Associate Professor Paul Ebert
Associate Professor

Paul Ebert

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 52973

Background

Genetics of mental health (new research)

We are using the genetic model organism, C. elegans, do investigate the genetic basis of both normal and disordered behaviour. Our current interests are identifying the genes responsible for anxiety and depression as well as the genes for eating disoders and addiction. Using C. elegans as a model organism will also allow us to study gene function as it relates to behaviour.

Molecular mechanisms of phosphine resistance (other research)

Genetic mapping of oxidative stress resistance genes. The fumigant phosphine disrupts oxidative metabolism, resulting in the production of reactive oxygen intermediates. This causes the premature ageing and death of targeted pests. Insect pests of stored grain in Australia now exhibit resistance to phosphine at levels more than 200 times the normal lethal dose.

We have genetically mappedf and identified the genes responsible for phosphine resistance in tall major insect pests of stored grain. We are using a systems biology approach in the model organism C. elegans to understand the molecular basis of phosphine action. Our genetic studies have recently shown that resistance to phosphine is associated with an extension of lifespan

Availability

Associate Professor Paul Ebert is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Agricultural, Veterinary and Food Sciences Behavioural genetics Behavioural neuroscience Biological Sciences Biological psychology Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Crop and pasture post harvest technologies (incl. transportation and storage) Crop and pasture production Evolutionary psychological studies Gene expression (incl. microarray and other genome-wide approaches) Gene mapping Genetics Genomics Invertebrate biology Medical biochemistry - amino acids and metabolites Medical biochemistry and metabolomics Molecular evolution Neurogenetics Pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences Psychology Psychopharmacology Zoology

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), University of California-Riverside
  • Masters (Coursework) of Science, University of Washington
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Washington State University

Research interests

  • Genetics of mental health

    The genetics of mental health is notoriously difficult to study. I am developing behavioural assays in the model organism, Caenorhabditis elegans to study the genetics and neuropharmacology of anxiety and depression as well as anorexia and addiction.

  • Metabolic toxicology - fumigant toxicology

    I am interested in energy metabolism and mitochondrial function. My work is based around the toxicology of the agricultural fumigant, phosphine. The phosphine resistance gene, dld, not only results in phosphine resistance, but also modulates cellular energy metabolism.

Research impacts

Mental health

Anxiety is the most common mental health condition. Hundreds of candidate anxiety genes have been identified by human Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS), but the functions of these genes are difficult to study in humans or mammalian model organisms. We have developed behavioural assays using C. elegans that are allowing us to confirm the role in anxiety of the candidate genes identified by GWAS.

We have also identified a suite of compounds that can induce anorexia in C. elegans. This system is allowing us to test the limited number of candidate anorexia genes that have been identified by GWAS and to identify new genes by genetic screens.

Other research

Our discovery of the economically important phosphine resistance gene has allowed us to characterise resistance across Australia and India. It is now being use to monitor resistance management strategies in collaboration with major grain handling companies to improve commercial practice in Australia and India. This is the subject of a recent Australia-India AISRF project on which I was the UQ lead investigator. We have also used the gene marker to characterise resistance in Vietnam, China, Turkey. Others have used our work to characterise resistance in the USA and Brazil.

We have also sought to use our understanding of how phosphine works to identify synergistic gases that might be used to extend the useful life of phosphine as a grain fumigant. This work was supported by an ARC Discovery grant and a research grant from the Plant Biosecurity CRC.

We have also discovered the the phosphine resistance gene, dld, is a lifespan extending factor. Interestingly, it also protects against pathology in a C. elegans model of Alzheimer's disease, a serious ageing associated disease. Alzheimer's disease is a major disease of global importance with huge economic ramifications due to the level of care required by people who suffer from dementia. Our system allows us to explore the metabolic basis of the disease, an aspect that has until recently been largely neglected.

