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Genomics for australian plants

Australia’s unique flora is the result of millions of years of isolated evolution prior to collision with the Asian continent. There are an astounding 24,000 species of native vascular plants, many of which are found nowhere else in the world.

Australian native plants are vital for multiple sectors, including agriculture, forestry, fisheries, aquaculture, and tourism. They hold significant cultural importance for Indigenous communities, supporting their history, innovation, culture, spirituality, and economics for millennia. Genomic characterisation aids in managing and conserving native species, which have faced disturbances since European settlement.

Genomic approaches reveal key insights for plant evolution and conservation, aiding management decisions. Despite limited characterisation of plant genomes, genomic data offers vast potential for identifying traits and informing various applications, including biofuel production, drug development, and crop breeding.

Since its outset in 2018, the Bioplatforms Genomics for Australian Plants Initiative has sequenced and assembled representative plant genomes to enhance herbaria and botanic garden collections nationwide with genomic data, fostering long-term conservation and understanding of Australia’s unique flora. You can find out more on the Genomics for Australian Plants website.