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
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0667981
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$200,000.00
Summary
Kangaroo Genome Resource Management Facility. Increasingly, large Australian multicentre research programs in biological and medical sciences have a genomics component that involves integration of biological information with sequencing data. The success of these research programs depends on rapid internet access to the research information by all participating scientists. The universal design of the proposed information management system means that it can be easily adapted to support a broad ran ....Kangaroo Genome Resource Management Facility. Increasingly, large Australian multicentre research programs in biological and medical sciences have a genomics component that involves integration of biological information with sequencing data. The success of these research programs depends on rapid internet access to the research information by all participating scientists. The universal design of the proposed information management system means that it can be easily adapted to support a broad range of research programs. The development of this software program therefore has the potential to benefit research scientists, academics and students in many related fields, as well as the broader community, through enhancing research outcomes.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0561030
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$441,100.00
Summary
Developmental Imaging Facility. This application seeks to establish a facility to undertake expression profiling in vertebrate tissues on a genomic scale and at the highest resolution. Undertaking large scale projects of this nature requires specialised robotics and dedicated infrastructure for microscopy and tissue preparation. This facility will be the first of its type in Australia will permit researchers to perform genomic scale in situ screens, many as part of large international initiative ....Developmental Imaging Facility. This application seeks to establish a facility to undertake expression profiling in vertebrate tissues on a genomic scale and at the highest resolution. Undertaking large scale projects of this nature requires specialised robotics and dedicated infrastructure for microscopy and tissue preparation. This facility will be the first of its type in Australia will permit researchers to perform genomic scale in situ screens, many as part of large international initiatives in developmental and cellular biology. This large-scale, high-resolution expression profiling infrastructure is required to maintain international competitiveness and will dramatically improve our gene discovery, functional assessment and understanding of vertebrate development.Read moreRead less
Many Ys in monotremes: multiple sex chromosomes and sex determination in platypus and echidna. Platypus and Echidna are Australian icons, even featuring on our coins. Their unusual biology and ancient relationship to humans make them unique for understanding the mammalian genome, as demonstrated by our recent discovery of ten sex chromosomes in platypus that link mammal and bird sex. Still little is known about their genome, embryo development and how sex is determined. We will identify new gene ....Many Ys in monotremes: multiple sex chromosomes and sex determination in platypus and echidna. Platypus and Echidna are Australian icons, even featuring on our coins. Their unusual biology and ancient relationship to humans make them unique for understanding the mammalian genome, as demonstrated by our recent discovery of ten sex chromosomes in platypus that link mammal and bird sex. Still little is known about their genome, embryo development and how sex is determined. We will identify new genes on all ten sex chromosomes and investigate how they determine sex. The set up of an Australian Monotreme Resource Centre will be crucial for this research and attract worldwide high profile collaborations. We will answer important general questions in monotreme biology and contribute to our understanding of sexual abnormalities in humans.Read moreRead less
Developing technologies that support the genetic modification of rats. Rats and the mouse play critical roles in medical research. Until recently, the targeted genetic modification of a mammal was limited to the mouse. This was due to a technology that was unique to the mouse: embryonic stem (ES) cells. These cells have not been isolated from any other species. The recent development of animal cloning allows for an alternate strategy for targeting genes. We propose to develop cloning strate ....Developing technologies that support the genetic modification of rats. Rats and the mouse play critical roles in medical research. Until recently, the targeted genetic modification of a mammal was limited to the mouse. This was due to a technology that was unique to the mouse: embryonic stem (ES) cells. These cells have not been isolated from any other species. The recent development of animal cloning allows for an alternate strategy for targeting genes. We propose to develop cloning strategies in the rat that supports the genetic modification of this animal. The development of this technology will bring considerable benefits to the areas of physiological research and drug design.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775778
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$196,000.00
Summary