Search Professor Paul Ebert’s works on UQ eSpace

94 works between 1986 and 2024
All (94) Journal Article (76) Book Chapter (4) Conference Publication (12) Other Outputs (1) Edited Outputs (1)

1 - 20 of 94 works

Featured

2016

Journal Article

Metformin attenuates Aβ pathology mediated through levamisole sensitive nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in a C. elegans model of Alzheimer’s disease

Ahmad, Waqar and Ebert, Paul R. (2016). Metformin attenuates Aβ pathology mediated through levamisole sensitive nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in a C. elegans model of Alzheimer’s disease. Molecular Neurobiology, 54 (7), 1-13. doi: 10.1007/s12035-016-0085-y

Metformin attenuates Aβ pathology mediated through levamisole sensitive nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in a C. elegans model of Alzheimer’s disease

Featured

2012

Journal Article

A core metabolic enzyme mediates resistance to phosphine gas

Schlipalius, David I., Valmas, Nicholas, Tuck, Andrew G., Jagadeesan, Rajeswaran, Ma, Li, Kaur, Ramandeep, Goldinger, Anita, Anderson, Cameron, Kuang, Jujiao, Zuryn, Steven, Mau, Yosep S., Cheng, Qiang, Collins, Patrick J., Nayak, Manoj K., Schirra, Horst Joachim, Hilliard, Massimo A. and Ebert, Paul R. (2012). A core metabolic enzyme mediates resistance to phosphine gas. Science, 338 (6108), 807-810. doi: 10.1126/science.1224951

A core metabolic enzyme mediates resistance to phosphine gas

Featured

2012

Journal Article

WormScan: A technique for high-throughput phenotypic analysis of Caenorhabditis elegans

Mathew, Mark D., Mathew, Neal D. and Ebert, Paul R. (2012). WormScan: A technique for high-throughput phenotypic analysis of Caenorhabditis elegans. Plos One, 7 (3) e33483, e33483.1-e33483.6. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0033483

WormScan: A technique for high-throughput phenotypic analysis of Caenorhabditis elegans

Featured

2012

Journal Article

The failure to extend lifespan via disruption of complex II is linked to preservation of dynamic control of energy metabolism

Kuang, Jujiao and Ebert, Paul R. (2012). The failure to extend lifespan via disruption of complex II is linked to preservation of dynamic control of energy metabolism. Mitochondrion, 12 (2), 280-287. doi: 10.1016/j.mito.2011.10.003

The failure to extend lifespan via disruption of complex II is linked to preservation of dynamic control of energy metabolism

Featured

2010

Journal Article

Mitochondrial dysfunction in Caenorhabditis elegans causes metabolic restructuring, but this is not linked to longevity

Zuryn, Steven, Kuang, Jujiao, Tuck, Andrew and Ebert, Paul R. (2010). Mitochondrial dysfunction in Caenorhabditis elegans causes metabolic restructuring, but this is not linked to longevity. Mechanisms of Ageing and Development, 131 (9), 554-561. doi: 10.1016/j.mad.2010.07.004

Mitochondrial dysfunction in Caenorhabditis elegans causes metabolic restructuring, but this is not linked to longevity

Featured

2008

Journal Article

The genome of the model beetle and pest Tribolium castaneum

Tribolium Genome Sequencing Consortium and Ebert, Paul R. (2008). The genome of the model beetle and pest Tribolium castaneum. Nature, 452 (7190), 949-955. doi: 10.1038/nature06784

The genome of the model beetle and pest Tribolium castaneum

Featured

2008

Journal Article

Mitochondrial modulation of phosphine toxicity and resistance in Caenorhabditis elegans

Zuryn, Steven, Kuang, Jujiao and Ebert, Paul (2008). Mitochondrial modulation of phosphine toxicity and resistance in Caenorhabditis elegans. Toxicological Sciences, 102 (1), 179-186. doi: 10.1093/toxsci/kfm278

Mitochondrial modulation of phosphine toxicity and resistance in Caenorhabditis elegans

2024

Book Chapter

Phosphine toxicology and mode of action

Alzahrani, Saad M. and Ebert, Paul R. (2024). Phosphine toxicology and mode of action. Reference module in biomedical sciences. (pp. 597-604) edited by Philip Wexler. Cham, Switzerland: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-12-824315-2.01068-x

