Neuronal Control of Adaptive Walking. This project seeks to understand how signals from the brain control motor circuits so that an animal can adaptively walk across varying terrains in pursuit of its ever-changing goals. It will focus on the fruit fly, Drosophila, as a model. The fly is an agile walker, its nervous system has been almost fully mapped at the synaptic level, and genetic reagents are available to selectively measure or manipulate the activity of single neurons. This project specif ....Neuronal Control of Adaptive Walking. This project seeks to understand how signals from the brain control motor circuits so that an animal can adaptively walk across varying terrains in pursuit of its ever-changing goals. It will focus on the fruit fly, Drosophila, as a model. The fly is an agile walker, its nervous system has been almost fully mapped at the synaptic level, and genetic reagents are available to selectively measure or manipulate the activity of single neurons. This project specifically focuses on the circuits that generate forward and backward walking, and switch between the two. It will enhance Australia's capacity in connectome-driven neuroscience research, deliver fundamental insights into neuronal motor control, and inspire the design of more agile robots.Read moreRead less
Assessing animal exposure to urticating caterpillar hairs and developing management strategies to reduce the consequence of foetal abortion in mares. Equine Amnionitis and Foetal Loss (EAFL) accounts for about a third of mares aborting in thoroughbred horse studs in southern Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. Previous studies have shown that processionary caterpillars and their irritating setae (hairs) can cause EAFL. This project aims to determine the likelihood that other caterpillar sp ....Assessing animal exposure to urticating caterpillar hairs and developing management strategies to reduce the consequence of foetal abortion in mares. Equine Amnionitis and Foetal Loss (EAFL) accounts for about a third of mares aborting in thoroughbred horse studs in southern Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. Previous studies have shown that processionary caterpillars and their irritating setae (hairs) can cause EAFL. This project aims to determine the likelihood that other caterpillar species are involved based on hair morphology and a surrogate model system. A full risk assessment of the exposure of mares to these hairs in situ will be undertaken, based on the ecology and biology of the species. Outcomes include a management strategy for EAFL-causing insects and a reduction of EAFL within the industry.Read moreRead less
A novel approach in understanding regulation of development in mosquitoes. This project aims to explore the role of microRNAs in regulation of the synthesis of a key hormone, juvenile hormone, involved in mosquito development and reproductive maturation. The development of novel approaches in mosquito control or inhibition of transmission are urgently required to combat against mosquito-borne pathogens. One such approach is to interrupt the reproduction or reduce the fitness of mosquitoes. This ....A novel approach in understanding regulation of development in mosquitoes. This project aims to explore the role of microRNAs in regulation of the synthesis of a key hormone, juvenile hormone, involved in mosquito development and reproductive maturation. The development of novel approaches in mosquito control or inhibition of transmission are urgently required to combat against mosquito-borne pathogens. One such approach is to interrupt the reproduction or reduce the fitness of mosquitoes. This project will increase our understanding of the regulation of mosquito reproduction and development, but also lead to the discovery of potential target molecules to interfere with mosquito reproduction/development.Read moreRead less
Origins of Parasitism in the Psocodea (Insecta). The Psocodea has 2 groups: the lice and the psocopterans (the psocids and their kin). The lice are parasites whereas the psocopterans are free-living. The Psocodea are a unique model-system that will allow us to discover the processes that preadapt arthropods for parasitism and the processes that facilitate "explosive" radiations of arthropods once they become parasites. We will infer evolutionary trees for these insects from 3 genes. Then we ....Origins of Parasitism in the Psocodea (Insecta). The Psocodea has 2 groups: the lice and the psocopterans (the psocids and their kin). The lice are parasites whereas the psocopterans are free-living. The Psocodea are a unique model-system that will allow us to discover the processes that preadapt arthropods for parasitism and the processes that facilitate "explosive" radiations of arthropods once they become parasites. We will infer evolutionary trees for these insects from 3 genes. Then we will use these trees to track the evolution of feeding, attachment, senses and reproduction through evolutionary time. Our work should provide unprecedented insight into the evolution of parasitism in the arthropods.Read moreRead less
Evolution of the biofabrication of mineralized structures in animals. Shells and skeletons are produced by a wide range of animals. These highly-order crystalline structures are genetically-encoded and produce high-performance composite materials that exceed present capabilities in human engineering. This international collaboration will elucidate the molecular mechanisms controlling the fabrication of these architectures. This knowledge will contribute significantly to the development of materi ....Evolution of the biofabrication of mineralized structures in animals. Shells and skeletons are produced by a wide range of animals. These highly-order crystalline structures are genetically-encoded and produce high-performance composite materials that exceed present capabilities in human engineering. This international collaboration will elucidate the molecular mechanisms controlling the fabrication of these architectures. This knowledge will contribute significantly to the development of materials for advanced electronics and energy transducers, human bone therapeutics and marine-based products such as pearls and cements, through the identification of genes underlying biofabrication networks and the development of in vitro bioproduction systems.Read moreRead less
