Dr. Peter Sharp

Biography

Peter Sharp's career began with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science with Honours, majoring in Plant Breeding Genetics from the University of Adelaide, culminating in a PhD in genetics. Sharp worked at the Plant Breeding Institute in Cambridge, UK for six years before joining the University of Sydney in 1989. In 2003, he was appointed a Professor of Molecular Plant Breeding and became the Director of the Plant Breeding Institute. He is internationally recognized as a leader in plant molecular genetics and biotechnology, particularly in applying recent advancements in basic research to improve commercial crops. Sharp has been pivotal in the University of Sydney's Plant Breeding Institute, overseeing sites in Cobbitty and Narrabri, and retired as an Honorary Emeritus Professor in 2019. His research interests focus on molecular plant breeding, improving crop quality, and increasing the adaptation of varieties. Sharp's work has significantly concentrated on the genetics of wheat, including the identification and application of molecular markers in breeding, as well as utilizing tools like TILLING for genetic screening and proteomics to uncover variation in important traits, including disease resistance and quality characteristics.

Research Interests