Transitions between modes of sex-determination in a changing world. Sex-determination controls the largest variation within animals—the division into males and females. While the different systems of sex-determination—involving genetic or environmental control—are fairly well understood, transitions between these systems remain enigmatic in evolutionary biology. This project aims to address this gap by revealing the molecular change required to transition between systems, using one of only two k ....Transitions between modes of sex-determination in a changing world. Sex-determination controls the largest variation within animals—the division into males and females. While the different systems of sex-determination—involving genetic or environmental control—are fairly well understood, transitions between these systems remain enigmatic in evolutionary biology. This project aims to address this gap by revealing the molecular change required to transition between systems, using one of only two known lizard species exhibiting both genetic and temperature control of sex. This knowledge will have important implications for species conservation, facilitating predictions of highly biased sex ratios under climate change, plus potential commercial applications for species where production of one sex is favoured.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354908
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
The Insect-Plant Chemical Ecology Network (IPCEN). We bring together plant molecular biology, entomology and analytical chemistry to transform three leading fields of Australian research into an advanced science with far reaching capabilities in innovative research and applied outcomes. Expertise studying the biochemical pathways that produce specific plant compounds and expertise in insect recognition and response to these chemicals will be brought together. This will lead to new research outco ....The Insect-Plant Chemical Ecology Network (IPCEN). We bring together plant molecular biology, entomology and analytical chemistry to transform three leading fields of Australian research into an advanced science with far reaching capabilities in innovative research and applied outcomes. Expertise studying the biochemical pathways that produce specific plant compounds and expertise in insect recognition and response to these chemicals will be brought together. This will lead to new research outcomes and solutions to problems in agriculture, horticulture, forestry and protection of Australia's native flora. Researchers are struggling to create these links, constrained by disciplinary boundaries and geographical isolation. Key industries and researchers already support this proposal.Read moreRead less
From genes to ecosystems: does genetic divergence in eucalyptus alter biodiversity and ecosystem function? The project will use a dominant tree species of south-eastern Australia to examine how genetic based variation in its traits influences community organisation, biodiversity and ecosystem processes. Outcomes from this research will be important for responding to an uncertain future environment and maintaining the services ecosystems provide.
Genetic architecture of species divergence and hybridisation in eucalypts. Eucalypts are an icon of Australia and are of great economic and ecological significance to the nation. They are the most widely planted hardwood trees in the world, but Australia is the centre of origin of most species and the custodian of this important native bioresource. Understanding the evolutionary processes that shape diversity in this internationally significant genus is important for its long-term management a ....Genetic architecture of species divergence and hybridisation in eucalypts. Eucalypts are an icon of Australia and are of great economic and ecological significance to the nation. They are the most widely planted hardwood trees in the world, but Australia is the centre of origin of most species and the custodian of this important native bioresource. Understanding the evolutionary processes that shape diversity in this internationally significant genus is important for its long-term management and conservation. This project links to large international initiatives currently underway for high-density mapping and sequencing of the eucalypt genome, to enhance the flow of information gained back to Australia for scientific, economic and environmental benefit.Read moreRead less
The role of recombination in eucalypt evolution. Meiotic recombination is a key source of the genetic variation upon which evolution thrives. This project aims to exploit new genomic resources to provide the first detailed study of recombination in Australia’s iconic Eucalypts and clarify its evolutionary role. This project will study: variation in the rate of recombination along the 11 Eucalypt chromosomes, and determine genome features which are associated with ‘hotspots’ and ‘coldspots’ of re ....The role of recombination in eucalypt evolution. Meiotic recombination is a key source of the genetic variation upon which evolution thrives. This project aims to exploit new genomic resources to provide the first detailed study of recombination in Australia’s iconic Eucalypts and clarify its evolutionary role. This project will study: variation in the rate of recombination along the 11 Eucalypt chromosomes, and determine genome features which are associated with ‘hotspots’ and ‘coldspots’ of recombination; the patterns of variation in recombination rate between species, genotypes, sexes and chromosomes; and, whether the environment and population history affect recombination and thus evolvability of natural populations.Read moreRead less
The genetics of adaptation: changing developmental trajectories in eucalypts. During their life cycles, many animals and plants undergo genetically programmed changes in form. Such changes may be dramatic and rapid as seen in insect metamorphoses or plant heteroblasty, and may have ecological, evolutionary and even economic consequences. The project aims to identify the genes controlling such transitions in Australia's eucalypts.
Turning back the clock on brain cell aging. This proposal aims to determine the role of fundamental epigenetic mechanisms in the process of aging and whether modulation of the epi-genome underpins an improvement in cognitive function. It combines the fields of epigenetics, neurosciences and mathematics to delineate the dynamics of DNA methylation and histone modification marking on the transcriptome during normal, healthy aging. The outcomes will provide significant new knowledge of the variable ....Turning back the clock on brain cell aging. This proposal aims to determine the role of fundamental epigenetic mechanisms in the process of aging and whether modulation of the epi-genome underpins an improvement in cognitive function. It combines the fields of epigenetics, neurosciences and mathematics to delineate the dynamics of DNA methylation and histone modification marking on the transcriptome during normal, healthy aging. The outcomes will provide significant new knowledge of the variable cognitive decline that occurs in healthy aging and why some populations age less successfully than others do. Better understanding of the impact of environmental change on the biology of aging has potential community benefits.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775570
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$570,000.00
Summary
Purchase of a high resolution organic mass spectrometer. The diverse research supported by the new instrument is expected to encompass a wide range of beneficial outcomes in the areas of health, plant genetics and breeding, horticulture, chemistry and novel analytical technologies. Genetic studies will lead to improved plant crops and are expected to contribute to new treatments for multiple scleroris and diabetes. Investigations in organic and organometallic chemistry will lead to the productio ....Purchase of a high resolution organic mass spectrometer. The diverse research supported by the new instrument is expected to encompass a wide range of beneficial outcomes in the areas of health, plant genetics and breeding, horticulture, chemistry and novel analytical technologies. Genetic studies will lead to improved plant crops and are expected to contribute to new treatments for multiple scleroris and diabetes. Investigations in organic and organometallic chemistry will lead to the production of better materials, more efficient catalysts and novel drugs. This instrument will provide infrastructure essential to enabling researchers to maintain internationally competitive profiles in these areas.Read moreRead less
Evolution, disease and extinction - using ancient and modern Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) to investigate molecular evolution in the Tasmanian devil. The Tasmanian devil is Australia's largest living marsupial carnivore and one of Tasmania's key tourism icons. Extinction in the wild will have long-term impacts on Tasmanian native ecosystems and economy. This study will provide critical genetic data and tools to monitor and prioritise conservation strategies, including insurance populations and dis ....Evolution, disease and extinction - using ancient and modern Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) to investigate molecular evolution in the Tasmanian devil. The Tasmanian devil is Australia's largest living marsupial carnivore and one of Tasmania's key tourism icons. Extinction in the wild will have long-term impacts on Tasmanian native ecosystems and economy. This study will provide critical genetic data and tools to monitor and prioritise conservation strategies, including insurance populations and disease suppression, aimed at preventing extinction. It will strengthen ongoing conservation programs carried out by the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program and will help publicise the plight of the devil both nationally and internationally.Read moreRead less
Genetics of species differentiation and hybridisation in Eucalyptus. Eucalypts are an icon of Australia and of great economic and ecological significance. This project will use genomic technologies to provide novel insights into the evolutionary processes that shape diversity in this genus. This will contribute to the development of better conservation and management practices for this valuable genetic resource.