A novel regulator of growth signalling in Drosophila. This project aims to increase understanding of how growth is regulated by growth factor hormones. In animals, growth is controlled by signalling pathways that are activated by secreted peptide hormones. A new regulator of growth in the fruitfly Drosophila, the membrane attack complex/perforin-like (MACPF) protein Torso-like, has been identified. The project aims to unravel how Torso-like functions to regulate growth, thus throwing light on th ....A novel regulator of growth signalling in Drosophila. This project aims to increase understanding of how growth is regulated by growth factor hormones. In animals, growth is controlled by signalling pathways that are activated by secreted peptide hormones. A new regulator of growth in the fruitfly Drosophila, the membrane attack complex/perforin-like (MACPF) protein Torso-like, has been identified. The project aims to unravel how Torso-like functions to regulate growth, thus throwing light on the role this protein family may play in all animals. The findings are expected to provide key insights into the modification of growth factor activity, which is often dysregulated in human cancers and growth disorders, and may enable the design of new strategies for interfering with insect development for pest control.Read moreRead less
Investigating a new way in which diet impacts animal biology. This project aims to investigate the importance of a new way in which diet can alter animal biology. High fat or high sugar diets increase the binding of products of metabolism to chromosomes, which can completely alter the way that DNA is packaged and read. This project will use cell culture, rodent and fly models to identify the regions of the genome that are most affected by the new process. The project will also determine whether ....Investigating a new way in which diet impacts animal biology. This project aims to investigate the importance of a new way in which diet can alter animal biology. High fat or high sugar diets increase the binding of products of metabolism to chromosomes, which can completely alter the way that DNA is packaged and read. This project will use cell culture, rodent and fly models to identify the regions of the genome that are most affected by the new process. The project will also determine whether the cell is harmed, or in fact harnesses the process to control development or metabolism. This project has implications for our understanding of the ways in which genes interact with the environment especially in times of change.Read moreRead less
The recirculation of myeloid dendritic cells. This project aims to understand dendritic cell recirculation. It will use virological tools to track dendritic cell migration, and identify key decision points. Expected outcomes include enhanced capacity in basic research and greater interdisciplinary collaboration between virology and immunology research groups. Significant benefits will include a new understanding of how G protein coupled receptor signalling and other tissue cues guide dendritic c ....The recirculation of myeloid dendritic cells. This project aims to understand dendritic cell recirculation. It will use virological tools to track dendritic cell migration, and identify key decision points. Expected outcomes include enhanced capacity in basic research and greater interdisciplinary collaboration between virology and immunology research groups. Significant benefits will include a new understanding of how G protein coupled receptor signalling and other tissue cues guide dendritic cell recirculation, and what consequences the recirculation has for immune cell function. This understanding will significantly advance our basic understanding of the immune system.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130100439
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Neural mechanisms of blindsight: a combined physiological and behavioural study. The cellular circuits of the cerebral cortex hold the key to the biological bases of perception, decision making, memory and consciousness. This project will study the physiological mechanisms underlying our ability to decide what we are seeing, based either on consciously perceived images or subconscious processing of visual information.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120102883
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Understanding the function of a visual pathway to the limbic cortex. This project will study an area located deep in the brain, about which very little is known. Based on recent studies, it is suspected that this area is important for visual perception. By understanding the patterns of electrical activity of cells in this region, the project aims to decipher its contribution to cognition and emotion.
