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 Cummins | Dr Sankar Subramanian | Dr Renfu Shao | Dr Min Zhao | Dr Tianfang Wang | Associate Professor Tomer Ventura | Associate Professor Joanne Macdonald | Dr 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 Zhao | Associate 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 Ventura | Dr 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.
Genetics
Our investigation centres on two main areas: inheritance and variations. Our primary focus is on the study of genes, encompassing their modes of inheritance, effects, distributions, and interactions with environmental factors that shape phenotypes. Examples of our recent studies have utilized genome-wide DNA markers or genome sequence information to predict risks for diseases on the productive performance of animal, plant, and ecological species. Additionally, we have attempted to understand how genes are expressed and regulated in distinct cell types and/or in response to different environmental stimuli. We have also delved into genetic mechanisms beyond the genome, named cytoplasmic genetics (genomics), including mitochondrial DNA, maternal genetic effects, and transgenerational epigenetic inheritance.
Omics
We have studied different omics technologies (transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) to understand the central dogma of biology across living organisms. Regarding genomics, we have studied genome structure and functions or conducted genome assembly for non-model organisms. We have studied the transcriptome—the complete set of RNA transcripts of different species. Members of the Cluster have also detected novel neuropeptides involved in various biological processes of aquaculture species. Another focal area of our cluster is evolutionary genomics; for instance, the conservation of wildlife such as dingoes or threatened or endangered species.
Data-intensive research
We have been analysing a diverse array of next generation sequencing data, including genome, transcriptome, and metabolome data. In addition, we have devised new statistical models, modern methods, and new algorithms (artificial intelligence) to analyse genetic and omics data. Members of the Cluster have developed specialized genetic and genomic packages and public databases, for instance, for cancer genomics.
Biotechnology and molecular engineering
The main research themes of this component cover molecular computing, diagnostic technology, virology and epidemiology, biochemistry and drug development, materials science and engineering, biomedical and health sciences, and water and environment. Additionally, our research aims to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying crustacean masculinity and metamorphosis, as well as the genetic causes for vertebral deformities and flesh colour variation in salmon.
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.
Contact: Dr Nguyen Hong Nguyen
In the news
Fighting cancer and climate change: UniSC researchers use genetic research to unlock seaweed’s hidden secrets
UniSC researchers have undertaken genetic analysis of 12 edible seaweeds to identify potential cancer-preventing compounds.
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.