Honours Projects - Institute for Molecular Bioscience

See below for a list of Honours project opportunities. To apply, please send an expression of interest to the relevant Supervisor(s) ensuring you include a copy of your CV and academic transcript. Don't forget to sign up to alerts to be notified of any new projects added.

Advancing 3D imaging and visualisation of cell surfaces

Biochemical and structural studies of membrane trafficking protein complexes involved in neurodegeneration

Blocking nutrient uptake to limit cancer cell survival

Cancer metastasis and stem-like reprogramming via mechanical signatures

Circadian regulation of protein glycosylation

Controlling cell fate through transcription factor-based reprogramming

Deciphering the DNA-protein interactions that reset the ageing clock during reprogramming

Do cells experience nuclear damage in the absence of microtubules?

Supervisors: Dr Samantha Stehbens (s.stehbens@uq.edu.au), Dr Robert Ju (r.ju@uq.edu.au)

Cells can generate and transmit mechanical forces. Physical compression of cells (such as a cell invading through a dense tissue) can result in damage to the nucleus. This can drive adaptations in nuclear biology. This project will examine how the nucleus responds to force in the absence of the microtubule cytoskeleton.

Endocytosis of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase in Cardiovascular Disease

Engineering cell identity: Using human pluripotent stem cells to program cells with customised functions not seen in the natural world

Supervisor: Dr Nathan Palpant (n.palpant@uq.edu.au)

This project seeks to explore the frontier of cell engineering by utilizing pluripotent stem cells as a model system. These stem cells, known for their ability to differentiate into any cell type, will be manipulated to remove the epigenetic barriers that conventionally restrict cell identity. By transcending these intrinsic limitations, the study aims to engineer cells with functions and characteristics not observed in the natural world. The potential impact of this work extends not only to fundamental discovery science, where it may open new avenues in understanding cellular differentiation and control, but also to translational applications. Innovations in synthetic biology could emerge from this research, impacting areas such as tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and the development of novel therapeutic strategies.

Fighting infection: Enhancing phagocytosis and pathogen killing

How (ab)normal mechanics controls the health (or not) of the eye epithelium

How cytokines increase sensitivity to inflammation triggered by apoptosis in epithelia

How does the tumour mechano-environment facilitate melanoma brain metastasis?

How immune cells eat and digest pathogens; phagocytosis

Immune navigation: changing signals to control inflammation in disease

Investigating a newly identified mechanism of innate immune defence using tissue culture and zebrafish models

Investigating a novel pathway that controls venous blood vessel integrity

Supervisor: Dr Anne Lagendijk (a.lagendijk@imb.uq.edu.au)

A healthy vasculature is central to a functioning cardiovascular system. One aspect imperative to a homeostatic vascular system is the integrity of junctions between adjacent endothelial cells (ECs). It is appreciated that arteries and veins display different adhesive properties at EC junctions, underpinning their distinct functions. However, the molecular mechanisms controlling this heterogeneous adhesion and junction integrity across divergent vessel types are not well understood.

Preliminary data in our lab has uncovered a novel factor that specifically controls venous EC adhesion. We have shown this specific role in both loss-of-function zebrafish and 3D bioengineered human vessels, displaying disrupted venous endothelial junctions and venous vessel dysmorphia. Notably, arteries are unaffected. Such vessel-restricted phenotypes are rare, and this project aims to characterise the cellular mechanisms that determine this specificity. We are seeking an enthusiastic and driven Honours student to assist in the phenotyping of novel zebrafish CRISPR knockout lines that have been generated as part of this project. You will gain skills in zebrafish handling, molecular cloning, CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing and high-resolution live imaging of functioning blood vessels. Specific project aims include:

1. Phenotypic rescue experiments by re-expressing genes in zebrafish knockout models

2. Determine the functional consequences of compromised ECs (i.e. vessel hyperpermeability or breakdown) using dextran injections

3. Assist in phenotyping of novel CRISPR/Cas9 zebrafish mutant lines to help delineate the key players in this novel venous specific pathway

Investigating blood vessel formation and function

Supervisors: Dr Emma Gordon (e.gordon@imb.uq.edu.au), Dr Lilian Schimmel (l.schimmel@imb.uq.edu.au)

The research within the Gordon lab is focused on the formation and maintenance of the blood vascular system. Vessels form complex branched networks that supply oxygen and nutrients to all body tissues. The signals controlling blood vessel growth, identity and migration are all downstream of a single, common complex at the cell surface, yet exactly how these signals mediate a diverse range of functions, depending on the physiological need, remains unknown.

