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Associate
Professor Catherine Lovelock and her lab are currently undertaking
research that focuses on the ecology of coastal ecosystems.
Cath is part of the Ecology Centre and the Centre for Marine
Studies and is also a Senior Research Associate at the Smithsonian
Environmental Research Center, Maryland.
The
Lovelock Lab, which currently has a handful of PhD, honours
and special project students, is involved in a range of projects,
some of which explore the responses of coastal plant communities
(macroalgae, mangroves and salt marshes) and the ecosystem services
they provide to climate change and nutrient enrichment. The
lab works over a wide range of sites that span climatic gradients,
from tropical sites in north Queensland and the Caribbean to
the arid zone in Western Australia. They also do a lot of work
throughout Moreton Bay.
Recently they have been focusing on connectivity among habitats.
In Exmouth Gulf they have been working out how the enormous
salt flats contribute to productivity of the Gulf. In Moreton
Bay they have been quantifying biofiltration services in mangroves
and salt marshes. We are also investigating how grazing and
nutrient enrichment influence macroalgal productivity. As salt
marshes and mangroves are particularly exposed to sea level
rise they have recently established a long term experiment to
determine vulnerability of Moreton Bay wetlands to sea level
rise and to investigate which factors contribute to their resilience.
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| Mangroves
at Bocas del Toro, Republic of Panama. |
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| Cath
and Fernanda Adame, dawn at Giralia Station, WA. |
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| Fishing
the high intertidal habitat, Giralia Bay, WA. Photo - Helen
Penrose. |
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| Kyra
Hay and Kim Millers setting up experiments on the algal community
at Redcliffe, Moreton Bay. |
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SIB-CMS
Symposium
In preparation for the merger of CMS and SIB,
Peer Schenk is organising a symposium where academics can briefly
introduce themselves and their research topics during a series of
short presentations. It will be an ideal opportunity for all staff
to get to know each other and will also encourage collaborations between
academics, general staff and students.
When: Thursday
30 October
Where: Room 139 Goddard Building (8)
All
academics, general staff and students are encouraged to attend.
Please
email Peer to confirm your
attendance by 1 October.
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5th
September
Karyn
Johnson
School of Integrative Biology,
The University of Queensland
Host:parasite interactions: Antiviral responses in invertebrates
12th
September
Bruce Kendall
University of California,
Santa Barbara
Population consequences of individual heterogeneity in demography
and growth
19th
September
Louise Kuchel
School of Integrative Biology,
The University of Queensland
A practical guide to teaching students to synthesize, evaluate
and analyse
Talks
are held from 1- 2pm in Room 139, Goddard
Building (8)
Coordinator: Dr Cynthia
Riginos
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SIB Soccer
It appears to be a universal law that wherever biology minded people
work together, at some stage a ball will appear and the nearest
open space will become a soccer field. Perhaps it's a common inclination
to run around in the open air, or just the best way to bridge language
and shyness barriers, but some of the best communication between
scientists, albeit not necessarily highly theoretical, seems to
happen on this patch of grass... Read
more...
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Congratulations to Christine Beveridge
and her partner Amanda Karpeles on the birth of their first son Liam
Roy Karpeles - Beveridge. He arrived a little earlier then expected
on Monday 1 September at 11.56am, weighing in at a tiny 1.410 kgs.
We are hoping a little Ozmocote might come in handy. Mother and baby
are both doing very well.
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Miracle
Workers
| Gail
Walter and Fiona Meek |
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We
are delighted to congratulate Fiona Meek
and Gail Walter who have each been
declared a miracle worker. Over the last month, UQ Staff were
invited to nominate one of their peers that inspired them with
qualities such as exceptional communication, sharing knowledge,
providing leadership and willingness to go above and beyond
expectations. Fiona and Gail will be receiving their certificates
on 10 September at a luncheon hosted by the Chancellor, Sir
Llew, and the UQ Secretaries’ and Office Professionals’
Association (UQSOPA). |
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UQ
Staff Development Program
The University runs a number of staff development training programs
in a range of areas. Monthly
Bulletin...
