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Genome dynamics following plastid endosymbiosis. Plastid endosymbiosis events (enslavement of an algal cell inside of a host cell to form a plastid) are difficult to pinpoint because the genomic data required for a broad array of species are rarely available. Furthermore, the classical method used to infer endosymbiotic gene transfers is being criticised. This project will elucidate the origin of chlorarachniophyte and dinoflagellate plastids and characterise the genome dynamics following endosy ....Genome dynamics following plastid endosymbiosis. Plastid endosymbiosis events (enslavement of an algal cell inside of a host cell to form a plastid) are difficult to pinpoint because the genomic data required for a broad array of species are rarely available. Furthermore, the classical method used to infer endosymbiotic gene transfers is being criticised. This project will elucidate the origin of chlorarachniophyte and dinoflagellate plastids and characterise the genome dynamics following endosymbiosis. It uses densely sampled genome data obtained with high-throughput sequencing technologies. Simulation studies will be used to evaluate methods for inferring endosymbiotic gene transfer and alignment-free methods will be used to improve phylogenomic pipelines.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120101412
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Understanding the biosynthesis of marine UV-absorbing compounds. This project will result in an understanding of the pathways which underpin the ability of marine organisms to avoid stress that occurs due to ongoing climate change. Knowledge gained here will be important for the future protection of coral reefs.
Uncovering the genetic basis for saxitoxin production in Australian marine and freshwater systems: novel molecular tools for management. In Australia, toxic algal blooms have had a devastating impact on marine and freshwater resources. In collaboration with a biotechnology company, this project will use an innovative method to design a molecular genetic tool to monitor, research and potentially mitigate the effects of saxitoxin production on water supplies and aquaculture industries. In working ....Uncovering the genetic basis for saxitoxin production in Australian marine and freshwater systems: novel molecular tools for management. In Australia, toxic algal blooms have had a devastating impact on marine and freshwater resources. In collaboration with a biotechnology company, this project will use an innovative method to design a molecular genetic tool to monitor, research and potentially mitigate the effects of saxitoxin production on water supplies and aquaculture industries. In working with monitoring authorities throughout Australia, we will produce a specific, sensitive and cost-effective technology that will ultimately be applicable worldwide. Read moreRead less
Oxygen-18 in water, carbon dioxide, and organic matter: a tool for linking plant biological processes, hydrology and climate change. The globe is warming but pan evaporation is decreasing, because the world is dimming. We do not understand why. Stable, naturally occurring oxygen isotopes in plants (for example, tree rings) and in the carbon dioxide of the atmosphere vary and record climatic changes and physiological responses. Bringing these disparate areas of research together will help us to i ....Oxygen-18 in water, carbon dioxide, and organic matter: a tool for linking plant biological processes, hydrology and climate change. The globe is warming but pan evaporation is decreasing, because the world is dimming. We do not understand why. Stable, naturally occurring oxygen isotopes in plants (for example, tree rings) and in the carbon dioxide of the atmosphere vary and record climatic changes and physiological responses. Bringing these disparate areas of research together will help us to interpret the changes and responses. Such information is needed for planning future water requirements in Australia (agriculture, natural ecosystems, dams) and around the world. The isotopic composition of tree rings and of the atmospheric carbon dioxide is affected by that in water of leaves, and the processes linking them will be studied in detail. Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150101484
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$365,000.00
Summary
Developing custom RNA processing tools. The pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) code has been described as an RNA code that connects specific residues in PPR motifs with the precise recognition of individual nucleotides. It will enable the design of custom RNA-binding proteins with tremendous potential in research and biotechnology. RNA-processing technologies aim to be developed that consist of PPR domains fused with an additional endonuclease domain for cleaving chosen target RNAs. In the longer te ....Developing custom RNA processing tools. The pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) code has been described as an RNA code that connects specific residues in PPR motifs with the precise recognition of individual nucleotides. It will enable the design of custom RNA-binding proteins with tremendous potential in research and biotechnology. RNA-processing technologies aim to be developed that consist of PPR domains fused with an additional endonuclease domain for cleaving chosen target RNAs. In the longer term, successful technologies will be tested in living organisms for biotechnology applications or in new therapeutic strategies.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Training Centres - Grant ID: IC210100047
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,000,000.00
Summary
