The role of redox balance and reactive oxygen species in beer stability using an integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis. A better understanding of yeast redox balance will enable it to be used to predict fermentation outcomes and to link raw materials and processes to the quality of the final product. These data will produce economies in the brewing industry by the introduction of quality control regimes for raw materials and can be extrapolated to the wine industry. This will prov ....The role of redox balance and reactive oxygen species in beer stability using an integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis. A better understanding of yeast redox balance will enable it to be used to predict fermentation outcomes and to link raw materials and processes to the quality of the final product. These data will produce economies in the brewing industry by the introduction of quality control regimes for raw materials and can be extrapolated to the wine industry. This will provide real economic advantage to Carlton and United Breweries which is an Australian company that has an international profile within a highly competitive industry.Read moreRead less
Plant Genes Conferring Resistance to Ultraviolet Radiation. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation induces DNA damage that can decrease plant growth and productivity. Our aim is to begin deciphering the mechanisms responsible for the UV resistance phenotype in plants by: 1) isolating genes that control processing of UV-induced DNA damage; 2) determining the influence of UV on gene activity; and 3) elucidating the functions and essential interactions of the gene products. The results of this study will help ....Plant Genes Conferring Resistance to Ultraviolet Radiation. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation induces DNA damage that can decrease plant growth and productivity. Our aim is to begin deciphering the mechanisms responsible for the UV resistance phenotype in plants by: 1) isolating genes that control processing of UV-induced DNA damage; 2) determining the influence of UV on gene activity; and 3) elucidating the functions and essential interactions of the gene products. The results of this study will help us understand how these genes operate to produce the UV resistance phenotype. This new knowledge will facilitate eventual engineering of plants to increase agricultural productivity by enhancing resistance to solar UV radiation.Read moreRead less
Molecular Genetic Analysis of Genes Regulating Metabolism in the Fungus Aspergillus nidulans. Filamentous fungi can use a wide variety of sources of carbon and nitrogen. In order to grow on these compounds metabolism is adjusted in response to changes in nutrient availability. Patterns of genome expression are altered by signalling to global regulatory genes which control the transcription of genes producing enzymes appropriate to the substrates available. This is of fundamental significance to ....Molecular Genetic Analysis of Genes Regulating Metabolism in the Fungus Aspergillus nidulans. Filamentous fungi can use a wide variety of sources of carbon and nitrogen. In order to grow on these compounds metabolism is adjusted in response to changes in nutrient availability. Patterns of genome expression are altered by signalling to global regulatory genes which control the transcription of genes producing enzymes appropriate to the substrates available. This is of fundamental significance to the physiology and development of fungi which include devastating pathogens and species used in industrial microbiology. This project aims to use the excellent molecular genetics of the model fungus Aspergillus nidulans to investigate the strategies employed and the mechanisms involved.Read moreRead less
Application of functional genomics to study early fermentation parameters and flavour development in industrial fermentations. The aim of this research is to use genome-wide analyses to identify yeast genes involved in flavour compound production in order to manipulate the flavour profiles of industrial fermentations. This will identify those metabolic pathways and cellular processes that are important in the maintenance of flavour production during fermentation and give extensive insight into t ....Application of functional genomics to study early fermentation parameters and flavour development in industrial fermentations. The aim of this research is to use genome-wide analyses to identify yeast genes involved in flavour compound production in order to manipulate the flavour profiles of industrial fermentations. This will identify those metabolic pathways and cellular processes that are important in the maintenance of flavour production during fermentation and give extensive insight into the way metabolism changes during the fermentation process. Flavour is a major component of the product of fermented beverages and its development and maintenance in the finished product is of primary concern to the brewing and wine industries. This research will lead to a more competitive Australian-owned company with a major stake in the beer and wine industry.Read moreRead less
How do cells regulate redox environment at the subcellular level? Most organisms live in an aerobic environment that subjects their cells to reactive oxygen species. Reactive oxygen species have been proposed to lead to ageing, and in many diseases the balance between oxidising and reducing conditions (the redox environment) is perturbed. This research will identify how different cellular structures sense and maintain this redox homeostasis, not just in the whole cell, but within the different ....How do cells regulate redox environment at the subcellular level? Most organisms live in an aerobic environment that subjects their cells to reactive oxygen species. Reactive oxygen species have been proposed to lead to ageing, and in many diseases the balance between oxidising and reducing conditions (the redox environment) is perturbed. This research will identify how different cellular structures sense and maintain this redox homeostasis, not just in the whole cell, but within the different organelles in the cell. The work will help identify which cell compartments and processes are affected in different disease states and provide a fundamental understanding of how cells coordinate their different organelles to maintain the balance between oxidising and reducing conditions.Read moreRead less
Cystine flux and hydrogen peroxide breakdown in reuteri group lactobacilli. We have discovered, and aim to fully dissect a novel function of reuteri group lactobacilli. These microbes inhabit the surfaces of the gastrointestinal and reproductive tracts of humans and are also used as probiotics, and in the dairy industry. This function mediates the production and breakdown of large amounts of hydrogen peroxide, cystine and thiols. These are highly bioactive and affect human cells and other bacter ....Cystine flux and hydrogen peroxide breakdown in reuteri group lactobacilli. We have discovered, and aim to fully dissect a novel function of reuteri group lactobacilli. These microbes inhabit the surfaces of the gastrointestinal and reproductive tracts of humans and are also used as probiotics, and in the dairy industry. This function mediates the production and breakdown of large amounts of hydrogen peroxide, cystine and thiols. These are highly bioactive and affect human cells and other bacteria at the surfaces of the gastrointestinal and reproductive tracts, and thiols are also flavourants in dairy products. Our research will inform the rational development of probiotics, the management and treatment of unpleasant conditions such as Crohn's disease and bacterial vaginosis, and innovation in dairy fermentations.Read moreRead less
Cytopathological roles of AMPK in mitochondrial dysfunction. This research project will benefit the Australian community by deepening our understanding of mitochondrial and neurodegenerative diseases. These diseases are incurable and treatment options are limited. The knowledge gained in this project should assist in the development of new or improved treatments. The project will also contribute to the training of young scientists in biomedical research and will enhance Australia's international ....Cytopathological roles of AMPK in mitochondrial dysfunction. This research project will benefit the Australian community by deepening our understanding of mitochondrial and neurodegenerative diseases. These diseases are incurable and treatment options are limited. The knowledge gained in this project should assist in the development of new or improved treatments. The project will also contribute to the training of young scientists in biomedical research and will enhance Australia's international scientific reputation because it involves a significant and novel biomedical discovery.
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