Maximizing male fertility: the role of CRISP proteins. This project aims to investigate the function of cysteine rich secretory protein (CRISP) family members in fertility. It is expected to generate new knowledge on the role CRISP1 and 4 play in sperm competition in vivo, and thus, evolutionary processes; to define the role seminal plasma CRISPs play in fertility; and identify the mechanism underpinning their biological activities. This will be achieved using a range of innovative, state-of-the ....Maximizing male fertility: the role of CRISP proteins. This project aims to investigate the function of cysteine rich secretory protein (CRISP) family members in fertility. It is expected to generate new knowledge on the role CRISP1 and 4 play in sperm competition in vivo, and thus, evolutionary processes; to define the role seminal plasma CRISPs play in fertility; and identify the mechanism underpinning their biological activities. This will be achieved using a range of innovative, state-of-the-art approaches. Expected outcomes and benefits include an enhanced knowledge of the mechanisms underpinning fertility and infertility, enhanced collaboration and research knowhow, and an evidence base for future applied projects aimed enhancing fertility in agricultural species.Read moreRead less
Targeting TGF-beta proteins to control animal reproduction. This project aims to develop a suite of novel biologics to control fertility in female mammals. This project expects to demonstrate that targeting a single class of ovarian proteins will enhance or inhibit egg production. The expected outcomes of this project are to (1) transform the breeding of livestock animals, which should provide significant benefits to the agricultural industry, through increased herd/flock sizes, and (2) provide ....Targeting TGF-beta proteins to control animal reproduction. This project aims to develop a suite of novel biologics to control fertility in female mammals. This project expects to demonstrate that targeting a single class of ovarian proteins will enhance or inhibit egg production. The expected outcomes of this project are to (1) transform the breeding of livestock animals, which should provide significant benefits to the agricultural industry, through increased herd/flock sizes, and (2) provide a non-surgical method of contraception in companion/feral species, which should address the large unmet need for fertility control in these animals.
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Relationships between insulin resistance, diet and obesity in ponies and horses. There are an estimated 1.2 million horses in Australia, and the horse industry is estimated to contribute over $6.3 billion to the economy. Laminitis is a significant health and welfare problem in Australia, as it is worldwide, causing pain and lameness, loss of use, and sometimes necessitating euthanasia. Laminitis is one of the most common reasons for horse owners to seek veterinary attention, and diet and obesity ....Relationships between insulin resistance, diet and obesity in ponies and horses. There are an estimated 1.2 million horses in Australia, and the horse industry is estimated to contribute over $6.3 billion to the economy. Laminitis is a significant health and welfare problem in Australia, as it is worldwide, causing pain and lameness, loss of use, and sometimes necessitating euthanasia. Laminitis is one of the most common reasons for horse owners to seek veterinary attention, and diet and obesity increasingly predispose to this condition. Since treatment of laminitis is difficult, prevention is crucial. The outcomes from this project will include the provision of more specific advice on dietary and exercise management to vets and horse owners to reduce the incidence and impact of laminitis on the horse industry.Read moreRead less
How to make antibiotics in pig feed redundant, naturally. Antimicrobial resistance has become a major issue in human and veterinary medicine being partially caused by the use of in-feed antimicrobials in farm animals. This project aims to completely eliminate antimicrobials from piglet feeds. The key differential approach is based on helping the physiology of the animal rather than testing interventions against bacteria. The project will consist of developing a novel nutritional strategy of natu ....How to make antibiotics in pig feed redundant, naturally. Antimicrobial resistance has become a major issue in human and veterinary medicine being partially caused by the use of in-feed antimicrobials in farm animals. This project aims to completely eliminate antimicrobials from piglet feeds. The key differential approach is based on helping the physiology of the animal rather than testing interventions against bacteria. The project will consist of developing a novel nutritional strategy of naturally (through maternal conditioning) boosting the natural appetite and the capacity to digest in piglets early in life. The anticipated outcome is that the new peri-natal program will result in minimal bacterial proliferation and diarrhoea thus, negating the need for in-feed antimicrobials in piglets. Read moreRead less
Artificial intelligence algorithms to predict risk of injury in racehorses. This project will address the urgent need for predicting and preventing catastrophic and career limiting limb injuries and cardiac arrhythmias in racehorses due to over (or under) training. Using data from GPS and movement sensors integrated into saddlecloths, artificial intelligence algorithms will convert cumulative data on speed, gait, and stride characteristics during training, along with injury data, into a risk mat ....Artificial intelligence algorithms to predict risk of injury in racehorses. This project will address the urgent need for predicting and preventing catastrophic and career limiting limb injuries and cardiac arrhythmias in racehorses due to over (or under) training. Using data from GPS and movement sensors integrated into saddlecloths, artificial intelligence algorithms will convert cumulative data on speed, gait, and stride characteristics during training, along with injury data, into a risk matrix. Recorded heart rate and ECG data will also be analysed using artificial intelligence to detect early evidence of the development of cardiac arrhythmias. The system will improve racehorse welfare, providing a simple interface to warn trainers when risk of injury becomes high, in order to prevent catastrophic breakdown.Read moreRead less
