The evolutionary transition from anaerobic to aerobic metabolism. This project aims to find out how life on Earth survived the revolutionary changes when cyanobacteria first released oxygen into the atmosphere. These events led to a transition from anoxic (oxygen-free) to oxic (oxygen-rich) conditions. A comparative genomic view across a series of photosynthetic organisms will be performed at the molecular level with ecological interpretation. Understanding of what metabolic changes occurred in ....The evolutionary transition from anaerobic to aerobic metabolism. This project aims to find out how life on Earth survived the revolutionary changes when cyanobacteria first released oxygen into the atmosphere. These events led to a transition from anoxic (oxygen-free) to oxic (oxygen-rich) conditions. A comparative genomic view across a series of photosynthetic organisms will be performed at the molecular level with ecological interpretation. Understanding of what metabolic changes occurred in response to the shifts in the environment will have wide implications for predicting the evolutionary events that are still occurring today, such as rapidly changing climatic conditions. This fundamental research will enhance Australia's profile in this field.Read moreRead less
The link between environmental stress and disease onset in prawn aquaculture. The federal government has set a target for prawn aquaculture production to increase fourfold by 2010. A major barrier is disease: losses of 20% of production to viral diseases are not uncommon. To be internationally competitive, Australia needs to develop high health production systems. Most prawn stock carry chronic viral infections, but only exhibit disease symptoms following environmental stress. This project will ....The link between environmental stress and disease onset in prawn aquaculture. The federal government has set a target for prawn aquaculture production to increase fourfold by 2010. A major barrier is disease: losses of 20% of production to viral diseases are not uncommon. To be internationally competitive, Australia needs to develop high health production systems. Most prawn stock carry chronic viral infections, but only exhibit disease symptoms following environmental stress. This project will identify environmental stressors that activate viral disease in Penaeus monodon. Outcomes will be incorporated into on-farm managerial regimes to minimize risk of crop loss to disease. Development of biomarkers as indicators of stress related risks may be commercialized.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100130
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$850,000.00
Summary
Systems biology: New generation DNA sequencing to functional analysis. The technique of DNA sequencing (or 'reading' the lines of the four repeating letters that make up the genetic code) illustrates how technological developments have become the main drivers in exploring the roles of genetic factors across a spectrum of research activities. Funding provided through this ARC grant will allow the purchase of the latest DNA sequencing platform, the Illumina Solexa, as well as equipment that will b ....Systems biology: New generation DNA sequencing to functional analysis. The technique of DNA sequencing (or 'reading' the lines of the four repeating letters that make up the genetic code) illustrates how technological developments have become the main drivers in exploring the roles of genetic factors across a spectrum of research activities. Funding provided through this ARC grant will allow the purchase of the latest DNA sequencing platform, the Illumina Solexa, as well as equipment that will be used to understand the biological function of the DNA sequencing results that are obtained. The equipment will allow Australian researchers to compete on an equal footing with the international leaders in understanding the roles played by genes in plants, microorganisms, animals and humans.Read moreRead less
Membrane attack complex/perforin-like proteins in developmental and neurobiology. This project will aim to use the fruit fly as a model system to understand how members of the perforin-like superfamily, a family of proteins more usually associated with mammalian immunity, function in embryonic and neural development. These data will eventually provide central insight into human diseases such as cancer and autism spectrum disorder.
