Organisation, expression and diversity of the sub-telomeric regions of the ancient eukaryote, Giardia duodenalis. We propose to extend our findings on the extreme plasticity of the structure and organisation of the sub-telomeric region of the complete genome of Giardia by more extensive chromosome walking, and comparison of different isolates. These regions are subject to gene conversion, transcriptional silencing, gene mobility, recombination, variable surface protein expression, subtelomeric i ....Organisation, expression and diversity of the sub-telomeric regions of the ancient eukaryote, Giardia duodenalis. We propose to extend our findings on the extreme plasticity of the structure and organisation of the sub-telomeric region of the complete genome of Giardia by more extensive chromosome walking, and comparison of different isolates. These regions are subject to gene conversion, transcriptional silencing, gene mobility, recombination, variable surface protein expression, subtelomeric instability and the insertion of transposable elements, a dynamic balance between structural conservation and rapid evolution. This is a rare opportunity to understand the forces at work in moulding eukaryotic sub-telomeric sequences because Giardia is not constrained by sexual homogenisation and the dynamic variability is retained.Read moreRead less
Kingdom switching microbial pathogens: the bioinformatics of mutation in the genomes of viruses and bacteria affecting crops, livestock and people. Some organisms that cause infectious diseases have moved between plants and vertebrates, either recently or repeatedly over evolutionary time. Switching between plants and vertebrates strongly influences the way these microbes mutate and evolve. We will search the genomic sequence databases for information about how the choice of host influences muta ....Kingdom switching microbial pathogens: the bioinformatics of mutation in the genomes of viruses and bacteria affecting crops, livestock and people. Some organisms that cause infectious diseases have moved between plants and vertebrates, either recently or repeatedly over evolutionary time. Switching between plants and vertebrates strongly influences the way these microbes mutate and evolve. We will search the genomic sequence databases for information about how the choice of host influences mutations in viral and bacterial genomes and model the evolutionary processes involved. This project will advance our understanding of the fine structure of microbial genomes and the importance of selection pressures on genes. It will lead to better disease management strategies for humans, and for domestic crops and livestock.Read moreRead less
Trafficking of DNA between chloroplast and nucleus in higher plants. Reliably high levels of diverse proteins can be produced in plant chloroplasts. Environmental risks are considered low for chloroplast genes because they are not transmitted by pollen. However, we recently discovered that DNA escapes from the tobacco chloroplast to the nucleus with unexpectedly high frequency. The associated environmental risks require immediate investigation. This project will determine the fate of chloroplast ....Trafficking of DNA between chloroplast and nucleus in higher plants. Reliably high levels of diverse proteins can be produced in plant chloroplasts. Environmental risks are considered low for chloroplast genes because they are not transmitted by pollen. However, we recently discovered that DNA escapes from the tobacco chloroplast to the nucleus with unexpectedly high frequency. The associated environmental risks require immediate investigation. This project will determine the fate of chloroplast DNA that has moved to the nuclear genome and gain insight into the evolutionary and environmental consequences of chloroplast DNA escape. The ubiquity of DNA escape also will be studied in an edible crop with a small genome, tomato.Read moreRead less
Analysis of interorganellar transposition of DNA. The movement of DNA between organelles is a major driving force in the eukaryotic evolution. In yeast about 75% of all nuclear genes may derive from protomitochondria. Though DNA transfer per se continues in all higher cells, including mammals, in most species the functional transfer of genes has stopped. It continues at a high rate in plants, giving them unique potential in evolutionary studies of the genome. We established experimentally that D ....Analysis of interorganellar transposition of DNA. The movement of DNA between organelles is a major driving force in the eukaryotic evolution. In yeast about 75% of all nuclear genes may derive from protomitochondria. Though DNA transfer per se continues in all higher cells, including mammals, in most species the functional transfer of genes has stopped. It continues at a high rate in plants, giving them unique potential in evolutionary studies of the genome. We established experimentally that DNA moves frequently from the plastid (chloroplast) to the nucleus. We now aim to measure the frequency of DNA transposition from the plastid to the mitochondrion. If transposition is sufficiently frequent, the approach can be used to transformation the mitochondrial genome.Read moreRead less
