Synthetic regulators of gene expression. RNA plays many essential roles in cells, from information transfer and regulation of gene expression to scaffolding macromolecular structures and catalysis. Despite these realisations the current approaches to manipulate RNA are limited in many respects. This project will use synthetic biology approaches to engineer synthetic regulators of RNAs in living cells. These studies will provide new tools for use in biological research and provide insights into h ....Synthetic regulators of gene expression. RNA plays many essential roles in cells, from information transfer and regulation of gene expression to scaffolding macromolecular structures and catalysis. Despite these realisations the current approaches to manipulate RNA are limited in many respects. This project will use synthetic biology approaches to engineer synthetic regulators of RNAs in living cells. These studies will provide new tools for use in biological research and provide insights into how natural proteins control gene expression. Furthermore, this project will use these tools to understand the mechanisms of how proteins are synthesised in mammalian mitochondria.Read moreRead less
Chemical signalling in the sea. This project aims to understand how eggs attract and select sperm, and how the environment influences these interactions. Differential sperm chemotaxis, a form of mate choice involving chemical signalling between eggs and sperm, has only been described in mussels, but may be a widespread form of gamete-level sexual selection. The project will study the biochemical and molecular basis of differential sperm chemotaxis in mussels, and the stability of gamete-level in ....Chemical signalling in the sea. This project aims to understand how eggs attract and select sperm, and how the environment influences these interactions. Differential sperm chemotaxis, a form of mate choice involving chemical signalling between eggs and sperm, has only been described in mussels, but may be a widespread form of gamete-level sexual selection. The project will study the biochemical and molecular basis of differential sperm chemotaxis in mussels, and the stability of gamete-level interactions under different environmental conditions. Improved fundamental knowledge of reproduction in a commercially important marine species may yield future commercial benefits for Australia’s marine food production sectorRead moreRead less
Control points in nitrogen uptake: enhancing the response of cereals to nitrogen supply and demand. Vast amounts of nitrogen fertiliser are applied to cereal crops to maintain yields. By uncovering what limits nitrogen uptake in cereals, this project will provide the scientific basis for improving nitrogen use efficiency and decreasing fertiliser use, with significant economic and environmental benefits.
Physiology and genetics of barley grain germination in the malting and brewing industries. An international research team will provide new scientific information on barley grain germination. This detailed basic knowledge will be immediately applied in breeding programs that are aimed at improving malting and brewing quality in a commercial context. At the same time, the industry's carbon footprint will be significantly reduced.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140100320
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$394,371.00
Summary
Understanding cone photoreceptor migration and cell death mechanisms . Normal vision requires functional and correctly located cone photoreceptor cells. Many genetic mutations, however, impair the correct migration of these cells during development and ultimately cause cell death. This project will investigate, for the first time, the casual link between the migration of cone cells and activation of cell death mechanisms. A coordinated approach, using a range of molecular techniques, will be use ....Understanding cone photoreceptor migration and cell death mechanisms . Normal vision requires functional and correctly located cone photoreceptor cells. Many genetic mutations, however, impair the correct migration of these cells during development and ultimately cause cell death. This project will investigate, for the first time, the casual link between the migration of cone cells and activation of cell death mechanisms. A coordinated approach, using a range of molecular techniques, will be used to determine which factors are essential for normal development, correct spatial location and survival of cone photoreceptors within the mammalian retina. This will provide a major step forward in our knowledge of the processes involved in the spatial deployment of cones and the developmental organisation of the retina.Read moreRead less
Mitochondrial Retrograde Signalling in Plants – New Models and Analytical Approaches. Mitochondria are essential organelles involved in energy production and various metabolic and biosynthetic pathways in plant cells. Signals from mitochondria act to regulate nuclear gene expression to coordinate mitochondrial activity with cellular activity, which is called mitochondrial retrograde signalling (MRS). To date our knowledge of the pathways and components involved in MRS is limited to a single mode ....Mitochondrial Retrograde Signalling in Plants – New Models and Analytical Approaches. Mitochondria are essential organelles involved in energy production and various metabolic and biosynthetic pathways in plant cells. Signals from mitochondria act to regulate nuclear gene expression to coordinate mitochondrial activity with cellular activity, which is called mitochondrial retrograde signalling (MRS). To date our knowledge of the pathways and components involved in MRS is limited to a single model system. This proposal seeks to identify additional MRS pathways, characterise components of these pathways and the signals involved. This new knowledge can be used in translational research as a basis to breed plants with altered stress and growth properties.Read moreRead less
ARC Centre for Kangaroo Genome. In this Australian-led Kangaroo Genome Project, we will map and characterize the tammar wallaby genome at the molecular level. Marsupial genomes are uniquely valuable because they provide comparisons that reveal new human genes, regulatory sequences and marsupial-specific genes. These will deliver new products and information useful for medicine, industry, agriculture and conservation. We will construct integrated genetic and physical maps of the genome, clone the ....ARC Centre for Kangaroo Genome. In this Australian-led Kangaroo Genome Project, we will map and characterize the tammar wallaby genome at the molecular level. Marsupial genomes are uniquely valuable because they provide comparisons that reveal new human genes, regulatory sequences and marsupial-specific genes. These will deliver new products and information useful for medicine, industry, agriculture and conservation. We will construct integrated genetic and physical maps of the genome, clone the whole genome as large inserts in BAC vectors, and build a "golden path" with minimal overlap. We will construct libraries of expressed genes from tammar tissues and array them for use in analysing gene expression.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE140100116
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$400,000.00
Summary
Western Australian Zebrafish Facility. Zebrafish facility: The zebrafish as a model vertebrate organism is fast approaching the importance of the laboratory mouse. This facility will enable the research community to fully embrace the zebrafish as a powerful research tool.
Using Systems Biology To Understand Asthma Exacerbations And Develop Better Treatments
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$791,734.00
Summary
Our research using cutting-edge technology has demonstrated that not all asthma attacks are the same. There are two major subtypes of asthma attacks. Currently, we use the same medication to treat all asthma attacks, and this medication targets the symptoms rather than the cause. This research will conduct detailed laboratory studies to understand what causes the two different types of asthma attacks, and test new treatments that are targeted and tailored to each type of asthma attack.
Fertility crisis: harnessing the genomic tension behind pollen fertility in sorghum. Hybrid sorghum varieties yield more grain than inbred varieties but the production seed for farmers can be difficult. This project will identify the genes responsible for a trait that makes hybrid seed production possible and this knowledge will help raise sorghum yields in Australian and in some of the world’s poorest countries.