Identifying genes causing thermal evolution of ectotherm body size. Cold-blooded animals increase in body size as they are found in populations at greater distances from the equator. These patterns are due to populations adapting to temperature. The aim of this project is to identify the genes involved in this adaptation process. We will do this by taking advantage of a well-studied body size cline in the vinegar fly on the east coast of Australia, and by building on an international collaborati ....Identifying genes causing thermal evolution of ectotherm body size. Cold-blooded animals increase in body size as they are found in populations at greater distances from the equator. These patterns are due to populations adapting to temperature. The aim of this project is to identify the genes involved in this adaptation process. We will do this by taking advantage of a well-studied body size cline in the vinegar fly on the east coast of Australia, and by building on an international collaboration between a leading UK and two Australian research groups. In doing so we will provide an explanation at the molecular level for one of the great unresolved phenomena in biology: why do cold-blooded animals get bigger in the cold? The research also leads to the potential to manipulate body size in animals.Read moreRead less
Elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying migraine and endometriosis via genetic dissection. The research aims to identify genetic variants underlying migraine and endometriosis susceptibility. Advances in the genetics of these common and painful disorders, including identification of genetic biomarkers (genetic variations that can predict disease susceptibility, disease outcome, or treatment response), will offer better rationales for scientific enquiry, helping the discovery of new treat ....Elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying migraine and endometriosis via genetic dissection. The research aims to identify genetic variants underlying migraine and endometriosis susceptibility. Advances in the genetics of these common and painful disorders, including identification of genetic biomarkers (genetic variations that can predict disease susceptibility, disease outcome, or treatment response), will offer better rationales for scientific enquiry, helping the discovery of new treatment pathways and improve predictions of drug efficacy and safety. Thus providing improved treatment strategies for the individual sufferer and reduce the direct medical and indirect economic costs to individual sufferers as well as to the general community.Read moreRead less
Physiological Genomic Analysis Of Lvm-1 - A Genetic Locus That Determines Left Ventricular Mass
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$356,540.00
Summary
As many as one in ten healthy individuals have big hearts. Careful scientific investigation has revealed that the bigger one's heart, the greater the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. This is true even in the absence of known causes of heart disease. Unlike high blood pressure or cholesterol, the size of the heart is not easily measured and enlargement often goes undetected. We were among the first internationally to discover genetic clues to enlarged hearts. We identified regions on ra ....As many as one in ten healthy individuals have big hearts. Careful scientific investigation has revealed that the bigger one's heart, the greater the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. This is true even in the absence of known causes of heart disease. Unlike high blood pressure or cholesterol, the size of the heart is not easily measured and enlargement often goes undetected. We were among the first internationally to discover genetic clues to enlarged hearts. We identified regions on rat chromosomes that harbour the gene or genes that influence heart size. The aim of these studies is to identify the exact gene responsible and to understand how that gene produces its effects. The experiments involve testing DNA samples already obtained from many hundreds of rats and breeding animals to study the consequences of the genetic abnormality in greater detail. The experiments are critical steps towards the prevention of big hearts and their complications in humans. In time, genetic tests will offer earlier detection and facilitate targeted and tailored treatments.Read moreRead less
MULTIVARIATE QUANTITATIVE GENETICS AND THE LEK PARADOX. This research program as the potential to change the way evolutionary biologists view how selection changes the available patterns of genetic variance and covariance. In particular, it will highlight the possibility that a lack of genetic variance in multi-trait systems may be an important mechanism that limits the response to selection. It is therefore addresses a fundamental problem in quantitative genetics that underlies selection li ....MULTIVARIATE QUANTITATIVE GENETICS AND THE LEK PARADOX. This research program as the potential to change the way evolutionary biologists view how selection changes the available patterns of genetic variance and covariance. In particular, it will highlight the possibility that a lack of genetic variance in multi-trait systems may be an important mechanism that limits the response to selection. It is therefore addresses a fundamental problem in quantitative genetics that underlies selection limits in evolution and agriculture.Read moreRead less
Australian Genomewide Association Study In Osteoporosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$882,722.00
Summary
Osteoporosis is a common condition in which bone strength is reduced due to reduced amount and quality of bone. Reduced bone strength means an increased risk of fracture. Osteoporotic fractures occur in 1 in 2 women and 1 in 3 men in their lifetime, and the likelihood of suffering osteoporotic fracture increases with age. Most of the risk of developing osteoporosis is genetic, but few of the genes involved have been identified. Our goal is to identify those genes.
