Research projects
Explore CBA-funded projects at ANU, driving innovative biodiversity research. Discover collaborative initiatives addressing global ecological challenges through cutting-edge science and data-driven solutions.
CBA's Ignition Grants foster novel collaborations between researchers from at least two partner institutions (ANU, CSIRO, UC), aiming to lay the groundwork for larger research proposals. Since 2012, over 60 projects have been funded across 11 rounds. In June 2016, grant recipients showcased their progress at a symposium, delivering lightning talks that highlighted the scheme's success in driving diverse and innovative research.
Researchers investigated the distribution and diversity of Rhizobia bacteria associated with Acacia acuminata across Western Australia. They found larger Acacia trees host more diverse Rhizobia communities, unrelated to climate factors. This study aids understanding of microbial ecology and potential impacts of climate change on these important symbiotic relationships.
Australia's southwest biodiversity hotspot is threatened. An ARC-funded project will use genomic sequencing to study eucalypts' phylogeny, contrasting it with southeastern Australia. Up to three PhD students with molecular lab or bioinformatics expertise are sought, based at ANU or University of QLD with Dr Lyn Cook.
The Ignition Grant Round 2 project aimed to elucidate the evolutionary history of the Craspedia genus, prominent in the Australian Alps, to aid conservation efforts. It involved reconstructing phylogeny, identifying allopolyploid species, and assessing genetic diversity. Preliminary results revealed distinct genetic clusters, informing future taxonomic and conservation studies.
The Solomon Lab's project aims to identify microbes from major weed species to develop novel biocontrol methods. Students will work with ANU and CSIRO, supported by a $5,000 stipend. This research could improve agricultural productivity by targeting pathogens and weeds affecting crops and pastures.
The Ignition Grant Round 2 aims to explore how climate change affects ecosystems. A series of workshops will develop testable propositions linking climatic regimes to ecosystem changes. The research will enhance understanding of ecosystem dynamics, aiding biodiversity conservation and regional livelihoods.
The pilot project aims to use genetic approaches to study the Mountain Ash forest's response to disturbances. By analysing genetic relatedness and potential adaptive responses, researchers will develop methods for large-scale genomic analyses to predict ecosystem changes due to contemporary logging and climate challenges.
The ANFC project, in collaboration with ANU and CSIRO, aims to optimise genomic tools for extracting DNA from formalin-preserved fish specimens. This will enhance species identification, improve biodiversity research, and aid conservation efforts by providing genetic insights into rare and cryptic marine species.
The Southern Brush-tailed Rock-Wallaby recovery program aims to enhance genetic diversity through a two-pronged strategy: translocating wild individuals and introducing Central lineage genes. A SNP panel will assess genetic rescue effectiveness, aiding conservation management and adaptive strategies against climate change threats.
The project aims to adapt a protocol for sequencing degraded DNA in herbarium specimens, particularly alpine Asteraceae, using genomic shotgun sequencing. This method, if successful, will enhance research on rare, remote, or extinct species by utilising old biodiversity collections and reducing the need for new samples.