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Resolution of disease epidemiology and detection of genetic and genotypic diversity in Australian populations of myrtle rust (PBSF018)

Project Leader, Organisation Alistair McTaggart, University of Queensland Status Active. Background A very high priority in the Myrtle Rust Action Plan is to prevent arrival of new strains of Austropuccinia psidii (Objective 5.1). The project collaborators in the United States, led by Ned Klopfenstein, are developing much-needed, high-throughput sequencing tools to distinguish strains of myrtle […]

November 4, 2019 by

Foundation call for investment proposals proves popular again!

The 2019 funding round called for proposals in the following areas: environmental biosecurity (with clear overlap with social and community biosecurity), and in particular myrtle rust building on the social biosecurity program of the PBCRC, including indigenous engagement urban and peri-urban biosecurity opportunities to promote and celebrate the International Year of Plant Health; and scholarships […]

October 2, 2019 by

Our Membership is growing …

The Board is delighted to welcome five new members to the Foundation. We welcome: Sheila Charlesworth (Individual) Adrian Dinsdale (Individual) Andre Drenth (Individual) Davren Global Pty Ltd (General) Crawford Fund (General) “Our network and influence in plant biosecurity grows” says Managing Director, Dr Michael Robinson. “It is great to see more people joining us as […]

September 26, 2019 by

Foundation’s latest update …

The Foundation is entering an exciting next phase: some of our initial investments are starting to deliver their work and sponsorships have been completed; our call for a second round of proposals is open until 30 August; the Board is about to meet again to assess proposals, undertake some professional development in IP and commercialization, […]

August 24, 2019 by

Myrtle Rust Masterclass – register now!

The Foundation supports a range of activities focused on environmental biosecurity, and in particular Myrtle Rust. We are supporting a Myrtle Rust Masterclass run by the Biosecurity Centre of Excellence at the Box Hill Institute to raise awareness and understanding … Dr Louise Shuey, Senior Forest Pathologist, Forest Production & Protection from the Queensland Department […]

August 22, 2019 by

Pursuing sensitivity limits of biochemical geographic discrimination as generic tool for high risk pest plants …

There is an urgent need for a method of provenance determination of biosecurity samples, insect incursions in particular. Biogeochemical markers, which are non-inherited but linked to geographic variation, are presently the only viable option for this. However, the existing techniques are not fit-for-purpose, as they are too slow, expensive, and lack the required analytical sensitivity. […]

August 21, 2019 by

ABARES Review enhances Masters Course …

Dr Penny Wurm from Charles Darwin University joined forces with the ABARES Social Sciences team to review the current the ‘ENV521 – Community Engagement for Biosecurity and Natural Resource Management’ master’s unit in order to update it with the latest academic literature about behaviour change and on approaches for involving communities in biosecurity and natural […]

August 21, 2019 by

Indonesian Regional Masterclasses results in publication of Biosecurity and Biodiversity concepts …

The Indonesian Regional Masterclass project (PBSF006) has now published a report outlining the key concepts for a range of projects that are either completed, commenced or proposed that will add to biosecurity, biodiversity and food security in Indonesia. The Foundation Project continues to build biosecurity capacity and networks in Indonesia, strengthen ties between Australia and […]

August 19, 2019 by

Call for Investment Proposals – closing 30 August 2019

The Foundation is calling for new investment proposals that support research, development, extension and capacity building activities in line with our Vision and Mission. The 2019 funding round will focus on the following areas, although all proposals will be considered: environmental biosecurity, and in particular myrtle rust; building on the social biosecurity program of the […]

July 17, 2019 by

Foundation delighted to support the Crawford Fund Annual Conference (PBSF017)

The Plant Biosecurity Science Foundation is supporting the Crawford Fund’s 2019 Annual Conference titled “Weathering the Perfect Storm: Addressing the Agriculture, Energy, Water, Climate Change Nexus” being held on 12 and 13 August 2019 in Canberra. There is a networking dinner and the Sir John Crawford Memorial Address at the Realm  Hotel ballroom on 12 […]

July 11, 2019 by