Associate Professor Elizabeth Aitken    Associate Professor

	Biography

Molecular and genetic aspects of plant-pathogen interactions.

Dr Aitken’s research interests are in the field of plant pathology with particular emphasis on molecular and genetic aspects of plant-pathogen interactions and pathogen diversity. Collaborative projects with the Queensland Primary Industries, and CSIRO .

Dr Aitken is a member of the Plant Pathology research group.

Current projects:

Analysis of defence gene activation in banana in response to pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense and also to and non-pathogenic Fusaraium oxysporum and beneficial bacteria with a view to determining the mode of action of these potential biological control agents.

Molecular diversity analyses of various plant pathogen populations including: Mycosphaerella fijiensis (particularly examining recent quarantine incursions in Australia) and M. musicolaon banana; Thielaviopsis basilcolaon cotton and Colletotrichum acutatum on citrus.

	Images
		Assoc Prof Elizabeth Aitken Assoc.Prof. Elizabeth Aitken
		Banana plant with Fusarium wilt