Using biochemistry and microscopy, this project will examine how the extracellular environment is involved in directing the signals from the common cell surface complex to mediated either blood vessel growth, identity, or migration.

Investigating the role of the vasculature in COVID-19

Leveraging single cell multiome data to identity drivers of organ ageing (dry lab/computational project)

Live imaging of cell lineage differentiation in a novel transgenic quail model

Modelling human genetic variants for muscle and adipose phenotypes using the zebrafish

Regulation of liver protein secretion and its regulation by circadian and feeding rhythms

Role of macrophage metabolism in driving inflammation

Role of macrophage metabolism in host defence against bacterial infections

Screening for metastasis inhibitory markers in cancer

Specific role of the circadian clocks in the different liver cell types and how they interact

Studies of membrane trafficking protein complexes involved in neurodegenerative disease using X-ray crystallography and cryoelectron microscopy

Targeting Nanoparticles to Fight Cancer

Targeting stress and protein quality control pathways in skeletal muscle disease

Supervisors: Dr Amy Hanna (a.hanna@imb.uq.edu.au), Dr Nathan Palpant (n.palpant@uq.edu.au)

Skeletal muscle is an active, highly dynamic tissue that is constantly synthesizing new proteins to perform integral muscle activities like contraction, temperature regulation and energy expenditure. In healthy muscle, misfolded proteins are removed before they can affect cellular health but in some muscle diseases these misfolded proteins remain in the cell and aggregate causing activation of stress pathways. How these misfolded proteins affect the ability of muscle to function is poorly understood. This proposal will examine the factors that regulate protein folding in skeletal muscle and determine how the accumulation of misfolded proteins affects muscle contraction and relaxation. Our work will also determine whether these stress pathways are a viable target for treating congenital myopathy by testing novel pharmacological agents in disease models.

The role of caveolae in cancer

Understanding acid sensitivity of the heart: identifying genes and drugs that block the injury response of the heart during ischemic stress

Supervisor: Dr Nathan Palpant (n.palpant@uq.edu.au)

This project aims to explore heart injury mechanisms that occur under low-oxygen conditions. Drawing insights from studies on high altitude adaptation, the project aims to uncover genetic factors that may confer tolerance to hypoxic environments. These discoveries are anticipated to facilitate the identification of novel genetic targets that can be employed in the treatment of patients suffering from heart attacks. Utilizing human pluripotent stem cells, ischemia will be modeled in vitro to test new genes or pharmacological agents that prevent cell death under acute stress conditions. Given that heart attacks represent the leading cause of death globally, the findings of this project will offer innovative strategies to alleviate the substantial burden associated with cardiac diseases.

Understanding microtubule-dependent cell invasion to enhance innate immune responses

Unlocking Vascular Control: Investigation of a Novel Gene Regulating Blood Pressure for Therapeutic Development

Supervisor: Dr Nathan Palpant (n.palpant@uq.edu.au)

This project aims to study a newly discovered gene that plays a crucial role in controlling vascular development and regulating blood pressure. We aim to understand the mechanisms and functions of this gene to open new avenues for the development of novel therapeutics specifically tailored for blood pressure management. Utilizing an integrative approach that combines animal models, stem cell models, and genetics, the study will dissect the pathways and functions of this gene. The project will contribute to the expanding body of knowledge surrounding genetic control of vascular function, thus enhancing our comprehension of blood pressure regulation at a molecular level. The outcomes may lead to the creation of new drugs, providing approaches to treat hypertension and other blood pressure-related diseases.

Water bears (tardigrades) as a system to study stress resistance

Zinc toxicity as an antimicrobial weapon of macrophages

AEP-mediated biosynthesis of orally active cyclotide-based antagonists for bradykinin B1 receptor

Benchmarking deep learning methods for designing active peptides

Boosting accumulation of cyclisation-stabilised peptide-based pharmaceuticals in plant seeds

C-fos: a measure of pain in chemotherapy induced neuropathy

Chemical strategies to deliver peptide drugs into cells

Chemical synthesis and structure-activity-relationship studies of the trefoil factor family

Defining cylclotide membrane interactions using nanodisc

Dehydrating microalgal to extend their shelf-life for medical and agricultural use.

