Understanding how cells compact and segregate DNA in vertebrates. How a cell compacts and divides its DNA is still a major unanswered question in biology. This project will determine the way in which a cell compacts its DNA nearly ten thousand fold to allow the faithful and accurate segregation to daughter nuclei.
Investigating a novel factor impacting stem cell development. This project aims to investigate how stem cells are controlled during animal development, by exploring how a specific protein, essential for embryonic development, controls cell fate decisions during the early stages of life. This project expects to generate new knowledge in stem cell biology, embryonic development, and general mechanisms controlling cell fates, using innovative approaches in gene editing and high-throughput imaging. ....Investigating a novel factor impacting stem cell development. This project aims to investigate how stem cells are controlled during animal development, by exploring how a specific protein, essential for embryonic development, controls cell fate decisions during the early stages of life. This project expects to generate new knowledge in stem cell biology, embryonic development, and general mechanisms controlling cell fates, using innovative approaches in gene editing and high-throughput imaging. Expected outcomes of this project include enhanced capacity for fundamental stem cell biology in Australia. This should provide significant benefits, such as training of young Australian researchers in frontier technologies, and new knowledge in fundamental aspects of life, including embryonic development.Read moreRead less
Controlling cell polarity and asymmetric cell division in space and time. This project seeks to increase our understanding of how cells divide. Asymmetric cell division is a specialised form of cell division essential for the development of all organisms. The two meiotic divisions of the oocyte are extreme examples of asymmetric cell division that allow a reduction in chromosome content while retaining cytoplasmic vestments necessary for development. Successful asymmetric cell division requires ....Controlling cell polarity and asymmetric cell division in space and time. This project seeks to increase our understanding of how cells divide. Asymmetric cell division is a specialised form of cell division essential for the development of all organisms. The two meiotic divisions of the oocyte are extreme examples of asymmetric cell division that allow a reduction in chromosome content while retaining cytoplasmic vestments necessary for development. Successful asymmetric cell division requires the integration of cell cycle events with cell polarity. Understanding how this is achieved would improve our understanding of how to generate a healthy embryo in women, endangered species and in animals of commercial importance.Read moreRead less