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Browse and tap into research projects pushing the boundaries of agrifood innovation and science in rural industries.
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3727 research projects

CRISPR Phase II logo
Research project

CRISPR Phase II

Australian Wool Innovation (AWI)

This project was the first stage of an on-going investigation into the use of the genetic modification technology CRISPR for editing the blowfly genome. A key outcome from this work is the ability to analyse critical blowfly genes that can be targeted in the search for new blowfly control options.

15 Jan 2018 - 30 Jun 2019

New South Wales, Australia

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)

CRISPR Phase III logo
Research project

CRISPR Phase III

Australian Wool Innovation (AWI)

Understanding the biology of the Australian sheep blowfly (Lucilia cuprina) is critical to developing new and effective strategies for its control. The advances made in the sequencing of the L. cuprina genome mean that CRISPR has the potential to be a powerful tool for the understanding of the function of...

21 Jul 2018 - 20 Feb 2019

New South Wales, Australia

The University of Melbourne

Informed development of a flystrike vaccine logo
Research project

Informed development of a flystrike vaccine

Australian Wool Innovation (AWI)

This project focusses on two main areas: Using genetic and genomic data to determine the structure of blowfly populations in Australia to assess the level of genetic variation that exists within and between the locations from where they are collected; and, understanding the molecular processes that allow the maggots to...

2 Jan 2019 - 30 Jun 2022

New South Wales, Australia

The University of Melbourne

Identifying T.cylindrosporum in Australia logo
Research project

Identifying T.cylindrosporum in Australia

Australian Wool Innovation (AWI)

There are several species of fungi that can infect and kill insects, A Review of Sheep Blowfly Pathogen Control (ON-00620) identified one species, Tolypocladium cylindrosporum as capable of killing the Australian sheep blowfly, Lucilia cuprina. It acts by killing larvae and pupa in the soil and hence it could have...

10 Dec 2019 - 30 Jun 2020

New South Wales, Australia

The University of Melbourne

MLPAO Evaluability of Anti Mullerian hormone logo
Research project

MLPAO Evaluability of Anti Mullerian hormone

Australian Wool Innovation (AWI)

This project aims to increase ewe weaning rates and lifetime productivity by providing sheep producers with a more accurate method of identifying more fertile and fecund ewe lambs before first mating. The proposed marker is anti-müllerian hormone (AMH), which is produced solely by the ovary and can be measured accurately...

10 Sep 2018 - 1 Dec 2025

New South Wales, Australia

The University of Melbourne

Epigenetic and behaviour analysis logo
Research project

Epigenetic and behaviour analysis

Australian Wool Innovation (AWI)

Epigenetic regulation of gene expression may have a siginifcant impact on numerous traits inlcuding wool production. This investment examines the potential influence of shearing frequency (twice shorn versus single shorn) on epigenetic gene expression regulation in a Merino sheep flock. The trial uses a flock representing a variety of commercially...

3 Jan 2019 - 30 Jun 2020

New South Wales, Australia

The University of Melbourne

Methods for assessing the performance and comfort of functional clothing logo
Research project

Methods for assessing the performance and comfort of functional clothing

Australian Wool Innovation (AWI)

Key factors determining the use of wool in the apparel industry are the assessment of next to skin comfort and thermal performance during activity. This investment sought to develop standardised evaluation methods to quantify human comfort and performance for outdoor and performance clothing (eg for hiking, running and cycling). This...

19 Oct 2015 - 30 Jun 2019

New South Wales, Australia

The University of Adelaide (UA)

Wool's benefit in dynamic circumstances logo
Research project

Wool's benefit in dynamic circumstances

Australian Wool Innovation (AWI)

This investment seeks to develop a new test method to demonstrate wool's greater thermal comfort during physical activity than other fibre types. This knowledge gap currently limits the apparel industry's ability to specify the most appropriate fabrics for sports and activewear markets. The project will generate new test and/or protocols...

1 Jul 2018 - 30 Jun 2021

New South Wales, Australia

The University of Queensland (UQ)

Genetically suppressing pigmented fibres logo
Research project

Genetically suppressing pigmented fibres

Australian Wool Innovation (AWI)

Breeders of wool sheep select against the presence of pigmented fibres. However, the complex nature and incomplete action of the genes that control pigmentation means that selecting against pigmentation requires repeated selection effort, consequently reducing the selection emphasis given to production and quality traits. This project adopts an alternative approach...

29 May 2019 - 30 Jun 2019

New South Wales, Australia

North Carolina State University

Biological Fleece Weakening logo
Research project

Biological Fleece Weakening

Australian Wool Innovation (AWI)

Previous attempts to develop biological defleecing of sheep by chemically inducing separation of the wool fibres from the skin, while technologically feasible, were not commercially viable due to the high cost treatment, netting (to prevent wool loss) and labour. This investment examines an alternative approach based on creating a weakened...

14 Oct 2019 - 15 Jun 2020

New South Wales, Australia

North Carolina State University