Genetic architecture of species divergence and hybridisation in eucalypts. Eucalypts are an icon of Australia and are of great economic and ecological significance to the nation. They are the most widely planted hardwood trees in the world, but Australia is the centre of origin of most species and the custodian of this important native bioresource. Understanding the evolutionary processes that shape diversity in this internationally significant genus is important for its long-term management a ....Genetic architecture of species divergence and hybridisation in eucalypts. Eucalypts are an icon of Australia and are of great economic and ecological significance to the nation. They are the most widely planted hardwood trees in the world, but Australia is the centre of origin of most species and the custodian of this important native bioresource. Understanding the evolutionary processes that shape diversity in this internationally significant genus is important for its long-term management and conservation. This project links to large international initiatives currently underway for high-density mapping and sequencing of the eucalypt genome, to enhance the flow of information gained back to Australia for scientific, economic and environmental benefit.Read moreRead less
Contribution of hybridisation to genetic diversity and adaptation in Eucalyptus. The eucalypt gene pool is an outstandingly important bioresource for Australia. Its effective future management will be based on understanding the extent, causes and significance of genetic variation in eucalypt species. This project investigates a currently overlooked, but potentially important, source of genetic diversity and adaptation in Eucalyptus. The knowledge gained will contribute substantially to our un ....Contribution of hybridisation to genetic diversity and adaptation in Eucalyptus. The eucalypt gene pool is an outstandingly important bioresource for Australia. Its effective future management will be based on understanding the extent, causes and significance of genetic variation in eucalypt species. This project investigates a currently overlooked, but potentially important, source of genetic diversity and adaptation in Eucalyptus. The knowledge gained will contribute substantially to our understanding of eucalypt biology, and will inform decision-making for conservation, revegetation, and sustainable use of seed resources. Through addressing fundamental questions, the project will also provide a uniquely Australian contribution to world research in forest molecular genetics.Read moreRead less
Improving Indigenous health and wellbeing over the family life course. Improving Indigenous health and wellbeing over the family life course. This project aims to reduce Indigenous health inequalities, a major social and economic problem, by improving the policy relevant evidence base on the determinants of Indigenous health and wellbeing. This project will compare the impact of the family life course on the health and wellbeing of Indigenous and non-Indigenous mothers and children. It will use ....Improving Indigenous health and wellbeing over the family life course. Improving Indigenous health and wellbeing over the family life course. This project aims to reduce Indigenous health inequalities, a major social and economic problem, by improving the policy relevant evidence base on the determinants of Indigenous health and wellbeing. This project will compare the impact of the family life course on the health and wellbeing of Indigenous and non-Indigenous mothers and children. It will use survey data that follows them over time to: 1) identify family structures that enhance or harm health and wellbeing, and; 2) track changes in health and wellbeing before, during and after family transitions (i.e. births, relationship changes). Anticipated results are better targeted policy interventions to reduce Indigenous health inequalities.Read moreRead less
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.
Rapid method development in pharmaceutical analysis using quality-by-design principles. Chemical analysis using separation methods underpins all stages of drug design and analysis. This project will generate new approaches to greatly reduce the time taken to develop a new method of analysis. This will be achieved through development of new computerised techniques for rapid screening, selection and optimisation of analytical methods.
Placental nutrient transport shows how complex traits evolve. This project aims to use amino acid transport in the vertebrate placenta as a model to demonstrate how genes are recruited and modified to produce a major organ. Using an innovative combination of a new technology, selected reaction monitoring, and transcriptomic and molecular approaches, plus carefully selected Australian species pairs, this project will study the evolution of a complex trait (placental amino acid transport). The pr ....Placental nutrient transport shows how complex traits evolve. This project aims to use amino acid transport in the vertebrate placenta as a model to demonstrate how genes are recruited and modified to produce a major organ. Using an innovative combination of a new technology, selected reaction monitoring, and transcriptomic and molecular approaches, plus carefully selected Australian species pairs, this project will study the evolution of a complex trait (placental amino acid transport). The project will provide fundamental advances in our knowledge of the nutrient transport during pregnancy that is required to produce a healthy baby.Read moreRead less
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
Unravelling the relationship between growth and wood properties in temperate eucalypts. The most important biological traits affecting profit in eucalypt plantations grown for pulpwood are growth, wood density and pulp yield. Shrinkage and collapse are important for timber production. Little information is available on the size and direction of the correlations between these traits, yet they are important in determining selection response in breeding as well as environmental impacts on pulp and ....Unravelling the relationship between growth and wood properties in temperate eucalypts. The most important biological traits affecting profit in eucalypt plantations grown for pulpwood are growth, wood density and pulp yield. Shrinkage and collapse are important for timber production. Little information is available on the size and direction of the correlations between these traits, yet they are important in determining selection response in breeding as well as environmental impacts on pulp and sawlog yield. The collaborating growers and breeders have brought together a unique base of Eucalyptus globulus and E. nitens field trials that will allow an integrated quantitative and molecular genetic study of the interrelationships amongst these key profit traits.Read moreRead less
Rebuilding fiscal federalism in Australia: reforming the financial relationship between the Commonwealth and the States. The finances of the Australian States in the modern day face serious structural challenges. The aim of this project is to analyse and develop appropriate alternatives for reform of fiscal federalism in Australia, which would allow the States to gain access to income tax revenue as a secure source of funding in the future.
Revealing Enigma of Salt Bladders to Help Crops Cope with Salinity. In this project, the key transport systems mediating salt sequestration in halophytes are planned to be characterised and linked with cell genetic and metabolic profiles. Salinity is a major environmental hurdle affecting crop production around the world. Halophytes (naturally salt-loving plants) use specialised structures, called salt bladders, to sequester excessive salt outside their metabolically active parts. This feature i ....Revealing Enigma of Salt Bladders to Help Crops Cope with Salinity. In this project, the key transport systems mediating salt sequestration in halophytes are planned to be characterised and linked with cell genetic and metabolic profiles. Salinity is a major environmental hurdle affecting crop production around the world. Halophytes (naturally salt-loving plants) use specialised structures, called salt bladders, to sequester excessive salt outside their metabolically active parts. This feature is not utilised by crops however, and no information is available about the molecular mechanisms by which salt is pumped into bladder cells. This knowledge will allow breeders to utilise this, previously unexplored, trait to improve crop performance under conditions of salinity.Read moreRead less