Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0668507
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$260,000.00
Summary
Real time PCR and nanoparticle diagnostic facilities for high-throughput quantitative analysis of genomic structure and gene expression. Modern molecular tools have lead to an explosion in genome projects and unification of all areas of biology. The most basic need for such research is access to improving technologies for detecting DNA fingerprints that distinguish genetically-diverse genes, and determining which genes are "switched on" or 'off' in various situations. Real time PCR technology, ....Real time PCR and nanoparticle diagnostic facilities for high-throughput quantitative analysis of genomic structure and gene expression. Modern molecular tools have lead to an explosion in genome projects and unification of all areas of biology. The most basic need for such research is access to improving technologies for detecting DNA fingerprints that distinguish genetically-diverse genes, and determining which genes are "switched on" or 'off' in various situations. Real time PCR technology, pioneered by The University of Queensland (UQ) and Southern Cross University (SCU) using ARC funding in 1996, is now the technology of choice for much of this research. This project will provide high-throughput equipment for real time PCR, and will develop complementary high-throughput "nanoparticle" DNA genotyping technologies, with applications to medicine and agriculture.
Read moreRead less
Identification of novel biomarkers in tears for prostate cancer diagnosis and prognosis. The purpose of this study is to identify novel biomarkers in the tears of patients with CaP. The use of the several techniques will increase the chance of success and enable us to find more diagnostic markers. If successful, the identified proteins may be used to diagnose and determine the stage of cancer. This will help guide clinicians in choosing the best treatment methods for an individual patient. The m ....Identification of novel biomarkers in tears for prostate cancer diagnosis and prognosis. The purpose of this study is to identify novel biomarkers in the tears of patients with CaP. The use of the several techniques will increase the chance of success and enable us to find more diagnostic markers. If successful, the identified proteins may be used to diagnose and determine the stage of cancer. This will help guide clinicians in choosing the best treatment methods for an individual patient. The markers may also be used to monitor the disease progress and the effects of treatment. The results from this study may improve the prognosis of CaP patients.Read moreRead less
Identification of novel biomarkers for diabetic retinopathy in tears. There are around 134,000 people with diabetic retinopathy in Australia. The disease affects patients' physical and mental state and economical and social cost is enormous. This research aims to find new biomarkers for the disease which may lead to better treatment and management. Patient's quality of life may be significantly improved by early diagnosis and treatment and the burden to the community reduced. This project also g ....Identification of novel biomarkers for diabetic retinopathy in tears. There are around 134,000 people with diabetic retinopathy in Australia. The disease affects patients' physical and mental state and economical and social cost is enormous. This research aims to find new biomarkers for the disease which may lead to better treatment and management. Patient's quality of life may be significantly improved by early diagnosis and treatment and the burden to the community reduced. This project also gives industrial partners the opportunity to develop new products to diagnose and monitor the disease.Read moreRead less
Analysing and modelling molecular rate variation among nuclear and mitochondrial genomes. My research will have important practical benefits for bioinformaticians and evolutionary biologists, because existing analytical methods will be rigorously tested and new tools will be developed. Australia has a comparatively high concentration of researchers in this field, so my research will foster domestic collaboration and import international expertise. The research will provide important insights int ....Analysing and modelling molecular rate variation among nuclear and mitochondrial genomes. My research will have important practical benefits for bioinformaticians and evolutionary biologists, because existing analytical methods will be rigorously tested and new tools will be developed. Australia has a comparatively high concentration of researchers in this field, so my research will foster domestic collaboration and import international expertise. The research will provide important insights into the rates and patterns of genetic changes associated with domestication, and into variation in evolutionary rates among the primate ancestors of humans. In addition to developing new software, which will be made publicly available, I will develop new evolutionary models to supplement existing software packages. Read moreRead less
Cellular response to pro-oxidative myoglobin. The heart is vulnerable to oxidative damage as specialised muscle cells termed myocytes are unable to regenerate. Oxidative damage to myocytes decreases cell viability and in turn heart muscle function. Pro-oxidative forms of the protein myoglobin are present in the heart and may play a role in damaging myocytes. This study will determine whether a series of novel synthetic antioxidants inhibit myoglobin-mediated damage to heart muscle and preserve f ....Cellular response to pro-oxidative myoglobin. The heart is vulnerable to oxidative damage as specialised muscle cells termed myocytes are unable to regenerate. Oxidative damage to myocytes decreases cell viability and in turn heart muscle function. Pro-oxidative forms of the protein myoglobin are present in the heart and may play a role in damaging myocytes. This study will determine whether a series of novel synthetic antioxidants inhibit myoglobin-mediated damage to heart muscle and preserve function. This may lead to new therapies to combat cardiovascular disease and enable ageing Australians to maintain productive and independent lifestyles.Read moreRead less
Characterization of the tammar wallaby MHC. We will be able to determine the immunological fitness of marsupial populations which will help us to conserve our native fauna and protect our eco-tourism industry.
