P4S Media Contact: Maddy Parks | p4s_admin@adelaide.edu.au
Looking for our full list of research publications? Find them here.
Mission Sprouts is ready for takeoff! The national STEM program is a collaboration between the Australian Space Agency, Swinburne University of Technology, the National Australia Day Council, and the ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space.
The free, weekly science podcast with David Boldeman explores the people and stories behind scientific discoveries and research.
On his second RRR appearance, Declan and Dr Shane discuss space crops, genetic modification, Project Hail Mary and more!
P4S researchers at the University of Melbourne are exploring native plants' potential as food ingredients of the future.
Join us as we celebrate 'Seeds of Science' this August, with free science experiences, events and resources all month long!
Check out August 16th's episode of ABC Landline, featuring the research of our team at the University of Western Australia.
What can growing a single seed in space teach us about feeding people on Earth? The Australian Space Agency sat down with Gunya to find out!
Jordan's project explores the role of critical thinking in science education, aiming to inform how our researchers build and maintain their education practice.
Ingredients being studied for space missions could soon make their way into your kitchen, thanks to a space-inspired cookbook released by the ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space this August.
A Parliamentary Library seminar has explored the increasing demand for food across the world and how Victoria is leading the way in plant-based protein research.
Prof. Matthew Gilliham featured in The Australian Farmer to discuss the future of food and agriculture innovation.
This month our education team took on a jam-packed Northern Territory tour, engaging over 500 students and members of the public.
Hear more about our Flinders University node leader, Eva Kemps.
P4S Deputy Director Professor Melissa de Zwart spoke with Karen on RNZ National about the work we are doing on human health and nutrition, in space and on Earth. Listen to this wide-ranging discussion on food, culture, space law and ethics.
Leni Campbell-Clause recently completed her PhD in molecular genetics. Her work investigated how plant genetic engineering can create useful plant-based foods, medicines and more.
Growing Plants on the Moon? For this blog post, New England Biolabs had the opportunity to interview Dr. Peirats-Llobet about P4S and how she and the LEAF team are shaping the science of tomorrow.
Prof Lister was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to biochemistry, genetic science and neuroscience.
La Trobe University interviewed Dr Frazer Thorpe, Plants for Space Education and Engagement Manager, about the impact and legacy of P4S programs.
Researchers at the University of Western Australia are exploring how plants could help sustain human life beyond Earth.
Plants for Space and Adelaide University are the first Australians to join an expanding international alliance, uniting the global research community in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
American Chemical Society
The new recipes allow for mix-and-match flavors while also incorporating essential omega-3 fatty acids.
Celebrating 30 years since Dr Andy Thomas' first spaceflight.
Camille's non-linear pathway to a PhD has led her to Plants for Space and its multidisciplinary cohort. Camille's work is focused on space resource extraction, and lunar resources in particular
We are excited to announce that PLACE Magazine, our Annual Report for 2025, is now live!
The main aim of NASA's Artemis program is to establish a permanent human presence on the Moon — so what will we eat? And can food be actually be grown there?
Alison Gill
Trends in Plant Science 30th Anniversary issue: Big concepts - shaping the future of plant science
Professor Kim Johnson and the La Trobe University research team are one of only four recipients of the AJIF Research Grant Program 2025/26.
Recently awarded an ambassadorship with the American Society of Plant Biologists, Anshul Phaugat is bringing a *fresh* perspective to growing food in controlled environments.
Dr Ciara Finnegan
The Artemis Accords stand to serve a central role in the future of human activity in Outer Space. What role is this exactly?
Tom Gurn, 'Particle'
Is off-Earth fabrication the future for on-Earth application? P4S Chief Investigator Professor Volker Hessel, Adelaide University, explains to Tom Gurn of 'Particle' what in-Space manufacturing is, and how this benefits Earth.
Lettuce from the ISS is being studied to reveal how microgravity affects crop growth. Plants for Space researchers Dr Troy Miller and Prof Harvey Millar, University of Western Australia, are collaborating with NASA on the Plant Habitat‑07 project.
Global scientists launch a roadmap for using plants as a life-support system for Moon and Mars missions, pioneering space farms and technologies to revolutionise sustainable food production on Earth.
Extreme weather events, from heavy rainfall to heatwaves and droughts, are increasingly threatening crop yields globally, urging new solutions for agriculture.
3RRR Einstein A Go-Go Program
P4S researchers Dr. Marta Peirats-Llobet and Dr Declan Lafferty caught up with Dr Shane and Dr Ray on Einstein A Go-Go.
P4S Centre Director, Professor Matthew Gilliham, has been selected as a finalist for the 2025 South Australian Scientist of the Year.
R David, A Situmorang, N Nghiep Tran, T Maythwe, V Hessel, Philip B Brewer
Growing food crops for space missions requires significant improvements in technical competence. Many issues remain, including ensuring that roots grow vertically in low gravity. …
MG Lewsey, GW Bassel, J Whelan
This review summarises recent advances that illustrate the spatiotemporally dynamic nature of events during germination, which gives rise to the cell and tissue-specific activity that underpins germination.
Centre researchers are part of a world-first effort to build an artificial chromosome entirely from scratch in plants, which has been awarded over $12 million in funding from the UK’s ARIA.
CE Ofoedu, H Bozkurt, JC Mortimer
This review assesses the potential of duckweed as a sustainable resource for diversifying the food system and ensuring food security.
