Targeting the genome and epigenome of the exercising skeletal muscle. This project aims is to discover epigenetic and genetic biomarkers that predict fitness changes, following exercise intervention. Individuals are remarkably variable in their responses to exercise interventions, and a large portion of these responses is attributed to genetics, and epigenetics (the effect of the environment on the expression of genes). Using controlled exercise training as a model, this project expects to disco ....Targeting the genome and epigenome of the exercising skeletal muscle. This project aims is to discover epigenetic and genetic biomarkers that predict fitness changes, following exercise intervention. Individuals are remarkably variable in their responses to exercise interventions, and a large portion of these responses is attributed to genetics, and epigenetics (the effect of the environment on the expression of genes). Using controlled exercise training as a model, this project expects to discover epigenetic and genomic markers in skeletal muscle predictive of exercise adaptations. This will contribute to the development and future delivery of targeted and personalised exercise programs for the general population. This has important implications for improving health in the Australian population.Read moreRead less
Can exercise slow down the epigenetic ageing clock? The aged population accounts for a significant amount of Australia’s health budget. This project aims to uncover novel molecular biomarkers that slow the ageing process and maintain good health for longer. This project aims to use innovative epigenetic analysis to study the molecular ‘clocks’ of young and old populations and to test whether exercise can slow the ageing process. This is expected to lead to a better understanding of how humans re ....Can exercise slow down the epigenetic ageing clock? The aged population accounts for a significant amount of Australia’s health budget. This project aims to uncover novel molecular biomarkers that slow the ageing process and maintain good health for longer. This project aims to use innovative epigenetic analysis to study the molecular ‘clocks’ of young and old populations and to test whether exercise can slow the ageing process. This is expected to lead to a better understanding of how humans respond to changing environments during their lifetime, and will underpin the development of evidence-based personalised health interventions to keep Australians healthier for longer.
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Regulation of nuclear localisation of the AreA transcription factor in Aspergillus nidulans. An understanding of the means by which the expression of genes is regulated is of fundamental significance. Changes in gene expression are central to the development, growth and viability of all cells and their response to environmental changes/stresses. This study uses the fungus Aspergillus nidulans as an excellent molecular genetic tool to investigate how a key regulatory protein controls gene expres ....Regulation of nuclear localisation of the AreA transcription factor in Aspergillus nidulans. An understanding of the means by which the expression of genes is regulated is of fundamental significance. Changes in gene expression are central to the development, growth and viability of all cells and their response to environmental changes/stresses. This study uses the fungus Aspergillus nidulans as an excellent molecular genetic tool to investigate how a key regulatory protein controls gene expression in response to nitrogen starvation stress. Our understanding of these dynamic processes informs our approaches to the development of cancer therapies, to commercial biotechnology application and to control of human, plant and animal pathogens in which the infectious process is triggered by environmental stress. Read moreRead less
Searching for genes influencing reading ability using multivariate genomic linkage analysis and allelic association analysis. Following from the replicated linkages of reading disability to loci on chromosomes 6 & 18, this study examines linkage of these same regions to a range of reading measures in an unselected sample of twins and siblings. Preliminary univariate linkage scans of two neuropsychological reading indices suggest linkage to loci on two chromosomes. Our next step is to include rea ....Searching for genes influencing reading ability using multivariate genomic linkage analysis and allelic association analysis. Following from the replicated linkages of reading disability to loci on chromosomes 6 & 18, this study examines linkage of these same regions to a range of reading measures in an unselected sample of twins and siblings. Preliminary univariate linkage scans of two neuropsychological reading indices suggest linkage to loci on two chromosomes. Our next step is to include reading measures of orthographic skill and phonological decoding in a multivariate linkage analysis with the other reading indices and with measures of IQ and academic achievement. Multivariate linkage increases the power of detecting quantitative traits and assists in defining the phenotype related to the locus. We then aim to identify the functional gene through allelic association analysis. Identification of QTLs for reading ability may lead to practical outcomes such as the behavioural and biomedical management of reading deficits, which may then benefit areas such as scholastic achievement.Read moreRead less
