Testing the costs and benefits of gene flow. The mixing of individuals from different populations has traditionally been viewed as beneficial because it maintains genetic variation and offsets the deleterious effects of inbreeding. However, this practice can also have detrimental effects on the fitness of populations. In this project field and laboratory experiments will test whether the benefits gained by mixing of individuals from different populations outweigh the costs or vice versa. In add ....Testing the costs and benefits of gene flow. The mixing of individuals from different populations has traditionally been viewed as beneficial because it maintains genetic variation and offsets the deleterious effects of inbreeding. However, this practice can also have detrimental effects on the fitness of populations. In this project field and laboratory experiments will test whether the benefits gained by mixing of individuals from different populations outweigh the costs or vice versa. In addition to providing information essential for the management of endangered species, the results will provide valuable insights on the processes that determine species' ranges and how new species evolve.Read moreRead less
Unravelling the relationship between growth and wood properties in temperate eucalypts. The most important biological traits affecting profit in eucalypt plantations grown for pulpwood are growth, wood density and pulp yield. Shrinkage and collapse are important for timber production. Little information is available on the size and direction of the correlations between these traits, yet they are important in determining selection response in breeding as well as environmental impacts on pulp and ....Unravelling the relationship between growth and wood properties in temperate eucalypts. The most important biological traits affecting profit in eucalypt plantations grown for pulpwood are growth, wood density and pulp yield. Shrinkage and collapse are important for timber production. Little information is available on the size and direction of the correlations between these traits, yet they are important in determining selection response in breeding as well as environmental impacts on pulp and sawlog yield. The collaborating growers and breeders have brought together a unique base of Eucalyptus globulus and E. nitens field trials that will allow an integrated quantitative and molecular genetic study of the interrelationships amongst these key profit traits.Read moreRead less
How sexually antagonistic genes and sexual selection influence the evolution of the Y chromosome. Sexually antagonistic genes are beneficial to members of one sex, but costly to the other. They are of significance both to the coevolution between the sexes and the evolution of the sex chromosomes. We will measure the sexually antagonistic effects of genes that make male guppies sexually attractive. We will then study how these genes, and the process of sexual selection that favours them influence ....How sexually antagonistic genes and sexual selection influence the evolution of the Y chromosome. Sexually antagonistic genes are beneficial to members of one sex, but costly to the other. They are of significance both to the coevolution between the sexes and the evolution of the sex chromosomes. We will measure the sexually antagonistic effects of genes that make male guppies sexually attractive. We will then study how these genes, and the process of sexual selection that favours them influence the process of recombination between the X and Y chromosomes.Read moreRead less
Unraveling the genetic networks of cancer development. Cancer causes nearly 30% of all deaths in Australia and the aging of our population means that its incidence will increase for the foreseeable future. The past two decades of cancer research have yielded great advances in identifying the genetic mutations that contribute to cancer, but our understanding of how these mutations cooperate to transform a healthy cell into a tumour cell remains limited. High-throughput genomic analysis of DNA fro ....Unraveling the genetic networks of cancer development. Cancer causes nearly 30% of all deaths in Australia and the aging of our population means that its incidence will increase for the foreseeable future. The past two decades of cancer research have yielded great advances in identifying the genetic mutations that contribute to cancer, but our understanding of how these mutations cooperate to transform a healthy cell into a tumour cell remains limited. High-throughput genomic analysis of DNA from large numbers of tumours is essential to identify and understand the combinations of cancer mutations that are most deadly. Such studies can form the basis for developing better diagnostics and new treatments for patients whose tumours are resistant to current therapies.Read moreRead less
The Geometry of Genetic Limits to Evolutionary Change. Genetic limits to evolutionary change are a fundamental issue for plant and animal improvement, as well as understanding how natural populations may respond to human-induced changes such as habitat degradation and climate change. Because we still know very little about how genetic variation is distributed among the multiple traits that are likely to respond to selection in such circumstances, we have no way of directly measuring the evoluti ....The Geometry of Genetic Limits to Evolutionary Change. Genetic limits to evolutionary change are a fundamental issue for plant and animal improvement, as well as understanding how natural populations may respond to human-induced changes such as habitat degradation and climate change. Because we still know very little about how genetic variation is distributed among the multiple traits that are likely to respond to selection in such circumstances, we have no way of directly measuring the evolutionary potential of any natural population. In this proposal, we develop the theory, statistical tools, and experimental designs to investigate the nature and prevalence of these multivariate genetic constraints.Read moreRead less
