Control of vascular form and fate by a novel pre-mRNA splicing mechanism . Vertebrate vasculature forms elaborate, branched networks essential for life. As developing vessels permeate tissues and organs, dynamic and spatiotemporally regulated cellular signalling determines the fate, patterning and distribution of new vascular networks. This project follows the recent discovery of a mechanism whereby RNA diversification through alternative splicing controls complex signalling patterns in forming ....Control of vascular form and fate by a novel pre-mRNA splicing mechanism . Vertebrate vasculature forms elaborate, branched networks essential for life. As developing vessels permeate tissues and organs, dynamic and spatiotemporally regulated cellular signalling determines the fate, patterning and distribution of new vascular networks. This project follows the recent discovery of a mechanism whereby RNA diversification through alternative splicing controls complex signalling patterns in forming vessels. This project investigates this molecular mechanism in embryo and tissue development. The project will produce fundamental knowledge in RNA diversification, vascular fate, growth and cell signalling. New knowledge generated may lead to new approaches in stem cell biology, tissue engineering and regenerative biology.Read moreRead less
Hippo signalling control of transcription in lymphatic vascular development. Lymphatic vasculature forms complex, branched networks present in almost all vertebrate tissues and organs. Signalling in lymphatic endothelial cells determines the fate, structure and function of these complex and essential networks. This project follows our recent discovery of a major role for the Hippo signalling pathway in lymphatic vascular development. It aims to investigate how Hippo signalling regulates essenti ....Hippo signalling control of transcription in lymphatic vascular development. Lymphatic vasculature forms complex, branched networks present in almost all vertebrate tissues and organs. Signalling in lymphatic endothelial cells determines the fate, structure and function of these complex and essential networks. This project follows our recent discovery of a major role for the Hippo signalling pathway in lymphatic vascular development. It aims to investigate how Hippo signalling regulates essential target genes that drive lymphatic development. The project expects to generate fundamental knowledge in vascular signalling, transcription and the control of vascular network growth and expansion. Outcomes may provide significant benefits in new approaches in stem cell biology, tissue engineering and regenerative biology. Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL170100008
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,248,822.00
Summary
Genes, reproduction and inheritance in a microbe. The project aims to particularly explore sexual gene inheritance in Plasmodium, a representative of a large group of human and animal parasites. Plasmodium must have a sexual exchange of genes in the mosquito for the transfer of disease to a new host. This project will investigate the fate and behaviour of Plasmodium genes during reproduction; the differing chromosome states resulting from sexual genetic processes and the asymmetrical inheritance ....Genes, reproduction and inheritance in a microbe. The project aims to particularly explore sexual gene inheritance in Plasmodium, a representative of a large group of human and animal parasites. Plasmodium must have a sexual exchange of genes in the mosquito for the transfer of disease to a new host. This project will investigate the fate and behaviour of Plasmodium genes during reproduction; the differing chromosome states resulting from sexual genetic processes and the asymmetrical inheritance of some Plasmodium genes. The project is expected to advance Australia’s ability to understand the reproduction and survival of these parasites in their mosquito vector and develop cutting-edge genetic tools that will advance the microbial genetics discipline globally. This may ultimately lead to biotechnology and biomedical outcomes.Read moreRead less
Developing the dunnart as a marsupial model for conservation research. The Australian bushfire crisis of 2020 has taken an enormous toll on our unique wildlife. With no halt in sight to rising global temperatures, more extreme weather events are predicted to increase in frequency and severity. We simply must act now to preserve our unique native mammals in Australia and safeguard against species loss and irreversible declines in genetic diversity. This project will develop methods for the genera ....Developing the dunnart as a marsupial model for conservation research. The Australian bushfire crisis of 2020 has taken an enormous toll on our unique wildlife. With no halt in sight to rising global temperatures, more extreme weather events are predicted to increase in frequency and severity. We simply must act now to preserve our unique native mammals in Australia and safeguard against species loss and irreversible declines in genetic diversity. This project will develop methods for the generation and preservation of stem cells from a range of our most endangered and vulnerable marsupial species. These cells not only allow us to ‘bank’ species and genetic diversity but also provide a route to enabling genetic manipulation, opening up a completely new niche for conservation biology in marsupials.Read moreRead less
The evolution of the alternation of generations in land plants. This project aims to investigate how a genetic system, comprised of a homeodomain protein encoding gene family controlling the haploid to diploid transition, has evolved during land plant evolution.
The project expects to generate new knowledge concerning the evolution of land plants from which our food and fibre are derived.
The intended outcomes include an elucidation of how an ancestral genetic network was elaborated during the e ....The evolution of the alternation of generations in land plants. This project aims to investigate how a genetic system, comprised of a homeodomain protein encoding gene family controlling the haploid to diploid transition, has evolved during land plant evolution.
The project expects to generate new knowledge concerning the evolution of land plants from which our food and fibre are derived.
