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Unravelling the principles of bilateral brain wiring. This project seeks to investigate the molecular principles of brain wiring in mammals and how small changes can generate complex outcomes. Neurons in the mammalian brain must be precisely wired together for the brain to function correctly. The project aims to identify the molecular and cellular rules governing commissural wiring in the mammalian cortex to determine how the largest fibre tract in the human brain, the corpus callosum, evolved. ....Unravelling the principles of bilateral brain wiring. This project seeks to investigate the molecular principles of brain wiring in mammals and how small changes can generate complex outcomes. Neurons in the mammalian brain must be precisely wired together for the brain to function correctly. The project aims to identify the molecular and cellular rules governing commissural wiring in the mammalian cortex to determine how the largest fibre tract in the human brain, the corpus callosum, evolved. This may have involved modifications in mechanisms affecting axon guidance that differ between placentals and marsupials. The project investigates the regulatory gene networks determining commissural neuron fate, the regulation of axon guidance components, and the influence of surrounding brain tissue on the development of commissural connections.Read moreRead less
Origins of Parasitism in the Psocodea (Insecta). The Psocodea has 2 groups: the lice and the psocopterans (the psocids and their kin). The lice are parasites whereas the psocopterans are free-living. The Psocodea are a unique model-system that will allow us to discover the processes that preadapt arthropods for parasitism and the processes that facilitate "explosive" radiations of arthropods once they become parasites. We will infer evolutionary trees for these insects from 3 genes. Then we ....Origins of Parasitism in the Psocodea (Insecta). The Psocodea has 2 groups: the lice and the psocopterans (the psocids and their kin). The lice are parasites whereas the psocopterans are free-living. The Psocodea are a unique model-system that will allow us to discover the processes that preadapt arthropods for parasitism and the processes that facilitate "explosive" radiations of arthropods once they become parasites. We will infer evolutionary trees for these insects from 3 genes. Then we will use these trees to track the evolution of feeding, attachment, senses and reproduction through evolutionary time. Our work should provide unprecedented insight into the evolution of parasitism in the arthropods.Read moreRead less
Unravelling reef fish vision through gene-editing and behavioural ecology. This project aims to enhance understanding of visual neuroscience, genetic control of vision and environmental ecology on The Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Using the anemonefish as a model, together with new genetic, photographic and behavioural approaches, the project aims to reveal novel aspects of colour vision on the reef. Outcomes beyond multiple scientific disciplines include enhanced international collaboration and bui ....Unravelling reef fish vision through gene-editing and behavioural ecology. This project aims to enhance understanding of visual neuroscience, genetic control of vision and environmental ecology on The Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Using the anemonefish as a model, together with new genetic, photographic and behavioural approaches, the project aims to reveal novel aspects of colour vision on the reef. Outcomes beyond multiple scientific disciplines include enhanced international collaboration and building capacity for improved reef guardianship. The benefits are scientific discovery in multiple areas, providing greater community understanding of complex science and a desire to preserve the GBR for future generations.Read moreRead less
Molecular control of postnatal heart development. This project aims to improve our understanding of how the heart develops after birth and the molecules that control this process. Recent advances in tissue engineering have opened up opportunities for the generation of synthetic tissues but these studies have also highlighted a fundamental knowledge gap in our understanding of how complex tissues mature to prepare for life as an adult. Much is known about the molecules that control early embryoni ....Molecular control of postnatal heart development. This project aims to improve our understanding of how the heart develops after birth and the molecules that control this process. Recent advances in tissue engineering have opened up opportunities for the generation of synthetic tissues but these studies have also highlighted a fundamental knowledge gap in our understanding of how complex tissues mature to prepare for life as an adult. Much is known about the molecules that control early embryonic development but little is known about the molecules that control maturation after birth. This project aims to build new knowledge that is expected to improve our ability to generate mature heart muscle cells for stem cell applications, tissue repair and regeneration.Read moreRead less
The essence of being an animal: sponge allorecognition and the evolution of individuality. The human genome encodes the ability to recognise self from nonself at the cellular level. In medicine, this innate ability results in the rejection of transplanted (grafted) tissues from unrelated individuals. This project seeks to get to the evolutionary foundation of self-nonself recognition by studying this process in a simple and tractable model - a sponge from the Great Barrier Reef. Like humans, spo ....The essence of being an animal: sponge allorecognition and the evolution of individuality. The human genome encodes the ability to recognise self from nonself at the cellular level. In medicine, this innate ability results in the rejection of transplanted (grafted) tissues from unrelated individuals. This project seeks to get to the evolutionary foundation of self-nonself recognition by studying this process in a simple and tractable model - a sponge from the Great Barrier Reef. Like humans, sponges reject cells and tissues derived from another individual. By defining the genetic basis of self-recognition in sponges we reveal the antiquity of this system and the core features of histocompatibility and immunity. Such insights can inform a range of regenerative medical pursuits.Read moreRead less
Origin of animal sensory and nervous systems: a case study in cell type evolution. The origin of the nerve cell and the nervous system allowed the first animals to interact with their biotic and abiotic environment in rapid and complex ways. These capabilities are the primary agents for success in the animal kingdom, underpinning the ability to capture food, avoid predation, and find a mate. These same nerve cells have bestowed on the human brain cognitive abilities that have driven our biologic ....Origin of animal sensory and nervous systems: a case study in cell type evolution. The origin of the nerve cell and the nervous system allowed the first animals to interact with their biotic and abiotic environment in rapid and complex ways. These capabilities are the primary agents for success in the animal kingdom, underpinning the ability to capture food, avoid predation, and find a mate. These same nerve cells have bestowed on the human brain cognitive abilities that have driven our biological and cultural evolution. Despite the phenomenal importance of the nerve cell, we know almost nothing about its origin and early evolution. This basic research project seeks to make a major contribution towards addressing this gap in knowledge.Read moreRead less