Protecting cereal grain development at high temperatures. This project aims to investigate new temperature-responsive factors that regulate cereal grain development to protect grain production under heat stress. The new research will leverage international collaborations with access to cutting-edge genetic and technological resources, and refine novel X-ray imaging techniques in Australia, to observe how temperature affects flower structure and function in barley and rice. Favourable mutations t ....Protecting cereal grain development at high temperatures. This project aims to investigate new temperature-responsive factors that regulate cereal grain development to protect grain production under heat stress. The new research will leverage international collaborations with access to cutting-edge genetic and technological resources, and refine novel X-ray imaging techniques in Australia, to observe how temperature affects flower structure and function in barley and rice. Favourable mutations that optimise plant yield and fitness will be defined and explored in other, more complex, cereals such as wheat. Expected outcomes will be fundamental breakthroughs in understanding how plants respond to, and buffer, the effects of heat to lead to translational breeding strategies that bolster grain yield.Read moreRead less
Improving plant reproductive success under heat stress: A sweet approach. This project aims to determine how genetic manipulation of cell wall invertase (CWIN) activity could regulate pollen germination, elongation and fruit set under heat stress using tomato as a model. Plant reproductive processes are highly susceptible to heat stress, which often leads to pollination failure and fruit and seed abortion, hence irreversible yield loss. Research has established that CWIN-mediated sugar metabolis ....Improving plant reproductive success under heat stress: A sweet approach. This project aims to determine how genetic manipulation of cell wall invertase (CWIN) activity could regulate pollen germination, elongation and fruit set under heat stress using tomato as a model. Plant reproductive processes are highly susceptible to heat stress, which often leads to pollination failure and fruit and seed abortion, hence irreversible yield loss. Research has established that CWIN-mediated sugar metabolism and signaling may play crucial roles in pollen growth and fruit set under heat stress. The intended outcome is the generation of critical knowledge that will advance understanding on reproductive development under heat stress, thereby providing significant benefits, such as novel ideas and solutions for improving crop yield.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120101242
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Regulation of germ cell number and quality by Fizzy-related protein. Females have a limited supply of eggs in their ovaries and it appears that the Fizzy-related gene (FZR1) is important in making sure this full complement is gained. By using novel mouse knockouts of the FZR1 gene, the project will determine how this protein functions at the earliest stages of egg development.
Genetic mechanisms of metabolic control and thermal sensing during thermoregulation. This research will significantly advance understanding of how animals can respond to climate change, and the results will benefit wildlife management processes. The proposed research will lead to collaboration with Prof. Ken Storey an ISI highly cited author and expert in microarray analysis. The cDNA microarray for Crocodylus porosus which I will construct in the proposed research will be a valuable resource ....Genetic mechanisms of metabolic control and thermal sensing during thermoregulation. This research will significantly advance understanding of how animals can respond to climate change, and the results will benefit wildlife management processes. The proposed research will lead to collaboration with Prof. Ken Storey an ISI highly cited author and expert in microarray analysis. The cDNA microarray for Crocodylus porosus which I will construct in the proposed research will be a valuable resource for Australia by increasing collaborations, and it will help find the cause of problems prevalent in the crocodile industry such as runt animals that significantly decrease production efficiency.Read moreRead less
The role of intracellular calcium in fibre-type specific gene expression in skeletal muscle. Muscles contain different fibre types whose composition can be changed by activity. The aim of this proposal is to identify the intracellular mechanisms which control fibre type. Our hypothesis is that different patterns of intracellular calcium determine the pattern of gene expression which determines fibre type. Understanding how gene expression is regulated is a central issue in biology.
The role of intracellular calcium stores in cardiac pacemaking. The spontaneous firing of pacemaker cells is central to regulation of the cardiovascular system particularly during exercise. The discovery that pacemaker cell function is modulated in part by calcium ions will change our understanding of the changes in heart rate during exercise and in diseases which affect the pacemaker cells. Better understanding of the way in which spontaneous activity of these cells is regulated is the key to ....The role of intracellular calcium stores in cardiac pacemaking. The spontaneous firing of pacemaker cells is central to regulation of the cardiovascular system particularly during exercise. The discovery that pacemaker cell function is modulated in part by calcium ions will change our understanding of the changes in heart rate during exercise and in diseases which affect the pacemaker cells. Better understanding of the way in which spontaneous activity of these cells is regulated is the key to controlling or modifying their function.Read moreRead less
Intracellular calcium in intact muscle during fatigue and stretch-induced damage. Confocal microscopes can investigate intact tissues during normal function. We will develop and apply this novel approach to muscle. We expect this new approach to become a fundamental new tool for exploring muscle function under near normal conditions. Muscle pain and weakness are common disabilities in humans and we expect this new approach to provide insights into the causes and treatment of these common cond ....Intracellular calcium in intact muscle during fatigue and stretch-induced damage. Confocal microscopes can investigate intact tissues during normal function. We will develop and apply this novel approach to muscle. We expect this new approach to become a fundamental new tool for exploring muscle function under near normal conditions. Muscle pain and weakness are common disabilities in humans and we expect this new approach to provide insights into the causes and treatment of these common conditions.Read moreRead less
The Immunoregulatory Role of the Endogenous Cannabinoid Anandamide. Anandamides are naturally occurring fatty acids that act at the cannabinoid receptor expressed in the brain and periphery. A new proposal by our research group challenges traditional models of the disease process by suggesting that the anandamide system is an important imunoregulatory system that can be targeted by invading pathogens. We propose that disruption to the anandamide system, by bacteria or viruses acting at the rece ....The Immunoregulatory Role of the Endogenous Cannabinoid Anandamide. Anandamides are naturally occurring fatty acids that act at the cannabinoid receptor expressed in the brain and periphery. A new proposal by our research group challenges traditional models of the disease process by suggesting that the anandamide system is an important imunoregulatory system that can be targeted by invading pathogens. We propose that disruption to the anandamide system, by bacteria or viruses acting at the receptor to block immunological responses, contributes to chronic illness states. At this point we have good evidence that anandamides are immunoregulators, however, we have very little knowledge of their precise physiological role. The aim of this research is to begin to characterise the immunoregulatory role of the anandamide system. This project will provide a comprehensive understanding of this endogenous control system, the immunological properties of which have not previously been described. The outcome of this research may lead to the identification of new avenues for the development of pharmaceutical interventions that can target this system.Read moreRead less
Novel ways of regulating epithelial transport. This project is intended to discover novel intracellular mechanisms that regulate the rate of ion transport by the lung, the gut and the kidney. It will not only provide new insights into how the body controls a process that is critical to animal life, but also provide new targets for the development of pharmaceuticals.
Plasticity in placental vasculature and the evolution of viviparity in lizards. This cross-disciplinary research will provide thorough understanding of the reproductive physiology of animals with different forms of reproduction, information critical for conservation and management of Australia's biodiversity. Australia's unique reptiles provide the best animal system in the world for research in this area. Our research on maternal-embryonic interactions in this animal model has direct implicatio ....Plasticity in placental vasculature and the evolution of viviparity in lizards. This cross-disciplinary research will provide thorough understanding of the reproductive physiology of animals with different forms of reproduction, information critical for conservation and management of Australia's biodiversity. Australia's unique reptiles provide the best animal system in the world for research in this area. Our research on maternal-embryonic interactions in this animal model has direct implications for understanding some medical disorders, such as human angiogenic disorders. The research will strengthen ties internationally through research in South Africa, and provide training in combined biological and medical technologies. It will maintain Australia's long-term leadership in this area of research.Read moreRead less