Recombination of mitochondrial genomes: what can we learn from chigger mites? This project will bring three benefits to Australia. First, it will enhance Australia's research capacity in the fields of organelle genomics and evolutionary biology. Second, it will yield highly skilled young researchers: a postdoctoral fellow (Shao), a PhD student and two BSc Honours students. Third, it will generate new knowledge about genome recombination in animal mitochondria. Recombination is a fundamental, yet ....Recombination of mitochondrial genomes: what can we learn from chigger mites? This project will bring three benefits to Australia. First, it will enhance Australia's research capacity in the fields of organelle genomics and evolutionary biology. Second, it will yield highly skilled young researchers: a postdoctoral fellow (Shao), a PhD student and two BSc Honours students. Third, it will generate new knowledge about genome recombination in animal mitochondria. Recombination is a fundamental, yet poorly understood issue in mitochondrial genomics and evolutionary biology. Knowledge from this project will also improve our understanding of other important issues that are associated with animal mitochondria; like the mechanisms of mitochondrial disease and ageing, and the evolution of modern humans and other animals.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120101916
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Characterisation of nuclear-localised microRNAs. This project is focused on a set of very small RNA molecules, called microRNAs that regulate genes activity. This project will likely redefine our understanding of microRNA-based gene regulation in complex animals, and may result in new RNA therapeutics for previously untreatable illnesses.
Dynamic DNA structure states and memory formation. Activity-induced gene expression is central to neural plasticity, learning, and memory; however, the underlying mechanisms of these processes in the brain have yet to be fully resolved. The aim of this proposal is to obtain a deeper understanding of the functional relationship between genes and brain function. By elucidating the full repertoire of epigenetic mechanisms in the brain during learning and the formation of memory, it is hoped that t .... Dynamic DNA structure states and memory formation. Activity-induced gene expression is central to neural plasticity, learning, and memory; however, the underlying mechanisms of these processes in the brain have yet to be fully resolved. The aim of this proposal is to obtain a deeper understanding of the functional relationship between genes and brain function. By elucidating the full repertoire of epigenetic mechanisms in the brain during learning and the formation of memory, it is hoped that the true nature of brain adaptation across the lifespan will be revealed. Findings which may then provide new opportunities to strengthen, maintain and optimise cognitive function.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180100976
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$307,058.00
Summary
Identifying parent-of-origin effects and their impact on complex traits. This project aims to systematically identify genetic variants whose effects depend on whether they were inherited from the mother or the father, and to assess their impact on complex human traits. Most gene mapping studies to date assume that the effects of genetic variants are equal regardless of the parent of origin, thus have not explored this source of genetic variation. However, animal studies indicate that parent-of-o ....Identifying parent-of-origin effects and their impact on complex traits. This project aims to systematically identify genetic variants whose effects depend on whether they were inherited from the mother or the father, and to assess their impact on complex human traits. Most gene mapping studies to date assume that the effects of genetic variants are equal regardless of the parent of origin, thus have not explored this source of genetic variation. However, animal studies indicate that parent-of-origin specific effects (POEs) are important contributors to variability of developmental and behavioural traits. Leveraging genetic and epigenetic data from some of the world’s largest cohorts, this project will improve our understanding of POEs on complex human traits related to early development, growth and behaviour.Read moreRead less
A Solution Based Approach Developing Child Health Research With A Focus On Preventive Interventions For Common Childhood
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,599,538.00
Summary
There is an increasing recognition that research into child health should focus not only on disease but also on common childhood disorders such as obesity, depression and poor literacy. In addition, such research should include solution-based activity. That is, child health research should have an active program of testing new interventions to prevent the onset of disorders, or to allow optimal early management. The Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, the largest Australian child health resear ....There is an increasing recognition that research into child health should focus not only on disease but also on common childhood disorders such as obesity, depression and poor literacy. In addition, such research should include solution-based activity. That is, child health research should have an active program of testing new interventions to prevent the onset of disorders, or to allow optimal early management. The Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, the largest Australian child health research institute, is in a very good position to develop Australia's capacity further with regard to a coordinated research program into preventative interventions in child health. This is because of: - the Institute's location at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, the largest paediatric health service provider in Australia - the many individual relevant research projects that are already occurring