Phosphine toxicology and mode of action

2023

Journal Article

Pesticidal toxicity of phosphine and its interaction with other pest control treatments

Alzahrani, Saad M. and Ebert, Paul R. (2023). Pesticidal toxicity of phosphine and its interaction with other pest control treatments. Current Issues in Molecular Biology, 45 (3), 2461-2473. doi: 10.3390/cimb45030161

Pesticidal toxicity of phosphine and its interaction with other pest control treatments

2021

Journal Article

First report of strong phosphine resistance in stored grain insects in a far northern tropical region of Australia, combining conventional and genetic diagnostics

Nayak, Manoj K., Jagadeesan, Rajeswaran, Singarayan, Virgine T., Nath, Nisa S., Pavic, Hervoika, Dembowski, Brock, Daglish, Gregory J., Schlipalius, David I. and Ebert, Paul R. (2021). First report of strong phosphine resistance in stored grain insects in a far northern tropical region of Australia, combining conventional and genetic diagnostics. Journal of Stored Products Research, 92 101813, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jspr.2021.101813

First report of strong phosphine resistance in stored grain insects in a far northern tropical region of Australia, combining conventional and genetic diagnostics

2021

Journal Article

Hindgut microbiota reflects different digestive strategies in dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae)

Ebert, Kathryn M., Arnold, William G., Ebert, Paul R. and Merritt, David J. (2021). Hindgut microbiota reflects different digestive strategies in dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae). Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 87 (5), 1-17. doi: 10.1128/AEM.02100-20

Hindgut microbiota reflects different digestive strategies in dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae)

2021

Journal Article

Gene introgression in assessing fitness costs associated with phosphine resistance in the rusty grain beetle

Singarayan, Virgine T., Jagadeesan, Rajeswaran, Nayak, Manoj K., Ebert, Paul R. and Daglish, Gregory J. (2021). Gene introgression in assessing fitness costs associated with phosphine resistance in the rusty grain beetle. Journal of Pest Science, 94 (4), 1415-1426. doi: 10.1007/s10340-020-01315-6

Gene introgression in assessing fitness costs associated with phosphine resistance in the rusty grain beetle

2021

Journal Article

Unique genetic variants in dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (dld) gene confer strong resistance to phosphine in the rusty grain beetle, Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens)

Jagadeesan, Rajeswaran, Schlipalius, David I., Singarayan, Virgine T., Nath, Nisa S., Nayak, Manoj K. and Ebert, Paul R. (2021). Unique genetic variants in dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (dld) gene confer strong resistance to phosphine in the rusty grain beetle, Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens). Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology, 171 104717. doi: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2020.104717

Unique genetic variants in dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (dld) gene confer strong resistance to phosphine in the rusty grain beetle, Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens)

2020

Journal Article

Suppression of a core metabolic enzyme dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (dld) protects against amyloid beta toxicity in C. elegans model of Alzheimer's disease

Ahmad, Waqar and Ebert, Paul R. (2020). Suppression of a core metabolic enzyme dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (dld) protects against amyloid beta toxicity in C. elegans model of Alzheimer's disease. Genes and Diseases, 8 (6), 849-866. doi: 10.1016/j.gendis.2020.08.004

Suppression of a core metabolic enzyme dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (dld) protects against amyloid beta toxicity in C. elegans model of Alzheimer's disease

2020

Journal Article

Synergism between phosphine (PH3) and carbon dioxide (CO2): implications for managing PH3 resistance in rusty grain beetle (Laemophloeidae: Coleoptera)

Constantin, Myrna, Jagadeesan, Rajeswaran, Chandra, Kerri, Ebert, Paul and Nayak, Manoj K (2020). Synergism between phosphine (PH3) and carbon dioxide (CO2): implications for managing PH3 resistance in rusty grain beetle (Laemophloeidae: Coleoptera). Journal of Economic Entomology, 113 (4), 1-8. doi: 10.1093/jee/toaa081

Synergism between phosphine (PH3) and carbon dioxide (CO2): implications for managing PH3 resistance in rusty grain beetle (Laemophloeidae: Coleoptera)

