Genetic mechanisms of metabolic control and thermal sensing during thermoregulation. This research will significantly advance understanding of how animals can respond to climate change, and the results will benefit wildlife management processes. The proposed research will lead to collaboration with Prof. Ken Storey an ISI highly cited author and expert in microarray analysis. The cDNA microarray for Crocodylus porosus which I will construct in the proposed research will be a valuable resource ....Genetic mechanisms of metabolic control and thermal sensing during thermoregulation. This research will significantly advance understanding of how animals can respond to climate change, and the results will benefit wildlife management processes. The proposed research will lead to collaboration with Prof. Ken Storey an ISI highly cited author and expert in microarray analysis. The cDNA microarray for Crocodylus porosus which I will construct in the proposed research will be a valuable resource for Australia by increasing collaborations, and it will help find the cause of problems prevalent in the crocodile industry such as runt animals that significantly decrease production efficiency.Read moreRead less
The role of intracellular calcium in fibre-type specific gene expression in skeletal muscle. Muscles contain different fibre types whose composition can be changed by activity. The aim of this proposal is to identify the intracellular mechanisms which control fibre type. Our hypothesis is that different patterns of intracellular calcium determine the pattern of gene expression which determines fibre type. Understanding how gene expression is regulated is a central issue in biology.
The role of intracellular calcium stores in cardiac pacemaking. The spontaneous firing of pacemaker cells is central to regulation of the cardiovascular system particularly during exercise. The discovery that pacemaker cell function is modulated in part by calcium ions will change our understanding of the changes in heart rate during exercise and in diseases which affect the pacemaker cells. Better understanding of the way in which spontaneous activity of these cells is regulated is the key to ....The role of intracellular calcium stores in cardiac pacemaking. The spontaneous firing of pacemaker cells is central to regulation of the cardiovascular system particularly during exercise. The discovery that pacemaker cell function is modulated in part by calcium ions will change our understanding of the changes in heart rate during exercise and in diseases which affect the pacemaker cells. Better understanding of the way in which spontaneous activity of these cells is regulated is the key to controlling or modifying their function.Read moreRead less
Intracellular calcium in intact muscle during fatigue and stretch-induced damage. Confocal microscopes can investigate intact tissues during normal function. We will develop and apply this novel approach to muscle. We expect this new approach to become a fundamental new tool for exploring muscle function under near normal conditions. Muscle pain and weakness are common disabilities in humans and we expect this new approach to provide insights into the causes and treatment of these common cond ....Intracellular calcium in intact muscle during fatigue and stretch-induced damage. Confocal microscopes can investigate intact tissues during normal function. We will develop and apply this novel approach to muscle. We expect this new approach to become a fundamental new tool for exploring muscle function under near normal conditions. Muscle pain and weakness are common disabilities in humans and we expect this new approach to provide insights into the causes and treatment of these common conditions.Read moreRead less
The Immunoregulatory Role of the Endogenous Cannabinoid Anandamide. Anandamides are naturally occurring fatty acids that act at the cannabinoid receptor expressed in the brain and periphery. A new proposal by our research group challenges traditional models of the disease process by suggesting that the anandamide system is an important imunoregulatory system that can be targeted by invading pathogens. We propose that disruption to the anandamide system, by bacteria or viruses acting at the rece ....The Immunoregulatory Role of the Endogenous Cannabinoid Anandamide. Anandamides are naturally occurring fatty acids that act at the cannabinoid receptor expressed in the brain and periphery. A new proposal by our research group challenges traditional models of the disease process by suggesting that the anandamide system is an important imunoregulatory system that can be targeted by invading pathogens. We propose that disruption to the anandamide system, by bacteria or viruses acting at the receptor to block immunological responses, contributes to chronic illness states. At this point we have good evidence that anandamides are immunoregulators, however, we have very little knowledge of their precise physiological role. The aim of this research is to begin to characterise the immunoregulatory role of the anandamide system. This project will provide a comprehensive understanding of this endogenous control system, the immunological properties of which have not previously been described. The outcome of this research may lead to the identification of new avenues for the development of pharmaceutical interventions that can target this system.Read moreRead less
Novel ways of regulating epithelial transport. This project is intended to discover novel intracellular mechanisms that regulate the rate of ion transport by the lung, the gut and the kidney. It will not only provide new insights into how the body controls a process that is critical to animal life, but also provide new targets for the development of pharmaceuticals.
Plasticity in placental vasculature and the evolution of viviparity in lizards. This cross-disciplinary research will provide thorough understanding of the reproductive physiology of animals with different forms of reproduction, information critical for conservation and management of Australia's biodiversity. Australia's unique reptiles provide the best animal system in the world for research in this area. Our research on maternal-embryonic interactions in this animal model has direct implicatio ....Plasticity in placental vasculature and the evolution of viviparity in lizards. This cross-disciplinary research will provide thorough understanding of the reproductive physiology of animals with different forms of reproduction, information critical for conservation and management of Australia's biodiversity. Australia's unique reptiles provide the best animal system in the world for research in this area. Our research on maternal-embryonic interactions in this animal model has direct implications for understanding some medical disorders, such as human angiogenic disorders. The research will strengthen ties internationally through research in South Africa, and provide training in combined biological and medical technologies. It will maintain Australia's long-term leadership in this area of research.Read moreRead less
Responses of reptiles to fluctuating thermal environments: behaviour or biochemistry? I propose a conceptual shift in the way thermal physiology of reptiles is interpreted, questioning the predominant role of behaviour in reptilian thermoregulation. I will test the hypothesis that changes in cellular biochemistry are an important mechanism by which reptiles respond to environmental fluctuations. I will determine the relationship between metabolic enzyme activity and performance functions, and ....Responses of reptiles to fluctuating thermal environments: behaviour or biochemistry? I propose a conceptual shift in the way thermal physiology of reptiles is interpreted, questioning the predominant role of behaviour in reptilian thermoregulation. I will test the hypothesis that changes in cellular biochemistry are an important mechanism by which reptiles respond to environmental fluctuations. I will determine the relationship between metabolic enzyme activity and performance functions, and the results may call for a re-assessment of current concepts such as the notion that reptiles must achieve "preferred" body temperatures to maintain performance.Read moreRead less
Food supply, diet and membrane lipids and the determination of metabolic rate. There are two types of polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6), which are both essential in the diet. This project will examine whether our current diet has a good balance of these two classes of fatty acids. It will examine the hypothesis that we do not have enough omega-3 polyunsaturates in our modern diet and that this imbalance has important consequences for metabolism and health. It will give insight in ....Food supply, diet and membrane lipids and the determination of metabolic rate. There are two types of polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6), which are both essential in the diet. This project will examine whether our current diet has a good balance of these two classes of fatty acids. It will examine the hypothesis that we do not have enough omega-3 polyunsaturates in our modern diet and that this imbalance has important consequences for metabolism and health. It will give insight into a relatively unappreciated cause of the current obesity epidemic and likely result in new strategies to combat this problem. It will have implications for other important health issues (such as depression) as well as for the food supply of Australia. Read moreRead less