Integration of Cellular Gene Regulation Processes. This research program aims to identify specific transcriptional regulatory networks in yeast, to determine how some of these networks interact with each other and within these networks to identify the roles of genes whose functions are currently unknown. It will identify systems regulating genes concerned with one-carbon metabolism, cellular responses to oxidative stress and developmental changes associated with meiosis. It will provide a fra ....Integration of Cellular Gene Regulation Processes. This research program aims to identify specific transcriptional regulatory networks in yeast, to determine how some of these networks interact with each other and within these networks to identify the roles of genes whose functions are currently unknown. It will identify systems regulating genes concerned with one-carbon metabolism, cellular responses to oxidative stress and developmental changes associated with meiosis. It will provide a framework to test regulatory network models and to analyse the molecular basis of interactions between control systems. This research will eventually provide the ability to predict how cells respond to drugs and other environmental stimuli.Read moreRead less
How sexually antagonistic genes and sexual selection influence the evolution of the Y chromosome. Sexually antagonistic genes are beneficial to members of one sex, but costly to the other. They are of significance both to the coevolution between the sexes and the evolution of the sex chromosomes. We will measure the sexually antagonistic effects of genes that make male guppies sexually attractive. We will then study how these genes, and the process of sexual selection that favours them influence ....How sexually antagonistic genes and sexual selection influence the evolution of the Y chromosome. Sexually antagonistic genes are beneficial to members of one sex, but costly to the other. They are of significance both to the coevolution between the sexes and the evolution of the sex chromosomes. We will measure the sexually antagonistic effects of genes that make male guppies sexually attractive. We will then study how these genes, and the process of sexual selection that favours them influence the process of recombination between the X and Y chromosomes.Read moreRead less
Guarding and evolving the genome: interactions between DNA-repair enzymes and damaged DNA. The application of structural biology techniques to the area of DNA repair allows us to understand the full implications linking genes and proteins to the molecular mechanisms of diseases such as cancer and hereditory conditions. Studies in this highly internationally competitive area are already established in the Bond laboratory, which has recently relocated to Australia. The use of forward-thinking stru ....Guarding and evolving the genome: interactions between DNA-repair enzymes and damaged DNA. The application of structural biology techniques to the area of DNA repair allows us to understand the full implications linking genes and proteins to the molecular mechanisms of diseases such as cancer and hereditory conditions. Studies in this highly internationally competitive area are already established in the Bond laboratory, which has recently relocated to Australia. The use of forward-thinking structural biology approaches to solve difficult technical problems will foster collaborations within Australia and with leading laboratories abroad, providing excellent up-to-date research training for students and postdoctoral researchers.
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Choosing when to be sexual: clonal and sexual reproduction in a population of honey bees. Sex is costly. There is the cost of finding a mate and the genome of offspring must be shared with the mating partner. Despite these costs, sex is common in animals, so the benefits of sex must be substantial. Benefits may include the prevention of inbreeding and generating variable offspring. Exploring the trade off between sex and cloning requires a model system where individuals can choose to reproduce ....Choosing when to be sexual: clonal and sexual reproduction in a population of honey bees. Sex is costly. There is the cost of finding a mate and the genome of offspring must be shared with the mating partner. Despite these costs, sex is common in animals, so the benefits of sex must be substantial. Benefits may include the prevention of inbreeding and generating variable offspring. Exploring the trade off between sex and cloning requires a model system where individuals can choose to reproduce sexually or asexually. This project will explore a population of honey bees where a genetic mutation allows queens to clone themselves or reproduce sexually. We will reveal the unusual genetic mechanisms behind this ability and show how they are used by queens and workers to increase their reproductive success.Read moreRead less
Elucidation of the signalling pathways during fertilization in mammals. This grant sets out to understand how the union of the sperm and egg at fertilization generates a viable embryo: this is a fundamental event in biology. We aim to understand the basic signalling pathways from the sperm which allow the egg to become an embryo and are known to influence embryo quality. They are therefore important in our understanding of what constitutes a healthy early start to life. Australia also has econom ....Elucidation of the signalling pathways during fertilization in mammals. This grant sets out to understand how the union of the sperm and egg at fertilization generates a viable embryo: this is a fundamental event in biology. We aim to understand the basic signalling pathways from the sperm which allow the egg to become an embryo and are known to influence embryo quality. They are therefore important in our understanding of what constitutes a healthy early start to life. Australia also has economic interests in understanding the reproductive process in aiding breeding programs for commercially important livestock and endangered species and contraception programs for pest populations. Read moreRead less
Solving Delivery Of Gene Therapy For Control Of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$765,439.00
Summary
Antiretroviral therapy free control of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection requires control of the viral reservoir. We have a unique approach, aimed at enforcing HIV latency by targeting highly conserved regions in the viral promoter. These constructs completely silence viral transcription for long periods of time. We intend to develop & assess vectors that are specifically targeted to the reservoir and which can enforce viral latency despite immune activation or viral variation.
The Use Of Gene-Silencing Nanodrugs To Inhibit Lung Cancer Growth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$452,950.00
Summary
Lung cancer accounts for the most cancer deaths worldwide. This research proposal will use state-of-the-art nanomedicines designed to penetrate lung tumours and suppress a gene which drives cancer growth and resistance to chemotherapy drugs. Our results could underpin new approaches that revolutionise more effective and less toxic treatments for a highly lethal malignancy.
Structural And Functional Analysis Of A Cancer-linked Co-regulator Complex
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$729,571.00
Summary
We seek to understand the mechanisms by which genes are switched on and off throughout our lifetime. A number of multi-component protein machines are involved in this process but their make-up and mechanism of action is not understood. We will investigate the structure and function of one of these machines that has been strongly linked to cancer.
Most eye diseases have a genetic contribution, whether rare disorders affecting children such as retinoblastoma or congenital cataracts through to common disorders of older people such as myopia, age-related macular degeneration or glaucoma. We will continue our successful research to find genes that cause these diseases and use this to improve patient care and prevent blindness. We will work out how families can use this genetic information to participate in trials to develop new treatments.
A genetic analysis of the role of an atypical hexokinase in gene regulation. This project addresses a question which is relevant to all living things-how do changes in the environment of a cell bring about a change in gene expression? The aim of this project is to investigate the role of hexokinases in gene regulation by studying the Aspergillus nidulans xprF gene, which encodes an an unusual hexokinase. Hexokinases are thought to be the glucose sensors in plants, animals and fungi, and play a ....A genetic analysis of the role of an atypical hexokinase in gene regulation. This project addresses a question which is relevant to all living things-how do changes in the environment of a cell bring about a change in gene expression? The aim of this project is to investigate the role of hexokinases in gene regulation by studying the Aspergillus nidulans xprF gene, which encodes an an unusual hexokinase. Hexokinases are thought to be the glucose sensors in plants, animals and fungi, and play a role in the development of diabetes in humans. In plants, sugars affect many processes including growth, flowering, photosynthesis, nitrogen metabolism, starch synthesis, pigmentation and response to pathogens.Read moreRead less