2020

Journal Article

Resistance to the fumigant phosphine and its management in insect pests of stored products: a global perspective

Nayak, Manoj K., Daglish, Gregory J., Phillips, Thomas W. and Ebert, Paul R. (2020). Resistance to the fumigant phosphine and its management in insect pests of stored products: a global perspective. Annual Review of Entomology, 65 (1), 333-350. doi: 10.1146/annurev-ento-011019-025047

Resistance to the fumigant phosphine and its management in insect pests of stored products: a global perspective

2019

Journal Article

Attenuation of radiation toxicity by the phosphine resistance factor dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (DLD)

Alzahrani, Saad M. and Ebert, Paul R. (2019). Attenuation of radiation toxicity by the phosphine resistance factor dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (DLD). Scientific Reports, 9 (1) 6455, 6455. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-42678-w

Attenuation of radiation toxicity by the phosphine resistance factor dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (DLD)

2019

Journal Article

A high-throughput system used to determine frequency and distribution of phosphine resistance across large geographical regions: next-generation markers for phosphine resistance

Schlipalius, David I., Tuck, Andrew G., Pavic, Hervoika, Daglish, Gregory J., Nayak, Manoj K. and Ebert, Paul R. (2019). A high-throughput system used to determine frequency and distribution of phosphine resistance across large geographical regions: next-generation markers for phosphine resistance. Pest Management Science, 75 (4), 1091-1098. doi: 10.1002/ps.5221

A high-throughput system used to determine frequency and distribution of phosphine resistance across large geographical regions: next-generation markers for phosphine resistance

2019

Journal Article

Oxygen and arsenite synergize phosphine toxicity by distinct mechanisms

Alzahrani, Saad M. and Ebert, Paul R. (2019). Oxygen and arsenite synergize phosphine toxicity by distinct mechanisms. Toxicological Sciences, 167 (2), 419-425. doi: 10.1093/toxsci/kfy248

Oxygen and arsenite synergize phosphine toxicity by distinct mechanisms

2018

Journal Article

Modeling meets metabolomics— the WormJam consensus model as basis for metabolic studies in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans

Witting, Michael, Hastings, Janna, Rodriguez, Nicolas, Joshi, Chintan J., Hattwell, Jake P. N., Ebert, Paul R., van Weeghel, Michel, Gao, Arwen W., Wakelam, Michael J. O., Houtkooper, Riekelt H., Mains, Abraham, Le Novère, Nicolas, Sadykoff, Sean, Schroeder, Frank, Lewis, Nathan E., Schirra, Horst-Joachim, Kaleta, Christoph and Casanueva, Olivia (2018). Modeling meets metabolomics— the WormJam consensus model as basis for metabolic studies in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences, 5 (NOV) 96, 96. doi: 10.3389/fmolb.2018.00096

Modeling meets metabolomics— the WormJam consensus model as basis for metabolic studies in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans

