Main thrust
The Farrer Centre has a strong research program concerned with Biotechnology and Biochemistry. This program consists of plant and animal science components with members belonging to universities (Charles Sturt University, RMIT University, Victoria University of Technology and Swinburne University of Technology), government organisations (Agriculture Victoria and CSIRO) and industries (Florigene, ANM Forest Management, Serve-Ag, Australian Paper Plantations) throughout Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania. Between them, they have published more than 200 papers and been awarded more than 3 million dollars in grant money in the past few years.

Aims:
The aims of this Biotechnology and Biochemistry program are to:

• Conduct research and consultancy in Biotechnology and Biochemistry;

• Provide postgraduate training and honours research;

• Facilitate linkages between researchers at CSU and other Universities such as RMIT University, Swinburne University of Technology and Victoria University of Technology and private industries;

• Bring more full fee paying students from Overseas to the CSU to carry out postgraduate and undergraduate biotechnology training;

• Provide commercial services to outsiders.

Main Research Areas

The main research foci are:

1. Plant Biotechnology;

2. Growth, Physiology, Nutrition and Development in Agricultural Animals;

3. Identification of Molecular Markers for Economic Traits;

4. Gene Transformation and Micropropagation in Plants;

5. Application of anticarcigenic compounds in diets;

6. Vaccines.

Staff Involved:
Dr Morley Muralitharan (CSU)
Dr Frank Dunshea (Victorian
Institute of Animal Science)
Robin Mitra (CSU)
Ewa Ostrowska (Victorian Institute of Animal Science)
Ms Sandra Hetherington (ANM Forest Management)
Peter Volker (Serve-Ag, Tasmaina)
Dr Nigel Urwin (CSU)
Dr Chin-Yi (Florigene)
Nicole Rummery (CSU)
Professor Jim Pratley (CSU)
Dr Trevor Stevenson (RMIT University)
Associate Professor Stephen Bigger (Victoria University of Technology)
Dr Nick Robinson (Victorian Institute of Animal Science)
Dr Ian McCauley (Victorian Institute of Animal Science)
Dr Simon Sturt (CSIRO)
Dr Helen McPhartlen (Victorian Institute of Animal Science)
Dr Reg Cross (Swinburne University of Technology)