Conservation genomics of a critically endangered insect. This project aims to develop tools genotyping large animal genomes, focusing on the case of the Lord Howe Island stick insect, once thought to be extinct and now critically endangered. This project expects to generate molecular tools to monitor the genetic health the insect which has a large, complex and poorly understood genome. Expected outcomes include the development of a preservation and reintroduction strategy for the insect. This pr ....Conservation genomics of a critically endangered insect. This project aims to develop tools genotyping large animal genomes, focusing on the case of the Lord Howe Island stick insect, once thought to be extinct and now critically endangered. This project expects to generate molecular tools to monitor the genetic health the insect which has a large, complex and poorly understood genome. Expected outcomes include the development of a preservation and reintroduction strategy for the insect. This project will benefit ongoing conservation efforts, and is timely given the ongoing eradication of rats from Lord Howe Island where this species once lived. Read moreRead less
Imaging the world of miniature venomous arthropods. Venomous arthropods produce a myriad of biologically active peptides, with many having potential as pharmacological tools, bioinsecticides and pharmaceuticals. Most studies to date have focussed on large arthropods; smaller species remain neglected due to the difficulties of venom collection. This project seeks to further advance the pioneering imaging mass spectrometry approaches the project team developed for imaging toxins in the venom gland ....Imaging the world of miniature venomous arthropods. Venomous arthropods produce a myriad of biologically active peptides, with many having potential as pharmacological tools, bioinsecticides and pharmaceuticals. Most studies to date have focussed on large arthropods; smaller species remain neglected due to the difficulties of venom collection. This project seeks to further advance the pioneering imaging mass spectrometry approaches the project team developed for imaging toxins in the venom glands of spiders and centipedes. By combining high-resolution matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation imaging data with histological and transcriptomic information the project aims to provide the first detailed insights into the neglected world of miniature arthropod venoms. The approaches developed by this project aim to have wide application in the field of biology.Read moreRead less
Understanding the molecular basis of heparanase activity. This project aims to advance our understanding of the structure and impact on biological processes of heparanase (HSPE), an enzyme of critical importance. HSPE’s ability to interact with heparan sulfate (HS), a key component of the extracellular matrix and basement membranes, makes HPSE a pivotal enzyme in many important physiological and disease-related processes ranging from angiogenesis, tumour metastasis, inflammation, hair follicle ....Understanding the molecular basis of heparanase activity. This project aims to advance our understanding of the structure and impact on biological processes of heparanase (HSPE), an enzyme of critical importance. HSPE’s ability to interact with heparan sulfate (HS), a key component of the extracellular matrix and basement membranes, makes HPSE a pivotal enzyme in many important physiological and disease-related processes ranging from angiogenesis, tumour metastasis, inflammation, hair follicle development to wrinkle formation. The knowledge gained through this project is expected to provide new insight into the interaction between HSPE and HS/HSPG to reveal new pathways to the development of inhibitors to treat diseases such as cancer and diabetes.Read moreRead less
Non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions in afforested ecosystems in southeastern Australia - fluxes, processes and regional budget. There are no data available about the extent of emissions of the non-CO2 greenhouse gases nitrous oxide and methane from soils of forest ecosystems in Australia and the current methodolgy to quantify these emissions contains high uncertainties. Using the latest technology available we propose to i) measure emission rates of afforested ecosystems for non-CO2 greenhouse gase ....Non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions in afforested ecosystems in southeastern Australia - fluxes, processes and regional budget. There are no data available about the extent of emissions of the non-CO2 greenhouse gases nitrous oxide and methane from soils of forest ecosystems in Australia and the current methodolgy to quantify these emissions contains high uncertainties. Using the latest technology available we propose to i) measure emission rates of afforested ecosystems for non-CO2 greenhouse gases in relation to previous land-use in southeastern Australia, ii) identify the processes controlling the emissions, iii) use the obtained data to calibrate a biogeochemical model, and iv) use the model to estimate regional inventories for non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions in southeastern Australia.Read moreRead less
Synthetic compounds to specifically activate or inhibit ryanodine receptor calcium ion channels. The aim of the project is develop synthetic compounds that specifically and reversibly activate or inhibit ryanodine receptor calcium release channels, and will thus increase or reduce the force developed by skeletal muscle and the heart. The compounds will be useful in biomedical and veterinary sciences and in the livestock industry. Some of the compounds that are not effective on mammalian ryan ....Synthetic compounds to specifically activate or inhibit ryanodine receptor calcium ion channels. The aim of the project is develop synthetic compounds that specifically and reversibly activate or inhibit ryanodine receptor calcium release channels, and will thus increase or reduce the force developed by skeletal muscle and the heart. The compounds will be useful in biomedical and veterinary sciences and in the livestock industry. Some of the compounds that are not effective on mammalian ryandine receptor isoforms might interact with insect channels and provide a template for a new class of insecticides. The compounds will be based on naturally occurring peptides which specifically and reversibly modulate mammalian calcium channels.Read moreRead less
Landscape restoration genomics for climate adaptation in eucalyptus foundation species. Understanding the genetic basis of adaptation in foundation species will allow selection of pre-adapted seeds to establish resilient ecosystems which support the broad range of life supporting services. This project will apply genomics to solve real environmental challenges in restoration management and be a model for other foundation species.
