Brain temperature regulation in mammals: mechanisms and consequences. Mammals detect increases in body temperature predominantly in the brain. Counterintuitively many mammals selectively cool the brain during heat stress, which appears to defeat the mechanism for inducing cooling responses. We intend to investigate this apparent anomaly which we believe is concerned with optimizing water use in hot conditions. We will further investigate the source of water for evaporative cooling by panting and ....Brain temperature regulation in mammals: mechanisms and consequences. Mammals detect increases in body temperature predominantly in the brain. Counterintuitively many mammals selectively cool the brain during heat stress, which appears to defeat the mechanism for inducing cooling responses. We intend to investigate this apparent anomaly which we believe is concerned with optimizing water use in hot conditions. We will further investigate the source of water for evaporative cooling by panting and discover if there has been convergent evolution in thermoregulatory strategies in the eutherian and marsupial lineages. The data we collect will be used to support a new model for thermoregulation in mammals.
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Evaporative water loss and relative water economy in marsupials. Marsupials are an iconic element of the Australian fauna, so the robust physiological database we will establish has intrinsic educational and scientific value to Australians. We will provide important methodological and analytical advances at the cutting edge of physiological research. This project will sustain our leading role as marsupial physiologists in the international scientific community, contribute to the high-quality tra ....Evaporative water loss and relative water economy in marsupials. Marsupials are an iconic element of the Australian fauna, so the robust physiological database we will establish has intrinsic educational and scientific value to Australians. We will provide important methodological and analytical advances at the cutting edge of physiological research. This project will sustain our leading role as marsupial physiologists in the international scientific community, contribute to the high-quality training of research students, foster national and international collaboration, and generally enhance the scientific profile of Australia. Knowledge of a species' biology and its interactions with the environment are essential for conservation in the face of landscape modification and climate change.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989782
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$524,000.00
Summary
A Core Western Australian Cell Sorting Facility - Ultra-Small Objects and Rare Cell Populations. This new generic capacity to rapidly isolate structures smaller than the cell has extraordinarily wide application in the biological sciences. Making this capacity widely accessible through a core facility to the Western Australian research community will generate research outcomes of national and community benefit. Sorting chromosomes to better understand genetic abnormalities and sorting bacteria t ....A Core Western Australian Cell Sorting Facility - Ultra-Small Objects and Rare Cell Populations. This new generic capacity to rapidly isolate structures smaller than the cell has extraordinarily wide application in the biological sciences. Making this capacity widely accessible through a core facility to the Western Australian research community will generate research outcomes of national and community benefit. Sorting chromosomes to better understand genetic abnormalities and sorting bacteria to better understand and reduce bacterial infection will result in improvements in human health. Sorting parasites, bacteria and immune cells will lead to new animal vaccines for parasites and diseases such as bird flu. Sorting marine plankton will lead to more sustainable marine ecosystems and fisheries.Read moreRead less
Calls and constraints: do male frogs signal direct benefits? There is international concern over recent declines and disappearances of many species of amphibians. Australia is a hotspot for declines, but causes of declines remain enigmatic. Approximately one quarter of Australia's 230 amphibian species breed in terrestrial situations, but processes such as salinity, wetland and urban developments and climate change are altering the hydrology of our landscape, and preventing the flood events nece ....Calls and constraints: do male frogs signal direct benefits? There is international concern over recent declines and disappearances of many species of amphibians. Australia is a hotspot for declines, but causes of declines remain enigmatic. Approximately one quarter of Australia's 230 amphibian species breed in terrestrial situations, but processes such as salinity, wetland and urban developments and climate change are altering the hydrology of our landscape, and preventing the flood events necessary for the completion of the lifecycle of many species. This research has important conservation implications because it examines the effects of variable moisture regimes on the physiology and reproductive behaviours of terrestrial breeding frogs.Read moreRead less
