{"links":{"self":"http://dataportal.arc.gov.au/NCGP/API/grants/DE260101138"},"data":{"type":"grant-details","id":"DE260101138","attributes":{"code":"DE260101138","administering-organisation":"The University of Western Australia","announcement-administering-organisation":"The University of Western Australia","scheme-name":"Discovery Early Career Researcher Award","grant-status":"Active","funding-commencement-year":2026,"years-funded":3,"project-start-date":"2026-01-01","anticipated-end-date":"2028-12-31","grant-summary":"Pioneering synthetic gene circuits for next-generation crop protection. This project will develop synthetic gene circuits to enhance adaptive disease resistance in canola, a $4 billion industry vulnerable to blackleg disease, which can cause over 50% yield losses. Current control methods, including fungicides and R genes, are becoming ineffective as the pathogen evolves. By integrating CRISPR-based gene circuits, this research will enable precise, on-demand regulation of resistance (R) and susceptibility (S) genes, improving long-term crop resilience. The outcomes will reduce fungicide dependence, enhance food security, and strengthen Australia’s global leadership in sustainable agriculture, providing a transformative, next-generation approach to plant disease management.","funding-current":532705.00,"funding-at-announcement":528479,"investigators-current":[{"title":"Dr","firstName":"Adil","familyName":"Khan","roleName":"Discovery Early Career Researcher Award","roleCode":"DECRA","isFellowship":true,"orcidIdentifier":"0009-0004-0090-0807 "}],"investigators-at-announcement":[{"title":"Dr","firstName":"Adil","familyName":"Khan","roleName":"Discovery Early Career Researcher Award","roleCode":"DECRA","isFellowship":true,"orcidIdentifier":"0009-0004-0090-0807 "}],"organisations-current":[{"organisationName":"The University of Western Australia","roleName":"Administering Organisation","state":"WA"}],"organisations-at-announcement":[{"organisationName":"The University of Western Australia","roleName":"Administering Organisation","state":"WA"}],"field-of-research":[{"isPrimary":true,"code":"3101","name":"Biochemistry and Cell Biology","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":false,"code":"310113","name":"Synthetic Biology","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":false,"code":"310204","name":"Genomics and Transcriptomics","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":false,"code":"310805","name":"Plant Pathology","type":"FOR20"}],"socio-economic-objective":[{"code":"220403","name":"Artificial Intelligence","type":"SEO20"},{"code":"280101","name":"Expanding Knowledge In the Agricultural, Food and Veterinary Sciences","type":"SEO20"},{"code":"280102","name":"Expanding Knowledge In the Biological Sciences","type":"SEO20"}],"international-collaboration":["United States of America"],"lief-register":[],"achievement-summary":null,"national-interest-test-statement":"This research is of national significance as it directly addresses Australia’s priorities in food security, agricultural sustainability, and economic resilience. Canola, a $4 billion industry and a vital export crop, is highly vulnerable to blackleg disease, which can cause yield losses of over 50% in severe outbreaks. Existing management strategies, such as fungicides and genetic resistance breeding, are becoming less effective as the fungal pathogen evolves, posing a major threat to Australia’s agricultural productivity and global competitiveness.\nThis project will develop innovative synthetic biology tools to create adaptive and long-lasting disease resistance in canola, reducing dependence on chemical fungicides and improving crop resilience. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies, this research will not only safeguard Australia’s canola industry against emerging disease threats but also drive innovation in agricultural biotechnology, reinforcing the nation’s leadership in sustainable farming.\nBeyond canola, the synthetic biology framework developed in this study can be applied to other crops, supporting a more climate-resilient agricultural sector. By securing yields and lowering production costs, this research will enhance economic stability for farmers and contribute to Australia’s food security, sustainability, and international trade position."}}}