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Regulation of nuclear localisation of the AreA transcription factor in Aspergillus nidulans. An understanding of the means by which the expression of genes is regulated is of fundamental significance. Changes in gene expression are central to the development, growth and viability of all cells and their response to environmental changes/stresses. This study uses the fungus Aspergillus nidulans as an excellent molecular genetic tool to investigate how a key regulatory protein controls gene expres ....Regulation of nuclear localisation of the AreA transcription factor in Aspergillus nidulans. An understanding of the means by which the expression of genes is regulated is of fundamental significance. Changes in gene expression are central to the development, growth and viability of all cells and their response to environmental changes/stresses. This study uses the fungus Aspergillus nidulans as an excellent molecular genetic tool to investigate how a key regulatory protein controls gene expression in response to nitrogen starvation stress. Our understanding of these dynamic processes informs our approaches to the development of cancer therapies, to commercial biotechnology application and to control of human, plant and animal pathogens in which the infectious process is triggered by environmental stress. Read moreRead less
Searching for genes influencing reading ability using multivariate genomic linkage analysis and allelic association analysis. Following from the replicated linkages of reading disability to loci on chromosomes 6 & 18, this study examines linkage of these same regions to a range of reading measures in an unselected sample of twins and siblings. Preliminary univariate linkage scans of two neuropsychological reading indices suggest linkage to loci on two chromosomes. Our next step is to include rea ....Searching for genes influencing reading ability using multivariate genomic linkage analysis and allelic association analysis. Following from the replicated linkages of reading disability to loci on chromosomes 6 & 18, this study examines linkage of these same regions to a range of reading measures in an unselected sample of twins and siblings. Preliminary univariate linkage scans of two neuropsychological reading indices suggest linkage to loci on two chromosomes. Our next step is to include reading measures of orthographic skill and phonological decoding in a multivariate linkage analysis with the other reading indices and with measures of IQ and academic achievement. Multivariate linkage increases the power of detecting quantitative traits and assists in defining the phenotype related to the locus. We then aim to identify the functional gene through allelic association analysis. Identification of QTLs for reading ability may lead to practical outcomes such as the behavioural and biomedical management of reading deficits, which may then benefit areas such as scholastic achievement.Read moreRead less
Locating genes for elementary and complex cognitive abilities using genetic linkage and association analysis. This study aims to identify genes influencing cognitive ability by using multiple measures of cognition in combination with genetic linkage and association analyses. Multiple measures can increase the statistical power of finding a gene and provide a more comprehensive framework for charting the functional role of genes. The outcome of locating genes for cognition will provide insight i ....Locating genes for elementary and complex cognitive abilities using genetic linkage and association analysis. This study aims to identify genes influencing cognitive ability by using multiple measures of cognition in combination with genetic linkage and association analyses. Multiple measures can increase the statistical power of finding a gene and provide a more comprehensive framework for charting the functional role of genes. The outcome of locating genes for cognition will provide insight into biological functions of the brain which affect human intellect, and will have downstream practical applications which could include better educational, behavioural and biomedical management of learning and memory disorders, and of other intellectual disabilities.Read moreRead less
Quantitative and Molecular Genetic Analysis of Cognition. This study attempts to unravel the pathways through which genes may exert their influence on cognitive processes by identifying some of the genes associated with normal variation in cognitive ability. Using the cognitive phenotypes we have collected, both linkage and association analysis will be used to find QTLs (locations on the chromosomes at which specific genes contribute to a quantitative trait) associated with processing speed and ....Quantitative and Molecular Genetic Analysis of Cognition. This study attempts to unravel the pathways through which genes may exert their influence on cognitive processes by identifying some of the genes associated with normal variation in cognitive ability. Using the cognitive phenotypes we have collected, both linkage and association analysis will be used to find QTLs (locations on the chromosomes at which specific genes contribute to a quantitative trait) associated with processing speed and other specific abilities. The research will enhance our understanding of the biological mechanisms influencing brain function and paves the way for the genetic dissection of the brain.Read moreRead less
Mechanistic characterisation of genotype x environment interactions in sorghum and arabidopsis. Sorghum is an economically important cereal crop for Australia. In Australia, sorghum is used as a staple animal feed and it is very important for the live stock industry. With the predicted changes of temperature and rainfall patterns due to climate change, negative effects on sorghum yield are expected, which can have adverse effects on Australian economy. Our studies will identify and mark genes th ....Mechanistic characterisation of genotype x environment interactions in sorghum and arabidopsis. Sorghum is an economically important cereal crop for Australia. In Australia, sorghum is used as a staple animal feed and it is very important for the live stock industry. With the predicted changes of temperature and rainfall patterns due to climate change, negative effects on sorghum yield are expected, which can have adverse effects on Australian economy. Our studies will identify and mark genes that regulate flowering and seed production in sorghum in response to changes in temperature and light interactions. These studies will help to develop novel sorghum varieties with desirable characters through plant-breeding programmes.Read moreRead less
