![52 yrs old specimen of Ozothamnus alpinus. Ignition Project "Genome skimming with degraded DNA from herbarium specimens". Photo Alexander Schmidt-Lebuhn](/sites/prod.cba.sca-lws06.anu.edu.au/files/styles/hero_1200_x_360/public/Ozothamnus%20alpinus%20brown%20specimen%2052%20yrs%20old.jpeg.webp?h=10eebb8a&itok=_IjRpbuL "52 yrs old specimen of Ozothamnus alpinus. Ignition Project "Genome skimming with degraded DNA from herbarium specimens". Photo Alexander Schmidt-Lebuhn")
Research projects
One of our key tools for engagement and collaboration across ANU, CSIRO and University of Canberra are our Ignition Grant and Synthesis Group funding schemes.
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.
Eucalypts, particularly Yellow box (Eucalyptus melliodora), are crucial to Australian ecosystems but have declined significantly due to land clearing. A project is genotyping Yellow box to improve seed sourcing for restoring Box-Gum Grassy Woodlands, aiming to enhance resilience to future environmental changes.
The Ignition Grant Round 1 project, led by Carsten Kulheim and Joe Miller, aims to resolve the phylogeny of the Eucalyptus series globulares. By sequencing reduced genomes from 96 samples, the study seeks to clarify hybridisation events and enhance understanding of Eucalyptus speciation.
The project, involving CSIRO and ANU, aims to explore the diversity of frog skin microbiomes across Australia. It will use high-throughput DNA sequencing to investigate genetic, morphological, and evolutionary influences on microbiomes, assess chytridiomycosis impacts, and identify potential disease-resistant microbial elements in Uperoleia frogs.
The CSIRO Supplementary Postgraduate Scholarship offers $7,000 annually for living expenses and $10,000 for research. It supports PhD students in science and engineering, co-supervised by CSIRO and universities. Applicants must secure primary funding like government or ANU scholarships. Applications close 31 October 2018.
The Ignition Grant Round 7 aims to study Coolibah trees in the Lake Eyre Basin, focusing on their genetic variability and hydrological influences. Collaborating with ANU and CSIRO, the project will use genomic analysis to understand genetic patterns and environmental adaptations, enhancing conservation efforts.
The Ignition Grant Round 5 aims to develop a genomic data resource linking Australia's biodiversity data to the Atlas of Living Australia. This initiative will enhance access, visualisation, and analysis of genetic, spatial, and environmental data, supporting research and conservation efforts across Australia's biota.
The Ignition Grant Round 3 project aims to enhance genomic resources for Helicoverpa species, focusing on pest and non-pest comparisons. By using advanced sequencing techniques on museum specimens, the study seeks to uncover evolutionary traits, inform conservation strategies, and aid in biosecurity planning for these agricultural pests.
The Ignition Grant Round 2 aimed to unite palaeoecology researchers for a workshop at ANU’s Kioloa Coastal Campus in November 2013. The focus was on data collation and analysis for a draft paper, exploring palaeoecological impacts on vegetation and defaunation in Australia and the Asia-Pacific.
This project investigates the taxonomy and genetic diversity of seabird ticks affecting Little Blue Penguins and Shearwaters in Australia and New Zealand. It utilises next-generation sequencing to address taxonomic issues, assess parasite dispersal, and inform conservation efforts, particularly under climate change influences.