Epigenetic and neurobehavioural changes in a new mouse model of foetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Foetal alcohol syndrome involves changes in growth, skull structure, central nervous system defects and intellectual disabilities. This project will use a mouse model to study the underlying causes of this disorder, focussing on brain structure and function, and aim to identify markers that can be used for early diagnosis and treatment.
The role of transient DNA methylation on muscular adaptation. Regulation of gene expression is fundamental to all living organisms. This project will utilise the preliminary evidence that DNA methylation, an imprint establishing the phenotype of a specific organ, rapidly drops after an exercise bout, contradicting the dogma that DNA methylation is a locked process.
Extracellular vesicles in the inheritance of acquired traits. This project aims to examine the role of extracellular vesicles (EV) in the transfer of regulatory RNA from somatic cells to germline cells. This project suggests that somatic EVs from the epididymis transfer regulatory RNA to the sperm, and that this RNA exerts its effects in the early embryo of the next generation. This will provide significant benefits, such as a new molecular understanding of heredity that could be key to thriving ....Extracellular vesicles in the inheritance of acquired traits. This project aims to examine the role of extracellular vesicles (EV) in the transfer of regulatory RNA from somatic cells to germline cells. This project suggests that somatic EVs from the epididymis transfer regulatory RNA to the sperm, and that this RNA exerts its effects in the early embryo of the next generation. This will provide significant benefits, such as a new molecular understanding of heredity that could be key to thriving in a changing environment.Read moreRead less
The nature and extent of mammalian transgenerational epigenetic inheritance. This project aims to understand how biological information can be passed from one generation to the next without being encoded in the genes. The results of this study will inform us how this can happen, and shed light on how often it happens in mammals.
I am a scientist aiming to improve health outcomes by facilitating the collection and unification of data on human genetic variation together with its clinical impact on human health.
Understanding the role of endogenous siRNAs in the maintenance of genomic defenses. The inappropriate expression of retrotransposons can cause increased genomic instability. The underlying molecular pathways that control retrotransposon expression are not known. This project proposes to investigate this question at a molecular level how naturally occurring small endogenous noncoding RNAs (endo-siRNAs) enforce the epigenetic silencing of retrotransposons and examine the likely impact of endo-siRN ....Understanding the role of endogenous siRNAs in the maintenance of genomic defenses. The inappropriate expression of retrotransposons can cause increased genomic instability. The underlying molecular pathways that control retrotransposon expression are not known. This project proposes to investigate this question at a molecular level how naturally occurring small endogenous noncoding RNAs (endo-siRNAs) enforce the epigenetic silencing of retrotransposons and examine the likely impact of endo-siRNAs expression in the packaging and maintenance of retrotransposons. Understanding this fundamental question will advance the scientific knowledge of small RNA functions in our genomic defense systems. Read moreRead less
Radical change in the architecture of a nucleus: loss of typical DNA organisation systems in dinoflagellates. The genetic blueprint of all higher cells is stored in the cell nucleus, and proteins called histones provide the filing system for compactly stacking and organising the cell's DNA. One group of organisms, the dinoflagellate algae, have lost this histone system. This project will provide insight into their alternative DNA management systems.
Senataxin, A Novel Protein Involved In The DNA Damage Response
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,460.00
Summary
The human genome is constantly exposed to agents-chemicals that cause DNA damage. Some of these are generated during normal metabolism and are referred to as reactive oxygen species while others comprise damaging sunlight, radiation and a variety of chemical agents. These agents can lead to cancer and a range of pathologies to different tissues including deterioration of brain function. This project is designed to investigate these processes using a specific genetic disorder as a model system. T ....The human genome is constantly exposed to agents-chemicals that cause DNA damage. Some of these are generated during normal metabolism and are referred to as reactive oxygen species while others comprise damaging sunlight, radiation and a variety of chemical agents. These agents can lead to cancer and a range of pathologies to different tissues including deterioration of brain function. This project is designed to investigate these processes using a specific genetic disorder as a model system. This disorder is called ataxia with oculomotor apraxia type 2 or AOA2. This condition develops in the teenage to early twenties and as the name suggests is characterised by loss of control of gait together with difficulties of eye movement. It is due to reduced function of a particular region of the brain called the cerebellum responsible for controlling movement. We have initial data suggesting that cells from these patients are very sensitive to environmental chemicals and their capacity to carry out repair of damage to DNA is compromised. We will investigate the nature of the defect at the molecular level and establish the function of the protein defective in this syndrome. This information will be important to determining specific therapies for AOA2 patients and may also have relevance to other neurodegenerative disorders.Read moreRead less
Epigenetic reprogramming of development by nutritional factors in honeybee. The project aims to study the mechanism by which a specialised nutrition can change or even reverse the process of adult cell fate. The project will use a previously unexplored method of nutritional reprogramming of imaginal discs in honeybees by royal jelly and identify novel components of both the genetic and epigenetic systems that are most potent as reprogramming factors. The project seeks to improve our understandin ....Epigenetic reprogramming of development by nutritional factors in honeybee. The project aims to study the mechanism by which a specialised nutrition can change or even reverse the process of adult cell fate. The project will use a previously unexplored method of nutritional reprogramming of imaginal discs in honeybees by royal jelly and identify novel components of both the genetic and epigenetic systems that are most potent as reprogramming factors. The project seeks to improve our understanding of how epigenetic remodelling of the information content of the genome contributes to conversion of cell fate in vivo and in vitro. More broadly, the project could potentially establish the honeybee imaginal discs as a model for understanding pluripotency and environmentally controlled developmental plasticity.Read moreRead less