How does ecological disturbance shape the genetic diversity of natural populations? Environmental disturbances shape the dynamics of the world's ecosystems. However, we do not understand how they influence biodiversity at its most fundamental level, genetic diversity. This is important, because genetic diversity affects the fitness of individuals, the viability of populations and the adaptability of species. This project will study fire in the Australian environment to discover how disturbance a ....How does ecological disturbance shape the genetic diversity of natural populations? Environmental disturbances shape the dynamics of the world's ecosystems. However, we do not understand how they influence biodiversity at its most fundamental level, genetic diversity. This is important, because genetic diversity affects the fitness of individuals, the viability of populations and the adaptability of species. This project will study fire in the Australian environment to discover how disturbance affects genetic diversity. By integrating landscape genomics and computational modelling with long-term field studies, the research will significantly advance our understanding of how genetic diversity is distributed, and improve our ability to predict the responses of natural populations to changes in the frequency and severity of wildfire.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150101259
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$371,000.00
Summary
The impact of urbanisation on viral diversity and disease emergence. Urbanisation increases the risk of infectious disease emergence by rapidly altering contact rates between humans and other species. Fortunately, many consequences of urbanisation appear to be universal, suggesting that it is possible to identify factors likely to increase the risk of viral disease emergence and predict their impacts. This project aims to examine the viral response to changes in host and vector population struct ....The impact of urbanisation on viral diversity and disease emergence. Urbanisation increases the risk of infectious disease emergence by rapidly altering contact rates between humans and other species. Fortunately, many consequences of urbanisation appear to be universal, suggesting that it is possible to identify factors likely to increase the risk of viral disease emergence and predict their impacts. This project aims to examine the viral response to changes in host and vector population structure and dynamics that occur as a result of urbanisation, and identify viral characteristics that are associated with survival in an urban environment. This novel fusion of urban and viral ecology will have unprecedented impact on the development of predictive models of viral emergence for risk assessment and management.Read moreRead less
Rapid evolution via genetic novelty in an invasive social insect. This project aims to determine how introduced Asian honey bee populations in Australia and the Pacific managed to overcome severe genetic bottlenecks to become invasive pests. The project will use advanced molecular techniques to understand rapid evolution at a focal gene that determines fitness in these populations, and to see evolution in action across the genome using a twelve-year timeline of samples. The outcome will be an en ....Rapid evolution via genetic novelty in an invasive social insect. This project aims to determine how introduced Asian honey bee populations in Australia and the Pacific managed to overcome severe genetic bottlenecks to become invasive pests. The project will use advanced molecular techniques to understand rapid evolution at a focal gene that determines fitness in these populations, and to see evolution in action across the genome using a twelve-year timeline of samples. The outcome will be an enhanced capacity to manage new outbreaks of invasive social insects of all kinds via a better understanding of how invasions establish and spread. This should provide significant benefits in the form of protecting Australian agriculture and pollination services from social insect pests.Read moreRead less
Improved insect pest control through understanding mechanisms of insecticide action. Receptors in the nervous system relay signals required for nerve function. Insecticides targeting these receptors provide insect pest control. Better insecticides could be designed if the proteins involved in receptor assembly function were known. In identifying these proteins this project will improve options for safe and effective pest control.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230100257
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$446,857.00
Summary
Molecular biosecurity: Genomic databanks for managing new pest invasions. This project aims to develop a set of genomics-based approaches for analysing new pest invasions. By producing and analysing genomic databanks for four insect pest species, including three that have recently invaded Australia, this project expects to identify invasion origins and to track new pest incursions within Australia. The project should also provide insights into pest ecology, including movement rates and populatio ....Molecular biosecurity: Genomic databanks for managing new pest invasions. This project aims to develop a set of genomics-based approaches for analysing new pest invasions. By producing and analysing genomic databanks for four insect pest species, including three that have recently invaded Australia, this project expects to identify invasion origins and to track new pest incursions within Australia. The project should also provide insights into pest ecology, including movement rates and population change over time. This information can enable more efficient deployment of biosecurity resources and pave the way for genomics to be used pre-emptively to stop new invasions. This can help make genomics a go-to response to new pest invasions and position Australia at the forefront of genomics-based pest biosecurity.Read moreRead less
When is hybridisation helpful or harmful to invaders? This project aims to determine the role of hybridisation during biological invasions. Hybridisation has been thought to aid invasion by introducing genetic novelty, but traditional approaches have been ineffective at evaluating alternatives. The project will capitalise on replicate hybrid zones of the same species, apply new methods on an expansive genomic dataset, and develop novel simulations to resolve how hybridisation and colonisation in ....When is hybridisation helpful or harmful to invaders? This project aims to determine the role of hybridisation during biological invasions. Hybridisation has been thought to aid invasion by introducing genetic novelty, but traditional approaches have been ineffective at evaluating alternatives. The project will capitalise on replicate hybrid zones of the same species, apply new methods on an expansive genomic dataset, and develop novel simulations to resolve how hybridisation and colonisation interact. The methods and knowledge acquired through this research will be valuable for a range of applications, from biosecurity to conservation management.Read moreRead less
The chemical, molecular and evolutionary basis of key pollination transitions in Australian orchids and their conservation consequences. Many of Australia's unique orchids may face increased extinction risk in human modified landscapes because of their dependence on specific pollinators. This project will investigate the basis of transitions between key pollination strategies in orchids with the outcomes informing both evolutionary theory and future conservation programs.
Development of efficient CRISPR gene drives in mice. This project aims to generate new tools for vertebrate pest management through development of cutting-edge gene drive technology in mice. Vertebrate pests cost Australia over $1 billion each year in agricultural losses and environmental damage and novel strategies are required to tackle this challenge. Newly developed “gene drives”, which can rapidly spread through populations, have enormous potential for the sustained management and even erad ....Development of efficient CRISPR gene drives in mice. This project aims to generate new tools for vertebrate pest management through development of cutting-edge gene drive technology in mice. Vertebrate pests cost Australia over $1 billion each year in agricultural losses and environmental damage and novel strategies are required to tackle this challenge. Newly developed “gene drives”, which can rapidly spread through populations, have enormous potential for the sustained management and even eradication of pests. This project aims to develop gene drive technology in mice as a prototypical vertebrate pest species. The project will potentially deliver valuable tools that directly impact Australia’s Science and Research Priority on Food.Read moreRead less
Fine-scale resolution of genomes in natural microbial communities. This project aims to develop advanced molecular and statistical techniques to precisely resolve the genomes of microbes in the environment. Microbes inhabit every niche on the planet and are fundamental to human and animal health, agriculture, and the environment. The proposed technology will advance our understanding of environmental microbes, leading to advances in areas like climate science and biosecurity where microbes play ....Fine-scale resolution of genomes in natural microbial communities. This project aims to develop advanced molecular and statistical techniques to precisely resolve the genomes of microbes in the environment. Microbes inhabit every niche on the planet and are fundamental to human and animal health, agriculture, and the environment. The proposed technology will advance our understanding of environmental microbes, leading to advances in areas like climate science and biosecurity where microbes play a key role. It will also support the development of billion dollar industries focused on the use of beneficial microbes in agriculture, plant, animal, and human health.Read moreRead less
The molecular evolution of wings in flightless birds. The flightless Australian emu and New Zealand kiwi have small wings, while the extinct moa had none at all. This project will identify the genetic changes that have lead to wing reduction and loss in flightless birds. The results will shed light on the genetic control of forelimb development and how it has evolved.