Computational systems biology: understanding mammalian cell fates using genome-scale network models. Mutations can disrupt the cellular networks that control normal development, causing cells to develop abnormally including in ways that lead to cancer. The project will analyse genome sequences from more than 700 pancreatic cancers and matched controls to precisely map the causative trail from mutations to disrupted networks to altered cell development.
Redirecting Carbon Flow through Mesophyll and Bundle Sheath Cells of Sugarcane to Produce Poly-3-Hydroxybutyrate. This project is part of the National Priorities "Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries." Using innovative plant metabolic engineering technologies combined with sophisticated computer modeling we are generating green plants that produce renewable, biodegradable, bioplastics possessing properties such that they are suitable replacements for petrol ....Redirecting Carbon Flow through Mesophyll and Bundle Sheath Cells of Sugarcane to Produce Poly-3-Hydroxybutyrate. This project is part of the National Priorities "Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries." Using innovative plant metabolic engineering technologies combined with sophisticated computer modeling we are generating green plants that produce renewable, biodegradable, bioplastics possessing properties such that they are suitable replacements for petroleum-derived products in many applications. During the course of these studies, we are increasing our basic level of understanding of plant metabolism of important bioenergy crops. The production of renewable, bioplastics in sugarcane will help to diversify the Australian sugarcane industry by providing a value-added product with significant world-wide markets.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120100794
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Revealing dynamic mechanisms controlling pluripotency in mammalian stem cells and embryos. Every cell of our mature bodies originates from 'pluripotent' cells present in the early mammalian embryo. These cells can be captured and grown in plastic dishes. The project will use imaging methods to reveal how gene regulatory molecules control pluripotent cells in the embryo and in culture.
Mapping networks governing cell state plasticity: how, where and when? Single cell organisms are the basic unit of life, yet, if they had not developed the ability to change cell states we would not exist today. Changing cell states lies at the core of almost every developmental and disease process in multicellular organisms. Building upon our fundamental discovery that stem cells and non-stem cells readily interconvert, we will now incorporate innovative cell systems and the development of our ....Mapping networks governing cell state plasticity: how, where and when? Single cell organisms are the basic unit of life, yet, if they had not developed the ability to change cell states we would not exist today. Changing cell states lies at the core of almost every developmental and disease process in multicellular organisms. Building upon our fundamental discovery that stem cells and non-stem cells readily interconvert, we will now incorporate innovative cell systems and the development of our new multi-layered systems biology strategy to elucidate the first comprehensive understanding of the cell biology that underlies cell state changes. These studies are a major step toward understanding the fundamentals of life. Read moreRead less
Characterization of the dark metabolome of eukaryotic cells. The project aims to investigate the full metabolic potential of a group of eukaryotic organisms using advanced analytical and computational techniques. It will identify novel metabolites and enzyme activities that are currently not predicted from genome annotations. Expected outcomes of the project include the delineation of new metabolic processes that are common to all eukaryotes, the characterization of new enzymes families, and the ....Characterization of the dark metabolome of eukaryotic cells. The project aims to investigate the full metabolic potential of a group of eukaryotic organisms using advanced analytical and computational techniques. It will identify novel metabolites and enzyme activities that are currently not predicted from genome annotations. Expected outcomes of the project include the delineation of new metabolic processes that are common to all eukaryotes, the characterization of new enzymes families, and the generation of comprehensive metabolic databases. An improved understanding of cellular metabolism will provide direct benefits in biotechnology, food production, environmental monitoring and the diagnosis and treatment of human metabolic and infectious diseases. Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL200100096
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,367,940.00
Summary
Mapping the genetic and lifestyle landscape of Healthy Ageing. This project aims to dissect how genes interact with the environment to control healthy ageing using a multidisciplinary approach combining state-of-the-art omics technologies, metabolic and ageing phenotyping and genetic analysis and a highly diverse model system. The project is expected to establish fundamental new understanding of the ageing process by identifying genes that regulate ageing either alone or in response to diet; by ....Mapping the genetic and lifestyle landscape of Healthy Ageing. This project aims to dissect how genes interact with the environment to control healthy ageing using a multidisciplinary approach combining state-of-the-art omics technologies, metabolic and ageing phenotyping and genetic analysis and a highly diverse model system. The project is expected to establish fundamental new understanding of the ageing process by identifying genes that regulate ageing either alone or in response to diet; by defining the mechanism by which such genes control ageing and by identifying biomarkers that predict different ageing outcomes. This knowledge will contribute to future strategies based on genetic testing and biomarkers to optimise healthy ageing in humans. Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE130100007
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$650,000.00
Summary
A research platform for exploring the genotype: phenotype nexus. This project will allow us to connect the genetic code of an organism with its characteristic traits that are essential for its survival. The equipment will accelerate research that performs this translation, and will allow leading Australian scientists to continue to make breakthroughs in this field globally.
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL150100106
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,951,945.00
Summary
Bio-metrology and modelling of a complex system: the malaria parasite. Bio-metrology and modelling of a complex system: the malaria parasite: This fellowship project aims to develop a cross-disciplinary program to measure, model and manipulate a complex cellular system — sexual differentiation of the human malaria parasite. Combining life and physical sciences with powerful imaging techniques, the project seeks to develop quantitative biochemical, biophysical and modelling techniques to probe a ....Bio-metrology and modelling of a complex system: the malaria parasite. Bio-metrology and modelling of a complex system: the malaria parasite: This fellowship project aims to develop a cross-disciplinary program to measure, model and manipulate a complex cellular system — sexual differentiation of the human malaria parasite. Combining life and physical sciences with powerful imaging techniques, the project seeks to develop quantitative biochemical, biophysical and modelling techniques to probe a complex system in a way previously not possible. It expects to integrate and correlate thousands of measurements of the dynamic processes inside cells and use these datasets to generate rigorous and sophisticated mathematical models that can predict drivers of commitment for transformation of the parasite to a sexual phase in preparation for transmission to mosquitoes. This holistic approach hopes to deliver new biotechnology and biomedical outcomes, including new ways to combat disease in livestock and humans.Read moreRead less
Keeping forces local for epithelial homeostasis. This project probes how epithelial cells use mechanical forces to communicate with one another in biological life. It tests the novel concept that negative feedback is a critical, hitherto unappreciated dimension in mechanical communication, which acts to ensure proportionate responses for homeostasis. It will generate fundamental new knowledge in biology using an innovative combination of cellular and biophysical experiments and physical theory. ....Keeping forces local for epithelial homeostasis. This project probes how epithelial cells use mechanical forces to communicate with one another in biological life. It tests the novel concept that negative feedback is a critical, hitherto unappreciated dimension in mechanical communication, which acts to ensure proportionate responses for homeostasis. It will generate fundamental new knowledge in biology using an innovative combination of cellular and biophysical experiments and physical theory. The expected outcomes are fundamental new knowledge, interdisciplinary training for young scientists, new national research capacity and growing international collaborations. It will benefit Australia by enhancing its scientific world linkage, status in scientific leadership and research capacity.Read moreRead less
Physiology and genetics of barley grain germination in the malting and brewing industries. An international research team will provide new scientific information on barley grain germination. This detailed basic knowledge will be immediately applied in breeding programs that are aimed at improving malting and brewing quality in a commercial context. At the same time, the industry's carbon footprint will be significantly reduced.