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Hayley McGrice
Sheep gene research at the University of Adelaide's Roseworthy Campus aimed at helping maximise wool production for Australian producers, has shed light on a human genetic hair and skin disorder. PhD student Hayley McGrice has won this year's SARDI Suffrage Science Bursary for her research into the genes and molecular signals which affect wool follicle formation in lambs. Her research has used novel techniques to investigate which specific genes are turned on and off during key points of the wool follicle formation. Two of the genes measured in this way are known to be important in the human genetic condition, ectodermal dysplasia. People with this genetic condition are often born with extremely sparse hair and have abnormal or missing teeth and poorly developed sweat glands.