The intended outcomes include an elucidation of how an ancestral genetic network was elaborated during the evolution of a multicelluar organism, including the retention of ancestral functions and the origins of new functions.
An anticipated benefit is the ability to manipulate the the growth and development of plants based on fundamental principles, which has broad agricultural implications.Read moreRead less
The origin and evolution of the land plant meristem. This project aims to identify the extent of overlap between the genetic determinants of the gametophyte and sporophyte shoot meristems.
The project expects to generate new knowledge of the evolution and development of land plants by applying comparative genomics and new technologies to a novel model genetic system.
Expected outcomes include an elucidation of the genetic basis for one of the key morphological adaptations for life on land.
Th ....The origin and evolution of the land plant meristem. This project aims to identify the extent of overlap between the genetic determinants of the gametophyte and sporophyte shoot meristems.
The project expects to generate new knowledge of the evolution and development of land plants by applying comparative genomics and new technologies to a novel model genetic system.
Expected outcomes include an elucidation of the genetic basis for one of the key morphological adaptations for life on land.
The ability to manipulate the growth and development of plants via the activity of meristems based on fundamental principles has broad agricultural implications.
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Regulatory architecture of the trunk-to-tail transition. This project aims to elucidate gene regulatory mechanisms that control how the head-to-tail axis is laid down during embryonic development. The project capitalises on unique pluripotent stem cell resources and cutting-edge genomic technology developed by the team. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of developmental biology and gene regulation that is anticipated to have wider application to the understanding of evol ....Regulatory architecture of the trunk-to-tail transition. This project aims to elucidate gene regulatory mechanisms that control how the head-to-tail axis is laid down during embryonic development. The project capitalises on unique pluripotent stem cell resources and cutting-edge genomic technology developed by the team. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of developmental biology and gene regulation that is anticipated to have wider application to the understanding of evolutionary mechanisms and ultimately regenerative medicine.Read moreRead less
New insights into female reproductive tract formation and tubulogenesis. Aims: This project aims to improve our understanding of female reproductive tract formation by studying its developmental origins. Most of the female reproductive tract derives from a pair of embryonic tubes called Müllerian ducts, the formation of which is incompletely understood. Significance: Using chicken and mouse models and innovative genetic approaches, the project will undercover novel genes and cellular pathways in ....New insights into female reproductive tract formation and tubulogenesis. Aims: This project aims to improve our understanding of female reproductive tract formation by studying its developmental origins. Most of the female reproductive tract derives from a pair of embryonic tubes called Müllerian ducts, the formation of which is incompletely understood. Significance: Using chicken and mouse models and innovative genetic approaches, the project will undercover novel genes and cellular pathways in Müllerian duct formation. Expected outcomes: This work will enhance knowledge in the biological sciences, in the area of female reproduction and how tubes form in biological systems. Benefits: It will train research scientists, develop collaborations and enhance Australia’s high standing in the field of reproduction.Read moreRead less
How do stem cells get specified during embryonic muscle development? This project aims to investigate the mechanisms by which muscle stem cells first form in the embryo. This project expects to generate new knowledge on the mechanism that patterns cell types in the embryonic myotome. Expected outcomes of this project include uncovering the developmental mechanisms of cell type specification in the myotome with specific reference to the generation of stem cells. This should provide significant be ....How do stem cells get specified during embryonic muscle development? This project aims to investigate the mechanisms by which muscle stem cells first form in the embryo. This project expects to generate new knowledge on the mechanism that patterns cell types in the embryonic myotome. Expected outcomes of this project include uncovering the developmental mechanisms of cell type specification in the myotome with specific reference to the generation of stem cells. This should provide significant benefits as it will inform how long lived tissue resident stem cells can be made in the first instance, knowledge that is critical for making stem cells on demand outside the animal and manipulating stem cells in living tissue.Read moreRead less
The impact of Hyaluronic Acid on growth factor signalling and angiogenesis. Blood vessel development is controlled by growth factor signalling. Vessels are attracted by and migrate along growth factor gradients, and this is controlled by the extracellular matrix (ECM). From the zebrafish model, we have identified a novel gene that modulates the ECM, impacting growth factor signalling and vessel development. The project will explore by what mechanism this gene impacts signalling. It will comprehe ....The impact of Hyaluronic Acid on growth factor signalling and angiogenesis. Blood vessel development is controlled by growth factor signalling. Vessels are attracted by and migrate along growth factor gradients, and this is controlled by the extracellular matrix (ECM). From the zebrafish model, we have identified a novel gene that modulates the ECM, impacting growth factor signalling and vessel development. The project will explore by what mechanism this gene impacts signalling. It will comprehensively define where in the embryo it is required and investigate what cofactors it interacts with to perform its function. Using genetic zebrafish and mouse models as well as cell culture models we will investigate the fundamental biology of this gene.Read moreRead less