A microarray platform for gene expression analysis and genotyping in biological systems. This technology has substantial benefits for basic science and biotechnology. The ability to rapidly study changes in gene expression in living organisms will benefit agriculture, animal and biomedical science and biotechnology. The Affymetrix platform creates opportunities for new avenues of research, such as studying epigenetic (DNA and protein modifications) mechanisms in development, ageing and disease. ....A microarray platform for gene expression analysis and genotyping in biological systems. This technology has substantial benefits for basic science and biotechnology. The ability to rapidly study changes in gene expression in living organisms will benefit agriculture, animal and biomedical science and biotechnology. The Affymetrix platform creates opportunities for new avenues of research, such as studying epigenetic (DNA and protein modifications) mechanisms in development, ageing and disease. The project falls within the designated national research priority areas of 'promoting and maintaining good health" and the priority goals of "a healthy start to life", "aging well", "aging productively" and "preventative health care."Read moreRead less
Developmental Switches: Nuclear Transport and Spermatogenesis. We propose to test the novel hypothesis that changes in the nuclear import machinery are a key facet of cellular differentiation. We will investigate a new paradigm in developmental biology regarding whether differentiation is achieved, or can be directed, by altering transport of macromolecules, such as specific transcription factors, into the nucleus. This project will define changes in the nuclear import machinery that accomp ....Developmental Switches: Nuclear Transport and Spermatogenesis. We propose to test the novel hypothesis that changes in the nuclear import machinery are a key facet of cellular differentiation. We will investigate a new paradigm in developmental biology regarding whether differentiation is achieved, or can be directed, by altering transport of macromolecules, such as specific transcription factors, into the nucleus. This project will define changes in the nuclear import machinery that accompany germ and somatic cell differentiation in the developing and adult mammalian testis. This will be linked to changes in the function of key proteins acting within the nucleus using both in vitro and in vivo approaches.
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Constructing an embryo. This project investigates the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying temporal and spatial organisation in the eutherian preimplantation embryo. It will examine: the relative roles of cell cycle and circadian clocks in developmental timing; the molecular mechanism by which intercellular adhesion patterns influence spatial organisation; the extent to which marsupials use similar timing and spatial localisation mechanisms to eutherians; the impact of in-vitro manipulat ....Constructing an embryo. This project investigates the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying temporal and spatial organisation in the eutherian preimplantation embryo. It will examine: the relative roles of cell cycle and circadian clocks in developmental timing; the molecular mechanism by which intercellular adhesion patterns influence spatial organisation; the extent to which marsupials use similar timing and spatial localisation mechanisms to eutherians; the impact of in-vitro manipulations over the first 5 days of mouse pregnancy on embryonic temporal and spatial organisation.Read moreRead less
Functional characterization of SSB2: a novel single-stranded DNA binding protein. Defects in the DNA damage response pathway underpin many human genetic disorders and diseases. A detailed understanding of this pathway has enormous implications for future medicine. The proposed research will lead to functional characterization of a new protein, identify new concepts in DNA damage repair pathways, train young researchers and place Australia among the leaders in this internationally significant and ....Functional characterization of SSB2: a novel single-stranded DNA binding protein. Defects in the DNA damage response pathway underpin many human genetic disorders and diseases. A detailed understanding of this pathway has enormous implications for future medicine. The proposed research will lead to functional characterization of a new protein, identify new concepts in DNA damage repair pathways, train young researchers and place Australia among the leaders in this internationally significant and highly competitive area of research. It will underpin the national research priority of Promoting and Maintaining Good Health and help Australia capitalise on a plethora of opportunities for future economic and health benefits.Read moreRead less
Steroidal control of male meiosis. This innovative project will study a complex cellular process (meiosis) essential for sperm development and sexual reproduction. Collaborations and novel experimental design provide cutting edge techniques and opportunity for Australian researchers to contribute important discoveries to this field. We aim to provide new knowledge of steroid-dependent molecular factors that may activate (or inhibit) meiosis. Such novel information may significantly impact divers ....Steroidal control of male meiosis. This innovative project will study a complex cellular process (meiosis) essential for sperm development and sexual reproduction. Collaborations and novel experimental design provide cutting edge techniques and opportunity for Australian researchers to contribute important discoveries to this field. We aim to provide new knowledge of steroid-dependent molecular factors that may activate (or inhibit) meiosis. Such novel information may significantly impact diverse areas related to controlling mammalian reproductive development, such as health and well-being (a healthy start to life, fertility control), farming and agriculture (livestock production, pest management) and the Australian environment (conservation, pest management).Read moreRead less