World-leading research to identify genes that control plant development has won CSIRO Plant Industry's Dr Chris Helliwell the prestigious Science Minister's Prize for Life Scientist of the Year.

Presented last night at Parliament House by Federal Science Minister, the Hon Peter McGauran MP, the prize recognises a scientist under 35 whose research in the life sciences advances, or has the potential to advance, human welfare or society.

"It's fantastic to see plant science recognised and rewarded," says Dr Helliwell.

"Plants are vitally important to life on earth and plant research is up there with other areas such as medical research in its contribution to health and well being."

Dr Helliwell has made breakthrough discoveries of plant genes that are responsible for hormone production in plants. Plant hormones determine plant height and lifespan, flowering and fruiting time, leaf and flower development and structural arrangement.

"Using our understanding of plant genes and the hormones they regulate we hope to breed crops that produce even better quality food," says Dr Helliwell.

"For example currently some of our table grapes are sprayed with a natural plant hormone, called gibberellin, to help produce large, juicy grapes."

"Our research could lead to the development of grapes that produce enough gibberellin at the right time without the need for spraying, reducing costs and management."

"It could also lead to more strategic application of plant hormones where they are needed to maximise their effectiveness."

Other potential applications of Dr Helliwell's research could include improving germination and early growth of dwarf cereal crops and improving flowering and fruit production in citrus.

2003 Science Minister's Prize

Dr Christopher Helliwell

Biotechnologist Leaves USA, Europe and Japan in his Wake

Dr Chris Helliwells career as one of the worlds most promising plant biotechnologists was spurred on by a deep fascination with DNA and the regulation of genes.

Originally from Leeds in England, Dr Helliwell completed his PhD in Plant Science at Cambridge University in 1994. He came to Australia in 1995 as a Royal Society Research Fellow within CSIROs Plant Industry division where he is now a Senior Research Scientist.

It is here that Dr Helliwell carried out the experiments that completed the isolation of the genes that control the biosynthesis of gibberellin one of the most important hormones in plants.

Having conducted a series of brilliant cloning experiments, he left leading laboratories in the USA, Europe and Japan in his wake after succeeding where they had failed - all at the age of 33!

When asked what he loves most about his job, it is evident that Dr Helliwell is happiest when surrounded by his DNA experiments. I really enjoy doing the hands-on research working at the bench, using molecular biology to find the genes that are important in controlling how plants grow it doesnt get much better than that! he says.

Its fantastic to see plant science get some recognition through the Prime Ministers Prizes for Science. Plants are vitally important to life on earth but often plant research is thought of as the poor cousin of medical research.

In parallel to the work on gibberellin biosynthesis, Dr Helliwell also isolated a gene known as AMP1, which affects the synthesis of another plant hormone cytokinin. Mutations of this gene affect many developmental pathways including how quickly leaves are produced, the arrangement of flowers and leaves around the stem of the plant, the lifespan of the plant and how often twin plants are formed on one seed.

Dr Helliwells work with plant hormones is a major breakthrough for the agricultural and horticultural industry and can be applied in a number of different ways.

Gibberellin controls many important agricultural and horticultural traits including plant height, flowering time and fruit set. Understanding how and where gibberellin is made will make it possible to manipulate production of the hormone to improve crop performance.

When Dr Helliwell is not finding his way around DNA he is likely to be found roaming around the great outdoors enjoying his second greatest passion orienteering.

When it comes to plant biotechnology Dr Helliwell is a name to look out for. He has already begun work on his next challenge which is to understand how changes in the structure of DNA, rather than the sequence of the genes themselves, affects developmental changes in plants - a research area known as epigenetics.

Autobiographical details

• 1969  Born in Leeds, UK
• 1988-1991 Cambridge University, UK. (Fitzwilliam College) B.A. (Hons) in Natural Sciences, First Class
• 1991-1994 Cambridge University, UK. (Fitzwilliam College) PhD in Plant Science
• 1995-1996  Royal Society Research Fellow, CSIRO Plant Industry, Canberra, Australia
• 1996-1998  Postdoctoral Fellow, CSIRO Plant Industry, Canberra, Australia
• 1998-2001  Research Scientist, CSIRO Plant Industry, Canberra, Australia
• 2001  Senior Research Scientist, CSIRO Plant Industry, Canberra, Australia
• 2001  Became an Australian citizen

Career Highlights

• 2000  CSIRO Plant Industry Chiefs Award for individual excellence in research
• 1995  Royal Society (UK) Australian Postdoctoral Fellowship
• 1991  Frank Smart Studentship in Plant Sciences, Cambridge University
• 1991  Agricultural and Food Research Council PhD Studentship

Research Contributions

Dr Chris Helliwell has made major contributions to the understanding of the biosynthesis and actions of two of the key hormones of plants gibberellin and cytokinin. He has identified and isolated the genes encoding enzymes which are involved in the mid stages of synthesis of gibberellin. Gibberellin controls many stages of plant development and is widely used in agriculture and horticulture.

He has also found evidence of a plant peptide hormone signalling pathway. Similar pathways are known to be important in mammalian development but had not previously been shown to play a role in plant formation and development.