Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150100091
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$341,000.00
Summary
Traffic on DNA: interplay between RNA polymerases and DNA-bound proteins. The DNA inside the cell is not just a repository of information, but is an active player in how that information is used. Proteins bind to defined locations on the DNA to control which genes are active, and genes are expressed by RNA polymerases that track along the DNA. Collisions between RNA polymerases and DNA-bound proteins can remove the proteins or block the polymerase. How can these essential processes safely coexis ....Traffic on DNA: interplay between RNA polymerases and DNA-bound proteins. The DNA inside the cell is not just a repository of information, but is an active player in how that information is used. Proteins bind to defined locations on the DNA to control which genes are active, and genes are expressed by RNA polymerases that track along the DNA. Collisions between RNA polymerases and DNA-bound proteins can remove the proteins or block the polymerase. How can these essential processes safely coexist on the DNA? The project aims to integrate systematic experiments using well-defined genetic components and mathematical modelling to understand the 'design' features of DNA and proteins that minimise these traffic problems. A better understanding could inform new strategies for manipulation of gene expression.Read moreRead less
Identification of Biological pathways regulated by circular RNAs. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a, recently discovered molecule. circRNAs are highly abundant and expressed in a tissue and disease specific manner. Yet, currently the understanding of how circRNAs regulate biological processes is very poor. This project aims to use pooled shRNA libraries to screen a large panel of cell lines and systematically identify cellular activities that are regulated by circRNAs. The expected outcome of this ....Identification of Biological pathways regulated by circular RNAs. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a, recently discovered molecule. circRNAs are highly abundant and expressed in a tissue and disease specific manner. Yet, currently the understanding of how circRNAs regulate biological processes is very poor. This project aims to use pooled shRNA libraries to screen a large panel of cell lines and systematically identify cellular activities that are regulated by circRNAs. The expected outcome of this study will be a catalogue of functionally active circRNAs. Over the past decades, the wealth of knowledge on the function of linear mRNAs has had a significant impact on medicine and agriculture. Similarly understanding how circRNAs regulate cellular activities may have an analogous impact on humans.Read moreRead less
Defining how molecular switches program cell identity during development. Aims: This project aims to investigate how molecular switches known as transcription factors, work together to turn genes on or off to program cell identity during development.
Significance: This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of genetics and developmental biology using collaborative, cutting edge technologies.
Outcomes: Expected outcomes of this project include the identification of new genes impor ....Defining how molecular switches program cell identity during development. Aims: This project aims to investigate how molecular switches known as transcription factors, work together to turn genes on or off to program cell identity during development.
Significance: This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of genetics and developmental biology using collaborative, cutting edge technologies.
Outcomes: Expected outcomes of this project include the identification of new genes important for programming the identity of cells that comprise our blood vessels, lymphatic vessels and circulating blood cells.
Benefits: Data generated will underpin the development of approaches to program/reprogram stem cells to produce mature cells for transplantation or tissue engineering purposes ex vivo.Read moreRead less
Improving water market outcomes through a better understanding of market behaviour. The issue of water resources and their sustainable use is probably the most important issue facing the rural sector. The water reform process and its aim to secure water for the environment will cause economic and social pain and result in structural change within the irrigation sector. Properly functioning water markets will play an instrumental role in facilitating this process by providing water for the envir ....Improving water market outcomes through a better understanding of market behaviour. The issue of water resources and their sustainable use is probably the most important issue facing the rural sector. The water reform process and its aim to secure water for the environment will cause economic and social pain and result in structural change within the irrigation sector. Properly functioning water markets will play an instrumental role in facilitating this process by providing water for the environment and allowing water to move between competing resources. This study will enable policy makers and water managers to optimise the positive outcome of water markets and increase the likely success of programs to purchase environmental water.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160100620
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$378,000.00
Summary
Mechanisms of controlled gene expression in cells and organisms. The goal of this project is to reveal the nature of a cellular mechanism that has a major influence on gene expression in all eukaryotic cells. How gene expression is controlled is of fundamental importance to all life forms. The project plans to develop molecular tools that enable the visualisation and interrogation of this gene regulatory mechanism in live cells, tissues and whole organisms. The outcomes are anticipated to lead t ....Mechanisms of controlled gene expression in cells and organisms. The goal of this project is to reveal the nature of a cellular mechanism that has a major influence on gene expression in all eukaryotic cells. How gene expression is controlled is of fundamental importance to all life forms. The project plans to develop molecular tools that enable the visualisation and interrogation of this gene regulatory mechanism in live cells, tissues and whole organisms. The outcomes are anticipated to lead to an essential understanding of how cells respond to physiological and environmental cues by coordinating changes in gene expression, and to provide potential avenues towards manipulation for pharmaceutical, agricultural and biotechnology purposes.Read moreRead less