Molecular genetic analyses of trinucleotide repeat expansions. Several neuronal diseases like Huntington's disease, Frederick's ataxia and fragile X syndrome are caused by expansion of trinucleotide repeat sequences in the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). These diseases show progressive severity in subsequent generations. Here we use a simple plant model with a very similar DNA mutation to study the genetic basis of repeat expansions over several generations across populations. This proposal will im ....Molecular genetic analyses of trinucleotide repeat expansions. Several neuronal diseases like Huntington's disease, Frederick's ataxia and fragile X syndrome are caused by expansion of trinucleotide repeat sequences in the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). These diseases show progressive severity in subsequent generations. Here we use a simple plant model with a very similar DNA mutation to study the genetic basis of repeat expansions over several generations across populations. This proposal will improve our mechanistic understanding of genetic diseases in populations. In addition, this proposal is expected to lead to identification of potential targets and technologies that would be of interest to Australian industry.Read moreRead less
Unravelling the biochemical fingerprint of Australian native plants for sustainable farm forestry and other applications. Dryland salinity is an issue of national significance due to its impact on primary industries which contribute billions of dollars to our economy. However, millions of hectares of arable land are now affected by salinity, with devastating effects on crops, native plants, water quality and wildlife. This project works with the rural community and exploits the unique gene poo ....Unravelling the biochemical fingerprint of Australian native plants for sustainable farm forestry and other applications. Dryland salinity is an issue of national significance due to its impact on primary industries which contribute billions of dollars to our economy. However, millions of hectares of arable land are now affected by salinity, with devastating effects on crops, native plants, water quality and wildlife. This project works with the rural community and exploits the unique gene pool of certain Australian salinity-tolerant plants for environmental benefits (revegetation, salinity control) and simultaneous economic returns through using these for timber and perennial fodder. The project thus addresses the national priorities of preventing the expansion of salinity, putting it to sustainable uses and preserving biodiversity.Read moreRead less
Elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying migraine and endometriosis via genetic dissection. The research aims to identify genetic variants underlying migraine and endometriosis susceptibility. Advances in the genetics of these common and painful disorders, including identification of genetic biomarkers (genetic variations that can predict disease susceptibility, disease outcome, or treatment response), will offer better rationales for scientific enquiry, helping the discovery of new treat ....Elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying migraine and endometriosis via genetic dissection. The research aims to identify genetic variants underlying migraine and endometriosis susceptibility. Advances in the genetics of these common and painful disorders, including identification of genetic biomarkers (genetic variations that can predict disease susceptibility, disease outcome, or treatment response), will offer better rationales for scientific enquiry, helping the discovery of new treatment pathways and improve predictions of drug efficacy and safety. Thus providing improved treatment strategies for the individual sufferer and reduce the direct medical and indirect economic costs to individual sufferers as well as to the general community.Read moreRead less
Identification of genes regulating breast cancer progression and metastasis. Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death in women in Australia. Although the treatments have improved over the last thirty years, many women still die from relapse of the disease. Our goal is to identify genes involved in the regulation of breast cancer progression and metastasis. This may lead to the discovery of druggable molecules for better targeted therapies for patients.
The behaviour-genetics of NAPLAN data: Increasing power for complex analyses. This longitudinal behaviour-genetic study of the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) results at Grades 3, 5, 7 and 9 will continue to document the influence of genes and environmental factors on individual differences in school achievement. It aims to strengthen the longitudinal aspects of the data, allowing the project to identify sources of stability and change across the seven school years o ....The behaviour-genetics of NAPLAN data: Increasing power for complex analyses. This longitudinal behaviour-genetic study of the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) results at Grades 3, 5, 7 and 9 will continue to document the influence of genes and environmental factors on individual differences in school achievement. It aims to strengthen the longitudinal aspects of the data, allowing the project to identify sources of stability and change across the seven school years of the NAPLAN. It also aims to increase numbers in the low and high tails of the score distributions, creating a clearer picture of deficits like dyslexia and dyscalculia, and allow for firmer identification of gene-by-environment interactions. The project aims to further illuminate any differential effectiveness of schools and teachers on student outcomes, a topic of high public interest.Read moreRead less