{"links":{"self":"http://dataportal.arc.gov.au/NCGP/API/grants/DE260100558"},"data":{"type":"grant-details","id":"DE260100558","attributes":{"code":"DE260100558","administering-organisation":"The University of Sydney","announcement-administering-organisation":"The University of Sydney","scheme-name":"Discovery Early Career Researcher Award","grant-status":"Active","funding-commencement-year":2026,"years-funded":3,"project-start-date":"2026-01-12","anticipated-end-date":"2029-01-11","grant-summary":"Challenging the limits of RNA virus genome size. This project will expand the known diversity of RNA viruses and the proteins they encode, challenging foundational principles in the field of RNA virus evolution. Combining innovative methods in molecular and computational biology, this will be the first study to define the mechanisms that RNA viruses use to replicate during infection. Expected outcomes include the first comprehensive catalogue of RNA virus diversity in Australian sea sponges that will inform reef conservation strategies and new knowledge of virus-host interactions. The benefits of documenting RNA virus ecology and evolution in marine ecosystems extend to the broader community who depend on Australia’s iconic fauna for their livelihood and are threatened by climate change.","funding-current":534320.00,"funding-at-announcement":530079,"investigators-current":[{"title":"Dr","firstName":"Mary","familyName":"Petrone","roleName":"Discovery Early Career Researcher Award","roleCode":"DECRA","isFellowship":true,"orcidIdentifier":"0000-0002-3663-7535 "}],"investigators-at-announcement":[{"title":"Dr","firstName":"Mary","familyName":"Petrone","roleName":"Discovery Early Career Researcher Award","roleCode":"DECRA","isFellowship":true,"orcidIdentifier":"0000-0002-3663-7535 "}],"organisations-current":[{"organisationName":"The University of Sydney","roleName":"Administering Organisation","state":"NSW"}],"organisations-at-announcement":[{"organisationName":"The University of Sydney","roleName":"Administering Organisation","state":"NSW"}],"field-of-research":[{"isPrimary":false,"code":"310407","name":"Host-Parasite Interactions","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":false,"code":"310410","name":"Phylogeny and Comparative Analysis","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":true,"code":"3107","name":"Microbiology","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":false,"code":"310706","name":"Virology","type":"FOR20"}],"socio-economic-objective":[{"code":"180504","name":"Marine Biodiversity","type":"SEO20"},{"code":"190102","name":"Ecosystem Adaptation to Climate Change","type":"SEO20"},{"code":"280102","name":"Expanding Knowledge In the Biological Sciences","type":"SEO20"}],"international-collaboration":["Scotland","United States of America"],"lief-register":[],"achievement-summary":null,"national-interest-test-statement":"Understanding the factors that determine virus ecology and evolution is essential for combating outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases, both those that lead to pandemics and those that threaten Australia’s ecosystems. This DECRA will perform ground-breaking work using Australia’s iconic fauna – reef sponges – to provide a new perspective on RNA virus diversity and evolution. Sponges are projected to supplant corals as primary reef builders as the climate changes, profoundly impacting the composition of reefs on both macro and micro scales. Yet little is known about the RNA viruses that currently infect sponges, creating knowledge gaps in our understanding of RNA virus diversity and feasible strategies for reef conservation. To address this pressing topical issue, this DECRA will work in collaboration with academic and government keyholders to generate a comprehensive catalogue of RNA virus diversity in healthy and diseased ecosystems in Australia. This catalogue will serve as the foundation for the monitoring of emerging pathogens in Australia’s coral reefs. Aligned with the National Science and Research Priorities (Protecting and restoring Australia’s environment) and the Australian Government Priorities (Securing Australia’s place in a changing global environment), this project demonstrates Australia’s commitment to safeguarding the rich biodiversity that supports the livelihoods of communities across the country."}}}