Developing methods for the analysis of massively parallel sequencing data in family studies. This project will develop analytical methods to use the latest, high-throughput method of generating sequencing data, i.e. the letters of the human genome alphabet. These tools will be used to identify the causal mutations in families with inherited disorders, leading to diagnostic tests for these families.
Shaping the vertebrate brain: defining the cellular and genetic drivers . This project aims to uncover specific cellular and genetic mechanisms that control growth and shape of the brain. How brain shape and size changes during evolution of vertebrates is enigmatic but important to know for better understanding of behaviour and function of intact and diseased brain. The project aims to assemble team of national and international experts to build international capacity and unique genetics model t ....Shaping the vertebrate brain: defining the cellular and genetic drivers . This project aims to uncover specific cellular and genetic mechanisms that control growth and shape of the brain. How brain shape and size changes during evolution of vertebrates is enigmatic but important to know for better understanding of behaviour and function of intact and diseased brain. The project aims to assemble team of national and international experts to build international capacity and unique genetics model to generate new knowledge of the cellular and genetic components that drive evolution of different brain parts and shapes the vertebrate brain. In doing so the project aims to provide research training, excellence and knowledge that in future may benefit health and the society. Read moreRead less
How do interactions between axon guidance molecules bring about directed axon growth? This project deals with a fundamental, yet poorly understood biological problem at the cutting edge of international science - how axons navigate to their targets. A better understanding of this basic biological process will greatly assist the development of therapies to treat a wide range of clinical conditions in which axonal connections between neurons are disrupted by trauma or disease.
Development of the PD GeneChip: a research and diagnostic tool for Parkinson's disease. The PD GeneChip will provide both social and economic benefits to Australia. It will be a key research platform for Australian scientists, and will facilitate collaboration both within Australia and overseas. It will assist with health care management of PD (Parkinson's disease) patients by providing a cost-effective diagnostic tool and the possibility of predicting the clinical course of disease. This inform ....Development of the PD GeneChip: a research and diagnostic tool for Parkinson's disease. The PD GeneChip will provide both social and economic benefits to Australia. It will be a key research platform for Australian scientists, and will facilitate collaboration both within Australia and overseas. It will assist with health care management of PD (Parkinson's disease) patients by providing a cost-effective diagnostic tool and the possibility of predicting the clinical course of disease. This information will provide the basis for tailoring treatment to a patients needs. It is anticipated that marketing of the PD GeneChip within Australia and overseas may produce revenue of at least $40 million annually.Read moreRead less
Are neurobehavioural and neuromotor impairments associated with FMR1 gene expansion? The gene that causes Fragile X syndrome is found at the end of the X chromosome and is present in all humans. In many cases there is a small to medium change in this gene that may cause psychological and motor difficulties in later adulthood. The core aim of this project is to identify early age-related changes that would indicate later neurological decline.
Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development - Grant ID: DI0560757
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$160,896.00
Summary
Identification and Characterisation of Genes involved in the Copper Regulation of the Human Alzheimer's Disease Amyloid-Beta Precursor Protein (APP) Gene. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia in the ageing population. This research project aims to identify and characterise new genes involved in the copper regulation of the Alzheimer's disease gene. This may lead to the development of novel therapeutic targets and clinical intervention strategies as well as early diagnost ....Identification and Characterisation of Genes involved in the Copper Regulation of the Human Alzheimer's Disease Amyloid-Beta Precursor Protein (APP) Gene. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia in the ageing population. This research project aims to identify and characterise new genes involved in the copper regulation of the Alzheimer's disease gene. This may lead to the development of novel therapeutic targets and clinical intervention strategies as well as early diagnostic procedures in preventative healthcare for the treatment of AD. The benefits would affect the international community as a whole, potentially minimising the socio-economic costs arising from the predicted world-wide increase in AD in the ageing population.Read moreRead less
Function and evolution of insect odorant receptors. This project aims to shed light on how insect odorant receptors function by using comparative genomic studies between the genetic model insect Drosophila melanogaster and a pest species, the Australian sheep blowfly. This project expects to generate knowledge of how specific chemicals activate specific receptors in order to excite sensory neurons and drive behaviour, which is not well understood. Expected outcomes include increased understandin ....Function and evolution of insect odorant receptors. This project aims to shed light on how insect odorant receptors function by using comparative genomic studies between the genetic model insect Drosophila melanogaster and a pest species, the Australian sheep blowfly. This project expects to generate knowledge of how specific chemicals activate specific receptors in order to excite sensory neurons and drive behaviour, which is not well understood. Expected outcomes include increased understanding of olfaction in insects, increased national and international collaboration, and outstanding graduate student training. This research will be of significant future benefit in deriving methods to modify the behaviour of insects of agricultural or medical importance, for example the sheep blowfly. Read moreRead less
Functional and regulatory analysis of n-acetylcholine receptors, key targets of insecticides. Agriculture is one of Australia's mainstay industries and a major user of insecticides. However, current insecticides suffer a number of significant deficiencies, including collateral damage in the environment and insect resistance. One of the major targets for insecticides are a class of neuronal receptors, found in organisms ranging from worms to man. Our work will provide a detailed biological unders ....Functional and regulatory analysis of n-acetylcholine receptors, key targets of insecticides. Agriculture is one of Australia's mainstay industries and a major user of insecticides. However, current insecticides suffer a number of significant deficiencies, including collateral damage in the environment and insect resistance. One of the major targets for insecticides are a class of neuronal receptors, found in organisms ranging from worms to man. Our work will provide a detailed biological understanding of these receptors leading to better ways of developing new insecticides. Similar receptors in humans are the target for nicotine and associated with neurological disorders such as schizophrenia and autism. Thus our work will also increase our understanding of important human receptors associated with disease.Read moreRead less
Olfactory signal transduction in Drosophila melanogaster. This project will strengthen Australia's research capabilities in the areas of molecular neurobiology and neurogenetics. The project will equip students with the intellectual and technical skills needed to work in priority areas such as genomics and biotechnology, as well as in medical and agricultural research, and education. The research has possible long term applications in modifying the behaviour of insects of agricultural or medical ....Olfactory signal transduction in Drosophila melanogaster. This project will strengthen Australia's research capabilities in the areas of molecular neurobiology and neurogenetics. The project will equip students with the intellectual and technical skills needed to work in priority areas such as genomics and biotechnology, as well as in medical and agricultural research, and education. The research has possible long term applications in modifying the behaviour of insects of agricultural or medical importance. For example, by inhibiting the ability of insects to perceive specific odours it may ultimately be possible to prevent insects that carry disease from identifying target animals, or plant pests from locating their host plants.Read moreRead less