Origin of animal sensory and nervous systems: a case study in cell type evolution. The origin of the nerve cell and the nervous system allowed the first animals to interact with their biotic and abiotic environment in rapid and complex ways. These capabilities are the primary agents for success in the animal kingdom, underpinning the ability to capture food, avoid predation, and find a mate. These same nerve cells have bestowed on the human brain cognitive abilities that have driven our biologic ....Origin of animal sensory and nervous systems: a case study in cell type evolution. The origin of the nerve cell and the nervous system allowed the first animals to interact with their biotic and abiotic environment in rapid and complex ways. These capabilities are the primary agents for success in the animal kingdom, underpinning the ability to capture food, avoid predation, and find a mate. These same nerve cells have bestowed on the human brain cognitive abilities that have driven our biological and cultural evolution. Despite the phenomenal importance of the nerve cell, we know almost nothing about its origin and early evolution. This basic research project seeks to make a major contribution towards addressing this gap in knowledge.Read moreRead less
The genomics of adaptation in Wolbachia pipientis, an emerging biocontrol agent. Australians are increasingly exposed to insect-transmitted diseases such as dengue fever. Novel biocontrol methods using the bacterium Wolbachia aim to control insect populations to reduce disease transmission. Our research will be the first to investigate genomic variation and the process of adaptation to new insect hosts in Wolbachia. The novel data and understanding of evolutionary processes we generate will be c ....The genomics of adaptation in Wolbachia pipientis, an emerging biocontrol agent. Australians are increasingly exposed to insect-transmitted diseases such as dengue fever. Novel biocontrol methods using the bacterium Wolbachia aim to control insect populations to reduce disease transmission. Our research will be the first to investigate genomic variation and the process of adaptation to new insect hosts in Wolbachia. The novel data and understanding of evolutionary processes we generate will be critical for screening bacterial biocontrol candidates and designing biocontrol release strategies. It will also strengthen the position of Australian research as a world-leader in the fusion of post-genomics and applied microbiology. Read moreRead less
The sponge genome project and the evolution of multicellularity: using comparative genomics and developmental biology to reconstruct the first animals. Recently the entire genome from a living fossil - a sponge from the Great Barrier Reef - was sequenced (jointly supported by the ARC and US Department of Energy). As this genome is assembled and analysed, many of the fundamental biological processes that underlie the construction and evolution of all animals, including humans, will be revealed. ....The sponge genome project and the evolution of multicellularity: using comparative genomics and developmental biology to reconstruct the first animals. Recently the entire genome from a living fossil - a sponge from the Great Barrier Reef - was sequenced (jointly supported by the ARC and US Department of Energy). As this genome is assembled and analysed, many of the fundamental biological processes that underlie the construction and evolution of all animals, including humans, will be revealed. In addition, sponge genomics will fuel innovations in medicine and biotechnology. Specifically, sponges are renowned for their capacity to synthesise bioactive compounds used in drug development, and high-grade silica used for semi-conductor construction. This project will identify the gene networks controlling these biosynthetic processes.Read moreRead less
The essence of being an animal: sponge allorecognition and the evolution of individuality. The human genome encodes the ability to recognise self from nonself at the cellular level. In medicine, this innate ability results in the rejection of transplanted (grafted) tissues from unrelated individuals. This project seeks to get to the evolutionary foundation of self-nonself recognition by studying this process in a simple and tractable model - a sponge from the Great Barrier Reef. Like humans, spo ....The essence of being an animal: sponge allorecognition and the evolution of individuality. The human genome encodes the ability to recognise self from nonself at the cellular level. In medicine, this innate ability results in the rejection of transplanted (grafted) tissues from unrelated individuals. This project seeks to get to the evolutionary foundation of self-nonself recognition by studying this process in a simple and tractable model - a sponge from the Great Barrier Reef. Like humans, sponges reject cells and tissues derived from another individual. By defining the genetic basis of self-recognition in sponges we reveal the antiquity of this system and the core features of histocompatibility and immunity. Such insights can inform a range of regenerative medical pursuits.Read moreRead less