Co-divergence or opportunism: the evolution of trematode parasitism in the sea. This proposal is for fundamental research into how a major group of parasites (trematodes) has evolved in interaction with its hosts. The work is mainly the kind of 'basic science' that underpins other science without having intended immediate community benefit. However, the work depends strongly on the important task of developing better knowledge of trematodes in Australian native animals. Some of these parasite ....Co-divergence or opportunism: the evolution of trematode parasitism in the sea. This proposal is for fundamental research into how a major group of parasites (trematodes) has evolved in interaction with its hosts. The work is mainly the kind of 'basic science' that underpins other science without having intended immediate community benefit. However, the work depends strongly on the important task of developing better knowledge of trematodes in Australian native animals. Some of these parasites are pathogens of bivalves (scallops, giant clams and oysters) but almost nothing is known about them here. Another benefit of the study is in the training of several postgraduate students who will be able to contribute to the further study and management of parasites in Australia.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130101089
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$371,800.00
Summary
Understanding masculinity, the crustacean way. The androgenic gland is responsible for maleness in crustaceans. This project will characterise the genes that control the masculinisation process in crustaceans, discovering new targets for sex reversal and sterility induction. These findings will have implications for aquaculture and the development of innovative tools for invasive/pest crustacean control.
Marine sponge–microbe interactions and the origin of animal innate immunity. This project aims to address how the animal innate immune system evolved to discriminate between potential pathogens versus beneficial symbionts by studying a marine sponge holobiont. Using advanced genomic and cellular approaches, the project will uncover deeply conserved regulatory pathways used by the cells of sponges, humans and other animals, and thereby identify cardinal rules governing animal innate immunity and ....Marine sponge–microbe interactions and the origin of animal innate immunity. This project aims to address how the animal innate immune system evolved to discriminate between potential pathogens versus beneficial symbionts by studying a marine sponge holobiont. Using advanced genomic and cellular approaches, the project will uncover deeply conserved regulatory pathways used by the cells of sponges, humans and other animals, and thereby identify cardinal rules governing animal innate immunity and its evolutionary origin. The project will provide an understanding of how beneficial microbial symbionts are recruited and maintained by animals, and are instrumental to the health of our environment and all its inhabitants.Read moreRead less
Half a Genome is Better than None: The Evolution of Haplodiploidy in Mites. It is our normal experience that males and females are about equally common. We also expect both sexes to receive half their genes from each parent. In many successful animal groups, however, these normal expectations are not met: males are rare and have only half as many chromosomes as females (haplodiploidy) or are non-existent. We will investigate multiple origins of haplodiploid and all-female genetic systems in a ....Half a Genome is Better than None: The Evolution of Haplodiploidy in Mites. It is our normal experience that males and females are about equally common. We also expect both sexes to receive half their genes from each parent. In many successful animal groups, however, these normal expectations are not met: males are rare and have only half as many chromosomes as females (haplodiploidy) or are non-existent. We will investigate multiple origins of haplodiploid and all-female genetic systems in a group of mites that includes many useful biocontrol agents and important parasites. The implications of this research have both pure scientific merit and potential practical value in controlling the reproduction of pests.Read moreRead less
A perimeter defence in Australian processionary caterpillars. Microscopic, detachable hairs on processionary caterpillars cause clinical reactions when they enter the skin or internal tissues of humans and animals. There is a time delay between exposure and the most serious effects, inferring an action more complex than simple irritation. The project aims to test a novel mechanism – how the hairs form a perimeter defence around caterpillars that primes the immune system of potential predators, ....A perimeter defence in Australian processionary caterpillars. Microscopic, detachable hairs on processionary caterpillars cause clinical reactions when they enter the skin or internal tissues of humans and animals. There is a time delay between exposure and the most serious effects, inferring an action more complex than simple irritation. The project aims to test a novel mechanism – how the hairs form a perimeter defence around caterpillars that primes the immune system of potential predators, how these hairs function within the layered caterpillar defensive system and how far setae can disperse. The research will inform relevant authorities and in particular veterinarians of the risks being exposed to processionary caterpillar hairs and add to the theory of predator-prey interaction.Read moreRead less