{"links":{"self":"http://dataportal.arc.gov.au/NCGP/API/grants/DE260100336"},"data":{"type":"grant-details","id":"DE260100336","attributes":{"code":"DE260100336","administering-organisation":"The University of Newcastle","announcement-administering-organisation":"The University of Newcastle","scheme-name":"Discovery Early Career Researcher Award","grant-status":"Active","funding-commencement-year":2026,"years-funded":3,"project-start-date":"2026-01-01","anticipated-end-date":"2028-12-31","grant-summary":"Building the sperm RNA profile: Mechanisms of acquisition and modulation. Paternal non-genetic inheritance has been shown to be driven by changing ecosystems in many species. Although RNAs have been identified as the primary non-genetic factor in sperm, contributing to fertility and breeding success, their modulation within the reproductive tract remains unclear. This project aims to address how environmental exposures alter the RNA profile of sperm prior to conception and impact offspring, generating new global knowledge in non-genetic inheritance. Expected outcomes include insights and biological strategies to respond to and mitigate the impact of our changing ecosystem. In the face of current unprecedented environmental shifts this will provide benefits to animals of conservation and agricultural significance.","funding-current":518632.00,"funding-at-announcement":514524,"investigators-current":[{"title":"Dr","firstName":"Natalie","familyName":"Trigg","roleName":"Discovery Early Career Researcher Award","roleCode":"DECRA","isFellowship":true,"orcidIdentifier":"0000-0002-8999-5731 "}],"investigators-at-announcement":[{"title":"Dr","firstName":"Natalie","familyName":"Trigg","roleName":"Discovery Early Career Researcher Award","roleCode":"DECRA","isFellowship":true,"orcidIdentifier":"0000-0002-8999-5731 "}],"organisations-current":[{"organisationName":"The University of Newcastle","roleName":"Administering Organisation","state":"NSW"}],"organisations-at-announcement":[{"organisationName":"The University of Newcastle","roleName":"Administering Organisation","state":"NSW"}],"field-of-research":[{"isPrimary":false,"code":"310504","name":"Epigenetics (Incl. Genome Methylation and Epigenomics)","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":true,"code":"3109","name":"Zoology","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":false,"code":"310903","name":"Animal Developmental and Reproductive Biology","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":false,"code":"410102","name":"Ecological Impacts of Climate Change and Ecological Adaptation","type":"FOR20"}],"socio-economic-objective":[{"code":"280101","name":"Expanding Knowledge In the Agricultural, Food and Veterinary Sciences","type":"SEO20"},{"code":"280102","name":"Expanding Knowledge In the Biological Sciences","type":"SEO20"}],"international-collaboration":["Germany","United States of America"],"lief-register":[],"achievement-summary":null,"national-interest-test-statement":"Non-genetic inheritance results from factors other than a change in the DNA sequence of gametes and leads to the transmission of phenotypes to offspring in response to environmental change. Indeed, the paternal environment can have lasting effects across multiple generations, impacting economic factors such as the cost of managing affected livestock, reduced livestock breeding efficiencies as well as ecosystem sustainability. While the non-genetic factors in sperm that affect offspring traits have been identified, how these non-genetic factors are controlled is poorly understood. This project aims to discover how environmental changes in males alter the non-genetic content of their sperm. This research will benefit Australia by making fundamental discoveries that can be applied to male reproductive biology, evolutionary and RNA biology, epigenetics, and environmental exposure impact. Over time this could assist with improved breeding strategies to enhance livestock health and productivity, as well as new biotechnology protocols which will have economical and commercial benefits to Australia. These opportunities will be explored through partnership with agriculture and biotechnology industries. Moreover, by fostering new national and international collaborations, this project will amplify the impact of valuable ARC funding. Research advancements will be shared with relevant stakeholders in the agriculture and biotechnology sectors as well as the general public more broadly."}}}