Movement patterns and habitat utilisation of the endangered eastern freshwater cod, Maccullochella ikei Rowland. The project aims to quantify the movement patterns and habitat utilisation of the endangered eastern freshwater cod (Maccullochella ikei) at a larval, juvenile, adult and historical level. Most previous studies regarding the life-history of fish species have failed to adopt this holistic approach, with management often based on fragmented information. The project will also provide an ....Movement patterns and habitat utilisation of the endangered eastern freshwater cod, Maccullochella ikei Rowland. The project aims to quantify the movement patterns and habitat utilisation of the endangered eastern freshwater cod (Maccullochella ikei) at a larval, juvenile, adult and historical level. Most previous studies regarding the life-history of fish species have failed to adopt this holistic approach, with management often based on fragmented information. The project will also provide an insight into the biology of one of the most poorly understood coastal stream fishes of eastern-Australia and assist in ensuring the conservation of this endangered species, and offer a framework from which future studies into the life history of freshwater fish species worldwide can be based.Read moreRead less
Conservation genetics of the Endangered Oxleyan Pygmy Perch Nannoperca oxleyana. The aim of this study is to determine how isolation of populations of the endangered Oxleyan Pygmy Perch Nannoperca Oxleyana affects their genetic composition. The significance of the study is that it will enhance our ability to conserve the species, and enhance our understanding of the genetics of isolated populations of freshwater fish generally.
Humane Chemical Methods for Population Management of Highly Valued Large Mammals. In many countries valued wild and feral animals are nonetheless too numerous. Their population numbers must be controlled through fertility. Examples are koalas in Australia, deer and seals in North America, cattle in India and dogs in Thailand. We aim to develop benign implants for castration based upon the gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH). These implants are easily administered. The outcomes will be to ....Humane Chemical Methods for Population Management of Highly Valued Large Mammals. In many countries valued wild and feral animals are nonetheless too numerous. Their population numbers must be controlled through fertility. Examples are koalas in Australia, deer and seals in North America, cattle in India and dogs in Thailand. We aim to develop benign implants for castration based upon the gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH). These implants are easily administered. The outcomes will be to protect Australia's ?green? image , worldwide market opportunities for the Australian companies involved in this application and valuable intellectual property for Macquarie. The methodology will in time allow us to apply it to the treatment of cancer.Read moreRead less
Upland swamps and chains-of-ponds as unique and rare Australian river types: understanding their function to improve conservation and rehabilitation. Upland swamps and chains-of-ponds are nationally listed endangered ecosystems. They regulate water supply and quality in catchments. This project will deliver science on the physical and ecological function of these systems so conservation and rehabilitation initiatives within catchment action plans are effectively designed and implemented.
Developing new methods to retrieve and analyse preserved genetic information. This project will position Australia at the leading edge of research into preserved DNA, and will use innovative molecular biology approaches to develop a range of new forensic, archaeological and medical applications. It will build Australian knowledge and scientific capacity by developing core expertise and training personnel in areas important for biosecurity, customs and quarantine, forensics/counter-terrorism, and ....Developing new methods to retrieve and analyse preserved genetic information. This project will position Australia at the leading edge of research into preserved DNA, and will use innovative molecular biology approaches to develop a range of new forensic, archaeological and medical applications. It will build Australian knowledge and scientific capacity by developing core expertise and training personnel in areas important for biosecurity, customs and quarantine, forensics/counter-terrorism, and studies of climate change. It will also create and foster research innovation in molecular biology with spin-offs for evolution, archaeology, medical and conservation biology research, and will also encourage involvement with the rapidly expanding field of genomics and bioinformatics.Read moreRead less
The multiplexed diagnosis of arbovirus infections using combinatorial probes. Viruses that cause serious diseases such as hemorrhagic fever or encephalitis must be quickly identified. Diagnostic tests based on DNA hybridisation are accurate and can be rapid but they are expensive. We will test a method for simplifying DNA tests and increasing their capabilities. DNA probes for detecting arboviruses will be designed at the ANU using new bioinformatic methods and their reliability will be model ....The multiplexed diagnosis of arbovirus infections using combinatorial probes. Viruses that cause serious diseases such as hemorrhagic fever or encephalitis must be quickly identified. Diagnostic tests based on DNA hybridisation are accurate and can be rapid but they are expensive. We will test a method for simplifying DNA tests and increasing their capabilities. DNA probes for detecting arboviruses will be designed at the ANU using new bioinformatic methods and their reliability will be modelled using all the available genetic information. Computer predictions will be experimentally tested in the PANBIO laboratory by using the probes to detect viral nucleic acids. The influence of virus genome complexity will be investigatedRead moreRead less
