Australian Heritage: constructing the first Aboriginal reference genome. This project aims to use DNA sequencing technologies to generate the first complete and accurate Aboriginal genomes, along with maps of genomic variation around Australia. It will combine a range of advanced analytical methods to integrate past and present indigenous genetic diversity from human populations around the world into a new pan-human reference genome. This project will lead to a step change in our understanding o ....Australian Heritage: constructing the first Aboriginal reference genome. This project aims to use DNA sequencing technologies to generate the first complete and accurate Aboriginal genomes, along with maps of genomic variation around Australia. It will combine a range of advanced analytical methods to integrate past and present indigenous genetic diversity from human populations around the world into a new pan-human reference genome. This project will lead to a step change in our understanding of global human genomic variants and provide a range of new targets relevant to medical biology, while significantly improving our knowledge of human genetic history and its consequences in the modern day.Read moreRead less
The genomic landscape of speciation in hominins and other taxa. This project will develop a new analytical framework to build detailed genomic maps of speciation genes across different taxa, to determine whether observed speciation is the result of background selection and demography alone, or whether there are actual barriers to gene flow and introgressed DNA. The model will provide novel insights into the mechanistic basis of speciation, specifically whether a common set of genes or pathways a ....The genomic landscape of speciation in hominins and other taxa. This project will develop a new analytical framework to build detailed genomic maps of speciation genes across different taxa, to determine whether observed speciation is the result of background selection and demography alone, or whether there are actual barriers to gene flow and introgressed DNA. The model will provide novel insights into the mechanistic basis of speciation, specifically whether a common set of genes or pathways are central to the speciation process. The framework will be developed using the large genomic datasets available across a range of plant and animal species. Applying the model to a modern human population dataset will elucidate the role introgressed DNA from Denisovan and Neanderthals has played in shaping human evolutionary history and may provide novel insights into the genetic basis of disease.Read moreRead less
RNA-based analysis for prediction of islet death in diabetes. Death of insulin-producing cells is a common feature in diabetes. Presently, a blood glucose test remains the only blunt instrument to diagnose diabetes. The RNA-based analysis for prediction of islet death in diabetes (RAPID) study links with eight clinical trials to test this newly developed non-invasive assay for predicting diabetes. Early diagnosis will help to reduce diabetic complications in later life.