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SIB/CMS
General Staff Meet
With
the imminent merger of the Centre for Marine Studies and SIB, the
administrative staff from both organisational units had a chance to
meet each other and put faces to names. They enjoyed a wine and cheese
afternoon in the newly refurbished Alumni Court on Friday 22 August.
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Spotlight on our Postgraduates – Josh Smith
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I
have been a member of SIB for several years now and an active
member of the Behavioural Ecology Research Group with Prof Anne
Goldizen as a supervisor as well as Dr Mike Noad in the School
of Veterinary Science within the Cetacean Ecology and Acoustics
Lab. Before my PhD I obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with
a major in marine biology from James Cook University (JCU) in
Townsville. This degree introduced me to many aspects of marine
biology and ecology within the tropical marine environment,
but also to the subject of animal behaviour. It was at the end
of this degree that I formulated my interest in underwater acoustics
and undertook an Honours research degree at JCU investigating
the use |
of
acoustics as a survey tool to obtain population abundance estimates
for inshore dolphins. Read
more...
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Dean’s
Commendation List
Congratulations
to four of our 2007 PhD graduates, Dr Anna
Kuballa, Dr Claire Larroux,
Dr Sureeporn Nontachaiyapoom, and Dr
David Souter who have been included in the Dean’s
Commendation List for 2007.
The
University of Queensland gives formal recognition, through the Dean’s
Commendation List, to Research Higher Degree graduates whose theses
receive examiners’ reports that attest to the outstanding
quality and exceptionally innovative nature of the research described
in the thesis.No
more than 10% of graduating PhD or MPhil students are recognised
this way each year.
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Australasian Aquaculture 2008
Congratulations to three students from CMS/SIB on winning student
presentation awards at the recent Australasian Aquaculture 2008
International Conference and Trade Show held in Brisbane. Our
students claimed 3 out of the 5 student prizes for best presentations
and posters.
Tim Green from Dr Andy Barnes Group:
Identification of the molecular mechanisms involved in the resistance
of Sydney rock oysters to disease.
Jessica Hill from Dr Andy Barnes
Group: Potential new probiotic species from the mid-gut of the
black tiger prawn (Peneaus monodon).
Darren
Underwood
from Dr Karyn Johnson’s Group: Vaccination and the immune
response of penaeid prawns to Gill-associated virus.
The conference is held biannually and is the biggest combined
aquaculture science and industry conference in the region, with
all the major supply and production companies attending, along
with state and federal government industry development and regulatory
agencies and some of the world's leading scientists in the field.
This was an excellent opportunity to showcase the diversity
and quality of the research done here at UQ to the people that
really matter - the end users.
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SIB/CMS
Postgraduate Poster Session
The 3rd annual SIB Postgraduate Poster Session, this year jointly
run with the Centre for Marine Studies, will be held on the afternoon
of Friday 31 October. Please mark this date in your
diary! This forum showcases the range of research projects that our
postgraduate students are carrying out to students and staff from
the School and visitors from other Schools at UQ, government bodies
and related industry. Students can benefit from presenting posters
on their work by gaining experience at poster presentation, receiving
feedback on their work from readers of their poster, getting to know
more of our SIB/CMS postgraduate students and possibly winning a Best
Poster Prize. We encourage postgraduate students at any stage of their
work to present a poster. Lynn Pryor and Cynthia Riginos will hold
a workshop on poster design for all interested students on 7
October at 1pm.
This year the session will be held on Halloween – any decoration
ideas would be appreciated. Please direct any questions/suggestions
about the Poster Session to Anne
Goldizen, Peer Schenk
or Gail Walter.
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Current
Biology Article
Marine sponge can almost build neurons
Unlike other animals, sponges lack a nervous system. Yet, according
to surprising new findings by SIB PhD student Gemma
Richards (in Bernie Degnan’s lab) and colleagues from
France sponges nevertheless have the core genetic circuitry required
for neurogenesis (G.
