Helen Collins

Research Interests

Agricultural Biotechnology Crop and Pasture Biochemistry Plant Biology Plant Cell and Molecular Biology Plant Physiology

Dr Helen Collins

Executive Officer

Waite Research Institute

Division of Research and Innovation

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.

I am currently the Executive Officer at the Waite Research Institute. My research has concentrated on the crops we eat, in particular barley. I am interested in the plant cell walls of grains and how they influence the processes involved in the synthesis and hydrolysation during grain development and germination and how this impacts end uses such as malting and brewing and human health.

 

I am currently the Executive Officer at the Waite Research Institute. If you are interested in learning about the Waite Precinct please visit the websites: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/waite-research-institute/ and https://www.thewaite.org/

Previously I have worked on several projects at the University of Adelaide.

These projects have focussed on:

  1. Investigating the processes involved in early germination of barley with the aim of improving the efficiency of the malting process. This involves the use of microscopic and biochemical methods to investigate the changes occurring during germination.
  2. Assessing the waste products from the malting and brewing industry for potentially beneficial compounds with the aim of valourization. Using techniques such as LC/MS/MS and HPLC we are looking for looking for compounds that may have alternative uses.

 barley grain

 

Date Position Institution name
2015 - 2015 Organiser & Demonstrator ConocoPhillips Science Experience
2012 - ongoing Developed & presented First Year Master of Science (Coursework) The University of Adelaide
2012 - 2014 Organiser & Demonstrator Royal Adelaide Show
2012 - 2014 Organiser & Demonstrator The University of Adelaide - Open Day
2012 - 2012 Organiser & Demonstrator Science Alive!

Date Institution name Country Title
2003 University of Adelaide Australia PhD
1989 Flinders University Australia Bachelor of Science (Chemistry)

