Seminar Info

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

Our mission is the discovery and characterisation of the molecular components that drive energy metabolism in plant cells. We want to understand how plants work at a molecular level and provide this information to plant breeders and geneticists to get the best out of plants: our food and fuel future

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.

Strategic Priorites

  • 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.

Plant Energy Fast Facts

  • Collaborating Universities: Australian National University, The University of Western Australia, and The University of Adelaide.
  • 7 Chief Investigators.
  • Over 100 internationally competitive staff and students.
  • $22.5 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 300 publications including key breakthroughs published in Nature, Cell, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA and The Plant Cell.
  • Over the last 5 years, more than 25% of Australian publications in the top-ranked plant science journals were authored or co-authored by Centre staff.
  • Over 5000 students and members of the public participated in hands-on Centre outreach programs.
  • Over 129,000 people saw our travelling 'Secret Life of a Tiny Powerplant' photography exhibition.
bayliss-building-uwa

Centre Headquarters: Bayliss Building, UWA