Heat regulation by the fibre types in muscle. Mammals maintain a constant core body temperature by generating heat in resting muscles in response to changes in the environmental temperatures. This project aims to show how the fibre types that make up skeletal muscles regulate heat generation against other muscle function, to maintain core body temperature and the normal movement and posture of the mammal. Project outcomes include defining, for the first time, how heat generation in the muscles o ....Heat regulation by the fibre types in muscle. Mammals maintain a constant core body temperature by generating heat in resting muscles in response to changes in the environmental temperatures. This project aims to show how the fibre types that make up skeletal muscles regulate heat generation against other muscle function, to maintain core body temperature and the normal movement and posture of the mammal. Project outcomes include defining, for the first time, how heat generation in the muscles of the body is regulated. This should provide critical knowledge of mammalian evolution and ways to manipulate metabolism, which may provide ways to assist with achieving a desired meat quality and yield in beef and other commercially important animals.Read moreRead less
Interrogating the extremes of skeletal muscle plasticity in vertebrates. This project aims to interrogate how muscles adapt to growth and endurance stimuli at different stages of life, relevant to addressing challenges facing the world’s ageing population. Using innovative gene technologies and molecular physiology in zebrafish and mice, this project will answer important, unresolved questions in muscle biology. The project will generate knowledge needed to develop interventions to improve quali ....Interrogating the extremes of skeletal muscle plasticity in vertebrates. This project aims to interrogate how muscles adapt to growth and endurance stimuli at different stages of life, relevant to addressing challenges facing the world’s ageing population. Using innovative gene technologies and molecular physiology in zebrafish and mice, this project will answer important, unresolved questions in muscle biology. The project will generate knowledge needed to develop interventions to improve quality of life for older Australians and address the physical realities of an ageing workforce. Benefits extend to enhancing workplace safety and productivity, improving farming efficiencies for livestock and aquaculture industries, and training emerging leaders in the biological sciences.Read moreRead less
How are sperm mitochondria eliminated after fertilisation . The fact that mitochondria are inherited exclusively through the maternal germ-line is fundamental feature of sexual reproduction in all but a few organisms. This uni-parental inheritance is thought to prevent genetic conflict between different mitochondrial genomes. The mechanisms controlling uniparental inheritance involve eliminating the sperm mitochondria soon after fertilisation. We will investigate 2 possible mechanisms, (1) acti .... How are sperm mitochondria eliminated after fertilisation . The fact that mitochondria are inherited exclusively through the maternal germ-line is fundamental feature of sexual reproduction in all but a few organisms. This uni-parental inheritance is thought to prevent genetic conflict between different mitochondrial genomes. The mechanisms controlling uniparental inheritance involve eliminating the sperm mitochondria soon after fertilisation. We will investigate 2 possible mechanisms, (1) active destruction and (2) passive dilution. The results will help explain how heteroplasmy is avoided in order to maintain the fitness of organisms including animals and humans. The results will have long term insights into improving breeding in agriculture and in the prevention of mitochondrial genetic disease.Read moreRead less
Understanding why mammalian eggs have so much mitochondrial DNA . During oocyte growth there is massive increase in the replication of mitochondrial DNA so that each ovulated egg has 200,000-400,000 copies of the mitochondrial genome. This mitochondrial compliment will provide the template for all mitochondrial DNA in the subsequent organism. The established role of mitochondria is to provide energy in the form of ATP, but they are also known to be highly adaptive to the metabolic and energetic ....Understanding why mammalian eggs have so much mitochondrial DNA . During oocyte growth there is massive increase in the replication of mitochondrial DNA so that each ovulated egg has 200,000-400,000 copies of the mitochondrial genome. This mitochondrial compliment will provide the template for all mitochondrial DNA in the subsequent organism. The established role of mitochondria is to provide energy in the form of ATP, but they are also known to be highly adaptive to the metabolic and energetic state of the cell. In this project, we will use genetic approaches to decrease the amount of oocyte mitochondrial DNA by 90%. We will examine how this influences mitochondrial organisation, oocyte metabolism and embryo development. This new knowledge will provide insights into animal breeding and human health.Read moreRead less
Using Drosophila to analyse a master regulator of epithelial homeostasis. Aims:
This proposal aims to use genetic and cell biological analysis of the vinegar fly, Drosophila, to identify the function of the grainyhead gene in intestinal regeneration.
Significance:
This gene is conserved in all animal species and appears to be a master regulator of epithelial tissue development but it is unclear how it can both influence stem cell maintenance and production of functional cell types.
Expected out ....Using Drosophila to analyse a master regulator of epithelial homeostasis. Aims:
This proposal aims to use genetic and cell biological analysis of the vinegar fly, Drosophila, to identify the function of the grainyhead gene in intestinal regeneration.
Significance:
This gene is conserved in all animal species and appears to be a master regulator of epithelial tissue development but it is unclear how it can both influence stem cell maintenance and production of functional cell types.
Expected outcomes:
We will identify a new mechanism that governs tissue development, and introduce new imaging and genetic technologies to the Australian research community.