S. Richards et al. (2008). Curr. Biol. 18, 1156-1161.).
Gemma and the others found that the sponge Amphimedon expresses
key genes that are required for nerve cell formation in complex
animals, such as vertebrates and insects. Remarkably, injection
of sponge neurogenic gene mRNA into frog embryos stimulated the
formation of sensory neurons. Similar results were obtained from
the transgenic expression of this gene in the fruit fly. In Amphimedon,
the expression of this neurogenic gene circuitry appears to be in
the globular cells found in the epithelia of sponge larvae. These
cells also express information to build a synapse and are responsible
for sensing the external environment, allowing Gemma and colleagues
to suggest they are evolutionarily related to neurons.
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Mandy Rasmussen attended the 5th International
Symposium on Adventitious Root Formation
I attended the 5th International
Symposium on Adventitious Root Formation symposium in June
at Alcalá de Henares near Madrid in Spain. I was one of two
Australian delegates and every continent was represented. Adventitious
roots are roots that form on any aerial part of a plant as opposed
to lateral roots which form from other roots. With topics ranging
from the effects of phytohormones on root initiation in cuttings
to biophysical effects to new techniques to observe root formation
it was an incredibly useful week for me (my PhD investigates changes
in phytohormones with age in trees since mature trees have difficulty
forming adventitious roots).
I would like to thank the School of Integrative Biology for providing
half of the funding for me to attend this fantastic week, I would
also like to thank Christine Beveridge and the Centre for Integrative
Legume Research for funding the rest.
Mandy Rasmussen
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Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Travel Scholarship
| Congratulations
to Susanne Schmidt on receiving
a travel scholarship for experienced researchers (within
12 years after completion of their PhD) from the Alexander
von Humboldt Foundation. The scholarship will allow Susanne
to spend a total of 6 months over the next 3 years in the laboratories
of Humboldt fellows in Germany. Susanne
will be using the travel fellowship to extend
work on a recent exciting discovery that |
Susanne
and her family in Europe |
plants
can use a wide range of organic
nitrogen sources for growth. Her
research will make use
of the expertise of research groups at the University of Freiburg
(tree physiology and forest systems) and University of Hohenheim (molecular
plant nutrition, crop systems) and link to research at UQ.
Other experienced “Humboldians” in SIB are Peter Gresshoff
and Peer Schenk. For
more information visit the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation website.
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11th
Pacific Science Inter-Congress
France, French Polynesia, and the Pacific Science Association are
pleased to announce the 11th Pacific Science Inter-Congress, which
is oriented around the theme of “Pacific countries and their
ocean facing local and global changes”.
The meeting will be held in Papeete, French Polynesia from 2
to 6 March 2009. The 11th Pacific Science Inter-Congress
will be held in conjunction with the 2nd Symposium on French Research
in the Pacific.
More information... |
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Nature
Article
In a joint discovery with international colleagues, Phil
Brewer, Liz Dun and Christine
Beveridge from the Legume Centre in SIB have isolated a new
plant hormone*. Strigolactone was previously known as a root-exuded,
carotenoid-like compound that promotes symbiotic mycorrhizal growth.
Striga and Orobanche parasitic weeds also use it as a seed germination
queue. We found that our hyperbranching mutant lines in pea and Arabidopsis
are strigolactone deficient, and when we applied strigolactone to
mutant plants we were able to restore branching back to normal. The
potential to stop or delay branching with a natural compound has opened
up huge potential for applications in plant industries. The discovery
has also greatly expanded our ability to understand the hormonal signals
involved in plant architecture.
*Gomez-Roldan
et al., Nature, 2008, doi:10.1038/nature07271
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4th
International Symposium
Breeding Research on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants
Theme of symposium: Biodiversity conservation and use of genetic resources.
The symposium will be held June 17-21, 2009 in Ljubljana,
Slovenia
More information... |
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SIB staff and students would like to welcome the following visitor
to the School.