in MCRI - the strong existing teams of researchers with skills in many different fields of child health such as psychology, speech pathology, clinical-medical care, epidemiology and biostatistics, and laboratory science including genetics. This capacity building program will coordinate population health work to develop the knowledge and skills of eight population health researchers. This development will occur within the context of an internationally competitive research program with structured continuing education and training to promote public health leadership. The capacity building program will develop skills not only in study design, conduct and analysis, but also in collaboration and the translation of research findings into better health services, government policy and parental knowledge to prevent problems and improve the health and well being of children and their families. To care for children in the best way, parents, families, schools, health care providers, and government need the best evidence base possible on the prevention of common child disorders.Read moreRead less
Cell-type specific profiling of nascent RNA in the brain during learning. This project aims to understand cell-type specific, fast-acting, and dynamic patterns of RNA expression that arise during learning and contribute to the formation of memory. Activity-induced gene expression is central to neural plasticity, learning and memory. The project will apply a new approach, which tags RNA inside living cells. The findings will be broadly applicable and create new opportunities for understanding the ....Cell-type specific profiling of nascent RNA in the brain during learning. This project aims to understand cell-type specific, fast-acting, and dynamic patterns of RNA expression that arise during learning and contribute to the formation of memory. Activity-induced gene expression is central to neural plasticity, learning and memory. The project will apply a new approach, which tags RNA inside living cells. The findings will be broadly applicable and create new opportunities for understanding the true nature of brain adaptation.Read moreRead less
Defining novel neuroepigenetic pathways that influence learning and memory. This project aims to better understand the functional relationship between epigenetic mechanisms and regulatory RNAs in the brain and how they influence learning and the formation of memory. Activity-induced gene expression is central to neural plasticity, learning, and memory. However, efforts to elucidate the underlying mechanisms in the brain have not been fully resolved. By elucidating the full repertoire of epigenet ....Defining novel neuroepigenetic pathways that influence learning and memory. This project aims to better understand the functional relationship between epigenetic mechanisms and regulatory RNAs in the brain and how they influence learning and the formation of memory. Activity-induced gene expression is central to neural plasticity, learning, and memory. However, efforts to elucidate the underlying mechanisms in the brain have not been fully resolved. By elucidating the full repertoire of epigenetic mechanisms in the brain during learning and memory formation, the findings of the project will be broadly applicable and create new opportunities for understanding the true nature of brain adaptation.Read moreRead less
Organisation, expression and diversity of the sub-telomeric regions of the ancient eukaryote, Giardia duodenalis. We propose to extend our findings on the extreme plasticity of the structure and organisation of the sub-telomeric region of the complete genome of Giardia by more extensive chromosome walking, and comparison of different isolates. These regions are subject to gene conversion, transcriptional silencing, gene mobility, recombination, variable surface protein expression, subtelomeric i ....Organisation, expression and diversity of the sub-telomeric regions of the ancient eukaryote, Giardia duodenalis. We propose to extend our findings on the extreme plasticity of the structure and organisation of the sub-telomeric region of the complete genome of Giardia by more extensive chromosome walking, and comparison of different isolates. These regions are subject to gene conversion, transcriptional silencing, gene mobility, recombination, variable surface protein expression, subtelomeric instability and the insertion of transposable elements, a dynamic balance between structural conservation and rapid evolution. This is a rare opportunity to understand the forces at work in moulding eukaryotic sub-telomeric sequences because Giardia is not constrained by sexual homogenisation and the dynamic variability is retained.Read moreRead less
Statistical methods for detection of non-coding RNAs in eukaryote genomes. Understanding how eukaryotic cells work is a major goal of 21st century biology. A crucial step will be to catalogue the functional components of eukaryotic genomes. Australian researchers must be involved in this process at an early stage, in order to maximise commercial opportunities, attract quality researchers and position ourselves for further advances. This project will make major contributions to international effo ....Statistical methods for detection of non-coding RNAs in eukaryote genomes. Understanding how eukaryotic cells work is a major goal of 21st century biology. A crucial step will be to catalogue the functional components of eukaryotic genomes. Australian researchers must be involved in this process at an early stage, in order to maximise commercial opportunities, attract quality researchers and position ourselves for further advances. This project will make major contributions to international efforts in this area, via the development of statistical methods for segmenting genomes, classification of those segments, and study of the resulting classes. In the long term, enhanced understanding of eukaryotic cells will lead to breakthroughs in biology, and to medical, pharmaceutical, agricultural and scientific advances.Read moreRead less