Relaxin: molecular mechanisms of action in the reversal of fibrosis. Defects in relaxin and relaxin receptors are increasingly implicated as a cause of fibrosis which is associated with many disease processes. This study will examine the molecular mechanisms linking relaxin and fibrosis and will determine whether relaxin can be used to reverse the condition.
Environmental Control of Developmental Plasticity of Vertebrate Cardio-Pulmonary Systems. Our research will generate the first comprehensive picture of how environmental conditions are transduced to control the development of the vertebrate respiratory and cardiovascular systems over the perinatal period. The research will demonstrate how physiological systems are modified and hence evolve. Moreover, understanding the developmental pathology in embryos induced by changing environmental condition ....Environmental Control of Developmental Plasticity of Vertebrate Cardio-Pulmonary Systems. Our research will generate the first comprehensive picture of how environmental conditions are transduced to control the development of the vertebrate respiratory and cardiovascular systems over the perinatal period. The research will demonstrate how physiological systems are modified and hence evolve. Moreover, understanding the developmental pathology in embryos induced by changing environmental conditions (especially exposure to steroid-like pollutants) is crucial to support breeding programs of endangered species and may improve veterinary and medicinal treatment of premature animals and humans. This multi-disciplinary, international collaboration provides an international training ground and two-way exchange of students and postdocs.Read moreRead less
Coping With Pressure: Respiratory Biology of Marine Mammals. Many marine mammals undergo severe, protracted lung collapse during deep dives. They also exhibit prolonged periods of apnea during sleep. In humans, lung collapse and sleep apnea both represent severe respiratory dysfunction. Pulmonary surfactant, a complex mixture that lines the lung, stabilises the lungs in terrestrial mammals, preventing lung collapse. Here, we propose a comprehensive examination of respiratory function in marine m ....Coping With Pressure: Respiratory Biology of Marine Mammals. Many marine mammals undergo severe, protracted lung collapse during deep dives. They also exhibit prolonged periods of apnea during sleep. In humans, lung collapse and sleep apnea both represent severe respiratory dysfunction. Pulmonary surfactant, a complex mixture that lines the lung, stabilises the lungs in terrestrial mammals, preventing lung collapse. Here, we propose a comprehensive examination of respiratory function in marine mammals. This study will significantly advance our knowledge of the diving physiology of Australian marine mammals. A detailed examination of the respiratory and surfactant systems of marine mammals may also reveal adaptations that enable these animals to endure sleep apnea and lung collapse.Read moreRead less
Nutrition in the Gouldian finch - developing an optimal 'life-history diet'. Native Australian birds such as the budgerigar, cockatiel, cockatoo, zebra finch and Gouldian finch dominate the pet trade with tens of millions kept across the world. Currently these birds are fed inadequate diets based on a few generic seeds (of European origin). Our study will investigate the nutritional needs of the Gouldian finch and the nutritional content of native Australian seeds, ultimately designing an optima ....Nutrition in the Gouldian finch - developing an optimal 'life-history diet'. Native Australian birds such as the budgerigar, cockatiel, cockatoo, zebra finch and Gouldian finch dominate the pet trade with tens of millions kept across the world. Currently these birds are fed inadequate diets based on a few generic seeds (of European origin). Our study will investigate the nutritional needs of the Gouldian finch and the nutritional content of native Australian seeds, ultimately designing an optimal diet that will dramatically improve the health of these captive birds. We will develop a new product based on Australian plants, which are adapted to growing in even in the poorest soils and climates in Australia and which will form the basis of a new commercial crop for domestic and international markets. Read moreRead less
Early life overfeeding - mechanisms for programming obesity and long-term immune dysfunction. Early life overfeeding can lead to obesity and related changes in adulthood. With this study we will discover how overfeeding can permanently alter an animal's development so that its body weight and immune functions are dysregulated. The outcomes will facilitate appropriate design of animal experiments considering the impact of neonatal programming. They will also contribute to more efficient feeding p ....Early life overfeeding - mechanisms for programming obesity and long-term immune dysfunction. Early life overfeeding can lead to obesity and related changes in adulthood. With this study we will discover how overfeeding can permanently alter an animal's development so that its body weight and immune functions are dysregulated. The outcomes will facilitate appropriate design of animal experiments considering the impact of neonatal programming. They will also contribute to more efficient feeding protocols for meat production in agriculture and identify targets for risk management and for preventing and ameliorating early life overfeeding effects in humans. This investigation therefore has clear benefits to the social, economic, and health aspects of obesity and to basic science and agriculture.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0347278
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$383,000.00
Summary
