Evolutionary venomics: Venom system diversification in the animal kingdom. This proposal represents a tremendous opportunity for biodiscovery from the Australian toxic fauna. This will be achieved through the researcher's unique approach of investigating previously unmapped venom systems for divergent, bioactive proteins. An understanding of venomous animal protein evolution has practical implications for the treatment of envenomations - an enormous problem in Australia - as well as great pot ....Evolutionary venomics: Venom system diversification in the animal kingdom. This proposal represents a tremendous opportunity for biodiscovery from the Australian toxic fauna. This will be achieved through the researcher's unique approach of investigating previously unmapped venom systems for divergent, bioactive proteins. An understanding of venomous animal protein evolution has practical implications for the treatment of envenomations - an enormous problem in Australia - as well as great potential in drug discovery and other commercial applications. This project will provide Australian graduate and post-graduate students with finely tuned skills in cutting edge methodological techniques and a fluent understanding of molecular evolution, preparing them to be internationally competitive scientists.Read moreRead less
Convergent Evolution of Desert Lizards: Phylogenomic and Morphological Analyses of Limb Development. Evolutionary convergence, where similar traits evolve independently in multiple lineages, is a fundamental biological process, which affects many aspects of an organism's morphology. Despite its importance we don't understand what underlies the convergence we observe in nature - does convergence in genetic make-up underlie convergence in morphology? We will investigate whether similar hindlimb mo ....Convergent Evolution of Desert Lizards: Phylogenomic and Morphological Analyses of Limb Development. Evolutionary convergence, where similar traits evolve independently in multiple lineages, is a fundamental biological process, which affects many aspects of an organism's morphology. Despite its importance we don't understand what underlies the convergence we observe in nature - does convergence in genetic make-up underlie convergence in morphology? We will investigate whether similar hindlimb morphologies are determined by the same genetic mechanisms in iguanian lizards of Australia and North America. Our study will be the first of its kind in vertebrates and will provide significant information about the evolutionary link between an animal's morphology and its genetic make-up.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms Underlying APOBEC3G Restriction Of HIV-1
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$540,075.00
Summary
In the fight against worldwide HIV-AIDS, understanding natural cell defenses to the HIV virus may identify new virus targets and strategies to block HIV in humans. Here, we will use state-of-the-art, high resolution, fluorescent microscopy to understand how the recently identified cell protein, APOBEC3G, blocks the HIV life cycle in human cells. We anticipate that APOBEC3G will stop HIV from invading the nucleus of human cells to defend against HIV, a strategy we can apply to new therapies.
Further Genetic and Molecular studies of an Important Prokaryotic Regulator Protein TyrR. Genomes encode many functions whose expression varies dramatically depending on particular cellular environments. Special proteins called Regulator Proteins act as sensors to detect subtle changes in the environment and, in response, to influence the expression of certain genes either dampening them down or stimulating their activity. We are working with the TyrR regulator protein of the simple bacterium E ....Further Genetic and Molecular studies of an Important Prokaryotic Regulator Protein TyrR. Genomes encode many functions whose expression varies dramatically depending on particular cellular environments. Special proteins called Regulator Proteins act as sensors to detect subtle changes in the environment and, in response, to influence the expression of certain genes either dampening them down or stimulating their activity. We are working with the TyrR regulator protein of the simple bacterium Escherichia coli to elucidate the molecular strategies used in these controls. Because this protein controls the expression of a number of genes with diverse functions, evolution has selected equally diverse mechanisms to achieve appropriate transcriptional responses. The detailed knowledge of the E.coli genome and of the various genes regulated by TyrR make it an excellent system for such fundamental studies.Read moreRead less
Envelope Glycoprotein Determinants Of HIV-1 Subtype C Tropism And Pathogenicity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$657,745.00
Summary
HIV-1 subtype C is the most common subtype of HIV-w worldwide, yet we know comparatively little about how it causes disease in humans. This study will elucidate how HIV-1 subtype C evolves in patients to become more pathogenic over time.
Sexual conflict in Zeus Bugs. Australia is a leading nation in the field of evolutionary biology. This is in part due to the diverse and often bizarre plants and animals found on this continent. Our preliminary work on the Australian Zeus bug yielded exciting and fascinating results that created considerable national and international interest within the biological community and among the general population. The proposed project is likely to attract similar attention; will contribute to undergra ....Sexual conflict in Zeus Bugs. Australia is a leading nation in the field of evolutionary biology. This is in part due to the diverse and often bizarre plants and animals found on this continent. Our preliminary work on the Australian Zeus bug yielded exciting and fascinating results that created considerable national and international interest within the biological community and among the general population. The proposed project is likely to attract similar attention; will contribute to undergraduate research training and will ensure that Australia maintains its high profile and international reputation in the future. Read moreRead less
The molecular basis of self-incompatibility in solanaceous plants. This study will examine plant reproduction, the processes that ultimately lead to seeds being formed. Seeds are a major source of food for human societies. Benefits likely to arise from this study include an improved knowledge of plant reproduction which could lead to the production of better crops and more sustainable agricultural systems. By examining reproduction in a native plant, this study will also improve our understan ....The molecular basis of self-incompatibility in solanaceous plants. This study will examine plant reproduction, the processes that ultimately lead to seeds being formed. Seeds are a major source of food for human societies. Benefits likely to arise from this study include an improved knowledge of plant reproduction which could lead to the production of better crops and more sustainable agricultural systems. By examining reproduction in a native plant, this study will also improve our understanding of Australia's flora and could help improve management strategies for rare and endagered species. Through the training of students and researchers, this study will contribute highly skilled individuals to the Australian economy.Read moreRead less
Elucidating The Mechanisms And Consequences Of Clinical HIV-1 Resistance To The CCR5 Antagonist Maraviroc
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$622,732.00
Summary
CCR5 antagonists are a new class of anti-HIV drug, and maraviroc (MVC) is the only CCR5 antagonists that is licensed for use as a HIV treatment. Like all HIV treatments, drug resistance to MVC can develop in patients. This study will determine the mechanism of how HIV becomes resistant to MVC, which will permit the development of improved, second generation CCR5 antagonists, and will reveal ways to determine which patients are more likely to develop MVC resistance.
Targeting Novel Sites On Reverse Transcriptase For HIV Treatment And Prevention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$978,994.00
Summary
HIV/AIDS remains a major global threat with 37 million individuals living with HIV in 2014. Antiretroviral drugs have transformed HIV from a death sentence into a chronic disease. Public health organisations recommend dramatic scale up of drugs for HIV treatment and prevention. However, a major threat is that drug options will be exhausted due to drug resistance and toxicity. The major aim of this study is to undertake fundamental studies to advance the development of a new HIV drug class.