Immunisation to protect against transmissible cancers in Tasmanian devils. This project aims to identify the immune escape mechanisms that the transmissible cancers, Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) use to avoid being killed by the immune system. Since the discovery of the second transmissible cancer (DFT2) mystery surrounds whether the devils immune system can respond to this cancer, hence this project will investigate the immune response to DFT2. The final aims are to develop a vaccine with ....Immunisation to protect against transmissible cancers in Tasmanian devils. This project aims to identify the immune escape mechanisms that the transmissible cancers, Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) use to avoid being killed by the immune system. Since the discovery of the second transmissible cancer (DFT2) mystery surrounds whether the devils immune system can respond to this cancer, hence this project will investigate the immune response to DFT2. The final aims are to develop a vaccine with the potential to protect healthy devils and cure devils with DFTD.Read moreRead less
Understanding uterine contractility for reducing newborn lamb mortality. The project aims to elucidate the mechanisms underlying normal and dysfunctional uterine contractions in labouring ewes. Significantly, ~20% of newborn lambs die within days of birth, costing the Australian sheep industry more than $780 million annually. Difficult lambing is the leading cause of lamb mortality and weak uterine contractions are the most important contributor to difficult labour (dystocia). Intended outcomes ....Understanding uterine contractility for reducing newborn lamb mortality. The project aims to elucidate the mechanisms underlying normal and dysfunctional uterine contractions in labouring ewes. Significantly, ~20% of newborn lambs die within days of birth, costing the Australian sheep industry more than $780 million annually. Difficult lambing is the leading cause of lamb mortality and weak uterine contractions are the most important contributor to difficult labour (dystocia). Intended outcomes include a better understanding of dysfunctional labour contractions in sheep, and this knowledge could then contribute to the identification of more specific targets for genetic testing for dystocia. The benefits should include more specific aids for selective breeding programs for improved productivity and profitability.Read moreRead less
Mitigating ecosystem impacts by improving the way we breed and manage devils. The Tasmanian ecosystem faces irreversible change due to the decline of the apex predator. An insurance population of Tasmanian devils has been established to prevent extinction of the species. Using the latest sequencing technologies the project aims to determine whether the Tasmanian ecosystem can be restored with Tasmanian devils that are more resilient to a changing environment by improving the way that devils are ....Mitigating ecosystem impacts by improving the way we breed and manage devils. The Tasmanian ecosystem faces irreversible change due to the decline of the apex predator. An insurance population of Tasmanian devils has been established to prevent extinction of the species. Using the latest sequencing technologies the project aims to determine whether the Tasmanian ecosystem can be restored with Tasmanian devils that are more resilient to a changing environment by improving the way that devils are bred and managed in captivity.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210100103
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$459,674.00
Summary
Fortifying animal and plant germ cells against proteotoxic stress. Cellular stress is responsible for widespread inefficiencies in plant and animal reproduction. Using high resolution proteomics and cryo-electron microscopy, this project aims to investigate how plant and animal germ cells respond to environmental stresses that are known to disrupt fertility, and assess two novel strategies to decrease the sensitivity of cells to stress. This project is expected to generate new global knowledge i ....Fortifying animal and plant germ cells against proteotoxic stress. Cellular stress is responsible for widespread inefficiencies in plant and animal reproduction. Using high resolution proteomics and cryo-electron microscopy, this project aims to investigate how plant and animal germ cells respond to environmental stresses that are known to disrupt fertility, and assess two novel strategies to decrease the sensitivity of cells to stress. This project is expected to generate new global knowledge in the area of fertility regulation with the potential to improve the tolerance of crop species to heat stress, prevent economic losses and help to secure future food production. Further, this project has the intended benefit of improving the fertility of animal species that suffer from stress-induced infertility.
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Defining signals that regulate intestinal stem cells during organ growth. This project will define the key signals that promote cell division in the stem cells which produce the inner epithelial lining of the gut. This fundamental knowledge is of significance as it will provide information about how key signals are delivered to promote repair of injury to this key cell layer. The gut is a vital organ conserved across species that is prone to injury as it is exposed to a very harsh environment of ....Defining signals that regulate intestinal stem cells during organ growth. This project will define the key signals that promote cell division in the stem cells which produce the inner epithelial lining of the gut. This fundamental knowledge is of significance as it will provide information about how key signals are delivered to promote repair of injury to this key cell layer. The gut is a vital organ conserved across species that is prone to injury as it is exposed to a very harsh environment of bacteria and the products of food digestion. The outcomes of this project will provide an understanding of development and regeneration of the epithelial lining and key signals that may augment repair. The future benefits include improved health outcomes for animals and humans and potential economic benefits.Read moreRead less