Mechanisms And Patterns Of Post-Transcriptional Gene Control
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$707,370.00
Summary
Genetic information resides in the DNA of our genome; however, to use this information it must be transcribed into chemically related RNA molecules, collectively known as the transcriptome. While different body cells carry the same genome, they differ widely in their transcriptome composition. To understand how cells properly utilise their transcriptomes we will characterise the marks and binding partners found on RNA in the context of cardiac and cancer biology.
Investigation Of 5-methylcytosine And MicroRNA Function In Eukaryotic RNA
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$311,991.00
Summary
It is hypothesised that 5-methylcytosine in RNA represents a novel regulatory code affecting transcriptome utilisation in ways currently hidden from view. To unravel this code and its (patho)- physiological role(s), this study proposes to generate and interpret comprehensive transcriptome-scale maps of 5-methylcytosine in a range of cellular contexts chosen to reveal links to cellular differentiation, growth, and malignant transformation.
Protein-RNA Interactions In Antiviral Cellular Defence And Gene Regulation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$705,501.00
Summary
Protein-RNA interactions play key roles in antiviral cellular defence and inflammation. Investigation of these molecular interactions will lead to new therapeutic targets and means of combating virus-related disease and inflammatory disorders.
About one in eight known genetic disorders involve DNA alteration that activates a cellular quality control mechanism that disables the affected gene. This mechanism is more efficient in some individuals than others. It can influence disease outcomes and severity. We will engineer and apply tools and models to measure and manipulate this crucial cellular mechanism. This will allow us to predict disease severity as well as to intervene where a manipulation of this mechanism will be beneficial.
Characterising The Topology And Function Of The Human M5C RNA Methylome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$602,537.00
Summary
The role of the modified base 5-methylcytosine (m5C) as an epigenetic mark in DNA is well appreciated and intensely studied. By comparison, the cellular functions of the same base modification in RNA molecules, which function as working copies of the DNA genome, are poorly understood. This project will apply next generation sequencing technology to chart the occurrence of m5C in eukaryotic cellular RNAs and endeavour to unravel its function(s) in human biology and cancer.
The Role Of The HuB RNA-binding Protein In Post-transcriptional Gene Regulation In The Pre-gastrula Zebrafish Embryo
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$545,216.00
Summary
The precise control of protein expression is absolutely critical in biology. The key decisions about which genes are turned on or off at any one moment control the proper growth of an organism during development, and are responsible for the organism's homeostasis and proper response to environmental changes as an adult. The spatio-temporal control of genes is critcal during embryogenesis and we aim to understand how these processes underlie development in the vertebrate embryo.