Structure And Function Of The Alternative Splicing Factor ZNF265
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$509,017.00
Summary
Now that the human genome has been sequenced, we can see that a human being is defined bye approximately 30000 genes. One of the biggest surprises to come from this work was that the number of genes was significantly smaller than many predicted. Similar surprise was registered at the discovery that the genome of the fruit fly actually contained fewer genes than that of the model worm, Caenorhabditis elegans. Part of the explanation for these apparent discrepencies lies in the phenomenon known as ....Now that the human genome has been sequenced, we can see that a human being is defined bye approximately 30000 genes. One of the biggest surprises to come from this work was that the number of genes was significantly smaller than many predicted. Similar surprise was registered at the discovery that the genome of the fruit fly actually contained fewer genes than that of the model worm, Caenorhabditis elegans. Part of the explanation for these apparent discrepencies lies in the phenomenon known as gene splicing, whereby one gene can actually give rise to many different isoforms of the same protein. These different isoforms can have different structures and-or functions, and dramatically increase the complexity that it is possible for an organism to achieve with a given number of genes. The process of splicing is very intricate, requiring precise control to allow an organism to develop normally. Many human genetic diseases are known to arise from problems with splicing. However, our understanding of the mechanisms of splicing is rather incomplete. This proposal aims to improve our understanding of the splicing process through a range of biophysical and molecular biological approaches. This information should prove useful in understanding human development and disease.Read moreRead less
Structure And Interactions Of A Disordered Malaria Surface Protein: Implications For Antigenicity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$511,020.00
Summary
Malaria is responsible for around 2 million deaths annually, many in children under 5 years of age. Merozoite surface protein 2 (MSP2) from Plasmodium falciparum is being developed as a vaccine candidate. We will investigate the structure of MSP2 in various environments, including when bound to inhibitory antibodies. Key goals are to understand how the disordered structure of MSP2 affects its interaction with the host immune system and how that information can be used to design better vaccines.
Genetic Variation And Host-parasite Interactions Of Sarcoptes Scabiei
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$294,536.00
Summary
Scabies is a disease of skin caused by the burrowing of the 'itch' mite Sarcoptes scabiei. Although up to 45 different host species can be infested by this mite, this organism is currently classified as a single species existing as multiple strains or varieties. Previous studies have failed to identify any structural differences between host-associated populations, suggesting a single gene pool. Our recent molecular study of scabies in people and dogs, from Aboriginal communities in the Northern ....Scabies is a disease of skin caused by the burrowing of the 'itch' mite Sarcoptes scabiei. Although up to 45 different host species can be infested by this mite, this organism is currently classified as a single species existing as multiple strains or varieties. Previous studies have failed to identify any structural differences between host-associated populations, suggesting a single gene pool. Our recent molecular study of scabies in people and dogs, from Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory and the North and South Americas, using DNA fingerprinting techniques, suggested mites cluster by host species with no evidence of cross-transmission. However although this data seems to suggest that these sub-species deserve species status, another molecular study suggests Sarcoptes is a single species, presumably a result of interbreeding. Understanding interbreeding between populations is important in the control of the disease and in controlling resistance to acaricides. We wish to further characterise the genetic separation of different 'strains' or populations of mites by studying the evolutionary gene flow between host-associated populations. We will use a mitochondrial DNA marker that will clarify fine scale transmission processes and more clearly delineate the biological species status of S. scabiei. Recent in vitro data and clinical evidence in a patient with severe crusted scabies indicated resistance to ivermectin, the treatment of choice for these patients. We will investigate the role and genetic mechanisms of ivermectin resistance. This is important for future control programs, as acaricide resistance can spread rapidly in parasite populations.Read moreRead less
Selective Attention And The Processing Of Observed Actions.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$343,812.00
Summary
Our ability to understand the hand and face gestures of others is a crucial part of social interaction. Deficits in the ability to perceive others' actions are associated with clinical disorders such as autism and apraxia. We will examine how specific regions of the brain operate to process and recognise actions that we observe. This is a crucial first-step toward understanding and redefining clinical disorders such as apraxia that involve deficits in the perception of actions and gestures.