The Immunoregulatory Role of the Endogenous Cannabinoid Anandamide. Anandamides are naturally occurring fatty acids that act at the cannabinoid receptor expressed in the brain and periphery. A new proposal by our research group challenges traditional models of the disease process by suggesting that the anandamide system is an important imunoregulatory system that can be targeted by invading pathogens. We propose that disruption to the anandamide system, by bacteria or viruses acting at the rece ....The Immunoregulatory Role of the Endogenous Cannabinoid Anandamide. Anandamides are naturally occurring fatty acids that act at the cannabinoid receptor expressed in the brain and periphery. A new proposal by our research group challenges traditional models of the disease process by suggesting that the anandamide system is an important imunoregulatory system that can be targeted by invading pathogens. We propose that disruption to the anandamide system, by bacteria or viruses acting at the receptor to block immunological responses, contributes to chronic illness states. At this point we have good evidence that anandamides are immunoregulators, however, we have very little knowledge of their precise physiological role. The aim of this research is to begin to characterise the immunoregulatory role of the anandamide system. This project will provide a comprehensive understanding of this endogenous control system, the immunological properties of which have not previously been described. The outcome of this research may lead to the identification of new avenues for the development of pharmaceutical interventions that can target this system.Read moreRead less
The role of natural selection in macroevolution: a case study examining convergence of form and function in marine predator guilds. Darwin's theory of evolution natural selection is one of the most successful in the history of science and provides the framework for modern biology: however, areas of debate or uncertainty are often misinterpreted by non-scientists as indication of fundamental flaws in the theory. New 'hi-tech' tools provide the opportunity to re-examine these areas, and also to de ....The role of natural selection in macroevolution: a case study examining convergence of form and function in marine predator guilds. Darwin's theory of evolution natural selection is one of the most successful in the history of science and provides the framework for modern biology: however, areas of debate or uncertainty are often misinterpreted by non-scientists as indication of fundamental flaws in the theory. New 'hi-tech' tools provide the opportunity to re-examine these areas, and also to demonstrate the process of science to the public. The new tool is Computational Biomechanics, the future of studying biological form, and this project will further develop the leading role of Australian research in this technology which has applications for palaeontology, environmental management, medical science, and the next generation of engineering using 'biomaterials'.Read moreRead less
Evolution of sound localisation in vertebrates: head size, sound frequency and neural phase-locking. Hearing is our most important sense for interpersonal communication, yet we have a fragmentary understanding of the basic mechanisms involved in normal hearing. This project addresses the question of how sound location is represented in the brain through the processing of minute time difference with which sounds reach the two ears. The outcome will ultimately enable us to infer how the human brai ....Evolution of sound localisation in vertebrates: head size, sound frequency and neural phase-locking. Hearing is our most important sense for interpersonal communication, yet we have a fragmentary understanding of the basic mechanisms involved in normal hearing. This project addresses the question of how sound location is represented in the brain through the processing of minute time difference with which sounds reach the two ears. The outcome will ultimately enable us to infer how the human brain localises sound, with practical applications for improved virtual auditory realities and hearing aids.Read moreRead less
Visual processing in a unique modular system - how can a simple cognitive architecture be used to solve complex visual tasks? The proposed interdisciplinary study of the visual system of jumping spiders will provide novel insights into how a simple cognitive architecture can be used to solve complex visual tasks. This will be the first comprehensive study of motion sensitivity in a spider. The insights obtained will be important for the development of artificial intelligence systems. We will pro ....Visual processing in a unique modular system - how can a simple cognitive architecture be used to solve complex visual tasks? The proposed interdisciplinary study of the visual system of jumping spiders will provide novel insights into how a simple cognitive architecture can be used to solve complex visual tasks. This will be the first comprehensive study of motion sensitivity in a spider. The insights obtained will be important for the development of artificial intelligence systems. We will provide a stimulating environment to train a postdoctoral fellow with state-of-art skills ranging from single-cell neurophysiology through to using 3D animation for sophisticated behavioural assays. The proposed work is a hot topic and will attract considerable attention, raise the profile of Australian science, and support postgraduate students. Read moreRead less
Novel Chlorophylls and New Directions in Photosynthesis. Understanding how solar energy is used in photosynthesis is of global importance and will contribute to cutting-edge photosynthetic research by Australian scientists. We aim to discover how and why the key photosynthetic pigments, chlorophylls, are synthesised and used; this will provide new opportunities for breakthroughs in frontier technologies, such as photoelectric cells based on carbon rather than silicon. We aim to understand how no ....Novel Chlorophylls and New Directions in Photosynthesis. Understanding how solar energy is used in photosynthesis is of global importance and will contribute to cutting-edge photosynthetic research by Australian scientists. We aim to discover how and why the key photosynthetic pigments, chlorophylls, are synthesised and used; this will provide new opportunities for breakthroughs in frontier technologies, such as photoelectric cells based on carbon rather than silicon. We aim to understand how novel chlorophylls are used in a variety of important organisms in a range of ecological niches. The results will aid understanding of the effects of global climate change on coral reefs, in open-ocean systems and in other important biological communities.Read moreRead less