F Sena, C Couture, A BR, AH Millar, S Signorelli
In this study, we validate and characterize the use of Clark-type oxygen electrodes, specifically the Hansatech Oxytherm+P system, to quantify both photosynthetic and respiratory activity in intact arabidopsis seedlings.
SBS German
Professor Volker Hessel was recently interviewed on SBS German, discussing medicine in space.
JPB Lloyd, A Khan and R Lister
This review examines the core principles and components of plant synthetic gene circuits, including sensors, integrators, and actuators.
University of Adelaide Newsroom
Read about a recent study which identified a novel mechanism through which a protein in barley supports female fertility and could help safeguard yield security in the future.
University of Adelaide Newsroom
Read about a collaborative study investigating whether chitosan performs well in controlling medicine delivery when exposed to zero gravity.
P Schouveiler, LC Liew, M Corso, L Rajjou, J Zinsmeister, MG Lewsey
In this review, we discuss the current status of the application of single-cell technologies to seeds and present a workflow for conducting single-cell transcriptomics. Additionally, we discuss the integration of single-cell multi-omics.
A Khan and R Lister
In this review, we discuss recent advances and challenges for synthetic gene circuits in plants.
X Yang, G Li, J Shi, LG Wilkinson, MK Aubert, K Houston, NJ Shirley, H Gao, RA Lister, L Colombo and MR Tucker
This study reveals that a B-sister MADS-box transcription factor, MADS31, is expressed in the inner subdomain of the nucellus and sustains germline development by preventing expression of post-fertilization genes.
I Am Not A Rocket Scientist Podcast
P4S Research Fellow Dr James Lloyd caught up with high school student, Anay Ashwin, on the 'I Am Not A Rocket Scientist’ podcast.
AgTech Finder Podcast
P4S Centre Director Professor Matthew Gilliham caught up with Olivia Calver on the AgTech Finder Podcast to discuss vertical farming.
Plants for Space is inviting Years 5 to 8 teachers to free teacher professional learning events in Melbourne on the 27-28 March.
R Hedrich, M Gilliham
In this Tansley Insight, we provide an overview of the recent progress in the application of CHR optogenetics in higher plants and discuss their possible uses in the remote control of plant biology.
ABC News
Hear from Plants for Space researchers at the University of Western Australia in a recent article, published by ABC News.
R Hedrich and M Gilliham
In this Tansley Insight, we provide an overview of the recent progress in the application of CHR optogenetics in higher plants and discuss their possible uses in the remote control of plant biology.
Read more about our inaugural Annual Conference, held in late October 2024.
Read more about experiments sent into space as part of the MAPHEUS 15 mission.
Read about our official launch event, held at the University of Adelaide Waite Campus on the 30th October 2024.
S Garcia-Darga, SJ Roy, M Gilliham
This review discusses literature which shows that leaf Na+ accumulation can, in some circumstances, be tolerated without a detrimental effect on yield when HKT1 still functions to exclude Na+ from reproductive tissues.
CG Viejo, N Harris, E Tongson & S Fuentes
This study used univariate and multivariate analysis on data from pick-and-eat leafy greens to assess self-reported and biometric consumer sensory analysis in simulated microgravity using reclining chairs and space-immersive environments.
J Lloyd
Learn more about NASA's upcoming mission to Jupiter’s fourth-largest moon in an article published in The Conversation.
MV Hoyos, V Hessel, E Salas, J Culton, K Robertson, A Laybourn, M Escribà-Gelonch, N Cook & M de Zwart
This review describes learnings for human habitation in space from remote communities on Earth that have developed and survived over generations.
M Kamran, L Auroux, K Johnson & MG Lewsey
This review proposes several areas of research and development to produce plants suited to space settlements.
MF Morgan, M Gilliham & JC Mortimer
This review article explores how plant synthetic biology can enable space exploration and drive on Earth sustainability.
M de Zwart, S Henderson & M Neumann
This article examines the meaning of the concept of sustainability with respect to space activities, with specific emphasis on the extraction and utilisation of space resources.
MA Khan, G Herring, JY Zhu, M Oliva, E Fourie, B Johnston, Z Zhang, J Potter, L Pineda, J Pflueger, T Swain, C Pflueger, JPB Lloyd, D Secco, I Small, BN Kidd & R Lister
The construction of synthetic gene circuits in plants has been limited by a lack of orthogonal and modular parts. Here, we implement a CRISPRi-based reversible gene circuit platform in plants.
M Escribà-Gelonch, S Liang, P van Schalkwyk, I Fisk, N Van Duc Long & V Hessel
In this review, Digital Twin technology is critically reviewed and framed in the context of recent advances in precision agriculture and Agriculture 4.0.
CG Viejo, N Harris & S Fuentes
This study employed sensory trials and biometrics from video using simulated microgravity chairs to simulate alterations in sensory perception akin to those encountered in space conditions.
University of Adelaide Newsroom
Read about a collaborative project involving the ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space and led by UK company Vertical Future.
C Gonzalez Viejo & S Fuentes
Learn why food and beverages taste different in space in an article published in Pursuit.
La Trobe University Newsroom
Read about the Lunar Effects on Agricultural Flora (LEAF) project, which involves a consortium of partners including the ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space.
University of Adelaide Newsroom
Read about ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space 2024 National Science Week programming.
M Watt & H Miller
Learn about the features that make strawberry an ideal plant for space development in an article published in the Australian Berry Journal.
