About the Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics research cluster | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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About the Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics research cluster

Exploring new ways to manipulate molecules and improve biotechnology.

The strengths of our cluster

This cluster exists to explore genetic information and leverage this knowledge for scientific, medical, agricultural, industrial, and societal advancements.

The combined expertise of the cluster members will facilitate the implementation and production of more significant research impacts on the field and society. It will also support the effective delivery of genetics (genomics) and bioinformatics courses at UniSC, and international courses in the future.

This collaboration will enhance the research and teaching capacity of the Cluster's members, consequently benefiting the University as a whole. Additionally, it will contribute to the research agenda and align with the University's missions and visions.

Our efforts and collaboration with internal and external institutions from different disciplines and areas of expertise will enhance the potential for ground-breaking discoveries and innovations, contributing to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Our work

We represent a convergence of multiple disciplines and aim to have a profound impact on our understanding of life, health, and the environment.

Specifically, our cluster endeavours to contribute to:

Genetics and Genomics

Advancing scientific knowledge in the fields of genetics and genomics to unravel the fundamental principles governing the inheritance, variation, and expression of genes in living organisms. This understanding of the genetic basis of traits, diseases, and evolution contributes to our broader understanding of biology and life sciences.

Researchers: Professor Scott Cummins | Dr Sankar Subramanian | Dr Renfu Shao | Dr Min Zhao | Dr Tianfang Wang | Dr Nguyen Hong Nguyen

 

Data-intensive research

Bioinformatics is essential for managing and analysing vast amounts of biological data, such as DNA sequences, gene expression profiles, and protein structures, to gain meaningful insights from complex biological information, and facilitate research in genetics, genomics, and biotechnology.

Researchers: Professor Scott CumminsDr Sankar SubramanianDr Renfu ShaoDr Min Zhao | Dr Tianfang WangAssociate Professor Tomer VenturaAssociate Professor Joanne MacdonaldDr Nguyen Hong Nguyen

Medical and Health sectors

Transforming the medical and health sectors: Identifying genetic factors underlying diseases enables the development of diagnostic tests, gene therapies, and treatments for genetic disorders.

Researchers: Dr Sankar Subramanian | Dr Min ZhaoAssociate Professor Joanne Macdonald

Biotechnology

Biotechnology advancements leverage genetic and genomic knowledge to develop novel products and processes. This includes the production of biofuels, pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and enzymes.

Researchers: Professor Scott Cummins | Dr Tianfang Wang | Associate Professor Joanne Macdonald

Agriculture and Food

Enhancing agricultural and food production through the development of more resilient and productive genetic lines and sustainable agricultural practices, which can help address global challenges: food security, climate change and disease pandemics.

Researchers: Associate Professor Tomer VenturaDr Nguyen Hong Nguyen

Molecular Engineering

Molecular engineering focuses on designing and manipulating biological molecules, such as DNA, proteins, and enzymes, for specific applications. This field plays a critical role in creating synthetic biology solutions, designing biocompatible materials, and developing new tools for molecular diagnostics.

Researcher: Associate Professor Joanne Macdonald

 

Our impact

Our research findings have established foundational new knowledge and provided valuable insights to advance several disciplinary areas in biological, chemical, environmental, and medical sciences.
Our significant impacts on industry and the national economy

Our work has established new suites of high polymorphic DNA markers that are used for parentage assignment of 10 aquaculture species (e.g., kingfish, banana shrimp, edible oysters), new genetic variants (genes) responsible for complex traits and diseases, functional neuropeptides for various biological traits of animal and aquaculture species, and molecular diagnostic tests for tumour suppressor and oncogenes. Conservation of natural genetic resources and biodiversity of terrestrial and aquatic animals, as well as plant and ecological species, is a big focus of our research.

Further work has impacted molecular genetic tests for infectious diseases, mutational loads in dingoes and breed dogs, gene silencing (iRNA) technologies to produce mono-sex populations and statistical/bioinformatics tools or packages and public databases. A specific example of our work in action was in the development of a superior genetic line of Nile tilapia in partnership with international colleagues, which has been cultured in 14 different countries and improved the livelihoods of millions of people worldwide.

Genetic lines we have developed for national and international industries had 20-75% greater production performance than the current stocks used by producers and contributed approximately $226 million per annum to national economies
Our teaching and professional impacts

Our teaching has a significant impact on the next generation of biologists, geneticists, and biotechnologists through national and international education and training programs in genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, biotechnology, and molecular engineering. Examples of our contributions to international education programs in genetics and genomics applied to aquaculture include collaborations with several institutions in the region, such as the Asian Institute of Technology, as well as national universities in China, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Our professional impacts are occur through serving on the editorial boards of international journals in the fields (e.g., Frontiers in Genetics, Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, BMC Genomics), acting as keynote speakers and session chairs at national and international conferences (genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, and aquaculture disciplines), regularly reviewing manuscripts for international journals (e.g., Nature Communications, Nature Reviews Genetics, Genome Biology and Evolution) and evaluating grant proposals for national and international funding bodies (e.g., ARC, Science Foundation of the Netherlands). We also are seen on the global stage, collaborating with at least 30 research groups worldwide, including those in China, Japan, England, Denmark, the USA, and Vietnam.

In the news

UniSC secures grants to research iconic species across Queensland

From grey nurse sharks in Moreton Bay and birds of prey on K’gari to manta rays off Cairns and sawfish in Cape York – UniSC has gained new funding for research and citizen science projects to help protect some of the state’s most iconic and threatened species.

USC lecturer raises threatened species awareness

Ahead of World Environment Day (June 5), Dr Ventura will deliver a special presentation on the highly threatened priority species on Sunday 2 June as part of the Moreton Bay Regional Council’s free Wild About Wildlife workshop series.

USC scientist joins world-first lobster research hub

A USC molecular researcher who pioneered a technique to change the sex of crustaceans will play a vital role in a $26 million, five-year joint project to establish the world’s first land-based rock lobster aquaculture industry in Australia.