The role of dopamine in the regulation of worker sterility in the honey bee. This project will open new doors into the knowledge of honey bees' sterility. We will not only show that certain genes control honey bee sterility but also that there is interactions between these genes and environmental cues such as the pheromones released by the queen. The project will provide significant material for a better understanding of honey bees society. Honey bees remain the most important pollinator world w ....The role of dopamine in the regulation of worker sterility in the honey bee. This project will open new doors into the knowledge of honey bees' sterility. We will not only show that certain genes control honey bee sterility but also that there is interactions between these genes and environmental cues such as the pheromones released by the queen. The project will provide significant material for a better understanding of honey bees society. Honey bees remain the most important pollinator world wide, and their conservation is a major concern both to agriculturalists and the general public. The project will be of immense scientific interest, and likely to be regarded as a major breakthrough. The project will also foster a strong intellectual collaboration between New Zealand and Australia.Read moreRead less
Responses of reptiles to fluctuating thermal environments: behaviour or biochemistry? I propose a conceptual shift in the way thermal physiology of reptiles is interpreted, questioning the predominant role of behaviour in reptilian thermoregulation. I will test the hypothesis that changes in cellular biochemistry are an important mechanism by which reptiles respond to environmental fluctuations. I will determine the relationship between metabolic enzyme activity and performance functions, and ....Responses of reptiles to fluctuating thermal environments: behaviour or biochemistry? I propose a conceptual shift in the way thermal physiology of reptiles is interpreted, questioning the predominant role of behaviour in reptilian thermoregulation. I will test the hypothesis that changes in cellular biochemistry are an important mechanism by which reptiles respond to environmental fluctuations. I will determine the relationship between metabolic enzyme activity and performance functions, and the results may call for a re-assessment of current concepts such as the notion that reptiles must achieve "preferred" body temperatures to maintain performance.Read moreRead less
Inhibitory control of retinal sensitivity. We will determine how the nerve cells that carry information from the eye to the brain are always able to provide signals despite very different environments; daylight, fog and night. Knowledge of how nerve cells achieve this rapid learning is important for any understanding of brain function; it is fundamental if we are to develop machines that see or that help restore vision in humans. The project will provide the world's first look at the synaptic ph ....Inhibitory control of retinal sensitivity. We will determine how the nerve cells that carry information from the eye to the brain are always able to provide signals despite very different environments; daylight, fog and night. Knowledge of how nerve cells achieve this rapid learning is important for any understanding of brain function; it is fundamental if we are to develop machines that see or that help restore vision in humans. The project will provide the world's first look at the synaptic physiology that underpins all visual perception, helping to bring Australia back to the forefront of research in this field. This new collaboration between two successful researchers will attract top quality students and researchers from Australia and abroad and be published in major journals.Read moreRead less
Of birds and bees: membrane lipids and the determination of maximum lifespan. The underlying mechanisms that determine why different animals have different maximum lifespans are unknown. Why do queen bees live for years but the genetically-identical workers bees live for only weeks? Similarly, to understand why birds live much longer than similar-sized mammals will give immense insight into the processes that cause ageing. Understanding the aging process in animals will have significant implicat ....Of birds and bees: membrane lipids and the determination of maximum lifespan. The underlying mechanisms that determine why different animals have different maximum lifespans are unknown. Why do queen bees live for years but the genetically-identical workers bees live for only weeks? Similarly, to understand why birds live much longer than similar-sized mammals will give immense insight into the processes that cause ageing. Understanding the aging process in animals will have significant implications for human health as the biggest risk factor for most diseases is age. Such understanding will help to cope with the worldwide problems of an aging population.Read moreRead less
Neurons and neurotransmitters that control the apnoeic response to irritation of the larynx. Normal function of the larynx enables breathing, cough, singing, speech and many other normal functions. This project will reveal how nerves in the brain coordinate to achieve these many functions; in particular the way that breathing stops if fluid or smoke enters the larynx.