Design and characterisation of a next-generation antimicrobial peptide

Design and characterisation of a new generation of anti-obesity peptides

Designing experimental drugs using computers and structure-based drug design

Supervisors: Professor David Fairlie (d.fairlie@uq.edu.au), Dr Huy Hoang (h.hoang@imb.uq.edu.au)

Computational approaches can be powerful aids for drug discovery as they combine and amplify the power of three dimensional structures of both small molecule drug leads and protein targets with molecular insights to disease development. This project will use computer-based methods to design, discover and optimise new candidate drug leads.

Designing protein drugs for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases

Supervisor: Dr Conan Wang (c.wang@imb.uq.edu.au)

Cytokines are signalling proteins that play essential roles in immune responses and have garnered clinical interest in the context of cancer, autoimmunity, and infectious disease. This project aims to overcome their limitations of poor stability, activity, and specificity to develop new therapeutics. Candidates will learn new skills in drug design and characterisation using tools in molecular biology, biochemistry, and structural biology.

Determining three-dimensional structures of protein modulators using NMR spectroscopy

Supervisors: Professor David Fairlie (d.fairlie@uq.edu.au), Dr Huy Hoang (h.hoang@imb.uq.edu.au)

Three-dimensional structures of compounds in solution determine their activities on biological targets (e.g. proteins, DNA, RNA). NMR spectroscopy is the most powerful and versatile method to elucidate solution structures, dynamics and interactions of chemical compounds alone and with their targets. This project will give opportunities to solve three dimensional structures of bioactive fragments of proteins and small molecule modulators of proteins.

Developing microalgae soil additives that improve soil health

Developing new mass spectrometric methods for the rapid identification and assignment of absolute configuration to chiral amino compounds

Developing new drugs for inflammatory bowel disease

Supervisors: Professor David Fairlie (d.fairlie@uq.edu.au), Dr Eunice Poon (k.poon@uq.edu.au)

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a collection of complex chronic inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. It is currently treated with immunosuppressives that are associated with significant, often severe, side effects. This project will evaluate the effectiveness of new therapeutic compounds with different mechanisms of action using a mouse model of colitis and various molecular biology techniques.

Development of gut-stable peptide hormones

Discovery of novel ion channel modulators from cone snail venoms

Discovery of novel sodium channel modulators from venoms

Efficient design of drugs using new nanoscale technologies Principal advisor

Supervisor: Dr Conan Wang (c.wang@imb.uq.edu.au)

Powerful technologies have emerged to perform millions of experiments quickly in tiny nanolitre droplets, and have attracted wide interest from major pharmaceutical companies because of the potential to accelerate drug discovery. Honours project opportunities are available to investigate these next-generation tools for drug design and learn new skills in one or more areas of nanotechnology and molecular biology.

Efficient extraction of recombinant proteins from algae

GABA-A receptor variants in epilepsy

Genetic exploration of Petunia as a novel platform for producing cyclisation-stabilised peptide-based pharmaceuticals

Glycine receptor variants in autism spectrum disorder

Improving photosynthetic oxygen for food and therapeutics

Mechanisms of cell uptake by macrocyclic drug

Supervisors: Professor David Fairlie (d.fairlie@uq.edu.au), Dr Liping Liu (liping.liu@uq.edu.au)

Protein-protein interactions are responsible for most biological processes and so proteins and their peptide fragments hold immense promise for treating diseases. However, to be used as medicines they must first penetrate cellular membranes which is a key problem. Endocytosis is the principal mechanism of cellular uptake but peptides often get trapped in endosomes and mechanisms of escape into the cytoplasm are not well understood. This project will study diverse peptide structures for cell uptake and findings may help in designing new drugs with enhanced cellular delivery.

Method development for chemical synthesis of proteins

Neuro-immune interactions involved in painful neuropathies

Neuropeptides and their role in memory formation

New antiparasitic to protect Australian livestock

NLRP3 inflammasome activation by chemotherapies and the therapeutic application

NMDA receptor variants in neurological disorders

NMR structures and computational studies to design bioavailable peptides

Pesticides targeting invertebrate synaptic receptors

Pharmacology of Stinging Nettle venom

Protein Engineering using a new class of ligase enzymes

Regulating mucin protection against microbes in our gut

Supervisors: Professor David Fairlie (d.fairlie@uq.edu.au), Dr Eunice Poon (k.poon@uq.edu.au)

The intestine is lined with a layer of mucus which acts as a protective barrier against microbial invasion. Mucins are a major component of this layer and are secreted mainly by goblet cells in the epithelium. We have identified a protein that, when activated, depletes mucins from goblet cells. The exact mechanism for this effect is unknown. This project aims to further understand this process by using in vivo and ex vivo techniques and to regulate the process using novel drug leads.

