Understanding how cells compact and segregate DNA in vertebrates. How a cell compacts and divides its DNA is still a major unanswered question in biology. This project will determine the way in which a cell compacts its DNA nearly ten thousand fold to allow the faithful and accurate segregation to daughter nuclei.
Discovering mechanisms of primary embryonic tissue migration through live cell imaging and novel genetic approaches. The studies proposed here will provide concepts and knowledge about the molecular basis of cell migration that will impact on diverse aspects of human health, such as the causes and nature of tumour metastasis and our understanding of the developmental basis of birth defects. In addition, understanding cell migration mechanisms will allow us to better predict or control the behav ....Discovering mechanisms of primary embryonic tissue migration through live cell imaging and novel genetic approaches. The studies proposed here will provide concepts and knowledge about the molecular basis of cell migration that will impact on diverse aspects of human health, such as the causes and nature of tumour metastasis and our understanding of the developmental basis of birth defects. In addition, understanding cell migration mechanisms will allow us to better predict or control the behaviour of therapeutic stem cells introduced into the body.Read moreRead less
How does Fat cadherin control organ size in Drosophila, and cancer in humans? The primary function of Fat cadherin is to dictate the appropriate size of organs in developing animals. Deficiency in the fat gene results in vastly overgrown organs and can lead to the formation of cancer in humans. Our study will provide important insights into how the size of organs are controlled during development. Our research findings will have important implications for several aspects of human health and biol ....How does Fat cadherin control organ size in Drosophila, and cancer in humans? The primary function of Fat cadherin is to dictate the appropriate size of organs in developing animals. Deficiency in the fat gene results in vastly overgrown organs and can lead to the formation of cancer in humans. Our study will provide important insights into how the size of organs are controlled during development. Our research findings will have important implications for several aspects of human health and biology, and will increase our understanding of diseases that arise due to aberrant tissue growth, such as cancer. Our research findings will thus be of substantial national benefit, given that cancer is now the biggest cause of death in Australia, and that more than 88,000 Australians are diagnosed with cancer each year. Read moreRead less
Investigating the role of gene loops in regulating gene expression. The ability to identify functional variants in regulatory elements will have implications for researchers in multiple fields of biology, from molecular medicine to agriculture. Transfer of expertise and application of the knowledge generated by our research to such fields stands to improve diagnosis of disease predisposition and to improve quality of animal and plant products. These outcomes will benefit all Australians. This kn ....Investigating the role of gene loops in regulating gene expression. The ability to identify functional variants in regulatory elements will have implications for researchers in multiple fields of biology, from molecular medicine to agriculture. Transfer of expertise and application of the knowledge generated by our research to such fields stands to improve diagnosis of disease predisposition and to improve quality of animal and plant products. These outcomes will benefit all Australians. This knowledge will also improve the education of Australian University students as it contributes to the development of advanced curricula and access to more powerful research methods. In addition, the project will foster important collaborations between Australian researchers and those overseas.Read moreRead less
CD151 and functional overlap in tetraspanins. The applicants are currently world leaders in the tetraspanin field. This project will enhance existing international collaborations to maintain and increase the applicants', and hence Australia's, international standing in this field and Australia's reputation in cell and molecular biology in general.
The project will greatly increase our understanding of this important but poorly understood family of proteins. It will also provide training opport ....CD151 and functional overlap in tetraspanins. The applicants are currently world leaders in the tetraspanin field. This project will enhance existing international collaborations to maintain and increase the applicants', and hence Australia's, international standing in this field and Australia's reputation in cell and molecular biology in general.
The project will greatly increase our understanding of this important but poorly understood family of proteins. It will also provide training opportunities for postgraduate students in state-of-the-art approaches in biotechnology.Read moreRead less
Single Minded 2: Cross coupling or specificity within the bHLH/PAS transcription factor family? Understanding the mechanisms of action of SIM2 may lead to novel ideas towards drug development for diseases such as Down syndrome and cancer. The SIM2 protein can interfere with activity of the related Hypoxia Inducible Factor (HIF), a protein important in stress response and recovery from stroke. Understanding the molecular basis of this interference could aid current strategies being used to manipu ....Single Minded 2: Cross coupling or specificity within the bHLH/PAS transcription factor family? Understanding the mechanisms of action of SIM2 may lead to novel ideas towards drug development for diseases such as Down syndrome and cancer. The SIM2 protein can interfere with activity of the related Hypoxia Inducible Factor (HIF), a protein important in stress response and recovery from stroke. Understanding the molecular basis of this interference could aid current strategies being used to manipulate HIF for pharmaceutical benefit.Read moreRead less
The genetic regulation of organogenesis: endoderm development in the Drosophila embryo. Embryonic development is an important research field in biology, not only for its extraordinary complexity but also because of the insights it provides into molecular processes that underpin a variety of diseases. This project aims to discover genes and molecules that regulate the normal development of one of the most important organs, the gut.
The control of chromosome division during female meiosis. Mammalian eggs are stored life-long and finally mature in the hours before ovulation. This project examines how the chromosomes in the egg are separated properly so as to produce a mature egg capable of being fertilized by a sperm. Often in eggs chromosome division is imprecisely executed, and this project will help us understand why this occurs.
Structure and function of a new class of multi-zinc finger (MZF) transcriptional regulators. An understanding of how genes are switched on and off during the development and lifetime of an organism is central to developing the ability to fight many diseases in a rational way. This project will advance our knowledge in this area at a fundamental molecular level by examining the mechanisms through which a specific set of proteins controls gene expression.
Marsupial germ cells and genes. Germ cells are the most fascinating cells in the body, since theirs is the unique responsibility for transmitting life from generation to generation. Studies in mice have suggested that position in the embryo determines their origin, but the early embryology of the mouse is so different from that of other mammals that the events need confirming and extending in another species. The simplified embryology of the tammar wallaby makes it ideal for studying one of the ....Marsupial germ cells and genes. Germ cells are the most fascinating cells in the body, since theirs is the unique responsibility for transmitting life from generation to generation. Studies in mice have suggested that position in the embryo determines their origin, but the early embryology of the mouse is so different from that of other mammals that the events need confirming and extending in another species. The simplified embryology of the tammar wallaby makes it ideal for studying one of the most fundamental questions in the whole of biology: what is the basis for the primal distinction between sex and soma?Read moreRead less