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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Plant tissue culture
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Plant molecular biology
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Plant cryopreservation
Works
Search Professor Alice Hayward’s works on UQ eSpace
2014
Journal Article
High-resolution molecular karyotyping uncovers pairing between ancestrally related Brassica chromosomes
Mason, Annaliese S., Batley, Jacqueline, Bayer, Philipp Emanuel, Hayward, Alice, Cowling, Wallace A. and Nelson, Matthew N. (2014). High-resolution molecular karyotyping uncovers pairing between ancestrally related Brassica chromosomes. New Phytologist, 202 (3), 964-974. doi: 10.1111/nph.12706
2013
Journal Article
New insights into helitron transposable elements in the mesopolyploid species Brassica rapa
Fu, Donghui, Wei, Lijuan, Xiao, Meili and Hayward, Alice (2013). New insights into helitron transposable elements in the mesopolyploid species Brassica rapa. Gene, 532 (2), 236-245. doi: 10.1016/j.gene.2013.09.033
2013
Journal Article
Applications and challenges of next-generation sequencing in Brassica species
Wei, Lijuan, Xiao, Meili, Hayward, Alice and Fu, Donghui (2013). Applications and challenges of next-generation sequencing in Brassica species. Planta, 238 (6), 1005-1024. doi: 10.1007/s00425-013-1961-6
2013
Journal Article
Identifying genetic diversity of avirulence genes in Leptosphaeria maculans using whole genome sequencing
Zander, Manuel, Patel, Dhwani A., Van de Wouw, Angela, Lai, Kaitao, Lorenc, Michal T., Campbell, Emma, Hayward, Alice, Edwards, David, Raman, Harsh and Batley, Jacqueline (2013). Identifying genetic diversity of avirulence genes in Leptosphaeria maculans using whole genome sequencing. Functional and Integrative Genomics, 13 (3), 294-308. doi: 10.1007/s10142-013-0324-5
2013
Conference Publication
Characterising diversity in the brassica genomes
Golicz, A. A., Bayer, P. E., Martinez, P. A., Lai, K., Lorenc, M. T., Alamery, S., Hayward, A., Tollenaere, R., Batley, J., Edwards, D., Long, Y. and Meng, J. (2013). Characterising diversity in the brassica genomes. 6th International Symposium on Brassicas / 18th Crucifer Genetics Workshop, Catania, Italy, 12-16 November 2012. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2013.1005.1
2012
Journal Article
Second-generation sequencing for gene discovery in the Brassicaceae
Hayward, Alice, Vighnesh, Guru, Delay, Christina, Samian, Mohd Rafizan, Manoli, Sahana, Stiller, Jiri, McKenzie, Megan, Edwards, David and Batley, Jacqueline (2012). Second-generation sequencing for gene discovery in the Brassicaceae. Plant Biotechnology Journal, 10 (6), 750-759. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-7652.2012.00719.x
2012
Journal Article
Characterization and functional annotation of nested transposable elements in eukaryotic genomes
Gao, Caihua, Xiao, Meili, Ren, Xiaodong, Hayward, Alice, Yin, Jiaming, Wu, Likun, Fu, Donghu and Li, Jiana (2012). Characterization and functional annotation of nested transposable elements in eukaryotic genomes. Genomics, 100 (4), 222-230. doi: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2012.07.004
2012
Journal Article
Identification and characterization of candidate Rlm4 blackleg resistance genes in Brassica napus using next-generation sequencing
Tollenaere, Reece, Hayward, Alice, Dalton-Morgan, Jessica, Campbell, Emma, Lee, Joanne R. M., Lorenc, Michal T., Manoli, Sahana, Stiller, Jiri, Raman, Rosy, Raman, Harsh, Edwards, David and Batley, Jacqueline (2012). Identification and characterization of candidate Rlm4 blackleg resistance genes in Brassica napus using next-generation sequencing. Plant Biotechnology Journal, 10 (6), 709-715. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-7652.2012.00716.x
2012
Journal Article
Interactions between plant hormones and light quality signaling in regulating the shoot growth of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings
Kurepin, Leonid V., Walton, Linda J., Hayward, Allison, Emery, R. J. Neil, Pharis, Richard P. and Reid, David M. (2012). Interactions between plant hormones and light quality signaling in regulating the shoot growth of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings. Botany, 90 (3), 237-246. doi: 10.1139/b11-108
2012
Journal Article
Genomic advances will herald new insights into the Brassica: Leptosphaeria maculans pathosystem
Hayward, A., McLanders, J., Campbell, E., Edwards, D. and Batley, J. (2012). Genomic advances will herald new insights into the Brassica: Leptosphaeria maculans pathosystem. Plant Biology, 14 (Supp. 1), 1-10. doi: 10.1111/j.1438-8677.2011.00481.x
2012
Book Chapter
Introduction - Oilseed Brassicas
Hayward, Alice (2012). Introduction - Oilseed Brassicas. Genetics, genomics and breeding of Oilseed Brassicas. (pp. 1-13) edited by David Edwards, Jacqueline Batley, Isobel Parkin and Chittaranjan Kole. Enfield, United States: Science Publishers.
