Pioneering protoplast technology for Fucoid Seaweeds, enabling gene banking and assisted evolution for marine forest foundation species in Australia.
Fucoid Seaweeds
Team & Partners: Dr. Georgina Wood (Flinders University) & Dr. Sasi Nayar (South Australian Research and Development Institute), Operation Crayweed, the Green Gravel Action Group, Taronga CryoDiversity Lab, South Australian State Herbarium and Seed Conservation Centre
Challenge: Fucoid seaweeds underpin Australia’s 8,000 km Great Southern Reef but are collapsing under ocean warming, with no viable pathway for genetic preservation.
Approach: Develop protoplast isolation and regeneration protocols for two priority fucoid species, establish a living multi-genotype gene bank, screen genotypes for thermal resilience, and test whether regeneration can accelerate breeding for heat tolerance.
Anticipated outcomes: A validated, open-access Fucoid Gene Banking and Climate Resilience Toolkit, paired with a living multi-genotype biobank and proof-of-concept evidence for protoplast-enabled thermal tolerance enhancement.
