New phylogenetic approaches for understanding evolution at the genome scale. This project aims to use genome data to improve our understanding of the evolutionary process, including the forces that shape evolution on a whole-genome scale. The project plans to create a curated database of genome sequences and a comprehensive framework for evolutionary analyses of genomes. The new approach is designed to be used to analyse patterns of evolutionary rate variation to identify the key features of gen ....New phylogenetic approaches for understanding evolution at the genome scale. This project aims to use genome data to improve our understanding of the evolutionary process, including the forces that shape evolution on a whole-genome scale. The project plans to create a curated database of genome sequences and a comprehensive framework for evolutionary analyses of genomes. The new approach is designed to be used to analyse patterns of evolutionary rate variation to identify the key features of genome evolution. In addition, the development of a genome-scale approach to molecular dating will improve estimates of the timescale of the Tree of Life. This project is expected to yield useful insights into molecular evolution and to provide a valuable guide for future evolutionary analyses of genomes.Read moreRead less
Directed evolution of ancestral bacterial flagellar motors. This project aims to produce new knowledge concerning the adaptation of bacterial species to wide environmental changes. The bacterial flagellar motor (BFM) is a motor 40 nanometers in diameter that builds itself into bacterial membranes, rotates five times faster than a Formula One engine, and switches directions in milliseconds. . This project will combine ancestral reconstruction of ancient motor components with protein engineering t ....Directed evolution of ancestral bacterial flagellar motors. This project aims to produce new knowledge concerning the adaptation of bacterial species to wide environmental changes. The bacterial flagellar motor (BFM) is a motor 40 nanometers in diameter that builds itself into bacterial membranes, rotates five times faster than a Formula One engine, and switches directions in milliseconds. . This project will combine ancestral reconstruction of ancient motor components with protein engineering to understand how the different ion channels that power the BFM in different species are selective for different positive ions. It will inspire and inform future manufacturing in bionanotechnology.Read moreRead less
One Day, We'll All Invest This Way! Regulating Online Investment. This project will provide policy recommendations to promote national research priority 3: particularly goals 4 & 5. It will do this by using good regulation to increase the safety of online investing services. It will bring to Australia international expertise not available here, crucial to good regulation of online investing. If investors trust this mostly beneficial technology it will further Australians' prosperity through in ....One Day, We'll All Invest This Way! Regulating Online Investment. This project will provide policy recommendations to promote national research priority 3: particularly goals 4 & 5. It will do this by using good regulation to increase the safety of online investing services. It will bring to Australia international expertise not available here, crucial to good regulation of online investing. If investors trust this mostly beneficial technology it will further Australians' prosperity through investment e.g. for retirement. Competitive advantage through good regulation will bring overseas investors to Australia through the Internet. It will consolidate its role as a financial centre. With 51% of adults owning shares, this research could save Australians more than $1.6 billion per annum! Read moreRead less
Estimating evolutionary time-scales using genomic sequence data: exploiting opportunities and meeting challenges. Genomic data are being produced at a phenomenal rate, enabling detailed investigations of various biological questions. This project will exploit the new opportunities for improving the estimation of evolutionary time-scales, and develop methods and software to address the new challenges that have surfaced.
Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development - Grant ID: DI100100158
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$199,988.00
Summary
Climate change research: Can Sydney rock oysters adapt to chronic multigenerational exposure to ocean acidification and temperature?
. Our goal is to understand how long term exposure to climate change will affect oysters in an effort to climate-proof the Australian oyster industry. Oyster farming is worth more than $1 billion a year in retail sales and employs thousands of Australians. The future of this industry is threatened by climate change, particularly its impact on the reproduction an ....Climate change research: Can Sydney rock oysters adapt to chronic multigenerational exposure to ocean acidification and temperature?
