Is SPINT1 a key regulator of placental development? . The placenta is an essential organ required for reproduction in placental species. This project aims to elucidate the fundamental biology of SPINT1 in placental development. It will generate new knowledge about whether the spatial and temporal expression of SPINT1 is conserved across several species; cow, sheep, lizard, mouse and human. It will also define the molecular mechanisms by which SPINT1 directs formation, maturation and expansion o ....Is SPINT1 a key regulator of placental development? . The placenta is an essential organ required for reproduction in placental species. This project aims to elucidate the fundamental biology of SPINT1 in placental development. It will generate new knowledge about whether the spatial and temporal expression of SPINT1 is conserved across several species; cow, sheep, lizard, mouse and human. It will also define the molecular mechanisms by which SPINT1 directs formation, maturation and expansion of the placental exchange interface which is critical for offspring survival.
The project will increase understanding of placental development, enhance collaboration and research knowhow, and promote future applied projects in all species that reproduce via placental support.Read moreRead less
Protecting cereal grain development at high temperatures. This project aims to investigate new temperature-responsive factors that regulate cereal grain development to protect grain production under heat stress. The new research will leverage international collaborations with access to cutting-edge genetic and technological resources, and refine novel X-ray imaging techniques in Australia, to observe how temperature affects flower structure and function in barley and rice. Favourable mutations t ....Protecting cereal grain development at high temperatures. This project aims to investigate new temperature-responsive factors that regulate cereal grain development to protect grain production under heat stress. The new research will leverage international collaborations with access to cutting-edge genetic and technological resources, and refine novel X-ray imaging techniques in Australia, to observe how temperature affects flower structure and function in barley and rice. Favourable mutations that optimise plant yield and fitness will be defined and explored in other, more complex, cereals such as wheat. Expected outcomes will be fundamental breakthroughs in understanding how plants respond to, and buffer, the effects of heat to lead to translational breeding strategies that bolster grain yield.Read moreRead less
How do mammalian germ cells transition from mitosis to meiosis? This project aims to determine how germ cells are regulated in the mammalian embryo. Germ cells go on to form the sperm and eggs and are, therefore, critical for reproduction. In particular, this project expects to generate new knowledge about the process of meiosis, a cellular process that is specific to the germ cells. Expected outcomes will inform efforts to control fertility and infertility in livestock, humans and other mammali ....How do mammalian germ cells transition from mitosis to meiosis? This project aims to determine how germ cells are regulated in the mammalian embryo. Germ cells go on to form the sperm and eggs and are, therefore, critical for reproduction. In particular, this project expects to generate new knowledge about the process of meiosis, a cellular process that is specific to the germ cells. Expected outcomes will inform efforts to control fertility and infertility in livestock, humans and other mammalian animals (e.g. pets and endangered species). They are also likely to inform the discipline of stem cell biology in general.Read moreRead less
Macrophage control of mammalian growth and development. The immediate postnatal period in mammals is crucial for survival, long term health and productivity. This project is an international collaboration that aims to investigate how cells of the innate immune system called macrophages control somatic growth and development of mature organ function in the early postnatal period. The project aims to build upon investment in new animals models and a novel discovery to generate significant new know ....Macrophage control of mammalian growth and development. The immediate postnatal period in mammals is crucial for survival, long term health and productivity. This project is an international collaboration that aims to investigate how cells of the innate immune system called macrophages control somatic growth and development of mature organ function in the early postnatal period. The project aims to build upon investment in new animals models and a novel discovery to generate significant new knowledge that will challenge current concepts of mammalian growth control. The outcomes will enhance Australia's international reputation in the fields of physiology, immunology and developmental biology. Read moreRead less
Predicting Perfect Partners: climate resilient seed production technology . This project aims to increase productivity and profitability of the Australian sorghum industry in the face of risks imposed by an increasingly variable climate. This project expects to generate new knowledge of processes limiting hybrid seed production and translate this world-class research into tools and services that can be used by seed companies to improve its efficiency and reliability. The intended outcome will in ....Predicting Perfect Partners: climate resilient seed production technology . This project aims to increase productivity and profitability of the Australian sorghum industry in the face of risks imposed by an increasingly variable climate. This project expects to generate new knowledge of processes limiting hybrid seed production and translate this world-class research into tools and services that can be used by seed companies to improve its efficiency and reliability. The intended outcome will increase the security and sustainability of farming by minimising the risk of climate-induced seed shortages, maintaining Australia’s leadership in agricultural technology development. The expected benefits support profitable and productive businesses, providing Australian agriculture with a competitive, sustainable edge.Read moreRead less
