Biography
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.
Read more on Jim's profileResearch interests
Cell Biology, Biotechnology, Nanotechnology and Plant Science
Teaching interests
Biotechnology, Biomedical and Plant Sciences
Units taught
SLE141, SLE346, SLE704, SLE712 & SLE713
Knowledge areas
Cell Biology
Molecular Biology
Biotechnology
Plant Science
Awards
- School of Life & Enviro Sci - Award for Teaching Excellence; 2010, 2011, 2012 & 2013.
- Deakin University - Commendation for Excellence in Teaching; 2010.
Publications
No publications found
Funded Projects at Deakin
Other Public Sector Funding
Monitoring the control and spread of Phytophthora cinnamomi in the fire affected areas of Brisbane Ranges National Park
EmPr David Cahill, Dr Jim Rookes
Parks Victoria Grant - Research
- 2008: $4,000
- 2007: $4,132
Analysis of Phytophthora cinnamoni decontamination procedures in the Brisbane Ranges National Park
Dr Jim Rookes, EmPr David Cahill
Parks Victoria Grant - Research
- 2012: $10,000
- 2011: $10,000
Evaluation of Phytophthora cinnamomi at the Eumeralla Mountain Bike Park, Anglesea, Victoria
Dr Jim Rookes, EmPr David Cahill
Parks Victoria Grant - Research CAT2-2-1
- 2017: $3,900
Industry and Other Funding
Nufarm Contract Testing Agreements
EmPr David Cahill, Dr Jim Rookes
Nufarm Australia Limited
- 2011: $13,520
- 2010: $23,980
Deakin-Phenoxy NG Screen 2
Dr Jim Rookes, EmPr David Cahill
Nufarm Australia Limited
- 2011: $6,335
Deakin-Star - 2,4-D and Deakin Star - MCPA Screen 2011
Dr Jim Rookes, EmPr David Cahill
Nufarm Australia Limited
- 2011: $30,840
Deakin - Flurox NG Prescreen 2011
Dr Jim Rookes, EmPr David Cahill
Nufarm Australia Limited
- 2011: $4,160
Deakin Tebcaps & Bromngxscreen 2011 and Flurox NG Screen 2012
Dr Jim Rookes, EmPr David Cahill
Nufarm Australia Limited
- 2012: $23,800
NUF-TEBCAPS-NOV2012
Dr Jim Rookes, EmPr David Cahill
Nufarm Australia Limited
- 2013: $11,540
Project Star Leaf Screen 2012
Dr Jim Rookes, EmPr David Cahill
Nufarm Australia Limited
- 2013: $6,950
- 2012: $6,950
Phytophthora soil testing for the Warby Ovens National Park
Dr Jim Rookes, EmPr David Cahill
GHD Pty Ltd
- 2012: $3,500
Piclorum Range Finding Experiment
Dr Jim Rookes, EmPr David Cahill
Nufarm Australia Limited
- 2014: $5,960
Sampling and analysis of the presence of Phytophthora cinnamomi at Cape Sir William Grant Wind Farm
Dr Jim Rookes, EmPr David Cahill
Pacific Hydro Portland Wind Farm Pty Ltd
- 2015: $6,670
Warby-Ovens National Park vegetation and Phytophthora cinnamomi monitoring.
Dr Jim Rookes
GHD Pty Ltd
- 2018: $7,100
Protecting ecological diversity in the Otway Ranges from Phytophthora cinnamomi
EmPr David Cahill, Dr Jim Rookes
Barbara Wilson Pty Ltd as a trustee of The Wilson Family Trust
- 2023: $30,000
- 2022: $30,000
- 2021: $30,000
Supervisions
Sharareh Heydari Kavkani
Thesis entitled: Exploiting plant antiviral RNA silencing for novel applications
Doctor of Philosophy (Biol & Chem), School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Madhura Shettigar
Thesis entitled: Bacterial catabolism of (+)-pinoresinol
Doctor of Philosophy (Biol & Chem), School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Noura Masseh Ellya Kka
Thesis entitled: Plant Ascorbate Influence on Cell Division, Growth and Seed Production of Arabidopsis thaliana
Doctor of Philosophy (Biol & Chem), School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Dequan Sun
Thesis entitled: Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles as a Biomolecule Delivery System in Plants
Doctor of Philosophy (Biol & Chem), School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Arjun Challagulla
Thesis entitled: Precision Engineering of the Chicken Genome for Disease Control
Doctor of Philosophy (Biol & Chem), School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Pavani Praveen Nadiminti
Thesis entitled: Nanostructured liquid crystalline particles as next generation agrochemical delivery vehicles
Doctor of Philosophy (Biol & Chem), School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Sharl Mintoff
Thesis entitled: RESPONSES OF ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA TO UV-C RADIATION AND HYALOPERONOSPORA ARABIDOPSIDIS
Doctor of Philosophy (Biol & Chem), School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Dulashi Anuradha Withanage Dona
Thesis entitled: Production and Analysis of Recombinant and Hypoallergenic Variants of the Major Egg Allergens
Doctor of Philosophy (Biol & Chem), School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Muneer Ahmad Magry
Thesis entitled: Value Chain Management of Non-Timber Forest Products in India
Doctor of Philosophy (Life & Env), School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Manyu Vittal
Thesis entitled: Surfactant behaviour on plant cuticles- Physicochemical Roughness and Permeability
Doctor of Philosophy (Biol & Chem), School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Shalini Kirthi Vasan
Thesis entitled: MOLECULAR BASIS OF ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL INVASION EVENTS IN PLANT ROOTS
Doctor of Philosophy (Life & Env), School of Life and Environmental Sciences
. Lovis Susan Kuriakose
Thesis entitled: Gene Pathway for Astaxanthin Formation In Thraustochytrids
Doctor of Philosophy (Biol & Chem), School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Xinhua Lu
Thesis entitled: Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticle Delivery of Biomolecules into Plants
Doctor of Philosophy (Life & Env), School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Md Tohidul Islam
Thesis entitled: Interactions of Phytophthora cinnamomi with Model and Native Plant Species
Doctor of Philosophy (Biol & Chem), School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Yuanyuan Guo
Thesis entitled: Development of Novel High Performance Protein Materials as Bioadhesives
Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering), Institute for Frontier Materials
Zhifeng Yi
Thesis entitled: Functionalised Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Smart Agrochemical Delivery System
Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering), Institute for Frontier Materials
Feng An
Thesis entitled: Role of aquaporins and phloem-turgor-pressure in Hevea yield: mechanism of Ethrel stimulation
Doctor of Philosophy (Biol & Chem), Institute for Frontier Materials
Jane Alisa Allardyce
Thesis entitled: Defence Mechanisms of a Resistant Monocot Model to Phytophthora Cinnamomi
Doctor of Philosophy (Biol & Chem), School of Life and Environmental Sciences