Plasticity in placental vasculature and the evolution of viviparity in lizards. This cross-disciplinary research will provide thorough understanding of the reproductive physiology of animals with different forms of reproduction, information critical for conservation and management of Australia's biodiversity. Australia's unique reptiles provide the best animal system in the world for research in this area. Our research on maternal-embryonic interactions in this animal model has direct implicatio ....Plasticity in placental vasculature and the evolution of viviparity in lizards. This cross-disciplinary research will provide thorough understanding of the reproductive physiology of animals with different forms of reproduction, information critical for conservation and management of Australia's biodiversity. Australia's unique reptiles provide the best animal system in the world for research in this area. Our research on maternal-embryonic interactions in this animal model has direct implications for understanding some medical disorders, such as human angiogenic disorders. The research will strengthen ties internationally through research in South Africa, and provide training in combined biological and medical technologies. It will maintain Australia's long-term leadership in this area of research.Read moreRead less
Targeted analysis of the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis phenome in a model host, tomato. We will capitalise on our previous discovery of novel phenotypic variation in arbuscular mycorrhizas in mutant and wild-type tomato, to explore development and function of the symbiosis at the molecular-genetic level. We will clone and sequence the gene responsible for mycorrhiza-defective phenotypes to provide inferences on function and relations with other genes. We will determine if plant defence blocks ....Targeted analysis of the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis phenome in a model host, tomato. We will capitalise on our previous discovery of novel phenotypic variation in arbuscular mycorrhizas in mutant and wild-type tomato, to explore development and function of the symbiosis at the molecular-genetic level. We will clone and sequence the gene responsible for mycorrhiza-defective phenotypes to provide inferences on function and relations with other genes. We will determine if plant defence blocks fungal colonisation in the mutant and/or varies with different wild-type phenotypes and explore molecular mechanisms of nutrient transfer from fungus to plant in relation to phenotypic diversity. The project will provide new insights into genome/phenome interactions controlling this widespread beneficial symbiosis.Read moreRead less
Early evolutionary origins of mechanosensory transduction: structure, function and phylogenetic studies of the family of mechanosensitive channels in cell-walled organisms. The proposed project is based on the recent progress the applicants have made by (i) identifying a novel family of mechanosensitive (MS) channels in cell-walled organisms, which include Archaea and Bacteria (prokaryotes), as well as fungi and plants (eukaryotes), and (ii) determining basic aspects of the structural dynamics ....Early evolutionary origins of mechanosensory transduction: structure, function and phylogenetic studies of the family of mechanosensitive channels in cell-walled organisms. The proposed project is based on the recent progress the applicants have made by (i) identifying a novel family of mechanosensitive (MS) channels in cell-walled organisms, which include Archaea and Bacteria (prokaryotes), as well as fungi and plants (eukaryotes), and (ii) determining basic aspects of the structural dynamics of MscL, the prototype MS channel, using electronparamagnetic resonance spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations in combination with the patch clamp technique. The aim of the project is to elucidate the molecular principles underlying the function of MS channels, which is of fundamental importance for understanding of the biophysics and physiology of mechanosensory transduction throughout the biological world.Read moreRead less
Force from lipids: the role of the lipid bilayer in mechanosensory transduction. The proposed research will significantly contribute to a better understanding of the wide range of physiological processes underlying mechanosensory transduction in living cells. The direct benefit for Australian science consists of: (i) strengthening international links with leading overseas laboratories, and (ii) accessing the state-of-the-art expertise not available in Australia. The acquired knowledge will aid i ....Force from lipids: the role of the lipid bilayer in mechanosensory transduction. The proposed research will significantly contribute to a better understanding of the wide range of physiological processes underlying mechanosensory transduction in living cells. The direct benefit for Australian science consists of: (i) strengthening international links with leading overseas laboratories, and (ii) accessing the state-of-the-art expertise not available in Australia. The acquired knowledge will aid in developing and designing artificial tactile sensors inspired by their biological models studied in this project. Long-term, the project is expected to make an original contribution towards developing new technologies and novel medical applications, both of which promise to be of great national benefit.Read moreRead less
Evolution of viviparity in reptiles: the fundamental role of junctional complexes. This project utilises unique Australian reptile fauna to understand global questions in fundamental biology. We will discover basic biological information on native species, which will be important in future conservation of Australian ecosystems and animals and ultimately in helping to maintain Australia's biodiversity. The project also provides training opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students in ....Evolution of viviparity in reptiles: the fundamental role of junctional complexes. This project utilises unique Australian reptile fauna to understand global questions in fundamental biology. We will discover basic biological information on native species, which will be important in future conservation of Australian ecosystems and animals and ultimately in helping to maintain Australia's biodiversity. The project also provides training opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students in several different research methods that are widely applicable in the more general Australian workforce. Because the research work is genuinely cross-disciplinary research, its findings are applicable to both biological and medically oriented technologies.Read moreRead less
