Kenneth Chalmers

Associate Professor Kenneth Chalmers

Grant-Funded Researcher (D)

School of Agriculture, Food and Wine

Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology

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


Associate Professor Ken Chalmers’ research focuses on the role of molecular plant breeding in crop improvement. He is also the Post-graduate coordinator for Plant Breeding and Genomics within the School of Agriculture, Food and Wine. He leads the Australian participation on the Wheat 10-Genomes and Barley Pan Genome projects and participates in a number of large GRDC funded programs developing molecular markers for cereal breeding and isolating cereal genes. Ken’s other research interests focus on the utilisation of genetic resources and Australian indigenous food and Chinese Traditional Medicinal plant species.

My research expertise is in the areas of plant molecular breeding and genetic analysis particularly in cereals. I have a particular interest in using and developing genetic resources for crop improvement. Much of the research I undertake in cereals is supported by the Grains Research & Development Corporation (GDRC). This includes large scale international genome sequencing programs developing pan-genomes of both wheat and barley.10+ Genomes

http://www.10wheatgenomes.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1E8WZpy1Vk

Additionally, I co-lead the Australian Wheat and Barley Molecular Marker Program – (Genetic Analysis) which aims to develop molecular markers for cereal breeding and resistance gene identification.

Australian Wheat and Barley Molecular Marker Programhttp://www.markers.net.au/

One of the more recent activities in my lab has been the involvement with the Global Institute of Traditional Medicine this is an international research collaboration between the University of Adelaide, the Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Shanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a style of traditional medicine built on a foundation of more than 2,500 years of Chinese medical practice that includes various forms of herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage, exercise and dietary therapy. TCM is widely used in China where it is the standard system of medicine and is becoming increasingly popular and recognised worldwide.

Our current research program in collaboration with the Shanxi Zhendong Genuine Medicinal Material Development Co. Ltd. (China) aims to understand the genetic control of the bioactive compounds present within the medicinal plant species Sophora flavescens. An extract of the root containing the bioactive compound oxymatrine is used in the Kushen compound injection as an adjunct in chemotherapy. This exciting research aims to build on the increasing interest of western medicine in understanding the invaluable resources available within Chinese medical traditions.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Current Projects

K.J. Chalmers, P. Langridge, The 10+ Genome Wheat Sequencing Consortium. GRDC http://www.10wheatgenomes.com 2017-2020

C-D Li, K.J. Chalmers, P. Langridge, Improved Genetic Gain through GRDC Participation in Barley Pan-genome Consortium. GRDC, 2018-2020

D.E. Mather, J.F. Thompson, K.J. Chalmers, T.J. Sutton, M.R. Tucker, J.D. Taylor, K.H.P. Khoo, Protecting Your Crop: Development of tools to accelerate Nematode resistance gene deployment. GRDC, 2015-2020

D.E. Mather, K.J. Chalmers, Australian Wheat and Barley Molecular Marker Program – Genetic Analysis http://www.markers.net.au GRDC, 2013-2019

M Shankar, K.J. Chalmers, Improved genetic solutions for management of yellow spot in wheat. GRDC, 2015-2020

K.J. Chalmers, D.E Mather, R. Burton, T. Bianco-Miotto, Molecular breeding of Sophora flavescens (Kushen). Shanxi Zhendong Genuine Medicinal Material Development Co. Ltd. (China) 2018-2020

A.J. Lowe, K. Delaporte. K.J. Chalmers, Orana Foundation: Plant Production assessment team. http://theoranafoundation.org/

Research Practice for Applied Biology III

  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2014 - 2019 Co-Supervisor Analysis of the Barley Cereal Cyst Nematode Resistance Locus Rha2 Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Bart Jos P Van Gansbeke
    2013 - 2016 Principal Supervisor Characterisation of Glutamine Synthetase to Map New Regulatory Loci Modulating Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Hexaploid Wheat Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Jonathan Castel Djietror
    2011 - 2014 Co-Supervisor Fine Mapping of Nematode Resistance Genes Rlnn1 and Cre8 in Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Dimanthi Vihanga Jayatilake
    2010 - 2011 Co-Supervisor Introgression of Genetic Material from Primary Synthetic Hexaploids into an Australian Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Master of Agricultural Science Master Full Time Mr Stephen Talbot
    2009 - 2011 Principal Supervisor Genetic Control of Sodium Exclusion in Tetraploid Wheat Master of Agricultural Science Master Full Time Dr Shefat Rahman
    2008 - 2012 Co-Supervisor Identification and Characterisation of a Novel Glutenin Subunit in Bread Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Xin Gao
    2003 - 2006 Co-Supervisor Genetic Analysis of Tissue Culture Responses in Barley (Hordeum vulgareI L.) Master of Agricultural Science Master Full Time Mr Marei Al-Nahdi
    2003 - 2012 Co-Supervisor Genetic Investigation of Iron Deficiency in Field Peas (Pisum sativum L.) Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Uyek Yakop
    1997 - 2003 Co-Supervisor The Development, Identification and Application of SSR Markers for Use in Australian Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Breeding. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Angelo Karakousis
  • Position: Grant-Funded Researcher (D)
  • Phone: 83136812
  • Email: kenneth.chalmers@adelaide.edu.au
  • Fax: 83137102
  • Campus: Waite
  • Building: Plant Genomics Centre, floor 1
  • Org Unit: School of Agriculture, Food and Wine

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