2012
Journal Article
SNP discovery and applications in Brassica napus
Hayward, Alice, Mason, Annaliese S., Dalton-Morgan, Jessica, Zander, Manuel, Edwards, David and Batley, Jacqueline (2012). SNP discovery and applications in Brassica napus. Journal of Plant Biotechnology, 39 (1), 49-61. doi: 10.5010/JPB.2012.39.1.049
2011
Journal Article
The genome of the mesopolyploid crop species Brassica rapa
The Brassica rapa Genome Sequencing Project Consortium, Wang, Xiaowu, Wang, Hanzhong, Wang, Jun, Sun, Rifei, Wu, Jian, Liu, Shengyi, Bai, Yinqi, Mun, Jeong-Hwan, Bancroft, Ian, Cheng, Feng, Huang, Sanwen, Li, Xixiang, Hua, Wei, Wang, Junyi, Wang, Xiyin, Freeling, Michael, Pires, J. Chris, Paterson, Andrew H., Chalhoub, Boulos, Wang, Bo, Hayward, Alice, Sharpe, Andrew G., Park, Beom-Seok, Weisshaar, Bernd, Liu, Binghang, Li, Bo, Liu, Bo, Tong, Chaobo ... Zhang, Zhonghua (2011). The genome of the mesopolyploid crop species Brassica rapa. Nature Genetics, 43 (10), 1035-1040. doi: 10.1038/ng.919
2010
Journal Article
Targeted identification of genomic regions using TAGdb
Marshall, Daniel J., Hayward, Alice, Eales, Dominic, Imelfort, Michael, Stiller, Jiri, Berkman, Paul J., Clark, Terry, McKenzie, Megan, Lai, Kaitao, Duran, Chris, Batley, Jacqueline and Edwards, David (2010). Targeted identification of genomic regions using TAGdb. Plant Methods, 6 (19) 19, 1-6. doi: 10.1186/1746-4811-6-19
2010
Journal Article
Axillary bud outgrowth in herbaceous shoots: How do strigolactones fit into the picture?
Waldie, Tanya, Hayward, Alice and Beveridge, Christine Anne (2010). Axillary bud outgrowth in herbaceous shoots: How do strigolactones fit into the picture?. Plant Molecular Biology, 73 (1-2), 27-36. doi: 10.1007/s11103-010-9599-2
2009
Journal Article
Interactions between Auxin and Strigolactone in Shoot Branching Control
Hayward, A, Stirnberg, P, Beveridge, C and Leyser, O (2009). Interactions between Auxin and Strigolactone in Shoot Branching Control. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY, 151 (1), 400-412. doi: 10.1104/pp.109.137646
2009
Other Outputs
Interactions between auxin and strigolactone in the control of arabidopsis shoot branching
Hayward, Alice Catherine (2009). Interactions between auxin and strigolactone in the control of arabidopsis shoot branching. PhD Thesis, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland.
2003
Conference Publication
Finding partners of the GmNARK Protein Kinase
Hayward, A. C. (2003). Finding partners of the GmNARK Protein Kinase. The Inaugural Retreat for the ARC Centre of Excellence for Inh, Moreton Bay Research Station, North Stradbroke Island, 27th February to 2nd March, 2003. UQ: ARC Centre of Excellence For Integrative Legume Research.
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!**
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
Cryobiotechnology Innovations for Threatened Australian Myrtaceae
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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