Why is most of the genetic variance for complex traits undetected by large powerful screens of common variants? The genomics revolution has made it possible to measure thousands of DNA variants in individuals. These variants have been associated with phenotypic outcomes in a range of species. Paradoxically, even very large studies have only accounted for a fraction of the resemblance between relatives that we know exist. Our study will test three specific hypotheses to explain this paradox. A be ....Why is most of the genetic variance for complex traits undetected by large powerful screens of common variants? The genomics revolution has made it possible to measure thousands of DNA variants in individuals. These variants have been associated with phenotypic outcomes in a range of species. Paradoxically, even very large studies have only accounted for a fraction of the resemblance between relatives that we know exist. Our study will test three specific hypotheses to explain this paradox. A better understanding about the genetic architecture for complex traits will improve the efficiency of gene mapping methods, including applications in humans for traits related to productive ageing and a healthy start to life, will lead to more efficient selection programs in agricultural populations and will inform us with respect to past evolutionary events.Read moreRead less
Development of molecular markers for resistance to blackleg disease (Leptosphaeria maculans) in canola. Canola (Brassica napus) is a valuable oil seed crop grown in many parts of the world and contributes annually $A450 million to the Australian economy. The overall aim of this project is to develop molecular markers for blackleg resistance using Australian germplasm along with evaluation in Australian disease nurseries which are regarded worlwide to develop the highest levels of disease pressu ....Development of molecular markers for resistance to blackleg disease (Leptosphaeria maculans) in canola. Canola (Brassica napus) is a valuable oil seed crop grown in many parts of the world and contributes annually $A450 million to the Australian economy. The overall aim of this project is to develop molecular markers for blackleg resistance using Australian germplasm along with evaluation in Australian disease nurseries which are regarded worlwide to develop the highest levels of disease pressure. Once molecular marker systems are developed and evaluated, they will be applied to facilitate the selection of Nugrain's (Industry Partner) canola breeding programs. Any molecular markers and QTL developed for Australian cultivars would find commercial application in breeding programmes.Read moreRead less
Identifying genes causing thermal evolution of ectotherm body size. Cold-blooded animals increase in body size as they are found in populations at greater distances from the equator. These patterns are due to populations adapting to temperature. The aim of this project is to identify the genes involved in this adaptation process. We will do this by taking advantage of a well-studied body size cline in the vinegar fly on the east coast of Australia, and by building on an international collaborati ....Identifying genes causing thermal evolution of ectotherm body size. Cold-blooded animals increase in body size as they are found in populations at greater distances from the equator. These patterns are due to populations adapting to temperature. The aim of this project is to identify the genes involved in this adaptation process. We will do this by taking advantage of a well-studied body size cline in the vinegar fly on the east coast of Australia, and by building on an international collaboration between a leading UK and two Australian research groups. In doing so we will provide an explanation at the molecular level for one of the great unresolved phenomena in biology: why do cold-blooded animals get bigger in the cold? The research also leads to the potential to manipulate body size in animals.Read moreRead less
When to Flower - analysis of a novel genetic locus (FLH) that accelerates flowering. The development of plants is largely determined by the environment. The flowering time of some plants, including many crop species, is accelerated by vernalization, a long period of low temperature. Using a combination of genetic and molecular techniques in the model plant Arabidopsis, this project will characterise a novel locus, FLH that enhances the response to vernalization. The identification of FLH will si ....When to Flower - analysis of a novel genetic locus (FLH) that accelerates flowering. The development of plants is largely determined by the environment. The flowering time of some plants, including many crop species, is accelerated by vernalization, a long period of low temperature. Using a combination of genetic and molecular techniques in the model plant Arabidopsis, this project will characterise a novel locus, FLH that enhances the response to vernalization. The identification of FLH will significantly enhance our understanding of flowering time pathways, and may lead to the generation of plant varieties designed to flower faster or slower than usual.Read moreRead less