Identifying cost-effective reforestation approaches for biodiversity conservation and carbon sequestration in the Australian wet tropics. There is great potential for rainforest reforestation to help in the protection of Australia's tropical flora and fauna. Little is known, however, about how to reforest pasture to rainforest for the purpose of maximising the recovery of native biodiversity. We propose a unique experimental study of rainforest reforestation practices with biodiversity conservat ....Identifying cost-effective reforestation approaches for biodiversity conservation and carbon sequestration in the Australian wet tropics. There is great potential for rainforest reforestation to help in the protection of Australia's tropical flora and fauna. Little is known, however, about how to reforest pasture to rainforest for the purpose of maximising the recovery of native biodiversity. We propose a unique experimental study of rainforest reforestation practices with biodiversity conservation as a primary goal. Reforestation is currently an unlikely option for most landholders in Australia's tropics given the lack of data on the economic benefits obtainable from such efforts. Our study examines the profits obtainable through the carbon market for each reforestation approach with the goal of increasing the feasibility of rainforest reforestation in North Queensland.Read moreRead less
Revealing molecular detail of DNA triplexes to underpin antigene technology. Variations from the classic DNA double helix structure are proposed to play key roles in a range of cellular processes, particularly gene regulation. However, the biological function and therapeutic potential of these unusual DNA structures are poorly explored, since the fundamental molecular details which govern their formation and interactions with cellular machinery are not well described. This project aims to develo ....Revealing molecular detail of DNA triplexes to underpin antigene technology. Variations from the classic DNA double helix structure are proposed to play key roles in a range of cellular processes, particularly gene regulation. However, the biological function and therapeutic potential of these unusual DNA structures are poorly explored, since the fundamental molecular details which govern their formation and interactions with cellular machinery are not well described. This project aims to develop innovative methods to investigate, and importantly modulate, DNA and RNA triple helix assembly, specificity and molecular interactions. Resulting insights will underpin novel approaches to gene regulation, principally in the context of designing new antibacterial agents to address the antibacterial resistance problem.Read moreRead less
Road rules for traffic on DNA - gene regulation by encounters between transcribing RNA polymerases and DNA-bound proteins. This project addresses a widespread but poorly understood phenomenon in gene regulation. The work will support Australian industries by supplying new tools for manipulation of gene expression for industrial and medical applications and will provide unique opportunities for Australian students in this emerging field.
Non-coding RNAs in mammalian reproduction. This project aims to investigate the role of non-coding RNAs in mammalian sex chromosome biology and reproduction. Non-protein coding RNAs are a major regulatory mechanism in eukaryotic genomes; they can bind other RNAs or chromatin modifying complexes. However, the evolutionary trajectory and function of non-coding RNAs in sex chromosome biology and sexual development is largely unknown. This project will study non-coding RNAs in Australian mammals to ....Non-coding RNAs in mammalian reproduction. This project aims to investigate the role of non-coding RNAs in mammalian sex chromosome biology and reproduction. Non-protein coding RNAs are a major regulatory mechanism in eukaryotic genomes; they can bind other RNAs or chromatin modifying complexes. However, the evolutionary trajectory and function of non-coding RNAs in sex chromosome biology and sexual development is largely unknown. This project will study non-coding RNAs in Australian mammals to try to answer fundamental questions about how non-coding RNAs function in mammalian sexual development.Read moreRead less
Diversity in large crop genomes via enhanced recombination. The project aims to understand genetic and environmental factors that limit how fast genomic combinations can be generated by modifying the recombination rates between chromosomes. Plant breeding is based around genetic diversity, but modern breeding programs have captured only a small proportion of the variation available in wild relatives and land races. Knowledge of diversity in this wild germplasm pool is increasing and the challeng ....Diversity in large crop genomes via enhanced recombination. The project aims to understand genetic and environmental factors that limit how fast genomic combinations can be generated by modifying the recombination rates between chromosomes. Plant breeding is based around genetic diversity, but modern breeding programs have captured only a small proportion of the variation available in wild relatives and land races. Knowledge of diversity in this wild germplasm pool is increasing and the challenge is to quickly and efficiently introduce this variation into elite lines. This project’s findings are expected to transform wheat and barley breeding methods by unlocking the genetic diversity to produce new varieties. This will enhance and protect a critical and valuable rural industry.Read moreRead less