Protein Complexes and Supercomplexes of Plant Organelles. Ample parts of plant primary metabolism occur in subcellular structures called mitochondria, plastids and peroxisomes. They are vital for plant growth and development and are central to the early success of germinating and growing seedlings. This project intends to analyze the protein complexes and supercomplexes within these organelles using state of the art instrumentation and technologies. Findings from this research have the potential ....Protein Complexes and Supercomplexes of Plant Organelles. Ample parts of plant primary metabolism occur in subcellular structures called mitochondria, plastids and peroxisomes. They are vital for plant growth and development and are central to the early success of germinating and growing seedlings. This project intends to analyze the protein complexes and supercomplexes within these organelles using state of the art instrumentation and technologies. Findings from this research have the potential to directly flow into the plant biotechnology industry and could assist the future development of Australian agriculture through genetic improvements. The expertise developed by this work will ensure that Australia is well placed to meet future needs and to generally improve agricultural technology. Read moreRead less
Functional characterisation of novel transport protein in plants. The products of plants provide the food we eat, the air we breath and it is recognised that they play an integral role in defining and protecting the environment. Thus it is essential to understand how plant work to allow their use in novel applications and to adapt to changing environments. Many aspects of plant metabolism are unique to plants and thus we cannot guess or estimate importance from studies in animals or fungi. Appro ....Functional characterisation of novel transport protein in plants. The products of plants provide the food we eat, the air we breath and it is recognised that they play an integral role in defining and protecting the environment. Thus it is essential to understand how plant work to allow their use in novel applications and to adapt to changing environments. Many aspects of plant metabolism are unique to plants and thus we cannot guess or estimate importance from studies in animals or fungi. Approximately 4,000 proteins are specific to plants, or contain domains that are unique to plants. This investigation proposes to elucidate the function of some of these novel proteins, transporters, that play a critical role in transport processes in cells.Read moreRead less
Impact of shear stress on vascular adaptations in humans. Large arteries are important for the delivery of blood and oxygen to organs such as the heart and brain. A primary physiological stimulus which controls the size and function of these crucial arteries is the magnitude of flow or, more accurately, shear force that the inner wall of the artery is exposed to. We have developed novel software which enables non-invasive assessment of arterial wall velocity, diameter and blood flow. We will ass ....Impact of shear stress on vascular adaptations in humans. Large arteries are important for the delivery of blood and oxygen to organs such as the heart and brain. A primary physiological stimulus which controls the size and function of these crucial arteries is the magnitude of flow or, more accurately, shear force that the inner wall of the artery is exposed to. We have developed novel software which enables non-invasive assessment of arterial wall velocity, diameter and blood flow. We will assess the impact of acute and chronic changes in wall flow and shear on arterial size and function. We will also develop new software which measures other aspects of artery wall behaviour. These basic human physiology studies have direct implications for assessment of artery health in humans.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
The regulation and role of dual targeted proteins in plant cells. Plant cells are the factories that provide the food we eat, the air we breath, play a critical role in a balanced environment and provide energy in a sustainable manner. The varied use of plants and plant products is underpinned by an understanding of biochemistry that takes place in plant cells. This proposal is aimed at understanding how some proteins function in more than one location in the multi-compartmentalised plant cell b ....The regulation and role of dual targeted proteins in plant cells. Plant cells are the factories that provide the food we eat, the air we breath, play a critical role in a balanced environment and provide energy in a sustainable manner. The varied use of plants and plant products is underpinned by an understanding of biochemistry that takes place in plant cells. This proposal is aimed at understanding how some proteins function in more than one location in the multi-compartmentalised plant cell biochemical factory. The knowledge that is generated from this research can be used to underpin innovative use of plants within Australia's plant based industries. Furthermore it provides a rich intellectual training environment for students and postdoctoral researchers.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354622
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$20,000.00
Summary
Genes and Environment in Development. Interactions between the early environment and the genetic regulatory program of the early embryo have major consequences for the development of individuals. The aim of this Network is to harness the resources of leading researchers from the previously distinct disciplines of developmental biology and developmental physiology to better understand developmental regulatory networks and how environmental factors impinge on them. The formation of such a Network ....Genes and Environment in Development. Interactions between the early environment and the genetic regulatory program of the early embryo have major consequences for the development of individuals. The aim of this Network is to harness the resources of leading researchers from the previously distinct disciplines of developmental biology and developmental physiology to better understand developmental regulatory networks and how environmental factors impinge on them. The formation of such a Network is unique, timely and strategic in that it will generate new insights into the mechanisms by which events in early life determine the risk of adverse outcomes in perinatal and adult life.Read moreRead less