Genotypes And Phenotypes Of Human Primary Non-congenital Antibody Deficiency
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$544,692.00
Summary
Antibodies represent a key component of the immune system, and a particularly important in defence against bacterial and viral infections. In some individuals, antibody production fails, rendering them more susceptible to infection. In most cases, the mechanism of antibody failure is unknown. This project seeks to determine the genetic and cellular mechanisms of antibody failure. This could improve diagnosis for immune deficiency, and improve our overall understanding of the immune system.
Environmental Influences In The Establishment Of The Epigenetic Landscape In Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$695,097.00
Summary
The DNA in each of our cells does not exist alone, it is packaged into complex structures called chromosomes, through association with many different proteins. The distribution of these proteins varies along the length of a chromosome depending on the type of cell and this phenomenon is called 'epigenetics', literally meaning 'above the DNA'. Epigenetic analysis is the study of how proteins and other molecules can change the activity of a gene without changing the DNA sequence. All of our cells ....The DNA in each of our cells does not exist alone, it is packaged into complex structures called chromosomes, through association with many different proteins. The distribution of these proteins varies along the length of a chromosome depending on the type of cell and this phenomenon is called 'epigenetics', literally meaning 'above the DNA'. Epigenetic analysis is the study of how proteins and other molecules can change the activity of a gene without changing the DNA sequence. All of our cells use epigenetic changes to help control how they grow and develop. Evidence suggests a direct link between diet and environmental influences on our epigenetic profile. Recent research has traced the origins of many of the health problems of adult life back to the earliest periods of development _ to the time spent in the womb and the first few years of life. If we are born with a low birth weight, we are more likely to get sick later in life. Overwhelming evidence exists that the environment in the womb is critical for a healthy birth weight (and health in later life) and it is thought that epigenetics may be the missing link between this environment, low birth weight, and therefore health in later life. In addition, mounting evidence supports a general link between epigenetic de-regulation and predisposition to disease. However, the timing and the overall contribution of environmental- genetic influences to the establishment of faulty epigenetic markings remain largely unknown. Twins are the best model to study this link as they share similar (but not identical environments) and some share identical genetic makeup. Using twins, Dr Jeffrey Craig and his team will investigate the factors in the prenatal environment that modify specific cells, leading to low birth weight and increase disease risk later in life. They predict that this occurs via specific changes in gene activity caused by epigenetic disruption.Read moreRead less
Defining Genetic And Epigenetic Variation During Early Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$996,075.00
Summary
We all began life with a set of genes inherited from our parents. However, it's now known that from the time we were in the womb onwards that genes can be turned off and on by the environment or even completely lost or gained. Even what your mother ate or how she behaved while she was pregnant could have influenced your future health. Because people are so different, we are studying the subtle differences between twins to tease out the factors that may influence our genes and our health.
Time- and Temperature-Dependence of the Fluid Transport Properties, Strength and Mechanical Behaviour of Crustal Faults - An Experimental and Modelling Study. High temperature rock deformation experiments will be performed in conjunction with high resolution, computer-aided x-ray microtomography to determine time-dependent and temperature-dependent effects on fluid transport properties, strength and mechanical behaviour during slip and interseismic healing of simulated fault rocks in hydrotherma ....Time- and Temperature-Dependence of the Fluid Transport Properties, Strength and Mechanical Behaviour of Crustal Faults - An Experimental and Modelling Study. High temperature rock deformation experiments will be performed in conjunction with high resolution, computer-aided x-ray microtomography to determine time-dependent and temperature-dependent effects on fluid transport properties, strength and mechanical behaviour during slip and interseismic healing of simulated fault rocks in hydrothermal environments. The results will be used with cellular automaton modelling approaches to develop a quantitative understanding of how coupling between fluid flow and rock deformation controls earthquake rupture and fluid migration in fault networks in the continental seismogenic regime. This work will provide new understanding of triggers for earthquake nucleation and controls on localisation of ore deposits.Read moreRead less
Platinum deposit genesis: A new way of thinking. Platinum is becoming increasingly crucial to the high technology sector, and is used particularly in catalytic converters and fuel cells, which serve to minimise or eliminate car exhaust pollution. Greatly expanded resources of this precious metal are needed to help society's transition to a low carbon dioxide (CO2) lifestyle. This project will combine high temperature-pressure experiments with geological field research to greatly improve our unde ....Platinum deposit genesis: A new way of thinking. Platinum is becoming increasingly crucial to the high technology sector, and is used particularly in catalytic converters and fuel cells, which serve to minimise or eliminate car exhaust pollution. Greatly expanded resources of this precious metal are needed to help society's transition to a low carbon dioxide (CO2) lifestyle. This project will combine high temperature-pressure experiments with geological field research to greatly improve our understanding of how platinum ore deposits form and thus where to find them. The outcomes of this project will change mineral exploration strategies in Australia and around the world, and facilitate our progression to a cleaner, greener future.Read moreRead less
