DrJim Rookes

Unit Chair SLE704, SLE712, SLE713 Geelong Coordinator SLE115, SLE346
SLE710/730 Research Projects Coordinator Researcher in the areas of
Biotechnology and Plant Sciences

From an initial interest in Cell Biology and Plant Pathology, my research has
expanded in recent years to encompass studies in the areas of Agricultural
Biotechnology, Nanotechnology, Materials Science and Biomedicine.

During my PhD studies at Deakin University I investigated signal transduction
pathways and defence responses triggered in plants when challenged by
pathogens. To facilitate this, I constructed genetically modified plants to
enable real time tracking of plant defence induction through the development
of a green fluorescent protein-reporter system. Following this, I spent the
next three years of my career at the University of Queensland studying the
role Heterotrimeric G proteins in plants. Interestingly, amongst other
findings, we discovered that G protein-coupled signalling is in fact very
important for the mounting of plant defence responses.

In 2006 I returned to Deakin University to take up a Research Fellow position
investigating plant interactions with the pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi.
This pathogen poses a major threat to the biodiversity of natural ecosystems
across Australia and is listed by the Australian Government (Department of
Environment) as a 'key threatening process'. This project investigated how
plants defend themselves against this pathogen, using model plant species such
as Arabidopsis thaliana and also Australian native plants.

In 2009 I became a lecturer within the School of Life & Enviro Sci. Since then
my role his had a strong focus on teaching and I have taught across a range
of disciplines including Biotechnology, Cell biology, Biomedicine, Molecular
Biology and of course, Plant Biology. I have also been involved in the
coordination of the Master of Biotechnology Postgraduate Course since 2009.