Predicting Biodiversity from Population Dynamics. This research aims to deepen our understanding of how changes to the environment, including those attributable to human activities, influence the ecological and evolutionary mechanisms that generate and maintain biodiversity. This understanding is of urgent importance, in light of the predicted changes in climate and habitat over the next century, because biodiversity is critical to the proper functioning of ecosystems that human societies depend ....Predicting Biodiversity from Population Dynamics. This research aims to deepen our understanding of how changes to the environment, including those attributable to human activities, influence the ecological and evolutionary mechanisms that generate and maintain biodiversity. This understanding is of urgent importance, in light of the predicted changes in climate and habitat over the next century, because biodiversity is critical to the proper functioning of ecosystems that human societies depend upon. The graduate student involved in this research will have the opportunity to receive in-depth training as part of a cross-disciplinary collaboration that combines mathematics, ecology, evolution, and paleontology.
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Testing indicators of genetic exchange and adaptation of populations, essential for biodiversity assessment and management. There will be diverse benefits from our testing and improvement of genetic indicators for exchange between populations and adaptive differentiation of populations. Managers and population biologists will have confidence in choice and use of these vital tools in sustainable use of our terrestrial and aquatic bioresources, as recommended by the federal State of Environment s ....Testing indicators of genetic exchange and adaptation of populations, essential for biodiversity assessment and management. There will be diverse benefits from our testing and improvement of genetic indicators for exchange between populations and adaptive differentiation of populations. Managers and population biologists will have confidence in choice and use of these vital tools in sustainable use of our terrestrial and aquatic bioresources, as recommended by the federal State of Environment system. Also, the use of these tools to identify differential genetic adaptations is the first step in bioprospecting, as well as revealing the raw material for natural and artificial populations to adapt to changes: soil loss, salinity, acidity, climate change. Forensic genetics will benefit from the improved tools for defining subpopulations.Read moreRead less
Mitochondrially targeted anti-cancer drugs modulate the mitochondrial genome. Successful cancer management requires novel therapeutical approaches. This project will test the effect of a new class of compounds that target mitochondria, the powerhouse of the cells, where they suppress expression of mitochondrial genes. By this mechanism, cancers that are resistant to apoptosis induction can be inhibited.
When corals bleach, what is the weakest photosynthetic link? Despite dire warning of the imminent impact (< 50 y) of climate change of coral reefs, we still do not understand the fundamental processes of coral bleaching. This project will enhance future management of Australia's extensive coral reef ecosystems by providing details on critical gaps in our knowledge. This will feed directly into several layers of management agencies for policy development and risk assessment. Managing our reefs in ....When corals bleach, what is the weakest photosynthetic link? Despite dire warning of the imminent impact (< 50 y) of climate change of coral reefs, we still do not understand the fundamental processes of coral bleaching. This project will enhance future management of Australia's extensive coral reef ecosystems by providing details on critical gaps in our knowledge. This will feed directly into several layers of management agencies for policy development and risk assessment. Managing our reefs in an ecologically sustainable manner is vital to the future economic, social and cultural prosperity of Australia. The economic importance of healthy and biodiverse coral reefs is pivotal to both the tourism and fisheries-based economies of Queensland ($2.4 b/y). Read moreRead less
Mechanisms of action and expression of bioactive compounds produced by the surface associated marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas tunicata. The marine surface-associated bacterium Pseudoalteromonas tunicata produces a number of bioactive metabolites that inhibit the colonisation and growth of common fouling organisms such as bacteria, fungi, algae and invertebrate larvae. The antibacterial and antifungal compounds represent novel metabolites active against a remarkable range of both medically and ....Mechanisms of action and expression of bioactive compounds produced by the surface associated marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas tunicata. The marine surface-associated bacterium Pseudoalteromonas tunicata produces a number of bioactive metabolites that inhibit the colonisation and growth of common fouling organisms such as bacteria, fungi, algae and invertebrate larvae. The antibacterial and antifungal compounds represent novel metabolites active against a remarkable range of both medically and agriculturally important bacteria and fungi. This project aims to explore the identity, mode of action and regulation of expression of these compounds. This research proposal addresses several significant biological concepts and will lead to the development of novel environmentally friendly antifouling and antimicrobial technologies.Read moreRead less
