Elucidating a key developmental switch in Haemonchus contortus using a massively parallel picolitre reactor sequencing-coupled genomic and bioinformatic platform. The national/community benefits of this project include enhanced focus on animal and human health biotechnology through the development of safe anti-parasite compounds/vaccines; improved and sustainable control of key parasites with decreased risk of induction of drug resistance; increased profitability of agricultural animal productio ....Elucidating a key developmental switch in Haemonchus contortus using a massively parallel picolitre reactor sequencing-coupled genomic and bioinformatic platform. The national/community benefits of this project include enhanced focus on animal and human health biotechnology through the development of safe anti-parasite compounds/vaccines; improved and sustainable control of key parasites with decreased risk of induction of drug resistance; increased profitability of agricultural animal production; consolidation of a technology platform for further applications in genomics and post-genomics of pathogens of global significance and construction of a pipeline for the validation of drug targets; capturing the benefits from fundamental research and strengthening links between fundamental and applied research; and increasing the quality and quantity of scientifically skilled people in biotechnology.Read moreRead less
Discovery of early developmental events in the transition to parasitism in the hookworm Ancylostoma caninum using genomic technologies. The national/community benefits are: (1) to develop a long-term, high quality scientific and technological program contributing to national objectives, including the maintenance of a strong capability in basic research, the development of new scientific concepts and the enhancement of international collaborative links; (2) to strengthen the links between basic a ....Discovery of early developmental events in the transition to parasitism in the hookworm Ancylostoma caninum using genomic technologies. The national/community benefits are: (1) to develop a long-term, high quality scientific and technological program contributing to national objectives, including the maintenance of a strong capability in basic research, the development of new scientific concepts and the enhancement of international collaborative links; (2) to strengthen the links between basic and applied research; (3) to develop excellence in research by promoting collaborative research, resulting in a more efficient use of resources in a national and international context; (4) to enhance the skills-base in biology and biotechnology; (5) to substantially increase global visibility through quality research, leading to an increased investment in Australian science.Read moreRead less
Identification of the basic elements of Plasmodium transcription. This Discovery Project falls under the NRP for safeguarding Australia. Australian troops stationed in malaria endemic areas face the threat of infection and require medical attention upon return.Any research on malaria will expand our knowledge on prevention and treatment. Australia near malariaendemic locations such as Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.These countries do not have the means to support effective basic research into ....Identification of the basic elements of Plasmodium transcription. This Discovery Project falls under the NRP for safeguarding Australia. Australian troops stationed in malaria endemic areas face the threat of infection and require medical attention upon return.Any research on malaria will expand our knowledge on prevention and treatment. Australia near malariaendemic locations such as Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.These countries do not have the means to support effective basic research into the disease and wealthier countries such as Australia have the responsibility to fill this void.Furthermore, the aims of this Discovery Project are unique within the Australian malaria research community and the results fully complement other studies on transcription regulation of antigenic genes. Read moreRead less
Chromatin barriers in Plasmodium falciparum gene regulation. Malaria is a major world disease that kills around 2 million people annually. The genome of the causative agent has now been completely sequenced, but we still know very little of how and why some genes are activated while their neighbours are turned off. I will study the DNA barriers that separate such genes, and the proteins that interact with these regions to better understand how genetic regulation functions in these parasites. A b ....Chromatin barriers in Plasmodium falciparum gene regulation. Malaria is a major world disease that kills around 2 million people annually. The genome of the causative agent has now been completely sequenced, but we still know very little of how and why some genes are activated while their neighbours are turned off. I will study the DNA barriers that separate such genes, and the proteins that interact with these regions to better understand how genetic regulation functions in these parasites. A better understanding of gene regulation in malaria parasites will help us to better combat the tricks utilised by this and other organisms to elude our immune systems.Read moreRead less
Further Genetic and Molecular studies of an Important Prokaryotic Regulator Protein TyrR. Genomes encode many functions whose expression varies dramatically depending on particular cellular environments. Special proteins called Regulator Proteins act as sensors to detect subtle changes in the environment and, in response, to influence the expression of certain genes either dampening them down or stimulating their activity. We are working with the TyrR regulator protein of the simple bacterium E ....Further Genetic and Molecular studies of an Important Prokaryotic Regulator Protein TyrR. Genomes encode many functions whose expression varies dramatically depending on particular cellular environments. Special proteins called Regulator Proteins act as sensors to detect subtle changes in the environment and, in response, to influence the expression of certain genes either dampening them down or stimulating their activity. We are working with the TyrR regulator protein of the simple bacterium Escherichia coli to elucidate the molecular strategies used in these controls. Because this protein controls the expression of a number of genes with diverse functions, evolution has selected equally diverse mechanisms to achieve appropriate transcriptional responses. The detailed knowledge of the E.coli genome and of the various genes regulated by TyrR make it an excellent system for such fundamental studies.Read moreRead less