Unraveling the genetic networks of cancer development. Cancer causes nearly 30% of all deaths in Australia and the aging of our population means that its incidence will increase for the foreseeable future. The past two decades of cancer research have yielded great advances in identifying the genetic mutations that contribute to cancer, but our understanding of how these mutations cooperate to transform a healthy cell into a tumour cell remains limited. High-throughput genomic analysis of DNA fro ....Unraveling the genetic networks of cancer development. Cancer causes nearly 30% of all deaths in Australia and the aging of our population means that its incidence will increase for the foreseeable future. The past two decades of cancer research have yielded great advances in identifying the genetic mutations that contribute to cancer, but our understanding of how these mutations cooperate to transform a healthy cell into a tumour cell remains limited. High-throughput genomic analysis of DNA from large numbers of tumours is essential to identify and understand the combinations of cancer mutations that are most deadly. Such studies can form the basis for developing better diagnostics and new treatments for patients whose tumours are resistant to current therapies.Read moreRead less
The effect of mitochondrial and nuclear-cytoplasmic variation on longevity, metabolism and stress resistance in Drosophila. Much research points to a major role of free radical damage in aging, thus the belief that antioxidants might be beneficial in delaying aging. Free radicals are mostly formed in the subcellular organelles which consume oxygen and produce energy, and this may be the major site of age-related damage. This project seeks to understand the degree to which variation among these ....The effect of mitochondrial and nuclear-cytoplasmic variation on longevity, metabolism and stress resistance in Drosophila. Much research points to a major role of free radical damage in aging, thus the belief that antioxidants might be beneficial in delaying aging. Free radicals are mostly formed in the subcellular organelles which consume oxygen and produce energy, and this may be the major site of age-related damage. This project seeks to understand the degree to which variation among these subcellular organelles affect free radical damage and aging, using the fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism.Read moreRead less
Estimation of non-additive genetic variance for complex traits using genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphyisms and sequence data. Finding genes for traits of importance in agriculture, ecology and human health depends on understanding the genetic basis of these traits. This project will investigate whether variation in traits in humans, cattle and wild sheep are influenced by gene-gene interactions.
The genetic architecture and evolution of quantitative traits. Most important traits are controlled by many genes and by the environment, however there is little knowledge of how many genes are involved in these complex traits and what their effects are. This project will describe the number of genes and their effects for complex traits in humans and livestock and explain how these genes evolve.
Breaking selective constraints: is Hsp90 a capacitor of evolutionary change? Gene action and expression can be modulated by genetic mechanisms. If a general mechanism controlling gene expression exists that can be easily manipulated it has the potential to allow animal and plant breeders to quickly produce and select for new characters of agricultural importance without relying on transgenics and long-term breeding programs. It would also assist in the development of tools for identifying and de ....Breaking selective constraints: is Hsp90 a capacitor of evolutionary change? Gene action and expression can be modulated by genetic mechanisms. If a general mechanism controlling gene expression exists that can be easily manipulated it has the potential to allow animal and plant breeders to quickly produce and select for new characters of agricultural importance without relying on transgenics and long-term breeding programs. It would also assist in the development of tools for identifying and detecting genes that increase susceptibility to human diseases, such as cancer, that are only expressed under certain conditions environmental. I intend to determine whether the protein Hsp90 represents a general mechanism controlling gene expression. Read moreRead less
A paradigm of genomic discovery - an investigation of the allelic architecture of height. Understanding the complexities of the human body from its DNA sequence has proven difficult. Genomic discovery is best developed using stable, easily measurable and highly heritable characteristics such as height. By taking advantage of 2 large population surveys of adult and adolescent stature we shall apply modern molecular techniques and statistical strategies to identify and characterise the exact chang ....A paradigm of genomic discovery - an investigation of the allelic architecture of height. Understanding the complexities of the human body from its DNA sequence has proven difficult. Genomic discovery is best developed using stable, easily measurable and highly heritable characteristics such as height. By taking advantage of 2 large population surveys of adult and adolescent stature we shall apply modern molecular techniques and statistical strategies to identify and characterise the exact changes in DNA that determine height. This work builds on substantial preliminary leads from unique resources and complementary expertise in the scientific specialties. The results from this work will inform other genomic research and provide information about growth and bone biology.Read moreRead less