Search Marsden awards 2008–2017

Recipient(s): Prof DJ Lowe | PI | University of Waikato
Dr GJ Churchman | AI | The University of Adelaide
Prof AJ Cooper | AI | The University of Adelaide

Public Summary: The North Island has huge stores of buried soils (paleosols) developed on sequences of precisely-dated volcanic-ash layers (tephras). This unique series of dated paleosols provides a valuable paleobiological laboratory for ancient-DNA (aDNA) analysis of past populations and environments. Our aim is to recover past genetic records from stratigraphic successions of paleosols formed on tephras of known age in order to evaluate the potential of aDNA to provide reconstructions of environmental and climatic change over the past ~25,000 years. We hypothesise that aDNA (along with organic carbon) is preserved by its association with the nanomineral allophane that forms via weathering on well-drained tephras. We will use a range of new analytical tools including a synchrotron to address two critical issues. Firstly, we will examine where and how organic carbon/aDNA is held on allophane (and other clays) in tephra-derived soils, and establish how it is protected. Secondly, we will determine the extent of DNA mobility in different tephra-derived soils and paleosols using genetic markers. We will combine a unique New Zealand resource with a novel cross-disciplinary approach to reveal the reliability and utility of DNA to reconstruct past environments, and provide a valuable new scientific resource for New Zealand and internationally.

Recipient(s): Dr A Mendoza Mendoza | PI | Lincoln University
Dr CM Brown | AI | University of Otago
Assoc Prof DR Greenwood | AI | The University of Auckland
Prof PS Schnable | AI | Iowa State University
Prof A Stewart | AI | Lincoln University

Public Summary: In nature, most plants are infested by fungi without any external manifestation of disease. These fungi are termed endophytes and are astonishingly diverse. Endophytes, improve plant growth, disease resistance and abiotic stress tolerance, while the fungi themselves obtain nutrients. Despite directly benefiting from this symbiosis, plants still react to endophytes colonization by activating their immune system. Nevertheless, the activation of the plant immune system does not prevent colonization by endophytes. How endophytes evade or suppress plant immune system is largely unknown. We hypothesise that a molecular dialogue between the endophytes and plant, predisposes successful colonization. By using the endophytic fungus Trichoderma and maize plants as the model system, we will address two key questions: How do plants and endophytes establish a friendly relationship?, What are the signals involved in the successful dialogue between plants and fungal endophytes during plant colonization?. By using a high technology approach we will identify the proteins secreted, the morphological changes and the genetic profiles of Trichoderma and maize plants during their interaction. Our study will significantly contribute to the understanding of how endophytic fungi modulate plant defenses and will provide fundamental new insights into processes required for the establishment of plant colonization by endophytic fungi.

Recipient(s): Dr S Matthews | PI | Massey University

Public Summary: Components used at high temperature are often coated with thermal barrier coatings (TBC’s). These consist of an outer ceramic coating and an inner alloy “bond-coat” which provides oxidation protection and improved TBC adhesion. The bond-coat relies on the formation of a protective surface layer of Al2O3 to minimise oxidation. However, relying on a surface oxide has distinct limitations – consumption of aluminium from the bond-coat compromises the oxidation resistance, while oxides are prone to loss of adherence due to thermal stresses. It is widely acknowledged that formation of the bond-coat oxide layer is the core process leading to TBC failure. In a dramatic shift from conventional thinking, this work aims to overcome these limitations through the development of an Al4C3/Ni alloy composite coating material. This will be manipulated to form a continuous carbide phase. At high temperature this carbide will preferentially oxidise to form a continuous protective Al2O3 oxide network within the composite rather than on top of it. This will prevent consumption of oxide forming elements, minimise stress build up and improve the oxide adhesion. This totally original concept is a potential step change in high temperature materials technology.

Recipient(s): Dr MF Hohmann-Mariott | PI | University of Otago

Public Summary: Photosystem II (PSII) is the multisubunit protein complex at the heart of solar energy conversion in all plants. In the light, PSII catalyses the generation of electrons, protons and oxygen from water. Without light input PSII appears to catalyse the reverse reaction, consuming oxygen, electrons and protons in the dark. This finding may explain experimental data suggesting the functional and structural heterogeneity of PSII, and alternative photosynthetic electron transport pathways. I plan to identify the molecular components and the macromolecular environment that facilitate and control PSII-mediated electron disposal.

Recipient(s): Dr PP Jones | PI | University of Otago

Public Summary: Cardiac arrhythmias remain the leading cause of death in patients with heart disease. An important trigger for arrhythmias is the inappropriate opening of the cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2). However, the mechanism by which these openings occur is still not well understood. We have found that mutations within RyR2 and certain arrhythmogenic drugs increase the frequency of RyR2 openings by increasing the sensitivity of RyR2 to intra-store sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) calcium. These data suggest that alterations in RyR2’s SR calcium sensitivity represent a common mechanism underlying arrhythmia. RyR2 is part of a large macromolecular complex with other binding proteins and the loss of these proteins can increase the activity of RyR2 and lead to heart disease. This project will determine whether the interaction of these RyR2-binding proteins with RyR2 alters the opening of RyR2, using protein biochemistry and biophysics, coupled with advanced SR calcium imaging in ventricular myocytes from transgenic animals. Importantly it aims to determine whether this occurs through the common mechanism of altering the SR calcium sensitivity of RyR2. A better understanding of how RyR2-interacting proteins regulate RyR2 will lead to new insights into the causes, and ultimately prevention of arrhythmia.

