The Evolution and Diversification of Apicomplexan Cell Invasion Mechanisms. Insights gained through this project, about the mechanisms of cell invasion in Apicomplexan parasites, will have far reaching implications for a number of parasites of great significance to humans and animals. Since host cell invasion is a key step in the parasite lifecycle, proteins identified here will be prime targets for novel drugs that prevent invasion or antigens that can be used as vaccines. This will be importan ....The Evolution and Diversification of Apicomplexan Cell Invasion Mechanisms. Insights gained through this project, about the mechanisms of cell invasion in Apicomplexan parasites, will have far reaching implications for a number of parasites of great significance to humans and animals. Since host cell invasion is a key step in the parasite lifecycle, proteins identified here will be prime targets for novel drugs that prevent invasion or antigens that can be used as vaccines. This will be important for developing new control strategies for diseases of global significance such as malaria or toxoplasmosis, as well as those of national importance to the food industry of Australia, including diseases like babesiosis and coccidiosis that cause significant economic loss to the livestock and poultry industries each year.Read moreRead less
Functional genomics of large clostridial plasmids. The aims of this genomics project are to determine how large DNA elements called plasmids are able to be transferred between different strains of a bacterium that causes disease in domestic livestock. These plasmids carry genes that encode the potent protein toxins that are responsible for several diseases. To understand how these diseases are spread we must learn how the plasmids have evolved and whether they can move from bacterium to bacteriu ....Functional genomics of large clostridial plasmids. The aims of this genomics project are to determine how large DNA elements called plasmids are able to be transferred between different strains of a bacterium that causes disease in domestic livestock. These plasmids carry genes that encode the potent protein toxins that are responsible for several diseases. To understand how these diseases are spread we must learn how the plasmids have evolved and whether they can move from bacterium to bacterium. The successful completion of the project will result in a detailed understanding of genetic elements that are important mediators of several diseases of importance to Australian primary industry.Read moreRead less
Pathogenesis, regulation and genomics of the ovine footrot pathogen, Dichelobacter nodosus. Footrot is one of the most economically significant diseases of sheep in Australia. The aim of this project is to develop a detailed understanding of how the bacterium that causes this infection is able to infect the sheep hoof and result in clinical disease. The complete sequence of the genome of the causative bacterium will be determined, enabling us to deduce its genetic potential. The completed projec ....Pathogenesis, regulation and genomics of the ovine footrot pathogen, Dichelobacter nodosus. Footrot is one of the most economically significant diseases of sheep in Australia. The aim of this project is to develop a detailed understanding of how the bacterium that causes this infection is able to infect the sheep hoof and result in clinical disease. The complete sequence of the genome of the causative bacterium will be determined, enabling us to deduce its genetic potential. The completed project will significantly advance fundamental knowledge of the disease process and will lead to the development of improved methods for the control of the disease, with concomitant cost savings to Australian primary industry.Read moreRead less
Characterisation and selection of phytocompound and physical seed quality characters of chickpea (Cicer arietinum). To develop and expand both value and volume of the Australian market share for chickpea. Retention and expansion of existing markets will occur through improved seed physical traits such as size, colour and processing efficiency, whilst creation of new markets will be achieved through enhancing novel traits such as the level of phytocompounds. In collaboration with Victoria's Dep ....Characterisation and selection of phytocompound and physical seed quality characters of chickpea (Cicer arietinum). To develop and expand both value and volume of the Australian market share for chickpea. Retention and expansion of existing markets will occur through improved seed physical traits such as size, colour and processing efficiency, whilst creation of new markets will be achieved through enhancing novel traits such as the level of phytocompounds. In collaboration with Victoria's Department of Primary Industry staff, genes governing chickpea quality traits will be characterised through applying novel combinations of selection and analytical methods. A multidsciplinary team of plant breeders, grains chemists and molecular biologists will advance chickpea breeding in Australia by applying cutting-edge technologies.Read moreRead less
ARC Centre of Excellence - Structural and Functional Microbial Genomics. The research falls under the National Research Priority Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries, with the priority goal of frontier technologies. The research has commercial applications, such as the development of novel antimicrobials and vaccines, with potentially enormous impact in the biotechnology area of biomedical health and the primary industries. In addition, the project will use ....ARC Centre of Excellence - Structural and Functional Microbial Genomics. The research falls under the National Research Priority Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries, with the priority goal of frontier technologies. The research has commercial applications, such as the development of novel antimicrobials and vaccines, with potentially enormous impact in the biotechnology area of biomedical health and the primary industries. In addition, the project will use state-of-the-art technology, including use of synchrotron radiation at the Monash-based Australian Synchrotron facility from 2007.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354619
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
Australian Microbial Genomics Research Network. The Australian Microbial Genomics Research Network aims to bring together Australian scientists with complementary expertise in microbial genomics within two ARC Centres, a Ramaciotti Centre and four institutions across three states. This initiative will involve the strategy and planning of the proposed Network.
ARC Centre for Structural & Functional Microbial Genomics. Australian Primary Industry will benefit from a team of experts in microbial genetics, bioinformatics and protein structure and function undertaking integrated studies on microbial genomics and phenomics that are focused on fundamental biological processes and host/pathogen interactions. Whole genome expression and protein profiling will be used to characterise genes whose expression is altered in the infected host and to analyse genes i ....ARC Centre for Structural & Functional Microbial Genomics. Australian Primary Industry will benefit from a team of experts in microbial genetics, bioinformatics and protein structure and function undertaking integrated studies on microbial genomics and phenomics that are focused on fundamental biological processes and host/pathogen interactions. Whole genome expression and protein profiling will be used to characterise genes whose expression is altered in the infected host and to analyse genes involved in the control of key cellular processes. The Centre will also determine the shapes of key molecules and their interactions. Practical outcomes will include new veterinary vaccines and the identification of novel antimicrobial targets.Read moreRead less