Testing the free radical theory of aging: do indicators of oxidative damage predict lifespan? Because of the Free Radical Theory of Aging, many millions of dollars are spent around the world on dietary antioxidants of unproven efficacy. Many millions of research dollars are spent providing support for this theory but few studies test it rigorously. The first major benefit of this research is worldwide; to refute, or to substantially enhance and focus the current support for the Free Radical Theo ....Testing the free radical theory of aging: do indicators of oxidative damage predict lifespan? Because of the Free Radical Theory of Aging, many millions of dollars are spent around the world on dietary antioxidants of unproven efficacy. Many millions of research dollars are spent providing support for this theory but few studies test it rigorously. The first major benefit of this research is worldwide; to refute, or to substantially enhance and focus the current support for the Free Radical Theory. This should help to rationalise and direct funding supplied to these areas. The second benefit is for Australia: aging is a fruitful area for research because of the high general public interest and for training because of its multidisciplinary nature, and funding in Australia is very low by international standards. Read moreRead less
Characterisation of heavy metal transport genes in the plant Arabidopsis: potential roles in metal detoxification and accumulation. Plants have considerable potential for the bioremediation ("phytoremediation") of contaminated soils, including soils polluted with heavy metals. Progress has been made in understanding the physiological and biochemical mechanisms by which plants accumulate and detoxify heavy metals. One important aspect of metal detoxification is the transport of metals across cell ....Characterisation of heavy metal transport genes in the plant Arabidopsis: potential roles in metal detoxification and accumulation. Plants have considerable potential for the bioremediation ("phytoremediation") of contaminated soils, including soils polluted with heavy metals. Progress has been made in understanding the physiological and biochemical mechanisms by which plants accumulate and detoxify heavy metals. One important aspect of metal detoxification is the transport of metals across cell membranes. The recently completed genome project for the model plant Arabidopsis has identified a family of genes encoding heavy metal transport proteins. This project aims to investigate the roles of these genes in metal detoxification. In the longer term this knowledge can be applied to the improvement of phytoremediation processes.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354500
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
ARC Research Network in Microarray Technology. The primary aim of this proposal is to transform the premier genomic technology into a standard research tool; microarrays are now a priority for anyone studying the genetics underlying key biological processes. A principal challenge for the Australian research community is to capture all aspects of microarray technology and make them readily available. We will address these needs by developing a network to:
-establish regular research meetings,
- ....ARC Research Network in Microarray Technology. The primary aim of this proposal is to transform the premier genomic technology into a standard research tool; microarrays are now a priority for anyone studying the genetics underlying key biological processes. A principal challenge for the Australian research community is to capture all aspects of microarray technology and make them readily available. We will address these needs by developing a network to:
-establish regular research meetings,
-facilitate training in array methodologies and bioinformatics,
-co-ordinate innovation of technologies,-provide centralised data warehousing,
-provide access to automated high-level gene annotation,
-provide data mining tools,
-set standards for data management and exchangeRead moreRead less
Glutathione, a major antioxidant in plants: translocation between tissues and transport within cells. Plants are continually exposed to environmental stress. In agriculture this may include high and low temperature, pathogens, soil toxicity and excess light. The ways in which plants deal with environmental stress influence their productivity. Understanding these mechanisms is an important goal that can contribute to better strategies to manage plant responses to environmental stress in agricultu ....Glutathione, a major antioxidant in plants: translocation between tissues and transport within cells. Plants are continually exposed to environmental stress. In agriculture this may include high and low temperature, pathogens, soil toxicity and excess light. The ways in which plants deal with environmental stress influence their productivity. Understanding these mechanisms is an important goal that can contribute to better strategies to manage plant responses to environmental stress in agricultural species.Read moreRead less
Transcriptional regulation of erythropoiesis. The major expected outcome from this proposal will be development of a pipeline for the study of how transcription factors work at a genome level. There will be national benefit in the areas of Frontier Technologies, and Promoting and Maintaining Good Health. There will be specific outcomes with respect to development of tests for human blood diseases, future design of drugs to target the aberrant activities of transcription factors in genetic and de ....Transcriptional regulation of erythropoiesis. The major expected outcome from this proposal will be development of a pipeline for the study of how transcription factors work at a genome level. There will be national benefit in the areas of Frontier Technologies, and Promoting and Maintaining Good Health. There will be specific outcomes with respect to development of tests for human blood diseases, future design of drugs to target the aberrant activities of transcription factors in genetic and degenerative diseases. Also, a strong bridge will be built upon the previous collaborations of the research teams in Brisbane and Pennsylvania, which will facilitate advanced teaching and training of Australian PhD and post-doctoral scientists.Read moreRead less
