Monotremes provide a key to understanding the molecular biology of mammalian gamete evolution. As the platypus and echidna (monotremes) are our most distant relatives among living mammals, interpreting their genome is important to determine the molecular sequences in human genes that are essential for fertility, and possibly responsible for infertility. As the only country with monotremes accessible for research, Australia has a responsibility to promote the work. The research can be applied to ....Monotremes provide a key to understanding the molecular biology of mammalian gamete evolution. As the platypus and echidna (monotremes) are our most distant relatives among living mammals, interpreting their genome is important to determine the molecular sequences in human genes that are essential for fertility, and possibly responsible for infertility. As the only country with monotremes accessible for research, Australia has a responsibility to promote the work. The research can be applied to improve the poor breeding record in zoos of these unique, iconic Australian fauna which generate considerable tourist interest. Publication of monotreme research attracts considerable publicity internationally. Publication of the platypus genome sequence in 2008 attracted headlines all over the world.Read moreRead less
Re-uniting marsupials and eutherians by embryonic micromanipulation. The unique responsibility for transmitting life from generation to generation normally depends on the gametes. This project will use new reproductive technologies to investigate the properties of the oocyte in reprogramming somatic cell nuclei, and will use the nuclei of both marsupial and eutherian somatic cells to test this. We will also use both marsupial and eutherian genes to insert into the oocyte to create the first tra ....Re-uniting marsupials and eutherians by embryonic micromanipulation. The unique responsibility for transmitting life from generation to generation normally depends on the gametes. This project will use new reproductive technologies to investigate the properties of the oocyte in reprogramming somatic cell nuclei, and will use the nuclei of both marsupial and eutherian somatic cells to test this. We will also use both marsupial and eutherian genes to insert into the oocyte to create the first transgenic marsupials. We will also investigate the ability of spermatozoa from species of increasing genetic distance to ferttilise marsupial eggs using intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).Read moreRead less
Symbiotic partnership between algae and animals that powers coral reefs. This project aims to unlock the molecular basis of a partnership between a microscopic plant and an animal that powers coral growth. Most corals depend on microscopic algae living inside their bodies to nourish them. Most corals have to recruit new algae each time they reproduce, but only a particular strain of algae is accepted. This project aims to establish how anemones and corals identify and take in the right alga, how ....Symbiotic partnership between algae and animals that powers coral reefs. This project aims to unlock the molecular basis of a partnership between a microscopic plant and an animal that powers coral growth. Most corals depend on microscopic algae living inside their bodies to nourish them. Most corals have to recruit new algae each time they reproduce, but only a particular strain of algae is accepted. This project aims to establish how anemones and corals identify and take in the right alga, how the alga gives them food, and how the animal hosts regulate growth of their algae to optimise food production but avoid being overrun by algae. Understanding the partnership that drives reef growth and survival may better equip us to protect this threatened resource.Read moreRead less
A lipodomic approach to cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbiosis. Fatty Acids are essential for human health and for reef health. This lipodomic study using newly developed techniques, aims to understand the essential and non-essential fatty acid metabolic exchange in the symbiosis that drives coral reef formation and health, and in turn gives reflective insight into our own metabolism.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE150100161
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$540,000.00
Summary
A multi-omics platform for molecular evolution and developmental biology. A multi-omics platform for molecular evolution and developmental biology: The proposed multi-omics platform will provide the computational environment (consisting of data, computer hardware, software and workflows) required to undertake large scale 'omics based research projects within molecular evolution and developmental biology. The platform architecture is designed to accommodate the requirements of data intensive rese ....A multi-omics platform for molecular evolution and developmental biology. A multi-omics platform for molecular evolution and developmental biology: The proposed multi-omics platform will provide the computational environment (consisting of data, computer hardware, software and workflows) required to undertake large scale 'omics based research projects within molecular evolution and developmental biology. The platform architecture is designed to accommodate the requirements of data intensive research in a collaborative environment where datasets, tools and workflows can be shared. Bringing together complementary expertise in molecular evolution and developmental biology, the platform will provide the opportunity to perform integrative analysis across genomes, transcriptomes, proteomes, metabalomes and epigenomes, providing a unique collaborative analytical platform for Australian researchers.Read moreRead less
