Assessing gene function in the developing vertebrate brain using zebrafish as a model system. Although the vertebrate brain is the most complicated biological tissue it arises from a very simple sheet of cells during embryogenesis. Groups of nerve cells begin to communicate with each other through long interconnecting processes called axons. This project seeks to understand the role of specific genes in this process. This is the first time that the mechanisms controlling the growth of the ear ....Assessing gene function in the developing vertebrate brain using zebrafish as a model system. Although the vertebrate brain is the most complicated biological tissue it arises from a very simple sheet of cells during embryogenesis. Groups of nerve cells begin to communicate with each other through long interconnecting processes called axons. This project seeks to understand the role of specific genes in this process. This is the first time that the mechanisms controlling the growth of the earliest axons in the vertebrate brain will be examined in a living brain. Our analysis is expected to discover genes that are targets for manipulation of axon growth.Read moreRead less
How does habitat complexity drive motor ageing and fitness in wild mammals? This project aims to demonstrate how habitat complexity shapes motor ageing in wild dasyurid marsupials, and to improve these animals’ motor function, slow its decline and increase reproductive output via behavioural and physiological changes. Motor decline should dramatically impact an animal growth, survival and reproduction by affecting how it moves through habitats when foraging, seeking mates, or escaping from preda ....How does habitat complexity drive motor ageing and fitness in wild mammals? This project aims to demonstrate how habitat complexity shapes motor ageing in wild dasyurid marsupials, and to improve these animals’ motor function, slow its decline and increase reproductive output via behavioural and physiological changes. Motor decline should dramatically impact an animal growth, survival and reproduction by affecting how it moves through habitats when foraging, seeking mates, or escaping from predators. However, little is known about the environmental drivers of motor ageing in wild animals. Our project addresses an important gap in the field of evolutionary ecology. Since decline in muscle function affects the quality of Australian's life, our work could lead to important economic and health implications.Read moreRead less
Tracking crocodiles in 3-dimensions: A remote monitoring study of movement patterns and diving behaviour. The result from this study will promote a better understanding and appreciation of crocodiles and will help to assist conservation managers in determining population dynamics and movements of crocodiles in Queensland. This study will showcase, on an international stage, Australia as being a leader in crocodilian research and conservation, with the results from this study being actively pres ....Tracking crocodiles in 3-dimensions: A remote monitoring study of movement patterns and diving behaviour. The result from this study will promote a better understanding and appreciation of crocodiles and will help to assist conservation managers in determining population dynamics and movements of crocodiles in Queensland. This study will showcase, on an international stage, Australia as being a leader in crocodilian research and conservation, with the results from this study being actively presented and profiled in both the scientific and general media. Finally this project will encourage and promote a long term research association between the University of Queensland, Australia Zoo and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service that will stimulate scientific discovery, and promote effective conservation through education and research. Read moreRead less
Cerebellar control of classical conditioning. This project proposes to use zebrafish, in combination with optogenetics, to identify and test patterns of neural activity that are responsible for classical conditioning. It will do this by describing the connections between the cerebellum and other brain regions, and by observing patterns of neural activity as learning takes place. Next, the project will block or recreate these patterns of activity to see whether they are necessary or sufficient fo ....Cerebellar control of classical conditioning. This project proposes to use zebrafish, in combination with optogenetics, to identify and test patterns of neural activity that are responsible for classical conditioning. It will do this by describing the connections between the cerebellum and other brain regions, and by observing patterns of neural activity as learning takes place. Next, the project will block or recreate these patterns of activity to see whether they are necessary or sufficient for learning. The goal is to describe, in concrete terms, how patterns of neural activity in this part of the brain result in learning. In so doing, the project also aims to develop and test new technologies and approaches for studying the functioning brain.Read moreRead less
Cerebellar control of motor coordination and learning. The cerebellum is the part of the brain responsible for smooth body movements, but many details of how it works are still unclear. This project is aimed at learning how the cerebellum communicates with the rest of the brain, and what parts of this communication are necessary for coordinated movement.