Reassessing the classification of conotoxin genes into superfamilies

Reengineering of wasp venom peptides for antimicrobial applications

Role of adhesion molecules in chemotherapy induced side effects

Single-channel analysis of voltage-gated sodium channels

Soils for Science - Searching the soil microbes for new antibiotics

Soils for Science - Searching the soil microbes for new antifungals

Stapled peptides as anticancer drugs

Structure-activity relationships of cyclic dynorphin A analogues targeting kappa opioid receptors

Synthesis and oxidative folding pathway of disulfide-rich cyclic peptides

Synthesis of bacterial metabolite analogues as anti-inflammatory drugs

Synthesis of DNA-binding peptides for anti-cancer therapy

Synthesis of fluorescent probes for visualising an inflammatory protein in cells

Supervisors: Professor David Fairlie (d.fairlie@uq.edu.au), Dr Jeff Mak (j.mak@imb.uq.edu.au)

Class IIa histone deacetylases (HDACs) are enzymes involved in regulating inflammation in humans. Unlike other HDACs, they do not localise within the nucleus, but shuttle between the nucleus and the cytosol. The project aims to synthesise fluorescent ligands for studying and visualising these processes.

Synthesis of modified bacterial metabolites as anti-inflammatory drugs

Supervisors: Professor David Fairlie (d.fairlie@uq.edu.au), Dr Jeff Mak (j.mak@imb.uq.edu.au)

Mucosal associated invariant T cells (MAIT cells) are antibacterial immune cells that are activated by small molecule bacterial metabolites. However, their excessive activation can contribute to inflammatory diseases such as colitis. This project aims to modify bacterial metabolites to produce new MAIT cell inhibitors as potential leads to a new class of anti-inflammatory drugs.

Synthesis of long-acting antidiabetic agents

Supervisors: Professor David Fairlie (d.fairlie@uq.edu.au), Dr Tim Hill (t.hill@imb.uq.edu.au)

Derivatives of the hormone glucagon-like peptide have been used to treat diabetes and more recently obesity. We have previously developed compounds like this hormone that have profoundly different effects on cells, but with poor drug-like properties such as plasma instability. This project aims to synthesise compounds that can similarly alter cell signalling profiles but have enhanced drug-like properties that make them potential drug candidates for testing in mose models of diabetes and obesity.

Synthesis of novel 8-membered heterocycles towards new cancer drugs

Targeted delivery of anticancer drugs

Supervisors: Professor David Fairlie (d.fairlie@uq.edu.au), Dr Tim Hill (t.hill@imb.uq.edu.au)

Most approved cancer therapeutics are designed to be cytotoxic and interfere with cellular proliferation. Consequently, they are usually also toxic to normal cells and cause side effects, presenting a major challenge to achieve both therapeutic efficacy and safety. One way to try and over come this problem is to create targeted drug conjugates which contain a protein or peptide which can selectively interact with cancer cells whilst delivering a known cytotoxic drug to the target. This project aims to create peptide-drug conjugates which can be targeted to cancer cells which overexpress specific receptors.

Targeting gut biofilms in patients with gastrointestinal disorders

Targeting the oxytocin receptor in breast or prostate cancer

Understanding a new mechanism for treating asthma

Supervisors: Professor David Fairlie (d.fairlie@uq.edu.au), Dr Eunice Poon (k.poon@uq.edu.au)

Asthma is a chronic condition which leads to narrowing and inflammation of airways in the lung. Common triggers include allergens such as pollen, dust and mould. There is currently no cure. This project will investigate a protein on the cell surface that is associated with allergic asthma, investigate its mechanistic role in promoting lung inflammation, and help in the development of new therapeutics using a mouse model of lung inflammation.

Understanding bacterial metabolites in immunity

Understanding the complex spatial distribution of cone snail venom peptides across the venom gland

Understanding cellular activation through G protein coupled receptors

Supervisors: Professor David Fairlie (d.fairlie@uq.edu.au), Dr James Lim (j.lim@imb.uq.edu.au)

G protein-coupled receptors are the most common therapuetic target on the cell surface. Understanding how they work involves investigating how specific molecules bind to them, triggering a series of fundamental cellular functions. This project aims to unravel the details of this activation process and potentially identify novel drug targets to treat various diseases.

