A multidisciplinary research program to assess limiting factors and predict impacts of climate change for endangered Australian orchids. Climate change poses a significant threat to biodiversity. Australian sexually deceptive orchids are dependent on obligate and specialised interactions with pollinators and fungi. Consequently, they may face a high risk of extinction if climate change uncouples these interactions. Thus orchids provide an important bio-indicator of change. The tools and expertis ....A multidisciplinary research program to assess limiting factors and predict impacts of climate change for endangered Australian orchids. Climate change poses a significant threat to biodiversity. Australian sexually deceptive orchids are dependent on obligate and specialised interactions with pollinators and fungi. Consequently, they may face a high risk of extinction if climate change uncouples these interactions. Thus orchids provide an important bio-indicator of change. The tools and expertise developed will contribute directly to the conservation of endangered Australian orchids, and will take into account the risks of climate change. The project will contribute to the priority research goals of sustainable use of Australia's biodiversity as well as responding to climate change and variability. The project will also provide high quality, cross-disciplinary training.Read moreRead less
Plant Mitochondrial Signalling and Regulation. Plant energy production is essential for successful growth and development and is essential for processes such as seedling establishment and germination. This research project intends to expand our understanding of energy regulation within the plant using advanced technologies. Such studies can provide direct benefits to the Australian agriculture community through novel targets for genetic improvements. The capacity to create such advantages is eco ....Plant Mitochondrial Signalling and Regulation. Plant energy production is essential for successful growth and development and is essential for processes such as seedling establishment and germination. This research project intends to expand our understanding of energy regulation within the plant using advanced technologies. Such studies can provide direct benefits to the Australian agriculture community through novel targets for genetic improvements. The capacity to create such advantages is economically vital for the industry and the development of such expertise within Australia will ensure we are well placed to exploit future advances in agricultural improvements and provide the capacity to further generate novel biotechnological applications.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0452650
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$696,005.00
Summary
South Australian Virtual Reality Centre (SAVRC). It is proposed to install a fully immersive three dimensional visualisation facility in Adelaide, at a cost of $5.3 million including requested ARC contribution of $696,005. Applicant Institutions (Adelaide, Flinders, UniSA and Curtin universities) and Industry will provide the remainder.
The facility will support South Australia's leading scientific researchers in the sciences, engineering, business management, carbon dioxide sequestration, p ....South Australian Virtual Reality Centre (SAVRC). It is proposed to install a fully immersive three dimensional visualisation facility in Adelaide, at a cost of $5.3 million including requested ARC contribution of $696,005. Applicant Institutions (Adelaide, Flinders, UniSA and Curtin universities) and Industry will provide the remainder.
The facility will support South Australia's leading scientific researchers in the sciences, engineering, business management, carbon dioxide sequestration, petroleum exploration and production, space environment, bioinformatics, architecture, surgery, dentistry, archaeology and arts.
The facility will enable researchers and industry to significantly leverage other projects leading to much improved research outcomes and efficiency, potentially worth a hundred million dollars or more.
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Extrinsic Control of Mammalian Germ Cell Delineation. Australia is a leader in the recent exciting breakthroughs in reproduction and development, such as cloning and embryonic stem cell propagation, and understanding how germ cells are specified would help us understand the biology underlying specification and developmental potential of all cells. This research will continue to contribute to maintaining Australia's high reputation in advances in reproductive biology. In addition, a greater under ....Extrinsic Control of Mammalian Germ Cell Delineation. Australia is a leader in the recent exciting breakthroughs in reproduction and development, such as cloning and embryonic stem cell propagation, and understanding how germ cells are specified would help us understand the biology underlying specification and developmental potential of all cells. This research will continue to contribute to maintaining Australia's high reputation in advances in reproductive biology. In addition, a greater understanding of marsupial reproduction is a high priority for Australia in the 21st century, with its current unacceptably high rate of mammalian extinctions, for 'we cannot conserve until we comprehend' (Short, 1985).The results therefore are of great potential benefit to society.
