Organisation, expression and diversity of the sub-telomeric regions of the ancient eukaryote, Giardia duodenalis. We propose to extend our findings on the extreme plasticity of the structure and organisation of the sub-telomeric region of the complete genome of Giardia by more extensive chromosome walking, and comparison of different isolates. These regions are subject to gene conversion, transcriptional silencing, gene mobility, recombination, variable surface protein expression, subtelomeric i ....Organisation, expression and diversity of the sub-telomeric regions of the ancient eukaryote, Giardia duodenalis. We propose to extend our findings on the extreme plasticity of the structure and organisation of the sub-telomeric region of the complete genome of Giardia by more extensive chromosome walking, and comparison of different isolates. These regions are subject to gene conversion, transcriptional silencing, gene mobility, recombination, variable surface protein expression, subtelomeric instability and the insertion of transposable elements, a dynamic balance between structural conservation and rapid evolution. This is a rare opportunity to understand the forces at work in moulding eukaryotic sub-telomeric sequences because Giardia is not constrained by sexual homogenisation and the dynamic variability is retained.Read moreRead less
Evolution of nervous system patterning processes: characterisation of homologs of key Drosophila regulatory genes from the coral Acropora. Defining the common mechanisms of nervous system development is one of the major goals of modern biology, but is presently being addressed largely by comparisons between a few very advanced (and therefore specialised) animals. Comparative data from a lower animal is urgently needed, and will clarify many aspects of nervous system evolution and development. Th ....Evolution of nervous system patterning processes: characterisation of homologs of key Drosophila regulatory genes from the coral Acropora. Defining the common mechanisms of nervous system development is one of the major goals of modern biology, but is presently being addressed largely by comparisons between a few very advanced (and therefore specialised) animals. Comparative data from a lower animal is urgently needed, and will clarify many aspects of nervous system evolution and development. The pioneering work carried out on Acropora in this laboratory suggests that it is perhaps the best choice currently available for this purpose. This project will use Acropora to address fundamental questions about the evolution of nervous system developmental processes.Read moreRead less
The sponge genome project and the evolution of multicellularity: using comparative genomics and developmental biology to reconstruct the first animals. Recently the entire genome from a living fossil - a sponge from the Great Barrier Reef - was sequenced (jointly supported by the ARC and US Department of Energy). As this genome is assembled and analysed, many of the fundamental biological processes that underlie the construction and evolution of all animals, including humans, will be revealed. ....The sponge genome project and the evolution of multicellularity: using comparative genomics and developmental biology to reconstruct the first animals. Recently the entire genome from a living fossil - a sponge from the Great Barrier Reef - was sequenced (jointly supported by the ARC and US Department of Energy). As this genome is assembled and analysed, many of the fundamental biological processes that underlie the construction and evolution of all animals, including humans, will be revealed. In addition, sponge genomics will fuel innovations in medicine and biotechnology. Specifically, sponges are renowned for their capacity to synthesise bioactive compounds used in drug development, and high-grade silica used for semi-conductor construction. This project will identify the gene networks controlling these biosynthetic processes.Read moreRead less
Drosophila Quantitative Genomics. This research proposal will be a key element in the emerging program in evolutionary and ecological functional genomics at the University of Queensland. Our studies utilize modern genomics approaches to address diverse national priorities from conservation of biological resources in the face of climate change, to understanding how genetic history contributes to drug susceptibility. The research will contribute to the intellectual foundation upon which rigorous ....Drosophila Quantitative Genomics. This research proposal will be a key element in the emerging program in evolutionary and ecological functional genomics at the University of Queensland. Our studies utilize modern genomics approaches to address diverse national priorities from conservation of biological resources in the face of climate change, to understanding how genetic history contributes to drug susceptibility. The research will contribute to the intellectual foundation upon which rigorous environmental and biomedical research is built. Social impact will be seen in the training of a new generation of integrative genome biologists, and the shaping of attitudes toward the role of genetics in human biology.Read moreRead less
The making of a sea shell: function and evolution of genes encoding calcareous architectures of phenomenal strength, purity and beauty. The mollusc shell is composed of microscopic layers of tabular calcium carbonate crystals and thin sheets of proteins with precise nanoscale architectures. This configuration produces a high-performance composite material that exceeds the present capabilities of human engineering. This integrated study will elucidate the molecular mechanisms controlling the fab ....The making of a sea shell: function and evolution of genes encoding calcareous architectures of phenomenal strength, purity and beauty. The mollusc shell is composed of microscopic layers of tabular calcium carbonate crystals and thin sheets of proteins with precise nanoscale architectures. This configuration produces a high-performance composite material that exceeds the present capabilities of human engineering. This integrated study will elucidate the molecular mechanisms controlling the fabrication of these architectures. This knowledge will contribute significantly to the development of materials for advanced electronics and energy transducers, human bone therapeutics and marine?based products such as pearls and cements, through the identification of genes underlying biofabrication networks and the development of in vitro bioproduction systems. Read moreRead less
