Download Laureate 2016 Bios—Professor Peter Waterhouse

Professor Peter Waterhouse
Current Organisation
Administering Organisation
Discipline Area
Queensland University of Technology
Queensland University of Technology
Biological Sciences and Biotechnology
Fellowship project summary:
Harmonising genes for modern agriculture (FL160100155)
This project aims to fully understand how a plant distinguishes self from non-self genes and to develop
ways of precisely enhancing, repairing, updating, and/or redirecting genetic traits in harmony with the
genome. The world’s food security relies on modern crops that are continually updated with genetic
traits for higher yield and protection against changing environmental stresses. A crop plant’s genes
determine its growth, development, survival and agronomic fitness. The ability to precisely edit genes
in crop plants is tantalizingly close but significant barriers must be overcome. Anticipated outcomes
are safer, higher yielding and more sustainable crops.
Australian Research Council funding: $2,715,383
About Professor Waterhouse
Professor Peter Waterhouse is Professor of Molecular Genetics at Queensland University of
Technology. He has made many fundamental discoveries and developed new molecular technologies
that have been translated into intellectual property and commercial applications. He is internationally
known for his research in virology, on RNA interference (RNAi), and his expertise ranging from gene
regulation to plant genomics. With his research teams, Professor Waterhouse led the way in
uncovering the mechanism of RNAi, and developing it into a highly effective tool for viral defence,
insect protection, crop improvement, gene discovery and functional genomics for both plants and
animals. He is a past recipient of the Victor Chang Medal, the CSIRO Chairman’s Prize, and the Prime
Minister’s Science Prize.
Find out more about Professor Waterhouse and his research by visiting his profile page on the
Queensland University of Technology website.
For further information about this funding scheme please visit the Australian Laureate Fellowships
scheme page on the ARC website.