PhD Projects available

Please visit the Anatomy & Developmental Biology Research page for current research-areas under investigation by our leading scientists.

The following PhD Projects are also available through the Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology. Please email or call the contact person if you are interested in the project, or require further information.

Analysis of mouse models of human birth defects

Dr Peter Farlie
Craniofacial Research Laboratory
Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
Telephone: +61 3 8341 6409
Email: peter.farlie@mcri.edu.au

Birth defects involving the face affect approximately 1% of all babies but the genes involved in most of these conditions are unknown. ENU mutagenesis is a forward genetics approach that allows phenotypes of interest to be identified without any prior knowledge of specific genes involved in the development of the organ system of interest. Once useful phenotypes are established, rapid gene mapping approaches have been developed to identify the mutated gene. We have a number of mouse strains harbouring birth defects involving both the face and limbs that appear similar to human syndromes. Identification of the mutated genes in these strains will help us understand how the normal developmental program is altered in human birth defects and will facilitate identification of disease genes in humans. This project will provide an opportunity for students to learn developmental biology approaches to understanding human birth defects and gain skills in a wide range of molecular biology techniques. Upon completion of this project, students will be in a strong position to initiate their own research into the genetic and developmental basis of human birth defects.

Large-scale screen of genes controlling skeletal development

Dr Peter Farlie
Craniofacial Research Laboratory
Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
Telephone: +61 3 8341 6409
Email: peter.farlie@mcri.edu.au

Congenital defects of the skeleton are common and have a major impact on health and well being of affected children. Microarray RNA expression analysis of skeletal development is a powerful genome scale screening technology that is beginning to reveal essential pathways in skeletogenesis. However, a major limitation in this process is the functional analysis of identified candidate genes. To address this limitation in the analysis of our microarray data, we have developed a high-throughput screen to analyse the function of candidate genes in early skeletal development using avian retroviral delivery of expression and knockdown constructs. This screen will allow the student to rapidly analyse gene function in a whole animal model and will facilitate large-scale functional analysis of the genes controlling skeletal development and causing human skeletal defects and disease. Students will use cutting edge approaches to dissecting the genetic networks controlling complex developmental events during formation and growth of the craniofacial and limb skeletons. Experience gained in this project will allow students to initiate investigations into the mechanisms controlling development of any organ system.

Male Infertility and Germ Cell Biology Laboratory- Professor Moira O'Bryan

Several PhD projects are available within the Male Infertility and Germ Cell Biology Laboratory of the Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology at Monash University. This laboratory is located within the School of Biomedical Sciences in state of the art laboratories in building 76. All projects rely on the use of genetically modified mouse models and a range of biochemical, molecular biological and cell biology methods. Data obtained within this project will have relevance to both defining the causes of human infertility, and several fundamental processes related to developmental biology.

Topics include:

• The biochemistry and cell biology of a novel germ cell gene.
  Through the use of a random mouse mutagenesis strategy, we have produced several unique mouse models of male infertility and identified the underlying causal mutations. PhD projects exist to precisely define the phenotype within a unique mouse model, to define the normal localization of the mutated protein and to define the biochemistry surrounding the affected protein.

For more information please contact:

Professor Moira O’Bryan
Principal Research Fellow
Male Infertility and Germ Cell Biology Laboratory
Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology
Level 3, building 76
Monash University
Telephone: +61 3 9902 9283
Email: Moira.OBryan@med.monash.edu.au