Upgrading the potency of a cancer drug using structure-based design

Using conjugation strategies to improve the drug-like properties of peptide leads

Using venom peptides to understand the function of sensory neurons

Venom peptide drug discovery

Charactering the efficacy of novel chemical entities in multi-drug resistant bacteria

Supervisors: Professor Mark Walker (mark.walker@uq.edu.au); Dr David De Oliveira (d.deoliveira@uq.edu.au)

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is currently a significant global health concern and is projected to be the leading cause of death by 2050. Many first, second and last-line antibiotics are no longer effective in the treatment of severe bacterial infection. As such, new antimicrobials are urgently required. Previous work from our group has demonstrated that compounds with a core 8-hydroxyquinolone structure exhibit broad range antimicrobial activity against a spread of clinically relevant drug-resistant bacteria. This Honours project will comprehensively evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of next-generation, 8-hydroxyquinolone core containing structures against a select range of clinically relevant drug-resistant bacterial pathogens. This research has the potential generate an innovative treatment for patients suffering drug-resistant bacterial infection.

How antibiotic resistant uropathogenic E. coli cause urinary tract infection

Supervisors: Professor Mark Schembri (m.schembri@uq.edu.au), Dr Minh-Duy Phan (m.phan1@uq.edu.au)

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common infectious diseases, with a global annual incidence of ~400M cases. UTI is also a major precursor to sepsis, which affects ~50M people worldwide each year, with a mortality rate of 20-40% in developed countries. Uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) is the major cause of UTI and a leading cause of sepsis. The last decade has seen an unprecedented rise in antibiotic resistance among UPEC, resulting in high rates of treatment failure and mounting pressure on healthcare systems. This project will use advanced molecular genetics and infection models to examinehow UPEC cause disease and become resistant to antibiotics, with a goal to identify new approaches to treat and prevent infection.

How E. coli cause life-threatening infections in infants

Supervisors: Professor Mark Schembri (m.schembri@uq.edu.au), Dr Nhu Nguyen (kn.nguyen@uq.edu.au)

Neonatal meningitis is a devasting disease with high rates of mortality and neurological sequelae. E. coli is the primary cause of meningitis in preterm neonates and the second most common cause of neonatal meningitis. Despite this, we have limited knowledge about the global epidemiology of E. coli that cause neonatal meningitis, genomic relationships between different strains, and mechanisms that enable E. coli to cause severe infection in new-born infants. This project will identify and characterise common genomic features of E. coli that cause neonatal meningitis, and employ molecular microbiology methods in conjunction with animal models to understand disease pathogenesis and antibiotic resistance. Our goal is to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic interventions to prevent this life-threatening disease.

Investigating the role of host lipids in Salmonella infections

Machine learning in drug discovery - Data mining and validation

Machine learning in drug discovery - Data modelling and prediction

Synthesis of antibiotic-derived conjugates

Synthesis of antibiotic-derived fluorescent probes

Understanding the genetic basis for Salmonella Typhimurium biofilm formation under infection relevant conditions

Supervisors: Dr Jessica Rooke (j.rooke@imb.uq.edu.a u), Professor Ian Henderson (i.henderson@imb.uq.edu.au)

Salmonella enterica is a globally disseminated pathogen that causes infections in humans, animals, and plants. As part of this infectious lifecycle, S. enterica often forms biofilms that are capable of withstanding routinely used antibiotics. Various environmental signals have been shown to induce biofilm formation, and we have identified that host lipids induce robust biofilm formation in vitro. However, the precise mechanism for biofilm formation under these conditions remain unknown. In this project, we aim to elucidate the genetic determinants of S. enterica biofilm formation in response to host lipids, to further understand this phenomenon and to develop novel therapeutics to treat infections that are complicated by biofilm formation.

Using genetics to understand antimicrobial resistance

Supervisors: Professor Ian Henderson (i.henderson@imb.uq.edu.au), Dr Von Torres (v.torres@uq.edu.au)

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global issue as drug-resistant bacterial infections have been estimated to contribute to at least ~5 million deaths in 2019 alone and is expected to reach 10 million deaths annually by 2050. The genetic mechanisms of drug resistance in bacteria are diverse and complex but elucidating these are vital for developing novel therapeutics and control strategies. Building on previous work, we aim to further explore and validate findings of genes involved in antibiotic resistance in Gram-negative bacteria. The student undertaking this project will learn fundamental concepts in molecular microbiology and use a variety of techniques including: bacterial strain culturing and maintenance, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, phenotypic and biochemical assays.

