Plant immunity to fungal and bacterial pathogens. Since 2003, the Australian wheat crop has been threatened by a continuing stripe rust epidemic, which has required an additional production expense of at least $100 million per annum in fungicides. This Australian National University (ANU) - Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) joint proposal aims to exploit the next-generation genome sequencing and associated bioinformatic and proteomic methods which are poised to ....Plant immunity to fungal and bacterial pathogens. Since 2003, the Australian wheat crop has been threatened by a continuing stripe rust epidemic, which has required an additional production expense of at least $100 million per annum in fungicides. This Australian National University (ANU) - Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) joint proposal aims to exploit the next-generation genome sequencing and associated bioinformatic and proteomic methods which are poised to revolutionise biology to investigate the wheat-fungus interaction. We will develop new effective approaches for environmentally benign stripe rust control based on new knowledge about how this fungus causes disease and avoids the wheat's immune surveillance system.Read moreRead less
Hidden complexity in microRNA function. This project aims to determine the extent to which microRNAs function through “non-canonical” mechanisms within cell nuclei, how their roles are expanded by naturally occurring sequence variation and how their activity is controlled by little known families of genes that sequester and inhibit their availability. The knowledge generated is significant as microRNAs regulate the expression of virtually all genes and biological processes, yet these mechanisms ....Hidden complexity in microRNA function. This project aims to determine the extent to which microRNAs function through “non-canonical” mechanisms within cell nuclei, how their roles are expanded by naturally occurring sequence variation and how their activity is controlled by little known families of genes that sequester and inhibit their availability. The knowledge generated is significant as microRNAs regulate the expression of virtually all genes and biological processes, yet these mechanisms of function remain poorly characterised and seldom considered. The expected outcome of better understanding mechanisms through which microRNAs work should provide significant benefit to safe and effective development of microRNAs for future agricultural or therapeutic application.Read moreRead less
Transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of terminal lymphocyte differentiation and alterations of the same that lead to leukemia. In the developed world infection diseases are the number three killer behind heart disease and cancer, and huge financial effort is put into treatment and prevention. Despite this, results have often been disappointing. One cause of these poor outcomes is the lack of knowledge of how effective immune responses are generated. This project aims to better understand th ....Transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of terminal lymphocyte differentiation and alterations of the same that lead to leukemia. In the developed world infection diseases are the number three killer behind heart disease and cancer, and huge financial effort is put into treatment and prevention. Despite this, results have often been disappointing. One cause of these poor outcomes is the lack of knowledge of how effective immune responses are generated. This project aims to better understand the processes that control the generation of protective lymphocytes. It will deliver information that may enable a more targeted approach to vaccine-development and treatments of infections. As defective differentiation can also be a cause of leukemia it may also lead to targets of cancer treatment.Read moreRead less
Genetic control of tissue growth in animals. This project aims to understand how the animal body grows. This project expects to generate new knowledge and understanding of the genetic programs that govern the size and shape of animal tissues, through use of cutting-edge genome editing approaches in laboratory animals. Expected outcomes of this project include the production of genetically engineered animals with altered tissue growth, development of new theories for how tissue growth is normal ....Genetic control of tissue growth in animals. This project aims to understand how the animal body grows. This project expects to generate new knowledge and understanding of the genetic programs that govern the size and shape of animal tissues, through use of cutting-edge genome editing approaches in laboratory animals. Expected outcomes of this project include the production of genetically engineered animals with altered tissue growth, development of new theories for how tissue growth is normally controlled and how it can be manipulated industrially. This should provide significant benefits, impacting stem cell biology (improving stem cell production), tissue engineering (improving growth of artificial tissues), veterinary science and agriculture (improving productivity).Read moreRead less