The School of Biological Sciences Newsletter

June 2000 issue

A year in FYB	Special Seminar Series
Head of School's Report	SOBs Script
Publications	The Rain

 

 

Reflections on Twelve Months as Acting Director of FYB

I have just completed 12 months in FYB as Acting Director while Mary took some well earned study leave. For me, the period in FYB was rewarding on a number of levels. The period enabled me to be involved in a well-oiled operation, reflect on use of the computer in teaching while at an active interface, and examine the relationship between FYB and the rest of the School, among other things.

It was this latter aspect that caused me angst. I perceived a situation where many academics based on Science Road appeared to be disengaged with the activities of FYB. This was particularly evident in the delivery of practical components of the junior units of study. Students appreciate the contributions of academics involved in research and often explore research issues whenever they can. The lab is often their only chance to meet people in research. They also realise that more senior academics often arrive in the labs less prepared than they should. However, they also say that this contact is enormously rewarding for them.

On a more practical level, involvement of staff from Science Road in FYB also increases the chance of engaging students in the issues we teach in intermediate and senior units of study. I was particularly concerned with the low enrolments in Living Systems. I firmly believe that if we are to increase student participation in our senior units then academic staff from Science Road need to be more actively involved from the beginning.

This comment comes with a real awareness that workloads have been increasing and will continue to increase, unless we can rationalise total output. The School is struggling with a shrinking budget, experienced staff are leaving, the Federal Government is demanding greater accountability for their monies, and the support traditionally supplied by the University is diminishing. Members of the School are also under related pressures each of which requires increasing effort and time. The changes we are currently experiencing will continue, though how they will impact is hard to predict.

TCom is considering new approaches which aim to increase income from teaching, such as through increased EFTSUs. The establishment of a Foundation, opportunities associated with developments at Pearl Beach and related fund-raising all threaten to overwhelm our already fragile existence. Yet, if a few of these approaches succeed in raising substantial funds for the School, we will have increased flexibility enabling better circumstances for research and teaching.

As a School, I believe we need to discuss openly, fully and frankly where we wish to go and how we are to go there. The future is uncertain. It will be worse, if as individuals, we are heading in different directions. The workloads issue is a small manifestation of this uncertainty, one that has the potential to derail some worthwhile initiatives. It is time to talk.

 

Peter McGee

 

Head of School's Report

Jun '00
HEAD OF SCHOOL'S REPORT

Staffing

Academic
Associate Lectureship/Lectureship (vice Harvey)
The University Selection Committee met on 18 May. An offer has been made.

Associate Lectureship/Lectureship (vice Danckwerts)
A date has not yet been set for interviews/presentations.

General
Mr. Mark Ahern has been appointed to the continuing position of HEO 6 (Resources Officer), from 18 May 2000.

The Administrative Assistant position (vice Morales) has been advertised again, and closed on 11 May.

Dr Adrienne Grant has been appointed to the part-time position of Research Fellow (School-funded - Hinde) from 1 May to 31 December (in the first instance).

Honorary Appointments

Visiting Scholar
Professor S Karpov (nominated by Professor Patterson)

 

 

Publications

DeKroon, R.M. & P.J. Armati. (2000). The endosomal trafficking of apolipoprotein E3 and E4 in cultured human brain neurons and astrocytes. The Australian Society for Medical Research. Sydney, Australia

Kashi, P.K. & P.J. Armati. (2000). Neuronal and glia cell trafficking of apolipoprotein E isoforms in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. The Australian Society for Medical Research. Sydney, Australia

Lapidge, S. & B. Odermatt. (2000). Returning Yellow-foots to a welcoming community. 2nd National Rock-wallaby Symposium. Alice Springs, Australia

Lapidge, S.J. Eldridge, M. & I.D. Hume. (2000). All things considered: Genetic approacjes to Rock-wallaby reintroduction. 2nd National Rock-wallaby Symposium. Alice Springs, Australia

Lapidge, S.J. & I.D. Hume. (2000). Adjusting to life on the outside: the reintroduced Yellow-footed rock-wallaby story. Aust. Mammal Soc Conf. Alice Springs, Australia

Mandadi, S., Dedov, V.N., Armati, P.J. & B.D. Roufogalis. (2000). Mechanisms of capsaicin mediating mitochondrial membrane potential dissipation in DRG neurons. The Australian Society for Medical Research. Sydney, Australia

Journal Publications

Caton, J.M. & I.D. Hume. (2000). Chemical reactors of the mammalian gastro-intestinal tract. Z. Saugetierkunde. 65:33-50

Dedov, V., Armati, P.J. & B.D. Roufogalis. (2000). Three-dimensional organisation of mitochondrial clusters in regenerating dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons from neonatal rats: evidence for mobile mitochondrial pools. J. Periph. Nerv. Syst. 5:3-10

Harper, J.D.I., Fowke, L.C., Gilmer, S., Overall, R.L. & J. Marc. (2000). A centrin homologue is localised across the developing cell plate in gymnosperms and angiosperms. Protoplasma. 211:207-216

Hart, J.M. & M.J. Henwood. (2000). Systematics of the Xanthosia pilosa complex (Apiaceae: Hydrocotyloideae). Aust. Syst. Bot. 13:245-266

Holdaway-Clarke, T.L., Walker, N.A., Helper, P.K. & R.L. Overall. (2000). Physiological elevations in cytoplasmic free calcium by cold or ion injection result in transient closure of higher plant plasmodesmata. Planta. 210:329-335

