Neurovascular pericytes in development and brain regeneration. The brain is responsible for a quarter of the body’s metabolism and is thus perfused by an extensive network of blood vessels. Pericytes surround these vessels and interact with neurons, glia, immune cells and neural stem cells of the neurovascular unit. Pericytes influence brain development, function and regeneration but remain enigmatic. This project investigates molecular control of pericyte development, functional coupling of per ....Neurovascular pericytes in development and brain regeneration. The brain is responsible for a quarter of the body’s metabolism and is thus perfused by an extensive network of blood vessels. Pericytes surround these vessels and interact with neurons, glia, immune cells and neural stem cells of the neurovascular unit. Pericytes influence brain development, function and regeneration but remain enigmatic. This project investigates molecular control of pericyte development, functional coupling of pericytes with adjacent cells and pericyte function in tissue regeneration. We aim to produce new fundamental knowledge in brain development, structure, function and evolution. New knowledge generated here may lead to future approaches in stem cell biology, tissue engineering, regeneration and ageing of the brain. Read moreRead less
The genetics of ageing in human populations. This project aims to test whether genetic differences among individuals influence changes in cognition and physiological function in later life. Differences among individuals, in terms of distinct changes in their physiology as they age, lead to differences in their susceptibility to negative later-life outcomes and ultimately to differences in lifespan. Using a combination of genomic techniques, novel data analysis methods, and the largest dataset of ....The genetics of ageing in human populations. This project aims to test whether genetic differences among individuals influence changes in cognition and physiological function in later life. Differences among individuals, in terms of distinct changes in their physiology as they age, lead to differences in their susceptibility to negative later-life outcomes and ultimately to differences in lifespan. Using a combination of genomic techniques, novel data analysis methods, and the largest dataset of its kind, the project intends to identify the genomic regions and biochemical pathways associated with these changes, and to test for genetic associations between early-life reproduction and later-life outcomes. This is crucial to understanding, predicting and managing transitions across different human life stages.Read moreRead less
Defining the origin of a cell lineage that surrounds and cleans the brain . The vertebrate brain is responsible for up to a quarter of the body’s metabolism, a metabolic load that produces large amounts of tissue waste and requires an efficient cleaning system. A recent discovery in zebrafish and preliminary data has uncovered a cell type surrounding the brain that derives from vasculature. These cells play fundamental roles in scavenging and clearing tissue wastes. The project aims to investiga ....Defining the origin of a cell lineage that surrounds and cleans the brain . The vertebrate brain is responsible for up to a quarter of the body’s metabolism, a metabolic load that produces large amounts of tissue waste and requires an efficient cleaning system. A recent discovery in zebrafish and preliminary data has uncovered a cell type surrounding the brain that derives from vasculature. These cells play fundamental roles in scavenging and clearing tissue wastes. The project aims to investigate the origins and control of this cell type in zebrafish and mouse brains. This will produce new knowledge in brain development, cellular composition, structure, function and evolution. Outcomes are expected to generate new approaches in stem cell biology, tissue engineering, regeneration and ageing of the brain.Read moreRead less
Transitions between modes of sex-determination in a changing world. Sex-determination controls the largest variation within animals—the division into males and females. While the different systems of sex-determination—involving genetic or environmental control—are fairly well understood, transitions between these systems remain enigmatic in evolutionary biology. This project aims to address this gap by revealing the molecular change required to transition between systems, using one of only two k ....Transitions between modes of sex-determination in a changing world. Sex-determination controls the largest variation within animals—the division into males and females. While the different systems of sex-determination—involving genetic or environmental control—are fairly well understood, transitions between these systems remain enigmatic in evolutionary biology. This project aims to address this gap by revealing the molecular change required to transition between systems, using one of only two known lizard species exhibiting both genetic and temperature control of sex. This knowledge will have important implications for species conservation, facilitating predictions of highly biased sex ratios under climate change, plus potential commercial applications for species where production of one sex is favoured.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120100434
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Estrogen-mediated regulation of gene expression via transcriptional and translational control: complementary, synergistic or opposing responses? Hormones dictate cellular behaviour by activating pre-programmed responses. The sex hormone estrogen affects cell fate by regulating the gene expression, but it is unknown to which extent this response occurs via activation of genes or control of already transcribed gene. The project will investigate how the cell integrates the complex estrogen signals.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240100184