Optimisation of a novel hybrid vaccine for liver fluke disease in cattle. Optimisation of a novel hybrid vaccine for liver fluke disease in cattle. This project aims to optimise the formulation of novel fluke vaccine antigens by constructing combination hybrid recombinant antigens and using a protein adjuvant to improve immunogenicity, and test new antigens expressed in young flukes as vaccines and evaluate their ability to synergise with hybrid vaccines. Fasciola (fluke) infections cause seriou ....Optimisation of a novel hybrid vaccine for liver fluke disease in cattle. Optimisation of a novel hybrid vaccine for liver fluke disease in cattle. This project aims to optimise the formulation of novel fluke vaccine antigens by constructing combination hybrid recombinant antigens and using a protein adjuvant to improve immunogenicity, and test new antigens expressed in young flukes as vaccines and evaluate their ability to synergise with hybrid vaccines. Fasciola (fluke) infections cause serious economic losses to livestock production and fluke drug resistance threatens control, so new therapies such as a vaccine are needed. These vaccines should be evaluated in cattle trials. The major outcome plan is validation of hybrid antigens for commercial vaccine development for fluke control in cattle, leading to more sustainable beef and milk production in Australia.Read moreRead less
Insecticide targets in the nervous system: Discovery and design for sustainable insect pest control. Insect pests impose massive costs in food production, in human health and in the wellbeing of our companion animals. Chemical insecticides remain a major weapon in the control of these pests, but the use of insecticides has some downsides. The way in which insecticides kill insects is poorly understood and insecticide usage has negative impacts in the environment – the persistence of chemical r ....Insecticide targets in the nervous system: Discovery and design for sustainable insect pest control. Insect pests impose massive costs in food production, in human health and in the wellbeing of our companion animals. Chemical insecticides remain a major weapon in the control of these pests, but the use of insecticides has some downsides. The way in which insecticides kill insects is poorly understood and insecticide usage has negative impacts in the environment – the persistence of chemical residues and the killing of beneficial insects along with the pests. Further, insects become resistant to insecticides, so pest control is lost. This proposed research seeks to identify the ‘achilles heal’ in insect pests and to target them with new generation insecticides to gain safe, effective and sustainable control.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms of manchette function. This project aims to define the function of the manchette, a poorly understood microtubule-based structure present in haploid male germ cells. This project aims to define key mechanisms underpinning manchette development and movement, and to generate a detailed picture of the dynamics of germ cell development using imaging technologies and unique animal models. Such knowledge should improve the understanding of how male fertility is achieved, the origin of infer ....Mechanisms of manchette function. This project aims to define the function of the manchette, a poorly understood microtubule-based structure present in haploid male germ cells. This project aims to define key mechanisms underpinning manchette development and movement, and to generate a detailed picture of the dynamics of germ cell development using imaging technologies and unique animal models. Such knowledge should improve the understanding of how male fertility is achieved, the origin of infertility and how species-specific differences in sperm form are achieved. Such insights may ultimately lead to improved agricultural efficiencies and job creation.Read moreRead less
Targeted drug discovery against blood-feeding parasite nematodes of animals. This project aims to identify more sustainable control strategies of nematode parasites of livestock, which cost more than 400 million yearly to the Australian wool and meat industry. The project expects to identify novel nematicides and generate knowledge of the parasite biology using a combination of high-throughput drug discovery screens with cutting-edge OMICs approaches to target a key molecular pathway of importan ....Targeted drug discovery against blood-feeding parasite nematodes of animals. This project aims to identify more sustainable control strategies of nematode parasites of livestock, which cost more than 400 million yearly to the Australian wool and meat industry. The project expects to identify novel nematicides and generate knowledge of the parasite biology using a combination of high-throughput drug discovery screens with cutting-edge OMICs approaches to target a key molecular pathway of importance to the survival of nematodes, namely their blood-feeding behaviour. Expected outcomes of this project include a likely enhancement of international efforts in controlling these parasites as well as nematicides commercialisation. This should provide significant benefits to agricultural producers in Australia and worldwide.
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The routes of infection with sheep scrapie and agents that cause related prion diseases. We will define the routes by which the infective agents for scrapie, a debilitating disease of sheep, reach the nervous system after being consumed with food. Scrapie is from the same disease group (prion diseases) as mad cow disease. There would be a large economic cost were prion diseases to infect agricultural animals in Australia, through bioterrorism or accident. An outbreak in sheep could ruin the indu ....The routes of infection with sheep scrapie and agents that cause related prion diseases. We will define the routes by which the infective agents for scrapie, a debilitating disease of sheep, reach the nervous system after being consumed with food. Scrapie is from the same disease group (prion diseases) as mad cow disease. There would be a large economic cost were prion diseases to infect agricultural animals in Australia, through bioterrorism or accident. An outbreak in sheep could ruin the industry, as our export markets would be immediately blocked, and thousands of animals would be killed to stop disease spread. The benefit of clearly understanding how the infective agents reach the nervous system is that this may lead to strategies to intervene, and thus limit the spread and seriousness of infection.Read moreRead less