Queensland sugarcane research specialist Dr Graham Bonnett was awarded the Queensland-Smithsonian Fellowship last night by Dr Graeme Potter, Chair of the 2008 Queensland-Smithsonian Fellowship Selection Panel, at the Premier's Hall, Parliamentary Annex, Brisbane.
The *Queensland-Smithsonian Fellowship, worth around $25,000, will provide Dr Bonnett with the opportunity to fast track Australia's research into possible environmental issues that need exploring before the release of genetically modified (GM) sugarcane and (if necessary) to assess risk management strategies at the famed Smithsonian Institution.
Dr Bonnett will spend five months at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), Panama from August to December 2009. Here he will follow up on his work with **CRC SIIB to determine if GM sugarcane has any altered weediness potential.
According to Dr Bonnett, a wild cane species has become prolific in Panama. The fellowship provides a good opportunity to understand the features of the cane that make it such a competitive weed.
"My research will be used to design tests for altered weediness potential in GM sugarcane, which will be useful if GM sugarcane is considered for release in Australia. My work may also identify possible control strategies for the wild sugarcane," Dr Bonnett said.
The origin of the wild Cane in Panama, where it’s presence as a 'weed' was noted in the 1970s, is unknown but several theories have been put forward.
"I hope to determine if there were multiple introductions of the wild cane species in Panama, predominantly how it spread and why it out competes other plants to grow in thickets in disturbed land," he said.
Dr Bonnett, a prominent CSIRO Plant Industry researcher and key member of the CRC SIIB executive and several of its projects, said sugarcane as we know it is an efficient producer of sucrose; but the CRC's research is showing sugarcane can produce products of a lot higher value.
"Our work is revealing that sugarcane is also a preferred feedstock for producing much needed bio-fuels and biodegradable plastics to replace oil-based products for the world," he said.
"In line with these potential advances, and those being made elsewhere, we need to have a good understanding of how we would manage the possible release of GM value-added sugarcane plants."
While the moratorium against release of GM crops has been lifted in some Australian states, close scrutiny of GM crops remains, making a rigorous pursuit of identifying any potential hazards and if necessary risk management strategies and practices critical before GM sugarcane is released.
*The Queensland-Smithsonian Fellowship Award, a Queensland Government Smart State initiative of around $25,000, covers travel and living expenses whilst conducting the research. The expense of the research will be covered by the CRC SIIB and a Sugar Research and Development Corporation travel and learning opportunity award.
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** The Queensland - Smithsonian Fellowship Program is a joint initiative of the Queensland Government and the Smithsonian Institution and seeks to foster an interchange of knowledge and skills between Queensland organisations and the Smithsonian. The Program, managed by International Collaborations in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, supports three Queenslanders each year to undertake a research project of their choice at the Smithsonian’s museums, galleries, libraries and research and education centres.
The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum complex and research organisation, with 19 museums, 9 research centres, 160 affiliate museums and institutions worldwide and the National Zoo, Washington DC. Established in 1846 following a generous bequest of 100,000 gold sovereigns (equivalent to US$500,000) by a British scientist, James Smithson, the Institution now has an operating budget of more than $600 million. STRI, is dedicated to understanding biological diversity and welcomes scientists from around the world each year.
**The Cooperative Research Centre for Sugar Industry Innovation through Biotechnology (CRC SIIB) was established to add new value to Australian sugarcane.
It is a unique alliance of Australia's top sugarcane biotechnology research organisations including four Universities, sugar industry research organisations, Federal and Queensland State Governments, and commercial expertise.
Established on 1 July 2003 under a seven-year joint research agreement, its Head Office is at The University of Queensland in Brisbane. The CRC’s scientists and research scholars are based in Brisbane and in sugarcane towns throughout Queensland and northern New South Wales. The CRC SIIB entered the commercialisation phase of its research in July 2006. www.crcsugar.com
For more information contact:
CRC SIIB Communication Manager
Julie Lloyd
M: 0415 799 890