Breaking selective constraints: is Hsp90 a capacitor of evolutionary change? Gene action and expression can be modulated by genetic mechanisms. If a general mechanism controlling gene expression exists that can be easily manipulated it has the potential to allow animal and plant breeders to quickly produce and select for new characters of agricultural importance without relying on transgenics and long-term breeding programs. It would also assist in the development of tools for identifying and de ....Breaking selective constraints: is Hsp90 a capacitor of evolutionary change? Gene action and expression can be modulated by genetic mechanisms. If a general mechanism controlling gene expression exists that can be easily manipulated it has the potential to allow animal and plant breeders to quickly produce and select for new characters of agricultural importance without relying on transgenics and long-term breeding programs. It would also assist in the development of tools for identifying and detecting genes that increase susceptibility to human diseases, such as cancer, that are only expressed under certain conditions environmental. I intend to determine whether the protein Hsp90 represents a general mechanism controlling gene expression. Read moreRead less
Adaptive evolution of mutual mate preferences in nature. Working at the interface of evolution, genetics and the environment, our research combines top scientists from Australia and abroad to seek a comprehensive understanding of the origins of biodiversity, and the evolution of new species. Such knowledge is essential if we wish to predict, and hopefully minimise, the loss of biodiversity through human-mediated environmental change. Using a native Australian insect, we are investigating the evo ....Adaptive evolution of mutual mate preferences in nature. Working at the interface of evolution, genetics and the environment, our research combines top scientists from Australia and abroad to seek a comprehensive understanding of the origins of biodiversity, and the evolution of new species. Such knowledge is essential if we wish to predict, and hopefully minimise, the loss of biodiversity through human-mediated environmental change. Using a native Australian insect, we are investigating the evolutionary consequences of the choice individuals make when selecting a mate. In addition to its role in the origin and maintenance of biodiversity, these choices can have fundamental effects on adaptation to changing environments and the long-term persistence of endangered populations.Read moreRead less
Mapping Speciation Genes. Although Darwin's seminal work was entitled "On the Origin of Species", how new species arise is still poorly understood. Modern genetic techniques and quantitative trait loci analysis (QTLs) potentially allow the characterization of the genetic basis of traits directly involved in the speciation process. I intend to conduct two complementary QTL analyses of reproductive isolation in the Drosophila serrata complex. The first will determine the genetic basis of reproduc ....Mapping Speciation Genes. Although Darwin's seminal work was entitled "On the Origin of Species", how new species arise is still poorly understood. Modern genetic techniques and quantitative trait loci analysis (QTLs) potentially allow the characterization of the genetic basis of traits directly involved in the speciation process. I intend to conduct two complementary QTL analyses of reproductive isolation in the Drosophila serrata complex. The first will determine the genetic basis of reproductive isolation between D. serrata and D. birchii, while the second will determine if the same loci are currently under natural selection in D. serrata populations that are sympatric with D. birchii.Read moreRead less
Natural Selection on Mate Recognition in Field Populations of Drosophila serrata. Natural selection on mate recognition is thought to play an important role in the process of speciation. Stronger mating discrimination between closely related species in areas where their distributions overlap, referred to as reproductive character displacement, suggests that mate recognition has been reinforced by natural selection. Drosophila serrata displays reproductive character displacement in areas where ....Natural Selection on Mate Recognition in Field Populations of Drosophila serrata. Natural selection on mate recognition is thought to play an important role in the process of speciation. Stronger mating discrimination between closely related species in areas where their distributions overlap, referred to as reproductive character displacement, suggests that mate recognition has been reinforced by natural selection. Drosophila serrata displays reproductive character displacement in areas where it occurs alongside the congener D. birchii. Using a combination of molecular and quantitative genetic techniques I will investigate how reproductive character displacement has evolved in natural populations of D. serrata. Specifically, the role that natural selection has played in generating this pattern will be evaluated.Read moreRead less
Identification of genetic polymorphisms of synaptically expressed genes that contribute to variation in normal brain function. This project focuses on understanding brain functions. Brain and mind disorders are by far the largest contributors to the burden of disability, far exceeding any other disorder. This research will contribute to knowledge through addressing the national research priority promoting and maintaining good health. The research outcomes will form the scientific knowledge base ....Identification of genetic polymorphisms of synaptically expressed genes that contribute to variation in normal brain function. This project focuses on understanding brain functions. Brain and mind disorders are by far the largest contributors to the burden of disability, far exceeding any other disorder. This research will contribute to knowledge through addressing the national research priority promoting and maintaining good health. The research outcomes will form the scientific knowledge base essential for the translation of the project into public benefit through their application in development of new testing paradigms for a range of brain and mind disorders. Read moreRead less