Maximizing male fertility: the role of CRISP proteins. This project aims to investigate the function of cysteine rich secretory protein (CRISP) family members in fertility. It is expected to generate new knowledge on the role CRISP1 and 4 play in sperm competition in vivo, and thus, evolutionary processes; to define the role seminal plasma CRISPs play in fertility; and identify the mechanism underpinning their biological activities. This will be achieved using a range of innovative, state-of-the ....Maximizing male fertility: the role of CRISP proteins. This project aims to investigate the function of cysteine rich secretory protein (CRISP) family members in fertility. It is expected to generate new knowledge on the role CRISP1 and 4 play in sperm competition in vivo, and thus, evolutionary processes; to define the role seminal plasma CRISPs play in fertility; and identify the mechanism underpinning their biological activities. This will be achieved using a range of innovative, state-of-the-art approaches. Expected outcomes and benefits include an enhanced knowledge of the mechanisms underpinning fertility and infertility, enhanced collaboration and research knowhow, and an evidence base for future applied projects aimed enhancing fertility in agricultural species.Read moreRead less
The impact of environmental toxicants on the fertility of female animals. This study aims to address a problem of national significance; determining the impact of commonly used environmental toxicants (pesticides) on the fertility and health of female animals, both agricultural and native. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the fields of ovarian biology, female fertility and toxicology by using a combination of mouse and marsupial animal models. The expected outcomes include the e ....The impact of environmental toxicants on the fertility of female animals. This study aims to address a problem of national significance; determining the impact of commonly used environmental toxicants (pesticides) on the fertility and health of female animals, both agricultural and native. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the fields of ovarian biology, female fertility and toxicology by using a combination of mouse and marsupial animal models. The expected outcomes include the establishment of interdisciplinary collaborations and provision of world-class training for staff and students in the field of reproductive biology. This project should provide significant benefits, such as improved chemical management in livestock production and the development of marsupial conservation action plans.Read moreRead less
Sperm ciliary gating and midpiece formation – a novel player and process. We have identified CCDC112 an essential player in mammalian sperm tail development and male fertility. This project aims to define the role of CCDC112 in 1) the formation of the core to the sperm tail, the axoneme, and 2) the packaging of mitochondria into the midpiece. Within this Discovery Project we will define the mechanism(s) of CCDC112 functions and the consequences of its dysfunction. Insights from this grant will b ....Sperm ciliary gating and midpiece formation – a novel player and process. We have identified CCDC112 an essential player in mammalian sperm tail development and male fertility. This project aims to define the role of CCDC112 in 1) the formation of the core to the sperm tail, the axoneme, and 2) the packaging of mitochondria into the midpiece. Within this Discovery Project we will define the mechanism(s) of CCDC112 functions and the consequences of its dysfunction. Insights from this grant will be of significance to fertility across mammals and may ultimately benefit the selection of highly fertile males within the agricultural sector.Read moreRead less
Improving dairy cow fertility: targeting exosome-responsive cell pathways. . This project aims to assist the dairy industry to achieve its goal of increasing the six-week in-calf pregnancy rate in dairy cows by at least 10 per cent within five years via the identification of circulating exosomal biomarkers of improved fertility that will be used to develop superior breeding stock to deliver higher industry productivity. The impact of novel biomarkers will permit the Australian and New Zealand da ....Improving dairy cow fertility: targeting exosome-responsive cell pathways. . This project aims to assist the dairy industry to achieve its goal of increasing the six-week in-calf pregnancy rate in dairy cows by at least 10 per cent within five years via the identification of circulating exosomal biomarkers of improved fertility that will be used to develop superior breeding stock to deliver higher industry productivity. The impact of novel biomarkers will permit the Australian and New Zealand dairy industries to meet their targets and provide economic benefit to the respective industries, whilst ensuring availability of low cost milk to Australian citizens.Read moreRead less
Exploring protease inhibitors in placental development and maturation. The placenta is essential for reproduction in many diverse species. This project aims to elucidate fundamental contributions of protease inhibitors and the proteases they target to placental development and maturation. It is expected to generate new knowledge around whether SPINTS play a fundamental role in disparate animals that independently derived a placenta, suggesting convergent genetic evolution. The project is expect ....Exploring protease inhibitors in placental development and maturation. The placenta is essential for reproduction in many diverse species. This project aims to elucidate fundamental contributions of protease inhibitors and the proteases they target to placental development and maturation. It is expected to generate new knowledge around whether SPINTS play a fundamental role in disparate animals that independently derived a placenta, suggesting convergent genetic evolution. The project is expected to result in disciplinary collaboration, produce novel models, and promote future projects in many species. The project should result in significant benefits toward advancing knowledge in reproductive biology, have economic and commercial benefits, and further enhance Australia's outstanding reputation in the field.Read moreRead less
