The genomics of adaptation in Wolbachia pipientis, an emerging biocontrol agent. Australians are increasingly exposed to insect-transmitted diseases such as dengue fever. Novel biocontrol methods using the bacterium Wolbachia aim to control insect populations to reduce disease transmission. Our research will be the first to investigate genomic variation and the process of adaptation to new insect hosts in Wolbachia. The novel data and understanding of evolutionary processes we generate will be c ....The genomics of adaptation in Wolbachia pipientis, an emerging biocontrol agent. Australians are increasingly exposed to insect-transmitted diseases such as dengue fever. Novel biocontrol methods using the bacterium Wolbachia aim to control insect populations to reduce disease transmission. Our research will be the first to investigate genomic variation and the process of adaptation to new insect hosts in Wolbachia. The novel data and understanding of evolutionary processes we generate will be critical for screening bacterial biocontrol candidates and designing biocontrol release strategies. It will also strengthen the position of Australian research as a world-leader in the fusion of post-genomics and applied microbiology. 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
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150101259
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$371,000.00
Summary
The impact of urbanisation on viral diversity and disease emergence. Urbanisation increases the risk of infectious disease emergence by rapidly altering contact rates between humans and other species. Fortunately, many consequences of urbanisation appear to be universal, suggesting that it is possible to identify factors likely to increase the risk of viral disease emergence and predict their impacts. This project aims to examine the viral response to changes in host and vector population struct ....The impact of urbanisation on viral diversity and disease emergence. Urbanisation increases the risk of infectious disease emergence by rapidly altering contact rates between humans and other species. Fortunately, many consequences of urbanisation appear to be universal, suggesting that it is possible to identify factors likely to increase the risk of viral disease emergence and predict their impacts. This project aims to examine the viral response to changes in host and vector population structure and dynamics that occur as a result of urbanisation, and identify viral characteristics that are associated with survival in an urban environment. This novel fusion of urban and viral ecology will have unprecedented impact on the development of predictive models of viral emergence for risk assessment and management.Read moreRead less
Defining the Molecular Targets of Evolution. With significant advances in next-generation sequencing technologies we now have the genomes of hundreds vertebrate species, but understanding how the differences and similarities within these genomes control species diversity is largely unknown. The similarity in skull shape between the thylacine and dogs coupled with their deep ancestry, having last shared a common ancestor over 160 million years ago, provides an unprecedented opportunity to examine ....Defining the Molecular Targets of Evolution. With significant advances in next-generation sequencing technologies we now have the genomes of hundreds vertebrate species, but understanding how the differences and similarities within these genomes control species diversity is largely unknown. The similarity in skull shape between the thylacine and dogs coupled with their deep ancestry, having last shared a common ancestor over 160 million years ago, provides an unprecedented opportunity to examine how evolution works at the DNA level. This proposal will determine if animals that develop identical skull shapes, also show identical changes in their DNA. The findings will define new developmental genes and explain how selection, adaptation and evolution works at the DNA level. Read moreRead less
Dissecting insect gut function to understand insecticide detoxification. Massive quantities of chemical insecticides are used daily to control the insect pests that threaten agriculture, human health and the welfare of domestic pets. Insects readily evolve resistance to these chemicals reducing the effectiveness of pest control, increasing the amount of chemical used and increasing costs to consumers. This project examines the way in which insects adapt to the extreme stress imposed on them by ....Dissecting insect gut function to understand insecticide detoxification. Massive quantities of chemical insecticides are used daily to control the insect pests that threaten agriculture, human health and the welfare of domestic pets. Insects readily evolve resistance to these chemicals reducing the effectiveness of pest control, increasing the amount of chemical used and increasing costs to consumers. This project examines the way in which insects adapt to the extreme stress imposed on them by chemical insecticides. A thorough understanding of this adaptation process is required before insecticide resistance can be effectively managed or prevented. Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220100185
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$438,712.00
Summary
Decoding the evolution of killer T cell immunity across human lifetime. The immune system is a potent weapon for protection against pathogens. T cells have a central role as their receptors monitor the body for threats. The thymus (organ) educates receptors to discriminate between healthy and infected cells. Receptor diversity and T cell strength change throughout human life. This project aims to unravel how T cells gain and lose optimal receptors and strength. The aims are to understand 1) The ....Decoding the evolution of killer T cell immunity across human lifetime. The immune system is a potent weapon for protection against pathogens. T cells have a central role as their receptors monitor the body for threats. The thymus (organ) educates receptors to discriminate between healthy and infected cells. Receptor diversity and T cell strength change throughout human life. This project aims to unravel how T cells gain and lose optimal receptors and strength. The aims are to understand 1) The role of thymic education in diversifying receptors 2) Whether gradual loss of thymic education affects receptor diversity 3) The molecular mechanisms underlying T cell strength. The project is essential for understanding how optimal T cell immunity is formed, critical if we wish to harness this to improve healthy aging.Read moreRead less
Experimental co-evolution of Yeast and E. coli. This project aims to measure the rates and genetic mechanisms of adaptation for individual species within a microbial community. Expected outcomes of this interdisciplinary project include the first genomic and phenotypic dataset of a model microbial community, and novel tools for the analysis of meta-genomic datasets. This project has the potential to transform understanding of microbial adaptation.