Past funding

  • 2024
    Toward a rapid antibody test (RAT) for phosphine resistant insect pests of stored grain
    Australia's Economic Accelerator Seed Grants
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    Research and development into innovative grain refrigeration processes to disrupt breeding of established grain pests in response to resistance to grain insecticides
    Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2024
    Optimisation of phosphine fumigation under low oxygen
    Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    National resistance monitoring for insect pests of stored grain (GRDC grant administered by QDAF)
    Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
    Open grant
  • 2019
    A versatile accurate mass, high resolution QTOF mass spectrometer for chemistry and proteomic applications
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2020
    Deploying biotechnology based decision making tools in postharvest grain pest management to enhance food security and market access [AISRF administered by DAF]
    Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
    Open grant
  • 2015
    A sensitive, high resolution QTOF mass spectrometer with nanoUPLC system for qualitative and quantitative biomolecule analysis.
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Beyond genomes, transcriptomes and proteomes: high throughput analysis of gene and protein expression and function
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2018
    DNA Marker development and their use in monitoring and eradication of phosphine resistance in stored grain pests
    Plant Biosecurity CRC
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2017
    Investigation of new control options for phosphine resistant pests of stored grain
    Plant Biosecurity CRC
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    Comparative toxicology of a fumigant and gasotransmitters: Testing a new model of fumigant toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2016
    Ensuring food security: harnessing science to protect our grain harvest from insect threats
    Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research - Australia-India Strategic Research Fund
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Targeting mechanisms of phosphine resistance in stored grain pests
    Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Building Capacity in Quantitative Genomics
    UQ School/Centre Co-Funding
    Open grant
  • 2008
    Controlled Environment Facilities for the Challenges of the 21st Century
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2008
    A national curriculum for entomology: Capacity building through collaborative, web-based delivery
    Carrick Competitive Grants
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2010
    Diagnostic technologies for phosphine resistance
    QLD Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries
    Open grant
  • 2007
    Ecology of resistance to phosphine in insect pests of stored grain
    QLD Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries
    Open grant
  • 2006
    Real time PCR and nanoparticle diagnostic facilities for high-throughput quantitative analysis of genomic structure and gene expression
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2007
    Genetics of longevity and the delay of post-reproductive senescence
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2005
    Devising Improved Pest Control Strategies Via Integrated Genomic, Physiological And Toxicological Profiling
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2004
    The Insect-Plant Chemical Ecology Network (IPCEN)
    ARC Seed Funding for Research Networks
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2007
    Validation of resistance-gene-specific and quantitative markers of phosphine resistance in stored grain pests
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2004
    Beyond the gene: Linking herbivore behaviour to plant defense gene expression.
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2000 - 2002
    Genetic and biochemical markers for strategic management of phosphine resistance in stored grain pests
    ARC Collaborative Grant (SPIRT)
    Open grant
  • 2000
    Toward isolation of phosphine resistance genes from the lesser Grain Borer: Physical characterisation of the genome.
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant
  • 1999
    Functional analysis of a new class of dopamine receptor
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant
  • 1998
    Neuromodulator receptors as markers of brain plasticity in a social insect
    Brain Research Fund
    Open grant
  • 1997
    An integrated behavioural genetic and physical neurogenetic map of the honey bee genome
    UQ External Support Enabling Grant
    Open grant
  • 1996
    Saturation cloning and behavioural analysis of a neuromodulator receptor gene family from the honey bee
    UQ Foundation
    Open grant

Availability

Associate Professor Paul Ebert is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Available projects

  • Phosphine toxicology

    This project is focused on energy metabolism and mitochondrial function as it relates to the toxicology of the agricultural fumigant, phosphine. This project employs a systems biology approach that ionvolves bioinformatics, genomics, metabolomics and functional genetics in the model organism, Caenorhabditis elegans.

  • Genetics of mental health

    A major focus of my lab is investigating the genetics of mental health in the genetic model organism, C. elegans. The fundamental insight that makes it possible to study mental health in a nematode like C. elegans is that at the foundation of every behavioural disorder is a completely normal evolved behaviour. Thus, to study anxiety, the most widespread mental health problem that affects society, one has only to recognise that it is a component of harm avoidance mechanisms. Every animal has the ability to detect and evaluate potential harms, so the genetics of harm avoidance can provide fundamental insight into a bewildering array of anxiety disorders that currently lack a unifying theoretical foundation.

    My lab is using a combination of psychoactive drugs, C. elegans strains with neural signalling mutations and the tools of systems biology to study:

    1. Eating disorders
    2. Addiction
    3. Anxiety

    And possibly:

    1. Depression
    2. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
    3. Learning and forgetting

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Master Philosophy

    Mechanisms of phosphine toxicity under low oxygen

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Transposon Activation as an Adaptive Stress Response in C. elegans

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Sandie Degnan

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Comparative analysis of instinctual feeding behaviour and addiction in the genetic model organism, C. elegans.

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Steven Zuryn

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Pharmacogenetics of anorexia in the model organism C.elegans

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Steven Zuryn

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Associate Professor Paul Ebert directly for media enquiries about:

  • C elegans - genetics
  • Fumigant phosphine resistance in insects
  • Genetics - C elegans
  • Grain storage insects
  • Insect fumigants
  • Insect genetics

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