Targeting and stabilizing proteins in sugar storage vacuoles for metabolic engineering in sugarcane. We have isolated a novel gene for an enzyme that efficiently converts sucrose into a product of much higher value. We have shown that the enzyme functions in sugarcane, a first example of the potential for new biosynthetic capacities in this highly productive crop. Because 90% of stored sucrose is in specialized vacuoles, the enzyme needs to be directed into these vacuoles, and made stable and ac ....Targeting and stabilizing proteins in sugar storage vacuoles for metabolic engineering in sugarcane. We have isolated a novel gene for an enzyme that efficiently converts sucrose into a product of much higher value. We have shown that the enzyme functions in sugarcane, a first example of the potential for new biosynthetic capacities in this highly productive crop. Because 90% of stored sucrose is in specialized vacuoles, the enzyme needs to be directed into these vacuoles, and made stable and active there. This is feasible by building on recent discoveries about vacuolar targeting in plants. The outputs include scientific understanding to underpin metabolic engineering in plants, and a profitable high-technology export industry for Australia.Read moreRead less
Metabolic engineering of sugarcane: production of a biodegradable bioplastic as a test-case. The aim of this project is to produce a commercially valuable bioplastic called PHB in transgenic sugarcane. This bioplastic has similar properties to petrochemically produced polypropylene, but is fully biodegradable. PHB has been produced in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana at commercially viable levels. The expected outcome of high-level production of PHB in sugarcane would have significant ben ....Metabolic engineering of sugarcane: production of a biodegradable bioplastic as a test-case. The aim of this project is to produce a commercially valuable bioplastic called PHB in transgenic sugarcane. This bioplastic has similar properties to petrochemically produced polypropylene, but is fully biodegradable. PHB has been produced in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana at commercially viable levels. The expected outcome of high-level production of PHB in sugarcane would have significant benefits to the Australian sugar industry, the rural economy, and the Australian environment.Read moreRead less
Tailored Biodegradable Polymers for Injection Moulding Applications. This project aims to engineer and scale up production of biodegradable injection molded products with tailored properties, processing and biodegradation. Specifically we will focus on novel materials and processing technologies in tandem with biodegradation understandings to expand the utilization of starch-based polymers. We will then combine fundamental rheological and polymer processing skills with and product development ex ....Tailored Biodegradable Polymers for Injection Moulding Applications. This project aims to engineer and scale up production of biodegradable injection molded products with tailored properties, processing and biodegradation. Specifically we will focus on novel materials and processing technologies in tandem with biodegradation understandings to expand the utilization of starch-based polymers. We will then combine fundamental rheological and polymer processing skills with and product development experience from both universities and the industrial partner (Plantic Technologies) to scale up processing and develop successful biodegradable products. This project will also enable an Australian owned start-up company with a broad shareholder base to generate significant export income through key commercialization.Read moreRead less
Understanding and avoiding transgene silencing in sugarcane. Sugarcane is one of the world's major crops for food (sugar) and fuel (ethanol, electricity co-generation). It is one of the most appealing target crops for metabolic engineering aimed at renewable biomaterials and biofuels. Australia has invested strongly to achieve scientific leadership in gene technologies in our major export crops including sugarcane. Field tests show that development of methods to avoid unstable expression or 'sil ....Understanding and avoiding transgene silencing in sugarcane. Sugarcane is one of the world's major crops for food (sugar) and fuel (ethanol, electricity co-generation). It is one of the most appealing target crops for metabolic engineering aimed at renewable biomaterials and biofuels. Australia has invested strongly to achieve scientific leadership in gene technologies in our major export crops including sugarcane. Field tests show that development of methods to avoid unstable expression or 'silencing' of introduced genes is now a critical requirement for practical application. The current project emerges from industry recognition of the need to understand and avoid transgene silencing. The methods developed using sugarcane are expected to have rapid applicability for wider benefits in agriculture.Read moreRead less