Improving the Sustainability of Australian Livestock Production Systems. The sustainability of livestock production systems must urgently be improved. This Future Fellowship builds upon Dr Zamira Gibb's portfolio of high-impact research to deliver extension and adoption activities which will improve the outcomes of cattle and horse selective breeding programs; allowing the dissemination of low-methane genetics to remote Northern Australian cattle breeding regions, reducing wastage of breeding ho ....Improving the Sustainability of Australian Livestock Production Systems. The sustainability of livestock production systems must urgently be improved. This Future Fellowship builds upon Dr Zamira Gibb's portfolio of high-impact research to deliver extension and adoption activities which will improve the outcomes of cattle and horse selective breeding programs; allowing the dissemination of low-methane genetics to remote Northern Australian cattle breeding regions, reducing wastage of breeding horses and dairy cattle, and improving foal heath and offspring longevity. This project will address the environmental, ethical, and economic concerns which threaten the sustainability of these culturally significant livestock industries which are the cornerstone of everyday life in regional communities. Read moreRead less
Beyond pineal melatonin: sensing the seasons without the eye. The project will identify the causal connection between seasonal breeding in animals and a recently recognised brain biochemical pathway by applying experimental treatments mimicking seasonal environmental changes in a mutant and wild-type nematode worm model. Through experimentation we will identify useful biological targets that might be manipulated to enhance control of seasonal breeding in managed animals. With better control of r ....Beyond pineal melatonin: sensing the seasons without the eye. The project will identify the causal connection between seasonal breeding in animals and a recently recognised brain biochemical pathway by applying experimental treatments mimicking seasonal environmental changes in a mutant and wild-type nematode worm model. Through experimentation we will identify useful biological targets that might be manipulated to enhance control of seasonal breeding in managed animals. With better control of reproductive output in animals, farmers and managers can increase and/or decrease reproductive output as needed in managed species including livestock and vertebrate pests. This will enhance the use of precious land resources and minimize ecological damage from overbreeding.Read moreRead less
Early Career Industry Fellowships - Grant ID: IE230100648
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$472,027.00
Summary
Novel reproductive approaches to de-risk and transform barramundi breeding. Demand for Australian seafood outstrips supply. Farming of the iconic Australian barramundi is poised to play a major role addressing this shortfall; but innovative methods are needed to de-risk breeding processes and to provide precise control of maturation, spawning and genetic contribution of broodstock. This project, in partnership with the world’s largest barramundi breeding company, will develop, test and apply nov ....Novel reproductive approaches to de-risk and transform barramundi breeding. Demand for Australian seafood outstrips supply. Farming of the iconic Australian barramundi is poised to play a major role addressing this shortfall; but innovative methods are needed to de-risk breeding processes and to provide precise control of maturation, spawning and genetic contribution of broodstock. This project, in partnership with the world’s largest barramundi breeding company, will develop, test and apply novel breeding methods to obtain tight control over barramundi reproductive development and spawning. By combining cutting-edge genetic and applied breeding techniques, selective breeding programs will be more efficient and the genetic gains from breeding programs will be maximised.Read moreRead less
Glucocorticoid receptor-αD1 modulates stress and inflammation . Environmental stressors in mammalian pregnancy often cause inflammation in the mother which has an adverse effect on the fetus and its survival. The current grant aims to examine the mechanism by which stress and inflammation coexist in pregnancy because stress hormones normally exert anti-inflammatory actions. Contrary to convention, a new glucocorticoid receptor (GR), GRalpha D1, is linked to increasing inflammation. Using innova ....Glucocorticoid receptor-αD1 modulates stress and inflammation . Environmental stressors in mammalian pregnancy often cause inflammation in the mother which has an adverse effect on the fetus and its survival. The current grant aims to examine the mechanism by which stress and inflammation coexist in pregnancy because stress hormones normally exert anti-inflammatory actions. Contrary to convention, a new glucocorticoid receptor (GR), GRalpha D1, is linked to increasing inflammation. Using innovative molecular biology approaches, GRalphaD1's function will be examined to provide a deeper understanding of how stress regulates inflammation in animal reproduction. The project aims to enhance interdisciplinary collaborations with expected benefits including a paradigm shift in our knowledge in this field.Read moreRead less
Inflammation as an early form of maternal-fetal signalling in pregnancy. The project aims to understand the role of inflammatory signalling in marsupial pregnancy. This project is expected to explain why inflammation, a processes normally confined to injury and infection, is a part of reproduction in live-bearing mammals. Outcomes of this project include robust measures of the capacity for, impact of, and evolution of, inflammatory signalling in marsupial pregnancy. The project will provide new ....Inflammation as an early form of maternal-fetal signalling in pregnancy. The project aims to understand the role of inflammatory signalling in marsupial pregnancy. This project is expected to explain why inflammation, a processes normally confined to injury and infection, is a part of reproduction in live-bearing mammals. Outcomes of this project include robust measures of the capacity for, impact of, and evolution of, inflammatory signalling in marsupial pregnancy. The project will provide new knowledge about the unique biology of Australia's marsupial fauna.This project will provide significant benefits, including enhanced capacity for reproduction research in Australia, new international collaborations between Melbourne and Yale, and a new explanation for the puzzling role of inflammation in pregnancy.Read moreRead less