Neuronal origin of functional maps on the mammalian visual cortex. This project aims to study how the brain processes images. Basic features of objects in the visual scene seem to be coded on the visual cortex in an orderly way. By recording neurones’ electrical activity in a mammalian brain, this project aims to study how such organisation is determined at the neuronal level, namely how the individual nerves and synapses that form the brain and process the signals are organised to form the over ....Neuronal origin of functional maps on the mammalian visual cortex. This project aims to study how the brain processes images. Basic features of objects in the visual scene seem to be coded on the visual cortex in an orderly way. By recording neurones’ electrical activity in a mammalian brain, this project aims to study how such organisation is determined at the neuronal level, namely how the individual nerves and synapses that form the brain and process the signals are organised to form the overall functional architecture visible at a macroscopic level. This understanding could realise the basis of normal visual perception in robotic vision and brain-machine interfaces.Read moreRead less
Inhibition of sensory relay mechanisms. This project aims to investigate the maturation of the respiratory network from a functional to synaptic level. The brain generates motor commands for every single breath. After birth, the respiratory network matures to adapt breathing to emotional and behavioural demands. The mature respiratory network actively inhibits sensory feedback to express learned breathing patterns associated with motor behaviour such as speech. This project expects to provide th ....Inhibition of sensory relay mechanisms. This project aims to investigate the maturation of the respiratory network from a functional to synaptic level. The brain generates motor commands for every single breath. After birth, the respiratory network matures to adapt breathing to emotional and behavioural demands. The mature respiratory network actively inhibits sensory feedback to express learned breathing patterns associated with motor behaviour such as speech. This project expects to provide the foundation for understanding the hierarchical organisation and plasticity of motor circuits in the brain as it acquires learned motor patterns.Read moreRead less
The comparative physiology of oxygen delivery to the kidney. The kidney is in danger of hyperoxia because the kidney receives so much blood relative to its mass. It is proposed that shunting oxygen between arteries and veins substantially mitigates the risk of hyperoxia, but under certain circumstances shunting substantially increases the risk of kidney hypoxia. Using a combination of synchrotron and histological imaging, This project will carefully define the three-dimensional vasculature of th ....The comparative physiology of oxygen delivery to the kidney. The kidney is in danger of hyperoxia because the kidney receives so much blood relative to its mass. It is proposed that shunting oxygen between arteries and veins substantially mitigates the risk of hyperoxia, but under certain circumstances shunting substantially increases the risk of kidney hypoxia. Using a combination of synchrotron and histological imaging, This project will carefully define the three-dimensional vasculature of the renal cortex in several different species and interpret its functional significance using computational modeling. The outcome of this project will be a new understanding in the comparative physiology of oxygen transport and shunting in the kidney.Read moreRead less
How the gut nervous system interacts with bacteria. This project aims to reveal how the enteric nervous system of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract interacts with the gut microbiota. Gut function has largely been studied without considering microbiota. The project will use genetically modified animal models, image analysis of gut motility and sequencing of gut microbes, and develop neurophysiological methods to understand gut function. Expected benefits include better understanding of mechanisms u ....How the gut nervous system interacts with bacteria. This project aims to reveal how the enteric nervous system of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract interacts with the gut microbiota. Gut function has largely been studied without considering microbiota. The project will use genetically modified animal models, image analysis of gut motility and sequencing of gut microbes, and develop neurophysiological methods to understand gut function. Expected benefits include better understanding of mechanisms underlying antibiotic resistance, risks associated with discretionary caesarean sections and the benefits of breastfeeding.Read moreRead less
Bias and allostery at the calcium sensing receptor. This project aims to provide a mechanistic and dynamic picture of the structure, function and physiology of the human calcium sensing receptor (CaSR), which is critical for vertebrate life. By responding to chemicals in the body, it acts as a universal nutrient sensor to maintain extracellular calcium homeostasis and mediate biological functions, including neurotransmission, inflammation, digestion, blood pressure and development. However, it i ....Bias and allostery at the calcium sensing receptor. This project aims to provide a mechanistic and dynamic picture of the structure, function and physiology of the human calcium sensing receptor (CaSR), which is critical for vertebrate life. By responding to chemicals in the body, it acts as a universal nutrient sensor to maintain extracellular calcium homeostasis and mediate biological functions, including neurotransmission, inflammation, digestion, blood pressure and development. However, it is not known how this single receptor controls the actions of multiple ligands to mediate numerous functions. By elucidating the roles of the CaSR and its ligands, this project aims to better understand fundamental physiological processes.Read moreRead less