Uncovering vertebrate lifespan biodiversity with whole genome sequencing. This project aims to integrate existing data on the genetic mechanisms of lifespan evolution in model systems with a novel combination of whole genome sequencing and comparative phylogenomics to reveal the common genomic signatures of lifespan evolution in vertebrates. Expected outcomes include a perspective on the evolution of lifespan, a topic of major health interest for Australia and the rest of the developed world. Th ....Uncovering vertebrate lifespan biodiversity with whole genome sequencing. This project aims to integrate existing data on the genetic mechanisms of lifespan evolution in model systems with a novel combination of whole genome sequencing and comparative phylogenomics to reveal the common genomic signatures of lifespan evolution in vertebrates. Expected outcomes include a perspective on the evolution of lifespan, a topic of major health interest for Australia and the rest of the developed world. This will provide significant benefits, such as long-term implications for aging research, with possible business applications. It will also increase Australia’s visibility and competitiveness in the developing field of bioinformatics.Read moreRead less
Genome dynamics following plastid endosymbiosis. Plastid endosymbiosis events (enslavement of an algal cell inside of a host cell to form a plastid) are difficult to pinpoint because the genomic data required for a broad array of species are rarely available. Furthermore, the classical method used to infer endosymbiotic gene transfers is being criticised. This project will elucidate the origin of chlorarachniophyte and dinoflagellate plastids and characterise the genome dynamics following endosy ....Genome dynamics following plastid endosymbiosis. Plastid endosymbiosis events (enslavement of an algal cell inside of a host cell to form a plastid) are difficult to pinpoint because the genomic data required for a broad array of species are rarely available. Furthermore, the classical method used to infer endosymbiotic gene transfers is being criticised. This project will elucidate the origin of chlorarachniophyte and dinoflagellate plastids and characterise the genome dynamics following endosymbiosis. It uses densely sampled genome data obtained with high-throughput sequencing technologies. Simulation studies will be used to evaluate methods for inferring endosymbiotic gene transfer and alignment-free methods will be used to improve phylogenomic pipelines.Read moreRead less
To eat or not to eat? How symbiotic bacteria manipulate the phagocytic behaviour of their eukaryotic host. Bacteria often live in close association with eukaryotic cells, ranging from simple amoeba to humans. This project will identify key factors that control their interactions and will yield important information on the evolution of beneficial or harmful relationships.
Understanding specificity and flexibility in coral symbioses. This project aims to understand why some corals can switch algal partners while others remain faithful to a single strain. This is important because corals depend on their symbiotic algal partners for survival and because some algae provide greater resilience to environmental stress than others. This project will greatly enhance our understanding of the molecular and physiological factors governing flexibility and specificity in coral ....Understanding specificity and flexibility in coral symbioses. This project aims to understand why some corals can switch algal partners while others remain faithful to a single strain. This is important because corals depend on their symbiotic algal partners for survival and because some algae provide greater resilience to environmental stress than others. This project will greatly enhance our understanding of the molecular and physiological factors governing flexibility and specificity in coral-algal symbioses. It will provide much-needed knowledge required to identify associations most appropriate for specific conditions, prioritise populations for conservation, and assess the feasibility of new approaches to managing and restoring coral reefs.
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Improving access to phylogenomic resources for under-resourced species: a new look at existing tools. This project will have an impact on our understanding of how to most effectively use existing genomic resources to benefit a wider range of species and to better design new genomic resources. By doing so, improved access to genomic resources will be provided to species that currently have few options.