Decoding the Genome: Investigating how regions of the genome controlling cell identity in development and disease

Supervisor: Dr Nathan Palpant (n.palpant@uq.edu.au)

This project focuses on understanding how regions of the genome control cell identity and their connections with complex traits, development, disease, and drug responses. Utilizing cutting-edge computational methods, the project will study genomic regions responsible for influencing phenotype manifestations, including both complex traits and disease pathology. We aim to link this information to drug databases to develop a deeper understanding of how the genome responds to drugs in different diseases. Integrating applications to genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and multi-omic technologies, this research will not only contribute to the existing body of genetic knowledge but also help develop innovative methodologies that could impact approaches towards the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases.

Generation of micro organospheres for patient-derived drug screening assays

Influence of COVID-19 vaccinations on long-COVID symptoms

Investigating the genetic basis of left-handedness

Supervisor: Professor David Evans (d.evans1@uq.edu.au)

This project will involve latent class analysis of handedness, footedness and ocular dominance data in 10,000 children from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. The student will then investigate the genetic aetiology of these latent classes including how known variants for left handedness and ambidexterity relate to them.

Investigation of cell types found in patient-derived organoids

Large scale neuroimaging study of Alzheimers’ disease

Supervisors: Dr Baptiste Couvy-Duchesne (uqbcouvy@uq.edu.au)

This project will involve the analysis of a large neuroimaging cohort from the US, which contains more than 10,000 individuals imaged using MRI. Our lab develops statistical methods for the analysis of fine-grained brain images, which will be applied to analyse this cohort. The results will contribute to our current large-scale initiative that combines results from all continents, to create a high-resolution map of the brain regions associated with Alzheimer’s disease status and risk. The methods and software we use are shared with the field of genetics/genomics, meaning the student will acquire highly transferrable skills and knowledge. In addition, the dynamic environment of the program in complex trait genomics (PCTG), will support the student to to enrich theirknowledge in the fast-paced / rapidly-evolving field of neuroimaging and human genetics.

We encourage applicants with a scientific background, but most importantly with a strong inclination for problem solving and computational work. We recognise the richness of Indigenous cultures and the unique knowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees bring to our workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We encourage applications from individuals with disabilities, culturally and linguistically diverse individuals, and individuals from the LGBTIQA+ community. If you have accessibility requirements, please note them in your application and we will endeavour to make any reasonable adjustments.

Mapping cell decisions over time: building tools to track genome-wide changes controlling stepwise decisions of differentiating cells

Supervisor: Dr Nathan Palpant (n.palpant@uq.edu.au)

This project utilizes computational genetic prediction algorithms to build tools that can monitor genome-wide alterations governing the sequential choices made by differentiating cells. By employing single-cell data to analyze cell differentiation, the project seeks to provide granular insights into the complex mechanisms that guide cellular transformations. The implications of this research will help reveal the genetics underpinning development, congenital diseases, and organ morphogenesis. Furthermore, the study will help identify novel methods to control cell differentiation, potentially establishing new strategies in cellular manipulation and offering significant contributions to both developmental biology and medical science.

Navigating the genetic landscape of neurodegenerative disease: Evaluating Variant Prioritisation Tools for Precision Medicine

Supervisor: Dr Fleur Garton (f.garton@imb.uq.edu.au)

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a fatal neurodegenerative condition with a complex genetic architecture. Whole genome and exome sequencing supports the identification of both common and rare variants contributing to disease. Rare variants in known ALS genes have often not been seen before and are labelled as variants of uncertain significance. As more samples are analysed this number becomes larger and prioritising the variants to follow-up is necessary. In-silico prediction tools exist for this purpose. They use empirical data to predict their likelihood to be deleterious but their sensitivity for ALS has not yet been explored.

The project will test the sensitivity known pathogenic ALS and benign ALS variants across a range of in-silico tools. We hypothesise that certain tools have better sensitivity at detecting pathogenicity, and these are the tools that the community should be used to prioritise variants of unknown significance.

This is a computational project that will require you to understand human genome nomenclature. It will involve variant annotation and analysis. You will be involved in comparing tools using a range of software tools and packages with analyses performed in R. You will use a variety of statistical methods to make conclusions. This may reveal future opportunities for variant interpretation (i.e. critical assessment of proposed oligogenic genetic architecture) and/or sensitivity testing for other conditions.

Within the dynamic environment of the program in complex trait genomics (PCTG), you will be supported and encouraged to enrich your knowledge in the fast-paced / rapidly-evolving field of human genetics.

Supertaster gene and picky eating behaviour in young children

Understanding sex-specific cardiovascular disease risk

Validation of synthetic Matrigel's for the growth of 3D endometrial organoids

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