Improved models to understand the genomic architecture of complex traits. This project aims to improve modelling of the genetics underlying complex traits. The project will develop and test models for using genome-wide genetic data to investigate how much heritability (genetic effect) underlies traits of interest, where it lies in the genome, and how much of it is shared across traits. The new models will be implemented in statistical algorithms in a freely-available software package. This proj ....Improved models to understand the genomic architecture of complex traits. This project aims to improve modelling of the genetics underlying complex traits. The project will develop and test models for using genome-wide genetic data to investigate how much heritability (genetic effect) underlies traits of interest, where it lies in the genome, and how much of it is shared across traits. The new models will be implemented in statistical algorithms in a freely-available software package. This project expects to increase understanding of biological mechanisms, the efficiency of genetic association analyses and the accuracy of genomic prediction, including the effects of interventions. The project will adapt human models to a wider range of organisms, in particular bacteria.Read moreRead less
Breeding for the future - Alpaca genetics. The Australian alpaca industry is recognised as an international leader. Alpaca fleece provides an annual national economic benefit of $1 million and has enormous potential for growth. This project will use a novel molecular mapping approach to generate a genetic test for desirable Suri fleece - the single biggest factor in developing a purebreeding suri line whilst retaining variation in other traits and avoiding inbreeding. This will quickly increase ....Breeding for the future - Alpaca genetics. The Australian alpaca industry is recognised as an international leader. Alpaca fleece provides an annual national economic benefit of $1 million and has enormous potential for growth. This project will use a novel molecular mapping approach to generate a genetic test for desirable Suri fleece - the single biggest factor in developing a purebreeding suri line whilst retaining variation in other traits and avoiding inbreeding. This will quickly increase the industry value, providing opportunity for rural communities to diversify farming enterprises and maximise income, and offering further employment in regional areas. This project will ensure Australian breeders retain a competitive edge in the face of alpaca research beginning in the USA. Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354908
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
The Insect-Plant Chemical Ecology Network (IPCEN). We bring together plant molecular biology, entomology and analytical chemistry to transform three leading fields of Australian research into an advanced science with far reaching capabilities in innovative research and applied outcomes. Expertise studying the biochemical pathways that produce specific plant compounds and expertise in insect recognition and response to these chemicals will be brought together. This will lead to new research outco ....The Insect-Plant Chemical Ecology Network (IPCEN). We bring together plant molecular biology, entomology and analytical chemistry to transform three leading fields of Australian research into an advanced science with far reaching capabilities in innovative research and applied outcomes. Expertise studying the biochemical pathways that produce specific plant compounds and expertise in insect recognition and response to these chemicals will be brought together. This will lead to new research outcomes and solutions to problems in agriculture, horticulture, forestry and protection of Australia's native flora. Researchers are struggling to create these links, constrained by disciplinary boundaries and geographical isolation. Key industries and researchers already support this proposal.Read moreRead less
Molecular Genetic Analysis of Genes Regulating Metabolism in the Fungus Aspergillus nidulans. Filamentous fungi can use a wide variety of sources of carbon and nitrogen. In order to grow on these compounds metabolism is adjusted in response to changes in nutrient availability. Patterns of genome expression are altered by signalling to global regulatory genes which control the transcription of genes producing enzymes appropriate to the substrates available. This is of fundamental significance to ....Molecular Genetic Analysis of Genes Regulating Metabolism in the Fungus Aspergillus nidulans. Filamentous fungi can use a wide variety of sources of carbon and nitrogen. In order to grow on these compounds metabolism is adjusted in response to changes in nutrient availability. Patterns of genome expression are altered by signalling to global regulatory genes which control the transcription of genes producing enzymes appropriate to the substrates available. This is of fundamental significance to the physiology and development of fungi which include devastating pathogens and species used in industrial microbiology. This project aims to use the excellent molecular genetics of the model fungus Aspergillus nidulans to investigate the strategies employed and the mechanisms involved.Read moreRead less
CENTRE for INTEGRATIVE LEGUME RESEARCH. Legumes are essential for environmental sustainability and are important for maintaining human health. The Centre combines innovative genomic approaches to investigate the causal phenotypic links required for regulation of legume growth. The unique coexistence of multiple pluripotent meristems in shoots, roots, flowers and nodules permits the discovery of new paradigms governing legume architecture, reproductive differentiation and root-nodule developmen ....CENTRE for INTEGRATIVE LEGUME RESEARCH. Legumes are essential for environmental sustainability and are important for maintaining human health. The Centre combines innovative genomic approaches to investigate the causal phenotypic links required for regulation of legume growth. The unique coexistence of multiple pluripotent meristems in shoots, roots, flowers and nodules permits the discovery of new paradigms governing legume architecture, reproductive differentiation and root-nodule development. New knowledge of the plant growth processes through mechanistic analysis of organ induction provides the tools to optimise the legume's productivity, quality, and environment adaptation.Read moreRead less
HEN1 is a regulator of piRNA metabolism, transcriptional regulation and mammalian male fertility. This project is to define the biochemistry of a previously uncharacterized protein in male fertility using a unique mouse model and innovative DNA and protein technologies. This project will define a novel, and essential, pathway for male fertility and may ultimately have relevance to the maintenance of health or improving fertility.
