Cell-type specific profiling of nascent RNA in the brain during learning. This project aims to understand cell-type specific, fast-acting, and dynamic patterns of RNA expression that arise during learning and contribute to the formation of memory. Activity-induced gene expression is central to neural plasticity, learning and memory. The project will apply a new approach, which tags RNA inside living cells. The findings will be broadly applicable and create new opportunities for understanding the ....Cell-type specific profiling of nascent RNA in the brain during learning. This project aims to understand cell-type specific, fast-acting, and dynamic patterns of RNA expression that arise during learning and contribute to the formation of memory. Activity-induced gene expression is central to neural plasticity, learning and memory. The project will apply a new approach, which tags RNA inside living cells. The findings will be broadly applicable and create new opportunities for understanding the true nature of brain adaptation.Read moreRead less
Characterising inheritance patterns of whole genome DNA methylation. This project aims to characterise epigenetic diversity and inheritance patterns in whole genome sequencing data from a unique human population. The project will employ the well-characterised Norfolk Island genetic isolate, cost-effective whole genome bisulphite sequencing technologies and advanced bioinformatics pipelines and statistical models. It will involve cross-discipline collaboration between human geneticists, epigeneti ....Characterising inheritance patterns of whole genome DNA methylation. This project aims to characterise epigenetic diversity and inheritance patterns in whole genome sequencing data from a unique human population. The project will employ the well-characterised Norfolk Island genetic isolate, cost-effective whole genome bisulphite sequencing technologies and advanced bioinformatics pipelines and statistical models. It will involve cross-discipline collaboration between human geneticists, epigeneticists, statistical geneticists and bioinformaticians. This project will advance our understanding of the interaction of genetics and epigenetics and their relationship to diversity and inheritance in humans.Read moreRead less
The importance of DNA methylation in response to environmental changes. This project aims to investigate the importance of DNA methylation, a process whereby gene expression can be altered without changes in the DNA code, in regulating our responses to environmental challenges. It plans to do so using well-validated models of adult exposure to high fat diet or psychological stress in mice and tissue-specific (liver and brain) deletion of the major methylation enzymes. It aims to compare function ....The importance of DNA methylation in response to environmental changes. This project aims to investigate the importance of DNA methylation, a process whereby gene expression can be altered without changes in the DNA code, in regulating our responses to environmental challenges. It plans to do so using well-validated models of adult exposure to high fat diet or psychological stress in mice and tissue-specific (liver and brain) deletion of the major methylation enzymes. It aims to compare functional, gene expression and methylation status after such challenges in intact and methylase deleted animals to determine how vital this process really is. This work has major implications for our understanding of epigenetics, and the ways in which genes interact with the environment especially in times of change.Read moreRead less
Intron splicing regulates gene silencing in Arabidopsis. Defective gene regulation (i.e. how genes switch on and off) can cause severe genetic disease in both plants and animals, including humans. This project will use plants as a model to investigate a cause of defective gene expression, and should reveal possible avenues for therapeutic intervention to correct genetic defects in plants and animals.
Characterising inheritance patterns of whole genome DNA methylation. This project aims to characterise epigenetic diversity and inheritance patterns in whole genome sequencing data from a unique human population. The project will employ the well-characterised Norfolk Island genetic isolate, cost-effective whole genome bisulphite sequencing technologies and advanced bioinformatics pipelines and statistical models. It will involve cross-discipline collaboration between human geneticists, epigeneti ....Characterising inheritance patterns of whole genome DNA methylation. This project aims to characterise epigenetic diversity and inheritance patterns in whole genome sequencing data from a unique human population. The project will employ the well-characterised Norfolk Island genetic isolate, cost-effective whole genome bisulphite sequencing technologies and advanced bioinformatics pipelines and statistical models. It will involve cross-discipline collaboration between human geneticists, epigeneticists, statistical geneticists and bioinformaticians. This project will advance our understanding of the interaction of genetics and epigenetics and their relationship to diversity and inheritance in humans.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190101078
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$374,433.00
Summary
Functional role of a novel DNA modification in the adult brain. This project aims to understand how neuronal DNA is modified upon learning and how this impacts memory formation. The project will investigate the combination of different genome-wide sequencing approaches and molecular and cell biological assays to provide new insight into the functional role of a novel DNA modification, N6-methyl-2'-deoxyadenosine in the adult brain. This projects expects to have a major impact on many fields, inc ....Functional role of a novel DNA modification in the adult brain. This project aims to understand how neuronal DNA is modified upon learning and how this impacts memory formation. The project will investigate the combination of different genome-wide sequencing approaches and molecular and cell biological assays to provide new insight into the functional role of a novel DNA modification, N6-methyl-2'-deoxyadenosine in the adult brain. This projects expects to have a major impact on many fields, including neuroscience, evolutionary biology, and genetics, by helping to shape a new way of thinking about gene-environment interactionsRead moreRead less
The characterization of tiny Ribonucleic acids in animal epigenetics. Epigenetics, the inheritance of traits not encoded in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), is not well understood in animals. This project will investigate two classes of Ribonucleic acid (RNA) that may form part of an animal-specific epigenetic regulatory system. This study could revolutionize our understanding of animal genetics.
Deciphering the genetic architecture of human complex traits. This project aims to develop statistical methods to integrate data from genetic studies of complex traits such as stature and cognition. Molecular phenotypes such as gene expression in large samples will be used to predict target genes and regulatory elements of those traits. Understanding the genetic basis of human complex traits is critical to longstanding questions in human and evolutionary biology. The project will also detect sig ....Deciphering the genetic architecture of human complex traits. This project aims to develop statistical methods to integrate data from genetic studies of complex traits such as stature and cognition. Molecular phenotypes such as gene expression in large samples will be used to predict target genes and regulatory elements of those traits. Understanding the genetic basis of human complex traits is critical to longstanding questions in human and evolutionary biology. The project will also detect signatures of natural selection in shaping the genetic variation in complex traits. The project will provide better understanding of complex traits in global populations and the history of human evolution, and will develop methods applicable in plant and animal contexts.Read moreRead less
Epigenetic and neurobehavioural changes in a new mouse model of foetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Foetal alcohol syndrome involves changes in growth, skull structure, central nervous system defects and intellectual disabilities. This project will use a mouse model to study the underlying causes of this disorder, focussing on brain structure and function, and aim to identify markers that can be used for early diagnosis and treatment.
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL160100155
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,715,383.00
Summary
Harmonising genes for modern agriculture. Harmonising genes for modern agriculture. This project aims to fully understand how a plant distinguishes self from non-self genes and to develop ways of precisely enhancing, repairing, updating, and/or redirecting genetic traits in harmony with the genome. The world’s food security relies on modern crops that are continually updated with genetic traits for higher yield and protection against changing environmental stresses. A crop plant’s genes determin ....Harmonising genes for modern agriculture. Harmonising genes for modern agriculture. This project aims to fully understand how a plant distinguishes self from non-self genes and to develop ways of precisely enhancing, repairing, updating, and/or redirecting genetic traits in harmony with the genome. The world’s food security relies on modern crops that are continually updated with genetic traits for higher yield and protection against changing environmental stresses. A crop plant’s genes determine its growth, development, survival and agronomic fitness. The ability to precisely edit genes in crop plants is tantalizingly close but significant barriers must be overcome. Anticipated outcomes are safer, higher yielding and more sustainable crops.Read moreRead less