. Our goal is to understand how long term exposure to climate change will affect oysters in an effort to climate-proof the Australian oyster industry. Oyster farming is worth more than $1 billion a year in retail sales and employs thousands of Australians. The future of this industry is threatened by climate change, particularly its impact on the reproduction and development of oysters. Our study will identify how oysters respond to chronic multigenerational exposure to ocean acidification and temperature, & identify physiological mechanisms and genes associated with climate change adaptation. This work will maintain Australia's position at the forefront of climate change research on marine ecosystems.Read moreRead less
Discovering genes which modify human physical performance: a means of developing healthier life styles & novel athletic training programs. The aim of this multicentred study (University of Sydney, Australian National University, Australian Institute of Sport) is to find genes in the cardiac and musculoskeletal systems that are involved in modifying human physical performance. From this knowledge, it is proposed to develop novel physical training programs in our national sporting institutions ba ....Discovering genes which modify human physical performance: a means of developing healthier life styles & novel athletic training programs. The aim of this multicentred study (University of Sydney, Australian National University, Australian Institute of Sport) is to find genes in the cardiac and musculoskeletal systems that are involved in modifying human physical performance. From this knowledge, it is proposed to develop novel physical training programs in our national sporting institutions based on an individual's genetic information. In the broader community, knowledge of genes which contribute to the normal and healthy functioning of the cardiac and musculoskeletal systems will be invaluable in understanding and preventing breakdowns in these body systems.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160100755
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$371,000.00
Summary
Evolution of genome architecture. The project aims to understand how changes to genome architecture over evolutionary time are linked to the diversity of animal morphology. Our genome sequence is arranged into higher order structures that enable coordinated gene expression. The appropriate expression of genes in time and space is necessary to produce the multitude of cell types that make up a multicellular organism. Yet, to date, genome topology is poorly explored, especially between species. Th ....Evolution of genome architecture. The project aims to understand how changes to genome architecture over evolutionary time are linked to the diversity of animal morphology. Our genome sequence is arranged into higher order structures that enable coordinated gene expression. The appropriate expression of genes in time and space is necessary to produce the multitude of cell types that make up a multicellular organism. Yet, to date, genome topology is poorly explored, especially between species. The project involves comparisons of the 3D structure of genomes in divergent species. These findings are expected to inform the underlying principles of gene regulation in animals and species evolution.Read moreRead less
The role of genome reorganisation in adaptation and speciation. Local adaptation and speciation are fundamental evolutionary processes that rely on changes to the genome. However, the role of genome architecture (e.g. chromosomal rearrangements, gene duplications) in driving these processes is poorly understood. This project will use advanced comparative genomics and bioinformatics to examine the role of chromosome rearrangements in driving adaptation and speciation, and evaluate rates of molec ....The role of genome reorganisation in adaptation and speciation. Local adaptation and speciation are fundamental evolutionary processes that rely on changes to the genome. However, the role of genome architecture (e.g. chromosomal rearrangements, gene duplications) in driving these processes is poorly understood. This project will use advanced comparative genomics and bioinformatics to examine the role of chromosome rearrangements in driving adaptation and speciation, and evaluate rates of molecular evolution between the X-chromosome and autosomes. Utilising Australia’s endemic mammalian fauna as a tractable model system, I will link population processes with macro-evolutionary outcomes to show how genome architecture underpins biodiversity.Read moreRead less
Democracy and the Bourgeoisie: Post-Communism and the Transition to Capitalism. There is commonly perceived to be a relationship between social structure and regime type. This proposal seeks to understand the impact the type of bourgeoisie has upon the prospects for democracy. Its principal focus is contemporary Russia. In order to obtain theoretical purchase and historical perspective, the Russian experience will be compared with the effects on political development of a range of other bourgeo ....Democracy and the Bourgeoisie: Post-Communism and the Transition to Capitalism. There is commonly perceived to be a relationship between social structure and regime type. This proposal seeks to understand the impact the type of bourgeoisie has upon the prospects for democracy. Its principal focus is contemporary Russia. In order to obtain theoretical purchase and historical perspective, the Russian experience will be compared with the effects on political development of a range of other bourgeoisies, coming from the classic early industrialiser countries, the late industrialisers, a number of third world countries, and some of the post-communist states.Read moreRead less
Rites of Power: Symbolism, Ritual and Politics in the Soviet Union and Russia. In the last fifteen years, Russia has undergone major political change associated with the collapse of the USSR. One of the most important tasks of the new regime is to establish a sense of its legitimacy, which should in turn help to shape its future. As a major player in global politics and a significant power in the Asia-Pacific region, Russia's internal development has important consequences for Australia and the ....Rites of Power: Symbolism, Ritual and Politics in the Soviet Union and Russia. In the last fifteen years, Russia has undergone major political change associated with the collapse of the USSR. One of the most important tasks of the new regime is to establish a sense of its legitimacy, which should in turn help to shape its future. As a major player in global politics and a significant power in the Asia-Pacific region, Russia's internal development has important consequences for Australia and the world. Only by understanding Russia and what is happening inside it can Australia adequately deal with and interact with it. This project will substantially further such understanding.Read moreRead less