Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120100836
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Oxidative stress as a physiological constraint on the pace of life histories. The project will draw on several areas of biology to answer a fundamental question: which mechanisms underlie the link between vital processes, like growth and reproduction, and rates of biological ageing? This research is needed to understand the basis of trade-offs that cause some individuals or species to age faster than others.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180100202
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$365,058.00
Summary
Interplay between plasticity and senescence. This project aims at bridging two fundamental human stressors together in a quantitative genetic framework. The environment changes globally on a huge scale coupled with effect on the age-structures and genetic composition of countless populations by over-harvesting and exploitation. This project will provide significant benefits, such as potential strategies of dealing with future human-induced changes more effectively.
Combining evolutionary, physiological and molecular approaches to understand ageing and performance. How organisms grow, behave and perform is a result of environmentally triggered molecular, physiological and biochemical reactions. Little is known about how these different levels of organisation interact to create the infinite morphological and behavioural complexities seen in adults. This project aims to integrate the fields of developmental, physiological and evolutionary biology to elucidate ....Combining evolutionary, physiological and molecular approaches to understand ageing and performance. How organisms grow, behave and perform is a result of environmentally triggered molecular, physiological and biochemical reactions. Little is known about how these different levels of organisation interact to create the infinite morphological and behavioural complexities seen in adults. This project aims to integrate the fields of developmental, physiological and evolutionary biology to elucidate how the environment moderates cell and tissue development through gene expression. This will highlight how early developmental decisions affect lifetime energetic trade-offs and efficiency, and how underlying biology manifests into emergent phenomena such as performance, behaviour, ageing and lifespan.Read moreRead less
Understanding how reproduction and sexual conflict drive sex-dependent longevity and ageing. The biological study of longevity and ageing has two important fronts: understanding how evolution shapes lifespan and ageing, and the mechanistic study of how molecules, genes, hormones, tissues and cells interact during ageing. The evolutionary study of ageing is considered one of the success stories of the emerging field of evolutionary medicine, yet we desperately need greater integration of the evol ....Understanding how reproduction and sexual conflict drive sex-dependent longevity and ageing. The biological study of longevity and ageing has two important fronts: understanding how evolution shapes lifespan and ageing, and the mechanistic study of how molecules, genes, hormones, tissues and cells interact during ageing. The evolutionary study of ageing is considered one of the success stories of the emerging field of evolutionary medicine, yet we desperately need greater integration of the evolutionary and mechanistic spheres. This project addresses why males and females have different lifespans and age differently in a way that bridges evolutionary and mechanistic study, and will build Australia's research capacity to study ageing at both levels. Read moreRead less
Why do good males die young? The relationship between ageing and sexual selection. A biological understanding of ageing is directly relevant to human welfare. We will use lab and field studies to explore the evolutionary genetics of ageing in an Australian cricket, with particular emphasis on how diet and the timing of reproduction influence the rate at which crickets deteriorate with age. We will also test whether biological differences between males and females generate genetic conflicts over ....Why do good males die young? The relationship between ageing and sexual selection. A biological understanding of ageing is directly relevant to human welfare. We will use lab and field studies to explore the evolutionary genetics of ageing in an Australian cricket, with particular emphasis on how diet and the timing of reproduction influence the rate at which crickets deteriorate with age. We will also test whether biological differences between males and females generate genetic conflicts over ageing rates. Our results will not only complement an evolutionary study of ageing, but may ultimately suggest interventions that may prolong human life or improve the quality of life in an ageing population.Read moreRead less
Linking the evolutionary and bioenergetic causes of sex differences in lifespan and ageing. The biological study of longevity and ageing has two important fronts: understanding how evolution shapes lifespan and ageing, and the mechanistic study of how genes, hormones, tissues and cells interact during ageing. Interventions to prolong longevity and improve quality of life depend on a vigorous and innovative research effort in both spheres. This project addresses why males and females have differe ....Linking the evolutionary and bioenergetic causes of sex differences in lifespan and ageing. The biological study of longevity and ageing has two important fronts: understanding how evolution shapes lifespan and ageing, and the mechanistic study of how genes, hormones, tissues and cells interact during ageing. Interventions to prolong longevity and improve quality of life depend on a vigorous and innovative research effort in both spheres. This project addresses why males and females have different lifespans and age differently in a way that bridges evolutionary and mechanistic study, and will build Australia's research capacity to study ageing at both levels. Because of the human interest in diet, sex, reproduction and ageing, we expect this research will be a showcase for public interest in science.Read moreRead less
The role of sexual conflict in the evolution of lifespan and ageing. Despite the central importance of ageing in our own lives, our understanding of the evolution of ageing is still incomplete. Reproductive interests of males and females often diverge, resulting in sexual conflict which may in turn drive the evolution of rapid ageing. I will use experimental evolution to investigate the role of sexual conflict in the evolution of age-specific mortality, reproductive ageing and lifespan in the se ....The role of sexual conflict in the evolution of lifespan and ageing. Despite the central importance of ageing in our own lives, our understanding of the evolution of ageing is still incomplete. Reproductive interests of males and females often diverge, resulting in sexual conflict which may in turn drive the evolution of rapid ageing. I will use experimental evolution to investigate the role of sexual conflict in the evolution of age-specific mortality, reproductive ageing and lifespan in the seed beetle Callosobruchus maculates. This study will reveal the role of sexual interactions and reproduction in the ageing process and result in the development of important new resources for resolving the genetic basis of deteriorative ageing.Read moreRead less
Predicting adaptive responses to climate change in Australian native bees. This project aims to understand how insects will adapt to climate change by examining a largely overlooked but economically important group of species: Australian native bees. Native bees are important pollinators of both crops and native plants, but their sensitivity to changes in climate are unknown. Expected outcomes include new knowledge of the resilience of native bees to climate change, and new effective tools for p ....Predicting adaptive responses to climate change in Australian native bees. This project aims to understand how insects will adapt to climate change by examining a largely overlooked but economically important group of species: Australian native bees. Native bees are important pollinators of both crops and native plants, but their sensitivity to changes in climate are unknown. Expected outcomes include new knowledge of the resilience of native bees to climate change, and new effective tools for predicting climate change resilience that can be applied to many species. The intended benefits include increasing our understanding of the potential for native bees to act as future pollinators in Australia’s natural and agro-ecosystems, and guide policy and management decisions to better protect and conserve our bee fauna.Read moreRead less
Mobility, stasis or extinction? The response of plants to long-term environmental change. This study of Australian plants will improve our ability to predict how plants and vegetation will respond to climate change by investigating the ability of plants to survive climate change. In particular, this project is designed to generate simple principles that can be used in management of species and vegetation at risk from climate change.
The role of epigenetic modifications in bovid adaptation to environmental change. This project will explore the role of epigenetic change, where gene expression is regulated without changing the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequence, in how animals adapt to rapid climate change. This project will trace epigenetic markers in ancient bison and cows through 30,000 years of climate change, and identify key adaptive genes for the cattle industry.