How does timing affect mammalian brain development and evolution? This project aims to generate fundamental knowledge on the origin of diversity in mammalian brain circuits by studying development of marsupials and rodents. The expected outcome is to elucidate how differences in the timing, rate and sequence of development of gene expression, cell differentiation and circuit formation can relate to the origin of key evolutionary innovations in the mammalian brain. The significance of understandi ....How does timing affect mammalian brain development and evolution? This project aims to generate fundamental knowledge on the origin of diversity in mammalian brain circuits by studying development of marsupials and rodents. The expected outcome is to elucidate how differences in the timing, rate and sequence of development of gene expression, cell differentiation and circuit formation can relate to the origin of key evolutionary innovations in the mammalian brain. The significance of understanding the dynamics of developmental systems that shape complex brain traits includes establishing new developmental paradigms in evolutionary theory, generating new tools to investigate and manipulate brain gene expression in vivo, and the potential discovery of the causes of neurodevelopmental dysfunction.Read moreRead less
A new universal mechanism controlling body proportions in animals. This project aims to establish that a recently-discovered mechanism, the inhibitory cascade, determines the basic proportions of appendages and body segments in a diverse range of animal groups, particularly vertebrates and arthropods. The goals of the project are to reveal the molecular mechanisms in mice and insects, and build computer simulations to show how to manipulate the control of development by the inhibitory cascade. T ....A new universal mechanism controlling body proportions in animals. This project aims to establish that a recently-discovered mechanism, the inhibitory cascade, determines the basic proportions of appendages and body segments in a diverse range of animal groups, particularly vertebrates and arthropods. The goals of the project are to reveal the molecular mechanisms in mice and insects, and build computer simulations to show how to manipulate the control of development by the inhibitory cascade. The project should benefit bioengineering by establishing control mechanisms for the manipulation and regeneration of teeth and limbs.Read moreRead less
Evolution. Morphodynamics and History of the Younghusband Peninsula. This project will examine the history and evolution of the Sir Richard-Younghusband Peninsula (SRYP) complex barrier in SA. The aims are to derive a understanding of how the influences of relative sea-level changes, neotectonics, and sediment supply, can produce remarkably different responses in barrier development. No complex barrier (i.e. foredune ridges in one portion, transgressive dunefields in another) has ever been compr ....Evolution. Morphodynamics and History of the Younghusband Peninsula. This project will examine the history and evolution of the Sir Richard-Younghusband Peninsula (SRYP) complex barrier in SA. The aims are to derive a understanding of how the influences of relative sea-level changes, neotectonics, and sediment supply, can produce remarkably different responses in barrier development. No complex barrier (i.e. foredune ridges in one portion, transgressive dunefields in another) has ever been comprehensively drilled, dated, modelled, or examined in the context of indigenous occupation and oral histories in Australia. The study provides excellent analogues for barrier and dune response, and shoreline translation to varying rates of sea level rise, paralleling pressures facing all coastlines today.Read moreRead less
ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space. ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space. This Centre aims to create on-demand, zero-waste, high-efficiency plants and plant products to address grand challenges in sustainability for Space and on Earth. Significant advances in plant, food, and sensory science; process and systems engineering; law and policy; and psychology are expected to deliver transformative solutions for Space habitation – and create enhanced plant-derived food and bioresour ....ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space. ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space. This Centre aims to create on-demand, zero-waste, high-efficiency plants and plant products to address grand challenges in sustainability for Space and on Earth. Significant advances in plant, food, and sensory science; process and systems engineering; law and policy; and psychology are expected to deliver transformative solutions for Space habitation – and create enhanced plant-derived food and bioresources to capitalise upon emergent and rapidly expanding domestic and global markets. Anticipated outcomes include industry uptake of innovative plant forms, foods, technologies, and commodities; and an ambitious education and international co-ordination agenda to position Australia as a global leader in research supporting Space habitation.Read moreRead less
The Epigenetics of Sex in the Dragon. Genetic codes do not directly translate to phenotypes -- environment acts through epigenetics to modify development. We use advanced molecular techniques to examine how epigenetics responds to temperature to reverse sex in our novel animal model, the dragon lizard. How does the cell sense temperature? Once the extrinsic signal is captured, how does it influence chromatin modification to release or suppress key genes in the sex differentiation pathway? Which ....The Epigenetics of Sex in the Dragon. Genetic codes do not directly translate to phenotypes -- environment acts through epigenetics to modify development. We use advanced molecular techniques to examine how epigenetics responds to temperature to reverse sex in our novel animal model, the dragon lizard. How does the cell sense temperature? Once the extrinsic signal is captured, how does it influence chromatin modification to release or suppress key genes in the sex differentiation pathway? Which sex genes are targets? Epigenetic enzymes are astonishingly conserved, providing exciting opportunities to draw from human systems to unravel novel signatures of temperature-induced sex switching in reptiles. This project will advance knowledge of developmental programming generally.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE200100151
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$744,000.00