Brain Slice Macroscopic Imaging and Electrophysiology Recording System. Electrical signals are the primary mode of communication between excitable cells, in particular, the cells (neurons) that comprise the brain and central nervous system. Understanding of the processes of cell-to-cell communication between neurons is of primary importance to our understanding of fundamental phenomena such as voluntary and reflex movement, sensory responses and learning and memory, as well as providing fundamen ....Brain Slice Macroscopic Imaging and Electrophysiology Recording System. Electrical signals are the primary mode of communication between excitable cells, in particular, the cells (neurons) that comprise the brain and central nervous system. Understanding of the processes of cell-to-cell communication between neurons is of primary importance to our understanding of fundamental phenomena such as voluntary and reflex movement, sensory responses and learning and memory, as well as providing fundamental knowledge of numerous disease states. We are applying for equipment to monitor electrical signals (both visually and electrically) of small groups of cells (neurons) or large groups of interconnected cells (macroscopic complexes) within the brain. Facilities of this type for the visual and electrical recording of cell communication and brain activity will be unique to these Universities in Australia and extremely rare in the scientific world.Read moreRead less
FERTILIZATION IN VIVO AND IN VITRO IN AUSTRALIAN MARSUPIALS. Using reproductive technology previously undeveloped in Australian marsupials this study addresses the most significant question still unresolved in marsupial reproductive biology - 'How does fertilization occur?' We propose to investigate the morphological and functional characteristics of fertilisation and its roles in early development in marsupials, the uniqueness of these events and their evolutionary significance. These findings ....FERTILIZATION IN VIVO AND IN VITRO IN AUSTRALIAN MARSUPIALS. Using reproductive technology previously undeveloped in Australian marsupials this study addresses the most significant question still unresolved in marsupial reproductive biology - 'How does fertilization occur?' We propose to investigate the morphological and functional characteristics of fertilisation and its roles in early development in marsupials, the uniqueness of these events and their evolutionary significance. These findings will not only further our knowledge of reproduction in marsupials and shed light on the evolutionary factors underlying sperm and egg design but will provide tools for assisted breeding programs for threatened wildlife and for the regulation of over abundant species.Read moreRead less
Signalling cross-talk through Suppressors Of Cytokine Signalling (SOCS) initiates luteolysis in the ovary. Members of the newly discovered SOCS protein family block cytokine signal transduction pathways, including those for prolactin and GH. We have discovered that one of these proteins, SOCS-3, is upregulated in the corpus luteum of the ovary by prostaglandins and propose that induction of prolactin or GH resistance is a hitherto unrecognised and critical step in luteolysis. We have also disco ....Signalling cross-talk through Suppressors Of Cytokine Signalling (SOCS) initiates luteolysis in the ovary. Members of the newly discovered SOCS protein family block cytokine signal transduction pathways, including those for prolactin and GH. We have discovered that one of these proteins, SOCS-3, is upregulated in the corpus luteum of the ovary by prostaglandins and propose that induction of prolactin or GH resistance is a hitherto unrecognised and critical step in luteolysis. We have also discovered that this cross-talk between prostaglandin- and cytokine-receptor signalling pathways occurs in preadipocyte and breast cell lines and propose that this research will serve as a paradigm for understanding how sensitivity to cytokines can be controlled at a molecular level.Read moreRead less
Brain temperature regulation in mammals: mechanisms and consequences. Mammals detect increases in body temperature predominantly in the brain. Counterintuitively many mammals selectively cool the brain during heat stress, which appears to defeat the mechanism for inducing cooling responses. We intend to investigate this apparent anomaly which we believe is concerned with optimizing water use in hot conditions. We will further investigate the source of water for evaporative cooling by panting and ....Brain temperature regulation in mammals: mechanisms and consequences. Mammals detect increases in body temperature predominantly in the brain. Counterintuitively many mammals selectively cool the brain during heat stress, which appears to defeat the mechanism for inducing cooling responses. We intend to investigate this apparent anomaly which we believe is concerned with optimizing water use in hot conditions. We will further investigate the source of water for evaporative cooling by panting and discover if there has been convergent evolution in thermoregulatory strategies in the eutherian and marsupial lineages. The data we collect will be used to support a new model for thermoregulation in mammals.
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Involvement of cell coupling in vascular function: Development of a computational model. Gap junctions are intercellular channels which enable the production of coordinated responses in multicellular tissues and organs. Blood vessels are comprised of endothelial cells surrounded by smooth muscle cells and gap junctions exist within and between these layers. The present proposal will determine the fundamental role of gap junctions in regulating blood flow and blood pressure. Our data will enable ....Involvement of cell coupling in vascular function: Development of a computational model. Gap junctions are intercellular channels which enable the production of coordinated responses in multicellular tissues and organs. Blood vessels are comprised of endothelial cells surrounded by smooth muscle cells and gap junctions exist within and between these layers. The present proposal will determine the fundamental role of gap junctions in regulating blood flow and blood pressure. Our data will enable us to develop a computational model of the vascular wall and so predict how changes in electrical properties, as occur during pressure changes, can influence blood flow. Since ageing is accompanied by an increase in blood pressure, our results will contribute to a better understanding of blood flow regulation in our ageing population.Read moreRead less