Centre Overview
The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology (PEB) is a cutting edge research centre focused on better understanding the way in which plants produce and use their energy systems in response to environmental change.
Our Mission and Vision
Our mission is the discovery and characterisation of the molecular components that drive energy metabolism in plant cells.
Our vision is to be recognised as a world leader in plant energy research and a centrepiece in fundamental plant science in Australia.
Strategic Priorities
- To generate new knowledge through research and ultimately, rationally design plants for the benefit of Australian agriculture.
- To engage Australia with plant science and create dialogue between scientists, growers and the general public through education, training and outreach activities.
- To develop innovative biotechnological applications.
- To recruit and train a new generation of highly skilled biologists through staff and student development.
Critical Research Problem
We focus on unlocking the secrets of plant energy metabolism. By unlocking these fundamental processes we are able to better understand plant biomass productivity, fruit and grain yield, plant nutrient composition, and adaptation to abiotic and biotic stresses.
“Plants harvest huge amounts of energy from sunlight. This energy feeds, clothes and fuels our world. Tapping into this potential is what drives the ARC Centre of Excellence for Plant Energy Biology (PEB)”
Our Centre
Plant Energy Fast Facts
- 3 Collaborating Universities: University of Western Australia, Australian National University and University of Adelaide.
- 7 Chief Investigators.
- Over 110 internationally competitive staff and students.
- $12.5 million (2005) + $9.8 million (2011-2013) from the Australian Research Council and $13.7 million from the partner universities to fund the Centre through to 2013.
- Centre authors have contributed to over 330 publications including key breakthroughs published in Nature, Cell, Science, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA and The Plant Cell.
- Over the last 5 years, more than 21% of Australian publications in the top-ranked plant science journals were authored or co-authored by Centre staff.
- 170,154 people saw our travelling 'Secrets of a Tiny Powerplant' science photography exhibition which also won the "Science as Art Prize" at the Australian Science Communicators Conference.
- 5,940 members of the public "liked" our "Science is Amazing" Facebook page.
- A prospective audience of 5,530,441* for our Science Posters during National Science Week (*from Conads Advertising report).
- Over 670 positive media commentaries internationally.
Centre Headquarters: Bayliss Building, UWA