Ancestral state reconstruction and the evolution of Australian marsupials. This project aims to investigate the diversification and evolvability of Australian marsupials, by enabling genomes, ecology and 3D skeletal shape to synergistically inform evolutionary inference. This project expects to generate new knowledge of the processes that have promoted and maintained marsupial biodiversity, by tracing their evolution across a fossil gap that spans half of their history. Expected outcomes of this ....Ancestral state reconstruction and the evolution of Australian marsupials. This project aims to investigate the diversification and evolvability of Australian marsupials, by enabling genomes, ecology and 3D skeletal shape to synergistically inform evolutionary inference. This project expects to generate new knowledge of the processes that have promoted and maintained marsupial biodiversity, by tracing their evolution across a fossil gap that spans half of their history. Expected outcomes of this project include improved methods for merging fossils into the tree of life and for reconstructing the ecology and morphology of ancestors on phylogenetic trees. This should provide significant benefits, such as a coherent evolutionary context for informing research on marsupial biology, ecology and conservation.Read moreRead less
Asgard archaea: the first eukaryotic cells? . This project aims to uncover the role of unique microorganisms (Asgard archaea) in the origin of eukaryotes. These archaea may represent a ‘missing-link’ in eukaryotic evolution and are in abundance in the stromatolites in Shark Bay, Western Australia. Employing an innovative and interdisciplinary approach of cutting-edge molecular biology and high-resolution microscopy, this project expects to generate insights into fundamental aspects of evolution ....Asgard archaea: the first eukaryotic cells? . This project aims to uncover the role of unique microorganisms (Asgard archaea) in the origin of eukaryotes. These archaea may represent a ‘missing-link’ in eukaryotic evolution and are in abundance in the stromatolites in Shark Bay, Western Australia. Employing an innovative and interdisciplinary approach of cutting-edge molecular biology and high-resolution microscopy, this project expects to generate insights into fundamental aspects of evolution and cell biology. Expected outcomes include the discovery of unique branches of life and the proposal of new models for the emergence of eukaryotes. This research should allow for benefits across a spectrum of environmental and social gains, including improved ties with Indigenous communities.Read moreRead less
Evaporative water loss and relative water economy in marsupials. Marsupials are an iconic element of the Australian fauna, so the robust physiological database we will establish has intrinsic educational and scientific value to Australians. We will provide important methodological and analytical advances at the cutting edge of physiological research. This project will sustain our leading role as marsupial physiologists in the international scientific community, contribute to the high-quality tra ....Evaporative water loss and relative water economy in marsupials. Marsupials are an iconic element of the Australian fauna, so the robust physiological database we will establish has intrinsic educational and scientific value to Australians. We will provide important methodological and analytical advances at the cutting edge of physiological research. This project will sustain our leading role as marsupial physiologists in the international scientific community, contribute to the high-quality training of research students, foster national and international collaboration, and generally enhance the scientific profile of Australia. Knowledge of a species' biology and its interactions with the environment are essential for conservation in the face of landscape modification and climate change.Read moreRead less
Genetic mechanisms of metabolic control and thermal sensing during thermoregulation. This research will significantly advance understanding of how animals can respond to climate change, and the results will benefit wildlife management processes. The proposed research will lead to collaboration with Prof. Ken Storey an ISI highly cited author and expert in microarray analysis. The cDNA microarray for Crocodylus porosus which I will construct in the proposed research will be a valuable resource ....Genetic mechanisms of metabolic control and thermal sensing during thermoregulation. This research will significantly advance understanding of how animals can respond to climate change, and the results will benefit wildlife management processes. The proposed research will lead to collaboration with Prof. Ken Storey an ISI highly cited author and expert in microarray analysis. The cDNA microarray for Crocodylus porosus which I will construct in the proposed research will be a valuable resource for Australia by increasing collaborations, and it will help find the cause of problems prevalent in the crocodile industry such as runt animals that significantly decrease production efficiency.Read moreRead less
Physiological Thermoregulation and Cardiovascular Function in Reptiles. This project will be important in advancing the concept of physiological thermoregulation in reptiles from a descriptive to a mechanistic basis, thereby providing a better conceptual framework within which the evolutionary processes and selection pressures acting on modern animals and their ancestors can be evaluated.
Benefits of conducting this research will include:
maintaining the high international profile of Aust ....Physiological Thermoregulation and Cardiovascular Function in Reptiles. This project will be important in advancing the concept of physiological thermoregulation in reptiles from a descriptive to a mechanistic basis, thereby providing a better conceptual framework within which the evolutionary processes and selection pressures acting on modern animals and their ancestors can be evaluated.
Benefits of conducting this research will include:
maintaining the high international profile of Australian comparative physiology;
the training of post-graduate students, both Honours and Ph.D.s;
stimulating collaboration between two of Australia's research intensive universities (Sydney and Queensland);
and show-casing Australia's impressive reptilian fauna.
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