Microbial genomics of the southern ocean: monitoring environmental health. This program will derive an integrated understanding of microbial ecology which is essential for determining ways of preserving the health of the World's ecosystems. Through the development of a unique microbial genomics program, Australia will remain a world leader in Antarctic biology, strengthening Australia's reputation in technologically innovative scientific programs of global significance, training local scientists ....Microbial genomics of the southern ocean: monitoring environmental health. This program will derive an integrated understanding of microbial ecology which is essential for determining ways of preserving the health of the World's ecosystems. Through the development of a unique microbial genomics program, Australia will remain a world leader in Antarctic biology, strengthening Australia's reputation in technologically innovative scientific programs of global significance, training local scientists in cutting edge genomic biology and fostering the interests of the international community in sciences ranging from microbial ecology to climate change.Read moreRead less
Chemical Defenses Against Microbial Colonisation of Living Marine Surfaces. Microorganisms have a major impact on all ecosystems. Many of these effects are due to the formation of biofilms - cell clusters and their slime matrix - on living and non-living surfaces. Biofilm formation is often regulated by chemical signals. The aim of this project is to understand how naturally produced chemical signals mediate the formation of biofilms on surfaces of marine macroalgae (seaweeds) at both the eco ....Chemical Defenses Against Microbial Colonisation of Living Marine Surfaces. Microorganisms have a major impact on all ecosystems. Many of these effects are due to the formation of biofilms - cell clusters and their slime matrix - on living and non-living surfaces. Biofilm formation is often regulated by chemical signals. The aim of this project is to understand how naturally produced chemical signals mediate the formation of biofilms on surfaces of marine macroalgae (seaweeds) at both the ecological and molecular levels. By understanding colonisation of natural living surfaces, this project will lead directly to significant advances in control of microorganisms in a variety of applied areas (water treatment, biomaterials, antifouling).Read moreRead less
Dispersal and gene flow in habitat-forming algae. The temperate coast of Australia has a unique and diverse algal flora. Many of these algae play a central role in subtidal ecology by providing habitat to an astonishing diversity of taxa. Despite this, we have no understanding of levels of gene flow within and among populations of habitat forming algae or how such populations persist in nature. By addressing this lack of knowledge, my research will contribute information that is critical for the ....Dispersal and gene flow in habitat-forming algae. The temperate coast of Australia has a unique and diverse algal flora. Many of these algae play a central role in subtidal ecology by providing habitat to an astonishing diversity of taxa. Despite this, we have no understanding of levels of gene flow within and among populations of habitat forming algae or how such populations persist in nature. By addressing this lack of knowledge, my research will contribute information that is critical for the conservation and management of algal habitats. This is particularly pertinent because anthropogentic stressors are beginning to precipitate significant changes in algal forests along Australia's coastline. Read moreRead less
Novel platinum(IV) complexes that are targeted to and trapped by tumours and tumour cells. Platinum complexes continue to be a mainstay in the treatment of solid tumours and their combination with molecularly targeted agents selected for the type of tumour and the mutations identified is expected to lead to continued growth in their use. However, their toxicity remains a major impediment to their use and effectiveness and therefore, this project aims to develop less toxic analogues that are as l ....Novel platinum(IV) complexes that are targeted to and trapped by tumours and tumour cells. Platinum complexes continue to be a mainstay in the treatment of solid tumours and their combination with molecularly targeted agents selected for the type of tumour and the mutations identified is expected to lead to continued growth in their use. However, their toxicity remains a major impediment to their use and effectiveness and therefore, this project aims to develop less toxic analogues that are as least as effective as current drugs. This project will combine recent developments in stabilisation and cellular trapping of platinum(IV) pro-drugs with a range of strategies designed to limit activation of these pro-drugs to the tumour environment.Read moreRead less
Does mate choice play a role in the fertilization ecology of free-spawners? Botanists have long recognised the consequences of differential compatibility between mates for breeding programs and agriculture. In important aquaculture species such as abalone and sea-urchins, similar variation in mate compatibility has been observed but current theory struggles to explain this variation and its consequences. I have identified a new explanation for this variation and will test this explanation using ....Does mate choice play a role in the fertilization ecology of free-spawners? Botanists have long recognised the consequences of differential compatibility between mates for breeding programs and agriculture. In important aquaculture species such as abalone and sea-urchins, similar variation in mate compatibility has been observed but current theory struggles to explain this variation and its consequences. I have identified a new explanation for this variation and will test this explanation using a marine invertebrate that is a model system for study around the world. A positive result offers promise of explaining how females 'select' mates in free-spawning species and explaining the consequence of this mate selection.Read moreRead less