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Zulima
Tablado-Almela
As part of my PhD, I am working on population dynamics
modelling and its applications to conservation biology. More
specifically, I aim to understand the factors determining population
numbers in European wild rabbits in order to design optimal
strategies to preserve or manage their populations.
Home institution - Superior Council of Scientific Research of
Spain (Donana Biological Station, CSIC)
Working
with Hugh Possingham until 27 October |
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Jump-starting environmental monitoring
ScienceAlert
Australia & New Zealand
The world is changing as global warming modifies terrestrial and
marine environments at a rate unprecedented since the end of the
last glacial period 11 500 years ago. Prof
Hugh Possingham comments.
Dengue
mozzies on notice
The
Cairns Post
The Cairns Post - Page 14
Researchers may have uncovered the key to wiping out potentially
deadly dengue fever and malaria by giving disease-carrying mozzies
a taste of their own medicine. Prof Scott
O'Neill comments.
Learning to weed out with insects
South West News - Page 26
Springfield Lakes State School pupils were given a lesson about
weeds by a UQ student scientist last month. UQ PhD science student
Nikki Sims visited the school on August
11 as part of the Commonwealth funded Scientists in Schools program.
Uni
and Zoo refine croc research
Sunshine Coast Daily - Page 8
The UQ has continued its collaboration with Australia Zoo, capturing
and tagging 15 large estuarine crocodiles in Far North Queensland
in August. Prof Craig Franklin, from
the School of Integrative Biology comments.
Science
takes stock of threat to outback
The Australian - Page 22
A coalition of scientists, environmentalists and drovers has joined
forces to campaign for the preservation of a vast network of outback
stock routes they believe is being threatened by the NSW and Queensland
governments. Prof Hugh Possingham,
director of the UQ’s ecology centre, comments.
Sale of stock routes will result in loss of rare species of flora
and fauna
Radio 2TM Tamworth; 2DU Dubbo
Experts say the sale of stock routes in NSW and Queensland will
result in the loss of many rare species of flora and fauna. Nearly
500 ecologists are calling on NSW Premier Morris Iemma and QLD Premier
Anna Bligh to protect the network. Mentions Prof
Hugh Possingham, Director of the Ecology Centre, UQ. Duration:
1:05
Call for retention of the long paddock
Ballarat Courier - Page 10
Northern Daily Leader - Page 5
Townsville Bulletin - Page 13
Scientists
and conservationists say vital wildlife corridors will be lost forever
if state governments sell off a network of stock routes in Queensland
and NSW. Director of the UQ’s ecology centre Prof
Hugh Possingham was one of the signatories to the Long Paddock
Scientists’ Statement which is contained in an open letter
to the premiers.
Saving
the last long paddock
Daily Telegraph- Page 5
Dubbo News - Page 7
Courier Mail - Page 17
Courier Mail IQ - Page 71
Queensland Country Life - Page 8
Barrier Daily Truth - Page 6
Radio National; 4BC Brisbane; ABC Western
Qld Longreach
Ecologists and wildlife scientists are calling on Qld Premier
Anna Bligh to protect the over 3 million hectares of travelling
stock routes. Mentions Prof Hugh Possingham
of the UQ who comments.
Gatton
Campus Column
Gatton Lockyer Brisbane Valley Star - Page
2
UQ researcher and lecturer Dr David Merritt
has discovered Tasmanian cave glow-worms are energy conservationists:
they switch their lights off at night-time.
Frogs
on the dinosaur path
Sunday Mail - Page 23
Australian frogs are facing the biggest wildlife extinction threat
since the disappearance of dinosaurs, with 14 of the most endangered
species in Queensland. The warning comes from amphibian expert Natalie
Hill, of Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, and UQ frog expert Prof
Gordon Grigg.