Year Citation
2025 Nkurunziza, D., Kumorkiewicz-Jamro, A., Yu, L., Duggan, J., Collins, H., Pukala, T., . . . Coad, B. R. (2025). Differential Release of Biologically Active Cell-Wall-Bound Phenolics from Brewer’s Spent Grain Using Conventional and Deep Eutectic Solvents. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 13(28), 10794-10806.
DOI Scopus1
2025 Pachulicz, R. J., Nkurunziza, D., Rusli, O., Coad, B. R., Collins, H., & Jovcevski, B. (2025). Brewer's waste isn't spent: Capturing the structural complexity and bioactive properties of hordatines in brewery waste products. Food Chemistry, 493(Pt 3), 145959.
DOI
2023 Bergstrom, E., Lahnstein, J., Collins, H., Page, T. M., Bulone, V., & Diaz-Pulido, G. (2023). Cell wall organic matrix composition and biomineralization across reef-building coralline algae under global change. Journal of Phycology, 59(1), 111-125.
DOI Scopus8 WoS8 Europe PMC3
2021 Collins, H. M., Betts, N. S., Dockter, C., Berkowitz, O., Braumann, I., Cuesta-Seijo, J. A., . . . Fincher, G. B. (2021). Genes that mediate starch metabolism in developing and germinated barley grain. Frontiers in Plant Science, 12, 641325-1-641325-15.
DOI Scopus19 WoS16 Europe PMC9
2020 Lim, W. L., Collins, H. M., Byrt, C. S., Lahnstein, J., Shirley, N. J., Aubert, M. K., . . . Burton, R. A. (2020). Overexpression of HvCslF6 in barley grain alters carbohydrate partitioning plus transfer tissue and endosperm development. Journal of Experimental Botany, 71(1), 138-153.
DOI Scopus19 WoS16 Europe PMC9
2020 Betts, N. S., Dockter, C., Berkowitz, O., Collins, H. M., Hooi, M., Lu, Q., . . . Fincher, G. B. (2020). Transcriptional and biochemical analyses of gibberellin expression and content in germinated barley grain. Journal of Experimental Botany, 71(6), 1870-1884.
DOI Scopus25 WoS24 Europe PMC17
2020 Betts, N. S., Collins, H. M., Shirley, N. J., Cuesta-Seijo, J. A., Schwerdt, J. G., Phillips, R. J., . . . Bulone, V. (2020). Identification and spatio-temporal expression analysis of barley genes that encode putative modular xylanolytic enzymes. Plant Science, 308, 1-12.
DOI Scopus1
2018 Lim, W., Collins, H., Singh, R., Kibble, N., Yap, K., Taylor, J., . . . Burton, R. (2018). Method for hull-less barley transformation and manipulation of grain mixed-linkage beta-glucan. Journal of Integrative Plant Biology, 60(5), 382-396.
DOI Scopus14 WoS12 Europe PMC9
2018 Wood, J. A., Tan, H., Collins, H. M., Yap, K., Khor, S., Lim, W. L., . . . Tucker, M. R. (2018). Genetic and environmental factors contribute to variation in cell wall composition in mature desi chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cotyledons. Plant, cell & environment, 41(9), 2195-2208.
DOI Scopus41 WoS36 Europe PMC21
2018 Little, A., Schwerdt, J. G., Shirley, N. J., Khor, S. F., Neumann, K., O'Donovan, L. A., . . . Burton, R. A. (2018). Revised phylogeny of the Cellulose Synthase gene superfamily: insights into cell wall evolution. Plant Physiology, 177(3), 1124-1141.
DOI Scopus142 WoS130 Europe PMC110
2018 Gartaula, G., Dhital, S., Netzel, G., Flanagan, B., Yakubov, G., Beahan, C., . . . Gidley, M. (2018). Quantitative structural organisation model for wheat endosperm cell walls: Cellulose as an important constituent. Carbohydrate Polymers, 196, 199-208.
DOI Scopus79 WoS72 Europe PMC37
2017 Betts, N., Berkowitz, O., Liu, R., Collins, H., Skadhauge, B., Dockter, C., . . . Fincher, G. (2017). Isolation of tissues and preservation of RNA from intact, germinated barley grain. The Plant Journal, 91(4), 754-765.
DOI Scopus29 WoS30 Europe PMC26
2017 Betts, N., Wilkinson, L., Khor, S., Shirley, N., Lok, F., Skadhauge, B., . . . Collins, H. (2017). Morphology, carbohydrate distribution, gene expression, and enzymatic activities related to cell wall hydrolysis in four barley varieties during simulated malting. Frontiers in Plant Science, 8, 1872-1-1872-15.
DOI Scopus38 WoS39 Europe PMC19
2016 Cu, S., Collins, H., Betts, N., March, T., Janusz, A., Stewart, D., . . . Fincher, G. (2016). Water uptake in barley grain: physiology; genetics and industrial applications. Plant Science, 242, 260-269.
DOI Scopus13 WoS11 Europe PMC7
2016 Comino, P., Collins, H., Lahnstein, J., & Gidley, M. (2016). Effects of diverse food processing conditions on the structure and solubility of wheat, barley and rye endosperm dietary fibre. Journal of Food Engineering, 169, 228-237.
DOI Scopus52 WoS41 Europe PMC13
2015 Ermawar, R., Collins, H., Byrt, C., Henderson, M., O'Donovan, L., Shirley, N., . . . Burton, R. (2015). Genetics and physiology of cell wall polysaccharides in the model C₄ grass, Setaria viridis spp. BMC Plant Biology, 15(1), 236-1-236-18.
DOI Scopus17 WoS16 Europe PMC11
2015 Ermawar, R., Collins, H., Byrt, C., Betts, N., Henderson, M., Shirley, N., . . . Burton, R. (2015). Distribution, structure and biosynthetic gene families of (1,3;1,4)-β-glucan in Sorghum bicolor. Journal of Integrative Plant Biology, 57(4), 429-445.
