Heat regulation by the fibre types in muscle. Mammals maintain a constant core body temperature by generating heat in resting muscles in response to changes in the environmental temperatures. This project aims to show how the fibre types that make up skeletal muscles regulate heat generation against other muscle function, to maintain core body temperature and the normal movement and posture of the mammal. Project outcomes include defining, for the first time, how heat generation in the muscles o ....Heat regulation by the fibre types in muscle. Mammals maintain a constant core body temperature by generating heat in resting muscles in response to changes in the environmental temperatures. This project aims to show how the fibre types that make up skeletal muscles regulate heat generation against other muscle function, to maintain core body temperature and the normal movement and posture of the mammal. Project outcomes include defining, for the first time, how heat generation in the muscles of the body is regulated. This should provide critical knowledge of mammalian evolution and ways to manipulate metabolism, which may provide ways to assist with achieving a desired meat quality and yield in beef and other commercially important animals.Read moreRead less
Interrogating the extremes of skeletal muscle plasticity in vertebrates. This project aims to interrogate how muscles adapt to growth and endurance stimuli at different stages of life, relevant to addressing challenges facing the world’s ageing population. Using innovative gene technologies and molecular physiology in zebrafish and mice, this project will answer important, unresolved questions in muscle biology. The project will generate knowledge needed to develop interventions to improve quali ....Interrogating the extremes of skeletal muscle plasticity in vertebrates. This project aims to interrogate how muscles adapt to growth and endurance stimuli at different stages of life, relevant to addressing challenges facing the world’s ageing population. Using innovative gene technologies and molecular physiology in zebrafish and mice, this project will answer important, unresolved questions in muscle biology. The project will generate knowledge needed to develop interventions to improve quality of life for older Australians and address the physical realities of an ageing workforce. Benefits extend to enhancing workplace safety and productivity, improving farming efficiencies for livestock and aquaculture industries, and training emerging leaders in the biological sciences.Read moreRead less
The entrainment of circadian rhythms in marsupial mammals: behavioural and sub-cellular investigation of non-rod, non-cone ocular photoreceptors. Our investigation will provide a contribution to understanding the role that photoreceptors play in the mechanisms that control circadian rhythms and will ultimately lead to a better understanding of the basic physiology of sleep and circadian cycles, their contribution to learning and memory and their impact on waking performance. Targeted drug develo ....The entrainment of circadian rhythms in marsupial mammals: behavioural and sub-cellular investigation of non-rod, non-cone ocular photoreceptors. Our investigation will provide a contribution to understanding the role that photoreceptors play in the mechanisms that control circadian rhythms and will ultimately lead to a better understanding of the basic physiology of sleep and circadian cycles, their contribution to learning and memory and their impact on waking performance. Targeted drug development and the design of lighting systems effective in regulating circadian rhythms will improve the quality of life and competitiveness of the many citizens who endure abnormal sleep/wakefulness schedules.Read moreRead less
Understanding uterine contractility for reducing newborn lamb mortality. The project aims to elucidate the mechanisms underlying normal and dysfunctional uterine contractions in labouring ewes. Significantly, ~20% of newborn lambs die within days of birth, costing the Australian sheep industry more than $780 million annually. Difficult lambing is the leading cause of lamb mortality and weak uterine contractions are the most important contributor to difficult labour (dystocia). Intended outcomes ....Understanding uterine contractility for reducing newborn lamb mortality. The project aims to elucidate the mechanisms underlying normal and dysfunctional uterine contractions in labouring ewes. Significantly, ~20% of newborn lambs die within days of birth, costing the Australian sheep industry more than $780 million annually. Difficult lambing is the leading cause of lamb mortality and weak uterine contractions are the most important contributor to difficult labour (dystocia). Intended outcomes include a better understanding of dysfunctional labour contractions in sheep, and this knowledge could then contribute to the identification of more specific targets for genetic testing for dystocia. The benefits should include more specific aids for selective breeding programs for improved productivity and profitability.Read moreRead less
Ecophysiology of water-holding frogs in the Australian arid-zone. Water-holding frogs of arid-zone Australia have an Aboriginal heritage and cultural significance, but many aspects of their natural history, physiology and reproduction are poorly known or documented. We will examine behaviour, physiology, endocrinology, reproductive cycles and movements for these frogs (Cyclorana, Neobatrachus, Notaden, Heleioporus) while active on the surface, and cocoon formation, subterranean movements and dyn ....Ecophysiology of water-holding frogs in the Australian arid-zone. Water-holding frogs of arid-zone Australia have an Aboriginal heritage and cultural significance, but many aspects of their natural history, physiology and reproduction are poorly known or documented. We will examine behaviour, physiology, endocrinology, reproductive cycles and movements for these frogs (Cyclorana, Neobatrachus, Notaden, Heleioporus) while active on the surface, and cocoon formation, subterranean movements and dynamics of water exchange with the soil, metabolic depression, muscle ATP energetics, endocrinology and aspects of reproduction while aestivating underground. We have the expertise and prior experience to accomplish all aspects of the proposed studies.Read moreRead less
