Our research

Understanding the impacts of farming practices on the soil microbiome as a sustainable approach to crop production.

Farming systems are coming under mounting pressure to increase their crop yields to feed a growing population. Therefore, maintaining and enhancing soil biological function is integral for productivity and sustainability of agricultural systems.

The microbiome of plastic contaminated aquatic environments – bioprospecting for a solution to the plastic problem.

Plastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems is a significant global challenge. Researchers are examining the microbial communities in these environments to find novel solutions to the plastic problem.

Publication alert: Ranking environmental and edaphic attributes driving soil microbial community structure and activity with special attention to spatial and temporal scale

Discusses what attributes drive soil microbial community structure and activity at a variety of scales?

Fresh produce microbiomes to address food safety and spoilage while enhancing consumer health benefits.

Researching the microbiome of rockmelons, lettuce, spinach and tomatoes to find novel solutions for reducing microbial spoilage and food safety risks while enhancing the fresh produce health benefits.

Fruit and vegetables. Credit - Devon Breen

Interactions between food microstructure, the gut microbiome, and health outcomes of infants during weaning

Understanding the impact microstructure of the food matrix has on the structure and function of the weaning infant’s gut microbiome, and how this affects health outcomes.

Investigating the impact of anti-microbials on responses of key pathogens and microbial communities in processed meat for enhanced microbial safety and shelf-life.

To meet consumer demands of meat products that are free from synthetic preservatives, researchers are exploring the impact of adding natural anti-microbials in order to influence the microbiome of meat to ensure safety and extend shelf-life.

Publication alert – Diversity, community structure, and potential functions of root-associated bacterial communities of different wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivars under field conditions

Better understanding the structure and function of wheat-soil microbiome to enable the development of superior cultivars for nutrient acquisition, disease protection and stress tolerance.

Investigating the microbial basis of population suppression in Australian plague locusts

Cases of Australian plague locust population suppression occurred despite extreme swarming conditions forecasted for the wet Australian summer. Investigations into cause of this population suppression could lead to novel ways to protect cereal crops from this pest species.

Crop stubble. Credit - Donna Senza Fiato

Crop residue microbiome

Investigating the microbial processes underpinning degradation of crop residues to improve soil fertility and limit carry-over of stubble-borne disease.

3-D computer simulations of the wave-like movement of the intestinal walls

Computer simulations of the physical properties of the human gut to predict their influence on the microbiome

Using 3-D simulation of the physical and biomechanical properties of the human gut to improve microbiome predictive modelling framework resulting in targeted interventions and better patient outcomes