Discovery Projects - Grant ID: DP200102867

Funding Activity

Website
http://dataportal.arc.gov.au/NCGP/Web/Grant/Grant/DP200102867

Funding Status
Active

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Funded Activity Summary

Nettles & toxic toupees: the molecular weaponry of venomous caterpillars. This project aims to investigate the structure, function and evolution of peptide toxins in venoms made by caterpillars in superfamily Zygaenoidea. Caterpillars in this group are covered in spines that inject pain-causing venoms, and this protects them from vertebrate and invertebrate predators. This project will test if peptides in this venom cause pain by pharmacological modulation of mammalian ion channels and signalling receptors, and if they have insecticidal properties. The first three-dimensional structures of caterpillar venom peptides will also be solved. Genomes of representatives of two different zygaenoid families will be produced, and genomic techniques will be used to elucidate how venom use evolved at the molecular level.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2020

End Date: 31-12-2023

Funding Scheme: Discovery Projects

Funding Amount: $445,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Proteins and Peptides | Evolutionary Biology | Biological Adaptation

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

Expanding Knowledge in the Biological Sciences |

Other Keywords

Biological Adaptation | Evolutionary Biology | Expanding Knowledge in the Biological Sciences | Proteins and Peptides

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