Cellular signals controlling oocyte activation. This research will significantly advance our understanding of the basic biological processes that underpin the fertility rate of all mammals and are key to the immediate and future health and well-being of Australian landscape and society. Understanding the processes that maintain healthy quiescent oocytes over many years before activation and subsequent growth will enable development of methods of increasing productivity in domestic animals and en ....Cellular signals controlling oocyte activation. This research will significantly advance our understanding of the basic biological processes that underpin the fertility rate of all mammals and are key to the immediate and future health and well-being of Australian landscape and society. Understanding the processes that maintain healthy quiescent oocytes over many years before activation and subsequent growth will enable development of methods of increasing productivity in domestic animals and enhancing fertility in endangered species. Knowledge of these cellular mechanisms will underpin biotechnology platforms necessary for novel methods of feral animal population control thus contributing at multiple levels to an economically sustainable Australia.Read moreRead less
Molecular characterization of stem cell differentiation and oocyte maturation using synchrotron infrared spectroscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy/Raman imaging. There are currently no molecular based methods to assess oocyte maturation and stem cell differentiation at the single cell level. Consequently the need for such techniques is critical in placing Australia at the forefront in this rapidly expanding field. Such technology would give Australia a leading edge in stem cell and oocyte researc ....Molecular characterization of stem cell differentiation and oocyte maturation using synchrotron infrared spectroscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy/Raman imaging. There are currently no molecular based methods to assess oocyte maturation and stem cell differentiation at the single cell level. Consequently the need for such techniques is critical in placing Australia at the forefront in this rapidly expanding field. Such technology would give Australia a leading edge in stem cell and oocyte research and ultimately assist in discovering disease cures for debilitating neurodegenerative diseases and spinal chord injury, while techniques for determining the viability of oocytes may have important implications for future in vitro fertilization programs. The intellectual property and technologies developed from this research could also have potential to impact on the global market.Read moreRead less
Elucidation of the signalling pathways during fertilization in mammals. This grant sets out to understand how the union of the sperm and egg at fertilization generates a viable embryo: this is a fundamental event in biology. We aim to understand the basic signalling pathways from the sperm which allow the egg to become an embryo and are known to influence embryo quality. They are therefore important in our understanding of what constitutes a healthy early start to life. Australia also has econom ....Elucidation of the signalling pathways during fertilization in mammals. This grant sets out to understand how the union of the sperm and egg at fertilization generates a viable embryo: this is a fundamental event in biology. We aim to understand the basic signalling pathways from the sperm which allow the egg to become an embryo and are known to influence embryo quality. They are therefore important in our understanding of what constitutes a healthy early start to life. Australia also has economic interests in understanding the reproductive process in aiding breeding programs for commercially important livestock and endangered species and contraception programs for pest populations. Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775778
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$196,000.00
Summary
A microarray platform for gene expression analysis and genotyping in biological systems. This technology has substantial benefits for basic science and biotechnology. The ability to rapidly study changes in gene expression in living organisms will benefit agriculture, animal and biomedical science and biotechnology. The Affymetrix platform creates opportunities for new avenues of research, such as studying epigenetic (DNA and protein modifications) mechanisms in development, ageing and disease. ....A microarray platform for gene expression analysis and genotyping in biological systems. This technology has substantial benefits for basic science and biotechnology. The ability to rapidly study changes in gene expression in living organisms will benefit agriculture, animal and biomedical science and biotechnology. The Affymetrix platform creates opportunities for new avenues of research, such as studying epigenetic (DNA and protein modifications) mechanisms in development, ageing and disease. The project falls within the designated national research priority areas of 'promoting and maintaining good health" and the priority goals of "a healthy start to life", "aging well", "aging productively" and "preventative health care."Read moreRead less
Developmental Switches: Nuclear Transport and Spermatogenesis. We propose to test the novel hypothesis that changes in the nuclear import machinery are a key facet of cellular differentiation. We will investigate a new paradigm in developmental biology regarding whether differentiation is achieved, or can be directed, by altering transport of macromolecules, such as specific transcription factors, into the nucleus. This project will define changes in the nuclear import machinery that accomp ....Developmental Switches: Nuclear Transport and Spermatogenesis. We propose to test the novel hypothesis that changes in the nuclear import machinery are a key facet of cellular differentiation. We will investigate a new paradigm in developmental biology regarding whether differentiation is achieved, or can be directed, by altering transport of macromolecules, such as specific transcription factors, into the nucleus. This project will define changes in the nuclear import machinery that accompany germ and somatic cell differentiation in the developing and adult mammalian testis. This will be linked to changes in the function of key proteins acting within the nucleus using both in vitro and in vivo approaches.
