Uncovering microRNA decay regulation in mammalian cells. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) constitute a novel mechanism used by cells to regulate gene expression, however, very little is known about the mechanisms affecting miRNA accumulation. Characterisation of the kinetics of miRNA turnover is of paramount importance to establish the reliability of miRNAs as novel biomarkers. This project aims to characterise miRNA stability in mammalian cells, investigate mechanisms of turnover and establish their importan ....Uncovering microRNA decay regulation in mammalian cells. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) constitute a novel mechanism used by cells to regulate gene expression, however, very little is known about the mechanisms affecting miRNA accumulation. Characterisation of the kinetics of miRNA turnover is of paramount importance to establish the reliability of miRNAs as novel biomarkers. This project aims to characterise miRNA stability in mammalian cells, investigate mechanisms of turnover and establish their importance on the regulatory function of miRNAs. Such information is critical in the future development of targeted therapeutics.Read moreRead less
Understanding the robustness and plasticity of metabolite concentrations. This project aims to further the understanding of how organisms mitigate the effects of changing environment by altering metabolite concentrations, important for food quality, energetics, and health. Through this understanding, the project provides the potential to precisely tailor metabolic intervention strategies, highly beneficial for applied sciences. The expected outcome of the project is a suite of computational appr ....Understanding the robustness and plasticity of metabolite concentrations. This project aims to further the understanding of how organisms mitigate the effects of changing environment by altering metabolite concentrations, important for food quality, energetics, and health. Through this understanding, the project provides the potential to precisely tailor metabolic intervention strategies, highly beneficial for applied sciences. The expected outcome of the project is a suite of computational approaches that allow for integration of large-scale data with networks to predict metabolite concentration ranges. This will provide significant benefit with the aim of maintaining outstanding research in Australia, and has clear potential for improved human health and enhanced food quality via metabolic reprogramming.Read moreRead less
Empirical and computational solutions for multi-omics single-cell assays. Emerging single-cell sequencing technologies are transforming molecular cell biology, but identifying novel cell types and their functions requires the integration of highly heterogeneous data. The development of computational methods able to extract biologically relevant results is hindered by the lack of high-quality datasets. This project aims to develop novel sequencing methodologies and generate data to drive our dime ....Empirical and computational solutions for multi-omics single-cell assays. Emerging single-cell sequencing technologies are transforming molecular cell biology, but identifying novel cell types and their functions requires the integration of highly heterogeneous data. The development of computational methods able to extract biologically relevant results is hindered by the lack of high-quality datasets. This project aims to develop novel sequencing methodologies and generate data to drive our dimension reduction multivariate method developments for data integration. By combining in silico and in vivo approaches, the project is anticipated to benefit scientists willing to work in cutting-edge single-cell research by providing useful protocols and tools to generate novel insights in cell biology. Read moreRead less
The systems biology of stem cells. Using new bioinformatic methods, this project aims to identify new classifiers of different stem cell populations, develop statistical models that address population heterogeneity and provide molecular predictors of the differentiation potential of stem cells. Understanding, predicting and directing the processes of differentiation are major goals in the disciplines of stem cell biology, developmental biology, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Molec ....The systems biology of stem cells. Using new bioinformatic methods, this project aims to identify new classifiers of different stem cell populations, develop statistical models that address population heterogeneity and provide molecular predictors of the differentiation potential of stem cells. Understanding, predicting and directing the processes of differentiation are major goals in the disciplines of stem cell biology, developmental biology, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Molecular atlas projects have successfully revealed rules of genome output and regulation, by mining patterns that are evident across multiple cell types and datasets. By applying this philosophy to relevant, well-curated stem cell experiments, this project aims to create new methods for the integration and interrogation of smaller individual datasets. These methods should have broad utility and enable new avenues in tissue engineering.Read moreRead less
Formation of boundaries in the developing embryo. This project aims to decipher how the boundaries between the different organs are established in the developing embryo. The project aims to identify the components of the gene regulatory network that controls lateral plate mesoderm formation, develop a mathematical model that can explain how the domains are formed within this region, and validate novel interactions in vivo in zebrafish. The expected outcome of the project is to reveal how the pro ....Formation of boundaries in the developing embryo. This project aims to decipher how the boundaries between the different organs are established in the developing embryo. The project aims to identify the components of the gene regulatory network that controls lateral plate mesoderm formation, develop a mathematical model that can explain how the domains are formed within this region, and validate novel interactions in vivo in zebrafish. The expected outcome of the project is to reveal how the progenitors of our body parts are instructed to be positioned at the right time and at the right place in the embryo. This project should provide significant benefit such as the expansion of Australia's knowledge base and research capability in cross-disciplinary science.Read moreRead less