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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Molecular evolution and toxinology of colubrid snake venom toxins. This project proposes to examine the origin and evolution of venom systems in advanced snakes (Caenophidia) focusing on the colubrid radiation comprising the rear-fanged species. Demonstration by us of the presence of a potent postsynaptic neurotoxin in the Durvenoy's secretions of the Asian ratsnake Elaphe radiata, an archetypal non-venomous colubrid species, forced a fundamental rethink of venom evolution. The toxin is homologo ....Molecular evolution and toxinology of colubrid snake venom toxins. This project proposes to examine the origin and evolution of venom systems in advanced snakes (Caenophidia) focusing on the colubrid radiation comprising the rear-fanged species. Demonstration by us of the presence of a potent postsynaptic neurotoxin in the Durvenoy's secretions of the Asian ratsnake Elaphe radiata, an archetypal non-venomous colubrid species, forced a fundamental rethink of venom evolution. The toxin is homologous with the three finger toxins, previously thought unique to elapids, and supports the role of venom as a key evolutionary innovation in the diversification of advanced snakes. This project extends this work to other species and toxin families.Read moreRead less
Unravelling reef fish vision through gene-editing and behavioural ecology. This project aims to enhance understanding of visual neuroscience, genetic control of vision and environmental ecology on The Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Using the anemonefish as a model, together with new genetic, photographic and behavioural approaches, the project aims to reveal novel aspects of colour vision on the reef. Outcomes beyond multiple scientific disciplines include enhanced international collaboration and bui ....Unravelling reef fish vision through gene-editing and behavioural ecology. This project aims to enhance understanding of visual neuroscience, genetic control of vision and environmental ecology on The Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Using the anemonefish as a model, together with new genetic, photographic and behavioural approaches, the project aims to reveal novel aspects of colour vision on the reef. Outcomes beyond multiple scientific disciplines include enhanced international collaboration and building capacity for improved reef guardianship. The benefits are scientific discovery in multiple areas, providing greater community understanding of complex science and a desire to preserve the GBR for future generations.Read moreRead less
Using comparative genomics to identify genes responsible for adaptation to environmental toxins. The US National Human Genome Research Institute has committed to sequencing the genomes of ten different Drosophila (fly) species. We will search these genomes, and two others that are already available, for genes that allow flies to cope with environmental toxins found in the plants upon which they feed and breed. These same genes have the potential to degrade many of the insecticides used to con ....Using comparative genomics to identify genes responsible for adaptation to environmental toxins. The US National Human Genome Research Institute has committed to sequencing the genomes of ten different Drosophila (fly) species. We will search these genomes, and two others that are already available, for genes that allow flies to cope with environmental toxins found in the plants upon which they feed and breed. These same genes have the potential to degrade many of the insecticides used to control insect pests. Hence, this research will contribute to ongoing efforts to minimize the threat to agriculture posed by the insecticide resistance that frequently evolves in pest species. 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
The early marsupial embryo - a missing link in vertebrate development. Most of our knowledge of early development comes from one species, the mouse, but it is not known how similar it is to other mammals or even other vertebrates such as birds and reptiles. Using a marsupial model, the tammar wallaby, the project aims to identify mechanisms that are fundamental to mammals and those that are more evolutionarily plastic.
Mechanisms of antifungal resistance in blackleg disease of canola. This project aims to determine how fungicide resistance evolves in the fungus Leptosphaeria maculans, the major pathogen of the oilseed crop canola. Global food production has become more reliant on the use of antifungal agents to protect crops, however these advances are now threatened by the emergence of drug-resistant microbes. The knowledge generated by this project will be used to reduce the risk of resistance evolving in po ....Mechanisms of antifungal resistance in blackleg disease of canola. This project aims to determine how fungicide resistance evolves in the fungus Leptosphaeria maculans, the major pathogen of the oilseed crop canola. Global food production has become more reliant on the use of antifungal agents to protect crops, however these advances are now threatened by the emergence of drug-resistant microbes. The knowledge generated by this project will be used to reduce the risk of resistance evolving in populations of the blackleg fungus. This will have economic benefits through ensuring increased canola yields, while providing health and environmental benefits through minimisation of use of fungicides.Read moreRead less