Genetic architecture of species divergence and hybridisation in eucalypts. Eucalypts are an icon of Australia and are of great economic and ecological significance to the nation. They are the most widely planted hardwood trees in the world, but Australia is the centre of origin of most species and the custodian of this important native bioresource. Understanding the evolutionary processes that shape diversity in this internationally significant genus is important for its long-term management a ....Genetic architecture of species divergence and hybridisation in eucalypts. Eucalypts are an icon of Australia and are of great economic and ecological significance to the nation. They are the most widely planted hardwood trees in the world, but Australia is the centre of origin of most species and the custodian of this important native bioresource. Understanding the evolutionary processes that shape diversity in this internationally significant genus is important for its long-term management and conservation. This project links to large international initiatives currently underway for high-density mapping and sequencing of the eucalypt genome, to enhance the flow of information gained back to Australia for scientific, economic and environmental benefit.Read moreRead less
Quantitative genetics of Eucalyptus globulus. Eucalypt plantations in Australia have expanded rapidly over the last decade. With increasing market competition from overseas plantations for both pulp and solid wood products, Australia must maintain a competitive edge through efficiencies in production and product quality. Breeding and deployment of genetically superior planting stock is part of the solution. With global climate chance and requirements for re-afforestation in drier zones, there ....Quantitative genetics of Eucalyptus globulus. Eucalypt plantations in Australia have expanded rapidly over the last decade. With increasing market competition from overseas plantations for both pulp and solid wood products, Australia must maintain a competitive edge through efficiencies in production and product quality. Breeding and deployment of genetically superior planting stock is part of the solution. With global climate chance and requirements for re-afforestation in drier zones, there is an increasing requirement to genetically improve drought tolerance. This project will provide genetic information and strategies to back Eucalyptus globulus breeding and deployment programs for traditional as well as drier environments. Read moreRead less
Redefining the molecular mechanism underlying crustacean metamorphosis. This project uses the astonishing lifecycle of lobster larvae to better define the pathways and discover the key genes that regulate crustacean metamorphosis. Where, when, why and how metamorphosis occurs in crustaceans are important factors affecting fisheries recruitment and aquaculture production. The project suggests that the current accepted paradigm for the molecular control of metamorphosis does not apply to lobsters ....Redefining the molecular mechanism underlying crustacean metamorphosis. This project uses the astonishing lifecycle of lobster larvae to better define the pathways and discover the key genes that regulate crustacean metamorphosis. Where, when, why and how metamorphosis occurs in crustaceans are important factors affecting fisheries recruitment and aquaculture production. The project suggests that the current accepted paradigm for the molecular control of metamorphosis does not apply to lobsters and possibly other crustaceans where larval metamorphosis and the juvenile transformation are uncoupled. Using a unique supply of cultured lobsters and advanced molecular techniques, the project aims to develop tools to trigger and synchronise metamorphosis for use in aquaculture and invasive species management.Read moreRead less
Evolutionary history and impact of adeno-associated viruses in Australia. Recently accrued evidence identifies Australia as an ideal closed-model system in which to elucidate the evolutionary history of a group of non-pathogenic viruses, known as adeno-associated viruses (AAVs). This project aims to trace back the evolutionary history of AAVs for tens of millions of years via molecular fossil imprints left behind by ancient viral invasions of Australian marsupial genomes. Concurrently, the poten ....Evolutionary history and impact of adeno-associated viruses in Australia. Recently accrued evidence identifies Australia as an ideal closed-model system in which to elucidate the evolutionary history of a group of non-pathogenic viruses, known as adeno-associated viruses (AAVs). This project aims to trace back the evolutionary history of AAVs for tens of millions of years via molecular fossil imprints left behind by ancient viral invasions of Australian marsupial genomes. Concurrently, the potential impact that these viral invasions had on the evolutionary development of their ancestral hosts will be investigated. This could facilitate previously unattainable insights into both AAV and marsupial evolution, with broader implications relevant to the advancement of the fields of virology and mammalian evolution.Read moreRead less
Evolution, disease and extinction - using ancient and modern Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) to investigate molecular evolution in the Tasmanian devil. The Tasmanian devil is Australia's largest living marsupial carnivore and one of Tasmania's key tourism icons. Extinction in the wild will have long-term impacts on Tasmanian native ecosystems and economy. This study will provide critical genetic data and tools to monitor and prioritise conservation strategies, including insurance populations and dis ....Evolution, disease and extinction - using ancient and modern Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) to investigate molecular evolution in the Tasmanian devil. The Tasmanian devil is Australia's largest living marsupial carnivore and one of Tasmania's key tourism icons. Extinction in the wild will have long-term impacts on Tasmanian native ecosystems and economy. This study will provide critical genetic data and tools to monitor and prioritise conservation strategies, including insurance populations and disease suppression, aimed at preventing extinction. It will strengthen ongoing conservation programs carried out by the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program and will help publicise the plight of the devil both nationally and internationally.Read moreRead less
