Parasite virulence: the role of activation and suppression of P2X7 receptors. Toxoplasmosis and leishmaniasis pose a threat to the health and well-being of the Australian human and animal populations. Around 6-8 million Australians are infected with Toxoplasma, a parasite that can cause severe problems in immunosuppressed individuals and birth defects and miscarriage in pregnant women with a primary infection. Toxoplasmosis is also the main cause of abortion and stillbirth in Australian sheep. L ....Parasite virulence: the role of activation and suppression of P2X7 receptors. Toxoplasmosis and leishmaniasis pose a threat to the health and well-being of the Australian human and animal populations. Around 6-8 million Australians are infected with Toxoplasma, a parasite that can cause severe problems in immunosuppressed individuals and birth defects and miscarriage in pregnant women with a primary infection. Toxoplasmosis is also the main cause of abortion and stillbirth in Australian sheep. Leishmaniasis, recently found in Australia, is a risk for overseas travellers, livestock and wildlife. This research will provide an understanding of what makes these parasites successful, paving the way for development of novel drugs to combat these chronic diseases.Read moreRead less
INTRINSIC PROPERTIES OF THE PORE FORMING DOMAIN OF THE RYANODINE RECEPTOR CALCIUM CHANNEL. The project is to understand how a calcium ion channel is able to regulate muscle performance. The ion channel, known as the ryanodine receptor, is essential for human and animal survival. The results of the project will be integral to understanding muscle performance in humans and will have long term implications for Australian sports physiology and sports science. The project will also be integral to ....INTRINSIC PROPERTIES OF THE PORE FORMING DOMAIN OF THE RYANODINE RECEPTOR CALCIUM CHANNEL. The project is to understand how a calcium ion channel is able to regulate muscle performance. The ion channel, known as the ryanodine receptor, is essential for human and animal survival. The results of the project will be integral to understanding muscle performance in humans and will have long term implications for Australian sports physiology and sports science. The project will also be integral to understanding muscle performance and development in animals and will have repercussions for the Australian livestock and racing industries. The results may lead to the development of new insecticides since insect mobility depends on ryanodine receptor activity. This will benefit to Australian agriculture.Read moreRead less
The role of the Ttyh1 protein in cell activation. We have cloned TTYH1, a human homologue of the Drosophila melanogaster tweety gene. The mouse gene has also been identified. The predicted structure of the protein is a membrane protein with 5 transmembrane domains. We have also expressed a GFP-tagged fusion protein in mouse fibroblasts. Confocal microscopy indicates that this protein is likely to be a novel adhesion molecule, with a cellular distribution characteristic of molecules such as integ ....The role of the Ttyh1 protein in cell activation. We have cloned TTYH1, a human homologue of the Drosophila melanogaster tweety gene. The mouse gene has also been identified. The predicted structure of the protein is a membrane protein with 5 transmembrane domains. We have also expressed a GFP-tagged fusion protein in mouse fibroblasts. Confocal microscopy indicates that this protein is likely to be a novel adhesion molecule, with a cellular distribution characteristic of molecules such as integrins. We aim to determine the function of Ttyh1, its interacting intra- and extra-cellular proteins and to assess its candidature as a molecule of importance in cell migration and adhesion.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354622
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$20,000.00
Summary
Genes and Environment in Development. Interactions between the early environment and the genetic regulatory program of the early embryo have major consequences for the development of individuals. The aim of this Network is to harness the resources of leading researchers from the previously distinct disciplines of developmental biology and developmental physiology to better understand developmental regulatory networks and how environmental factors impinge on them. The formation of such a Network ....Genes and Environment in Development. Interactions between the early environment and the genetic regulatory program of the early embryo have major consequences for the development of individuals. The aim of this Network is to harness the resources of leading researchers from the previously distinct disciplines of developmental biology and developmental physiology to better understand developmental regulatory networks and how environmental factors impinge on them. The formation of such a Network is unique, timely and strategic in that it will generate new insights into the mechanisms by which events in early life determine the risk of adverse outcomes in perinatal and adult life.Read moreRead less
ARC/NHMRC Research Network in Genes and Environment in Development. Interactions between the early environment and the genetic regulatory program of the developing organism have major consequences for the lifetime health of individuals. The primary objective of the Network in Genes and Environment in Development is to harness the resources of leading researchers from the currently distinct disciplines of developmental biology and developmental physiology to define key developmental regulatory ne ....ARC/NHMRC Research Network in Genes and Environment in Development. Interactions between the early environment and the genetic regulatory program of the developing organism have major consequences for the lifetime health of individuals. The primary objective of the Network in Genes and Environment in Development is to harness the resources of leading researchers from the currently distinct disciplines of developmental biology and developmental physiology to define key developmental regulatory networks and to address how environmental factors impinge on these regulatory networks. The formation of this National Research Network is unique, timely and strategic. It will generate new insights into the mechanisms by which events in early life determine the risk of adverse outcomes in perinatal and adult life.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140100864