Molecular mechanisms of spectral extension in photosynthesis: the substitution and formation of the novel pigment chlorophyll d. This project builds on new discoveries of novel chlorophylls and how their spectral properties are fine-tuned in photosynthetic bacteria. We will focus on how key photopigments, the chlorophylls, are biosynthesised, including their enzyme structures, mechanisms and regulatory elements. Understanding the power of natural selection on spectral extension in photosynthesis ....Molecular mechanisms of spectral extension in photosynthesis: the substitution and formation of the novel pigment chlorophyll d. This project builds on new discoveries of novel chlorophylls and how their spectral properties are fine-tuned in photosynthetic bacteria. We will focus on how key photopigments, the chlorophylls, are biosynthesised, including their enzyme structures, mechanisms and regulatory elements. Understanding the power of natural selection on spectral extension in photosynthesis will shed light on the evolutionary development of photopigments, and will allow us explore the possibilities for the production of new pigments in solar energy research.Read moreRead less
A molecular structure-function investigation of major membrane channels involved in olfactory transduction. Olfactory receptor neurons are extraordinarily-sensitive sensors for detecting minute concentrations of odorant molecules. This project aims to extend our previous studies of these specialised mammalian olfactory cells by using state-of-the art technologies: electrophysiology (patch-clamp) and molecular biology (site-directed-mutagenesis), to investigate how the molecular structure of the ....A molecular structure-function investigation of major membrane channels involved in olfactory transduction. Olfactory receptor neurons are extraordinarily-sensitive sensors for detecting minute concentrations of odorant molecules. This project aims to extend our previous studies of these specialised mammalian olfactory cells by using state-of-the art technologies: electrophysiology (patch-clamp) and molecular biology (site-directed-mutagenesis), to investigate how the molecular structure of their ion channels (selective protein pores) and receptors contribute to the odorant-induced generation of electrical activity, which mediates our sense of smell (olfaction). The project has specific relevance for understanding olfaction, as well as relevance for other sensory systems and other ion channels.Read moreRead less
Form, Function and Fitness: Multidisciplinary Evolutionary Biology Using Lizards as Models. What explains variation in reproductive success and its evolutionary consequences, within and among populations and species? Addressing this fundamental question in evolutionary biology requires a multidisciplinary approach, integrating ecology, genetics, behaviour and biochemistry. Using lizards as models, I will test (i) the degree to which variation in male signals reflects differences in immunogenotyp ....Form, Function and Fitness: Multidisciplinary Evolutionary Biology Using Lizards as Models. What explains variation in reproductive success and its evolutionary consequences, within and among populations and species? Addressing this fundamental question in evolutionary biology requires a multidisciplinary approach, integrating ecology, genetics, behaviour and biochemistry. Using lizards as models, I will test (i) the degree to which variation in male signals reflects differences in immunogenotype and stress tolerance, (ii) the degree to which paternity is determined by male genes, or male-female genetic similarity, (iii) whether offspring survival depends mostly on genes or on maternal investments, and (iv) how the relative importance of these factors vary among populations and species.Read moreRead less
Central Muscarinic Receptors as Novel Drug Targets for Parkinson's Disease and Schizophrenia. Psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders such as schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease are linked to alterations in the activity of neurons in the brain containing the chemical dopamine. Other types of brain neurons containing the chemical acetylcholine regulate dopamine neuron activity by acting on acetylcholine receptors located on dopamine neurons. We aim to determine how these important recepto ....Central Muscarinic Receptors as Novel Drug Targets for Parkinson's Disease and Schizophrenia. Psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders such as schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease are linked to alterations in the activity of neurons in the brain containing the chemical dopamine. Other types of brain neurons containing the chemical acetylcholine regulate dopamine neuron activity by acting on acetylcholine receptors located on dopamine neurons. We aim to determine how these important receptors regulate dopamine neuron activity using genetically modified mice deficient in acetylcholine receptors, together with newly developed physiological methods and new acetylcholine receptor drugs. These studies will foster the design of novel acetylcholine receptor drugs as effective pharmaceutical treatments of neurological and psychiatric disorders related to brain dopamine dysfunction.Read moreRead less
Muscarinic Receptor Regulation of Dopamine Reward Pathways in the Brain. Human disorders such as schizophrenia and drug addiction are linked to alterations in the activity of neurons in the brain containing the chemical dopamine. Other types of brain neurons containing the chemical acetylcholine regulate the activity of dopamine neurons by acting on acetylcholine receptors located on dopamine neurons. We aim to examine how dopamine neuron activity is regulated by these receptors using newly de ....Muscarinic Receptor Regulation of Dopamine Reward Pathways in the Brain. Human disorders such as schizophrenia and drug addiction are linked to alterations in the activity of neurons in the brain containing the chemical dopamine. Other types of brain neurons containing the chemical acetylcholine regulate the activity of dopamine neurons by acting on acetylcholine receptors located on dopamine neurons. We aim to examine how dopamine neuron activity is regulated by these receptors using newly developed physiological methods together with a new acetylcholine receptor drug. We also aim to assess the suitability of mice genetically modified to be deficient in acetylcholine receptors as animal models of dopamine dysfunction related to schizophrenia and drug addiction.Read moreRead less