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Characterising rates of molecular evolution across the Tree of Life. This project aims to characterise the variation in molecular evolutionary rates across the Tree of Life. Despite advances in genetic methods and genomic data, a critical gap remains in knowledge of evolutionary rates across species. The project will evaluate and refine methods for estimating rates, develop genomic data for molecular clocks, create an online database of rate estimates, and reconstruct ecological communities’ res ....Characterising rates of molecular evolution across the Tree of Life. This project aims to characterise the variation in molecular evolutionary rates across the Tree of Life. Despite advances in genetic methods and genomic data, a critical gap remains in knowledge of evolutionary rates across species. The project will evaluate and refine methods for estimating rates, develop genomic data for molecular clocks, create an online database of rate estimates, and reconstruct ecological communities’ responses to past environmental and climatic factors. The project’s database of evolutionary rates in different species is expected to increase understanding of evolutionary and demographic events across species, including the Australian biota, and improve conservation efforts.Read moreRead less
Understanding somatic mutation in plants: new methods, new software, new data. Somatic mutations accumulate as plants grow, affecting everything from short-term ecological interactions to long-term evolutionary dynamics. These mutations have important consequences for plant industry and conservation, but because they are so hard to measure almost nothing is known about them. This project aims to develop new methods and software to detect, analyse, and compare the genome-wide history of somatic m ....Understanding somatic mutation in plants: new methods, new software, new data. Somatic mutations accumulate as plants grow, affecting everything from short-term ecological interactions to long-term evolutionary dynamics. These mutations have important consequences for plant industry and conservation, but because they are so hard to measure almost nothing is known about them. This project aims to develop new methods and software to detect, analyse, and compare the genome-wide history of somatic mutation in individual plants, providing an unprecedented level of detail into an important but understudied source of biological variation. By applying these methods to an iconic experimental population, This project aims to provide the first insights into the genome-wide causes and consequences of somatic mutation in plants.Read moreRead less
Early evolution of the endomesoderm gene regulatory network. This project aims to unravel the endomesoderm gene network’s evolutionary history by identifying its conserved components’ target genes in the calcareous sponge Sycon. Little is known about the evolutionary origin of the developmental gene regulatory networks active in the development of all Eumetazoans (animals with nerves and digestive systems). Sponges are key models to study the transition from protists to eumetazoans, and gene exp ....Early evolution of the endomesoderm gene regulatory network. This project aims to unravel the endomesoderm gene network’s evolutionary history by identifying its conserved components’ target genes in the calcareous sponge Sycon. Little is known about the evolutionary origin of the developmental gene regulatory networks active in the development of all Eumetazoans (animals with nerves and digestive systems). Sponges are key models to study the transition from protists to eumetazoans, and gene expression data supports homology between sponge and eumetazoan tissues and body plans. This project could illuminate the evolutionary history of the animal body plan.Read moreRead less
The genetics of resistance to devil facial tumour disease. Tasmanian devils are on the brink of extinction due to a new contagious cancer: Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD). The aim of this project is to determine the genetic nature of DFTD resistance in order to directly contribute to the conservation management of this iconic and ecologically important species. This research will generate fundamental information about genetic diversity in Tasmanian devils and establish the feasibility of bree ....The genetics of resistance to devil facial tumour disease. Tasmanian devils are on the brink of extinction due to a new contagious cancer: Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD). The aim of this project is to determine the genetic nature of DFTD resistance in order to directly contribute to the conservation management of this iconic and ecologically important species. This research will generate fundamental information about genetic diversity in Tasmanian devils and establish the feasibility of breeding resistant animals for release into the wild. Read moreRead less
Adaptive evolution of coleoid (cuttlefish, octopus, squid) venoms. This project represents an opportunity for biodiscovery from the venoms of cuttlefish, octopuses and squids. The independent adaptation for venom active at the subzero Arctic and Antarctic polar waters is of particular evolutionary interest. However, their divergent, bioactive compounds are also a rich drug design resource.
Is 'junk DNA' involved in gene editing in human cells. Exciting results suggest that non-coding RNAs (ncRNA), some of which emanate from regions in the human genome traditionally known as “junk DNA”, actually function to regulate protein-coding gene transcription. The goal of this project is to explore the role of ncRNAs on a genome-wide level to determine those proteins involved in this process and to what extent this process results in directed genome editing. Knowledge of the ncRNA pathways m ....Is 'junk DNA' involved in gene editing in human cells. Exciting results suggest that non-coding RNAs (ncRNA), some of which emanate from regions in the human genome traditionally known as “junk DNA”, actually function to regulate protein-coding gene transcription. The goal of this project is to explore the role of ncRNAs on a genome-wide level to determine those proteins involved in this process and to what extent this process results in directed genome editing. Knowledge of the ncRNA pathways may lead to a novel methodology to activate silenced genes as well as determine the role of ncRNAs in genome evolution.Read moreRead less
Discovering sex determining genes in a reptile with genetic and environmental sex determination. Reptile sex determination is particularly fascinating because it is triggered either by genes on sex chromosomes or by the nest temperature. This project will identify and characterise candidate sex determining genes in a model reptile to understand how genes control sexual differentiation and how they interact with temperature.
Understanding endocrine tumorigenesis - opportunities for new diagnostics and therapies. This project will generate new knowledge significant for improving cancer diagnosis and designing new therapies for cancer patients as we embrace the personalised medicine era. Specific focus is on endocrine tumours. This research has as its aim improved survival for people diagnosed with cancer.
Understanding gonadal development and disease using a unique model system, the avian embryo. This project will provide information on normal and abnormal gonadal development during embryonic life. The study will aid in the diagnosis and management of humans born with disorders of sexual development and will be useful for sex ratio manipulation in the poultry industry.
A new statistical framework to understand the biological basis of Ankylosing Spondylitis and other complex diseases. Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a highly heritable and common inflammatory arthritis which causes stiffness and progressive fusion of the spine, decreased quality of life and reduced lifespan. There is no known cure for the condition. This project aims to identify genes and biological pathways involved in AS pathogenesis using a new statistical framework that will be applied to tho ....A new statistical framework to understand the biological basis of Ankylosing Spondylitis and other complex diseases. Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a highly heritable and common inflammatory arthritis which causes stiffness and progressive fusion of the spine, decreased quality of life and reduced lifespan. There is no known cure for the condition. This project aims to identify genes and biological pathways involved in AS pathogenesis using a new statistical framework that will be applied to thousands of individuals with the disease. This project will improve understanding of the underlying mechanisms involved in AS pathophysiology, inform development of new drug treatments for the condition, and create a powerful new statistical approach that can be used to identify biological pathways which are important in the pathogenesis of other complex diseases.Read moreRead less