Phylodynamics for Single Cell Genomics . This project generates the mathematical framework required to look at single cell data in developmental systems and tissues. All cells in a multi-cellular organism derive from a single ancestral cell, generally the fertilised egg cell. Phylodynamics provides a framework to analyse and model this data, by connecting the shared ancestry of cells in an organism to the cell population and tissue dynamics. By developing the mathematical and statistical foundat ....Phylodynamics for Single Cell Genomics . This project generates the mathematical framework required to look at single cell data in developmental systems and tissues. All cells in a multi-cellular organism derive from a single ancestral cell, generally the fertilised egg cell. Phylodynamics provides a framework to analyse and model this data, by connecting the shared ancestry of cells in an organism to the cell population and tissue dynamics. By developing the mathematical and statistical foundations for the analysis of single cell data in a phylodynamic framework we will establish a powerful new computational tools for the analysis of tissues and developmental processes. Read moreRead less
The systems biology of stem cells. Using new bioinformatic methods, this project aims to identify new classifiers of different stem cell populations, develop statistical models that address population heterogeneity and provide molecular predictors of the differentiation potential of stem cells. Understanding, predicting and directing the processes of differentiation are major goals in the disciplines of stem cell biology, developmental biology, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Molec ....The systems biology of stem cells. Using new bioinformatic methods, this project aims to identify new classifiers of different stem cell populations, develop statistical models that address population heterogeneity and provide molecular predictors of the differentiation potential of stem cells. Understanding, predicting and directing the processes of differentiation are major goals in the disciplines of stem cell biology, developmental biology, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Molecular atlas projects have successfully revealed rules of genome output and regulation, by mining patterns that are evident across multiple cell types and datasets. By applying this philosophy to relevant, well-curated stem cell experiments, this project aims to create new methods for the integration and interrogation of smaller individual datasets. These methods should have broad utility and enable new avenues in tissue engineering.Read moreRead less
Formation of boundaries in the developing embryo. This project aims to decipher how the boundaries between the different organs are established in the developing embryo. The project aims to identify the components of the gene regulatory network that controls lateral plate mesoderm formation, develop a mathematical model that can explain how the domains are formed within this region, and validate novel interactions in vivo in zebrafish. The expected outcome of the project is to reveal how the pro ....Formation of boundaries in the developing embryo. This project aims to decipher how the boundaries between the different organs are established in the developing embryo. The project aims to identify the components of the gene regulatory network that controls lateral plate mesoderm formation, develop a mathematical model that can explain how the domains are formed within this region, and validate novel interactions in vivo in zebrafish. The expected outcome of the project is to reveal how the progenitors of our body parts are instructed to be positioned at the right time and at the right place in the embryo. This project should provide significant benefit such as the expansion of Australia's knowledge base and research capability in cross-disciplinary science.Read moreRead less
Developing bioinformatics methods for single cell transcriptomics. This project aims to develop novel bioinformatics methods for single cell transcriptomic data that seek to model variability in cell populations. The project expects to generate new approaches using Bayesian statistics that will act as high-end enablers of discovery in transcriptional regulatory processes. Through an interdisciplinary combination of experimental and computational research, insights into fundamental biological pro ....Developing bioinformatics methods for single cell transcriptomics. This project aims to develop novel bioinformatics methods for single cell transcriptomic data that seek to model variability in cell populations. The project expects to generate new approaches using Bayesian statistics that will act as high-end enablers of discovery in transcriptional regulatory processes. Through an interdisciplinary combination of experimental and computational research, insights into fundamental biological processes will be elucidated, specifically the robustness of cellular systems. Expected outcomes include a suite of novel tools that will push the boundaries of current bioinformatics solutions with potential to deliver significant benefits to every domain of biological science, particularly tissue engineering and synthetic biology.Read moreRead less
The recirculation of myeloid dendritic cells. This project aims to understand dendritic cell recirculation. It will use virological tools to track dendritic cell migration, and identify key decision points. Expected outcomes include enhanced capacity in basic research and greater interdisciplinary collaboration between virology and immunology research groups. Significant benefits will include a new understanding of how G protein coupled receptor signalling and other tissue cues guide dendritic c ....The recirculation of myeloid dendritic cells. This project aims to understand dendritic cell recirculation. It will use virological tools to track dendritic cell migration, and identify key decision points. Expected outcomes include enhanced capacity in basic research and greater interdisciplinary collaboration between virology and immunology research groups. Significant benefits will include a new understanding of how G protein coupled receptor signalling and other tissue cues guide dendritic cell recirculation, and what consequences the recirculation has for immune cell function. This understanding will significantly advance our basic understanding of the immune system.Read moreRead less
Complex dynamical systems: inferring form and function of interacting biological systems. Often in biology a large number of simple parts interacting according to simple rules can result in behaviour that is rich and varied. This project aims to develop the mathematics of complex systems theory to describe how such collections of simple interacting parts can form large complicated structures, and to deduce what dynamical behaviour can result.