We will work in the international arena of large scale genomics and bring new technologies to Australia.
Application of genome-wide transcriptional analysis to identifying genetic markers for industrial fermentation processes. This project aims to identify yeast genes involved in the response of commercial strains to stress, to determine their role in fermentation and the genetic pathways through which they operate. The ultimate goals are to determine the impact on fermentation activity of stress, and to develop predictive methods for assessing such conditions. This has significance since stress ....Application of genome-wide transcriptional analysis to identifying genetic markers for industrial fermentation processes. This project aims to identify yeast genes involved in the response of commercial strains to stress, to determine their role in fermentation and the genetic pathways through which they operate. The ultimate goals are to determine the impact on fermentation activity of stress, and to develop predictive methods for assessing such conditions. This has significance since stress during fermentation represents a significant commercial loss. The outcomes of this work will be a better understanding of how yeast responds to stress, and the identification of genes that can be used by the commercial partner to monitor and ensure fermentation efficiency.Read moreRead less
Northern connections-movement of birds between Australia and its near northern neighbours. This project will better enable Australia to meet its international treaty obligations on migratory birds and provide much needed data on patterns of migratory connectivity in northern Australia. These data are critical for the conservation and management of bird species that spend part of their life-cycle outside Australia. The outputs of the project will be used to assist decision makers with policy and ....Northern connections-movement of birds between Australia and its near northern neighbours. This project will better enable Australia to meet its international treaty obligations on migratory birds and provide much needed data on patterns of migratory connectivity in northern Australia. These data are critical for the conservation and management of bird species that spend part of their life-cycle outside Australia. The outputs of the project will be used to assist decision makers with policy and management decisions relevant to (1) targeted surveillance for exotic and emergent diseases of relevance to Australia and (2) the conservation and management of bird populations in Northern Australia.Read moreRead less
The major histocompatibility complex and scent-mediated mate choice in a Procellariiform, Gould's petrel. In Australia, there are 25 species of Procellariiformes listed as threatened or endangered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Formulating comprehensive conservation plans for endangered species requires a good understanding of the species' breeding biology yet virtually nothing is known about the mechanisms involved in mate choice in the procellariiforms ....The major histocompatibility complex and scent-mediated mate choice in a Procellariiform, Gould's petrel. In Australia, there are 25 species of Procellariiformes listed as threatened or endangered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Formulating comprehensive conservation plans for endangered species requires a good understanding of the species' breeding biology yet virtually nothing is known about the mechanisms involved in mate choice in the procellariiforms. A better understanding of the traits these long-lived birds use when choosing their lifelong breeding partner could greatly benefit conservation strategies designed to protect them. This could be particularly beneficial where translocation is an option because birds being translocated could be assessed for compatibility prior to translocation.Read moreRead less
Additive and non-additive genetic benefits of mating behaviour: a synthesis of sexual selection and conservation genetics. This research will forge a synthesis between the study of mating behaviour and it's consequences (sexual selection) and the field of conservation genetics. It will have direct relevance to conservation attempts, and far-reaching implications for how we understand sexual behaviour and the complex mating decisions animals and humans make. The work will enhance Australia's stro ....Additive and non-additive genetic benefits of mating behaviour: a synthesis of sexual selection and conservation genetics. This research will forge a synthesis between the study of mating behaviour and it's consequences (sexual selection) and the field of conservation genetics. It will have direct relevance to conservation attempts, and far-reaching implications for how we understand sexual behaviour and the complex mating decisions animals and humans make. The work will enhance Australia's strong research reputation in evolutionary genetics, sexual selection and conservation biology.Read moreRead less