Lapidge, S. J. (2000). Dietary adaptation of reintroduced yellow-footed rock-wallabies, Petrogale xanthopus xanthopus (Marsupialia: Macropodidae), in the northern Flinders Ranges, South Australia. Wildlife Res. 27:195-201

Lee, W.J., & D.J. Patterson. (2000). Heterotrophic flagellates (Protista) from marine sediments of Botany Bay, Australia. J. Nat. Hist. 34:483-562

Long, S.C., Morris, V.B. & M. Byrne. (2000). Seven Hox gene sequences from the asterinid starfish Patiriella exigua (Echinodermata: Asteroidea). Hydrobiologia. 420:95-98

Miranda-Saksena, M., Armati, P.J., Boadle, R.A., Holland, D.J. & A.L. Cunningham. (2000). Anterograde transport of herpes simplex virus type 1 in cultured, dissociated human and rat dorsal root ganglion neurons. J. Virol. 74:1827-1839

Morris, S., Greenaway, P., Adamczewska, A. & M.D. Ahern. (2000). Adaptations to a terrestrial existence in the robber crab Birgus latro L. J. Exp. Biol. 203:389-396

Morris, V.B., Brammall, J., Noble, J. & R. Reddel. (2000). p35 localises to the centrosomes and spindles of mitotic cells in the embryonic chick epiblast, human cell lines, and human primary culture: an immunofluorescence study. Exp. Cell Res. 256:122-130

Oldroyd, B.P. & K.E. Osborne. (1999). The evolution of worker sterility in honeybees: the genetic basis of failure of worker policing. P. Roy. Soc. Lond. B. 266:1335-1339

Olsson, M., Shine, R. & E. Bak-Olsson. (2000). Locomotor impairment of gravid lizards: is the burden physical or physiological? J. Evol. Biol. 13:263-268

Peat, M. & A. Fernandez. (2000). The role of information technology in biology education: an Australian perspective. J. Biol. Educ. 34:69-73

Pleijel, F. & G.W. Rouse. (2000). Least-inclusive taxonomic unit: a new taxonomic concept for biology. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B. 267:627-630

Vesk, P.A., Ashford, A.E., Markinova, A-L. & W.G. Allaway. (2000). Apoplasmic barriers and their significance in the exodermis and sheath of Eucalyptus Pilularis-Pisolithus tinctorius ectomycorrhizas. New Phytol. 145:333-346

Wolfe, K. (2000). Robustness - its not where you think it is. Nature Genetics. 25:3-4

Special Seminar Series

SPECIAL SEMINAR SERIES
A46/000019 Lectureship in Cell Biology and Genetics

1.00 pm - Monday 3 July
Dr Murray Thomson
"Molecular and Cellular Biology of the Syncytiotrophoblast"

1.00 pm - Tuesday 4 July
Dr Patrick Finnegan
"The mitochondrial alternative oxidase: The control of gene expression in plants and a consideration of the evolutionary history of the enzyme"

1.00 pm - Wednesday 5 July
Dr Lars Jermiin
"Comparative Genomics in the Postgenomic Era"

1.00 pm - Thursday 6 July
Dr Morley Muralitharan
"Application of Molecular Markers (AFLP, ISSR, RAPD and RGA)
in Plant and Animal Breeding"

2.00 pm - Thursday 6 July
Dr John Harper
"Cell of the Century-"

 

SOBScript

 

 

The Rain

The Rain - by Howard Jukes

The new millennium came around
There had been no rain for years
To watch the stock just struggling
Was enough to bring the tears
But then a miracle came about
That washed away the pain
We received the greatest gift of all
For Carol brought the rain.

We met her when the family came
To share the scones and tea
It was raining lightly off and on
But no one could forsee
That the heavens would shortly open
The desert would bloom again
It was a wonder to behold
When Carol brought the rain.

The rain came down at a steady beat
As it fell all Thursday night
Good Friday was ushered in
With more rain- what a wondrous sight
The lakes and swamps were nearly full
There was no way of getting out
What a wonderful Easter present
When Carol broke the drought.

While there was much rejoicing
For us at the Carlo camp.
Hey, what about our good friends
They were probably cold and damp
So we listened in on the old H.F.
To be sure not to miss their call
For out in this far flung desert land
It pays to be on the ball.

When we made contact the news was bad
As we thought it would probably be
For where Bobby and Max and Simone were camped
Had become an inland sea.
With the tojo bogged in Kuwwamuka swamp
They watched the water rise around
With the tucker low and the sun won't show
It was wait it out till found.

While back at Ethabuka main camp
Things weren't too rosy there
For they had tried a rescue mission
That had ended in despair
With their tojo in a hopeless bog
In the deep red sodden loam
Aaron and Alice and Chris and Carol
Walked the forty k's to home.

Mike's crew from the Field river
Oliver, Marina, Sylvia and Mat
Had safely made a trip back in
In the hilux- on their own bat
For it was their radio
That would help to salve the pain
It was urgently needed
When Carol brought the rain

An urgent call to the SES
But they didn't seem to heed
They messed around as they usually do
When for help there's an urgent need
But when the Uni greased their palms
It was then all up and away
What a shame to be a Queenslander
They lost a member on that day

Well the chopper came you were lifted out
Everyone safe and sound at last
We felt so sad your first trip was spoiled
But that will soon be in the past
It was great to meet you Carol
And we hope you come again
You will always be made welcome
For it was you who brought the rain.