Defining the earliest events in lymphatic vasculature formation from veins. Vascular system development is one of the earliest events that occurs in the embryo. The entire lymphatic vascular system forms from the embryo’s early veins. This project aims to define the earliest molecular and cellular changes essential to form an entire second vessel network from just a few precursor cells in the embryo. The project aims to utilise zebrafish and mouse embryos to greatly expand knowledge in the forma ....Defining the earliest events in lymphatic vasculature formation from veins. Vascular system development is one of the earliest events that occurs in the embryo. The entire lymphatic vascular system forms from the embryo’s early veins. This project aims to define the earliest molecular and cellular changes essential to form an entire second vessel network from just a few precursor cells in the embryo. The project aims to utilise zebrafish and mouse embryos to greatly expand knowledge in the formation of this essential vertebrate tissue. Ultimately, this is expected to provide new knowledge in stem and precursor cell differentiation, the evolution of complex organ systems and tissue formation. Outcomes may impact on future biotechnology in the areas of tissues engineering, stem cell differentiation and regeneration.Read moreRead less
Evolution and function of mammalian sex chromosomes. Research on iconic Australian mammals has profoundly reshaped our understanding of reproductive biology and sex chromosome evolution. In this project we combine unique expertise, international collaboration and novel genetic information about Australia's unique egg-laying mammals (echidna and platypus) to investigate major aspects of reproduction. This work will address fundamental aspects of sex chromosome biology and advance our understandin ....Evolution and function of mammalian sex chromosomes. Research on iconic Australian mammals has profoundly reshaped our understanding of reproductive biology and sex chromosome evolution. In this project we combine unique expertise, international collaboration and novel genetic information about Australia's unique egg-laying mammals (echidna and platypus) to investigate major aspects of reproduction. This work will address fundamental aspects of sex chromosome biology and advance our understanding of mammalian reproduction. The knowledge gained will have application in captive breeding and conservation of these extraordinary Australian mammals. The project also provides opportunity to train research students in cutting edge molecular biology and informatics.Read moreRead less
Complex trait analyses based on genome-wide approaches. This project aims to develop whole genome approaches that can improve the estimation and prediction power by using information from the dynamic genetic architecture of complex traits (i.e. the changes of genetic characteristics and effects when varying effective population size and genetic backgrounds). The project intends to deliver advanced statistical models, efficient algorithms and design by combining data from close relatives, populat ....Complex trait analyses based on genome-wide approaches. This project aims to develop whole genome approaches that can improve the estimation and prediction power by using information from the dynamic genetic architecture of complex traits (i.e. the changes of genetic characteristics and effects when varying effective population size and genetic backgrounds). The project intends to deliver advanced statistical models, efficient algorithms and design by combining data from close relatives, population samples or from different populations (e.g. multi-ethnicities or multi-breeds). The expected outcome is to better understand the dynamic architecture of complex traits and develop methods with improved power, precision and accuracy in genomic analyses.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180100883
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$365,058.00
Summary
Palaeo-population genomics: studying adaptation using ancient human DNA. This project aims to apply state-of-the-art population and quantitative genetic techniques to a powerful new database of ancient human genomes - spanning from hunter gatherers and early farmers through to the Middle Ages. This will be used to build the first detailed portrait of human genetic adaptation through time. This record will capture the major socio-cultural transitions in human history, and reveal the genetic and e ....Palaeo-population genomics: studying adaptation using ancient human DNA. This project aims to apply state-of-the-art population and quantitative genetic techniques to a powerful new database of ancient human genomes - spanning from hunter gatherers and early farmers through to the Middle Ages. This will be used to build the first detailed portrait of human genetic adaptation through time. This record will capture the major socio-cultural transitions in human history, and reveal the genetic and environmental drivers that have shaped modern human genetic diversity and pathology.Read moreRead less
Hippo signalling control of transcription in lymphatic vascular development. Lymphatic vasculature forms complex, branched networks present in almost all vertebrate tissues and organs. Signalling in lymphatic endothelial cells determines the fate, structure and function of these complex and essential networks. This project follows our recent discovery of a major role for the Hippo signalling pathway in lymphatic vascular development. It aims to investigate how Hippo signalling regulates essenti ....Hippo signalling control of transcription in lymphatic vascular development. Lymphatic vasculature forms complex, branched networks present in almost all vertebrate tissues and organs. Signalling in lymphatic endothelial cells determines the fate, structure and function of these complex and essential networks. This project follows our recent discovery of a major role for the Hippo signalling pathway in lymphatic vascular development. It aims to investigate how Hippo signalling regulates essential target genes that drive lymphatic development. The project expects to generate fundamental knowledge in vascular signalling, transcription and the control of vascular network growth and expansion. Outcomes may provide significant benefits in new approaches in stem cell biology, tissue engineering and regenerative biology. Read moreRead less
