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University of Exeter

University of Exeter

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2,702 Projects, page 1 of 541
  • Funder: UK Research and Innovation Project Code: G1002279
    Funder Contribution: 635,512 GBP

    The development of the human central nervous system involves a complex and precisely controlled cascade of molecular and cellular events. Even minor abnormalities in these processes can result in subtle defects that have devastating implications for brain function, or predispose an individual to later onset neurodegenerative disease. Genetic studies of inherited brain abnormalities and neurodegenerative diseases have provided a proven and valuable way to discover molecules which are involved in normal human brain development and function. However these studies are often hampered by the availability of only small families with these conditions, which have not previously been considered appropriate for new disease gene discovery. Recently a few research groups have shown that cutting edge genetic technologies may be used to investigate smaller families to expedite disease gene discovery. However despite these recent discoveries comparatively little remains known about the intricate molecular processes that orchestrate brain development or that underlie neurodegenerative disease. Consequently further neurological disease gene discovery is desperately required. The Centre for Community Genomic Studies (CCGS) is a recently formed international consortium for the investigation of inherited diseases which occur amongst consanguineous communities (in the UK, Oman, Iran, Malaysia, India, and the Amish; USA). A main aim of the consortium is the translation of research findings into scientific and community benefit, and a number of our previous discoveries have enabled us to establish potentially lifesaving diagnostic testing programs. Through this consortium we have identified substantial numbers of families with forms of inherited neurological disease. In this proposal we aim to apply new sequencing technologies to discover the genes and mutations responsible for 10 neurological conditions for which we have already mapped the chromosomal location of the disease gene. We also aim to analyse 20 ?smaller? families with individuals with inherited forms of developmental delay to demonstrate the efficiency of this approach to accelerate gene discovery. Consequently by applying modern genomic technologies to hasten the identification of genes responsible for a range of neurological conditions made accessible through the CCGS, this initiative offers considerable potential to increase our knowledge of a range of neurological disorders, as well as provide more effective local diagnostic, counselling and educational programs to the communities involved in the project.

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  • Funder: European Commission Project Code: 101162711
    Overall Budget: 1,499,320 EURFunder Contribution: 1,499,320 EUR

    The last two decades of exoplanet discoveries have revolutionised our view of planetary systems and our place in the cosmos, bringing us closer to answering fundamental questions about how these systems form and evolve. These advancements have, however, mainly focused on the inner regions of these systems due to the difficulties of probing their colder outer regions, despite their importance for the formation and evolution of planets. These barriers are, nevertheless, breaking thanks to observational campaigns led by me and others with ALMA studying exocometary discs analogous to the Kuiper belt, and JWST searching for sub-Jupiter mass planets at tens of au. This ERC program aims to constrain how the outer regions of planetary systems, and in particular the debris of which exocometary discs are made, form and evolve. Such an endeavour will require transforming our understanding of three key and interconnected pillars. First, we must understand how exocometary discs form as their structures encode key information about planet formation processes. This will require developing the first holistic models for exocometary disc formation and their comparison with ALMA observational constraints. Second, we must study what processes shape exocometary discs after formation to be able to use disc observations to infer the dynamical history of systems. This will require studying the disc interaction with planets and even stellar encounters while systems are young, and comparing the outcome of these interactions with JWST and ALMA observations. Third, we must advance in our understanding of exocometary gas as it could allow us to infer the presence of planets, affect their atmospheres and the distribution of exocometary dust biasing our dynamical inferences. Only by developing these three pillars, we will truly advance in our understanding of exocometary discs, a key element for deciphering planetary systems.

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  • Funder: European Commission Project Code: 898216
    Overall Budget: 224,934 EURFunder Contribution: 224,934 EUR

    Newly embraced use of lightweight (and high-strength) materials in construction has led to development of exceptionally beautiful and slender structural forms, especially in case of landmark public structures such as footbridges as well as walkways and corridors between buildings, at airports and shopping malls. These pedestrian structures are more sensitive to human-generated dynamic loading than ever before and their design is governed by vibration serviceability limit state. Pedestrians start interacting with these structures under certain conditions resulting in vibration-dependent dynamic force and unacceptably large errors in predictions of the actual vibration response. This project, vPERFORM, will transform the current design practice by developing reliable predictive models of vibration performance of lightweight pedestrian structures. For the first time, vertical vibration conditions under which the interaction occurs will be identified and the interaction modelled to reflect experimental observations. In addition, influence of visual cue (of the environment in which structure resides) on the interaction will also be studied for the first time. I will employ a multidisciplinary approach by combining analysis techniques from human motion science and mathematical modelling with structural engineering application. I will collect unique experimental data in a purpose built VSimulators (VSim) motion platform facility that incorporates virtual reality (VR) headset for simulating realistic structure environments. I will develop and validate a model for the interaction paving the way for achieving more efficient and sustainable design solutions.

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  • Funder: European Commission Project Code: 230267
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  • Funder: European Commission Project Code: 746169
    Overall Budget: 183,455 EURFunder Contribution: 183,455 EUR

    The level of polyandry is a key trait influencing population dynamics and inter-sexual interactions of organisms. In nature, females of some species mate only once in their life time, whereas others mate with multiple males. My research aims at understanding why there is so many variation in the level of polyandry. I will tackle this question by focusing on female immune function. Mating can up-/down-regulate immune function, which is likely to inflict fitness costs on females if they mate with multiple males. If the level of polyandry positively correlates with the efficiency of female immune function, immune function may compensate for the costs of multiple mating. To test this hypothesis, I will use 25 isolines of the fruit fly Drosophila pseudoobscura that genetically differ profoundly in their predisposition to polyandry. This unique system will allow me to examine effects of both mating and genetic variation in polyandry on female immune function. This project will complement my current research that to date has focused on specific applied agricultural-pest systems. I have less experience working on explicitly evolutionary-focused questions, so this research programme will provide an additional dimension to my applied research. Prof Wedell is a leading scientist in the field of experimental evolutionary biology, and is the perfect person to expand my horizons into more conceptual and broader ideas. Under her mentoring, I will be able to develop my own research and skills in proposal writing and teaching. The new knowledge, skills and techniques that I will acquire through the project will feed back to my previous work on agricultural pests, which will result in me being able to bridge the gap between model organism and agricultural pest systems. The unique situation will enable me to develop a unique line of research in both evolutionary and applied biology. Ultimately, this Fellowship will put me in an excellent position for my further career.

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