Computational Modeling of RNA Control Networks. One of the most exciting new ideas for understanding the regulation of gene expression involves the contribution of intronic and other non-protein coding RNAs to regulatory networks within cells. This novel role for intronic RNA is currently making headlines within the molecular biology community but has not yet been modelled computationally. The network of genetic regulatory interactions forms a complex system which is amenable to computational ....Computational Modeling of RNA Control Networks. One of the most exciting new ideas for understanding the regulation of gene expression involves the contribution of intronic and other non-protein coding RNAs to regulatory networks within cells. This novel role for intronic RNA is currently making headlines within the molecular biology community but has not yet been modelled computationally. The network of genetic regulatory interactions forms a complex system which is amenable to computational analysis. This project aims to extend current models to incorporate intronic RNA feedback control, complementing parallel studies in vivo, and computationally testing ideas essential to the theoretical understanding of the basis of life.Read moreRead less
A new theory for retinotectal map formation. How brains become wired up during development is a question of
importance to both biology and computing. In this project we adopt a
novel computational approach to understanding the development of
topographic maps, a wiring pattern that is ubiquitous in biological
nervous systems. This project will build capacity for research in
computational neuroscience in Australia. It may also lead to
technological benefits such as new ideas for the design o ....A new theory for retinotectal map formation. How brains become wired up during development is a question of
importance to both biology and computing. In this project we adopt a
novel computational approach to understanding the development of
topographic maps, a wiring pattern that is ubiquitous in biological
nervous systems. This project will build capacity for research in
computational neuroscience in Australia. It may also lead to
technological benefits such as new ideas for the design of self-wiring
computing devices, and new insights into
the causes of wiring defects both during normal development and
rewiring after injury.
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Wiring up the nervous system: how do axons detect molecular gradients? This project will improve our understanding of how the nervous system
becomes wired up during development. This will ultimately allow better
therapies for some types of developmental disorders, and for repairing
damaged connections for instance in the spinal cord. The theoretical
models developed will improve our understanding of the computations
necessary to generate appropriate wiring of the nervous system, which
may ....Wiring up the nervous system: how do axons detect molecular gradients? This project will improve our understanding of how the nervous system
becomes wired up during development. This will ultimately allow better
therapies for some types of developmental disorders, and for repairing
damaged connections for instance in the spinal cord. The theoretical
models developed will improve our understanding of the computations
necessary to generate appropriate wiring of the nervous system, which
may facilitate the development of self-organizing computing
devices. The project will also provide unique research training at the
interface of biology and computation, building capacity for such
interdisciplinary research throughout Australia.
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The genomic programming of complex organisms. The project will have far-reaching consequences in medicine, agriculture, biotechnology, engineering, information science and associated industries. It will provide a platform for the rationalization of genetic epidemiology and genetic improvement programs, the development of a wide range of new diagnostics and therapies, the development of new core technologies and practical approaches in genetics and genetic diversity, a framework for advanced gen ....The genomic programming of complex organisms. The project will have far-reaching consequences in medicine, agriculture, biotechnology, engineering, information science and associated industries. It will provide a platform for the rationalization of genetic epidemiology and genetic improvement programs, the development of a wide range of new diagnostics and therapies, the development of new core technologies and practical approaches in genetics and genetic diversity, a framework for advanced genetic engineering, the development of new principles and systems for information storage and transmission, and the design of artificial systems capable of self-referential assembly in other environments.Read moreRead less
ARC Centre for Complex Systems. The Australian Centre for Complex Systems brings together leading researchers from several disciplines and institutions to conduct research on questions fundamental to understanding and managing complex systems. Its core research program, based on the theme of computation in and by networks of agents, has two interwoven strands. The science strand addresses questions about emergent properties, natural computation, and nonlinear dynamics. The engineering strand add ....ARC Centre for Complex Systems. The Australian Centre for Complex Systems brings together leading researchers from several disciplines and institutions to conduct research on questions fundamental to understanding and managing complex systems. Its core research program, based on the theme of computation in and by networks of agents, has two interwoven strands. The science strand addresses questions about emergent properties, natural computation, and nonlinear dynamics. The engineering strand addresses issues about methodology, modelling toolkits, and management and control. Practical applications are advanced via collaborative projects that address key issues in biology, environment, and socio-economics.Read moreRead less
