Discovery of pathways to embryogenesis in pathogenic flatworm parasites using microdissection and transcriptomic technologies. The cost to Australia of flatworm parasites to animal production and human health is substantial (hundreds of millions of dollars per year). This research will give new insights into how flatworms reproduce and equip their progeny for survival, providing impetus for new vaccine or drug therapies to be developed. As these pathogens are more significant in Australia's ne ....Discovery of pathways to embryogenesis in pathogenic flatworm parasites using microdissection and transcriptomic technologies. The cost to Australia of flatworm parasites to animal production and human health is substantial (hundreds of millions of dollars per year). This research will give new insights into how flatworms reproduce and equip their progeny for survival, providing impetus for new vaccine or drug therapies to be developed. As these pathogens are more significant in Australia's near neighbours, this project will strengthen Australia's international leadership in this field. Our study will provide, for the first time for any helminth parasite, a freely available genetic database that profiles the gene expression repertoire of individual parasite tissues, a development likely to enhance the international effort in controlling these harmful diseases.Read moreRead less
Insect host/vector genetic responses to rhabdovirus infection. Rhabdoviruses cause important diseases in humans, animals and plants. These viruses are transmitted by insect vectors in which they persist and propagate, an intimate and specific association. Insect-rhabdovirus interactions will be studied at the molecular level using a planthopper-maize rhabdovirus model. Insect genes specifically induced by rhabdovirus infection as well as the viral genes themselves will be identified and characte ....Insect host/vector genetic responses to rhabdovirus infection. Rhabdoviruses cause important diseases in humans, animals and plants. These viruses are transmitted by insect vectors in which they persist and propagate, an intimate and specific association. Insect-rhabdovirus interactions will be studied at the molecular level using a planthopper-maize rhabdovirus model. Insect genes specifically induced by rhabdovirus infection as well as the viral genes themselves will be identified and characterized using genomics and bioinformatics tools. We will extend the same approaches to a comparative analysis of these planthopper genes with other insect-rhabdovirus systems under investigation in our institutes. Identification of viral genes expressed in insects, the insect genes that respond to virus infection, and interpretation of the roles of these genes in insects, may indicate new opportunities to control serious plant and animal diseases through control of virus transmission.Read moreRead less
Beyond the gene: Linking herbivore behaviour to plant defense gene expression. This collaborative project investigates insect herbivore avoidance of plant defence mechanisms. Our project is novel because it integrates changes in the plant at a number of different levels and links them to insect foraging behaviour. Researchers assume that insects respond to plant defences by changing their foraging behaviour. This has not been tested directly. We use the genetically well characterised plant Arabi ....Beyond the gene: Linking herbivore behaviour to plant defense gene expression. This collaborative project investigates insect herbivore avoidance of plant defence mechanisms. Our project is novel because it integrates changes in the plant at a number of different levels and links them to insect foraging behaviour. Researchers assume that insects respond to plant defences by changing their foraging behaviour. This has not been tested directly. We use the genetically well characterised plant Arabidopsis and the world-wide pest Helicoverpa (heliothis) as a model system. Damage caused to crops by insect herbivores is a direct function of behaviour. Understanding this behaviour will lead to improved pest management and reduced economic losses.Read moreRead less
Why do only some exotics become invasive? Combining ecological and genomic approaches to address alternative hypotheses in a recent Australian weed. This project will specifically test alternative hypotheses about how weeds become invasive. As invasive weeds affect both agricultural and native ecosystems equally, research on understanding the mechanisms of weed invasion is critical. Outcomes will benefit Australia by allowing better prioritisation of management against exotic plants already i ....Why do only some exotics become invasive? Combining ecological and genomic approaches to address alternative hypotheses in a recent Australian weed. This project will specifically test alternative hypotheses about how weeds become invasive. As invasive weeds affect both agricultural and native ecosystems equally, research on understanding the mechanisms of weed invasion is critical. Outcomes will benefit Australia by allowing better prioritisation of management against exotic plants already in the country by providing predictive tools to estimate likelihood of spread. For formal Pest Risk Analysis by regulators (eg Biosecurity Australia), our project will provide genomic tools by which the potential weediness of a regulated plant can be assessed through genetic screening, and forms part of an international effort to identify 'weedy genes'. Read moreRead less
Is restoration working? An ecological genetic assessment. This project aims to assess the success of restoration in terms of ecological and genetic viability for plant species in the Fitzgerald River–Stirling Range region of Western Australia, where significant investment is being made in restoring connectivity at a landscape scale. The project intends to compare reproductive output, pollinator behaviour, mating, genetic diversity and pollen dispersal in restored sites with those of undisturbed ....Is restoration working? An ecological genetic assessment. This project aims to assess the success of restoration in terms of ecological and genetic viability for plant species in the Fitzgerald River–Stirling Range region of Western Australia, where significant investment is being made in restoring connectivity at a landscape scale. The project intends to compare reproductive output, pollinator behaviour, mating, genetic diversity and pollen dispersal in restored sites with those of undisturbed natural vegetation. The project moves measures of restoration success beyond that of population establishment and survival to incorporate the evolutionary processes that provide long-term resilience, persistence and functional integration of restored populations into broader landscapes.Read moreRead less