Evolutionary genetics of the immune system in social insects. Insects possess efficient innate immunity against pathogens, but social insects are suggested to be vulnerable due to their packed colonies of related individuals. We predict that pathogen pressure varies with life history and microhabitat details, and that this variation will be reflected in the molecular evolutionary rates of immune system genes. Sequence information will be obtained to test these predictions. The results should ....Evolutionary genetics of the immune system in social insects. Insects possess efficient innate immunity against pathogens, but social insects are suggested to be vulnerable due to their packed colonies of related individuals. We predict that pathogen pressure varies with life history and microhabitat details, and that this variation will be reflected in the molecular evolutionary rates of immune system genes. Sequence information will be obtained to test these predictions. The results should be of widespread interest as reflecting the importance of pathogens and life pattern, and increase our knowledge of insect immune systems, potentially enabling circumvention of pest defenses and better protection of beneficial species.Read moreRead less
Evolutionary immunology of social insects. Social insects are particularly abundant in Australia. They live in a wide range of habitats with social systems differing greatly in size and structure. They are both ecologically and economically important because they form a large part of terrestrial ecosystems and control much of the energy flow. Their immune system resembles the immune system of humans. Finding how the social insect immune system evolves will have the potential to help us manag ....Evolutionary immunology of social insects. Social insects are particularly abundant in Australia. They live in a wide range of habitats with social systems differing greatly in size and structure. They are both ecologically and economically important because they form a large part of terrestrial ecosystems and control much of the energy flow. Their immune system resembles the immune system of humans. Finding how the social insect immune system evolves will have the potential to help us manage them better, and yield functional insights into the human innate immune system. Placing the observed patterns in context also involves study of the associated microbes, finds how social insects interact with this important part of the environment, and may assist in land management.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0347875
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$280,000.00
Summary
Enhanced genetic analysis facilities at James Cook University. The acquisition of molecular data, DNA sequences or allele frequencies, is the major requirement of almost all laboratory research in the life sciences, and is the rate-limiting step for many research projects locally. The current application underpins novel research initiatives at James Cook University, and is intended to provide centralized state-of-the-art high throughput DNA sequencing and genotyping facility for the north Queens ....Enhanced genetic analysis facilities at James Cook University. The acquisition of molecular data, DNA sequences or allele frequencies, is the major requirement of almost all laboratory research in the life sciences, and is the rate-limiting step for many research projects locally. The current application underpins novel research initiatives at James Cook University, and is intended to provide centralized state-of-the-art high throughput DNA sequencing and genotyping facility for the north Queensland life sciences community.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms of virulence of amphibian chytridiomycosis and factors influencing their evolution. Chytridiomycosis is a fatal fungal disease causing amphibian population declines as it spreads globally. By analysing the genes, proteins and metabolites of the fungus, we will determine how infection leads to death. This will enable surveys for virulent fungal strains and potential enhancement of host resistance.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160101142
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
Unravelling the structural evolution of centipede toxins. The project intends to improve understanding of venom evolution in centipedes, and uncover new families of peptides with potential application in the agrochemical and pharmaceutical sectors. Venoms have emerged as a rich source of pharmacological tools with potential for development into therapeutics and bioinsecticides. However, venoms-based discovery has been limited by the narrow taxonomical range studied, and many groups of venomous a ....Unravelling the structural evolution of centipede toxins. The project intends to improve understanding of venom evolution in centipedes, and uncover new families of peptides with potential application in the agrochemical and pharmaceutical sectors. Venoms have emerged as a rich source of pharmacological tools with potential for development into therapeutics and bioinsecticides. However, venoms-based discovery has been limited by the narrow taxonomical range studied, and many groups of venomous animals remain overlooked. One such group is centipedes, whose venoms contain diverse novel toxins. This project aims to provide an insight into centipede toxin evolution, and establish a structure-based approach to understanding their evolution and structural diversification. The outcomes may contribute to our understanding of protein evolution and support the development of new products.Read moreRead less