Discovery Projects - Grant ID: DP150104202

Funded Activity Summary

Evolution of the marsupial gut microbiome and adaptation to eucalypt toxins. Eucalyptus leaves comprise all or part of the diet of some marsupials including koalas. Gut microbiota assist in the ability of these folivores to tolerate eucalyptus toxins although present understanding of this process is rudimentary. This project aims to use culture-independent molecular methods to identify and characterise gut populations involved in phytochemical detoxification by comparative analysis with diprotodont relatives that are not capable of digesting eucalyptus leaves. This will highlight evolutionary convergence of gut microbiomes in toxic folivores and reveal mechanisms by which microorganisms respond to and metabolise eucalypt toxins. A broader evolutionary context of marsupial digestive function will assist in ongoing conservation efforts.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2015

End Date: 31-12-2018

Funding Scheme: Discovery Projects

Funding Amount: $374,300.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Microbial Ecology | Bioinformatics | Microbiology | Biological Adaptation

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

Plant Production and Plant Primary Products not elsewhere classified | Expanding Knowledge in the Biological Sciences | Forest and Woodlands Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity |

Other Keywords

Bioinformatics | Biological Adaptation | Expanding Knowledge in the Biological Sciences | Forest and Woodlands Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity | Microbial Ecology | Microbiology | Plant Production and Plant Primary Products not elsewhere classified

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