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$394,334.00
Summary
Discovering The Effect of alpha-actinin-3 Deficiency on Muscle Adaptations to Exercise Training in Humans. The protein alpha-actinin-3 is expressed in fast muscle fibres. A common gene variant results in complete deficiency in alpha-actinin-3 that has been shown to influence athletic performance. A mouse model has been previously generated to demonstrate that alpha-actinin-3 deficiency results in a significant shift in fast muscle fibres, towards the slow, more efficient muscle fibres. This proj ....Discovering The Effect of alpha-actinin-3 Deficiency on Muscle Adaptations to Exercise Training in Humans. The protein alpha-actinin-3 is expressed in fast muscle fibres. A common gene variant results in complete deficiency in alpha-actinin-3 that has been shown to influence athletic performance. A mouse model has been previously generated to demonstrate that alpha-actinin-3 deficiency results in a significant shift in fast muscle fibres, towards the slow, more efficient muscle fibres. This project will demonstrate the effects of alpha-actinin-3 deficiency on the characteristics of human muscle pre and post exercise training. Outcomes will include major applications for personalising health recommendations and in designing preventative programs for ageing.Read moreRead less
The Awakening of Faith and New Confucian Philosophy. This project aims to provide a new understanding of how New Confucian philosophy was constructed in modern China. It proposes to debunk the prevailing myth that modern Chinese philosophy owes its identity as a continuation of Confucianism, to the exclusion of the fundamentally ‘foreign’ influence of Buddhism. It is anticipated that this project will substantially advance the knowledge base of Chinese philosophy both in Australia and internatio ....The Awakening of Faith and New Confucian Philosophy. This project aims to provide a new understanding of how New Confucian philosophy was constructed in modern China. It proposes to debunk the prevailing myth that modern Chinese philosophy owes its identity as a continuation of Confucianism, to the exclusion of the fundamentally ‘foreign’ influence of Buddhism. It is anticipated that this project will substantially advance the knowledge base of Chinese philosophy both in Australia and internationally, and will also contribute to a more informed understanding of the philosophical and religious traditions our neighbours use to define national and cultural identity.Read moreRead less
Sisters and Sojourners: Stories of Rural Women in Urban China. A large increase in unofficial rural to urban migration has been one of the most significant aspects of social change in China in the last two decades. This project aims to advance our understanding of this phenomenon through a study of rural Chinese women's experiences of migration to the city, and in particular, the effects of migration upon their sense of identity, worldview and relationships with others. The project will involv ....Sisters and Sojourners: Stories of Rural Women in Urban China. A large increase in unofficial rural to urban migration has been one of the most significant aspects of social change in China in the last two decades. This project aims to advance our understanding of this phenomenon through a study of rural Chinese women's experiences of migration to the city, and in particular, the effects of migration upon their sense of identity, worldview and relationships with others. The project will involve ethnographic fieldwork, centring on the collection and analysis of rural migrant women's life stories. It will result in the publication of a book and three scholarly articles.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240100386
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$435,875.00
Summary
Anti-racist neuroethics for epistemic justice in mental health research. Racial/ethnic minorities are underrepresented in brain and mental health (BMH) research, risking inadequate healthcare for the 9.5 million minorities in Australia. With the $73 billion annual cost of BMH disorders to the country, all Australians should equally benefit from BMH research. This project aims to develop recommendations to make BMH research more diverse and inclusive. It will audit representation of minorities in ....Anti-racist neuroethics for epistemic justice in mental health research. Racial/ethnic minorities are underrepresented in brain and mental health (BMH) research, risking inadequate healthcare for the 9.5 million minorities in Australia. With the $73 billion annual cost of BMH disorders to the country, all Australians should equally benefit from BMH research. This project aims to develop recommendations to make BMH research more diverse and inclusive. It will audit representation of minorities in Australian BMH publications and will conduct surveys, interviews, and workshops with scientists to determine institutional barriers to the inclusion of and engagement with minorities in research. This project will draw from concepts of epistemic justice and anti-racism to develop ethical frameworks for BMH racial equity.Read moreRead less
The sexual cultures of Thai men; implications for Australia's international HIV/AIDS strategy. This project contributes to safeguarding Australia's national interests by supporting the implementation of AusAID's international HIV/AIDS strategy laid out in the policy document 'Meeting the Challenge: Australia's International HIV/AIDS Strategy' (2004). This project directly addresses research priorities identified in the analytical report for the White Paper on Australia's AID program, 'HIV/AIDS i ....The sexual cultures of Thai men; implications for Australia's international HIV/AIDS strategy. This project contributes to safeguarding Australia's national interests by supporting the implementation of AusAID's international HIV/AIDS strategy laid out in the policy document 'Meeting the Challenge: Australia's International HIV/AIDS Strategy' (2004). This project directly addresses research priorities identified in the analytical report for the White Paper on Australia's AID program, 'HIV/AIDS in the Asia Pacific Region' (AusAID 2005): (1) the cultural, economic, and political dynamics driving the HIV epidemic in Asia; (2) the nexus between HIV/AIDS, economic activity, and development; and (3) the Asian experience of feminisation and gender impacts as factors in the epidemic HIV in the region.Read moreRead less