DOI Scopus32 WoS28 Europe PMC21
2015 Zhang, D., Williams, B., Mikkelsen, D., Li, X., Keates, H., Lisle, A., . . . Bryden, W. (2015). Soluble arabinoxylan alters digesta flow and protein digestion of red meat-containing diets in pigs. Nutrition, 31(9), 1141-1147.
DOI Scopus29 WoS24 Europe PMC15
2014 Comino, P., Collins, H., Lahnstein, J., Beahan, C., & Gidley, M. (2014). Characterisation of soluble and insoluble cell wall fractions from rye, wheat and hull-less barley endosperm flours. Food Hydrocolloids, 41, 219-226.
DOI Scopus52 WoS47 Europe PMC22
2013 Comino, P., Shelat, K., Collins, H., Lahnstein, J., & Gidley, M. (2013). Separation and purification of soluble polymers and cell wall fractions from wheat, rye and hull less barley endosperm flours for structure-nutrition studies. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 61(49), 12111-12122.
DOI Scopus79 WoS76 Europe PMC46
2012 Wilson, S., Burton, R., Collins, H., Doblin, M., Pettolino, F., Shirley, N., . . . Bacic, A. (2012). Pattern of deposition of cell wall polysaccharides and transcript abundance of related cell wall synthesis genes during differentiation in barley endosperm. Plant Physiology, 159(2), 655-670.
DOI Scopus48 WoS47 Europe PMC31
2011 Burton, R., Collins, H., Kibble, N., Gilson, J., Shirley, N., Jobling, S., . . . Fincher, G. (2011). Over-expression of specific HvCslF cellulose synthase-like genes in transgenic barley increases the levels of cell wall (1,3;1,4)-β-D-glucans and alters their fine structure. Plant Biotechnology Journal, 9(2), 117-135.
DOI Scopus190 WoS160 Europe PMC129
2010 Collins, H., Burton, R., Topping, D., Liao, M., Bacic, A., & Fincher, G. (2010). Variability in fine structures of noncellulosic cell wall polysaccharides from cereal grains: Potential importance in human health and nutrition. Cereal Chemistry, 87(4), 272-282.
DOI Scopus168 WoS158 Europe PMC61
2007 Edney, M., Eglinton, J., Collins, H., Barr, A., Legge, W., & Rossnagel, B. (2007). Importance of endosperm modification for malt wort fermentability. Journal of the Institute of Brewing, 113(2), 228-238.
DOI Scopus29 WoS21
2007 Panozzo, J., Eckermann, P., Mather, D., Moody, D., Black, C., Collins, H., . . . Cullis, B. (2007). QTL analysis of malting quality traits in two barley populations. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 58(9), 858-866.
DOI Scopus58 WoS55
2007 Choi, E., Kolesik, P., McNeill, A., Collins, H., Zhang, Q., Huynh, B., . . . Stangoulis, J. (2007). The mechanism of boron tolerance for maintenance of root growth in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Plant Cell and Environment, 30(8), 984-993.
DOI Scopus62 WoS54 Europe PMC27
2005 Evans, D., Collins, H., Eglinton, J., & Wilhelmson, A. (2005). Assessing the impact of the level of diastatic power enzymes and their thermostability on the hydrolysis of starch during wort production to predict malt fermentability. Journal of the American Society of Brewing Chemists, 63(4), 185-198.
DOI Scopus122 WoS104
2003 Li, C., Lance, R., Collins, H., Tarr, A., Roumeliotis, S., Harasymow, S., . . . Read, B. (2003). Quantitative trait loci controlling kernel discoloration in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 54(11-12), 1251-1259.
DOI Scopus17 WoS14
2003 Coventry, S., Collins, H., Barr, A., Jefferies, S., Chalmers, K., Logue, S., & Langridge, P. (2003). Use of putative QTLs and structural genes in marker assisted selection for diastatic power in malting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 54(11-12), 1241-1250.
DOI Scopus51 WoS47
2003 Collins, H., Panozzo, J., Logue, S., Jefferies, S., & Barr, A. (2003). Mapping and validation of chromosome regions associated with high malt extract in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 54(11-12), 1223-1240.
DOI Scopus45 WoS39
2003 Pallotta, M., Asayama, S., Reinheimer, J., Davies, P., Barr, A., Jefferies, S., . . . Eckermann, P. (2003). Mapping and QTL analysis of the barley population Amagi Nijo x WI2585. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 54(11-12), 1141-1144.
DOI Scopus27 WoS27
2003 Karakousis, A., Barr, A., Kretschmer, J., Manning, S., Logue, S., Roumeliotis, S., . . . Langridge, P. (2003). Mapping and QTL analysis of the barley population Galleon x Haruna Nijo. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 54(11-12), 1131-1135.
DOI Scopus32 WoS31
2003 Barr, A., Karakousis, A., Lance, R., Logue, S., Manning, S., Chalmers, K., . . . Langridge, P. (2003). Mapping and QTL analysis of the barley population Chebec x Harrington. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 54(11-12), 1125-1130.
DOI Scopus39 WoS38
2003 Barr, A., Jefferies, S., Broughton, S., Chalmers, K., Kretschmer, J., Boyd, W., . . . Eckermann, P. (2003). Mapping and QTL analysis of the barley population Alexis x Sloop. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 54(11-12), 1117-1123.
DOI Scopus31 WoS29

