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
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
Molecular-genetic organization and evolution of dinoflagellate mitochondria. Dinoflagellates are unicellular organisms that are important parts of the biota as significant primary producers of the oceans. Certain dinoflagellates form essential symbionts of reef-forming corals and loss of the symbiont causes coral bleaching and death, a phenomenon linked to global warming. Dinoflagellate blooms are also notorious for causing fish kills and human illnesses such as paralytic shellfish poisoning. My ....Molecular-genetic organization and evolution of dinoflagellate mitochondria. Dinoflagellates are unicellular organisms that are important parts of the biota as significant primary producers of the oceans. Certain dinoflagellates form essential symbionts of reef-forming corals and loss of the symbiont causes coral bleaching and death, a phenomenon linked to global warming. Dinoflagellate blooms are also notorious for causing fish kills and human illnesses such as paralytic shellfish poisoning. My studies of the mitochondrion will address a major aspect of the biology of this poorly understood group. Mitochondrial function is often a target for drugs and other controlling agents, and therefore these studies could offer scope to better interpret and manage dinoflagellates in our environment.Read moreRead less
Conservation genetics of humpback whales off Western Australia: Implications for the management of the Antarctic Group IV population. We will define the geographic structuring and gene flow of humpback whales comprising Antarctic Area Group IV, and which migrate off the coast of Western Australian. With this information we will develop guidelines for commonwealth, state, industry, and non-government organisations, for conserving and managing discrete (genetic) populations of humpback whales off ....Conservation genetics of humpback whales off Western Australia: Implications for the management of the Antarctic Group IV population. We will define the geographic structuring and gene flow of humpback whales comprising Antarctic Area Group IV, and which migrate off the coast of Western Australian. With this information we will develop guidelines for commonwealth, state, industry, and non-government organisations, for conserving and managing discrete (genetic) populations of humpback whales off Western Australia. We can then manage these cetaceans at the appropriate geographic scale, and assign conservation priority in relation to population genetic structure gained from this study.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