Uterodomes and the evolution of viviparity. We will test the hypothesis that uterodomes, which are cell structures unique to the early pregnant uterus in mammals, and the cellular changes accompanying their development, are essential to the evolution of viviparity in amniotes. The proposal stems from our recent discovery that uterodomes develop in the uteri of viviparous lizards as well as in mammals, suggesting key commonalities at the cellular level in the evolution of live birth across amnio ....Uterodomes and the evolution of viviparity. We will test the hypothesis that uterodomes, which are cell structures unique to the early pregnant uterus in mammals, and the cellular changes accompanying their development, are essential to the evolution of viviparity in amniotes. The proposal stems from our recent discovery that uterodomes develop in the uteri of viviparous lizards as well as in mammals, suggesting key commonalities at the cellular level in the evolution of live birth across amniote vertebrates. We will take advantage of the unique combination of placental types among Australian lizards, including a species with both oviparous and viviparous populations.Read moreRead less
Gating, specificity and regulation of the YggB channel protein from Corynebacterium glutamicum. The proposed research will greatly contribute to our understanding of the functioning of a bacterial membrane channel/transporter, which has played a significant role in biotechnology of commercially important amino acids. A direct national benefit will result from establishing collaboration with a leading German laboratory providing expertise in protein biochemistry and molecular microbiology not ava ....Gating, specificity and regulation of the YggB channel protein from Corynebacterium glutamicum. The proposed research will greatly contribute to our understanding of the functioning of a bacterial membrane channel/transporter, which has played a significant role in biotechnology of commercially important amino acids. A direct national benefit will result from establishing collaboration with a leading German laboratory providing expertise in protein biochemistry and molecular microbiology not available in Australia. The acquired knowledge will present an original contribution which will have a strong impact on a very competitive field of molecular microbiology and biotechnology.Read moreRead less
DNA Dynamics is Shear and Extensional Flows: Simulation and Single Molecule Experiments. The proposal seeks to establish a collaboration between Monash University and Stanford University in order to combine several recent experimental and theoretical advances that have been made by the individual groups in single molecule experimental techniques, extensional rheometry, and molecular rheology, to obtain new insights into the structure and dynamics of biopolymers. The central aim is to make a sign ....DNA Dynamics is Shear and Extensional Flows: Simulation and Single Molecule Experiments. The proposal seeks to establish a collaboration between Monash University and Stanford University in order to combine several recent experimental and theoretical advances that have been made by the individual groups in single molecule experimental techniques, extensional rheometry, and molecular rheology, to obtain new insights into the structure and dynamics of biopolymers. The central aim is to make a significant contribution towards bringing state-of-the-art techniques used for the characterization of polymeric systems to bear on the nature and origin of the elastic properties of biopolymers.Read moreRead less
The flow properties of proteins and other biopolymers. The living cell is an extraordinary organization with a vast variety of biomacromolecules carrying out myriads of functions with great specificity and accuracy. The key issue in cell biology is to unravel the structures of biopolymers and the deep connection that exists between structure and function. This interdisciplinary research program combines recent advances in experimental and theoretical rheology, with advances in protein science, t ....The flow properties of proteins and other biopolymers. The living cell is an extraordinary organization with a vast variety of biomacromolecules carrying out myriads of functions with great specificity and accuracy. The key issue in cell biology is to unravel the structures of biopolymers and the deep connection that exists between structure and function. This interdisciplinary research program combines recent advances in experimental and theoretical rheology, with advances in protein science, to investigate the response of biopolymers to deformation. This approach will lead to insights into the problem of protein folding, the interaction of biopolymers with surfaces, and the physical basis for the mechanical properties of biopolymers.Read moreRead less
The enigma of arrival: Movements of the mimosa bush and the baobab across the Indian Ocean into pre-British Australia. This project will provide new insights into northern Australia's historical place in Indian Ocean networks of trade, cultural, and biological exchanges. By seeking to solve the enigmas of arrival of the mimosa bush and baobab our project will create new knowledge about the pre-British environmental history of Australia. Its integrative approach will generate significant public ....The enigma of arrival: Movements of the mimosa bush and the baobab across the Indian Ocean into pre-British Australia. This project will provide new insights into northern Australia's historical place in Indian Ocean networks of trade, cultural, and biological exchanges. By seeking to solve the enigmas of arrival of the mimosa bush and baobab our project will create new knowledge about the pre-British environmental history of Australia. Its integrative approach will generate significant public interest and richer discussion on the question of native versus introduced plants, helping environmental practitioners make informed decisions about alien plants and develop a more balanced perspective on biodiversity management. Finally, it will increase international collaboration across the Indian Ocean and train two postgraduate students. Read moreRead less