Genetical Genomics of Mutational Variance. Mutation is the ultimate source of all genetic variation. Understanding the nature of mutation, its frequency, the distribution of effects, and the forces of selection that remove mutational load from populations is therefore a central concern of genetics. The accumulation of mutational load both in endangered species and human populations, where the natural forces of selection tend not to operate, has the potential to create serious problems in these p ....Genetical Genomics of Mutational Variance. Mutation is the ultimate source of all genetic variation. Understanding the nature of mutation, its frequency, the distribution of effects, and the forces of selection that remove mutational load from populations is therefore a central concern of genetics. The accumulation of mutational load both in endangered species and human populations, where the natural forces of selection tend not to operate, has the potential to create serious problems in these populations. The goal is to understand what types of mutations are targeted by selection at the gene expression level and why.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354500
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
ARC Research Network in Microarray Technology. The primary aim of this proposal is to transform the premier genomic technology into a standard research tool; microarrays are now a priority for anyone studying the genetics underlying key biological processes. A principal challenge for the Australian research community is to capture all aspects of microarray technology and make them readily available. We will address these needs by developing a network to:
-establish regular research meetings,
- ....ARC Research Network in Microarray Technology. The primary aim of this proposal is to transform the premier genomic technology into a standard research tool; microarrays are now a priority for anyone studying the genetics underlying key biological processes. A principal challenge for the Australian research community is to capture all aspects of microarray technology and make them readily available. We will address these needs by developing a network to:
-establish regular research meetings,
-facilitate training in array methodologies and bioinformatics,
-co-ordinate innovation of technologies,-provide centralised data warehousing,
-provide access to automated high-level gene annotation,
-provide data mining tools,
-set standards for data management and exchangeRead moreRead less
Phasevarions of Haemophilus influenzae: mechanisms and origins of a novel epigenetic system controlling coordinated random switching in expression of multiple genes. Central to the utilisation of biological information is our ability to identify and interpret DNA sequence information from genomes. In bacteria that cause disease, these investigations can identify key aspects of the infectious process or potential components of vaccines or new targets for antibiotics. Our recent work has identifie ....Phasevarions of Haemophilus influenzae: mechanisms and origins of a novel epigenetic system controlling coordinated random switching in expression of multiple genes. Central to the utilisation of biological information is our ability to identify and interpret DNA sequence information from genomes. In bacteria that cause disease, these investigations can identify key aspects of the infectious process or potential components of vaccines or new targets for antibiotics. Our recent work has identified a new genetic system, the 'phasevarion', that mediates random expression of multiple genes. The proposed research aims to advance our understanding of gene expression at the most basic level, revealing how bacteria generate diverse populations to evade environmental and immune stresses, and facilitating improved interpretation and use of DNA sequences for researchers and industry in this field.Read moreRead less
The Genomic Dimensionality of the Response to Natural Selection. Many future advances in agriculture and medicine, as well as an understanding of adaptive evolution in natural and pest populations will require discovering the genes that regulate the expression of complex traits. Microarray technology is at the forefront of modern genomics, but despite its promise, is currently restricted in its utility by significant analytical problems associated with the analysis of the large number of gene ex ....The Genomic Dimensionality of the Response to Natural Selection. Many future advances in agriculture and medicine, as well as an understanding of adaptive evolution in natural and pest populations will require discovering the genes that regulate the expression of complex traits. Microarray technology is at the forefront of modern genomics, but despite its promise, is currently restricted in its utility by significant analytical problems associated with the analysis of the large number of gene expression profiles and their interpretation. Analytical approaches will be developed that will substantially enhance the ability of transcriptional profiling to effectively uncover key genes underlying important phenotypes of interest across the biological and medical sciences.Read moreRead less
Discovery and characterization of new classes of small regulatory RNAs in mammals. The project will reaffirm and enhance Australian leadership in the most rapidly developing area of molecular biological and genetic research, by the application of ultra high-throughput sequencing technologies to discovery of regulatory RNAs, thereby to identify the characteristics of important regulatory pathways that underpin mammalian development, brain function and species diversity. The results of this resear ....Discovery and characterization of new classes of small regulatory RNAs in mammals. The project will reaffirm and enhance Australian leadership in the most rapidly developing area of molecular biological and genetic research, by the application of ultra high-throughput sequencing technologies to discovery of regulatory RNAs, thereby to identify the characteristics of important regulatory pathways that underpin mammalian development, brain function and species diversity. The results of this research will have wide implications and applications in biotechnology, genetic engineering, animal breeding, medical science and advanced informatics.Read moreRead less