Mechanosensitive properties and modulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors by lipid environment. This project will provide new information about the molecular determinants which influence NMDA receptor channel gating that will significantly advance our understanding of a link between NMDA receptor function and many neurodegenerative diseases as well as pain and learning and memory. The outcomes of this project may lead to the discovery of novel lipid-based biomaterials for application i ....Mechanosensitive properties and modulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors by lipid environment. This project will provide new information about the molecular determinants which influence NMDA receptor channel gating that will significantly advance our understanding of a link between NMDA receptor function and many neurodegenerative diseases as well as pain and learning and memory. The outcomes of this project may lead to the discovery of novel lipid-based biomaterials for application in medicine and the drug industry. This research is highly significant in relation to human health. The biological and nutritional aspects of polyunsaturated lipids and dietary fish oils have long been recognized. Thus this project will provide further knowledge that could benefit the health of the nation with consequent reduced health care costs.Read moreRead less
Defining a role for non-coding RNAs in gonadal sex differentiation. This project aims to increase knowledge in the area of developmental biology, studying how gene regulation by so-called non-coding RNAs contributes to tissue patterning. The project plans to use a unique model system: gonadal development in the chicken embryo. It also plans to use novel molecular approaches that exploit the chicken model to study the role of microRNAs and a long non-coding RNA in patterning the embryonic gonad. ....Defining a role for non-coding RNAs in gonadal sex differentiation. This project aims to increase knowledge in the area of developmental biology, studying how gene regulation by so-called non-coding RNAs contributes to tissue patterning. The project plans to use a unique model system: gonadal development in the chicken embryo. It also plans to use novel molecular approaches that exploit the chicken model to study the role of microRNAs and a long non-coding RNA in patterning the embryonic gonad. The project aims to provide a deeper understanding of how genes operate to control tissue patterning and organogenesis. It may thus inform the field of sex determination specifically, and, more broadly, stem cell biology and tissue engineering.Read moreRead less
Senataxin, A Novel Protein Involved In The DNA Damage Response
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,460.00
Summary
The human genome is constantly exposed to agents-chemicals that cause DNA damage. Some of these are generated during normal metabolism and are referred to as reactive oxygen species while others comprise damaging sunlight, radiation and a variety of chemical agents. These agents can lead to cancer and a range of pathologies to different tissues including deterioration of brain function. This project is designed to investigate these processes using a specific genetic disorder as a model system. T ....The human genome is constantly exposed to agents-chemicals that cause DNA damage. Some of these are generated during normal metabolism and are referred to as reactive oxygen species while others comprise damaging sunlight, radiation and a variety of chemical agents. These agents can lead to cancer and a range of pathologies to different tissues including deterioration of brain function. This project is designed to investigate these processes using a specific genetic disorder as a model system. This disorder is called ataxia with oculomotor apraxia type 2 or AOA2. This condition develops in the teenage to early twenties and as the name suggests is characterised by loss of control of gait together with difficulties of eye movement. It is due to reduced function of a particular region of the brain called the cerebellum responsible for controlling movement. We have initial data suggesting that cells from these patients are very sensitive to environmental chemicals and their capacity to carry out repair of damage to DNA is compromised. We will investigate the nature of the defect at the molecular level and establish the function of the protein defective in this syndrome. This information will be important to determining specific therapies for AOA2 patients and may also have relevance to other neurodegenerative disorders.Read moreRead less
Insulin transport into the central nervous system. This project aims to understand transportation of peripheral insulin into the central nervous system and how it maintains energy balance. Insulin is essential for normal physiological functioning in the periphery and central nervous system, but some circumstances, including high-fat diets, reduce insulin signalling in the brain. This project examines the mechanisms of insulin transport into the central nervous system, and may improve our underst ....Insulin transport into the central nervous system. This project aims to understand transportation of peripheral insulin into the central nervous system and how it maintains energy balance. Insulin is essential for normal physiological functioning in the periphery and central nervous system, but some circumstances, including high-fat diets, reduce insulin signalling in the brain. This project examines the mechanisms of insulin transport into the central nervous system, and may improve our understanding of blood brain barrier insulin transport and dysfunction.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120101615
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
How does viviparity evolve? Genetic perspectives from a unique model system. By integrating decades of Australian natural history research with the same technology that allowed researchers to sequence the genome of the woolly mammoth, this project seeks to uncover the genetic mechanisms responsible for the transition from egg-laying to live-bearing in reptiles.