Regulation of saxitoxin production in bacteria and algae. In Australia, toxic algal blooms have had a devastating impact on marine and freshwater resources. In collaboration with a biotechnology company, this project will develop exciting new methods based on information regarding the genetics of the toxin, to monitor and potentially mitigate the effects of algal blooms on water supplies and aquaculture industries. We will use this method to determine the impact of light and salinity in regulati ....Regulation of saxitoxin production in bacteria and algae. In Australia, toxic algal blooms have had a devastating impact on marine and freshwater resources. In collaboration with a biotechnology company, this project will develop exciting new methods based on information regarding the genetics of the toxin, to monitor and potentially mitigate the effects of algal blooms on water supplies and aquaculture industries. We will use this method to determine the impact of light and salinity in regulating toxin production in cyanobacteria and algae.Read moreRead less
Predictive ichthyotoxicity, diagnostics and risk assessment of harmful algal blooms impacting on the Tasmanian salmonid aquaculture industry. We aim to define through a combination of laboratory culture exposure and live cage bioassay experiments the minimum cell concentrations of harmful microalgae (Karenia, Heterosigma, Noctiluca, Chaetoceros) that can cause salmonid mortalities or are a factor in compromising fish health or reducing fish farm productivity. The diagnostic pathology and fish be ....Predictive ichthyotoxicity, diagnostics and risk assessment of harmful algal blooms impacting on the Tasmanian salmonid aquaculture industry. We aim to define through a combination of laboratory culture exposure and live cage bioassay experiments the minimum cell concentrations of harmful microalgae (Karenia, Heterosigma, Noctiluca, Chaetoceros) that can cause salmonid mortalities or are a factor in compromising fish health or reducing fish farm productivity. The diagnostic pathology and fish behaviour caused by different harmful algal taxa will be carefully documented to assist fish health inspectors in the routine diagnosis of algal toxicosis ot compromised fish health. Ultimately, this information will be integrated into a risk assessment strategy for the Tasmanian salmonid industry to manage fish stocks during times of harmful algal bloom events.Read moreRead less
Characterising genetic variation in Brassica napus. Applying the latest scientific advances supports society through promoting a knowledge based economy, as well as through securing agricultural productivity and biomedical applications. Establishing these methods places Australia at the forefront of genomics technology with direct applications for Australian agricultural, biomedical and biotechnology industries. Maintaining agricultural production in an unreliable environment remains a national ....Characterising genetic variation in Brassica napus. Applying the latest scientific advances supports society through promoting a knowledge based economy, as well as through securing agricultural productivity and biomedical applications. Establishing these methods places Australia at the forefront of genomics technology with direct applications for Australian agricultural, biomedical and biotechnology industries. Maintaining agricultural production in an unreliable environment remains a national challenge, both for rural and urban communities. This technology will provide a detailed understanding of crop genome variation in relation to agronomic traits and lead to the development of crops that are better suited to the Australian climate, supporting a sustainable agricultural industry.Read moreRead less
Ecology, morphology and the diversification of Australian lizards. This project aims to determine the factors driving the spectacular radiation of lizards in Australia. To date, most investigations of lizard anatomy have focused exclusively on external characteristics. This project will examine the underlying internal anatomy to investigate whether morphological innovation is associated with enhanced rates of ecological, life-history and species diversification. The project expects to shed light ....Ecology, morphology and the diversification of Australian lizards. This project aims to determine the factors driving the spectacular radiation of lizards in Australia. To date, most investigations of lizard anatomy have focused exclusively on external characteristics. This project will examine the underlying internal anatomy to investigate whether morphological innovation is associated with enhanced rates of ecological, life-history and species diversification. The project expects to shed light on the evolution of Australia’s most diverse vertebrate lineage, and provide comparative data with which to interpret the lizard fossil record in Australia, and the range declines and relative extinction risks of native lizard species.Read moreRead less