Optimising transgene expression and stability for enhanced sugar yield and high-value sugar production in sugarcane. 'SugarBooster' technology has the potential to underpin a value-added sugarcane industry. Higher sucrose yield is a key to sustainable export profitability, and it makes the development of renewable biofuels from sugarcane more feasible. Isomaltulose has established health benefits for consumers and it is also attractive as a renewable starting material for industry. But it must c ....Optimising transgene expression and stability for enhanced sugar yield and high-value sugar production in sugarcane. 'SugarBooster' technology has the potential to underpin a value-added sugarcane industry. Higher sucrose yield is a key to sustainable export profitability, and it makes the development of renewable biofuels from sugarcane more feasible. Isomaltulose has established health benefits for consumers and it is also attractive as a renewable starting material for industry. But it must currently be produced by expensive fermentation. Efficient production in plants will open an increasing world market. This collaborative project is vital to bring these breakthrough technologies to reliable commercial implementation, in time to capture the economic benefits of the protected IP for Australia.Read moreRead less
MOLECULAR BREEDING OF CYTOCHROME P450 ENZYMES. Cytochrome P450s are enzymes that catalyse an impressive array of oxidative transformations. However, there is little available data on how to modify their substrate specificity and generate tailored biocatalysts. We plan to use an emerging technology known as DNA shuffling to create libraries of P450s with varying activities. These will then be screened for enzymes that can catalyse the formation of indigo (a blue dye) and indirubin (a chemother ....MOLECULAR BREEDING OF CYTOCHROME P450 ENZYMES. Cytochrome P450s are enzymes that catalyse an impressive array of oxidative transformations. However, there is little available data on how to modify their substrate specificity and generate tailored biocatalysts. We plan to use an emerging technology known as DNA shuffling to create libraries of P450s with varying activities. These will then be screened for enzymes that can catalyse the formation of indigo (a blue dye) and indirubin (a chemotherapeutic agent). The enzymes that catalyse indigo formation will be useful in the production of coloured transgenic plants and those that produce indirubin will have a role in gene therapy.Read moreRead less
Plant transformation: exploiting anti-apoptosis genes for very high efficiency transformation. Crop improvement through genetic modification depends on the ability to transform target species. The most desirable method is Agrobacterium mediated transformation. However, plant species and cultivars differ significantly in their ability to be efficiently transformed by Agrobacterium. This is particularly true for the economically important cereals. We have discovered that anti-apoptosis genes, whic ....Plant transformation: exploiting anti-apoptosis genes for very high efficiency transformation. Crop improvement through genetic modification depends on the ability to transform target species. The most desirable method is Agrobacterium mediated transformation. However, plant species and cultivars differ significantly in their ability to be efficiently transformed by Agrobacterium. This is particularly true for the economically important cereals. We have discovered that anti-apoptosis genes, which inhibit programmed cell death, dramatically increase the Agrobacterium transformation efficiency in bananas and sugarcane. We will utilise this information and develop the use of these genes to increase the efficiency of transformation in those crops and cultivars that are difficult to transform using Agrobacterium.Read moreRead less
This study is aimed at identifying genetic variants that influence susceptibility to migraine. We plan to use DNA samples already collected from families with multiple migraine affected individuals and sequence a region on the X chromosome that has previously been identified as harbouring a migraine susceptibility gene. This project will identify gene(s) that contain variants contributing to migraine.
Development And Application Of A Mendelian Randomization Framework Aimed At Dissecting The Biological Basis Of Ankylosing Spondylitis And Other Complex Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$279,666.00
Summary
Our aim is to identify genes and biological molecules that cause a type of autoimmune arthritis called ankylosing spondylitis. Our approach involves finding combinations of genes that are related to biological molecules of interest and then testing to see whether the gene combination is also related to risk of disease. We hope that our strategy will lead to new drug treatments targeting the condition.
Artificial Intelligence Based Deterioration Model for Development of Bridge Network Maintenance Strategy. The proposed AI-based methodology in conjunction with a Bridge Management System can tailor-make bridge deterioration models for a given bridge authority. The models so produced will enable effective BMS implementation which generates missing inspection records of past years, establishes optimal MR&R strategies and then reliably forecasts future bridge condition ratings. The methodology will ....Artificial Intelligence Based Deterioration Model for Development of Bridge Network Maintenance Strategy. The proposed AI-based methodology in conjunction with a Bridge Management System can tailor-make bridge deterioration models for a given bridge authority. The models so produced will enable effective BMS implementation which generates missing inspection records of past years, establishes optimal MR&R strategies and then reliably forecasts future bridge condition ratings. The methodology will be verified using available bridge datasets of QDMR and GCCC. The methodology is applicable to other bridge authorities throughout Australia and internationally to maintain ageing bridge stock. Read moreRead less