eGenomics - Next generation biomonitoring of threatened species. DNA is the molecule of life and exists everywhere in the environment as a largely untapped source of information on evolution, biodiversity, and ecosystem health. Our overriding aim is to start mining that information to benefit threatened species. Based on optimized ancient DNA methods, powerful sequencing technology, whole genome analyses, and RNA profiling, we present a novel and holistic framework for genetic biomonitoring. In ....eGenomics - Next generation biomonitoring of threatened species. DNA is the molecule of life and exists everywhere in the environment as a largely untapped source of information on evolution, biodiversity, and ecosystem health. Our overriding aim is to start mining that information to benefit threatened species. Based on optimized ancient DNA methods, powerful sequencing technology, whole genome analyses, and RNA profiling, we present a novel and holistic framework for genetic biomonitoring. In two parallel model systems we will study corals and reptiles to improve environmental detection while simultaneously obtaining information on their population health. This will foster more efficient conservation of endangered species that are of tremendous importance to our marine and terrestrial ecosystems.Read moreRead less
Improving the efficiency of CRISPR gene editing in cells. Human red blood cells are well-characterised and the globin gene locus is a model system for the study of gene regulation. Gene editing technologies and delivery tools are evolving rapidly and the globin gene locus is the perfect model for gene editing optimisation. This collaboration between UNSW Sydney and CSL aims to bring together our combined expertise and new technologies to develop an optimal platform for genetic modification in a ....Improving the efficiency of CRISPR gene editing in cells. Human red blood cells are well-characterised and the globin gene locus is a model system for the study of gene regulation. Gene editing technologies and delivery tools are evolving rapidly and the globin gene locus is the perfect model for gene editing optimisation. This collaboration between UNSW Sydney and CSL aims to bring together our combined expertise and new technologies to develop an optimal platform for genetic modification in a red blood cell line. Simultaneously, this project aims to generate fundamental insights into mechanisms of human gene regulation. The technological and biological outcomes of this project will be of benefit for future gene editing applications.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210101669
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$430,485.00
Summary
Polycomb Group Proteins - Shaping Chromatin Architecture to Silence Genes . This project aims to address the fundamental question of how genes are switched off by studying a group of molecular off-switches, the polycomb group proteins. The project is expected to generate new knowledge in the area of gene regulation and epigenetics by combining innovative methods of structural biology and cell biology in an interdisciplinary way. The expected outcomes include a more complete picture of the molecu ....Polycomb Group Proteins - Shaping Chromatin Architecture to Silence Genes . This project aims to address the fundamental question of how genes are switched off by studying a group of molecular off-switches, the polycomb group proteins. The project is expected to generate new knowledge in the area of gene regulation and epigenetics by combining innovative methods of structural biology and cell biology in an interdisciplinary way. The expected outcomes include a more complete picture of the molecular mechanisms that regulate gene expression and the development of novel methods to image the genome. This should provide significant benefits, such as facilitated development of gene editing tools and regulatory circuits for synthetic biology, as well as novel capabilities to image the genome at high resolution Read moreRead less
Engineering improved and multifunctional gene editing systems. Advances in genome editing have enabled the targeted modulation of gene expression in cells and provided new tools for biotechnology. This project will combine computational design and genetic selection to deliver the next generation of precision gene editing tools. These new technologies can be used for modification of genes in any cellular compartment and will be useful for understanding and improving energy metabolism. Increased c ....Engineering improved and multifunctional gene editing systems. Advances in genome editing have enabled the targeted modulation of gene expression in cells and provided new tools for biotechnology. This project will combine computational design and genetic selection to deliver the next generation of precision gene editing tools. These new technologies can be used for modification of genes in any cellular compartment and will be useful for understanding and improving energy metabolism. Increased cellular energy production can be harnessed to make valuable biological products, with unprecedented efficiency.Read moreRead less
The roles and regulators of new plant cells linked to root transport. Plant genomics has moved to the single cell resolution, allowing precise investigations of previously hidden cell types and cell states that respond to environmental stress and that vary among differentially adapted plant populations. Here, we will extend our pioneering efforts that have mapped and discovered novel root cell types, to determine their salt and nutrient stress responses, and to elegantly dissect the underling ca ....The roles and regulators of new plant cells linked to root transport. Plant genomics has moved to the single cell resolution, allowing precise investigations of previously hidden cell types and cell states that respond to environmental stress and that vary among differentially adapted plant populations. Here, we will extend our pioneering efforts that have mapped and discovered novel root cell types, to determine their salt and nutrient stress responses, and to elegantly dissect the underling causal genetic variation. The unique cell markers and regulatory networks will be validated with tissue specific and transgenic tools that can work across a host of plant species to reveal adaptive cellular responses to harsh environmental conditions.Read moreRead less