Year Citation
2005 Hadaway, T., Roumeliotis, S., Collins, H., & Able, A. (2005). Black point of barley: doesn’t mean Guinness!. In 12th Australian Barley Technical Symposium Conference Proceedings [CD-ROM] (pp. 4 p (4 pages)). Hobart, Tasmania: Australian Barley Association.
2005 Hadaway, T., Roumeliotis, S., Collins, H., & Able, A. (2005). Black point of barley: Is grain quality affected?. In 12th Australian Barley Technical Symposium Conference Proceedings [CD-ROM] (pp. 5 p (5 pages)). Hobart, Tasmania: Australian Barley Association.
2004 Hadaway, T., Collins, H., & Able, A. (2004). Black Point of Barley: A Possible Enzymatic Browning Reaction. In 9th International Barley Genetics Symposium : book of abstracts, Brno Trade Fairs, Brno, Czech Republic 20-26 June 2004. Brno, Czech Republic: Czech Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding.
2004 Collins, H., Swanston, J., Rossnagel, B., & Logue, S. (2004). An Investigation of the Relative Rates of Protein and Carbohydrate Modification of a Number of International Malting Varieties, Grown in Three Countries. In 9th International Barley Genetics Symposium: book of abstracts, 20-26 June, 2004: part II poster presentations (pp. 404-409). Brno, Czech Republic: Czech Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding.
2004 Collins, H., Logue, S., & Eglinton, J. (2004). Understanding the genetic bases of modification. In 9th International Barley Genetics Symposium: book of abstracts, 20-26 June, 2004: part II poster presentations (pp. 410-417). Brno, Czech Republic: Czech Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding.
2004 Edney, M., Eglinton, J., Collins, H., & Barr, A. (2004). Biochemical and Genetic Basis of Wort Fermentability. In 9th International Barley Genetics Symposium : book of abstracts (pp. 95). Brno, Czech Republic: Czech Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding.
2004 Barr, A., Eglinton, J., Collins, H., Vassos, E., & Roumeliotis, S. (2004). QTL for Malting Quality - a 25 Piece Puzzle. In Proceedings of 9th International Barley Genetics Symposium (pp. 58-71). Brno, Czech Republic): Czech Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding.
2004 Edney, M., Legge, W., Rossnagel, B., & Collins, H. (2004). Malting quality of a hulless/covered doubled haploid barley population. In 9th International Barley Genetics Symposium: book of abstracts, 20-26 June, 2004: part II poster presentations (pp. 418-424). Brno, Czech Republic: Czech Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding.
2003 Collins, H., Van Wegen, B., & Logue, S. (2003). The influence of variety on the modification profile of a number of varieties, known to vary in their modification rates. In Barley Technical / Cereal Chemistry 2003, 7-10 September 2003: conference proceedings: a joint meeting for the 11th Australian Barley Symposium and the 53rd Australian Cereal Chemistry Conference (pp. 5 pages). Glenelg, South Australia: Australian Barley Technical Symposium.
2003 Kuchel, B., Eglinton, J., Collins, H., Barr, A., Evans, D., & McCafferty, C. (2003). Potential to modify wort fermentability by the thermostability of the α-Amylase, β-Amylase and limit dextrinase diastatic powder enzymes. In Proceedings of 11th Australian Barley Technical Symposium (pp. 6 pages). Adelaide, South Australia.
2002 Barr, A., Eglinton, J., Coventry, S., Collins, H., Logue, S., Roumeliotis, S., . . . Langridge, P. (2002). QTL analysis – did it deliver the goods?. In Plant breeding for the 11th millenium : Proceedings of the 12th Australasian Plant Breeding Conference (pp. 675-684). Perth, W.A.: Australasian Plant Breeding Association.
2002 Collins, H., Logue, S., Jefferies, S., & Barr, A. (2002). Validation of markers for malt extract, DP, alpha amylase and beta amylase. In Australian Barley Technical Symposium [electronic resource]: 10th Australian Barley Technical Symposium : proceedings of the 10th Australian Barley Technical Symposium. Canberra, Australia.
2001 Washington, J., Collins, H., Maeda, Y., Box, A., & Barr, A. (2001). Selection of quality Australian barley for the Japanese staple food market. In Australian Barley Technical Symposium [electronic resource]: proceedings of the 10th Australian Barley Technical Symposium. Canberra, Australia: Australian Barley Technical Symposium.
2000 Collins, H., Logue, S., Jefferies, S., & Barr, A. (2000). Using QTL Mapping to Improve our Understanding of Malt Extract. In D. Logue (Ed.), Proceedings of the 8th International Barley Genetics Symposium (pp. 225-227). Adelaide, Australia: Dept of Plant Science, Adelaide University.
2012 - 2018
 PLANT SC 7126 WT

