Dissecting The Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome With Complementary Genetic, Proteomic And Biophysical Strategies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$490,352.00
Summary
Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) is an eye condition in which flaky material deposits in the eye, greatly increasing the risk of cataract and glaucoma which can lead to blindness. PEX is also associated with heart disease, strokes and aneurysms. Cataract surgery in PEX patients has a higher rate of complications. In this project we will determine the nature of PEX material and why it forms. This knowlege will facilitate better diagnosis and treatment of PEX preventing associated blindness.
Evolutionary, macroecological and phylogenetic patterns in Australasian freshwater crayfish. This project connects Australian systematists to a worldwide project that involves all of the world's living experts on freshwater crayfish evolution in a coordinated effort to answer some very important evolutionary questions. It involves a group of invertebrate animals that are not only readily recognisable, but which in Australia includes the world's largest and the world's most terrestrial crayfish s ....Evolutionary, macroecological and phylogenetic patterns in Australasian freshwater crayfish. This project connects Australian systematists to a worldwide project that involves all of the world's living experts on freshwater crayfish evolution in a coordinated effort to answer some very important evolutionary questions. It involves a group of invertebrate animals that are not only readily recognisable, but which in Australia includes the world's largest and the world's most terrestrial crayfish species. Information gained from the project will contribute to the management of crayfish biodiversity, identification of threatened species and tools to identify these prominent and important members of Australian freshwater ecosystems.Read moreRead less
Understanding the biological functions of the karrikin-responsive signaling system of plants in growth, development and responses to the environment. A new signalling system in plants, related to that of strigolactone hormones but evolutionarily more ancient and functionally distinct, has been discovered. It is defined by the Karrkin-Insensitive-2 (KAI2) protein discovered by its ability to confer responsiveness to karrikins from bushfires. The KAI2 system influences seed germination, and develo ....Understanding the biological functions of the karrikin-responsive signaling system of plants in growth, development and responses to the environment. A new signalling system in plants, related to that of strigolactone hormones but evolutionarily more ancient and functionally distinct, has been discovered. It is defined by the Karrkin-Insensitive-2 (KAI2) protein discovered by its ability to confer responsiveness to karrikins from bushfires. The KAI2 system influences seed germination, and development of seedlings, leaves and potentially roots. This project will use KAI2 mutants and transgenic plants to define the biological functions of KAI2 signalling, and its interactions with other signalling systems. New genes central to KAI2 signalling and responses will be identified for functional analysis. The research will reveal the significance of this new signalling system in plant biology. Read moreRead less