The biosynthesis and evolution of novel semiochemicals in orchids. This project aims to discover new enzymes and genes, unlocking new tools for producing useful chemicals. Many plants secure pollination by attracting animal pollinators. How these crucial interactions evolved remains a mystery. Australia is a world centre for pollination by sexual deception in which hundreds of orchids use novel semiochemicals to sexually attract specific pollinators. In this study we aim to: characterise the bio ....The biosynthesis and evolution of novel semiochemicals in orchids. This project aims to discover new enzymes and genes, unlocking new tools for producing useful chemicals. Many plants secure pollination by attracting animal pollinators. How these crucial interactions evolved remains a mystery. Australia is a world centre for pollination by sexual deception in which hundreds of orchids use novel semiochemicals to sexually attract specific pollinators. In this study we aim to: characterise the biosynthetic pathway and molecular basis of these unique semiochemicals; investigate speciation processes with robust orchid phylogenies; and reveal new insights into the evolution of animal pollination. This should also lead to better design options for managing endangered orchids and developing resilient populations.Read moreRead less
Biosynthetic and evolutionary pathways of red-shifted chlorophylls. This project will provide vital information for the roles of chlorophyll modification. Red-shifted chlorophylls have the potential to increase the efficiency of photosynthesis by extending the spectral limits. The switchable biosynthetic pathway of chlorophyll f will open up a new opportunity for developing new technologies.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0454170
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$187,341.00
Summary
Biacore3000-Expansion of Proteomics Facility. The sequencing of the human genome has led to redirection of effort towards the rapid characterisation of the products of genes, proteins. This project will establish state of the art facilities for protein identification and characterisation in the Hunter Region. The investigators are representative of several major research programs and are unified by their specific expertise in the fundamental molecular mechanisms underlying the control of cellula ....Biacore3000-Expansion of Proteomics Facility. The sequencing of the human genome has led to redirection of effort towards the rapid characterisation of the products of genes, proteins. This project will establish state of the art facilities for protein identification and characterisation in the Hunter Region. The investigators are representative of several major research programs and are unified by their specific expertise in the fundamental molecular mechanisms underlying the control of cellular processes in plants, animals and humans. Understanding these mechanisms will provide the basis for improved management of the environment and pathological conditions through identifying molecular targets for diagnosis, genetic manipulation or drug design.Read moreRead less
Molecular mechanisms of cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate (AMP) induced apoptosis. Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate (cAMP) is an important cellular chemical necessary for cell growth. However, de-regulated cAMP production in response to altered physiology can result in cellular death or apoptosis. This is attributed to the development of certain human diseases and this project aims to understand the molecular mechanism behind this process.
Elucidating the regulation of cell death by random mutagenesis of key apoptotic proteins. All organisms need to remove damaged or excessive cells. This cell death process is called apoptosis. Defects in apoptosis result in numerous diseases including cancer, and neurodegenerative and immune disorders. Determining how this process is regulated is of crucial importance for therapeutic intervention. We will utilise a powerful strategy to mutate proteins required for apoptosis so that they no longer ....Elucidating the regulation of cell death by random mutagenesis of key apoptotic proteins. All organisms need to remove damaged or excessive cells. This cell death process is called apoptosis. Defects in apoptosis result in numerous diseases including cancer, and neurodegenerative and immune disorders. Determining how this process is regulated is of crucial importance for therapeutic intervention. We will utilise a powerful strategy to mutate proteins required for apoptosis so that they no longer work, which will allow the identification of protein regions essential for cell death activity . This will lead to identification of potential drug targets to control apoptosis. Elucidating the mechanism of cell death will lead to the development of novel and improved therapies for diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disease.Read moreRead less