Adelaide to establish $2m plant synthetic biology hub to target tougher crops and higher yields
South Australia is set to establish a $2 million, government-backed plant synthetic biology hub at Adelaide University’s Waite Campus, aiming to develop tougher crops, boost yields and fast‑track new plant‑based products. The investment will help create an Adelaide node of Plant SynBio Australia within the Waite Research Precinct, expanding access to advanced plant science infrastructure for researchers, industry and startups.
Funding includes a $500,000 grant through the 2025 South Australian NCRIS Step‑Change Co‑Investment Program, adding to a $1.5 million investment made in 2024. The planned facility will work across major crops including wheat, barley, canola and rice, and support innovation in horticulture and emerging plant‑based products such as vaccines, pharmaceuticals and next‑generation foods.
It is aimed at helping producers respond to drought, disease and climate change, and is expected to support higher yields, stronger exports and new opportunities across regional economies. “Synthetic biology is a major global opportunity, and South Australia has the research excellence, industry base and plant research infrastructure to play a meaningful role in its growth,” Minister for State Development Chris Picton said.
He added that the node is intended to attract talent, support startups, build industry partnerships and strengthen the state’s competitiveness in nationally significant research. Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven said the facility would give researchers and industry the capability to translate discoveries into practical applications for agriculture and bio‑manufacturing.
Supporting farmers with the latest innovations, she said, will help make crops more resilient to changing environmental challenges and, if yields improve, lift exports, create jobs and grow the economy.
Adelaide University Pro Vice Chancellor (Research Services and Infrastructure) Professor Michael Goodsite said establishing Plant SynBio at the Waite would strengthen the university’s ability to deliver cutting‑edge discoveries with real‑world applications and create a platform for collaboration connecting researchers, industry and government.
Node Director Professor Matthew Gilliham said the hub will bring together advanced infrastructure and technical expertise, providing partners access to the full synthetic biology cycle from molecular design and gene editing through to transformation and field validation.
The new node will build on South Australia’s existing strengths in plant science and further develop the Waite Research Precinct as a focal point for agricultural innovation.