Diet influences the selective advantage of mitochondrial DNA mutations. This project aims to examine critical mechanisms that affect mitochondrial DNA variation within species. It aims to test the hypothesis that mitochondrial DNA haplotypes have the potential to be under nutritionally induced balancing selection as a consequence of cellular signalling and/or Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production by mitochondria. Diet can vary both seasonally and geographically and is a key environmental param ....Diet influences the selective advantage of mitochondrial DNA mutations. This project aims to examine critical mechanisms that affect mitochondrial DNA variation within species. It aims to test the hypothesis that mitochondrial DNA haplotypes have the potential to be under nutritionally induced balancing selection as a consequence of cellular signalling and/or Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production by mitochondria. Diet can vary both seasonally and geographically and is a key environmental parameter that influences the ability of a species to colonise new habitats. The project plans to characterise the functional links between specific mitochondrial DNA haplotypes, mitochondrial functions and organismal traits. The expected outcome is a more precise grasp of the processes influencing genetic variation within and among species, which would inform current issues in ecology and genetics.Read moreRead less
Is restoration working? An ecological genetic assessment. This project aims to assess the success of restoration in terms of ecological and genetic viability for plant species in the Fitzgerald River–Stirling Range region of Western Australia, where significant investment is being made in restoring connectivity at a landscape scale. The project intends to compare reproductive output, pollinator behaviour, mating, genetic diversity and pollen dispersal in restored sites with those of undisturbed ....Is restoration working? An ecological genetic assessment. This project aims to assess the success of restoration in terms of ecological and genetic viability for plant species in the Fitzgerald River–Stirling Range region of Western Australia, where significant investment is being made in restoring connectivity at a landscape scale. The project intends to compare reproductive output, pollinator behaviour, mating, genetic diversity and pollen dispersal in restored sites with those of undisturbed natural vegetation. The project moves measures of restoration success beyond that of population establishment and survival to incorporate the evolutionary processes that provide long-term resilience, persistence and functional integration of restored populations into broader landscapes.Read moreRead less
This proposal is to build a new national resource for medical research that will both underpin and enhance the national health and medical research effort in Australia by systematically enabling world-class biobanking capacities and hence the population-based resources in WA for genetics epidemiological research. The WA DNA Bank will also provide national access to WA biospecimen resources, and will facilitate collaboration and research into national priority diseases of childhood and adulthood.
Enhancing Disease Vector Biosecurity Through High Density Molecular Markers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$763,845.00
Summary
The outbreak of several diseases spread by mosquitoes is increasing rapidly around the world, driven by increased people movement spreading both viruses and disease vectors, a lack of effective vaccines and changing climatic conditions. In this proposal I aim to develop cutting edge molecular tools for identifying pathways of exotic mosquito introductions into Australia and a program that uses bacteria living inside mosquitoes in novel ways for disease suppression.
The Molecular Epidemiology Of Malaria Transmission In The Solomon Islands
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$69,098.00
Summary
The recent dramatic reduction in malaria burden has prompted a shift from control to elimination and aims to interrupt malaria transmission itself. Achieving this requires the development of set tools that directly target transmission. Little is known about the epidemiology of malaria transmission in the SW Pacific. The goal of this PhD project is to determine the dynamics of malaria transmission in Solomon Islands using a combination of large epidemiological studies and novel molecular assays.
Ecological and genetic connectivity in seagrasses: the role of sexual reproduction, dispersal and recruitment on meadow restoration. This project's goal is to study the role of dispersal in contemporary demographics and genetics of an Australian seagrass genus Posidonia. The expected outcome of this project is to understand the importance of long-distance dispersal of seeds in determining resilience of seagrasses to both natural and anthropogenic disturbances.
Genetic Rescue of Australia's Arid Zone Plants. Many Australian arid zone plant species have been severely damaged by grazing, loss of pollinators and other impacts and cannot survive without urgent intervention. Some exist as small fragmented populations with too little genetic variation to reproduce or adapt to further environmental change. We propose to combine surveys of genetic (DNA) diversity and the reproductive status of populations in order to identify species that could be saved by a ....Genetic Rescue of Australia's Arid Zone Plants. Many Australian arid zone plant species have been severely damaged by grazing, loss of pollinators and other impacts and cannot survive without urgent intervention. Some exist as small fragmented populations with too little genetic variation to reproduce or adapt to further environmental change. We propose to combine surveys of genetic (DNA) diversity and the reproductive status of populations in order to identify species that could be saved by a process of ‘genetic rescue’. Genetic rescue will involve experimental pollinations to produce highly fit seedlings and later transplanting of these seedlings to augment genetically deficient populations.
Read moreRead less
Connectivity and movements of large pelagic species of ecotourism value. The project aims to answer key questions about the biology, ecology and sustainability of the world’s manta ray species to provide the information and tools for management and conservation of these charismatic and valuable species. In particular, the project aims to determine the likely impact of climate variability and fisheries that operate to Australia’s north on manta-based ecotourism in the Indo-Pacific region, as clim ....Connectivity and movements of large pelagic species of ecotourism value. The project aims to answer key questions about the biology, ecology and sustainability of the world’s manta ray species to provide the information and tools for management and conservation of these charismatic and valuable species. In particular, the project aims to determine the likely impact of climate variability and fisheries that operate to Australia’s north on manta-based ecotourism in the Indo-Pacific region, as climate change and active low-value fisheries may both jeopardise a high-value ecotourism industry. The project seeks to explore geographic distributions, local and large-scale movements, population sizes, structure, and inter-connectivity in the region to assess the effect of climate and fisheries on manta ray populations.Read moreRead less
The genetics of four ancient 'Kings' of Sahul and Sunda. This project aims to recover all the genetic information from four ancient humans. Two of these iconic specimens come from Australia and two from Malaysia. We will sequence the entire DNA (genomes) and proteins (proteome) of Mungo Man (Willandra), the Yidinji King (Cairns), the Deep Skull (Borneo) and the Bewah specimen (Malaysian Peninsula). This will provide a better understanding of the settlement of Australia and new knowledge about th ....The genetics of four ancient 'Kings' of Sahul and Sunda. This project aims to recover all the genetic information from four ancient humans. Two of these iconic specimens come from Australia and two from Malaysia. We will sequence the entire DNA (genomes) and proteins (proteome) of Mungo Man (Willandra), the Yidinji King (Cairns), the Deep Skull (Borneo) and the Bewah specimen (Malaysian Peninsula). This will provide a better understanding of the settlement of Australia and new knowledge about the ancient people of Australasia and their relationship to other human populations worldwide. The research will use cutting-edge methods of DNA and protein sequencing of ancient human material and will provide critical reference genomes / proteomes that will anchor future research.Read moreRead less
The genetic link between local adaptation and speciation. Darwin believed that natural selection drove the origin of new species, or speciation. However, research on speciation during the 20th century shifted focus from studying adaptation within a population to examining the causes of reproductive isolation (lack of interbreeding) between populations. This Project aims to unify our understanding of adaptation and reproductive isolation by examining their shared heredity. Using an established sy ....The genetic link between local adaptation and speciation. Darwin believed that natural selection drove the origin of new species, or speciation. However, research on speciation during the 20th century shifted focus from studying adaptation within a population to examining the causes of reproductive isolation (lack of interbreeding) between populations. This Project aims to unify our understanding of adaptation and reproductive isolation by examining their shared heredity. Using an established system in natural conditions, this project will generate new knowledge on the genetic processes driving speciation. This interdisciplinary research will clarify how biodiversity originates with implications for crops, conservation biology and species responses to environmental change.Read moreRead less