An Australian plant research center designed to help tackle major global challenges such as climate change, sustainable agriculture, biodiversity conservation and future food production was recently launched in Canberra. The High Resolution Plant Phenomics Center will house sophisticated growing environments, glasshouse automation technologies, and digital imaging technologies and sophisticated software to measure plant growth and development.

“Plant phenomics is a science that has the power to transform our lives. It can help us tackle the most pressing challenges of our time – including global food shortages, the demand for alternative fuels, and climate change”, said Kim Carr, Australian Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research. The Center is part of an initiative of the Australian Government’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) supported by the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and South Australian governments, Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Research Organization (CSIRO), The Australian National University and The University of Adelaide.

To read more visit http://www.csiro.au/news/PlantPhenomicCentre.html..