Photosynthesis under extreme conditions. The aim of this project is to characterise modifications to the light dependent reactions of photosynthesis of simple, single cell organisms that live under harsh environmental conditions including: i) elevated temperature; ii) low, variable and low energy (red) light; iii) arid and variable hydration; and iv) chemical stress e.g. low pH. In a changing biosphere brought about by anthropological climate change, a better understanding of existing adaptions ....Photosynthesis under extreme conditions. The aim of this project is to characterise modifications to the light dependent reactions of photosynthesis of simple, single cell organisms that live under harsh environmental conditions including: i) elevated temperature; ii) low, variable and low energy (red) light; iii) arid and variable hydration; and iv) chemical stress e.g. low pH. In a changing biosphere brought about by anthropological climate change, a better understanding of existing adaptions of bacterial photosynthetic organisms may allow more resilient crops and other essential plants to be developed in the future. The project brings together an international consortium of world renowned experts across key aspects of photosynthesis. Read moreRead less
The colour of cellular aging: a deep probe of cellular processes. Understanding why we age and whether aging is preventable are profound research challenges, which must be first tackled at a cellular level. Building on our advances in non-invasive colour monitoring of cell function, this project aims to uncover intimate links between cellular processes and aging in cells that must survive for many decades such as oocytes and neurons. We will explore the tantalising possibility to rejuvenate such ....The colour of cellular aging: a deep probe of cellular processes. Understanding why we age and whether aging is preventable are profound research challenges, which must be first tackled at a cellular level. Building on our advances in non-invasive colour monitoring of cell function, this project aims to uncover intimate links between cellular processes and aging in cells that must survive for many decades such as oocytes and neurons. We will explore the tantalising possibility to rejuvenate such aged cells by interfering with molecular master switches of aging. A unique machine learning approach will be applied for finding the most effective interventions. The results will have broad impact beyond the science of aging, in the areas of female fertility, neurodegeneration and immunity.
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Quantification of whole brain structural connectivity and fibre densities. The project is intended to develop and improve accuracy in tools used to measure brain connections. Its overall aim is to produce definitive evidence of the biological accuracy of quantitative measures of brain structural connectivity as derived from diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Discovery in the quantitative field of MRI research is important to worldwide efforts to identify the human ‘connectome’. The proj ....Quantification of whole brain structural connectivity and fibre densities. The project is intended to develop and improve accuracy in tools used to measure brain connections. Its overall aim is to produce definitive evidence of the biological accuracy of quantitative measures of brain structural connectivity as derived from diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Discovery in the quantitative field of MRI research is important to worldwide efforts to identify the human ‘connectome’. The project plans to bring together novel diffusion MRI post-processing methods and state-of-the-art 3-D glass-brain histology techniques using mice. Investment in MRI research that specifically addresses methods to accurately measure structural brain connectivity may ultimately contribute to improving non-invasive imaging methods.Read moreRead less
Probing Anaesthetic Effects with New Functional Imaging Paradigms. This project seeks new insights into the effects of anaesthetics on brain function and repair. Anaesthesia is used in small-animal imaging to immobilise the animal, but in many cases the anaesthesia itself affects the neurophysiological parameters under study. It has also been shown that many anaesthetics enhance recovery after brain injury in small animals. This project plans to exploit a novel functional brain-imaging technique ....Probing Anaesthetic Effects with New Functional Imaging Paradigms. This project seeks new insights into the effects of anaesthetics on brain function and repair. Anaesthesia is used in small-animal imaging to immobilise the animal, but in many cases the anaesthesia itself affects the neurophysiological parameters under study. It has also been shown that many anaesthetics enhance recovery after brain injury in small animals. This project plans to exploit a novel functional brain-imaging technique for conscious animals to gain new insights into the effects of anaesthetics on brain function and recovery from injury. The knowledge gained is expected to improve knowledge of anaesthetic action, guide future anaesthetic use in small animal imaging to improve the accuracy of image-derived research data, and help to clarify how anaesthetics confer neuroprotective effects in brain injury.Read moreRead less
A novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique to characterise white matter microstructure in the brain. Integrity of the cellular architecture of brain white matter (WM) is vital to normal signal conduction and is disrupted in diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Due to their characteristic molecular arrangements, WM microstructures have distinct magnetic susceptibility characteristics that can be detected with high-field and ultra high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The objective ....A novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique to characterise white matter microstructure in the brain. Integrity of the cellular architecture of brain white matter (WM) is vital to normal signal conduction and is disrupted in diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Due to their characteristic molecular arrangements, WM microstructures have distinct magnetic susceptibility characteristics that can be detected with high-field and ultra high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The objective of this project is to develop and validate a novel method of mapping susceptibility effects at high (sub-voxel) resolution with MRI. The outcomes will be a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between changes in MRI signal and WM microarchitecture and improved susceptibility mapping that may lead to earlier diagnosis and more effective therapeutic monitoring.Read moreRead less
Unravelling the mechanisms of sodium-selectivity in biological ion channels. The aim of this project is to determine the origins of protein-mediated sodium ion transport across cell membranes. The project expects to reveal the mechanisms of selective ion conduction in different sodium-selective ion channels using advanced computer simulations, in concert with non-canonical mutation experiments that target the roles of protein chemistry. The expected outcome is improved understanding of how prote ....Unravelling the mechanisms of sodium-selectivity in biological ion channels. The aim of this project is to determine the origins of protein-mediated sodium ion transport across cell membranes. The project expects to reveal the mechanisms of selective ion conduction in different sodium-selective ion channels using advanced computer simulations, in concert with non-canonical mutation experiments that target the roles of protein chemistry. The expected outcome is improved understanding of how proteins discriminate between ion species, challenging theories that have stood for decades. The results should provide benefits in the form of basic understanding relevant to ion transport phenomena in biology and novel materials, with atomic-level views of nervous system function to guide future directions in drug development.
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Road rules for traffic on DNA - gene regulation by encounters between transcribing RNA polymerases and DNA-bound proteins. This project addresses a widespread but poorly understood phenomenon in gene regulation. The work will support Australian industries by supplying new tools for manipulation of gene expression for industrial and medical applications and will provide unique opportunities for Australian students in this emerging field.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging: Decoding the palimpsest. This project aims to model the dynamics of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to image new physiology and attain higher resolution. This will enable new aspects of brain dynamics to be imaged, achieving higher resolution and improving interpretation. This project is expected to improve the use and power of fMRI, unlock new avenues for probing brain function and save experimental costs. This will have many uses in neuroscie ....Functional magnetic resonance imaging: Decoding the palimpsest. This project aims to model the dynamics of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to image new physiology and attain higher resolution. This will enable new aspects of brain dynamics to be imaged, achieving higher resolution and improving interpretation. This project is expected to improve the use and power of fMRI, unlock new avenues for probing brain function and save experimental costs. This will have many uses in neuroscience, brain imaging technology and fMRI analysis software.Read moreRead less
Probe-free biophysical force and torque measurements with optical tweezers. This project aims to develop probe-free biophysical force and torque measurement methods based on optical tweezers. Many areas of research in cell biology are hampered by a lack of quantitative force measurements. This project aims to provide accurate quantitative measurements to enable in-depth understanding of forces at work during cell division, properties of blood cells and sperm motility which could generate further ....Probe-free biophysical force and torque measurements with optical tweezers. This project aims to develop probe-free biophysical force and torque measurement methods based on optical tweezers. Many areas of research in cell biology are hampered by a lack of quantitative force measurements. This project aims to provide accurate quantitative measurements to enable in-depth understanding of forces at work during cell division, properties of blood cells and sperm motility which could generate further research leading to health benefits.Read moreRead less
The acoustics of a wide-range autonomous oscillator: how do brass players do it? While brass instruments are well understood, the complexities of the interaction with the player are not. This study will analyse how the player's lips and vocal tract interact with the instrument, leading to an understanding not only of the interesting physics involved, but to insight that will benefit players, teachers and students.