Algal direct-air CO2 capture through interfacial enzyme immobilisation . Capturing CO2 directly from the atmosphere is challenging due to inherently slow mass transfer kinetics. This project aims to overcome this using an enzyme that can rapidly solubilise CO2 from air into water, to produce algae. By engineering the enzyme immobilisation at the air-water interface, this project will activate and protect the enzymes, increasing their lifespan and reducing costs. By understanding mass transfer an ....Algal direct-air CO2 capture through interfacial enzyme immobilisation . Capturing CO2 directly from the atmosphere is challenging due to inherently slow mass transfer kinetics. This project aims to overcome this using an enzyme that can rapidly solubilise CO2 from air into water, to produce algae. By engineering the enzyme immobilisation at the air-water interface, this project will activate and protect the enzymes, increasing their lifespan and reducing costs. By understanding mass transfer and enzyme activity in the interfacial immobilisation media, floating enzyme rafts can be developed for deployment over expansive areas, facilitating large-scale conversion of atmospheric CO2 into algae-derived fuels, feeds and chemicals.Read moreRead less
Identifying Novel Biosynthetic Pathways in Mycobacteria using DNA Microarray Technology. DNA microarrays are a powerful new bioinformatics-based technology and an ideal tool for characterising complex biosynthetic pathways since the expression of all genes in the bacterial genome can be monitored in a single experiment. In this project we aim to construct and use a DNA microarray to identify novel biosynthetic pathways in mycobacteria. Of particular interest are pathways used to create compone ....Identifying Novel Biosynthetic Pathways in Mycobacteria using DNA Microarray Technology. DNA microarrays are a powerful new bioinformatics-based technology and an ideal tool for characterising complex biosynthetic pathways since the expression of all genes in the bacterial genome can be monitored in a single experiment. In this project we aim to construct and use a DNA microarray to identify novel biosynthetic pathways in mycobacteria. Of particular interest are pathways used to create components of the highly complex and poorly characterised cell wall. Since this structure is unique in the bacterial world, we expect to identify and characterise pathways that are unique to mycobacteria.Read moreRead less
Novel mechanisms of bacterial arsenic metabolism - arsenate reduction and arsenite oxidation. Novel arsenic metabolising bacteria (i.e., arsenate respiring and arsenite oxidising), which are both phylogenetically and physiologically unique, have been isolated from arsenic-contaminated areas in Australia. The arsenate respiring bacterium, Chrysiogenes arsenatis, is of particular interest as it is the only organism reported able to respire with arsenate using the respiratory substrate acetate as t ....Novel mechanisms of bacterial arsenic metabolism - arsenate reduction and arsenite oxidation. Novel arsenic metabolising bacteria (i.e., arsenate respiring and arsenite oxidising), which are both phylogenetically and physiologically unique, have been isolated from arsenic-contaminated areas in Australia. The arsenate respiring bacterium, Chrysiogenes arsenatis, is of particular interest as it is the only organism reported able to respire with arsenate using the respiratory substrate acetate as the electron donor. It is proposed that physiological, biochemical and molecular biological studies be carried out to better understand the mechanisms by which these organisms metabolise arsenic. The knowledge gained from these studies will have worldwide application in the development of an arsenic bioremediation system.Read moreRead less
The Role of C-kit and Selected TGF beta Family Members in Recruitment. The recruitment of primordial follicles into the growth phase is central to female reproductive function, however the control of this process to date, has been poorly understood due to inadequate technologies. Our team has recently developed novel recruitment models and a new and innovative method of isolating primordial follicles which will enable us to identify the role of c-kit and selected TGF beta family members in recru ....The Role of C-kit and Selected TGF beta Family Members in Recruitment. The recruitment of primordial follicles into the growth phase is central to female reproductive function, however the control of this process to date, has been poorly understood due to inadequate technologies. Our team has recently developed novel recruitment models and a new and innovative method of isolating primordial follicles which will enable us to identify the role of c-kit and selected TGF beta family members in recruitment. This work will provide cornerstone scientific knowledge about the control of female reproduction and provide the impetus for the development of more effective contraception and superovulation strategies in mammals.Read moreRead less
Assembly and function of arabinogalactan-proteins: a class of proteoglycans involved in plant growth and development. We aim to define the mechanisms by which a family of cell surface proteoglycans, the arabinogalactan-proteins (AGPs), are assembled and contribute to the regulation of plant growth and development using Arabidopsis, a model system amenable to a functional genomics strategy. This will be achieved through the application of bioinformatics for gene discovery and molecular, biochemi ....Assembly and function of arabinogalactan-proteins: a class of proteoglycans involved in plant growth and development. We aim to define the mechanisms by which a family of cell surface proteoglycans, the arabinogalactan-proteins (AGPs), are assembled and contribute to the regulation of plant growth and development using Arabidopsis, a model system amenable to a functional genomics strategy. This will be achieved through the application of bioinformatics for gene discovery and molecular, biochemical and genetics approaches to define gene function. Understanding mechanisms that control plant growth and development will ultimately impact on industries (agriculture, horticulture and forestry) vital to Australia's prosperity.Read moreRead less