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Extrinsic Control of Mammalian Germ Cell Delineation. Australia is a leader in the recent exciting breakthroughs in reproduction and development, such as cloning and embryonic stem cell propagation, and understanding how germ cells are specified would help us understand the biology underlying specification and developmental potential of all cells. This research will continue to contribute to maintaining Australia's high reputation in advances in reproductive biology. In addition, a greater under ....Extrinsic Control of Mammalian Germ Cell Delineation. Australia is a leader in the recent exciting breakthroughs in reproduction and development, such as cloning and embryonic stem cell propagation, and understanding how germ cells are specified would help us understand the biology underlying specification and developmental potential of all cells. This research will continue to contribute to maintaining Australia's high reputation in advances in reproductive biology. In addition, a greater understanding of marsupial reproduction is a high priority for Australia in the 21st century, with its current unacceptably high rate of mammalian extinctions, for 'we cannot conserve until we comprehend' (Short, 1985).The results therefore are of great potential benefit to society.
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Subcellular co-localisation of interacting proteins that control maturation in mammalian eggs. The final maturation of mammalian eggs (oocytes) before fertilisation involves a cascade of interactions between protein kinases and phosphatases, the shuttling of these proteins between cytoplasm and nucleus, and microtubule assembly and disassembly. In this project we have proposed that interacting proteins involved in oocyte maturation are co-localised at subcellular sites in oocytes, in a strict t ....Subcellular co-localisation of interacting proteins that control maturation in mammalian eggs. The final maturation of mammalian eggs (oocytes) before fertilisation involves a cascade of interactions between protein kinases and phosphatases, the shuttling of these proteins between cytoplasm and nucleus, and microtubule assembly and disassembly. In this project we have proposed that interacting proteins involved in oocyte maturation are co-localised at subcellular sites in oocytes, in a strict temporal and spatial manner. The co-localisation of proteins in oocytes is considered a fundamental mechanism that ensures coordination of time-bound cellular events and proper preparation of oocytes for fertilisation and early embryo development. There are important implications for IVF and cloning by nuclear transfer.Read moreRead less
Constructing an embryo. This project investigates the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying temporal and spatial organisation in the eutherian preimplantation embryo. It will examine: the relative roles of cell cycle and circadian clocks in developmental timing; the molecular mechanism by which intercellular adhesion patterns influence spatial organisation; the extent to which marsupials use similar timing and spatial localisation mechanisms to eutherians; the impact of in-vitro manipulat ....Constructing an embryo. This project investigates the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying temporal and spatial organisation in the eutherian preimplantation embryo. It will examine: the relative roles of cell cycle and circadian clocks in developmental timing; the molecular mechanism by which intercellular adhesion patterns influence spatial organisation; the extent to which marsupials use similar timing and spatial localisation mechanisms to eutherians; the impact of in-vitro manipulations over the first 5 days of mouse pregnancy on embryonic temporal and spatial organisation.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989084
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$275,000.00
Summary
Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy for Live Cell Imaging. The University of Newcastle has invested heavily in its biological and life sciences to create a research nexus focusing on national research priorities in biotechnology and environmental protection. The Live Cell Imaging platform will be utilized by scientists researching such strategically important areas including developmental biology, intracellular signalling cascades, cell cycle dynamics, plant development and microbiology. Moreover ....Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy for Live Cell Imaging. The University of Newcastle has invested heavily in its biological and life sciences to create a research nexus focusing on national research priorities in biotechnology and environmental protection. The Live Cell Imaging platform will be utilized by scientists researching such strategically important areas including developmental biology, intracellular signalling cascades, cell cycle dynamics, plant development and microbiology. Moreover, this component of the University's research portfolio plays a major role in the postgraduate training of young Australian scientists who will, in turn, fuel future developments in both the life sciences and biotechnology industries.Read moreRead less
Steroidal control of male meiosis. This innovative project will study a complex cellular process (meiosis) essential for sperm development and sexual reproduction. Collaborations and novel experimental design provide cutting edge techniques and opportunity for Australian researchers to contribute important discoveries to this field. We aim to provide new knowledge of steroid-dependent molecular factors that may activate (or inhibit) meiosis. Such novel information may significantly impact divers ....Steroidal control of male meiosis. This innovative project will study a complex cellular process (meiosis) essential for sperm development and sexual reproduction. Collaborations and novel experimental design provide cutting edge techniques and opportunity for Australian researchers to contribute important discoveries to this field. We aim to provide new knowledge of steroid-dependent molecular factors that may activate (or inhibit) meiosis. Such novel information may significantly impact diverse areas related to controlling mammalian reproductive development, such as health and well-being (a healthy start to life, fertility control), farming and agriculture (livestock production, pest management) and the Australian environment (conservation, pest management).Read moreRead less