A knockout approach to identifying genes involved in epidermal development and homeostasis. These studies will identify new genes which play a role in the development or maintenance of the skin, some of which may subsequently be shown to play a role in disease. The project capitalises on an investment of tens of millions of dollars by the Wellcome Trust in generating a significant cohort of knockout mice. Our involvement in this international initiative will ensure Australia's participation in ....A knockout approach to identifying genes involved in epidermal development and homeostasis. These studies will identify new genes which play a role in the development or maintenance of the skin, some of which may subsequently be shown to play a role in disease. The project capitalises on an investment of tens of millions of dollars by the Wellcome Trust in generating a significant cohort of knockout mice. Our involvement in this international initiative will ensure Australia's participation in a project at the forefront of mouse genetics, using cutting edge infrastructure and technologies to provide insights into the complement of genes involved in skin biology. Models of interest will be repatriated to Australia for further study capitalising on existing infrastructure provided through the NCRIS funding program. Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0668549
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$280,000.00
Summary
Major upgrade of the computing hardware and software for the widely used BioManager bioinformatic service. ANGIS has been an Australian national facility for bioinformatics since 1991, now with over 4000 users across 150 university schools or departments, government departments, hospitals and research institutes. The grant will provide the computer upgrade and software support needed to handle the enormous increases in database size and complexity and expand the service into new areas of bioinfo ....Major upgrade of the computing hardware and software for the widely used BioManager bioinformatic service. ANGIS has been an Australian national facility for bioinformatics since 1991, now with over 4000 users across 150 university schools or departments, government departments, hospitals and research institutes. The grant will provide the computer upgrade and software support needed to handle the enormous increases in database size and complexity and expand the service into new areas of bioinformatics. Bioinformatics is critical to much of modern biology, and the improvements will enhance research and data analysis in many areas of research, leveraging more value from the research being undertaken by users. Read moreRead less
Dissecting insect gut function to understand insecticide detoxification. Massive quantities of chemical insecticides are used daily to control the insect pests that threaten agriculture, human health and the welfare of domestic pets. Insects readily evolve resistance to these chemicals reducing the effectiveness of pest control, increasing the amount of chemical used and increasing costs to consumers. This project examines the way in which insects adapt to the extreme stress imposed on them by ....Dissecting insect gut function to understand insecticide detoxification. Massive quantities of chemical insecticides are used daily to control the insect pests that threaten agriculture, human health and the welfare of domestic pets. Insects readily evolve resistance to these chemicals reducing the effectiveness of pest control, increasing the amount of chemical used and increasing costs to consumers. This project examines the way in which insects adapt to the extreme stress imposed on them by chemical insecticides. A thorough understanding of this adaptation process is required before insecticide resistance can be effectively managed or prevented. Read moreRead less
Linking mutant zebrafish phenotypes with their underlying genetic lesions. Zebrafish mutants have been generated with many interesting abnormalities, but to understand these abnormalities, the defective genes must be identified by positional cloning. We seek to identify the defective genes underpinning four mutants. Mutant #562 develops a normal nervous system which then undergoes rapid degeneration. The mutant flotte lotte has abnormal gut development. Two mutants with defective early blood for ....Linking mutant zebrafish phenotypes with their underlying genetic lesions. Zebrafish mutants have been generated with many interesting abnormalities, but to understand these abnormalities, the defective genes must be identified by positional cloning. We seek to identify the defective genes underpinning four mutants. Mutant #562 develops a normal nervous system which then undergoes rapid degeneration. The mutant flotte lotte has abnormal gut development. Two mutants with defective early blood formation will be studied. We will establish techniques for several steps that will be useful for all zebrafish mapping projects. We expect the genetic characterization of these mutants to provide new insights into nerve cell survival, gut development, and blood formation.Read moreRead less
Improving the analysis of trace DNA samples in forensic science and human identification. The introduction of DNA technology into forensic science has revolutionised this profession, by generating a very high level of individual discrimination through genetic profiling. However, there are still many crime scenes from which it is proving difficult to obtain sufficient DNA sample for such powerful profiling. This project will develop modifications to current techniques and procedures, as well as ....Improving the analysis of trace DNA samples in forensic science and human identification. The introduction of DNA technology into forensic science has revolutionised this profession, by generating a very high level of individual discrimination through genetic profiling. However, there are still many crime scenes from which it is proving difficult to obtain sufficient DNA sample for such powerful profiling. This project will develop modifications to current techniques and procedures, as well as new novel approaches, to improve the targeting, collection, extraction and typing of trace amounts of biological samples. These results will significantly improve our ability to fight crime, especially high volume crime, act as a deterrent, and assist in disaster victim identification.Read moreRead less