Associate Professor Paul Waters

Research Program

The lab focuses on better understanding the epigenetic regulation of transcription in diverse vertebrate representatives, specifically focussing on sex chromosomes. The ultimate goal is to understand how complex epigenetic silencing mechanisms evolved. We use eutherian, marsupial, monotreme and bird/reptile models. Representatives from these groups each have different (sometimes weird and wonderful) sex determining mechanisms and sex chromosome systems.

We examine X chromosome inactivation in wallabies and Tasmanian devils. We have particular interest in dosage compensation of the strange sex chromosomes of platypus, which have 5 X chromosomes and 5 Y chromosomes! We also study the Australian central bearded dragon, which are unusual in that they have both genetic and environmental sex determination. In more recent years we have been examining hibernation/brumation in dragon lizards.

Click here for a full list of publications. 

Some cover highlights (click to link out):

Teaching

Coordinator:

• 2^ndyear Genetics (BABS2204/2264)

Lecturer:

• Molecules, Cells and Genes(BABS1201)
• Human Molecular Genetics and Disease(BABS3151)
• Genes, Genomes and Evolution(BABS3291)
• Beginnings, Growth and Development A (MFAC1521)
• Beginnings, Growth and Development B (MFAC1522)

Supervision

PhD, MSc, Honours, and 3rd year Undergraduate projects in Epigenetics and Molecular Biology are available in the lab.

Professional Experience

• 2019-current: Associate Professor, School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science
• 2014-2019: Senior Lecturer, School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science
• 2012-2014: ARC Fellow & Senior Lecturer, School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences
• 2009-2012: ARC Fellow, Evolution Ecology & Genetics, Research School of Biology, ANU
• 2007-2009: Research Fellow, Comparative Genomics Group, Research School of Biological Sciences, The Australian National University
• 2006-2007: Postdoctoral Fellow, ARC Centre for Kangaroo Genomics, Comparative Genomics Group, Research School of Biological Science, ANU
• 2003-2005: Postdoctoral Fellow, Evolutionary Genomics Group, Department of Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, South Africa

Funding

• APP1182667. NHMRC Ideas Grant. 2020-2023 (AUD $562k). Clemens K & Waters PD. A role for long non-coding RNA in the persistence of drug seeking.
• DP180100931. ARC Discovery Project. 2018-2020 (AUD $432k). Waters PD & Morris KV.Silencing the X chromosome: Why and How.
• DP170101147. ARC Discovery Project. 2017-2020 (AUD $1,007k). Georges A, Deakin AE, Sarre S, Ezaz T, Waters PD, Schwanz L, Graves JAM & Holleley C. Sex determination in dragons – genetics, epigenetics and environment. 
• DP1094868. ARC Discovery Project. 2010-2013 (AUD $315k). Waters PD, DeakinJE & Graves JA.Epigenetic silencing in vertebrates – evolution and function from the bottom-up. 
• DP0987091. Australian Research Fellowship. 2009-2014 (AUD $560k). Waters PD. Origin and Evolution of Mammalian Dosage Compensation.