The hydrothermal solubility of molybdenum: A LA-ICPMS study of synthetic and natural fluid inclusions. The solubility of molybdenum under magmatic-hydrothermal conditions is essentially unknown. This study will, for the first time, identify the fundamental controls on molybdenum solubility in porphyry systems. This information will provide geologists with basic information on the transport and deposition of this important ore metal. In an allied study, the ore metals; copper, gold and molybdenum ....The hydrothermal solubility of molybdenum: A LA-ICPMS study of synthetic and natural fluid inclusions. The solubility of molybdenum under magmatic-hydrothermal conditions is essentially unknown. This study will, for the first time, identify the fundamental controls on molybdenum solubility in porphyry systems. This information will provide geologists with basic information on the transport and deposition of this important ore metal. In an allied study, the ore metals; copper, gold and molybdenum, will be traced through the Kidston porphyry system, Queensland. This will clarify the processes that lead to ore deposition, which will ultimately allow geologists to more effectively explore for porphyry-type deposits, a major target for Australian mining companies in the Pacific region.Read moreRead less
Plate kinematics to plate dynamics: understanding plate boundary processes at the global scale. This proposal aims to create geodynamic models which can be used a basis for a new, smart resource exploration and extraction industry which uses simulation to help characterize regions where traditional geophysical imaging alone is not able to penetrate. It provides essential scientific underpinnings for
The Australian Computational Earth System Simulator Major National Research Facility (ACcESS).
Solidification, Channel Formation and Thermal Erosion In Lava Flows. This project will elucidate the complex dynamics that control the cooling rates and advance rates of lava flows. It will result in improved hazard assessments for volcanic areas around the world affected by the advance of lava flows, including many Pacific islands and most countries around the Pacific Rim. The project will also provide a quantitative understanding of thermal erosion in lava channels, which will help explain th ....Solidification, Channel Formation and Thermal Erosion In Lava Flows. This project will elucidate the complex dynamics that control the cooling rates and advance rates of lava flows. It will result in improved hazard assessments for volcanic areas around the world affected by the advance of lava flows, including many Pacific islands and most countries around the Pacific Rim. The project will also provide a quantitative understanding of thermal erosion in lava channels, which will help explain the formation and location of major ore deposits of nickel, copper and platinum in Western Australia and elsewhere around the world.Read moreRead less
NUMERICAL MODELS OF PLATE TECTONICS, MANTLE CONVECTION AND SLAB DYNAMICS WITH EVOLVING FAULTS. We plan to develop a method for simulating large-scale
geological structures with a much improved treatment
of tectonic faults in 3D.
Current computer models have sharp geological faults at plate
boundaries represented by broad, blurred zones. New techniques
for modeling cracks in engineering structures will be scaled up to
the whole Earth.
This will help us to understand how the Earth's p ....NUMERICAL MODELS OF PLATE TECTONICS, MANTLE CONVECTION AND SLAB DYNAMICS WITH EVOLVING FAULTS. We plan to develop a method for simulating large-scale
geological structures with a much improved treatment
of tectonic faults in 3D.
Current computer models have sharp geological faults at plate
boundaries represented by broad, blurred zones. New techniques
for modeling cracks in engineering structures will be scaled up to
the whole Earth.
This will help us to understand how the Earth's plates move and
interact now and in the past and how the structure of the continents
arose.
Not only is this intrinsically interesting, it
will also be of immediate practical benefit to geological modelers.Read moreRead less
The Fluid Dynamics of Lava Flows: Silicic Domes and Basaltic Channels. Lava flows surface much of the Earth, Moon and terrestrial planets. This interdisciplinary program will combine laboratory experiments, mathematical analysis, numerical modelling and field observations to elucidate the complex dynamics of lava flows, including the nonlinear coupling of flow with surface solidification and basal melting. The focus will be on lava dome instability, and flow in open channels and tubes. Expected ....The Fluid Dynamics of Lava Flows: Silicic Domes and Basaltic Channels. Lava flows surface much of the Earth, Moon and terrestrial planets. This interdisciplinary program will combine laboratory experiments, mathematical analysis, numerical modelling and field observations to elucidate the complex dynamics of lava flows, including the nonlinear coupling of flow with surface solidification and basal melting. The focus will be on lava dome instability, and flow in open channels and tubes. Expected outcomes include: the ability to predict rates of lava flow cooling and advance, indicators of hazardous lava dome collapse, improved volcanic hazard assessments, explanations of the genesis of world-class magmatic ore deposits, and new interpretations of planetary surface morphologies.Read moreRead less