Cellular and network basis of information processing in the mammalian visual system. The project aims to discover the strategies by which cells in the brain interact with each other to code the sensory input efficiently. It is expected that simultaneous recording of the activity of many neurones from the visual cortex of anaesthetised cats during visual stimulation will reveal how the biophysics of synaptic integration combined with excitatory and inhibitory inputs from different sources sculpt ....Cellular and network basis of information processing in the mammalian visual system. The project aims to discover the strategies by which cells in the brain interact with each other to code the sensory input efficiently. It is expected that simultaneous recording of the activity of many neurones from the visual cortex of anaesthetised cats during visual stimulation will reveal how the biophysics of synaptic integration combined with excitatory and inhibitory inputs from different sources sculpts the output of individual neurones. The experiments will be extended to the study of possible interactions between different areas of the brain and the study of mechanisms by which the cortical network and higher cognitive factors such as attention and memory might influence the coding of sensory information in awake animals.Read moreRead less
Visual processing of objects defined by coherent motion. Although the human brain can easily decode the complex visual scene, little is known about how the responsible neural circuits operate. For example, how is it that a camouflaged animal, such as a moth on the bark of a tree, becomes visible once it moves? To better understand the processes, this project aims to determine how different visual areas of the brain interact with each other to create a network that is responsible for detecting ....Visual processing of objects defined by coherent motion. Although the human brain can easily decode the complex visual scene, little is known about how the responsible neural circuits operate. For example, how is it that a camouflaged animal, such as a moth on the bark of a tree, becomes visible once it moves? To better understand the processes, this project aims to determine how different visual areas of the brain interact with each other to create a network that is responsible for detecting moving camouflaged objects. Knowing this will enable us to better understand the organisation and limitations of the brain.Read moreRead less
Manipulative tests of metabolic theory. This project aims to take a new interdisciplinary approach to understanding how energy flows through individuals, populations, communities, and ecosystems. The project expects to develop a new framework for understanding the function of biological systems, bringing together the fields of physiology, ecology, and evolutionary biology, generating research publications, and training students in interdisciplinary research. The proposed research is anticipated ....Manipulative tests of metabolic theory. This project aims to take a new interdisciplinary approach to understanding how energy flows through individuals, populations, communities, and ecosystems. The project expects to develop a new framework for understanding the function of biological systems, bringing together the fields of physiology, ecology, and evolutionary biology, generating research publications, and training students in interdisciplinary research. The proposed research is anticipated to provide a means for understanding how management interventions can alter energy flows in biological systems, bringing benefits across the areas of climate change adaptation, conservation science, agriculture and aquaculture, and fisheries management.Read moreRead less
The Role of Torpor in the Life of Arid Zone Mammals. Global warming is predicted to significantly affect our climate. The study will provide critical information about the thermal and energetic capabilities and requirements of native Australian mammals. As little is known about the functional adaptations of arid zone mammals in the wild, these results will be a significant advancement in knowledge about the biology of native Australian species. The data will allow us to predict whether and how p ....The Role of Torpor in the Life of Arid Zone Mammals. Global warming is predicted to significantly affect our climate. The study will provide critical information about the thermal and energetic capabilities and requirements of native Australian mammals. As little is known about the functional adaptations of arid zone mammals in the wild, these results will be a significant advancement in knowledge about the biology of native Australian species. The data will allow us to predict whether and how populations may be affected in the future and provide wildlife managers with an additional tool for making appropriate and sound decisions for the conservation of wildlife. Moreover, the project will enhance the scientific standing of Australia, improve international collaboration, and train students.Read moreRead less
Epigenetic effects of environmental thyroid disruption. Anthropogenic impacts increasingly disrupt hormone-mediated responses to environmental change. The project aims to determine the interactive effects of climate warming, light-at-night, and plastic pollution on thyroid hormone signalling, and test whether these effects are passed between generations epigenetically. Epigenetic effects of endocrine disruption are one of the most important emerging conservation threats. Mathematical modelling o ....Epigenetic effects of environmental thyroid disruption. Anthropogenic impacts increasingly disrupt hormone-mediated responses to environmental change. The project aims to determine the interactive effects of climate warming, light-at-night, and plastic pollution on thyroid hormone signalling, and test whether these effects are passed between generations epigenetically. Epigenetic effects of endocrine disruption are one of the most important emerging conservation threats. Mathematical modelling of experimental data will help to predict how animals respond to anthropogenic impacts, and to acquire the tools necessary to maintain ecosystem function and services. The project will therefore have environmental benefits, as well as social benefits stemming from international collaborations and training.Read moreRead less