Australian native species under threat of climate change and disease pandemics.
Dedicated students will be part of our expanding research in a new $20M tissue-culture facility at UQ, developing systems for other high-value crop species as well as endangered native species where prior research is lacking or proved too challenging. Students will work very closely with internationally leading researchers, industry and partners to deliver real-world outcomes and value-add student experience. There is also opportunity for students to discover novel aspects of plant genetics and molecular physiology in relation to tissue culture and crop function.
**We are NOW searching for**:
- A PhD student focused on innovating propagation for Australia's emerging vanilla industry
- Honours/coursework students interested in saffron, turf, native Australian endangered species!
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The next generation of horticultural crop improvement
Our Lab in QAAFI has been part of a large effort sequencing the genomes of major sub-tropical fruit crops including avocado. Combining our world-leading strengths in tissue culture innovation with genetics, projects are available to develop novel platform technologies for crop improvement exploring options for mutatgenesis breeding and gene-editing. The outcomes if successfull could be a game changer for horticultural crop development into the future.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Innovating Cryopreservation for Conservation of Endangered Gossia gonoclada
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Neena Mitter, Dr Chris O'Brien
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Doctor Philosophy
Impacts of Nursery Practices on Root-Crown Disorders in Blueberries
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Chris O'Brien, Professor Neena Mitter, Professor Paul Gauthier, Dr Eveline Kong
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Master Philosophy
Developing cryopreservation for endangered Myrtaceae
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Steve Adkins, Dr Chris O'Brien, Professor Neena Mitter, Dr Eveline Kong
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Doctor Philosophy
Novel propagation and conservation technologies for Australian macadamia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Neena Mitter, Dr Chris O'Brien
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Master Philosophy
Unravelling the identity and relationships of Australian apple varieties
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Craig Hardner
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Doctor Philosophy
Novel Propagation and Conservation Technologies for Australian Macadamia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Chris O'Brien, Dr Albert Wong, Professor Neena Mitter
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Doctor Philosophy
Establishment of avocado genome editing: Dwarfing avocado
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Neena Mitter, Dr Chris O'Brien
Completed supervision
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the mechanism responsible for zeaxanthin accumulation in orange-coloured Capsicum.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Stephen Harper, Professor Neena Mitter
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Genome Sequencing, annotation and application in avocado (Persea americana Mill.)
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Mr Stephen Fletcher, Professor Robert Henry, Professor Neena Mitter
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
The development of purple-pericarp super-sweetcorn
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Robert Henry, Professor Neena Mitter
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Cryopreservation of avocado shoot tips for the conservation of Persea germplasm
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Neena Mitter
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Topical application of biomolecules to manipulate the adventitious rooting pathway
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Brett Ferguson, Professor Neena Mitter
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Micropropagation as an Alternative for Avocado Clonal Propagation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Christine Beveridge, Professor Neena Mitter
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Molecular regulation of phase transition and flowering in tropical/subtropical tree crops.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Christine Beveridge, Professor Neena Mitter
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Regulation of adventitious rooting in avocado for improved clonal propagation technologies
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bernard Carroll, Professor Christine Beveridge, Professor Neena Mitter
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Alice Hayward directly for media enquiries about:
- horticulture
- plant genetics
- Plant science
- tissue culture
Need help?
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