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: 2nd year 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. My central area of expertise is sex chromosome biology, with a focus on epigenetic regulation of the X chromosome. In more recent years, I have also worked on hibernation in reptiles.