Environmental Influences In The Establishment Of The Epigenetic Landscape In Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$695,097.00
Summary
The DNA in each of our cells does not exist alone, it is packaged into complex structures called chromosomes, through association with many different proteins. The distribution of these proteins varies along the length of a chromosome depending on the type of cell and this phenomenon is called 'epigenetics', literally meaning 'above the DNA'. Epigenetic analysis is the study of how proteins and other molecules can change the activity of a gene without changing the DNA sequence. All of our cells ....The DNA in each of our cells does not exist alone, it is packaged into complex structures called chromosomes, through association with many different proteins. The distribution of these proteins varies along the length of a chromosome depending on the type of cell and this phenomenon is called 'epigenetics', literally meaning 'above the DNA'. Epigenetic analysis is the study of how proteins and other molecules can change the activity of a gene without changing the DNA sequence. All of our cells use epigenetic changes to help control how they grow and develop. Evidence suggests a direct link between diet and environmental influences on our epigenetic profile. Recent research has traced the origins of many of the health problems of adult life back to the earliest periods of development _ to the time spent in the womb and the first few years of life. If we are born with a low birth weight, we are more likely to get sick later in life. Overwhelming evidence exists that the environment in the womb is critical for a healthy birth weight (and health in later life) and it is thought that epigenetics may be the missing link between this environment, low birth weight, and therefore health in later life. In addition, mounting evidence supports a general link between epigenetic de-regulation and predisposition to disease. However, the timing and the overall contribution of environmental- genetic influences to the establishment of faulty epigenetic markings remain largely unknown. Twins are the best model to study this link as they share similar (but not identical environments) and some share identical genetic makeup. Using twins, Dr Jeffrey Craig and his team will investigate the factors in the prenatal environment that modify specific cells, leading to low birth weight and increase disease risk later in life. They predict that this occurs via specific changes in gene activity caused by epigenetic disruption.Read moreRead less
Sustaining India's economic transformation: challenges, prospects and implications for Australia and the Pacific region. India's emergence from economic stagnation is beginning to have a profound impact on the world economy, including Australia. This project aims to investigate the sources of India's growth and the reforms needed to ensure that growth generates reductions in poverty and ensures equity and political stability.
Novel bioinformatics approaches for biological inference from comparative genomics data. Unlocking the potential of the human and other genome sequences depends almost entirely upon comparative genomics techniques. We will develop powerful bioinformatic models, implemented as high-performance computing solutions, for the examination of gene sequences. Improving these models, which represent the initial building block for all comparative genomics techniques, will be beneficial across genomics dep ....Novel bioinformatics approaches for biological inference from comparative genomics data. Unlocking the potential of the human and other genome sequences depends almost entirely upon comparative genomics techniques. We will develop powerful bioinformatic models, implemented as high-performance computing solutions, for the examination of gene sequences. Improving these models, which represent the initial building block for all comparative genomics techniques, will be beneficial across genomics dependent industries. A major outcome from this work will be an integrated software/hardware product optimised for statistical examination of very large-scale genomics data.Read moreRead less
Regulation Of Ribosomal RNA Gene Chromatin During Malignant Transformation.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$882,486.00
Summary
The overarching goal of this proposal is to determine the molecular basis for tumour cell dependence on activated ribosomal RNA gene repeats (rDNA). Our working model posits that rDNA repeats become activated through changes in rDNA chromatin structure that include increased binding of the RNA Polymerase I transcription factor UBF.
