Transcriptional regulation by microRNAs. This project aims to better understand microRNAs, which are of central importance to how genes are regulated. Despite recent data indicating microRNAs may also play more extensive and diverse roles as nuclear regulators of gene transcription, research has been restricted to their well known mechanism of action in the cytoplasm where they post transcriptionally silence genes. This project will investigate the potential for microRNAs to regulate transcripti ....Transcriptional regulation by microRNAs. This project aims to better understand microRNAs, which are of central importance to how genes are regulated. Despite recent data indicating microRNAs may also play more extensive and diverse roles as nuclear regulators of gene transcription, research has been restricted to their well known mechanism of action in the cytoplasm where they post transcriptionally silence genes. This project will investigate the potential for microRNAs to regulate transcription on a genome-wide scale and will thereby reveal the full extent of mechanisms by which these important genetic switches control gene expression networks the characteristics of cells. This is of fundamental significance to our understanding of gene regulation.Read moreRead less
Evolution and function of sex chromosomes and genes in mammalian reproduction. This project will ensure Australian leadership in research of reproductive biology and genomics in platypus and echidna. As our most distant relatives, these iconic species provide an understanding of human genes contributing to medical conditions involved in sexual development, infertility and ovarian cancer.
Transcription factor nuclear residency as a driver of gene expression. Persistently active proteins can stay in the nucleus to drive cell growth and prevent cell death. This project will define how one specific active protein can remain in the nucleus and regulate gene expression through the action of unique ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecules. The results will enable persistent gene activation to be manipulated in cancer.
Road rules for traffic on DNA - gene regulation by encounters between transcribing RNA polymerases and DNA-bound proteins. This project addresses a widespread but poorly understood phenomenon in gene regulation. The work will support Australian industries by supplying new tools for manipulation of gene expression for industrial and medical applications and will provide unique opportunities for Australian students in this emerging field.
Non-coding RNAs in mammalian reproduction. This project aims to investigate the role of non-coding RNAs in mammalian sex chromosome biology and reproduction. Non-protein coding RNAs are a major regulatory mechanism in eukaryotic genomes; they can bind other RNAs or chromatin modifying complexes. However, the evolutionary trajectory and function of non-coding RNAs in sex chromosome biology and sexual development is largely unknown. This project will study non-coding RNAs in Australian mammals to ....Non-coding RNAs in mammalian reproduction. This project aims to investigate the role of non-coding RNAs in mammalian sex chromosome biology and reproduction. Non-protein coding RNAs are a major regulatory mechanism in eukaryotic genomes; they can bind other RNAs or chromatin modifying complexes. However, the evolutionary trajectory and function of non-coding RNAs in sex chromosome biology and sexual development is largely unknown. This project will study non-coding RNAs in Australian mammals to try to answer fundamental questions about how non-coding RNAs function in mammalian sexual development.Read moreRead less
The evolutionary origin, cellular response and genetic impact of insecticide resistance mutations in agricultural pests. Diamondback moth is a global pest of canola and Brassica vegetables, and populations can rapidly evolve resistance to insecticides. The project will use a combination of genome sequencing, fieldwork and gene expression analysis to identify mutations causing resistance to Bt insecticidal toxins and assess the threat of resistance evolving in Australia.
Genetic control of spermatogenesis: defining the role of SOX3 in spermatogonial progenitor cells. The transcription factor (TF) SOX3 is a key regulator of neural stem/progenitor cells. Recently, this project has also shown that SOX3 is active in sperm progenitors (spermatogonia) and is required for spermatogenesis. Using our Sox3 KO mouse model and extensive expertise in spermatogonial cell culture, ChIP-seq technology and bioinformatics, this project will investigate crucial aspects of SOX3 fun ....Genetic control of spermatogenesis: defining the role of SOX3 in spermatogonial progenitor cells. The transcription factor (TF) SOX3 is a key regulator of neural stem/progenitor cells. Recently, this project has also shown that SOX3 is active in sperm progenitors (spermatogonia) and is required for spermatogenesis. Using our Sox3 KO mouse model and extensive expertise in spermatogonial cell culture, ChIP-seq technology and bioinformatics, this project will investigate crucial aspects of SOX3 function in the testes including stem versus progenitor cell activity and genome-wide target gene regulation. These studies will uncover the molecular and cellular mechanism by which SOX3 controls spermatogenesis and provide unique insight into how a single TF controls context-dependent differentiation in sperm versus brain progenitor cells.Read moreRead less
Molecular dynamics of steroid receptor crosstalk. This project uses state-of-the-art technology to show how steroids (for example, testosterone) affect many aspects of human life, and how these can be disrupted by chemicals and synthetic hormones. The results can be used to interpret disease, predict safety of new drugs, and to monitor risk to humans and wildlife of environmental chemicals.
Comparative Evolutionary Genomics of Australian Rainbowfishes. This project aims to use an evolutionarily young and ecologically important fish clade to understand adaptive resilience and to test predictions derived from the 'climatic variability hypothesis' for the major climatic regions of mainland Australia. Correlative surveys along landscapes and mechanistic experimental studies will be integrated to implement a comparative evolutionary genomics framework capable of assessing the genetic ba ....Comparative Evolutionary Genomics of Australian Rainbowfishes. This project aims to use an evolutionarily young and ecologically important fish clade to understand adaptive resilience and to test predictions derived from the 'climatic variability hypothesis' for the major climatic regions of mainland Australia. Correlative surveys along landscapes and mechanistic experimental studies will be integrated to implement a comparative evolutionary genomics framework capable of assessing the genetic basis of adaptation and the evolutionary resilience of populations and lineages. This is expected to clarify climatic and geographic correlates of adaptation across a vast area of Australia and to disentangle responses to environmental change in an emerging model system for adaptation research.Read moreRead less
Seagrass adaptation and acclimation responses to extreme climatic events. This project aims to advance our understanding of how temperate marine plants in their northern limit will respond to the effects of synergistic stressors from extreme events combined with climate change. The project will study Shark Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where a semi-permanent, salinity gradient maintained by shallow seagrass banks has resulted in unique ecosystems like stromatolites to persist. Expected outc ....Seagrass adaptation and acclimation responses to extreme climatic events. This project aims to advance our understanding of how temperate marine plants in their northern limit will respond to the effects of synergistic stressors from extreme events combined with climate change. The project will study Shark Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where a semi-permanent, salinity gradient maintained by shallow seagrass banks has resulted in unique ecosystems like stromatolites to persist. Expected outcomes include practical solutions for building resilience to climate change mitigation in marine ecosystems. This will benefit the broader Australian community through changing how we manage significant resources and services these systems support, such as fisheries, coastal protection.Read moreRead less