Techniques in Plant Biotechnology		 Postgraduate Coursework course

Developed and presented, two-week practical component for Plant Biotechnological students at the University of Adelaide

(first-year Master of Science degree).

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2023 - 2023 Principal Supervisor Targeting Cell Wall Formation in the Oomycete Phytophthora cinnamomi for Disease Control Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Amena Khatun
2023 - 2024 Principal Supervisor Characterisation of Flavonoid Composition and Glycosylating Enzymes in Sweet Cherry and Apple Fruit Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Daniel James Clayton-Cuch
2014 - 2018 Co-Supervisor Regulation of Reserve Carbohydrates in Hull-less Barley Grain Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Wai Li Lim
2013 - 2019 Co-Supervisor Analysis of Cereal Cyst Nematode Resistance Mechanisms in Barley Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Christopher Hakachite
2011 - 2016 Co-Supervisor Metabolic Engineering of C4 Grasses for Biofuel Applications Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Riksfardini Annisa Ermawar
2011 - 2018 Co-Supervisor The Expression of Hydrolytic Enzymes in Germinating Barley Grain Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Catherine Gibson

Date Role Research Topic Location Program Supervision Type Student Load Student Name
2018 - ongoing Co-Supervisor Cell wall degradation in barley grain Univeristy of Adelaide MSc-Coursework Master Full Time Hanyue (Mia) Wang

Date Role Committee Institution Country
2012 - ongoing Member CSIRO Scientists in Schools program - Australia
2012 - 2014 Member Marketing, Communication & Outreach Committee (MCOC) The University of Adelaide - School of Agriculture, Food and Wine Australia

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