Understanding fungal diversity and functioning in forest soils using molecular and stable isotope approaches. The project aims to investigate fungal community structure and functioning in forest soils using novel molecular, stable isotope and physiological approaches. This will provide new insights into the linkage between diversity and functioning in forest soil fungal communities and the importance of these organisms in ecosystem processes. In addition, this pioneering research will facilitate ....Understanding fungal diversity and functioning in forest soils using molecular and stable isotope approaches. The project aims to investigate fungal community structure and functioning in forest soils using novel molecular, stable isotope and physiological approaches. This will provide new insights into the linkage between diversity and functioning in forest soil fungal communities and the importance of these organisms in ecosystem processes. In addition, this pioneering research will facilitate development and refinement of methodologies that will pave the way for future investigations of fungal ecology. The on-going collaboration will produce high quality joint publications and provide significant opportunities for early career researchers to gain international experience in a dynamic research environment.Read moreRead less
Exploiting microbial metabolites to understand fungal biology. The project aims to investigate the principles of hyphal growth in fungi, by studying the mechanisms of action of a bacteria-derived compound that inhibits hyphae. Changing cell shape between yeast and hyphae is a prototype developmental switch enabling fungi to escape stressful environments, while hyphal invasion promotes fungal infections of animals and plants that endanger food security and biodiversity. By using interdisciplinary ....Exploiting microbial metabolites to understand fungal biology. The project aims to investigate the principles of hyphal growth in fungi, by studying the mechanisms of action of a bacteria-derived compound that inhibits hyphae. Changing cell shape between yeast and hyphae is a prototype developmental switch enabling fungi to escape stressful environments, while hyphal invasion promotes fungal infections of animals and plants that endanger food security and biodiversity. By using interdisciplinary approaches of microbiology and chemistry, the expected outcomes are to generate deep knowledge of an important microbial process and how it could be modulated, characterise a new bacterial compound and build research capacity at the nexus of biology and chemistry to benefit discoveries in academia and industry.Read moreRead less
Understanding an exotic disease: Initiation of sex and infection by the sugarcane smut Ustilago scitaminea. Australian sugar exports generate almost $2 billion in annual sales, making the sugar industry a critical facet of the Australian economy. In 2006, Australia's primary sugar producing region came under threat when an outbreak of sugarcane smut caused by the fungus Ustilago scitaminea first appeared in Queensland. Management of this potentially devastating disease has focused on breeding pr ....Understanding an exotic disease: Initiation of sex and infection by the sugarcane smut Ustilago scitaminea. Australian sugar exports generate almost $2 billion in annual sales, making the sugar industry a critical facet of the Australian economy. In 2006, Australia's primary sugar producing region came under threat when an outbreak of sugarcane smut caused by the fungus Ustilago scitaminea first appeared in Queensland. Management of this potentially devastating disease has focused on breeding programmes aimed at developing resistant sugarcane cultivars, a complex process hampered by a lack of information about the mechanisms of smut resistance. Our research will provide key insight into the mechanisms by which U. scitaminea infects sugarcane, directing future breeding efforts and protecting this valuable industry against further outbreaks.Read moreRead less
A novel approach to fighting fungal infections: targeted disruption of hydrophobin monolayers. Fungal infestations of important crops such as cotton cause large economic losses to Australian agriculture while in the medical sector, fungal infections are responsible for high levels of mortality in immunocompromised patients. Our research will provide a new approach to fighting fungal infections by targeting the hydrophobin proteins, which form a robust coating on fungal aerial structures, such as ....A novel approach to fighting fungal infections: targeted disruption of hydrophobin monolayers. Fungal infestations of important crops such as cotton cause large economic losses to Australian agriculture while in the medical sector, fungal infections are responsible for high levels of mortality in immunocompromised patients. Our research will provide a new approach to fighting fungal infections by targeting the hydrophobin proteins, which form a robust coating on fungal aerial structures, such as spores. This layer is critical for fungal growth and reproduction and confers water resistance and tolerance to harsh conditions. Our work seeks to develop reagents that can specifically block regions on the protein that are responsible for forming this coating.
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Exploring the genetic and functional diversity nexus in ericoid mycorrhizal and related symbioses. Epacrids are important components of the Australian flora and several are considered threatened, yet we know relatively little regarding the importance of ericoid mycorrhizal fungal diversity to their survival. The proposed work will provide essential information on the functional significance of ericoid mycorrhizal endophyte diversity in the growth and survival of epacrids. It will further lead to ....Exploring the genetic and functional diversity nexus in ericoid mycorrhizal and related symbioses. Epacrids are important components of the Australian flora and several are considered threatened, yet we know relatively little regarding the importance of ericoid mycorrhizal fungal diversity to their survival. The proposed work will provide essential information on the functional significance of ericoid mycorrhizal endophyte diversity in the growth and survival of epacrids. It will further lead to improved propagation of epacrids and better informed decisions for sustainable management of Australian native vegetation.Read moreRead less
Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development - Grant ID: DI0668388
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$87,458.00
Summary
The genetic basis for bioactivity in the traditional medicine plants of Australia. A plant species that produces a bioactive compound usually produce the compound in very small amounts. To allow for marketable levels of production of the bioactive compound, numerous amounts of plants would need to be removed from the environment. This not only removes the limited supply of possibly rare types of plants from the environment but also denies the use of this plant by traditional people. Locating and ....The genetic basis for bioactivity in the traditional medicine plants of Australia. A plant species that produces a bioactive compound usually produce the compound in very small amounts. To allow for marketable levels of production of the bioactive compound, numerous amounts of plants would need to be removed from the environment. This not only removes the limited supply of possibly rare types of plants from the environment but also denies the use of this plant by traditional people. Locating and using the genes responsible for producing these bioactive compounds will allow their sustainable biosynthesis.Read moreRead less