Understanding the mechanisms of thermal acclimation in the symbiotic algae (Symbiodinium) within cnidarian corals. Global warming is a major threat to coral reefs, contributing to devastating coral bleaching. This project will provide new insight into how coral reefs can respond to rising global temperature through clarifying the thermal acclimation mechanisms in corals using molecular techniques.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100188
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$550,000.00
Summary
Terabase sequencing for mutant, developmental, environmental and population genomics. This facility will make it possible to completely sequence the genome (and epi-genome and transcriptome) of a large number of samples in a cost effective manner. This will provide researchers with unprecedented ability to compare individuals in a population and to discover and define novel traits which govern disease resistance, yield and population dynamics in natural systems.
Leaves in 3D: photosynthesis and water-use efficiency. This project aims to develop leaf anatomical ideotypes with improved photosynthesis and water-use efficiency for wheat, rice, chickpea and cotton using novel three dimensional imaging and modelling techniques. This project expects to generate new understanding of the role of leaf anatomy on leaf function. Expected outcomes of this project include the world's first 3D spatially-explicit, anatomically accurate model of leaves of crop plants to ....Leaves in 3D: photosynthesis and water-use efficiency. This project aims to develop leaf anatomical ideotypes with improved photosynthesis and water-use efficiency for wheat, rice, chickpea and cotton using novel three dimensional imaging and modelling techniques. This project expects to generate new understanding of the role of leaf anatomy on leaf function. Expected outcomes of this project include the world's first 3D spatially-explicit, anatomically accurate model of leaves of crop plants to allow virtual experiments identifying optimized anatomy for improved photosynthetic performance. Benefits to the agricultural industry include increased crop productivity and water-use efficiency to meet future global food demand and to make the most of Australia's limited water resourcesRead moreRead less
Stomatal function in transgenic plants with altered guard cell metabolism. Guard cells on the surface of leaves control the rate of water loss and CO2 uptake by changing stomatal aperture in response to environmental signals such light, CO2, humidity and water status. Guard cells therefore play a major role in determining plant productivity and water use efficiency. This project aims to examine the contribution of guard cell energy and carbon metabolism in mediating stomatal responses to the env ....Stomatal function in transgenic plants with altered guard cell metabolism. Guard cells on the surface of leaves control the rate of water loss and CO2 uptake by changing stomatal aperture in response to environmental signals such light, CO2, humidity and water status. Guard cells therefore play a major role in determining plant productivity and water use efficiency. This project aims to examine the contribution of guard cell energy and carbon metabolism in mediating stomatal responses to the environment in intact plants through the generation and analysis of transgenic plants with altered guard cell function. This will aid in the development of strategies for direct manipulation of stomatal function.Read moreRead less
In touch with the environment: dissecting early tactile responses in plants. This project aims to identify the regulatory mechanisms that control touch-responses in plants. Although plants cannot relocate in the face of danger, they are able to sense mechanical manipulations from the environment. These could be caused by pathogens, herbivores, rain or even wind. This touch-responsiveness of plants is essential for pathogen resistance and for triggering architectural changes to overcome obstacles ....In touch with the environment: dissecting early tactile responses in plants. This project aims to identify the regulatory mechanisms that control touch-responses in plants. Although plants cannot relocate in the face of danger, they are able to sense mechanical manipulations from the environment. These could be caused by pathogens, herbivores, rain or even wind. This touch-responsiveness of plants is essential for pathogen resistance and for triggering architectural changes to overcome obstacles and prevent mechanical damage. Using a comprehensive tool set of genetics, genomics and proteomics, this project aims to identify the upstream regulators that control touch responses. Furthermore, it is expected to expand our understanding of the physiological impacts of touch-responses on growth and stress tolerance.Read moreRead less
Top-down rehydration: role of multiple water sources in mangrove function. This project aims to combine cutting-edge analytical and imaging techniques to assess contributions of atmospheric water sources to shoot-water balances, identify leaf traits associated with top-down rehydration, and determine the relative importance of different sources of water used by mangroves in maintenance of photosynthetic carbon assimilation along natural gradients in salinity and aridity. The capacity of shoots ....Top-down rehydration: role of multiple water sources in mangrove function. This project aims to combine cutting-edge analytical and imaging techniques to assess contributions of atmospheric water sources to shoot-water balances, identify leaf traits associated with top-down rehydration, and determine the relative importance of different sources of water used by mangroves in maintenance of photosynthetic carbon assimilation along natural gradients in salinity and aridity. The capacity of shoots to absorb atmospheric water could profoundly affect the diversity, survival and productivity of mangroves where high soil salinity limits water uptake by roots, particularly during hot, dry conditions.Read moreRead less
Role of top-down-rehydration in drought tolerance of mangroves. This project aims to understand the role of absorption and storage of atmospheric water (vapour, mist, rain, dew) by shoots in survival of mangroves where high soil salinity limits root water uptake, particularly during hot, dry conditions. This research will advance understanding of drought and salinity tolerance. The project outcomes will include identification of environmental conditions that limit drought survival and functional ....Role of top-down-rehydration in drought tolerance of mangroves. This project aims to understand the role of absorption and storage of atmospheric water (vapour, mist, rain, dew) by shoots in survival of mangroves where high soil salinity limits root water uptake, particularly during hot, dry conditions. This research will advance understanding of drought and salinity tolerance. The project outcomes will include identification of environmental conditions that limit drought survival and functional plant traits that enhance drought survival. These outcomes are fundamental to interpreting mechanisms underlying mangrove dieback under drought and will benefit the development of process-based models for better prediction of mangrove responses to climate change.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989408
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$150,000.00
Summary
A multiple-ion membrane inlet mass spectrometer. There is a compelling need for a modern isotope-ratio mass spectrometer to facilitate a range of innovative studies of chemical and biochemical processes. Mass spectrometers operated with a thin permeable membrane over a vacuum inlet allow small gas molecules to be continuously monitored inside specific gas or liquid phase sample chambers. The proposed instrumentation will enable simultaneous and highly sensitive measurement of 10 different isot ....A multiple-ion membrane inlet mass spectrometer. There is a compelling need for a modern isotope-ratio mass spectrometer to facilitate a range of innovative studies of chemical and biochemical processes. Mass spectrometers operated with a thin permeable membrane over a vacuum inlet allow small gas molecules to be continuously monitored inside specific gas or liquid phase sample chambers. The proposed instrumentation will enable simultaneous and highly sensitive measurement of 10 different isotopic species and the capability for detection of hydrogen. This equipment will provide the many researchers and students with opportunities to determine isotopic signatures of isolated chemical reactions through to complex biochemical systems of whole living cells.Read moreRead less
What is the function of gamma-aminobutyric acid-gated anion channels in plants? The project will identify the molecular basis of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) signalling in plants. This is significant because GABA regulates proteins that release molecules involved in root-soil interactions, growth, and fertilisation. The project's discoveries will allow improvement of these agronomic traits that ultimately determine crop yield.