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,000.00
Summary
Pioneering alpine epigenomics to discover adaptive genetic elements. The genetic code of native plants are yet to be explored for DNA elements that promote resilience to climate change. These elements are now ripe for discovery due to recent advances in epigenomics allowing for rapid identification. This proposal aims to discover heat-associated elements in waxy bluebells, which inhabit Australia’s vulnerable high country. Expected outcomes include new insights on gene regulatory mechanisms in n ....Pioneering alpine epigenomics to discover adaptive genetic elements. The genetic code of native plants are yet to be explored for DNA elements that promote resilience to climate change. These elements are now ripe for discovery due to recent advances in epigenomics allowing for rapid identification. This proposal aims to discover heat-associated elements in waxy bluebells, which inhabit Australia’s vulnerable high country. Expected outcomes include new insights on gene regulatory mechanisms in native plants; the generation of resources for genetic conservation, and catalysing further molecular research into Australian flora. This should provide significant benefits by revealing genome regulation in native plants, thereby improving the ability to predict the impacts of climate change.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL180100072
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,460,832.00
Summary
Causes and consequence of human trait variation. This project aims to exploit the availability of Big Data from the genomics revolution to understand the relationship between the genome, the environment and complex human traits. New statistical methods and user-friendly software tools will be developed and applied to datasets on millions of individuals to generate new knowledge on human life history variation and healthy ageing. This project will position Australia to benefit from rapid advances ....Causes and consequence of human trait variation. This project aims to exploit the availability of Big Data from the genomics revolution to understand the relationship between the genome, the environment and complex human traits. New statistical methods and user-friendly software tools will be developed and applied to datasets on millions of individuals to generate new knowledge on human life history variation and healthy ageing. This project will position Australia to benefit from rapid advances in genomic technologies, to build and sustain critical capacity in statistical genetics, and better understand the causes and consequence of individual differences in human traits from genetic and environmental factors across the entire human lifespan.Read moreRead less
Sino-Australian neurogenetics initiative. This project will undertake large population studies to identify genes that are associated with motor neuron disease, schizophrenia and intracranial haemorrhage. The project will determine genetic markers, aid development of diagnostic tools and identify new therapeutic targets for these common heritable neurological diseases.
Novel roles for importin alpha proteins in the nucleus. The project will provide fundamental new information about how changes in cell function are influenced by importin (IMP) alpha proteins, both through changes in gene transcription and through alterations to intracellular transport. These findings will inform areas of national priority that include Aging Well, Aging Productively with specific regard to cellular stress responses, and A Healthy Start to Life in the context of production of hea ....Novel roles for importin alpha proteins in the nucleus. The project will provide fundamental new information about how changes in cell function are influenced by importin (IMP) alpha proteins, both through changes in gene transcription and through alterations to intracellular transport. These findings will inform areas of national priority that include Aging Well, Aging Productively with specific regard to cellular stress responses, and A Healthy Start to Life in the context of production of healthy, genetically intact sperm. This project draws together an international team to investigate a phenomenon with implications for new understanding of normal developmental processes and the response of cells/tissues to disease conditions.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190100483
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$410,176.00
Summary
The effect of apparent stabilising selection on genetic architecture. This project aims to improve our understanding of the cause of evolutionary limits. It will test the prediction that trait combinations with high genetic variation are highly correlated with other traits, and therefore are more evolutionary limited than they appear. This project will develop and implement novel evolutionary and statistical manipulations and methods to test this prediction, and is expected to provide new method ....The effect of apparent stabilising selection on genetic architecture. This project aims to improve our understanding of the cause of evolutionary limits. It will test the prediction that trait combinations with high genetic variation are highly correlated with other traits, and therefore are more evolutionary limited than they appear. This project will develop and implement novel evolutionary and statistical manipulations and methods to test this prediction, and is expected to provide new methods for the study of selection. A better understanding of evolutionary limits will provide a significant benefit, enabling better predictions of how natural populations will evolve over short and long time-scales, and their risks of extinction.Read moreRead less