Plant peptides as modulators of invertebrate neurohormone receptors. Naturally-occurring peptides are widely distributed in many plants, but their biological role is often unclear. Circular plant peptides (called cyclotides) that share similarities with the neuropeptide oxytocin, and acts on its receptor, have been previously isolated. This signalling system is important for reproduction, development, and behaviour as well as water homeostasis. To elucidate the natural function of cyclotides. Th ....Plant peptides as modulators of invertebrate neurohormone receptors. Naturally-occurring peptides are widely distributed in many plants, but their biological role is often unclear. Circular plant peptides (called cyclotides) that share similarities with the neuropeptide oxytocin, and acts on its receptor, have been previously isolated. This signalling system is important for reproduction, development, and behaviour as well as water homeostasis. To elucidate the natural function of cyclotides. This project aims to characterise the pharmacological properties and biological effects of invertebrate receptors and their modulation by cyclotides. The notion that plants produce molecules to target invertebrate receptors is extremely appealing and will enhance knowledge about fundamental biological processes of plant-animal ecology.Read moreRead less
Decoding the molecular components of aquatic parasite-host interactions. This project aims to further understand the molecular components that regulate aquatic host-parasite interactions which contributes to many diseases worldwide. Aquatic parasites rely on chemical cues to locate and infect their host. This project will target the aquatic host-parasite interaction to decipher these chemical cues, so that future tools may be developed to suppress this interplay. This project expects to contribu ....Decoding the molecular components of aquatic parasite-host interactions. This project aims to further understand the molecular components that regulate aquatic host-parasite interactions which contributes to many diseases worldwide. Aquatic parasites rely on chemical cues to locate and infect their host. This project will target the aquatic host-parasite interaction to decipher these chemical cues, so that future tools may be developed to suppress this interplay. This project expects to contribute imperative basic knowledge for the future control of the intestinal parasite disease, Schistosomiasis, a devastating tropical disease.Read moreRead less
Biocontrol of crown-of-thorns starfish using genomics and proteomics. This project aims to address destructive outbreaks of the crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS), a voracious predator of corals and a major threat to coral reefs. This project builds upon recent sequencing of COTS genome and proteomes to identify communication factors that attract COTS to each other. Based on these natural attractants, the project will fabricate COTS-specific baits for future large scale deployment. Currently COTS a ....Biocontrol of crown-of-thorns starfish using genomics and proteomics. This project aims to address destructive outbreaks of the crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS), a voracious predator of corals and a major threat to coral reefs. This project builds upon recent sequencing of COTS genome and proteomes to identify communication factors that attract COTS to each other. Based on these natural attractants, the project will fabricate COTS-specific baits for future large scale deployment. Currently COTS are culled using expensive diver-based approaches. Outcomes for this project are expected to augment, if not alleviate, these inefficient biocontrol approaches and provide an environmentally-benign and scalable solution to one of the biggest threats to the health and resilience of the Great Barrier Reef and reefs worldwide.Read moreRead less