Locating genes for elementary and complex cognitive abilities using genetic linkage and association analysis. This study aims to identify genes influencing cognitive ability by using multiple measures of cognition in combination with genetic linkage and association analyses. Multiple measures can increase the statistical power of finding a gene and provide a more comprehensive framework for charting the functional role of genes. The outcome of locating genes for cognition will provide insight i ....Locating genes for elementary and complex cognitive abilities using genetic linkage and association analysis. This study aims to identify genes influencing cognitive ability by using multiple measures of cognition in combination with genetic linkage and association analyses. Multiple measures can increase the statistical power of finding a gene and provide a more comprehensive framework for charting the functional role of genes. The outcome of locating genes for cognition will provide insight into biological functions of the brain which affect human intellect, and will have downstream practical applications which could include better educational, behavioural and biomedical management of learning and memory disorders, and of other intellectual disabilities.Read moreRead less
Quantitative and Molecular Genetic Analysis of Cognition. This study attempts to unravel the pathways through which genes may exert their influence on cognitive processes by identifying some of the genes associated with normal variation in cognitive ability. Using the cognitive phenotypes we have collected, both linkage and association analysis will be used to find QTLs (locations on the chromosomes at which specific genes contribute to a quantitative trait) associated with processing speed and ....Quantitative and Molecular Genetic Analysis of Cognition. This study attempts to unravel the pathways through which genes may exert their influence on cognitive processes by identifying some of the genes associated with normal variation in cognitive ability. Using the cognitive phenotypes we have collected, both linkage and association analysis will be used to find QTLs (locations on the chromosomes at which specific genes contribute to a quantitative trait) associated with processing speed and other specific abilities. The research will enhance our understanding of the biological mechanisms influencing brain function and paves the way for the genetic dissection of the brain.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0668440
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$850,000.00
Summary
Advanced technology for transcriptomics, genomics and gene mapping. Acquistion of the equipment requested in this application will maintain the expertise developed by researchers within New South Wales and attract and retain exceptional individuals who can contribute to our understanding of how genes interact with one another. The benefit of such an enhances facility will be the delivery of a better functional understanding of health and disease which will provide both community and national be ....Advanced technology for transcriptomics, genomics and gene mapping. Acquistion of the equipment requested in this application will maintain the expertise developed by researchers within New South Wales and attract and retain exceptional individuals who can contribute to our understanding of how genes interact with one another. The benefit of such an enhances facility will be the delivery of a better functional understanding of health and disease which will provide both community and national benefits. The primary purpose of this LIEF application is to standardize approaches to the study of genome function across the nodes of the Ramaciotti facility and to expand the capacities of the facility to cope with the increased demand in this technology. Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0560714
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$509,131.00
Summary
Phenotype genotype comparisons using functional genomic approaches. The Ramaciotti Centre for Gene Function Analysis comprises a multi-node network across the state of NSW involving 4 major universities. Using the resources of the Centre, over 100 researchers are undertaking projects comparing genotypes and phenotypes utilising state-of-art genomic based strategies comprising microarrays and SNP analysis. This application will further expand the resources available to researchers with the additi ....Phenotype genotype comparisons using functional genomic approaches. The Ramaciotti Centre for Gene Function Analysis comprises a multi-node network across the state of NSW involving 4 major universities. Using the resources of the Centre, over 100 researchers are undertaking projects comparing genotypes and phenotypes utilising state-of-art genomic based strategies comprising microarrays and SNP analysis. This application will further expand the resources available to researchers with the addition of: (1) Affymetrix based chip microarrays; (2) Options for setting up SNP analysis for both high throughput, and medium throughput analyses and (3) Expanding the robotics options available throught the Centre.Read moreRead less
Cellular genomic approach to the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. This project compares the levels of gene usage in two important immune cell types between patients with multiple sclerosis and people who do not have the disease. It aims to identify the molecular basis for the disease, in order to identify new diagnostic, preventative and treatment options.
Rapid mapping of genes for complex traits. This project will develop a new resource that will allow rapid identification of genes controlling complex traits. This world-leading resource will improve knowledge of diseases like diabetes and neurological diseases.