Is FGF21 the master regulator of protein intake? The project plans to bring together two major, rapidly growing disciplines – nutritional geometry and metabolic signalling – to address a topic of fundamental biological significance: the regulation of protein intake. A specific capacity to regulate protein intake has been shown for organisms spanning slime moulds to humans, yet the controlling mechanisms remain elusive. The project aims to test the hypothesis that fibroblast growth factor 21, rel ....Is FGF21 the master regulator of protein intake? The project plans to bring together two major, rapidly growing disciplines – nutritional geometry and metabolic signalling – to address a topic of fundamental biological significance: the regulation of protein intake. A specific capacity to regulate protein intake has been shown for organisms spanning slime moulds to humans, yet the controlling mechanisms remain elusive. The project aims to test the hypothesis that fibroblast growth factor 21, released from the liver under low protein nutrition, is a master regulator of protein intake. Understanding the mechanisms of protein appetite may have implications for organismal biology, understanding social interactions, the structure of food webs and the health and welfare of food and companion animals and humans.Read moreRead less
Systems Biology Of Asthma Development In Early Childhood
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$763,800.00
Summary
Recent studies have established that both human genetic susceptibility and viral infections during early childhood are important drivers of asthma development. It has also been noted that asthmatics’ airways are colonized with different bacteria to non-asthmatics. In this project we will examine how genetic susceptibility and interactions between bacteria and viruses in children's airways promote the development of allergy and asthma.
High-resolution multiscale modelling of pandemics: COVID-19 and beyond. The project aims to develop high-resolution computational models for pandemic mitigation and control, focussing on the novel coronavirus and its emerging variants, and leveraging demographic, genomic and epidemiological data. It expects to rigorously compare multi-scale effects of complex vaccination and social distancing strategies and quantify optimal responses under the COVID-19 induced uncertainty. The intended outcomes ....High-resolution multiscale modelling of pandemics: COVID-19 and beyond. The project aims to develop high-resolution computational models for pandemic mitigation and control, focussing on the novel coronavirus and its emerging variants, and leveraging demographic, genomic and epidemiological data. It expects to rigorously compare multi-scale effects of complex vaccination and social distancing strategies and quantify optimal responses under the COVID-19 induced uncertainty. The intended outcomes include computational models of how the most infectious viral variants emerge and spread in presence of interventions, how to predict the outbreaks, and which are the most vulnerable communities. This should make a significant economic and social impact, improving population health while maintaining a resilient economy.Read moreRead less
Understanding The Pathogenesis, Phenotypic Variation And Risk Prediction Of Childhood Asthma Using Computational Approaches
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$122,714.00
Summary
Asthma is a common respiratory illness in Australia. It is important to be able to predict who gets asthma, because those who get early treatment tend to fare better. We plan to run complex tests on data collected from hundreds of Australian children. The collected data includes genetic variations, chest infections, and differences in immune responses. From this data we hope to achieve a better understanding of the driving forces behind asthma, and to make better predictions for those at risk.