The molecular basis of endosymbiotic evolution. First: Timmis has a 20 year, pioneering reputation in this research area which has recently emerged as a major focus in evolutionary genetics, genomics and GM crop technology. Four years of recent ARC funding has enabled us to remain internationally competitive and significant papers and collaborative reviews in high-impact journals have resulted, to the benefit of Australia's reputation in biolological science. Second: our recent results have caus ....The molecular basis of endosymbiotic evolution. First: Timmis has a 20 year, pioneering reputation in this research area which has recently emerged as a major focus in evolutionary genetics, genomics and GM crop technology. Four years of recent ARC funding has enabled us to remain internationally competitive and significant papers and collaborative reviews in high-impact journals have resulted, to the benefit of Australia's reputation in biolological science. Second: our recent results have caused major debate about containment of GM crops. The knowledge gained from this research will provide essential information to ensure against environmental and human problems associated with transgene escape from GM crops into wild species.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190100085
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$414,864.00
Summary
Elucidating a novel mechanism for coping with harmful mutations. This project aims to improve our understanding of the complex regulatory mechanisms that increase genetic and phenotypic robustness. Survival of organisms depends on their ability to cope with genetic variation. A novel process of genetic compensation has recently been identified, producing a normal phenotype in a homozygous mutant, that would be expected to have deleterious effects. This project will reveal how compensation is ach ....Elucidating a novel mechanism for coping with harmful mutations. This project aims to improve our understanding of the complex regulatory mechanisms that increase genetic and phenotypic robustness. Survival of organisms depends on their ability to cope with genetic variation. A novel process of genetic compensation has recently been identified, producing a normal phenotype in a homozygous mutant, that would be expected to have deleterious effects. This project will reveal how compensation is achieved by examining the molecular pathways that are activated following genetic mutation. This project is expected to strengthen Australian reputation in evolutionary genetics, and in turn enhance our understanding of how organisms adapt to changing environments.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140101728
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$395,220.00
Summary
The regulation and evolution of posttranscriptional gene networks. The ability of cells to regulate gene expression is key for organism development, adaptation to new environments and evolutionary changes that shape the diversity of life on Earth. This project studies the RNA binding proteins called PUFs which are central for gene expression in diverse organisms. Using cutting-edge new generation systems biology approaches, this project will study how PUF proteins regulate genes to enable metabo ....The regulation and evolution of posttranscriptional gene networks. The ability of cells to regulate gene expression is key for organism development, adaptation to new environments and evolutionary changes that shape the diversity of life on Earth. This project studies the RNA binding proteins called PUFs which are central for gene expression in diverse organisms. Using cutting-edge new generation systems biology approaches, this project will study how PUF proteins regulate genes to enable metabolic adaptation, differentiation of cell types and the evolution of new gene expression outputs in distinct biological species. The outcomes will include new insights into the regulation and evolution of posttranscriptional gene networks. Read moreRead less
The role of RNA editing by the brain-specific enzym ADAR3 in learning and memory. Higher-order cognition sets us apart from other species but how this is achieved is still under debate. The project will test the idea, strongly supported by recent genomic analyses, that subtle changes in the sequences of RNA in response to environmental stimuli underpin this extraordinary ability.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120102763
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
The contribution of histone post-translational modifications to eukaryotic evolution. By comparing the complete DNA sequence of closely related species, it is possible to identify changes in DNA that account for the diversity between these species. The project will use this approach to ask whether DNA changes that influence how DNA itself is packaged into cells have contributed to the evolution of new yeast species.
The early marsupial embryo - a missing link in vertebrate development. Most of our knowledge of early development comes from one species, the mouse, but it is not known how similar it is to other mammals or even other vertebrates such as birds and reptiles. Using a marsupial model, the tammar wallaby, the project aims to identify mechanisms that are fundamental to mammals and those that are more evolutionarily plastic.