Benefit:
We expect potential economic and commercial interest in development of new gene analysis tools and biotechnological tissue manipulation applications.Read moreRead less
Understanding How the Hungry Brain Regulates Metabolism. Energy homeostasis is essential for life as it ensures an adequate supply of fuel to cells of the body. This process is orchestrated by neurons in the hypothalamus of the brain. This project aims to determine the role of the extracellular matrix that surrounds hypothalamic neurons and how this regulates energy homeostasis, an area of science that is completely unexplored. This project expects to identify the composition the extracellular m ....Understanding How the Hungry Brain Regulates Metabolism. Energy homeostasis is essential for life as it ensures an adequate supply of fuel to cells of the body. This process is orchestrated by neurons in the hypothalamus of the brain. This project aims to determine the role of the extracellular matrix that surrounds hypothalamic neurons and how this regulates energy homeostasis, an area of science that is completely unexplored. This project expects to identify the composition the extracellular matrix within the hypothalamus and discover how it regulates energy homeostasis. The outcomes of this project are to provide new knowledge in understanding how the brain regulates metabolism, to promote population health & wellbeing, develop new technologies and training the next generation of researchers.Read moreRead less
Is SPINT1 a key regulator of placental development? . The placenta is an essential organ required for reproduction in placental species. This project aims to elucidate the fundamental biology of SPINT1 in placental development. It will generate new knowledge about whether the spatial and temporal expression of SPINT1 is conserved across several species; cow, sheep, lizard, mouse and human. It will also define the molecular mechanisms by which SPINT1 directs formation, maturation and expansion o ....Is SPINT1 a key regulator of placental development? . The placenta is an essential organ required for reproduction in placental species. This project aims to elucidate the fundamental biology of SPINT1 in placental development. It will generate new knowledge about whether the spatial and temporal expression of SPINT1 is conserved across several species; cow, sheep, lizard, mouse and human. It will also define the molecular mechanisms by which SPINT1 directs formation, maturation and expansion of the placental exchange interface which is critical for offspring survival.
The project will increase understanding of placental development, enhance collaboration and research knowhow, and promote future applied projects in all species that reproduce via placental support.Read moreRead less
Understanding uterine contractility for reducing newborn lamb mortality. The project aims to elucidate the mechanisms underlying normal and dysfunctional uterine contractions in labouring ewes. Significantly, ~20% of newborn lambs die within days of birth, costing the Australian sheep industry more than $780 million annually. Difficult lambing is the leading cause of lamb mortality and weak uterine contractions are the most important contributor to difficult labour (dystocia). Intended outcomes ....Understanding uterine contractility for reducing newborn lamb mortality. The project aims to elucidate the mechanisms underlying normal and dysfunctional uterine contractions in labouring ewes. Significantly, ~20% of newborn lambs die within days of birth, costing the Australian sheep industry more than $780 million annually. Difficult lambing is the leading cause of lamb mortality and weak uterine contractions are the most important contributor to difficult labour (dystocia). Intended outcomes include a better understanding of dysfunctional labour contractions in sheep, and this knowledge could then contribute to the identification of more specific targets for genetic testing for dystocia. The benefits should include more specific aids for selective breeding programs for improved productivity and profitability.Read moreRead less
Purinergic signalling in placentation and vascular adaptation in pregnancy. Our traditional understanding of purinergic signalling in the placenta is significantly outdated and incomplete. The placenta is critical for reproduction in all eutherian mammals, delivering critical nutrition and oxygen to the developing fetus. This project aims to define the role of purinergic signalling as a critical mechanism driving placentation and angiogenesis. This is the first study of its kind and will use sop ....Purinergic signalling in placentation and vascular adaptation in pregnancy. Our traditional understanding of purinergic signalling in the placenta is significantly outdated and incomplete. The placenta is critical for reproduction in all eutherian mammals, delivering critical nutrition and oxygen to the developing fetus. This project aims to define the role of purinergic signalling as a critical mechanism driving placentation and angiogenesis. This is the first study of its kind and will use sophisticated models to improve our fundamental understanding and ability to manipulate mammalian reproduction via the purinoreceptors. This proposal builds on my skills and expertise; improving our knowledge of the processes driving placental and vascular morphogenesis and offers important discoveries for reproductive science.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210100103
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$459,674.00
Summary
Fortifying animal and plant germ cells against proteotoxic stress. Cellular stress is responsible for widespread inefficiencies in plant and animal reproduction. Using high resolution proteomics and cryo-electron microscopy, this project aims to investigate how plant and animal germ cells respond to environmental stresses that are known to disrupt fertility, and assess two novel strategies to decrease the sensitivity of cells to stress. This project is expected to generate new global knowledge i ....Fortifying animal and plant germ cells against proteotoxic stress. Cellular stress is responsible for widespread inefficiencies in plant and animal reproduction. Using high resolution proteomics and cryo-electron microscopy, this project aims to investigate how plant and animal germ cells respond to environmental stresses that are known to disrupt fertility, and assess two novel strategies to decrease the sensitivity of cells to stress. This project is expected to generate new global knowledge in the area of fertility regulation with the potential to improve the tolerance of crop species to heat stress, prevent economic losses and help to secure future food production. Further, this project has the intended benefit of improving the fertility of animal species that suffer from stress-induced infertility.
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