Canberra, Australia
February 22, 2005
After eleven years and over $2
million in research funding, the Ken and Yasuko Myer Plant
Science Research Fund will be wound up at the
CSIRO Discovery Centre in
Canberra today.
Over its
life, the Fund has supported eight scientists at CSIRO Plant
Industry to undertake research to advance Australian
agriculture, food processing industries and natural resource
management.
The three
latest projects included research into plant flowering
processes, fusarium infection of plants, and biodiversity.
Dr Carol
Andersson's research focused on identifying genes involved in
regulating the expression of FLC, a major gene controlling
flowering time. The project identified a gene required for FLC
expression and has increased the understanding of the broader
network of genes involved in controlling the initiation of
flowering.
Dr Agnieszka
Mudge looked at the major disease of wheat, caused by the fungus
Fusarium, to identify the critical genes and processes that
enable the disease to affect plants. A better understanding of
the disease could lead to wheat varieties with improved
resistance to Fusarium and management strategies to limit its
spread.
Dr Sophie
Bickford investigated spatial distribution patterns of
Australian plant diversity, developing predictive models of
diversity 'hotspots'. The project provides a better
understanding of the patterns and processes underlying the
distribution of biodiversity in Australia – knowledge necessary
for informed conservation decision making.
The Fund was
set up in 1994 to administer a bequest of $1 million to CSIRO
Plant Industry, following the untimely deaths of Ken and Yasuko
Myer. That initial bequest has grown over the life of the Fund
through careful investment by Myer Family Office Pty Ltd but has
now been expended through the eight fellowships.
Ken Myer,
the eldest son of the Australian-based mercantile family of
Sidney Myer of Myer department stores, and his wife Yasuko were
involved in a wide range of disciplines including the performing
arts, libraries, museums, scientific and medical research, and
the environment. They took an active interest in the work of
CSIRO Plant Industry prior to their deaths and Ken's brother
Bailleau and son Martyn have been keen trustees of the Fund and
very supportive of the research.
The Fund
will be wound up at CSIRO Discovery Centre, Clunies Ross St,
Acton in Canberra today with seminars from the three most recent
fellows and a formal ceremony. |