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Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775673
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,200,000.00
Summary
A high throughput protein crystallization & imaging facility. Protein crystallography is an important field of research that enables us to understand the precise shape of proteins. The precise shape of a protein determines the function of a protein. This information is essential in understanding the physiological role of a protein and may be used for the development of therapeutics, where approrpiate. We aim to develop a high-throughput robotics system that will enable us to determine the sh ....A high throughput protein crystallization & imaging facility. Protein crystallography is an important field of research that enables us to understand the precise shape of proteins. The precise shape of a protein determines the function of a protein. This information is essential in understanding the physiological role of a protein and may be used for the development of therapeutics, where approrpiate. We aim to develop a high-throughput robotics system that will enable us to determine the shape of many proteins more rapidly, thereby greatly accelerating the pace of biomedical research.Read moreRead less
Deep Downunder: designing a deep-sea exploration and discovery capability for Australia. Exploration of the deep-sea with the modern technologies to be developed by Deep-Downunder is a first for Australia. We aim to explore and discover life at depths from 50-3000m off The Great Barrier Reef, around the seamounts of Lord Howe Island and Tasmania and in the deep canyons of WA and SA. We expect to discover new species, hope for a glimpse of giant squid at home and will answer specific questions on ....Deep Downunder: designing a deep-sea exploration and discovery capability for Australia. Exploration of the deep-sea with the modern technologies to be developed by Deep-Downunder is a first for Australia. We aim to explore and discover life at depths from 50-3000m off The Great Barrier Reef, around the seamounts of Lord Howe Island and Tasmania and in the deep canyons of WA and SA. We expect to discover new species, hope for a glimpse of giant squid at home and will answer specific questions on Australia's ocean biology, fisheries and biotechnology never before approachable. To be effective guardians of Australian waters we must learn what lies in the depths we can't see from a boat.Read moreRead less
Establishment of the Australian Cane Toad Genome Program. The Cane Toad is one of Australia's greatest environmental menaces, and is in the top 100 of the "World's Worst invader species". Over a billion toads infest Northern Australia, and they will soon invade WA and move further into NSW. Their poisons and voracious appetite could make many native mammals, birds and reptiles extinct. The only possibility to eradicate the Toad is by biological control, but there is no known control agent. We wi ....Establishment of the Australian Cane Toad Genome Program. The Cane Toad is one of Australia's greatest environmental menaces, and is in the top 100 of the "World's Worst invader species". Over a billion toads infest Northern Australia, and they will soon invade WA and move further into NSW. Their poisons and voracious appetite could make many native mammals, birds and reptiles extinct. The only possibility to eradicate the Toad is by biological control, but there is no known control agent. We will identify the 'Toad's Achilles' heel' against which control agents can be developed. We can do this by identifying every Toad gene. This project forms the first step to this goal by establishing the Australian Cane Toad Genome Program. Toad control will help preserve Australia's unique natural heritage.Read moreRead less
Inbreeding: what are the reproductive costs and how are they avoided? Inbreeding in animal populations will undoubtedly become more prevalent in the face of increased habitat fragmentation brought on by human activities and climate change. By increasing our understanding of how inbreeding influences reproductive traits, my research will be directly applicable to conservation programs, specifically by providing insights into how Australia's rich biodiversity will respond to climate change and var ....Inbreeding: what are the reproductive costs and how are they avoided? Inbreeding in animal populations will undoubtedly become more prevalent in the face of increased habitat fragmentation brought on by human activities and climate change. By increasing our understanding of how inbreeding influences reproductive traits, my research will be directly applicable to conservation programs, specifically by providing insights into how Australia's rich biodiversity will respond to climate change and variability. This project also addresses critical issues in evolutionary biology, thereby contributing towards Australia's reputation as a world leader in this field. Australian science will further benefit through international collaborations and from the training of young scientists.Read moreRead less
The evolution of female multiple mating: genetic benefits and indirect genetic effects. This work will yield results at the forefront of evolutionary biology, thereby contributing to Australia's reputation as a country where excellent and original research is conducted. A greater understanding of the processes determining offspring viability, paternity success, and the acquisition of genetic quality will also benefit animal breeding and conservation biology. My research will work towards a bette ....The evolution of female multiple mating: genetic benefits and indirect genetic effects. This work will yield results at the forefront of evolutionary biology, thereby contributing to Australia's reputation as a country where excellent and original research is conducted. A greater understanding of the processes determining offspring viability, paternity success, and the acquisition of genetic quality will also benefit animal breeding and conservation biology. My research will work towards a better understanding of an ecologically important Australian native coastal species which supports commercial fisheries. Australian science will further benefit from the training of young scientists and from collaborations with international researchers that will promote excellence in Australian research.Read moreRead less
Causes and consequences of multiple mating: Benefits of polyandry, sperm competition, and reproductive costs. The project will yield results that are at the forefront of research in evolutionary biology and that will have a significant international impact thereby placing Australia at the forefront of the international scientific arena. The undertaking of the project will foster strong linkages between Australian and European researchers that will lead to international collaborations that will p ....Causes and consequences of multiple mating: Benefits of polyandry, sperm competition, and reproductive costs. The project will yield results that are at the forefront of research in evolutionary biology and that will have a significant international impact thereby placing Australia at the forefront of the international scientific arena. The undertaking of the project will foster strong linkages between Australian and European researchers that will lead to international collaborations that will promote excellence in Australian research.
Identifying sperm quality or male viability is a crucial issue for livestock production. A greater understanding of the mechanisms of sperm competition and the benefits of multiple mating can also benefit conservation biology since these issues are being applied to undertake strategic plans for endangered species.Read moreRead less