New Technologies For Hierarchial Shotgun Sequencing Of Recalcitrant And Repetitive DNA
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$79,750.00
Summary
Many repetitive regions of genomes are difficult to sequence and to assemble. �Sequencing Aided by Mutation� (SAM) is a new sequencing technology, which overcomes many of the difficulties that hinder current sequencing methods. SAM involves forming randomly mutated copies of the target DNA. These copies can then be sequenced and new mathematical tools permit the original target sequence to be revealed from the mutant copies. Here the technology will be developed to aid sequencing of long repetit ....Many repetitive regions of genomes are difficult to sequence and to assemble. �Sequencing Aided by Mutation� (SAM) is a new sequencing technology, which overcomes many of the difficulties that hinder current sequencing methods. SAM involves forming randomly mutated copies of the target DNA. These copies can then be sequenced and new mathematical tools permit the original target sequence to be revealed from the mutant copies. Here the technology will be developed to aid sequencing of long repetitive DNA fragments in genomes.Read moreRead less
L1 Retrotransposition In Human Development And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$414,085.00
Summary
Retrotransposons are mobile genes that copy-and-paste themselves in the human genome. Previously thought to represent ñjunk DNAî, retrotransposons are increasingly being found to play important roles in biology. This fellowship will allow Dr Faulkner to research the consequences of retrotransposons being active in the body during development, and in adulthood, as a potential cause of cancer.
This study will address the idea that cancer commonly involves a genetic pathway that is normally used by stem cells to proliferate in an undifferentiated state. We have evidence to indicate that this system is active in cancer cells and believe this could explain how cancer cells manage to divide rapidly in a primitive state. This project may bring a new perspective to the study of malignant transformation and has the potential to reveal multiple new targets for cancer therapy.
Chromatin Dynamics As A Driver Of Disease Initiation And Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,180.00
Summary
Epigenetic programming ensures that the right genes are expressed in the right amount, in the right cell type at the right time. Our OVERALL AIM is to identify how this programming is altered in certain cancers and dementias and to determine whether this is a cause or driver of disease. This study has great potential to identify the epigenetic marks that will be the best targets for new therapies.
Neuronal Genome Mosaicism: A Molecular Component Of Cognition?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$687,975.00
Summary
The brain is a complex and dynamic organ tasked with interpreting and responding to the world around us. My recent work has shown that mobile genetic elements, or 'jumping genes', cause changes in the DNA of brain cells, potentially altering how they work. During the course of this fellowship, I will examine how and when during life these DNA changes occur, whether they play a role in memory formation, and whether they contribute to neurodevelopmental and mental health conditions.
CLOSING THE GAP IN EARLY DIAGNOSTIC CAPABILITIES FOR MYCOSES - DNA BARCODING TO COMBAT AN EMERGING GLOBAL HEALTH PROBLEM
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$753,447.00
Summary
Fungal infections are a major health threat with high mortality and costs. Fast identification of a causative agent is required to initiate correct treatment to maximise disease outcome. Short DNA sequences – DNA barcodes – offer a fast accurate identification. This grant sets out to establish a dual-locus barcode scheme, build a reference database, adapt the scheme to new sequencing technologies and to facilitate sequence-based fungal identification in the routine diagnostic laboratory.
Somatic Retrotransposition Drives Neoplastic Mutagenesis In Glioblastoma Multiforme
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$667,342.00
Summary
Retrotransposons are mobile genes that copy-and-paste themselves in our genome. Previously thought to represent “junk DNA”, retrotransposons are increasingly found to play major roles in biology. In a recent landmark publication in Nature, we demonstrated that retrotransposons move in the healthy human brain. In the current study, we will use cutting-edge technologies to determine whether brain cancer can occur as a result. This will provide new perspectives of the genetic basis for cancer.