eGenomics - Next generation biomonitoring of threatened species. DNA is the molecule of life and exists everywhere in the environment as a largely untapped source of information on evolution, biodiversity, and ecosystem health. Our overriding aim is to start mining that information to benefit threatened species. Based on optimized ancient DNA methods, powerful sequencing technology, whole genome analyses, and RNA profiling, we present a novel and holistic framework for genetic biomonitoring. In ....eGenomics - Next generation biomonitoring of threatened species. DNA is the molecule of life and exists everywhere in the environment as a largely untapped source of information on evolution, biodiversity, and ecosystem health. Our overriding aim is to start mining that information to benefit threatened species. Based on optimized ancient DNA methods, powerful sequencing technology, whole genome analyses, and RNA profiling, we present a novel and holistic framework for genetic biomonitoring. In two parallel model systems we will study corals and reptiles to improve environmental detection while simultaneously obtaining information on their population health. This will foster more efficient conservation of endangered species that are of tremendous importance to our marine and terrestrial ecosystems.Read moreRead less
Functional and regulatory analysis of n-acetylcholine receptors, key targets of insecticides. Agriculture is one of Australia's mainstay industries and a major user of insecticides. However, current insecticides suffer a number of significant deficiencies, including collateral damage in the environment and insect resistance. One of the major targets for insecticides are a class of neuronal receptors, found in organisms ranging from worms to man. Our work will provide a detailed biological unders ....Functional and regulatory analysis of n-acetylcholine receptors, key targets of insecticides. Agriculture is one of Australia's mainstay industries and a major user of insecticides. However, current insecticides suffer a number of significant deficiencies, including collateral damage in the environment and insect resistance. One of the major targets for insecticides are a class of neuronal receptors, found in organisms ranging from worms to man. Our work will provide a detailed biological understanding of these receptors leading to better ways of developing new insecticides. Similar receptors in humans are the target for nicotine and associated with neurological disorders such as schizophrenia and autism. Thus our work will also increase our understanding of important human receptors associated with disease.Read moreRead less
The Cytochrome P450 Gene Super-family in Drosophila melanogaster; Gene Function and Insecticide Resistance. The cytochrome P450 (Cyp) gene super-family is represented by over 90 sequences in the genome of the vinegar fly, Drosophila melanogaster. To date, four Cyp genes are found to be involved in insecticide resistance. The function of the majority of Cyp genes is unknown. This project will investigate the function and regulation of D. melanogaster Cyp genes, linking the fly's genotype to its ....The Cytochrome P450 Gene Super-family in Drosophila melanogaster; Gene Function and Insecticide Resistance. The cytochrome P450 (Cyp) gene super-family is represented by over 90 sequences in the genome of the vinegar fly, Drosophila melanogaster. To date, four Cyp genes are found to be involved in insecticide resistance. The function of the majority of Cyp genes is unknown. This project will investigate the function and regulation of D. melanogaster Cyp genes, linking the fly's genotype to its phenotype. By studying the effects of Cyp genes on fly survival, Cyp gene expression and regulation, and expressing selected Cyp genes in a yeast expression system, we will enhance our understanding of Cyp gene function and evolution.Read moreRead less
The functional genomics of locust migratory behaviour. Unravelling the molecular genetic basis of locust migratory behaviour will place Australia at the forefront of international biological research and simultaneously contribute to the development of new and safer ways to manage these notorious agricultural pests. We will use genomics and gene expression analyses to identify the suite of genes involved in the behavioural changes that catalyse locust swarm formation and migration. This collabor ....The functional genomics of locust migratory behaviour. Unravelling the molecular genetic basis of locust migratory behaviour will place Australia at the forefront of international biological research and simultaneously contribute to the development of new and safer ways to manage these notorious agricultural pests. We will use genomics and gene expression analyses to identify the suite of genes involved in the behavioural changes that catalyse locust swarm formation and migration. This collaborative study will enhance international relations with China, foster the development of gene-focused locust control strategies, and provide an exemplar study of an important and complex problem faced by Australia and international community.Read moreRead less
Using comparative genomics to identify genes responsible for adaptation to environmental toxins. The US National Human Genome Research Institute has committed to sequencing the genomes of ten different Drosophila (fly) species. We will search these genomes, and two others that are already available, for genes that allow flies to cope with environmental toxins found in the plants upon which they feed and breed. These same genes have the potential to degrade many of the insecticides used to con ....Using comparative genomics to identify genes responsible for adaptation to environmental toxins. The US National Human Genome Research Institute has committed to sequencing the genomes of ten different Drosophila (fly) species. We will search these genomes, and two others that are already available, for genes that allow flies to cope with environmental toxins found in the plants upon which they feed and breed. These same genes have the potential to degrade many of the insecticides used to control insect pests. Hence, this research will contribute to ongoing efforts to minimize the threat to agriculture posed by the insecticide resistance that frequently evolves in pest species. Read moreRead less