19 August 2011

Improved nutrition for billions of people around the world and the development of clean, green biofuels are two key aims of a major new research centre recently launched at the University of Adelaide's Waite Campus.

The ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Cell Walls is a biotechnology centre that looks at the fundamental role of cell walls (biomass) in plants – in particular grasses and cereal crops – and how they can be better used.

Barley, wheat, rice and model grasses will be the focal points of this research. The centre is hoping to discover ways of altering the macromolecules inside the cell walls to maximise their potential for reducing the risk of serious human diseases (through altering the soluble fibre levels in grain) and to benefit industry in diverse areas such as bioethanol production, malting processes for beer production, and pulp and paper manufacture. 

Headquartered at the University of Adelaide, the centre involves collaboration with the universities of Melbourne and Queensland and has other major research and industry partners in Scotland, Sweden, Germany and the USA.

The centre has been established with $20.5 million in federal cash funding from the Australian Research Council and a further $12 million of support from partner institutions, and the State Government.

"The fundamental scientific discoveries will inevitably point the way towards new technologies that will underpin Australian crop industries, which are valued at more than $8 billion per year, associated food industries valued at $40 billion per year, and the rapidly growing biofuels and biomaterials industries," said ARC Chief Executive Officer, Professor Margaret Sheil, launching the centre.

"The centre brings together a team of internationally regarded scientists, with research and industry partners from around the globe. They will not only provide delivery pathways for the research outcomes but will also provide unique international training opportunities for early career researchers, such as postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows, who represent the future of science and technology in this country."