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Solving the puzzle of complex disease - genes and their interactions with the environment. Many human diseases are caused by the interplay of genetic predisposition (nature) and the environment (nurture); but their causes remain a mystery, since much past research has focused on these aspects in isolation. This project will aim to better understand these complex diseases using a multi-factorial approach that brings both nature and nurture together.
Genomic and molecular characterisation of a novel Australian leishmania pathogen. Leishmaniasis is the second most serious protozoal disease after malaria. This project will help characterise the first Leishmania species identified in Australia providing molecular tools to monitor the pathogen and a detailed assessment of any potential risk to human health. Comparative analysis with more pathogenic species will help identify genes and mechanisms that determine the progression of human disease le ....Genomic and molecular characterisation of a novel Australian leishmania pathogen. Leishmaniasis is the second most serious protozoal disease after malaria. This project will help characterise the first Leishmania species identified in Australia providing molecular tools to monitor the pathogen and a detailed assessment of any potential risk to human health. Comparative analysis with more pathogenic species will help identify genes and mechanisms that determine the progression of human disease leading to the potential identification of new drug and vaccine targets. The methodologies and expertise developed will be used will be available to other research groups working on infectious diseases.Read moreRead less
Genetic control of germline progenitor cell heterogeneity and fate. Tissue maintenance in adults is dependent on resident stem cells, defined by self-renewal and differentiation capabilities. It is apparent that stem cell populations are heterogeneous, being composed of subpopulations with distinct properties. The functional significance of these subsets and mechanisms that control their divergent characteristics are unclear. Using germline stem cells from mice as a model, stem cell subsets have ....Genetic control of germline progenitor cell heterogeneity and fate. Tissue maintenance in adults is dependent on resident stem cells, defined by self-renewal and differentiation capabilities. It is apparent that stem cell populations are heterogeneous, being composed of subpopulations with distinct properties. The functional significance of these subsets and mechanisms that control their divergent characteristics are unclear. Using germline stem cells from mice as a model, stem cell subsets have been identified based on differential expression of the pluripotency gene Pou5f1. This project aims to define functional characteristics of these subpopulations and to dissect transcription factor networks controlling their development. This promises important insights into understandings of adult stem cell regulation.Read moreRead less
Uncovering microRNA decay regulation in mammalian cells. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) constitute a novel mechanism used by cells to regulate gene expression, however, very little is known about the mechanisms affecting miRNA accumulation. Characterisation of the kinetics of miRNA turnover is of paramount importance to establish the reliability of miRNAs as novel biomarkers. This project aims to characterise miRNA stability in mammalian cells, investigate mechanisms of turnover and establish their importan ....Uncovering microRNA decay regulation in mammalian cells. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) constitute a novel mechanism used by cells to regulate gene expression, however, very little is known about the mechanisms affecting miRNA accumulation. Characterisation of the kinetics of miRNA turnover is of paramount importance to establish the reliability of miRNAs as novel biomarkers. This project aims to characterise miRNA stability in mammalian cells, investigate mechanisms of turnover and establish their importance on the regulatory function of miRNAs. Such information is critical in the future development of targeted therapeutics.Read moreRead less
Towards a new understanding of the reproductive system. The proposed analysis of the reproductive system will provide important new knowledge of gene regulation driving organ development. The insights and technologies developed in this program will be widely applicable in biotechnological and pharmacogenomic research in Australia and worldwide, and assert Australia's leadership in this area of research.
Developing methods for the analysis of massively parallel sequencing data in family studies. This project will develop analytical methods to use the latest, high-throughput method of generating sequencing data, i.e. the letters of the human genome alphabet. These tools will be used to identify the causal mutations in families with inherited disorders, leading to diagnostic tests for these families.
Discovering sex determining genes in a reptile with genetic and environmental sex determination. Reptile sex determination is particularly fascinating because it is triggered either by genes on sex chromosomes or by the nest temperature. This project will identify and characterise candidate sex determining genes in a model reptile to understand how genes control sexual differentiation and how they interact with temperature.
Defining the impact of Environmental Endocrine Disruptors on the sustainability of
Australia’s Native Marsupials. Environmental endocrine disrupting chemicals (EEDs) from introduced plants, pesticides and wastewater are dramatically increasing in the Australian environment. EEDs have been shown to cause dramatic reproductive and developmental abnormalities in vertebrates ranging from fish to humans. This project plans to investigate the impact that these chemicals might have on marsupial devel ....Defining the impact of Environmental Endocrine Disruptors on the sustainability of
Australia’s Native Marsupials. Environmental endocrine disrupting chemicals (EEDs) from introduced plants, pesticides and wastewater are dramatically increasing in the Australian environment. EEDs have been shown to cause dramatic reproductive and developmental abnormalities in vertebrates ranging from fish to humans. This project plans to investigate the impact that these chemicals might have on marsupial development. Marsupials have a unique reproductive strategy and how this might affect their ability to respond to EEDs is unknown. This project aims to define the effects of three of the predominant EED risks for marsupials in the Australian environment; estradiol, genistein and atrazine.Read moreRead less
Epigenetic regulation of centromere and telomere chromatin. Epigenetics is a system that turns genes on and off without sequence alterations in the DNA. This process works by attaching chemical tags, known as epigenetic marks, to DNA. Centromeres and telomeres are chromosomal DNA domains essential for faithful chromosome segregation and genome stability. Their function and structural integrity are tightly regulated by specific epigenetic marks. This project aims to assess the functions of key ep ....Epigenetic regulation of centromere and telomere chromatin. Epigenetics is a system that turns genes on and off without sequence alterations in the DNA. This process works by attaching chemical tags, known as epigenetic marks, to DNA. Centromeres and telomeres are chromosomal DNA domains essential for faithful chromosome segregation and genome stability. Their function and structural integrity are tightly regulated by specific epigenetic marks. This project aims to assess the functions of key epigenetic factors including chromatin remodelers, histone variants and non-coding RNA in controlling centromere and telomere activity. The data should describe novel pathways that maintain the identity, transcription silencing, DNA replication fidelity and structural stability at these domains.Read moreRead less
Using mouse genetics to understand skin development and cell biology. During embryonic development the skin forms a protective barrier which permits life outside the womb and provides a window into the biology of cells. This project aims to use the skin to identify and characterise genes necessary for embryonic development and maintenance, the development of diseases and to explore their broader roles in other organs.