Fine-scale resolution of genomes in natural microbial communities. This project aims to develop advanced molecular and statistical techniques to precisely resolve the genomes of microbes in the environment. Microbes inhabit every niche on the planet and are fundamental to human and animal health, agriculture, and the environment. The proposed technology will advance our understanding of environmental microbes, leading to advances in areas like climate science and biosecurity where microbes play ....Fine-scale resolution of genomes in natural microbial communities. This project aims to develop advanced molecular and statistical techniques to precisely resolve the genomes of microbes in the environment. Microbes inhabit every niche on the planet and are fundamental to human and animal health, agriculture, and the environment. The proposed technology will advance our understanding of environmental microbes, leading to advances in areas like climate science and biosecurity where microbes play a key role. It will also support the development of billion dollar industries focused on the use of beneficial microbes in agriculture, plant, animal, and human health.Read moreRead less
Fisheries genomics of snapper in Australia and New Zealand Waters. This industry-driven project aims to assemble a strategic research alliance to generate and apply knowledge to a highly significant fisheries resource. It involves collaboration between the five major state government fisheries agencies in Australia, the New Zealand’s Crown Research Institute for seafood and two Australian labs with leadership in fish genetics and genomics. It expects to generate and integrate genomic, environmen ....Fisheries genomics of snapper in Australia and New Zealand Waters. This industry-driven project aims to assemble a strategic research alliance to generate and apply knowledge to a highly significant fisheries resource. It involves collaboration between the five major state government fisheries agencies in Australia, the New Zealand’s Crown Research Institute for seafood and two Australian labs with leadership in fish genetics and genomics. It expects to generate and integrate genomic, environmental and phenotypic datasets for snapper populations from across vast coastal regions of the two countries. The outcomes should substantially enhance intra- and inter-jurisdictional fisheries management and aquaculture initiatives, providing commercial, social and environmental benefits for many stakeholders.Read moreRead less
Genomics and evolution of symbiont transmission in coral reefs. This project aims to understand more deeply the symbiosis between coral and the alga Symbiodinium that underpins the primary productivity, biodiversity and economic impacts of Australia's iconic Great Barrier Reef. Reef-building corals are sustained by symbiosis between the coral and the alga Symbiodinium, and breakdown of symbiosis under environmental stress leads to coral bleaching and death. This project aims to understand how ge ....Genomics and evolution of symbiont transmission in coral reefs. This project aims to understand more deeply the symbiosis between coral and the alga Symbiodinium that underpins the primary productivity, biodiversity and economic impacts of Australia's iconic Great Barrier Reef. Reef-building corals are sustained by symbiosis between the coral and the alga Symbiodinium, and breakdown of symbiosis under environmental stress leads to coral bleaching and death. This project aims to understand how genomes of differently acquired Symbiodinium have evolved to support symbiosis with corals, through sequencing of algal genomes of Symbiodinium. This knowledge will improve the precision in predicting change to inform decision-making strategies in the conservation and restoration of coral reefs.Read moreRead less
The evolutionary potential of fragmented and declining populations. This project aims to integrate adaptive genomic and epigenomic information from wild, captive and reintroduced populations to identify evolutionary potential across different life-histories and levels of habitat fragmentation. The project will capitalise on knowledge and genomic resources for Australian freshwater fishes, including a natural experiment of evolution. It is expected that the project will address fundamental and ap ....The evolutionary potential of fragmented and declining populations. This project aims to integrate adaptive genomic and epigenomic information from wild, captive and reintroduced populations to identify evolutionary potential across different life-histories and levels of habitat fragmentation. The project will capitalise on knowledge and genomic resources for Australian freshwater fishes, including a natural experiment of evolution. It is expected that the project will address fundamental and applied questions about the adaptive capacity of populations in their natural environment. The outcomes of the project will help evaluate and improve local and ecosystem-level initiatives towards the sustainable management of aquatic biodiversity impacted by human activities. The project will also inform on management of water resources in the Murray-Darling Basin.Read moreRead less
Investigating differences in decision-making ability in older adults. This project aims to investigate how healthy ageing impacts decision making and its associated neural circuits using computation modelling and neurogenetic methods. Decision-making is a fundamental cognitive ability, allowing us to choose the best course of action. This project will investigate the relationship between genes and decision-making performance across the adult lifespan. Expected outcomes include a deeper understan ....Investigating differences in decision-making ability in older adults. This project aims to investigate how healthy ageing impacts decision making and its associated neural circuits using computation modelling and neurogenetic methods. Decision-making is a fundamental cognitive ability, allowing us to choose the best course of action. This project will investigate the relationship between genes and decision-making performance across the adult lifespan. Expected outcomes include a deeper understanding of how decision-making evolves in healthy ageing, and a tool based on genetic scores and computational modelling to predict an individual's trajectory of cognitive function. This could help identify individuals who are at risk for cognitive decline, which could then inform better interventions.Read moreRead less