Rate My Professor David Collings

Associate Professor David Collings is an Honorary Associate Professor in the School of Science at the University of Newcastle, part of the College of Engineering, Science and Environment. He holds a Bachelor of Science with Honours from the University of Sydney and a PhD from the Australian National University. His research in plant cell biology has spanned decades, focusing on the plant cytoskeleton, including actin-microtubule interactions, plasma membrane associations, and their roles in cell growth, division, and structural integrity. Early contributions include investigations into ionic currents associated with gravity-induced bending in maize roots (1992), cytochalasin effects on actin in the alga Nitella (1995), and elongation factor 1-alpha in subcortical actin bundles of characean algae (1994). He examined plant nuclei grooves and invaginations (2000), plasma membrane ghosts from microtubule-free tobacco cells (1999), and cortical actin organization in tobacco BY-2 cells (2001).

Collings' more recent work delves into specialized cell wall structures, particularly phi thickenings in roots, their induction by stresses involving jasmonic acid, and mechanical strengthening functions. Key publications include 'Phi Thickenings: Their History, Current Status and Role(s) in Mechanically Strengthening the Plant Root' (2020), 'Phi thickenings in Brassica oleracea roots are induced by osmotic stress and mechanical effects, both involving jasmonic acid' (2022), and 'Structural Conservation of Phi Thickenings in Diverse Plant Taxa' (2025). He has studied the orchid velamen as a model for patterned secondary cell wall development ('The Orchid Velamen: A Model System for Studying Patterned Secondary Cell Wall Development?' 2021) and the induction and roles of phi thickenings in orchid roots (2019). Additional research addresses transfer cell wall ingrowths in Arabidopsis phloem parenchyma, spiral grain in Pinus radiata using X-ray microtomography and fluorescence imaging ('Induction of compression wood inhibits development of spiral grain in radiata pine' 2023), and interlocked grain in African mahogany (2021). His efforts have been funded by the University of Newcastle 2017 Researcher Equipment Grant ($33,582), the Australian Orchid Foundation for velamen cell wall development in epiphytic orchids ($6,400, 2017-2018), and the Brian Mason Scientific and Technical Trust for spiral grain in New Zealand gymnosperms ($14,000, 2015-2017).