Characterisation of vital carbohydrate synthases in pathogenic oomycetes. This project aims to understand the mechanisms that control cell wall stability in the fish pathogen, Saprolegnia parasitica. The biochemical properties and function of vital enzymes involved in cell wall biosynthesis will be determined using innovative approaches at the interface of biochemistry, microbiology, cell biology, and structural biology. Next generation ion mobility mass spectrometry will be used to solve challe ....Characterisation of vital carbohydrate synthases in pathogenic oomycetes. This project aims to understand the mechanisms that control cell wall stability in the fish pathogen, Saprolegnia parasitica. The biochemical properties and function of vital enzymes involved in cell wall biosynthesis will be determined using innovative approaches at the interface of biochemistry, microbiology, cell biology, and structural biology. Next generation ion mobility mass spectrometry will be used to solve challenging structural questions that cannot be tackled with conventional techniques. Expected outcomes include new knowledge on challenging membrane proteins that allows development of novel strategies for disease control in aquaculture. The data may also be applicable to crop protection from related plant pathogens.Read moreRead less
Identifying Target Genes For Novel Anti-epileptic Therapies In The Mouse
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$469,802.00
Summary
Epilepsy is a disease which affects 2-4% of the population. There are a wide range of drugs available to treat the condition but there is consistently 30-40% of patients who do not respond well to any of these drugs and who continue to have seizures. The reason that there are no drugs available for these people is that most of the drugs available have been designed along the same principles. A new set of principles is needed to develop new drugs which will be able to treat those people not respo ....Epilepsy is a disease which affects 2-4% of the population. There are a wide range of drugs available to treat the condition but there is consistently 30-40% of patients who do not respond well to any of these drugs and who continue to have seizures. The reason that there are no drugs available for these people is that most of the drugs available have been designed along the same principles. A new set of principles is needed to develop new drugs which will be able to treat those people not responding to current therapy. This project is designed to identify new biologic pathways which may be interrupted with drugs to prevent seizures in people with epilepsy. This project uses a procedure to induce mutations into genes in mice and then screens for mice which do not seize when challenged with a drug which generates seizures in mice. Genetic studies will identify the mutated genes and these will be used as potential targets for new therapies or will identify new biological pathway which should expand the use of future anti-epileptic drugs.Read moreRead less
Development of novel omega-3 enriched poultry products. New Health recommendations and changes to the Food Standards Code encourage greater dietary intake of omega-3 (w-3) fatty acids. Our core research on modifying fatty acid composition of poultry tissues and preliminary studies with our industry partner's proprietary fishmeal product (PorcOmega) have indicated the feasibility of producing novel meat products and eggs with high w-3 contents, which would qualify to carry a new nutrition label. ....Development of novel omega-3 enriched poultry products. New Health recommendations and changes to the Food Standards Code encourage greater dietary intake of omega-3 (w-3) fatty acids. Our core research on modifying fatty acid composition of poultry tissues and preliminary studies with our industry partner's proprietary fishmeal product (PorcOmega) have indicated the feasibility of producing novel meat products and eggs with high w-3 contents, which would qualify to carry a new nutrition label. We now propose, in collaboration with our industry partner, to assess the viability of producing such products by conducting poultry feeding trials with PorcOmega on a commercial scale and evaluating both the levels of w-3 enrichement of chicken breast, thigh and sausages, shelf-life and consumer acceptability (sensory evaluation) of these products. We expect to establish feeding strategies for adoption by commercial producers of premium poultry and eggs for local or export markets.Read moreRead less
Native fish stocking of rivers: discriminating between hatchery-reared and wild fish. Stocking of fish is widely used in attempts to restore native fish populations. Little is known of the fate of stocked fish or the effects of stocking on resident populations. We will develop and evaluate protocols for chemical marking of otoliths of hatchery-reared fish so that their source can be determined. Experimental stocking of hatchery-reared fish will be undertaken and population structure and sourc ....Native fish stocking of rivers: discriminating between hatchery-reared and wild fish. Stocking of fish is widely used in attempts to restore native fish populations. Little is known of the fate of stocked fish or the effects of stocking on resident populations. We will develop and evaluate protocols for chemical marking of otoliths of hatchery-reared fish so that their source can be determined. Experimental stocking of hatchery-reared fish will be undertaken and population structure and source of stocked versus wild fish determined in stocked and unstocked rivers. Natural chemical signatures will also help determine important recruitment areas. The outcomes will allow fisheries managers to make informed decisions regarding stocking strategies.Read moreRead less