Neural mechanisms of motor learning. The cerebellum is the part of the brain responsible for smooth body movements, but many details of how it works are still unclear. This project is aimed at learning how the cerebellum communicates with the rest of the brain, and what parts of this communication are necessary for coordinated movement.
Mass-production of beneficial insects for commercial pest management - physicochemical definition of oviposition sites for development of cost-efficient artificial substrates. The mass-production of beneficial insects for commercial purposes demands the development of cost-effective techniques for breeding and distributing them to growers. Many predatory beneficial insects lay their eggs in sites that prevent effective mass culturing. To circumvent this difficulty, it should be possible to defin ....Mass-production of beneficial insects for commercial pest management - physicochemical definition of oviposition sites for development of cost-efficient artificial substrates. The mass-production of beneficial insects for commercial purposes demands the development of cost-effective techniques for breeding and distributing them to growers. Many predatory beneficial insects lay their eggs in sites that prevent effective mass culturing. To circumvent this difficulty, it should be possible to define such oviposition sites in chemical and physical terms, and then use the information to develop artificial substrates that are convenient for mass rearing the insects and for disseminating them to growers. We will use the mealybug predator Cryptolaemus montrouszieri to test the feasibility of this approach and to assess its application to other beneficial species.Read moreRead less
Assessing gene function in the developing brain using zebrafish as a model system. As the average life expectancy in western countries increases there is an increasing incidence of mental health problems in the general population. Therapeutic approaches to Alzhemier's and Parkinson's disease as well as to brain injury arising from stroke rely on a thorough understanding of the molecular and physiological mechanisms of normal growth of this tissue. These are the very processes that need to be rea ....Assessing gene function in the developing brain using zebrafish as a model system. As the average life expectancy in western countries increases there is an increasing incidence of mental health problems in the general population. Therapeutic approaches to Alzhemier's and Parkinson's disease as well as to brain injury arising from stroke rely on a thorough understanding of the molecular and physiological mechanisms of normal growth of this tissue. These are the very processes that need to be reactivated in these diseases for recovery of function. This project seeks to understand normal development of the brain and in doing so it will expose novel targets for therapy in the aged. Read moreRead less
Neural mechanisms of vestibular perception in zebrafish. This project aims to understand vestibular processing by removing physical movement. The vestibular system allows us to perceive gravity and movement, but it is not understood how the brain processes information from vestibular sensors in the inner ear. This project will exert forces on the zebrafish’s inner ear with a laser, stimulating the vestibular sense. This means that the animal will experience vestibular stimuli while stationary, a ....Neural mechanisms of vestibular perception in zebrafish. This project aims to understand vestibular processing by removing physical movement. The vestibular system allows us to perceive gravity and movement, but it is not understood how the brain processes information from vestibular sensors in the inner ear. This project will exert forces on the zebrafish’s inner ear with a laser, stimulating the vestibular sense. This means that the animal will experience vestibular stimuli while stationary, allowing calcium imaging of neurons that respond to vestibular cues and optogenetics to stimulate or silence these neurons. This is expected to reveal which cells and circuits mediate vestibular perception, processing and behaviour.Read moreRead less
The evolution of periodic ventilation in insects. The primary outcome of this research initiative is a new approach to the understanding of the evolution of periodic ventilation in insects. It involves researchers from four Australian universities, and will showcase the strength of Australian research and the diversity of the Australian insect fauna, and demonstrate the utility of the Australian environment as a model system for the study of fundamental biological problems. The research deals wi ....The evolution of periodic ventilation in insects. The primary outcome of this research initiative is a new approach to the understanding of the evolution of periodic ventilation in insects. It involves researchers from four Australian universities, and will showcase the strength of Australian research and the diversity of the Australian insect fauna, and demonstrate the utility of the Australian environment as a model system for the study of fundamental biological problems. The research deals with the influence of microclimate on the physiology of insects. This will lead to an appreciation of the ability of these species to respond to climate change.Read moreRead less