The role of gamma glutamyl cyclotransferase in glutathione homeostasis. The aim of this study is to understand the structure and function of gamma-glutamyl cyclotransferase (GGCT) and its role in glutathione synthesis and turnover. Glutathione is essential for life and serves multiple biological functions protecting against oxidative stress, and aiding in the detoxification and excretion of foreign chemicals. This study will explore a new approach to changing intracellular glutathione concentra ....The role of gamma glutamyl cyclotransferase in glutathione homeostasis. The aim of this study is to understand the structure and function of gamma-glutamyl cyclotransferase (GGCT) and its role in glutathione synthesis and turnover. Glutathione is essential for life and serves multiple biological functions protecting against oxidative stress, and aiding in the detoxification and excretion of foreign chemicals. This study will explore a new approach to changing intracellular glutathione concentrations that has wide applications in the treatment of inherited enzyme deficiencies, cancer and the development of herbicide resistant crop plants. The study will also contribute to the training of scientists for the future development of the Australian biotechnology industryRead moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100121
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
Three-dimensional super-resolution nanophotonic fabrication facility. This stimulated emission depletion microscopy nanophotonic fabrication facility will be the first nanophotonic fabrication facility that is able to achieve optical resolution far beyond the diffraction limit, which will facilitate breakthroughs in cutting-edge nanotechnology research areas.
Defining Genetic And Epigenetic Variation During Early Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$996,075.00
Summary
We all began life with a set of genes inherited from our parents. However, it's now known that from the time we were in the womb onwards that genes can be turned off and on by the environment or even completely lost or gained. Even what your mother ate or how she behaved while she was pregnant could have influenced your future health. Because people are so different, we are studying the subtle differences between twins to tease out the factors that may influence our genes and our health.
Policy Modelling for Ageing in Emerging Economies: The Case of Indonesia. This project, in collaboration with the World Bank and the Indonesian Planning Authority, will support major social and economic policy development in a rapidly ageing region. It will break new ground by developing a cutting-edge economic policy model reflecting salient features of ageing in emerging economies, taking into account the wider implications for education, employment, formalisation, growth, and retirement. It w ....Policy Modelling for Ageing in Emerging Economies: The Case of Indonesia. This project, in collaboration with the World Bank and the Indonesian Planning Authority, will support major social and economic policy development in a rapidly ageing region. It will break new ground by developing a cutting-edge economic policy model reflecting salient features of ageing in emerging economies, taking into account the wider implications for education, employment, formalisation, growth, and retirement. It will bring the armoury of policy analysis instruments available to these countries up to the standard now enjoyed by the developed world. Indonesia, on the brink of major pension reform, will be used as a test bed. Data sets will be developed to allow the model structure to be applied to other emerging economies in Asia. Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0453832
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$550,910.00
Summary
New directions in biomolecular mass spectrometry. The combined UoW/ANU mass spectrometry facility supports a range of research projects in high priority areas including proteomics, mechanisms of aging, anticancer drugs and pathogenicity. The facility has several key deficiencies: 1) the ability to study very high molecular weight biomolecular complexes, 2) the ability to study ion-molecule interactions that have implications in mechanisms of chemistry in nature, and 3) researchers at ANU lack es ....New directions in biomolecular mass spectrometry. The combined UoW/ANU mass spectrometry facility supports a range of research projects in high priority areas including proteomics, mechanisms of aging, anticancer drugs and pathogenicity. The facility has several key deficiencies: 1) the ability to study very high molecular weight biomolecular complexes, 2) the ability to study ion-molecule interactions that have implications in mechanisms of chemistry in nature, and 3) researchers at ANU lack essential walk-up access to high sensitivity protein sequence analysis (MS/MS). The placement of resources that address these deficiencies in one geographical region and collaboration between these institutions will produce a research interaction unique in Australia.Read moreRead less
Discovering mechanisms of primary embryonic tissue migration through live cell imaging and novel genetic approaches. The studies proposed here will provide concepts and knowledge about the molecular basis of cell migration that will impact on diverse aspects of human health, such as the causes and nature of tumour metastasis and our understanding of the developmental basis of birth defects. In addition, understanding cell migration mechanisms will allow us to better predict or control the behav ....Discovering mechanisms of primary embryonic tissue migration through live cell imaging and novel genetic approaches. The studies proposed here will provide concepts and knowledge about the molecular basis of cell migration that will impact on diverse aspects of human health, such as the causes and nature of tumour metastasis and our understanding of the developmental basis of birth defects. In addition, understanding cell migration mechanisms will allow us to better predict or control the behaviour of therapeutic stem cells introduced into the body.Read moreRead less