Mobile DNA activity in the mammalian primordial germline. Early in pregnancy, a handful of cells in the embryo become primordial germ cells (PGCs). These PGCs will eventually give rise to sperm or egg cells, representing a critical inter-generational genetic link. Mobile DNA sequences target PGCs to create new heritable genetic changes. This proposal aims to analyse the activity, regulation, and consequences of mobile DNA activity in PGCs. This project expects to generate significant knowledge a ....Mobile DNA activity in the mammalian primordial germline. Early in pregnancy, a handful of cells in the embryo become primordial germ cells (PGCs). These PGCs will eventually give rise to sperm or egg cells, representing a critical inter-generational genetic link. Mobile DNA sequences target PGCs to create new heritable genetic changes. This proposal aims to analyse the activity, regulation, and consequences of mobile DNA activity in PGCs. This project expects to generate significant knowledge about the origins of mammalian genetic diversity. Expected outcomes include enhanced national and international collaborations across disciplines and new experimental systems. The expected benefit is an enhanced understanding of the mutational processes underlying genetic diversity and disease in mammals.Read moreRead less
Glucocorticoid receptor-αD1 modulates stress and inflammation . Environmental stressors in mammalian pregnancy often cause inflammation in the mother which has an adverse effect on the fetus and its survival. The current grant aims to examine the mechanism by which stress and inflammation coexist in pregnancy because stress hormones normally exert anti-inflammatory actions. Contrary to convention, a new glucocorticoid receptor (GR), GRalpha D1, is linked to increasing inflammation. Using innova ....Glucocorticoid receptor-αD1 modulates stress and inflammation . Environmental stressors in mammalian pregnancy often cause inflammation in the mother which has an adverse effect on the fetus and its survival. The current grant aims to examine the mechanism by which stress and inflammation coexist in pregnancy because stress hormones normally exert anti-inflammatory actions. Contrary to convention, a new glucocorticoid receptor (GR), GRalpha D1, is linked to increasing inflammation. Using innovative molecular biology approaches, GRalphaD1's function will be examined to provide a deeper understanding of how stress regulates inflammation in animal reproduction. The project aims to enhance interdisciplinary collaborations with expected benefits including a paradigm shift in our knowledge in this field.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL180100139
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,973,547.00
Summary
Processes of plant growth that impact agriculture and horticulture. The project aims to discover the genes and processes that control plant shoot architecture, which is a major driver of yield in field, horticultural and forestry crops. Shoot branching is the result of the complex interplay of genes, environment and crop management. By investigating cellular processes governing growth and development, as well as physiology and molecular genetics, this project will enhance Australian capacity and ....Processes of plant growth that impact agriculture and horticulture. The project aims to discover the genes and processes that control plant shoot architecture, which is a major driver of yield in field, horticultural and forestry crops. Shoot branching is the result of the complex interplay of genes, environment and crop management. By investigating cellular processes governing growth and development, as well as physiology and molecular genetics, this project will enhance Australian capacity and multidisciplinary innovation. An improved understanding of shoot branching and how it may be manipulated will improve our knowledge of plant sciences that could contribute to agricultural expansion and food security in Australia and internationally.Read moreRead less
Foundations of a good egg: correctly transitioning from mitosis to meiosis. Production of viable offspring is essential to the survival of any species. In all sexually reproducing species, this requires a unique cell type, the germ cell. Germ cells undergo a special type of cell division, called meiosis, so that they can eventually produce gametes (sperm in males and eggs in females). This project aims to discover how germ cells halt the standard form of cell division, called mitosis, and initia ....Foundations of a good egg: correctly transitioning from mitosis to meiosis. Production of viable offspring is essential to the survival of any species. In all sexually reproducing species, this requires a unique cell type, the germ cell. Germ cells undergo a special type of cell division, called meiosis, so that they can eventually produce gametes (sperm in males and eggs in females). This project aims to discover how germ cells halt the standard form of cell division, called mitosis, and initiate meiotic division instead. It is important to understand all the fundamental processes that occur during normal germ cell development so that, in the future, we can use this knowledge to support agricultural advances, rescue endangered species and solve human problems such as infertility and genetic disease.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms that control the inheritance of mitochondrial DNA mutations. How do humans and other organisms prevent the accumulation of dangerous mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) mutations across generations? This Project aims to uncover the cellular and molecular pathways that help prevent the inheritance of mtDNA mutations to offspring by employing cutting-edge genetic technologies that the laboratory has recently developed in the germline of an animal model system. This Project will generate new kn ....Mechanisms that control the inheritance of mitochondrial DNA mutations. How do humans and other organisms prevent the accumulation of dangerous mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) mutations across generations? This Project aims to uncover the cellular and molecular pathways that help prevent the inheritance of mtDNA mutations to offspring by employing cutting-edge genetic technologies that the laboratory has recently developed in the germline of an animal model system. This Project will generate new knowledge in the area of mitochondrial genetics and evolution. Expected outcomes include the development of new theories for mtDNA inheritance, which should provide significant benefits for agricultural breeding programs and the interpretation of mtDNA inheritance patterns in the human population.Read moreRead less