Future food, energy and water security requires circular reuse of critical nutrient, metal, mineral and water resources. The value of critical resources commonly depends on the purity of the resource, and it is challenging to separate pure resources from the complex mixtures of molecules found in industrial wastes and in natural deposits. Our team drew inspiration for engineering selective structures capable of separating purified forms of critical resources from studying membrane protein mechanisms we observed in diverse plant species. Plants take up their surrounding soil solution to gain resources required for growth, development and reproduction. Obtaining adequate resources often involves taking up both desired and undesired elements from the soil solution and separating critical resource molecules from waste. Our team test and engineer the molecular mechanisms that plants use to distinguish between different molecules that have similar chemical properties. We investigate how plants coordinate and regulate the function of these mechanisms between different tissues, cell types and subcellular membranes to support plant nutrition, hydration, environmental stress tolerance and internal energy management. With our industry collaborators we are applying this knowledge to co-develop solutions to global critical resource management challenges.

Prof Caitlin Byrt and team bioengineer selective membrane components relevant to food, energy and water security challenges. Alumni of University of Adelaide/Adelaide University, Agricultural Science Bachelor Degree (2000-2004). Australian Research Council (ARC) DECRA (2015-2018); ARC Future Fellowship (2019-2023); ARC Industry Fellowship (present, Australian National University). Co-founder and co-director Membrane Transporter Engineers (Pty Ltd); ARC Training Centre for Future Crops Development Deputy Director (Research; 2021-2024).