Myofibroblast differentiation: from haemopoietic cells to smooth muscle. Until very recently the ability of adult cells with specific differentiated functions to re-differentiate for another function was thought to be extremely limited. However we have shown that cells ultimately derived from the bone marrow can differentiate into fibroblasts, then into myofibroblasts and then into smooth muscle cells. This project will build on these unique findings and determine the molecular mechanisms cont ....Myofibroblast differentiation: from haemopoietic cells to smooth muscle. Until very recently the ability of adult cells with specific differentiated functions to re-differentiate for another function was thought to be extremely limited. However we have shown that cells ultimately derived from the bone marrow can differentiate into fibroblasts, then into myofibroblasts and then into smooth muscle cells. This project will build on these unique findings and determine the molecular mechanisms controlling this process. We hypothesise that the local environment of a cell is critical and will involve a combination of particular extracellular matrix and growth factors as well as mechanical tension and the presence of other cell types.Read moreRead less
CX3C chemokine signalling in the olfactory epithelium and its role in the self regeneration of the olfactory system. The current proposal will explore new venues in adult neural stem cell research and contribute to the further development of molecular biology and neuroscience research in Western Australia and Australia. The use of neural stem cells holds therapeutic promise for the treatment of a wide variety of neurological conditions, including neurotrauma and stroke. The proposed research wil ....CX3C chemokine signalling in the olfactory epithelium and its role in the self regeneration of the olfactory system. The current proposal will explore new venues in adult neural stem cell research and contribute to the further development of molecular biology and neuroscience research in Western Australia and Australia. The use of neural stem cells holds therapeutic promise for the treatment of a wide variety of neurological conditions, including neurotrauma and stroke. The proposed research will provide new data on the fundamental cellular and molecular events that are required to trigger the birth, differentiation and conditions for growth of new neurons in the adult nervous system. The generation of such insights will be critical for any translational research.
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Understanding how the multiple roles of olfactory ensheathing cells guide the growth and regeneration of olfactory axons. The outcomes of this project will increase the understanding of how nerve cells develop and regenerate after injury. The research outcomes and the development of new innovative methodologies as part of the project will be of high significance for the neuroscience research community both within Australia and overseas. The findings will also pave the way for the development of ....Understanding how the multiple roles of olfactory ensheathing cells guide the growth and regeneration of olfactory axons. The outcomes of this project will increase the understanding of how nerve cells develop and regenerate after injury. The research outcomes and the development of new innovative methodologies as part of the project will be of high significance for the neuroscience research community both within Australia and overseas. The findings will also pave the way for the development of novel therapies that promote neuronal regeneration relevant for disorders such as spinal cord injury and Alzheimer's disease, which constitute a large socio-economic burden in Australia. Currently, 400 people contract spinal cord injury every year, corresponding to an annual cost of $1 billion, and more than 500 000 aging people suffer from Alzheimer's disease.Read moreRead less
Genetic analysis of cohesin function and regulation in Drosophila. In yeast, a multiprotein complex, called cohesin, holds newly replicated chromatids together until the cell is ready to partition each chromatid into its daughter cells. We and others have shown that cohesins are regulated differently in animal cells. We propose to combine classical genetic analyses with two new and innovative techniques, time-lapse confocal microscopy of fluorescent proteins in living cells and gene-specific kno ....Genetic analysis of cohesin function and regulation in Drosophila. In yeast, a multiprotein complex, called cohesin, holds newly replicated chromatids together until the cell is ready to partition each chromatid into its daughter cells. We and others have shown that cohesins are regulated differently in animal cells. We propose to combine classical genetic analyses with two new and innovative techniques, time-lapse confocal microscopy of fluorescent proteins in living cells and gene-specific knockout techniques to study key cohesin regulators in Drosophila. These studies will provide us with novel insights into how multicellular organisms regulate the structure and stability of their chromosomes.Read moreRead less
Combined genetic and cellular analysis of melanisation to study variation in human pigmentation. This investigation examines variations in the genes that are important determinants of human skin pigmentation and are likely to be associated with skin cancer risk. Our research program will form the basis of future diagnostics based on major genes that determine a persons skin type. Current skin cancer prevention strategies rely predominantly on broad spectrum campaigns that are aimed at increasi ....Combined genetic and cellular analysis of melanisation to study variation in human pigmentation. This investigation examines variations in the genes that are important determinants of human skin pigmentation and are likely to be associated with skin cancer risk. Our research program will form the basis of future diagnostics based on major genes that determine a persons skin type. Current skin cancer prevention strategies rely predominantly on broad spectrum campaigns that are aimed at increasing the general community awareness of the damaging effects of UV radiation. A better understanding of the genetic basis of UV-sensitive skin types will greatly enhance the targeting of such skin cancer-prevention campaigns, provide an understanding of changes that occur in skin pathology, and the mechanisms of sun induced tanning.Read moreRead less