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Dr Michael Mason  | | | | Casual Research Assistant |
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 | Biography |  |
In Dr. Mason’s laboratory, we investigate the mechanisms of plant nutrient regulation by studying plants with significant alterations in their nutrient levels. A greater understanding of plant nutrition will provide a foundation for a number of biotechnological applications including phytoremediation and the production of crop plants with enhanced levels of nutrients that are essential to the human diet. Plants must obtain a number of metal ions including zinc, iron, and manganese from the soil in order to grow, however, over accumulation of these ions can be toxic. Therefore, it is vital that ion levels in plants are strictly regulated. The proposed project aims to investigate the mechanisms of ion regulation by studying plants with significant alterations in their metal ion profiles. Achieving this goal will provide a foundation for the production of crop plants with enhanced levels of ions that are essential to the human diet.
Additionally, the same technology can be used in the generation of plants that are suitable for phytoremediation of lands contaminated with toxic heavy metals or damaged by salinity. Dryland salinity is continuously claiming Australian lands and is a serious threat to our agricultural industry, native flora and fauna, and infrastructure. Attempting to feed an increasing population whilst agricultural land is disappearing, places an ever-increasing burden on our remaining land. While there is no simple solution to this problem, understanding how plants regulate cellular ion concentrations will help to generate plants that are suitable for restoration of damaged lands or crop plants that are more tolerant to saline soils.
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