More mill mergers on the cards
Queensland Country Life - Page 33
All go for GM cane: We will definitely grow genetically modified
sugarcane commercially in the future, and it could be as soon as
five years away, according to Dr TJ Higgins, deputy chief, CSIRO
Plant Industry. His address toTully mill’s AGM made it clear
that the pace needs to be picked up in developing GM varieties.
Mentions a recent study by UQ’s Dr Lucy Carter concluded that
benefits far outweigh risks. UQ’s Prof
Robert Birch began conducting GM research in 2004 with financial
help from CSR.
Genetically modified cane trials
ABC Radio North Qld Townsville
Trials
of genetically modified cane have been taking place in the Burdekin
over the past four years, and the Office of the Gene Technology
Regulator (OGTR) is soon to decide whether they will issue a licence
for the next phase of the research. UQ’s academic Prof
Robert Birch is involved in the trials, which are in partnership
with CSR Sugar. Birch says they have found no perceivable risk to
the health of humans from gene transfer and says it is important
to evaluate risk on a case by case basis. Birch says the term organic
is open to debate, and that their aims are similar to the organic
movement. Duration: 4:54
Plant hormone involved in regulating branch information
Canberra Times - Page 4
A newly discovered plant hormone is involved in regulating branch
formation according to research published in Nature by a team of
researchers from France and the UQ’s A/Prof
Christine Beveridge comments.
Branch control
Courier Mail IQ - Page 72
ABC Radio South East SA (Mt Gambier)
UQ researchers have helped discover a new plant hormone able to
control the number of branches on trees. A/Prof
Christine Beveridge from the UQ Centre for Integrative Legume
Research comments. Duration: 4:18
Research
into tree hormone manipulation
ABC Radio Far North Cairns; ABC Radio Tropical
North Mackay
Interview with A/Prof Christine Beveridge
of the UQ, on research into tree hormone manipulation. Researchers
at UQ have developed a method of restricting unwanted shoot growth
in trees, which has the potential to cut down the need for pruning
and other care of trees. The next step of the research is to see
whether the technique is easily developed for application in agriculture.
Duration: 6:36
Contraceptives
for plants
Radio National
UQ researchers have said that they have discovered the equivalent
of contraceptives for plants. Jason Jarvis, farmer; Chairman, Apple
and Pear Council, NSW, says that this will mean large savings for
farmers. A/Prof Christine Beveridge,
Chief Investigator, describes how the discovery will effect the
industry. Jarvis says that this is a welcome discovery if its proves
its worth. Duration: 3:04
Dinosaur
den
Geelong Advertiser - Page 17
Geelong will host a major dinosaur exhibition later this year, Hatching
the Past, but the region’s links with dinosaurs go back a
long way - at least 106 million years ago.
Dr Steven Salisbury from the UQ School of Integrative Biology
comments.
Oil will grow on trees in forests of future
Sunday Mail - Page 47
Researchers from the UQ have partnered with Origin Energy and Pacific
Renewable Energy on several hectares of pilot plantations of Pongamia
pinnata sometimes referred to as native wisteria at Roma and
Caboolture. Prof Peter Gresshoff, an
expert in plant biotechnology and biofuel at the University of Queensland
comments.
Marine hot spots theory
Cairns Post - Page 42
The massive force of colliding continental plates could play a role
in the rise and fall of reefs around the world, scientists say.
Researchers from the Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies
at James Cook University scrutinised fossil and molecular evidence
from oceans across the globe before publishing their findings in
the journal Science this month. Prof John
Pandolfi from the University of Queensland, comments.
LNP moves to lift ban on tree-felling
The Australian - Page 7
Queensland’s new Liberal National Party is set to ditch Labor’s
ban on tree-clearing in a move that will anger moderate Liberals
and complicate plans for the Rudd Government’s carbon trading
scheme. Mentions UQ’s climate change expert Norman
Duke who comments.
Microscopes
TV Channel 10 National Australia
Dr
Bronwen Cribb
states that she works in a building filled with microscopes. Cribb
explains how microscopes work and outlines their history and use
today. Duration: 3:05
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