Testing co-evolutionary processes driving venom diversity in tiger snakes. Testing co-evolutionary processes driving venom diversity in tiger snakes. This project aims to examine the geographic variation amongst tiger snakes in anatomy, ecology, and life history traits, and the relationship of these factors to venom toxins and production; and to evaluate the true pharmacological potential of tiger snake venom. This project will investigate the role of venom adaptation in long-term animal evoluti ....Testing co-evolutionary processes driving venom diversity in tiger snakes. Testing co-evolutionary processes driving venom diversity in tiger snakes. This project aims to examine the geographic variation amongst tiger snakes in anatomy, ecology, and life history traits, and the relationship of these factors to venom toxins and production; and to evaluate the true pharmacological potential of tiger snake venom. This project will investigate the role of venom adaptation in long-term animal evolution, by identifying rare venom transcripts involved in providing evolutionary potential for adaptation to environmental change. This is essential as continuing climatic and human-induced alteration of our environment affects southern Australia where many people live, work and interact with native wildlife. Anticipated outcomes are maximizing venom harvests and enhanced snakebite treatment capacity.Read moreRead less
From genotype to phenotype: Molecular photofitting for criminal investigations. DNA found at crime scenes has the potential to provide a physical description of the donor in the same way as an eyewitness statement can be used to make a facial reconstruction. This project will investigate those physical traits which can be derived from the analysis of DNA present in samples collected in relation to criminal activities.
Integrative assessment of disturbance and land-use change on total greenhouse gas balance and nutrient cycling in savanna ecosystems. Climate change and variability is expected to have an impact on the NT environment and economy. This project will enable NT specific calibrations of climate variability-land use models, such as the National Carbon Accounting System. The NT Government will have access to a high quality database and calibrated models relating to greenhouse gas emissions as a functio ....Integrative assessment of disturbance and land-use change on total greenhouse gas balance and nutrient cycling in savanna ecosystems. Climate change and variability is expected to have an impact on the NT environment and economy. This project will enable NT specific calibrations of climate variability-land use models, such as the National Carbon Accounting System. The NT Government will have access to a high quality database and calibrated models relating to greenhouse gas emissions as a function of land use change. The project will improve estimates and management of GHG and provide a basis for the NT to potentially exploit future carbon-trading initiatives or GHG abatement schemes as fundamental data describing emissions as a function of land use will be available. This is of national significance given the size of the savanna biome in Australia.Read moreRead less
Using defined biotic and abiotic stimuli to dissect patterns of gene expression and protein accumulation that specify root architecture. Root morphogenesis is fundamental to agriculture and valuable for investigating the informational networks of genes, proteins and metabolites that control root growth and plant development. Root systems vary widely both within and between species. Root morphology is directed by a basic genetic program that is influenced by environmental factors to provide an e ....Using defined biotic and abiotic stimuli to dissect patterns of gene expression and protein accumulation that specify root architecture. Root morphogenesis is fundamental to agriculture and valuable for investigating the informational networks of genes, proteins and metabolites that control root growth and plant development. Root systems vary widely both within and between species. Root morphology is directed by a basic genetic program that is influenced by environmental factors to provide an enormous "phenotypic plasticity". This project will use two model plant systems to investigate how different external signals are "translated" by the plant into different developmental regimes. This knowledge is crucial to understanding how the plasticity of root development is modulated in response to changing environmental factors.Read moreRead less