Environmental Influences In The Establishment Of The Epigenetic Landscape In Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$695,097.00
Summary
The DNA in each of our cells does not exist alone, it is packaged into complex structures called chromosomes, through association with many different proteins. The distribution of these proteins varies along the length of a chromosome depending on the type of cell and this phenomenon is called 'epigenetics', literally meaning 'above the DNA'. Epigenetic analysis is the study of how proteins and other molecules can change the activity of a gene without changing the DNA sequence. All of our cells ....The DNA in each of our cells does not exist alone, it is packaged into complex structures called chromosomes, through association with many different proteins. The distribution of these proteins varies along the length of a chromosome depending on the type of cell and this phenomenon is called 'epigenetics', literally meaning 'above the DNA'. Epigenetic analysis is the study of how proteins and other molecules can change the activity of a gene without changing the DNA sequence. All of our cells use epigenetic changes to help control how they grow and develop. Evidence suggests a direct link between diet and environmental influences on our epigenetic profile. Recent research has traced the origins of many of the health problems of adult life back to the earliest periods of development _ to the time spent in the womb and the first few years of life. If we are born with a low birth weight, we are more likely to get sick later in life. Overwhelming evidence exists that the environment in the womb is critical for a healthy birth weight (and health in later life) and it is thought that epigenetics may be the missing link between this environment, low birth weight, and therefore health in later life. In addition, mounting evidence supports a general link between epigenetic de-regulation and predisposition to disease. However, the timing and the overall contribution of environmental- genetic influences to the establishment of faulty epigenetic markings remain largely unknown. Twins are the best model to study this link as they share similar (but not identical environments) and some share identical genetic makeup. Using twins, Dr Jeffrey Craig and his team will investigate the factors in the prenatal environment that modify specific cells, leading to low birth weight and increase disease risk later in life. They predict that this occurs via specific changes in gene activity caused by epigenetic disruption.Read moreRead less
High performance compound semiconductor nanowire optoelectronic devices. Semiconductor nanowires are emerging nano-materials with substantial opportunities for novel photonic and electronic device applications. This project aims at developing a new generation of high performance nanowire-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs), lasers and photodetectors, which will make great contribution to the nation in the areas of science, technology and industry.
III-V semiconductor nanowires for ultrafast device applications. Nanowires are a new innovation enabling the integration of nanotechnology into conventional industrial semiconductor processes. This project will employ one of the unique properties that many nanowires exhibit - their very fast resetting time, to develop novel and innovative high-speed devices for electronic and optical applications.
A Tough Resilin Based Hydrogel Platform for Repair and Regeneration. This project seeks to develop novel hydrogels that mimic the properties of the body. In the field of repair and regeneration, our challenge is to make hydrogels that retain the fatigue and resilience properties of the natural body part, but are comprised of nontoxic material. Resilin is a remarkable material exhibiting a broad range of stimuli-responsive behaviour and outstanding elasticity. The project aim is to create a tough ....A Tough Resilin Based Hydrogel Platform for Repair and Regeneration. This project seeks to develop novel hydrogels that mimic the properties of the body. In the field of repair and regeneration, our challenge is to make hydrogels that retain the fatigue and resilience properties of the natural body part, but are comprised of nontoxic material. Resilin is a remarkable material exhibiting a broad range of stimuli-responsive behaviour and outstanding elasticity. The project aim is to create a tough and responsive hydrogel platform from this disordered protein family through greater understanding of structure and mechanical function and incorporating adequate stiffness, strength and biocompatibility. Such tough hydrogels would be applicable to a range of biotechnological applications (eg intervertebral disc repair or artificial skin tissue engineering).Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE200100003
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$400,000.00
Summary
