Potential postgraduate students & postdocs
interested in joining our group (or potential collaborators)
are invited to contact us to discuss
research opportunities associated with current or new research
areas. People could have broad interests in areas such as
biology, technique / instrument development, chemistry, materials, and
biophysics
Current Research Areas:
1) The organic matrix in
chiton teeth - structure and function
The organic matrix is the
template for biomineral formation and discreetly controls
mineral nucleation and growth. Using state-of-the-art 3D
imaging techniques, we are investigating the fine structure of
the organic matrix and how this contributes to the control of
mineral formation. FNAS Funded.
2) Iron physiology and
metabolism in chitons
Imaging, analytical and magnetic
techniques are being used to study various aspects of the
physiology and metabolism of iron in chitons - notably iron
sources, uptake, transport, storage and mineralisation. This
includes studies into tissue structure, ferritin and iron
storage protein characterisation, iron transport pathways,
crystal formation and growth, and the use of a new 'iron
starvation protocol'. FNAS Funded.
3) The chiton fauna of
the Swan River Estuary and their potential role as indicators
of environmental contamination
An investigation is being
conducted into the chiton fauna inhabiting the Swan River
Estuary. Comparative analyses of radulae dissected from Swan
River species and their fully marine counterparts involves
various microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. A key focus
is on uptake of heavy metal pollutants, such as tributyltin.
SCRIP Funded.
HONOURS SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE - Contact
Peta.
4) Fine structure of the crystal phases of chiton teeth
The fine (nano-micron scale)
structure of biominerals is notoriously difficult to study in
situ due to difficulties with preparing hard structures for
analysis. We are using new technologies, in combination with
analytical and crystallographic methods to prepare, image and
characterise fully mineralised biostructures at the fine scale,
in order to better understand mineral formation and attachment
of different mineral phases. FNAS Funded.
5) Nitrogen metabolism
in symbiotic corals and anemones
The cellular mechanisms and
pathways of translocation of metabolites between host and
symbiont in cnidarians is not understood and direct evidence of
the contribution of symbionts to host calcification remains
elusive. We are investigating the mechanisms involved in N
accumulation and translocation between host and symbiont using
isotopic, metabolomic, genomic and imaging methods. UWA Grants
Funded.
6) Coral calcification - mechanisms of skeletal
formation
The sources of skeletal
carbonate in corals and the impact of symbionts upon
calcification remain controversial. We are using imaging and
isotopic methods to determine the sources of skeletal carbonate
and to monitor the impact of symbionts and environmental
conditions upon skeletal formation. This work is in
collaboration with A/Prof. Alan Marshall (La Trobe
University).
7) Coral calcification - larval growth and mineral phases
We are beginning to investigate calcification in larval stages of corals, with the view to identifying spatial and temporal phase changes from calcite to aragonite.
8) Environmental signatures in jellyfish statoliths
We are studying environmental signatures in jellyfish statoliths to look at life histories. This work is in collaboration with Dr Matt Kilburn (UWA) and Dr Lyndon Llewellyn and Dr Jamie Seymour (AIMS).
Additional Research Areas / Interests:
1) Development of the
radula in juvenile chitons - structural and compositional
characterisation
2) Environmental impact of
climate change on coral larvae growth and
mineralisation
3) Variation in
calcification mechanisms between zooxanthellate and
azooxanthellate corals
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