nautilus_bioinfo2_0

Bioinformatics and bio-mathematical modelling

Explore mathematical approaches to plant biology, from genetic information to cellular processes, plant-environment interactions, and climate change models to understand how plants function.

About

Using mathematical approaches to biological problems underpins many research approaches to understand how plants operate. This approach applies to many aspects of plant biology, ranging from understanding genetic information content, function of molecular & cellular processes, plant-environment interactions and global climate change models.

Groups

A white, tadpole-shaped marine organism displayed against a dark background.

Our research is aimed at uncovering the genetic and genomic basis of morphological complexity in animals, from both developmental and evolutionary perspectives.

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We study the genetic basis of Climate Adaptation in foundation plant species, using state of the art Genomic and Phenomic techniques

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A digital illustration of a DNA double helix in a soft blue environment.

We use phylogenetic comparative methods to investigate the characteristics of lineages that influence the pattern and rate of genome evolution.

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Fahrer group

We are working on a very simple and inexpensive cancer immunotherapy treatment, and a bioinformatics study looking for novel proteins in different genomes.

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A possom on a tree

The aim of our research is to understand the ecology and evolution of interactions between plants and animals in the Australian biota.

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A close-up view of a complex, lace-like structure inside a circular frame, resembling a microscopic coral or sponge.

We focus on understanding what processes shape the distribution of genetic variation.The nature of our work is largely computational and statistical.

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Close-up of a green leaf covered in fine, white frost against a blurred orange background.

We investigate the molecular basis of disease and disease resistance in tomato (leaf mould and Fusarium wilt resistance) and flax (flax rust resistance).​

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A circular phylogenetic tree diagram showing the relationships among various life forms including Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukaryota, with colored branches denoting different groups.

Our work is motivated by the desire to understand molecular evolution, from the origin of mutations in individuals to their fixation in evolving lineages.

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A close-up photo of a unique green and maroon orchid with elongated, curved petals and stripes, set against a soft-focus green background.

Our main research interest is in fungal-plant-interactions, both applied and pure research, on a range of important pathogens.

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Logo for ANU Bee Lab featuring a stylized bee above the letters "ANU" with "BEE LAB" in a yellow rectangle.

Our research actually spans may study systems and research questions. But the evolution of honey bee parasites and diseases and is a major focus.

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Pogson group

The overarching theme of our research is to determine the controls and regulators of communication between the chloroplast and nucleus.

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Illustration showing how cyanobacteria and carboxysomes support photosynthesis in a tobacco plant, detailing the flow of molecules like CO2 and sugars.

The Price lab is presently focusing on the molecular biology and physiology of photosynthesis in cyanobacteria (blue-green photosynthetic bacteria) and plants

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Illustration of a green plant with multiple leaves, some of which have yellow spots, on a white background.

Rathjen group focuses on all aspects of plant immunity, characterising the fascinating interplay between host and pathogen.

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A group of people smiling for a photo on a sunny beach with waves in the background.

Our team focuses on questions around plant biosecurity in Australia by studying the interaction between plants and their fungal pathogen.

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A person in a wetsuit kneels beside a large sea turtle on a boat, smiling at the camera.

Associate Professor Ana M. M. Sequeira, a marine ecologist based at ANU, leads breakthrough research in the field of marine megafauna movement and conservation.

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Group of eleven diverse people posing together on a sandy beach.

The Solomon group focuses on pathogens of wheat that threaten food security and stability.

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A collage of diverse scientific diagrams and data visualizations including charts, graphs, and molecular structures.

We study aspects of the evolutionary process, including mutational events, the genetic basis of fitness-related traits, and genetic variation.

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Projects

Identification and characterisation of membrane transport proteins

Plant pathogens produce secreted proteins during infection of their hosts and these proteins, known as effectors, aid in the infection process. In turn, plants have evolved disease resistance genes encoding receptor proteins that can trigger a highly effective defence response upon recognition of these effectors.

Student intake

Open for Honours, Master, PhD students

People

Single genes, through differential splicing, can encode several different proteins.

Student intake

Open for Bachelor, PhD students

People

This project will focus on two pan-animal signaling pathways, Wnt and TGF-beta, which are involved in a variety of developmemtal processes, such as symmetry breaking during embryonic development, axial patterning and regeneration.

Student intake

Open for PhD students

People

In 'higher animals' these factors are involved in specification and patterning of the endodermal derivatives (such as gut), and we have recently demonstrated that in sponges they are expressed during formation and maintenance of the choanoderm (the innermost feeding layer which we hypothesise is homologous to the gut).

Student intake

Open for PhD students

People

Our lab is investigating adaptations that confer resilience to drought and aridity in Eucalyptus, with the aim of assisting conservation genetic management and restoration of
Australian forests. In particular, our current project is delving below ground to uncover variation in root growth strategies.

Student intake

Open for Bachelor students

People