Non-coding RNAs in mammalian reproduction. This project aims to investigate the role of non-coding RNAs in mammalian sex chromosome biology and reproduction. Non-protein coding RNAs are a major regulatory mechanism in eukaryotic genomes; they can bind other RNAs or chromatin modifying complexes. However, the evolutionary trajectory and function of non-coding RNAs in sex chromosome biology and sexual development is largely unknown. This project will study non-coding RNAs in Australian mammals to ....Non-coding RNAs in mammalian reproduction. This project aims to investigate the role of non-coding RNAs in mammalian sex chromosome biology and reproduction. Non-protein coding RNAs are a major regulatory mechanism in eukaryotic genomes; they can bind other RNAs or chromatin modifying complexes. However, the evolutionary trajectory and function of non-coding RNAs in sex chromosome biology and sexual development is largely unknown. This project will study non-coding RNAs in Australian mammals to try to answer fundamental questions about how non-coding RNAs function in mammalian sexual development.Read moreRead less
Post-translational control of cell fate decision. Deciphering the multi-layered regulation of cell fate decisions is challenging. While progress has been made in understanding the role of transcriptional regulation, the influence of post-translational modification is poorly understood. Neural precursor cell expressed developmentally down-regulated protein 4 (NEDD4)-mediated ubiquitination is absolute necessary for sex determination, a unique model of cell fate decision where gonadal cell precurs ....Post-translational control of cell fate decision. Deciphering the multi-layered regulation of cell fate decisions is challenging. While progress has been made in understanding the role of transcriptional regulation, the influence of post-translational modification is poorly understood. Neural precursor cell expressed developmentally down-regulated protein 4 (NEDD4)-mediated ubiquitination is absolute necessary for sex determination, a unique model of cell fate decision where gonadal cell precursors differentiate either along the male or the female pathway. Thus, this project aims to analyse in detail at which stage NEDD4 action is required and what are the crucial target proteins. This project could provide a deeper understanding of how post-translational modifications influence cell fate decisions during embryogenesis.Read moreRead less
Whole-genome multivariate reaction norm model for complex traits. This project aims to develop a multivariate whole-genome genotype-covariate correlation and interaction model that can be applied to a wide range of existing genome-wide association study (GWAS) datasets. Genotype-covariate correlation and interaction (GCCI) are fundamental in biology but there is no standard approach to disentangle interaction from correlation in the whole-genome analyses. This project will address the key featur ....Whole-genome multivariate reaction norm model for complex traits. This project aims to develop a multivariate whole-genome genotype-covariate correlation and interaction model that can be applied to a wide range of existing genome-wide association study (GWAS) datasets. Genotype-covariate correlation and interaction (GCCI) are fundamental in biology but there is no standard approach to disentangle interaction from correlation in the whole-genome analyses. This project will address the key feature in biology, which relates to dissecting the complex mechanism of association and interaction. The proposed statistical model implemented in a context of a novel design based on multiple GWAS data sets is a paradigm shifting-tool with applications to multiple industries.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE130100065
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$370,000.00
Summary
Next generation enhancement of the South Australian regional facility for molecular ecology and evolution. The new equipment will enhance opportunities for innovative research in basic biology, archaeological, agricultural, biomedical, forensic and environmental sciences. This research is critical for monitoring the nature and extent of environmental change and developing strategies to promote adaptation by species to future climate change.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220100230
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$365,000.00
Summary
Investigating the Genetic Basis of Human Intrinsic Capacity. Intrinsic capacity is a new concept introduced by experts at the World Health Organisation to promote healthy ageing. It is defined as the composite of an individual’s physical and mental capacities, based on measures of five criteria; cognitive, sensory, locomotor, vitality and psychological. It is a genetically predetermined trait, but is influenced by a range of environmental stimuli. Applying a cutting-edge genetic methodology on b ....Investigating the Genetic Basis of Human Intrinsic Capacity. Intrinsic capacity is a new concept introduced by experts at the World Health Organisation to promote healthy ageing. It is defined as the composite of an individual’s physical and mental capacities, based on measures of five criteria; cognitive, sensory, locomotor, vitality and psychological. It is a genetically predetermined trait, but is influenced by a range of environmental stimuli. Applying a cutting-edge genetic methodology on big biobank datasets, this project aims to examine the role of genetics and the environment to explain the variability of intrinsic capacity between individuals. Understanding the biological basis of intrinsic capacity has major implications for scientific research in healthy ageing and mental wellbeing.Read moreRead less