Lungfish Paired Fins and the Origin of Limbs as an Evolutionary Novelty. This project will utilise a uniquely Australian animal, the lungfish, to address a hitherto unresolved problem of considerable scientific significance - how a fish fin evolved into a tetrapod (four-legged animal) limb. The Australian lungfish is the most primitive of the four surviving genera of lobe-finned fish and is recognised as the closest living ancestor to the tetrapods. It is listed as 'vulnerable' in its native ha ....Lungfish Paired Fins and the Origin of Limbs as an Evolutionary Novelty. This project will utilise a uniquely Australian animal, the lungfish, to address a hitherto unresolved problem of considerable scientific significance - how a fish fin evolved into a tetrapod (four-legged animal) limb. The Australian lungfish is the most primitive of the four surviving genera of lobe-finned fish and is recognised as the closest living ancestor to the tetrapods. It is listed as 'vulnerable' in its native habitat. Macquarie University, however, has the only captive breeding population of lungfish in the world. We are thus uniquely placed to address critically important questions concerning the evolution of fish into tetrapods. Read moreRead less
Linking mutant zebrafish phenotypes with their underlying genetic lesions. Zebrafish mutants have been generated with many interesting abnormalities, but to understand these abnormalities, the defective genes must be identified by positional cloning. We seek to identify the defective genes underpinning four mutants. Mutant #562 develops a normal nervous system which then undergoes rapid degeneration. The mutant flotte lotte has abnormal gut development. Two mutants with defective early blood for ....Linking mutant zebrafish phenotypes with their underlying genetic lesions. Zebrafish mutants have been generated with many interesting abnormalities, but to understand these abnormalities, the defective genes must be identified by positional cloning. We seek to identify the defective genes underpinning four mutants. Mutant #562 develops a normal nervous system which then undergoes rapid degeneration. The mutant flotte lotte has abnormal gut development. Two mutants with defective early blood formation will be studied. We will establish techniques for several steps that will be useful for all zebrafish mapping projects. We expect the genetic characterization of these mutants to provide new insights into nerve cell survival, gut development, and blood formation.Read moreRead less
Defining The Molecular Effectors Of Gene/environment Interaction On Mouse Heart Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$749,271.00
Summary
One third of all birth defects involve the heart, and are the most common cause of infant death. Some defects are due to genetic factors, but others arise when the pregnant mother is exposed to environmental stress. We will examine how one stress (low oxygen levels) causes abnormal heart formation in the embryo, look at what causes this at a molecular level, and explore if such stress increases the risk of heart defects in families with a history of such abnormalities
Molecular technology for biological control of the most destructive horticultural pest in Australia. As part of a world-wide effort to apply transgenic technologies for the improvement of the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), this project will place Australian research at the forefront of the latest developments in the field. With a requirement for fruit fly free status of horticultural production and an increasing demand for pesticide free produce, improved SIT strains of Queensland fruit fly wi ....Molecular technology for biological control of the most destructive horticultural pest in Australia. As part of a world-wide effort to apply transgenic technologies for the improvement of the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), this project will place Australian research at the forefront of the latest developments in the field. With a requirement for fruit fly free status of horticultural production and an increasing demand for pesticide free produce, improved SIT strains of Queensland fruit fly will be vital to maintain our competitiveness in international horticultural markets. Rural and regional areas will be the main beneficiaries from the outcomes, with health benefits, a clean and green image for horticulture, simplified marketing and reduced costs. Read moreRead less
Head and face development: dissecting tissue-specific gene function. The outcome of our investigation of the early development will inform us of the ways and means for the embryo to assemble the essential building blocks of the body, and insights into the developmental origin of birth defects. This knowledge will benefit the biomedical research community, the education sector and the general public by enabling the formulation of new hypotheses, enriching the curriculum, and providing an evidenc ....Head and face development: dissecting tissue-specific gene function. The outcome of our investigation of the early development will inform us of the ways and means for the embryo to assemble the essential building blocks of the body, and insights into the developmental origin of birth defects. This knowledge will benefit the biomedical research community, the education sector and the general public by enabling the formulation of new hypotheses, enriching the curriculum, and providing an evidence-based understanding of the genetic basis of congenital malformations for delivering informative counselling. The technical expertise gained from this project will enhance the nation's research capability through the sharing of skills and knowledge with other research teams in the academia and the industry. Read moreRead less
Neurogenesis in bilateral larval and radial adult body plans: identification of echinoderm homologues of the chordate central nervous system. The modern synthesis of embryology and gene expression studies, as undertaken in this project with sea stars, is a major way forward to achieve advances in our understanding of animal evolution and generate new insights into the mystery that surrounds the origin of our own phylum, the Chordata. This project utilises life history diversity in species that a ....Neurogenesis in bilateral larval and radial adult body plans: identification of echinoderm homologues of the chordate central nervous system. The modern synthesis of embryology and gene expression studies, as undertaken in this project with sea stars, is a major way forward to achieve advances in our understanding of animal evolution and generate new insights into the mystery that surrounds the origin of our own phylum, the Chordata. This project utilises life history diversity in species that are unique Australian fauna. Extreme life history diversity as seen in these sea stars is unparalleled on a global scale and provides an important resource to generate new discoveries on the processes underlying evolution in the sea and enhance our understanding of marine systems. Read moreRead less
A role for Cited2, Transforming Growth Factor-beta and matrix metaloproteinases in trophoblast invasion and placenta formation. The placenta is essential for the growth and development of the fetus, and if it fails to form correctly during pregnancy, it can have dramatic effects that can result death in utero, or adult onset diseases. Our research aims to understand how one protein functions in placenta formation. We will also investigate how this protein works at the molecular level in a proces ....A role for Cited2, Transforming Growth Factor-beta and matrix metaloproteinases in trophoblast invasion and placenta formation. The placenta is essential for the growth and development of the fetus, and if it fails to form correctly during pregnancy, it can have dramatic effects that can result death in utero, or adult onset diseases. Our research aims to understand how one protein functions in placenta formation. We will also investigate how this protein works at the molecular level in a process that enables single cells to respond to molecules sent from a distance by other cells (TGF-beta signalling). This process is also very important for a host of other biological processes relevant to human health, including cancer.Read moreRead less
Discovery of novel microRNA biogenesis and functional components. Discovery of novel microRNA components will provide new strategies for confronting a diverse array of challenges Australia faces, such as the increasing rates of certain cancers in our population, to stresses on our crop plants faced with environmental changes. The biological mechanisms underlying these disparate problems are unified by microRNA involvement in many instances. By finding microRNA controlling factors common to all h ....Discovery of novel microRNA biogenesis and functional components. Discovery of novel microRNA components will provide new strategies for confronting a diverse array of challenges Australia faces, such as the increasing rates of certain cancers in our population, to stresses on our crop plants faced with environmental changes. The biological mechanisms underlying these disparate problems are unified by microRNA involvement in many instances. By finding microRNA controlling factors common to all higher organisms, we expect our community will benefit from the increased knowledge base that will help our researchers adopt new strategies in fighting diseases and improving our agricultural industry.Read moreRead less
Evaluating The Genetic Contribution To Rheumatic Heart Disease Pathogenesis In Australian Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Communities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,782,074.00
Summary
Rheumatic heart disease is highly prevalent in Aboriginal people in Australia and leads to early cardiac disease. Despite decades of research, the underlying genetic mechanisms for why it occurs are not well understood. We are conducting a genetic study to better understand why some people are susceptible to RHD and others are not. The study will involve substantial Aboriginal leadership and consultation and will be a model for the conduct of genetic studies in Aboriginal populations.
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