Novel bioinformatics approaches for biological inference from comparative genomics data. Unlocking the potential of the human and other genome sequences depends almost entirely upon comparative genomics techniques. We will develop powerful bioinformatic models, implemented as high-performance computing solutions, for the examination of gene sequences. Improving these models, which represent the initial building block for all comparative genomics techniques, will be beneficial across genomics dep ....Novel bioinformatics approaches for biological inference from comparative genomics data. Unlocking the potential of the human and other genome sequences depends almost entirely upon comparative genomics techniques. We will develop powerful bioinformatic models, implemented as high-performance computing solutions, for the examination of gene sequences. Improving these models, which represent the initial building block for all comparative genomics techniques, will be beneficial across genomics dependent industries. A major outcome from this work will be an integrated software/hardware product optimised for statistical examination of very large-scale genomics data.Read moreRead less
The development and evolution of the pelvic girdle in basal gnathostomes. Comparing the development of muscles, cartilage and bone in representatives of all three major groups of fish will provide information as to how structures evolved but also how the adult morphology is distributed in phylogeny. Because so little is known about the genetic mechanisms underlying the formation of the pelvic girdle in fish, it is important to start studying a model animal such as the zebrafish. The pathways unc ....The development and evolution of the pelvic girdle in basal gnathostomes. Comparing the development of muscles, cartilage and bone in representatives of all three major groups of fish will provide information as to how structures evolved but also how the adult morphology is distributed in phylogeny. Because so little is known about the genetic mechanisms underlying the formation of the pelvic girdle in fish, it is important to start studying a model animal such as the zebrafish. The pathways uncovered have the potential to describe mechanisms common to all jawed vertebrates, not only common to fish. Understanding the mechanisms that generate major morphological transition in the vertebrate lineage necessarily informs us about our own evolutionRead moreRead less
Specification and evolution of vertebrate appendicular muscle. Previously we have determined that two different developmental mechanisms are utilised to make the muscles present within the fins and limbs of distinct vertebrate species. This proposal is concerned with determining the morphogenetic, evolutionary and molecular basis for these two different developmental modes. To do this we will to extend our observations more widely to examine muscle formation in both the paired fins in a phyloge ....Specification and evolution of vertebrate appendicular muscle. Previously we have determined that two different developmental mechanisms are utilised to make the muscles present within the fins and limbs of distinct vertebrate species. This proposal is concerned with determining the morphogenetic, evolutionary and molecular basis for these two different developmental modes. To do this we will to extend our observations more widely to examine muscle formation in both the paired fins in a phylogenetically diverse context. We further hope to determine the underlying genetic basis for these different morphologies by developing techniques to examine their formation in a number of embryonic contexts.Read moreRead less