New insights into female reproductive tract formation and tubulogenesis. Aims: This project aims to improve our understanding of female reproductive tract formation by studying its developmental origins. Most of the female reproductive tract derives from a pair of embryonic tubes called Müllerian ducts, the formation of which is incompletely understood. Significance: Using chicken and mouse models and innovative genetic approaches, the project will undercover novel genes and cellular pathways in ....New insights into female reproductive tract formation and tubulogenesis. Aims: This project aims to improve our understanding of female reproductive tract formation by studying its developmental origins. Most of the female reproductive tract derives from a pair of embryonic tubes called Müllerian ducts, the formation of which is incompletely understood. Significance: Using chicken and mouse models and innovative genetic approaches, the project will undercover novel genes and cellular pathways in Müllerian duct formation. Expected outcomes: This work will enhance knowledge in the biological sciences, in the area of female reproduction and how tubes form in biological systems. Benefits: It will train research scientists, develop collaborations and enhance Australia’s high standing in the field of reproduction.Read moreRead less
Genetic control of germline progenitor cell heterogeneity and fate. Tissue maintenance in adults is dependent on resident stem cells, defined by self-renewal and differentiation capabilities. It is apparent that stem cell populations are heterogeneous, being composed of subpopulations with distinct properties. The functional significance of these subsets and mechanisms that control their divergent characteristics are unclear. Using germline stem cells from mice as a model, stem cell subsets have ....Genetic control of germline progenitor cell heterogeneity and fate. Tissue maintenance in adults is dependent on resident stem cells, defined by self-renewal and differentiation capabilities. It is apparent that stem cell populations are heterogeneous, being composed of subpopulations with distinct properties. The functional significance of these subsets and mechanisms that control their divergent characteristics are unclear. Using germline stem cells from mice as a model, stem cell subsets have been identified based on differential expression of the pluripotency gene Pou5f1. This project aims to define functional characteristics of these subpopulations and to dissect transcription factor networks controlling their development. This promises important insights into understandings of adult stem cell regulation.Read moreRead less
Genetic control of spermatogenesis: defining the role of SOX3 in spermatogonial progenitor cells. The transcription factor (TF) SOX3 is a key regulator of neural stem/progenitor cells. Recently, this project has also shown that SOX3 is active in sperm progenitors (spermatogonia) and is required for spermatogenesis. Using our Sox3 KO mouse model and extensive expertise in spermatogonial cell culture, ChIP-seq technology and bioinformatics, this project will investigate crucial aspects of SOX3 fun ....Genetic control of spermatogenesis: defining the role of SOX3 in spermatogonial progenitor cells. The transcription factor (TF) SOX3 is a key regulator of neural stem/progenitor cells. Recently, this project has also shown that SOX3 is active in sperm progenitors (spermatogonia) and is required for spermatogenesis. Using our Sox3 KO mouse model and extensive expertise in spermatogonial cell culture, ChIP-seq technology and bioinformatics, this project will investigate crucial aspects of SOX3 function in the testes including stem versus progenitor cell activity and genome-wide target gene regulation. These studies will uncover the molecular and cellular mechanism by which SOX3 controls spermatogenesis and provide unique insight into how a single TF controls context-dependent differentiation in sperm versus brain progenitor cells.Read moreRead less