Nutritional and bacterial influences on gut and peripheral homeostasis. Nutritional and bacterial influences on gut and peripheral homeostasis. This project aims to understand the role of macronutrients on gut homeostasis. While the understanding of what factors affect gut homeostasis is still in its infancy, scientists know that its disruption contributes to a broad range of inflammatory diseases, including type 1 diabetes and asthma. This project will determine the role of specific macronutrie ....Nutritional and bacterial influences on gut and peripheral homeostasis. Nutritional and bacterial influences on gut and peripheral homeostasis. This project aims to understand the role of macronutrients on gut homeostasis. While the understanding of what factors affect gut homeostasis is still in its infancy, scientists know that its disruption contributes to a broad range of inflammatory diseases, including type 1 diabetes and asthma. This project will determine the role of specific macronutrients on gut microbiota, gut epithelium, and immunity in mice, and the receptors involved. This research could ultimately lead to significant decreases in the cost of healthcare.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354622
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$20,000.00
Summary
Genes and Environment in Development. Interactions between the early environment and the genetic regulatory program of the early embryo have major consequences for the development of individuals. The aim of this Network is to harness the resources of leading researchers from the previously distinct disciplines of developmental biology and developmental physiology to better understand developmental regulatory networks and how environmental factors impinge on them. The formation of such a Network ....Genes and Environment in Development. Interactions between the early environment and the genetic regulatory program of the early embryo have major consequences for the development of individuals. The aim of this Network is to harness the resources of leading researchers from the previously distinct disciplines of developmental biology and developmental physiology to better understand developmental regulatory networks and how environmental factors impinge on them. The formation of such a Network is unique, timely and strategic in that it will generate new insights into the mechanisms by which events in early life determine the risk of adverse outcomes in perinatal and adult life.Read moreRead less
Is FGF21 the master regulator of protein intake? The project plans to bring together two major, rapidly growing disciplines – nutritional geometry and metabolic signalling – to address a topic of fundamental biological significance: the regulation of protein intake. A specific capacity to regulate protein intake has been shown for organisms spanning slime moulds to humans, yet the controlling mechanisms remain elusive. The project aims to test the hypothesis that fibroblast growth factor 21, rel ....Is FGF21 the master regulator of protein intake? The project plans to bring together two major, rapidly growing disciplines – nutritional geometry and metabolic signalling – to address a topic of fundamental biological significance: the regulation of protein intake. A specific capacity to regulate protein intake has been shown for organisms spanning slime moulds to humans, yet the controlling mechanisms remain elusive. The project aims to test the hypothesis that fibroblast growth factor 21, released from the liver under low protein nutrition, is a master regulator of protein intake. Understanding the mechanisms of protein appetite may have implications for organismal biology, understanding social interactions, the structure of food webs and the health and welfare of food and companion animals and humans.Read moreRead less
ARC/NHMRC Research Network in Genes and Environment in Development. Interactions between the early environment and the genetic regulatory program of the developing organism have major consequences for the lifetime health of individuals. The primary objective of the Network in Genes and Environment in Development is to harness the resources of leading researchers from the currently distinct disciplines of developmental biology and developmental physiology to define key developmental regulatory ne ....ARC/NHMRC Research Network in Genes and Environment in Development. Interactions between the early environment and the genetic regulatory program of the developing organism have major consequences for the lifetime health of individuals. The primary objective of the Network in Genes and Environment in Development is to harness the resources of leading researchers from the currently distinct disciplines of developmental biology and developmental physiology to define key developmental regulatory networks and to address how environmental factors impinge on these regulatory networks. The formation of this National Research Network is unique, timely and strategic. It will generate new insights into the mechanisms by which events in early life determine the risk of adverse outcomes in perinatal and adult life.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE170100206
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$550,000.00
Summary
Lattice light sheet microscopy for imaging biology in real space and time. This project aims to establish a Lattice Light-Sheet Microscope (LLSM) Facility, to provide the dedicated computing infrastructure needed for terabyte-scale image acquisition and handling. Lattice light sheet microscopy allows four-dimensional imaging of live biological specimens from individual molecules to small organisms. The microscope images live specimens without phototoxicity or photobleaching, enabling prolonged i ....Lattice light sheet microscopy for imaging biology in real space and time. This project aims to establish a Lattice Light-Sheet Microscope (LLSM) Facility, to provide the dedicated computing infrastructure needed for terabyte-scale image acquisition and handling. Lattice light sheet microscopy allows four-dimensional imaging of live biological specimens from individual molecules to small organisms. The microscope images live specimens without phototoxicity or photobleaching, enabling prolonged imaging of significant physiological or biophysical events. Expected outcomes include high impact discoveries and publications in fundamental research, rapid solutions for industry-focussed projects and opportunities for collaboration, research and development. The imaging is expected to reveal key scientific insights and showcase biology to the public.Read moreRead less