ARC Training Centre for Accelerated Future Crop Development . The Centre will create a new generation of leaders in the implementation of advanced gene and field technologies for the benefit of the Australian agriculture industry. We will build the workforce and foundations that will drive translation of breakthroughs in advanced breeding, phenotyping and genetic technologies into higher-yielding crops. This will increase productivity across the sector and create new markets. Our technical trai ....ARC Training Centre for Accelerated Future Crop Development . The Centre will create a new generation of leaders in the implementation of advanced gene and field technologies for the benefit of the Australian agriculture industry. We will build the workforce and foundations that will drive translation of breakthroughs in advanced breeding, phenotyping and genetic technologies into higher-yielding crops. This will increase productivity across the sector and create new markets. Our technical training programs for graduates, trainees and industry will interface with best evidence-based practices in the wider socio-economic, regulatory and environmental contexts. Coupled with community and stakeholder engagement, the Centre will redefine and secure Australia’s future in agriculture. Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180100784
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$365,058.00
Summary
Improving cereal grain quality using epigenetic regulators. The project aims to determine the epigenetic regulatory mechanisms that control cereal grain quality and yield under water-deficit and heat stress. The project will use next-generation sequencing to identify key epigenetic regulators and their functional target genes, which confer superior grain quality to elite genotypes under adverse environments. Project outcomes will benefit cereal breeding by providing more-tailored screening stra ....Improving cereal grain quality using epigenetic regulators. The project aims to determine the epigenetic regulatory mechanisms that control cereal grain quality and yield under water-deficit and heat stress. The project will use next-generation sequencing to identify key epigenetic regulators and their functional target genes, which confer superior grain quality to elite genotypes under adverse environments. Project outcomes will benefit cereal breeding by providing more-tailored screening strategies and superior parental germplasm with enhanced quality and yield. The development of nutritionally improved crops will benefit the Australian cereal industry and export opportunities.Read moreRead less
Novel methods for the production of micronutrient-enriched rice. The increasingly productive Australian rice industry generated AUD$1 billion revenue in 2012. By targeting a rice gene that we recently identified as a key regulator of iron uptake and transport, this project will produce high value, micronutrient-enriched rice grain to improve the nutritional health of people in Australia and throughout the world.
Ecophysiology of stem succulent halophytes subject to changes in salinity and water availability: distinguishing natural dynamics from potential mine-related impacts. This project contributes to the National Research Priority of an environmentally sustainable Australia. The project will underpin management strategies of vegetation in saline lakes/marshes; wetlands of national importance to biodiversity. Understanding the vegetation at the Fortescue Marshes will provide vital base-information for ....Ecophysiology of stem succulent halophytes subject to changes in salinity and water availability: distinguishing natural dynamics from potential mine-related impacts. This project contributes to the National Research Priority of an environmentally sustainable Australia. The project will underpin management strategies of vegetation in saline lakes/marshes; wetlands of national importance to biodiversity. Understanding the vegetation at the Fortescue Marshes will provide vital base-information for the future, and have flow-on benefits for improved strategies for revegetation of saline lands. Improvement of the publicly available Herbarium database on samphire species will also enable improved species identifications for conservation and/or rehabilitation efforts. The project will train a PhD student in an industry-relevant research area that is currently in high demand.Read moreRead less
Effects of environmental factors on ecophysiological performance in the toxic cyanobacterium Nodularia. Nodularia is a toxic cyanobacterium that causes problem blooms in Australian waters and worldwide. The effects of environmental conditions on physiological processes in Nodularia are poorly understood and information on the effects on macromolecular synthesis and photosynthesis in Nodularia is limited. This project is of fundamental biological importance, making a major contribution to under ....Effects of environmental factors on ecophysiological performance in the toxic cyanobacterium Nodularia. Nodularia is a toxic cyanobacterium that causes problem blooms in Australian waters and worldwide. The effects of environmental conditions on physiological processes in Nodularia are poorly understood and information on the effects on macromolecular synthesis and photosynthesis in Nodularia is limited. This project is of fundamental biological importance, making a major contribution to understanding the impacts of environmental conditions on the physiological performance and ecology of Nodularia. The research has significance, both nationally and internationally, for the prediction of algal blooms in coastal and estuarine ecosystems, and will increase our knowledge of the factors controlling growth and toxicity of Nodularia worldwide. Read moreRead less