Global genetic regulation of carbon metabolism in filamentous fungi. Fungi are of great importance in medicine, agriculture and industry. They are used extensively for food, antibiotic and chemical production and, increasingly, for generating cheap substrates for bioethanol. However many are serious pathogens of plants and humans. Understanding how fungi control their metabolism is of fundamental importance for their more effective use or control. This project takes advantage of a fungus that is ....Global genetic regulation of carbon metabolism in filamentous fungi. Fungi are of great importance in medicine, agriculture and industry. They are used extensively for food, antibiotic and chemical production and, increasingly, for generating cheap substrates for bioethanol. However many are serious pathogens of plants and humans. Understanding how fungi control their metabolism is of fundamental importance for their more effective use or control. This project takes advantage of a fungus that is easily studied in the laboratory by advanced genetic techniques to identify the ways in which genes are turned on and off in response to changes in the nutrients available. By comparing DNA sequences the results are readily applied to fungi of economic importance.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354908
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
The Insect-Plant Chemical Ecology Network (IPCEN). We bring together plant molecular biology, entomology and analytical chemistry to transform three leading fields of Australian research into an advanced science with far reaching capabilities in innovative research and applied outcomes. Expertise studying the biochemical pathways that produce specific plant compounds and expertise in insect recognition and response to these chemicals will be brought together. This will lead to new research outco ....The Insect-Plant Chemical Ecology Network (IPCEN). We bring together plant molecular biology, entomology and analytical chemistry to transform three leading fields of Australian research into an advanced science with far reaching capabilities in innovative research and applied outcomes. Expertise studying the biochemical pathways that produce specific plant compounds and expertise in insect recognition and response to these chemicals will be brought together. This will lead to new research outcomes and solutions to problems in agriculture, horticulture, forestry and protection of Australia's native flora. Researchers are struggling to create these links, constrained by disciplinary boundaries and geographical isolation. Key industries and researchers already support this proposal.Read moreRead less
Using comparative genomics to identify genes responsible for adaptation to environmental toxins. The US National Human Genome Research Institute has committed to sequencing the genomes of ten different Drosophila (fly) species. We will search these genomes, and two others that are already available, for genes that allow flies to cope with environmental toxins found in the plants upon which they feed and breed. These same genes have the potential to degrade many of the insecticides used to con ....Using comparative genomics to identify genes responsible for adaptation to environmental toxins. The US National Human Genome Research Institute has committed to sequencing the genomes of ten different Drosophila (fly) species. We will search these genomes, and two others that are already available, for genes that allow flies to cope with environmental toxins found in the plants upon which they feed and breed. These same genes have the potential to degrade many of the insecticides used to control insect pests. Hence, this research will contribute to ongoing efforts to minimize the threat to agriculture posed by the insecticide resistance that frequently evolves in pest species. Read moreRead less