Uncovering microRNA decay regulation in mammalian cells. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) constitute a novel mechanism used by cells to regulate gene expression, however, very little is known about the mechanisms affecting miRNA accumulation. Characterisation of the kinetics of miRNA turnover is of paramount importance to establish the reliability of miRNAs as novel biomarkers. This project aims to characterise miRNA stability in mammalian cells, investigate mechanisms of turnover and establish their importan ....Uncovering microRNA decay regulation in mammalian cells. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) constitute a novel mechanism used by cells to regulate gene expression, however, very little is known about the mechanisms affecting miRNA accumulation. Characterisation of the kinetics of miRNA turnover is of paramount importance to establish the reliability of miRNAs as novel biomarkers. This project aims to characterise miRNA stability in mammalian cells, investigate mechanisms of turnover and establish their importance on the regulatory function of miRNAs. Such information is critical in the future development of targeted therapeutics.Read moreRead less
How to build the head: A molecular mechanistic insight. This project aims to gain an insight into the functional output of the gene regulatory network and the molecular determinants that are critical for the formation of the head. Genome-wide sequencing technologies are employed to identify the ensemble of genes that are regulated by Lhx1. By a combination of bioinformatics analysis and a system biology approach, the project aims to build a model of the network of the interacting genes for head ....How to build the head: A molecular mechanistic insight. This project aims to gain an insight into the functional output of the gene regulatory network and the molecular determinants that are critical for the formation of the head. Genome-wide sequencing technologies are employed to identify the ensemble of genes that are regulated by Lhx1. By a combination of bioinformatics analysis and a system biology approach, the project aims to build a model of the network of the interacting genes for head development, and to characterise the function of selected components of this network to refine its architecture and define the dynamics of the network. The knowledge may improve our understanding of the molecular mechanism underpinning the naturally-occurring variation in the forms of major body parts, and of how genes and signals work cooperatively to build an embryo.Read moreRead less
3'UTR switching in eukaryotic cells. The project aims to uncover conserved features fundamental to the mechanism and function of post-transcriptional gene-expression control. RNA systems interface the executive functions of DNA and the worker functions of proteins. mRNA often dictates the level, timing and location of protein synthesis. This project will use RNA-sequencing and bespoke bioinformatics to probe global RNA-dynamics. Mixing yeast-genetics with RNA-technologies, it focuses on 3’ untra ....3'UTR switching in eukaryotic cells. The project aims to uncover conserved features fundamental to the mechanism and function of post-transcriptional gene-expression control. RNA systems interface the executive functions of DNA and the worker functions of proteins. mRNA often dictates the level, timing and location of protein synthesis. This project will use RNA-sequencing and bespoke bioinformatics to probe global RNA-dynamics. Mixing yeast-genetics with RNA-technologies, it focuses on 3’ untranslated region (UTR) dynamics in eukaryotic cell biology. This project expects to significantly advance the understanding of eukaryotic gene function and gene regulation, critical in an age of personalised genomic medicine.Read moreRead less
Physiology and genetics of barley grain germination in the malting and brewing industries. An international research team will provide new scientific information on barley grain germination. This detailed basic knowledge will be immediately applied in breeding programs that are aimed at improving malting and brewing quality in a commercial context. At the same time, the industry's carbon footprint will be significantly reduced.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE140100114
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$560,000.00
Summary
High Throughput Cell Genomics Centre. High throughput cell genomics centre: This project will establish a high throughput cell genomics centre comprising a Fluidigm C1™ Single-Cell AutoPrep and BioMark™ HD system providing researchers with the most innovative approach to single cell and small population analyses. The instruments will enable the unique capability to conduct single cell transcriptome analysis and high throughput gene expression, SNP genotyping and copy number variation analysis as ....High Throughput Cell Genomics Centre. High throughput cell genomics centre: This project will establish a high throughput cell genomics centre comprising a Fluidigm C1™ Single-Cell AutoPrep and BioMark™ HD system providing researchers with the most innovative approach to single cell and small population analyses. The instruments will enable the unique capability to conduct single cell transcriptome analysis and high throughput gene expression, SNP genotyping and copy number variation analysis as well as validation of next generation sequencing data. The information generated is crucial to advancing knowledge in important research fields including infection and immunity, regenerative medicine, immune responses, biomarker discovery, drug discovery, biotechnology and agriculture.Read moreRead less
Understanding the robustness and plasticity of metabolite concentrations. This project aims to further the understanding of how organisms mitigate the effects of changing environment by altering metabolite concentrations, important for food quality, energetics, and health. Through this understanding, the project provides the potential to precisely tailor metabolic intervention strategies, highly beneficial for applied sciences. The expected outcome of the project is a suite of computational appr ....Understanding the robustness and plasticity of metabolite concentrations. This project aims to further the understanding of how organisms mitigate the effects of changing environment by altering metabolite concentrations, important for food quality, energetics, and health. Through this understanding, the project provides the potential to precisely tailor metabolic intervention strategies, highly beneficial for applied sciences. The expected outcome of the project is a suite of computational approaches that allow for integration of large-scale data with networks to predict metabolite concentration ranges. This will provide significant benefit with the aim of maintaining outstanding research in Australia, and has clear potential for improved human health and enhanced food quality via metabolic reprogramming.Read moreRead less
Dissecting the mitochondrial pathway of apoptotic cell death. This research aims to identify each step in cell death regulation by the Bcl-2 family of proteins. Each step is a potential target for drugs that may help cancer cells die, or that may help normal cells such as heart and brain cells recover from damage.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100191
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$250,000.00
Summary
An advanced mass spectrometer for applications in phospho-proteomics, glycomics and top-down sequencing of proteins. This cutting-edge mass spectrometry facility will benefit the Hunter Valley research community comprising 100 researchers in this field. It will enable the researchers to enhance their research productivity in areas of national importance, including better understanding the etiology of disease states, reproductive health and the regulation of plant growth.
The discovery and characterisation of novel protein regulators of blood cell formation. All of the mature blood cells in the human body are derived from a common ancestor cell type known as a stem cell. Our proposed studies will enhance our knowledge of how functional, mature blood cells are formed from stem cells and how dysregulation of these normally tightly controlled pathways can give rise to severe blood diseases.