Further Genetic and Molecular studies of an Important Prokaryotic Regulator Protein TyrR. Genomes encode many functions whose expression varies dramatically depending on particular cellular environments. Special proteins called Regulator Proteins act as sensors to detect subtle changes in the environment and, in response, to influence the expression of certain genes either dampening them down or stimulating their activity. We are working with the TyrR regulator protein of the simple bacterium E ....Further Genetic and Molecular studies of an Important Prokaryotic Regulator Protein TyrR. Genomes encode many functions whose expression varies dramatically depending on particular cellular environments. Special proteins called Regulator Proteins act as sensors to detect subtle changes in the environment and, in response, to influence the expression of certain genes either dampening them down or stimulating their activity. We are working with the TyrR regulator protein of the simple bacterium Escherichia coli to elucidate the molecular strategies used in these controls. Because this protein controls the expression of a number of genes with diverse functions, evolution has selected equally diverse mechanisms to achieve appropriate transcriptional responses. The detailed knowledge of the E.coli genome and of the various genes regulated by TyrR make it an excellent system for such fundamental studies.Read moreRead less
The molecular basis of self-incompatibility in solanaceous plants. This study will examine plant reproduction, the processes that ultimately lead to seeds being formed. Seeds are a major source of food for human societies. Benefits likely to arise from this study include an improved knowledge of plant reproduction which could lead to the production of better crops and more sustainable agricultural systems. By examining reproduction in a native plant, this study will also improve our understan ....The molecular basis of self-incompatibility in solanaceous plants. This study will examine plant reproduction, the processes that ultimately lead to seeds being formed. Seeds are a major source of food for human societies. Benefits likely to arise from this study include an improved knowledge of plant reproduction which could lead to the production of better crops and more sustainable agricultural systems. By examining reproduction in a native plant, this study will also improve our understanding of Australia's flora and could help improve management strategies for rare and endagered species. Through the training of students and researchers, this study will contribute highly skilled individuals to the Australian economy.Read moreRead less
Fish venom as a model system for the molecular evolution of defensive toxins. The key aim of this study is to undertake a thorough investigation of venoms found in distinct fish lineages, including enigmatic species such as venomous and medically important species such as the stonefish. By characterising the biodiversity of toxins found in the venoms of different fish, the evolutionary history of venom in this major vertebrate lineage can be revealed. The investigations proposed here will also d ....Fish venom as a model system for the molecular evolution of defensive toxins. The key aim of this study is to undertake a thorough investigation of venoms found in distinct fish lineages, including enigmatic species such as venomous and medically important species such as the stonefish. By characterising the biodiversity of toxins found in the venoms of different fish, the evolutionary history of venom in this major vertebrate lineage can be revealed. The investigations proposed here will also determine the functional activities of different venoms and their components. This will not only help the understanding of the medical consequences of the annual thousands of fish envenomings but also explore a largely unstudied resource for the discovery of new pharmacological diagnostics and therapeutics.Read moreRead less