Investigating The Molecular Signature Of ASD Through Integrative Genomics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$621,128.00
Summary
Autism is the most severe end of a spectrum of neurodevelopmental conditions, autism spectrum disorders (ASD). We have identified a signature of genes dysregulated in the brain of autistic individuals. The proposed project will investigate how the molecular signature of autism is regulated in the brain, and whether genetic variants in regulatory DNA contribute to the genetic architecture of ASD.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190100116
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$415,737.00
Summary
Cell types and cell states revealed by single-cell regulatory networks. This project aims to use single-cell gene regulation networks to predict cell types. Computational approaches are needed to recapitulate how the over 37 trillion cells program the shared genome sequence in a human body to create astoundingly diverse forms and functions. This project integrates millions of high-resolution single-cell gene expression profiles with large-scale population regulatory data to systematically recons ....Cell types and cell states revealed by single-cell regulatory networks. This project aims to use single-cell gene regulation networks to predict cell types. Computational approaches are needed to recapitulate how the over 37 trillion cells program the shared genome sequence in a human body to create astoundingly diverse forms and functions. This project integrates millions of high-resolution single-cell gene expression profiles with large-scale population regulatory data to systematically reconstruct gene regulatory networks. These networks are the molecular basis for understanding human cells. This projects outcomes intend to include the first reference single-cell regulatory database and novel methods and software to predict individual cells. This project will contribute to advancing Australia's capabilities in single-cell, precision medicine, and big biological data analysis leading to significant scientific, societal and commercial benefits.Read moreRead less
Understanding protein-nucleic-acid interaction networks in cold-adapted archaea. The aim of this project is to learn how microorganisms can function effectively in naturally cold environments. Results will determine how important cellular processes occur when microorganisms grow in the cold, and hence why they are able to maintain a natural balance in ecosystems such as Antarctica.
Genome dynamics following plastid endosymbiosis. Plastid endosymbiosis events (enslavement of an algal cell inside of a host cell to form a plastid) are difficult to pinpoint because the genomic data required for a broad array of species are rarely available. Furthermore, the classical method used to infer endosymbiotic gene transfers is being criticised. This project will elucidate the origin of chlorarachniophyte and dinoflagellate plastids and characterise the genome dynamics following endosy ....Genome dynamics following plastid endosymbiosis. Plastid endosymbiosis events (enslavement of an algal cell inside of a host cell to form a plastid) are difficult to pinpoint because the genomic data required for a broad array of species are rarely available. Furthermore, the classical method used to infer endosymbiotic gene transfers is being criticised. This project will elucidate the origin of chlorarachniophyte and dinoflagellate plastids and characterise the genome dynamics following endosymbiosis. It uses densely sampled genome data obtained with high-throughput sequencing technologies. Simulation studies will be used to evaluate methods for inferring endosymbiotic gene transfer and alignment-free methods will be used to improve phylogenomic pipelines.Read moreRead less
Silencing the X chromosome: why and how. The project aims to understand why we have X chromosome inactivation, and examine the fundamental molecular mechanisms of how it is achieved. The project will explore RNA-mediated epigenetic modification of whole chromosomes with innovative molecular methods in placental mammals, and also iconic Australian mammals, to transform our understanding of X chromosome inactivation. Further understanding whole chromosome silencing, will inform future research int ....Silencing the X chromosome: why and how. The project aims to understand why we have X chromosome inactivation, and examine the fundamental molecular mechanisms of how it is achieved. The project will explore RNA-mediated epigenetic modification of whole chromosomes with innovative molecular methods in placental mammals, and also iconic Australian mammals, to transform our understanding of X chromosome inactivation. Further understanding whole chromosome silencing, will inform future research into potential therapies for chromosomal trisomies.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160100614
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$363,612.00
Summary
Evolutionary genomics and origin of the molluscan biomineralisation toolkit. The project aims to use new genomes from understudied lineages of Mollusca to identify the genes involved in shell formation (biomineralisation) and infer their function and evolutionary history. The ability of molluscs to biofabricate intricate and robust skeletal structures from sea water is encoded in their genomes. Understanding the ancestral biomineralisation toolkit is of great interest to materials science, which ....Evolutionary genomics and origin of the molluscan biomineralisation toolkit. The project aims to use new genomes from understudied lineages of Mollusca to identify the genes involved in shell formation (biomineralisation) and infer their function and evolutionary history. The ability of molluscs to biofabricate intricate and robust skeletal structures from sea water is encoded in their genomes. Understanding the ancestral biomineralisation toolkit is of great interest to materials science, which seeks to replicate molluscan biomineralisation in vitro for biomedical and other applications. Understanding the toolkit is an important first step toward synthetic biology techniques to 'print' structures like bones in vitro. Moreover, new genomic resources from molluscs will be of interest to researchers in numerous fields.Read moreRead less
Resolving insect evolution. Our poor understanding of the evolution of insects, life’s most successful group, is a huge gap in our knowledge of nature. By analysing genomic data the project will resolve the insect evolutionary tree and discover what drove insect evolution. This will expand our knowledge of how evolution works - a vital part of conserving our biological diversity.
Development of population-level algorithms for modelling genomic variation and its impact on cellular function in animals and plants. The purpose of this project is to develop mathematical and computational tools which will enable researchers to model high-throughput biological data at the population level. These models will be used to uncover the effect that genetic variation has on the physiology of the cell and the organism.
To eat or not to eat? How symbiotic bacteria manipulate the phagocytic behaviour of their eukaryotic host. Bacteria often live in close association with eukaryotic cells, ranging from simple amoeba to humans. This project will identify key factors that control their interactions and will yield important information on the evolution of beneficial or harmful relationships.
Evaluation of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens H57 as a probiotic in livestock using animal nutrition studies and metagenomics. To improve animal production, gene sequencing will unravel how microbial communities in the rumen of sheep and cattle and the gastro intestinal tract of poultry respond to feed quality and probiotic bacteria. The animal nutrition trials will also measure weight gain and feed utilisation efficiency, particularly for nitrogen, protein and energy.