3D Nanofabrication and Nanocharacterisation facility. This project aims to establish a revolutionary nanoscale fabrication and characterisation facility in Australia. The facility is an angle-based nanoscale etching system with integrated chemical analysis capabilities and will be the first instrument of its kind in Australia. The facility will enable unprecedented fabrication and characterisation of 3D nanostructures and new device geometries from semiconductors, oxides and metals that underpin ....3D Nanofabrication and Nanocharacterisation facility. This project aims to establish a revolutionary nanoscale fabrication and characterisation facility in Australia. The facility is an angle-based nanoscale etching system with integrated chemical analysis capabilities and will be the first instrument of its kind in Australia. The facility will enable unprecedented fabrication and characterisation of 3D nanostructures and new device geometries from semiconductors, oxides and metals that underpin modern nanoelectronics for innovative energy, nano-optical and quantum device applications. This unique equipment will facilitate breakthrough discoveries in nanomaterials, and foster collaborations amongst Australian researchers to accelerate industry in advanced nanodevice technologies.Read moreRead less
The role of muscle and tendon mechanics in human muscle damage. This project aims to examine what sort of forceful stretch is required to cause exercise induced muscle damage (EIMD) in humans and how muscles adapt to limit future damage. Specifically, the project aims to examine how the elastic properties of tendons might reduce muscle damage by buffering stretch in muscle fibres. Using cutting-edge ultrasound imaging technology, human muscle strain in different regions of muscle will be examine ....The role of muscle and tendon mechanics in human muscle damage. This project aims to examine what sort of forceful stretch is required to cause exercise induced muscle damage (EIMD) in humans and how muscles adapt to limit future damage. Specifically, the project aims to examine how the elastic properties of tendons might reduce muscle damage by buffering stretch in muscle fibres. Using cutting-edge ultrasound imaging technology, human muscle strain in different regions of muscle will be examined to quantify the temporal relationship between muscle power absorption and EIMD. The importance of muscle and tendon mechanical properties in buffering the muscle from potential damage will be gauged. This could be a critical mechanism for preventing EIMD in exercising humans.Read moreRead less
It is feasible to sequence patient genomes but we need to know more about how genetic variants cause complex disease. We have sequenced genomes from patients with immune deficiency and will test the idea that genetic variation causes consistent changes in particular white blood cells, thus providing a bridge between genomic information and clinical diagnosis. Outcomes will include more accurate diagnosis, better understanding of immunity, and a strategy for using whole genome information.
Towards High-quality Hetero-epitaxial III-V Semiconductor Nanowires. The use of semiconductor nanowires has uncovered many scientific curiosities and extended their potential applications in many fields. In general, nanowire growth is governed by metallic catalysts, involving nanowire nucleation and growth. So far, the role of catalysts during nanowire nucleation is not clear and needs urgent attention. This project aims to investigate the behaviour of catalysts before and during the nucleation ....Towards High-quality Hetero-epitaxial III-V Semiconductor Nanowires. The use of semiconductor nanowires has uncovered many scientific curiosities and extended their potential applications in many fields. In general, nanowire growth is governed by metallic catalysts, involving nanowire nucleation and growth. So far, the role of catalysts during nanowire nucleation is not clear and needs urgent attention. This project aims to investigate the behaviour of catalysts before and during the nucleation of III-V nanowires by means of nano-characterisation to ultimately integrate high-quality III-V nanowires on silicon substrates. The new knowledge developed from this project is expected to provide critical insights for developing high-quality III-V nanowires integrated on silicon substrates.Read moreRead less
Calcium signalling by intracellular calcium stores in rabbit, mouse and man: implications for muscle performance and athletic ability. This project addresses essential vital life functions such as respiration and movement and factors that determine whether muscles are better suited to weight lifting, endurance or sprint activities. The outcome will fill an information gap and provide therapeutic targets, significant in medicine, sports and veterinary science.
Nonlinear near-field nanophotonics. This project aims to develop nanostructures which employ both high intrinsic nonlinearities and high indices of refraction to create nanophotonic devices. Silicon photonics promises a technological leap forward through efficient photon-photon interactions within lossless dielectric nanoparticles. Light-controlling-light devices open new ways to control light-matter interaction at the nanoscale, which form the basis for many applications from all-optical inform ....Nonlinear near-field nanophotonics. This project aims to develop nanostructures which employ both high intrinsic nonlinearities and high indices of refraction to create nanophotonic devices. Silicon photonics promises a technological leap forward through efficient photon-photon interactions within lossless dielectric nanoparticles. Light-controlling-light devices open new ways to control light-matter interaction at the nanoscale, which form the basis for many applications from all-optical information processing to biomedical sensing. The expected outcomes will provide Australia with advanced technologies of integrated optical circuits with applications in optical communication networks, bioimaging, solar cells and quantum information technologies.Read moreRead less