Summary
Multi-kilohertz laser for attosecond and ultrafast science. Griffith University's Australian Attosecond Science Facility was established 12 years ago to facilitate internationally leading research into strong-field laser science. The facility is unique in Australia as it has the capability to precisely manipulate highly-amplified and ultra-short light pulses to investigate the dynamics of matter. The scientific outputs from the facility have delivered important new scientific advances in strong ....Multi-kilohertz laser for attosecond and ultrafast science. Griffith University's Australian Attosecond Science Facility was established 12 years ago to facilitate internationally leading research into strong-field laser science. The facility is unique in Australia as it has the capability to precisely manipulate highly-amplified and ultra-short light pulses to investigate the dynamics of matter. The scientific outputs from the facility have delivered important new scientific advances in strong-field physics enabling the development of new technologies. This grant will be used to procure an upgraded laser system enabling an order of magnitude enhancement of the output light for the next-generation research and maintaining international competitiveness of Australian investigators in this field.Read moreRead less
Flavour enhancing functional feeds for farmed Barramundi. This project aims to improve the flavour quality of Australian farmed barramundi through developing novel functional feeds. The project expects to expand our fundamental knowledge of flavour enhancement, whilst providing practical benefits with respect to final product quality. The project will enable industry to achieve higher product quality benchmarks, towards the ultimate goal of improving the marketability of barramundi both locally ....Flavour enhancing functional feeds for farmed Barramundi. This project aims to improve the flavour quality of Australian farmed barramundi through developing novel functional feeds. The project expects to expand our fundamental knowledge of flavour enhancement, whilst providing practical benefits with respect to final product quality. The project will enable industry to achieve higher product quality benchmarks, towards the ultimate goal of improving the marketability of barramundi both locally and overseas. This project will provide significant benefits to the Australian barramundi industry by increasing product values, thereby facilitating an economically sustainable growth of this important regional industry.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Training Centres - Grant ID: IC170100035
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,743,710.00
Summary
ARC Training Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technology. The ARC Training Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technology expects to train 20 industry-ready innovation scientists who will undertake industry-driven research in the development and application of novel diagnostics, therapeutics and theranostics. They will inform changes in regulatory policy that support industry growth. The Centre will build multidisciplinary links between researchers and within industry to devel ....ARC Training Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technology. The ARC Training Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technology expects to train 20 industry-ready innovation scientists who will undertake industry-driven research in the development and application of novel diagnostics, therapeutics and theranostics. They will inform changes in regulatory policy that support industry growth. The Centre will build multidisciplinary links between researchers and within industry to develop ‘smart’ probes and ‘smart’ scanning, harnessing the digital revolution for better, cost effective diagnostic imaging and improved health outcomes.Read moreRead less
Is SPINT1 a key regulator of placental development? . The placenta is an essential organ required for reproduction in placental species. This project aims to elucidate the fundamental biology of SPINT1 in placental development. It will generate new knowledge about whether the spatial and temporal expression of SPINT1 is conserved across several species; cow, sheep, lizard, mouse and human. It will also define the molecular mechanisms by which SPINT1 directs formation, maturation and expansion o ....Is SPINT1 a key regulator of placental development? . The placenta is an essential organ required for reproduction in placental species. This project aims to elucidate the fundamental biology of SPINT1 in placental development. It will generate new knowledge about whether the spatial and temporal expression of SPINT1 is conserved across several species; cow, sheep, lizard, mouse and human. It will also define the molecular mechanisms by which SPINT1 directs formation, maturation and expansion of the placental exchange interface which is critical for offspring survival.
The project will increase understanding of placental development, enhance collaboration and research knowhow, and promote future applied projects in all species that reproduce via placental support.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Training Centres - Grant ID: IC160100027
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,340,802.00
Summary
ARC Training Centre for Biopharmaceutical Innovation. ARC Training Centre for Biopharmaceutical Innovation. This centre aims to transform Australia’s growing biopharmaceutical industry, an advanced manufacturing capability, by training specialist biotechnologists and bioengineers. It expects the research and development outputs will create new biopharmaceuticals and antibody-based reagents, enhanced production methods, improved manufacturing capabilities and a cohort of specialist scientists. Ne ....ARC Training Centre for Biopharmaceutical Innovation. ARC Training Centre for Biopharmaceutical Innovation. This centre aims to transform Australia’s growing biopharmaceutical industry, an advanced manufacturing capability, by training specialist biotechnologists and bioengineers. It expects the research and development outputs will create new biopharmaceuticals and antibody-based reagents, enhanced production methods, improved manufacturing capabilities and a cohort of specialist scientists. New biopharmaceuticals are expected to benefit the Australian economy and provide new therapeutic options for better health outcomes. Industry-driven research projects will also provide industry-ready graduates who can drive future growth in the sector.Read moreRead less