Recipient(s): Dr M Handler | PI | Victoria University of Wellington
Prof JA Baker | AI | Victoria University of Wellington
Dr VC Bennett | AI | Australian National University

Public Summary: Novel non-traditional stable isotopic systems developed over the last decade now underpin an exciting new analytical field that is revolutionising our ability to investigate processes as diverse as planetary formation, ocean chemistry and the interface between biology and minerals. Driven by small differences in isotope masses, a wide range of physiochemical and biological processes can produce now measurable changes in the stable isotope ratios of various metals (for example Fe, Mo, Cu, Zn, Cr, Tl). The platinum (Pt) stable isotope system represents a potentially powerful but as yet unexplored addition to this suite of tracers. Existing in several oxidation states in nature, and with affinities to metal and sulphur, this non-bioessential element has the potential to provide key insights into wide ranging global processes. We will for the first time develop the analytical techniques for Pt stable isotopes and, through analysis of meteorites, igneous rocks from Earth’s mantle and marine sediments, apply the system to test two fundamental questions. First, did a late veneer of meteoritic material accrete to the Earth after formation of its core? Second, how do Pt isotopes track variations in ocean chemistry and, in particular, oxygenation of the ocean-atmosphere system through Earth’s history?

Recipient(s): Dr C Hight | PI | University of Waikato
Assoc Prof R Harindranath | AI | University of Melbourne

Public Summary: Outside of the institutional constraints and professional practices which still govern documentary production in film and television, online users appear to be drawing upon the full range of familiar modes of media presentation, often in playful ‘mashups’ that mix factual evidence with personal expression, autobiography, performance, and impassioned rhetoric. This project will investigate the creation and interpretation of such short-form audio-visual documentary-related material by online users. Despite a growing literature on documentary, particularly on the nature and significance of recent television ‘hybrid’ forms popularly known as ‘reality TV’, there are relatively few empirical studies which address the complexities of audience responses to the full breadth of documentary and reality-based media. The need for audience research into documentary culture has increased with the growth of digital media which provide the means for users (audiences) to engage directly in the creation and exchange of documentary-related material. Our research focuses on New Zealand users within the broader Australian context. This qualitative research will integrate analysis of software employed by users, analysis of a digital archive of online material, and audience research into the producers and users of such material.

Recipient(s): Dr RE Campbell | PI | University of Otago

Public Summary: Once considered a vestigial cellular organelle, the primary cilium is now a central focus of research into human pathophysiology and cell biology. We have recently identified primary cilia on gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons, a small group of cells in the brain that regulate fertility. As defects in primary cilia in humans reduce fertility, we hypothesise that primary cilia on GnRH neurons are essential for GnRH neuron development and function. This project will use advanced transgenic approaches, multiple imaging strategies and classical neuroendocrine techniques to determine the function of GnRH neuron primary cilia. The findings of this work will advance our limited knowledge of primary cilia function in neuronal development and adult signalling and provide the first direct evidence of primary cilia function in the central regulation of fertility.

Recipient(s): Dr NC Parsons | PI | Massey University

Public Summary: Beyond news headlines, Israeli efforts to steer the struggle with the Palestinians continue to break new ground in the practice of population management. Taking forward a nascent, exciting field, this project examines Israeli practices, understood in Foucauldian terms as biopolitics. Foucault’s concept captures a swing in the emphasis of government from territory (geopolitics), to people (biopolitics). The biopolitical lens will be brought to bear equally on Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), bringing discrete analyses of new issues in population management into view and generating the first conceptually specific monograph thus organized. First, the project searches for biopolitical imperatives within Zionist ideology and Israeli institutions with biopolitical import, ranging from welfare provision to military occupation. Second, it examines the implications of biopolitical analysis for Palestinian citizens of Israel, the OPT and the Palestinian diaspora. Third, the study assesses Israeli infrastructure development in East Jerusalem (with a case study of area E1), alongside development in the OPT, and considers related institutional innovations such as the Palestinian Authority. Conclusions reflect upon the wider implications for twenty-first century population management. This monograph will advance conceptual and empirical understanding of an area of increasing interest to New Zealand and the international academic community.

Recipient(s): Dr CM Rubie-Davies | PI | The University of Auckland
Dr E Peterson | AI | The University of Auckland

Public Summary: Teacher expectation research traditionally explored expectations for individual students; effects on achievement were found to be small. Recent research has shown teachers with high expectations for all students can raise student reading levels by two years within one year. High expectation teachers have different teaching beliefs and instructional practices from those of low expectation teachers which lead to very different outcomes for students. This large-scale empirical study, where teachers are randomly assigned to control and intervention groups, will be the first ever attempt to use an intervention to raise teacher expectations by altering beliefs and practices. The study will track changes in teachers’ expectations, beliefs and practices across three years to determine the sustainability of the intervention. Long-term effects on student outcomes will be measured. This research could revolutionise theoretical understandings moving the field from viewing expectations as a student phenomenon (i.e., something about the student creates the expectation in the teacher) to conceptions of expectations as a teacher-related phenomenon (i.e. due to particular beliefs of teachers, some have high expectations for all students while others do not). Further, the changes in teacher behaviours that comprise the intervention could revolutionise the way core subjects are taught both nationally and internationally.