At the start of the 21st century, humanity faces its greatest scientific challenge - the urgent transition to renewable sources of energy and biomaterials as the feedstocks for globally sustainable industry, economy and society. Molecular Plant Sciences research seeks to understand function in diverse plants and microbes using molecular, cellular, developmental, genetics, physiology and pathology approaches. The effects of the research will be seen in biodiversity, plant protection and biotechnology including improved production systems for foods, biomaterials and bioenergy.

This research theme is particularly strong with a high level of funding for both basic science and biotechnology research. Current areas of interest are plant physiology and development, plant pathology and plant protection, and plant molecular genetics. Of note is the ARC Centre of Excellence in Integrative Legume Research led by Professor Peter Gresshoff.