Regulation of Cellulose Biosynthesis in Commercially Important Cereal Crop Species. The long term strategic research alliance with DuPont Pioneer will lead to the development of breakthrough science in emerging technologies that are relevant: a) to agricultural production, b) to human health and c) to renewable bio-fuel production from crop residues. The alliance will attract significant international investment in Australian research and foster an intellectual environment for world-class resear ....Regulation of Cellulose Biosynthesis in Commercially Important Cereal Crop Species. The long term strategic research alliance with DuPont Pioneer will lead to the development of breakthrough science in emerging technologies that are relevant: a) to agricultural production, b) to human health and c) to renewable bio-fuel production from crop residues. The alliance will attract significant international investment in Australian research and foster an intellectual environment for world-class research training of postgraduate students and postdoctoral scientists, in both a higher education and an industry context.Read moreRead less
How sexually antagonistic genes and sexual selection influence the evolution of the Y chromosome. Sexually antagonistic genes are beneficial to members of one sex, but costly to the other. They are of significance both to the coevolution between the sexes and the evolution of the sex chromosomes. We will measure the sexually antagonistic effects of genes that make male guppies sexually attractive. We will then study how these genes, and the process of sexual selection that favours them influence ....How sexually antagonistic genes and sexual selection influence the evolution of the Y chromosome. Sexually antagonistic genes are beneficial to members of one sex, but costly to the other. They are of significance both to the coevolution between the sexes and the evolution of the sex chromosomes. We will measure the sexually antagonistic effects of genes that make male guppies sexually attractive. We will then study how these genes, and the process of sexual selection that favours them influence the process of recombination between the X and Y chromosomes.Read moreRead less
Mapping Of Genetic Traits In Experimental Models Using Databases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$237,750.00
Summary
The project aims to detect genes that influence human traits. These traits could be a disease such as diabetes or they may be much less sinister, representing hearing range as an example. Many of these traits are difficult to detect because they are governed by many genes which may also interact with the environment to influence the trait. In order to detect genes in these traits we would like to simplify the complex interactions by eliminating the environment as a potential cause or concentrati ....The project aims to detect genes that influence human traits. These traits could be a disease such as diabetes or they may be much less sinister, representing hearing range as an example. Many of these traits are difficult to detect because they are governed by many genes which may also interact with the environment to influence the trait. In order to detect genes in these traits we would like to simplify the complex interactions by eliminating the environment as a potential cause or concentrating on a particular population where the incidence appears to be much greater. In human populations we have no control over the environmental exposures and we cannot restrict their movements. For this reason many genetic studies have been conducted in mice. Many strains of mice have been generated. Their environment can be strictly controlled, enabling a much better identification of disease genes. Since mice and humans share much of their genome they also share many of their genes and are often afflicted by the same diseases. Thus if we identify genes in mice we have a very good chance of identifying the equivalent human genes. The completion of sequencing for the human genome is being closely followed by the completion of the mouse genome, precisely because mice have been used for over 100 years for genetic studies. The data generated from these sequencing efforts and prior genetic studies is now accumulating in vast databases. These databases of DNA information can be used to map genes for traits. The idea is to determine the trait measurement for many mice in different strains and compare these trait levels to the DNA state (genotype) of markers in the genome of the strains. If these are associated it indicates that the marker is situated close to a gene influencing the trait. This narrows the search considerably. Without this strategy we would have the daunting task of identifiying trait genes from many thousands of potential candidates.Read moreRead less
Alternative reproductive tactics and threshold evolution. This research is focussed at the highest level in the field of evolutionary biology; testing recent theory for the evolution of alternative reproductive tactics and using these species to test hypotheses about adaptation. The proposal involves collaborations with high-profile researchers from three European countries and will increase Australia's standing as a world-leader in evolutionary biology. Australian students will benefit from exp ....Alternative reproductive tactics and threshold evolution. This research is focussed at the highest level in the field of evolutionary biology; testing recent theory for the evolution of alternative reproductive tactics and using these species to test hypotheses about adaptation. The proposal involves collaborations with high-profile researchers from three European countries and will increase Australia's standing as a world-leader in evolutionary biology. Australian students will benefit from exposure to high quality international collaborators. We will also increase our understanding of the biology of the European earwig, a pest species in Australia. Reproductive tactics are exciting topics for media attention and this research will reach a wide and interested Australian and world audience.Read moreRead less
Why do good males die young? The relationship between ageing and sexual selection. A biological understanding of ageing is directly relevant to human welfare. We will use lab and field studies to explore the evolutionary genetics of ageing in an Australian cricket, with particular emphasis on how diet and the timing of reproduction influence the rate at which crickets deteriorate with age. We will also test whether biological differences between males and females generate genetic conflicts over ....Why do good males die young? The relationship between ageing and sexual selection. A biological understanding of ageing is directly relevant to human welfare. We will use lab and field studies to explore the evolutionary genetics of ageing in an Australian cricket, with particular emphasis on how diet and the timing of reproduction influence the rate at which crickets deteriorate with age. We will also test whether biological differences between males and females generate genetic conflicts over ageing rates. Our results will not only complement an evolutionary study of ageing, but may ultimately suggest interventions that may prolong human life or improve the quality of life in an ageing population.Read moreRead less