Rapid field-compatible DNA diagnostic for glyphosate-resistant weed detection
A novel DNA-based glyphosate resistance test for weeds that delivers results in under one hour, enabling growers to apply herbicide chemistry more effectively. The approach adapts LAMP-and-nanopore sequencing technology originally developed for COVID-19 diagnostics, validated on Feathertop Rhodes grass.
Overview
Herbicide resistance is one of the most pressing threats to sustainable agriculture, and the ability to diagnose resistance quickly in the field can transform how growers manage weed control. This project is developing a rapid, field-compatible DNA-based diagnostic test for glyphosate resistance in weeds, capable of delivering results in under one hour. By providing timely diagnostic knowledge, the technology enables growers to apply the right chemistry at the right time, improving efficacy, reducing unnecessary herbicide use, and supporting resistance management programs.
Technical specifications
The diagnostic approach builds on Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) combined with nanopore-based DNA sequencing, a method originally pioneered by Oxford Nanopore for rapid COVID-19 testing. Unlike conventional LAMP diagnostics, which can suffer from non-specific amplification, this sequence-based approach treats that signal as an advantage: the more potential resistance targets amplified, the more informative the result.
Key features include:
- Speed: results delivered in under one hour, suitable for in-field or near-field decision-making
- DNA-based detection: identifies target-site resistance mutations directly rather than relying on slower phenotypic assays
- LAMP amplification: isothermal amplification removes the need for thermal cycling equipment, supporting portability
- Nanopore sequencing: real-time DNA sequencing enables rapid, sequence-level confirmation of resistance status
- Validated target species: Feathertop Rhodes grass (Chloris virgata), in which glyphosate resistance has evolved independently at least 12 times in Australia through EPSPS target-site mutations, providing a robust model system
Technology readiness level
The project is at an early-to-mid stage of technology development. Over 1,000 individuals of Feathertop Rhodes grass have already been genotyped and phenotyped, establishing that EPSPS target-site mutations are the sole resistance mechanism in this species to date. Next steps include designing LAMP primers based on the draft genome of Chloris virgata, testing the assay on existing DNA samples, and sequencing on an Oxford Nanopore device. If these stages succeed, the project will progress to in-field or near-field testing in collaboration with the Area Wide Weed Management project, moving toward real-world validation of the diagnostic workflow.
About The University of Queensland
The University of Queensland is a large, multi-campus public research university in Brisbane with a comprehensive academic and research profile. Industry partners engage through hospital-embedded laboratories and clinical sites, pilot testbeds, and field campuses across Queensland that enable prototyping, trials, and validation in real-world settings. Co-location with major health precincts and proximity to Brisbane’s innovation districts make collaboration and talent access straightforward, while on-campus incubation and professional education support workforce upskilling. Research is supported by competitive national funding from the Australian Research Council and the National Health and Medical Research Council, alongside state and industry investment. A dedicated technology transfer office and commercialization company manage IP, licensing, sponsored research agreements, and spin-out formation.
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