Trojan Y as a genetic solution for controlling and eradicating the Eastern mosquitofish, Gambusia holbrooki. The project aims to develop applied genetic strategies to eradicate Gambusia, a serious invasive pest fish species, from a Tasmanian estuary. The goal is to advance the Trojan Y chromosome model from theory to an applied solution. The project aims to employ an integrated ecological, physiological, behavioural, genetic and genomics approach, within the unique island-within-an-island status ....Trojan Y as a genetic solution for controlling and eradicating the Eastern mosquitofish, Gambusia holbrooki. The project aims to develop applied genetic strategies to eradicate Gambusia, a serious invasive pest fish species, from a Tasmanian estuary. The goal is to advance the Trojan Y chromosome model from theory to an applied solution. The project aims to employ an integrated ecological, physiological, behavioural, genetic and genomics approach, within the unique island-within-an-island status of Gambusia infestation in Tasmania.Read moreRead less
Cognitive and behavioural benefits of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation across the lifespan. The Australian Bureau of Statistics recently estimated that 7-19% of children have learning and behaviour problems associated with child ADHD. Concurrently, rates of dementia are rapidly increasing worldwide, currently costing the Australian government $6.6 billion pa, and it has been predicted that rates of dementia could double every 20 years. If omega-3 PUFA research can show benefits in cognition an ....Cognitive and behavioural benefits of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation across the lifespan. The Australian Bureau of Statistics recently estimated that 7-19% of children have learning and behaviour problems associated with child ADHD. Concurrently, rates of dementia are rapidly increasing worldwide, currently costing the Australian government $6.6 billion pa, and it has been predicted that rates of dementia could double every 20 years. If omega-3 PUFA research can show benefits in cognition and behaviour across the lifespan, this has potential benefit for fish oil products and their ability to enhance mental health and cognitive outcomes, thereby helping to lower the substantial social and health care costs associated with poor academic performance, mental illness and growing rates of dementia.Read moreRead less
Marine flatworm parasites of elasmobranchs: a unique model for experiments exploring invasion strategies, biology and specificity to help understand parasitism. Primitive parasites with simple life cycles from ancient hosts emphasise adaptations to parasitism. Experimental studies on live eggs and infective stages of different monogenean (flatworm) parasite species from the skin, gills and cloaca of southern fiddler rays will identify critical interactions early in parasite-host relationships t ....Marine flatworm parasites of elasmobranchs: a unique model for experiments exploring invasion strategies, biology and specificity to help understand parasitism. Primitive parasites with simple life cycles from ancient hosts emphasise adaptations to parasitism. Experimental studies on live eggs and infective stages of different monogenean (flatworm) parasite species from the skin, gills and cloaca of southern fiddler rays will identify critical interactions early in parasite-host relationships that determine whether or not parasitism occurs. Basic and applied benefits include: development of a tractable experimental system for studying parasite-host relationships; strategies to control parasites in public aquaria and aquaculture; profitable and exportable expertise; excellence and research training in basic parasitology; contributions to Australia's natural heritage collections.Read moreRead less
Identifying The Critical Pathways Which Regulate Vertebrate Craniofacial Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$552,131.00
Summary
Understanding the genes which underlie human birth defects is of immense clinical importance. Our laboratory is a world-leader investigating a gene responsible for facial skeleton development, Grhl2. With our wide range of models, we will discover how Grhl2 works to ensure the face and skull develop properly during birth.
Improved theory and practice in econometric modelling of nonlinear spatial time series. Modern Australia faces many challenges in economic and global climate changes, which require advanced statistical technologies in modeling and forecasting of econometric spatial time series data. This project will provide flexible models and methods that enable practitioners to more accurately measure and manage economic and climatic risks.