Genetic impacts on eucalypt forest biodiversity. Australia is the centre of origin for most of the world's eucalypt genetic resources. This project will provide the research required to develop management strategies to reduce the risk of genetic pollution of this important genetic resource from the expanding eucalypt plantings in Australia. It will provide leading-edge science to better assess the risk and impact of genetic pollution not only on the native eucalypt gene pools per se but also on ....Genetic impacts on eucalypt forest biodiversity. Australia is the centre of origin for most of the world's eucalypt genetic resources. This project will provide the research required to develop management strategies to reduce the risk of genetic pollution of this important genetic resource from the expanding eucalypt plantings in Australia. It will provide leading-edge science to better assess the risk and impact of genetic pollution not only on the native eucalypt gene pools per se but also on the structure and biodiversity of the fungi, insect and vertebrate communities that are dependent on the eucalyptsRead moreRead less
Algebraically informed models of biological sequence evolution. To make sense of the patterns they see in the natural world, biologists across fields as diverse as genetics, epidemiology and biogeography need an accurate picture of evolutionary history. DNA sequences provide an exciting means to establish this picture of the past, but to decode it successfully requires mathematical models of how DNA evolves. Mathematical inconsistencies have been identified with current approaches. In particular ....Algebraically informed models of biological sequence evolution. To make sense of the patterns they see in the natural world, biologists across fields as diverse as genetics, epidemiology and biogeography need an accurate picture of evolutionary history. DNA sequences provide an exciting means to establish this picture of the past, but to decode it successfully requires mathematical models of how DNA evolves. Mathematical inconsistencies have been identified with current approaches. In particular, understanding the effect of natural selection in different parts of the tree of life requires models that behave robustly in the face of shifting evolutionary processes. This project aims to use insights from algebraic methods to construct mathematically consistent models of wide biological utility.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130100423
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$369,061.00
Summary
Group theory and phylogenetics: exploiting symmetry to uncover evolutionary history. Using advanced algebra, structural symmetries inherent in phylogenetic methods will be studied and improved approaches will be derived. DNA sequences contain a wealth of information about evolutionary events that occurred millions of years ago, but extracting this information requires the application of robust methods.
Modelling Food Expenditure, Analysing Nutrient Security, Measuring Hunger and Calculating Purchasing Power Parity: Methodological Advances with Policy Applications. The analysis of consumption changes in selected Asian countries will throw light on Australia's trade potential, especially with one of the fastest growing countries.
More informed debate on the role of trade and aid in reducing hunger and poverty.Following the 2000 Millenium summit and the step up of Australian developmental aid, ....Modelling Food Expenditure, Analysing Nutrient Security, Measuring Hunger and Calculating Purchasing Power Parity: Methodological Advances with Policy Applications. The analysis of consumption changes in selected Asian countries will throw light on Australia's trade potential, especially with one of the fastest growing countries.
More informed debate on the role of trade and aid in reducing hunger and poverty.Following the 2000 Millenium summit and the step up of Australian developmental aid, the subject has returned to the centre stage in policy discussions.
The systematic use of unit value information available elsewhere, but currently lacking in ABS data, will help the latter in improving its HES.
Contribute to "understanding our region and the world"(Key Priority Goal in Research Priority 4 of ARC).
Provide data sets for use in Australian RHD dissertations .
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Genetic legacy of climate change in Australian temperate forests. This work will make a significant contribution to the understanding of the Quaternary history of the forests of south-eastern Australia. Finding the location of glacial refugia is crucial to the development of long-term conservation strategies, as they are areas of high genetic and species diversity. Understanding the evolutionary processes that affect genetic diversity and gene flow of these keystone species (Nothofagus cunningha ....Genetic legacy of climate change in Australian temperate forests. This work will make a significant contribution to the understanding of the Quaternary history of the forests of south-eastern Australia. Finding the location of glacial refugia is crucial to the development of long-term conservation strategies, as they are areas of high genetic and species diversity. Understanding the evolutionary processes that affect genetic diversity and gene flow of these keystone species (Nothofagus cunninghamii, N. moorei, Acacia melanoxylon, Eucalyptus viminalis) will help their long-term management.Read moreRead less