From structures to systems: A hierachical approach to understanding sub-cellular components. This program will dramatically extend the range of biomolecular systems that can be modelled with near atomistic precision. It will provide a better understanding of the structure and function of proteins involved in the regulation of membrane fusion and fission as well as shedding light on the assembly of large-scale protein-protein and protein-membrane complexes in general. The work will help place Au ....From structures to systems: A hierachical approach to understanding sub-cellular components. This program will dramatically extend the range of biomolecular systems that can be modelled with near atomistic precision. It will provide a better understanding of the structure and function of proteins involved in the regulation of membrane fusion and fission as well as shedding light on the assembly of large-scale protein-protein and protein-membrane complexes in general. The work will help place Australia at the forefront of developing simulation techniques in biomolecular systems, which are widely used within the chemical and pharmaceutical industries for modelling processes ranging from protein-drug interactions to the phase behaviour of lipids and surfactants. Read moreRead less
Photoactive Semiconducting Biopolymers. The basic aims of this project are to elucidate, manipulate, and utilise the unique chemical and physical properties of a class of biopolymers called the melanins. These materials are the only known solid state semiconducting biopolymers, and are non-toxic, biocompatible, and biodegradable. Their use as active components in biomimetic soft electonic, optoelectronic or photovoltaic devices, has not hitherto been demonstrated. It is anticipated that the k ....Photoactive Semiconducting Biopolymers. The basic aims of this project are to elucidate, manipulate, and utilise the unique chemical and physical properties of a class of biopolymers called the melanins. These materials are the only known solid state semiconducting biopolymers, and are non-toxic, biocompatible, and biodegradable. Their use as active components in biomimetic soft electonic, optoelectronic or photovoltaic devices, has not hitherto been demonstrated. It is anticipated that the key outcomes from the project will be a demonstration of biopolymer-based photoelectrochemical and solid-state p-i-n solar cells, and an improved understanding of the physics and chemistry of these important biological macromolecules.Read moreRead less
Molecular structure and function of the glycine receptor. This proposal will employ a cutting edge approach to reveal fundamental new insights into the ways that ligand-gated ion channels, and proteins in general, work. The new knowledge and technology developed here will broaden and strengthen Australia's research expertise across a number of basic scientific disciplines. The results will also have relevance to human health. Glycine receptors have an essential role in brain function and are ....Molecular structure and function of the glycine receptor. This proposal will employ a cutting edge approach to reveal fundamental new insights into the ways that ligand-gated ion channels, and proteins in general, work. The new knowledge and technology developed here will broaden and strengthen Australia's research expertise across a number of basic scientific disciplines. The results will also have relevance to human health. Glycine receptors have an essential role in brain function and are targets for anaesthetics and drugs of abuse. GlyRs are also important in modulating pain sensation by the brain. New insights into how natural agonists and drugs affect ion channel structure and function may lead to novel therapeutic opportunities and improved drug structure predictions.Read moreRead less
Advanced optical tweezers technologies for biophysical measurements. While much is understood about the fundamental unit of life, the living cell, such as their behaviour and their biochemistry and genetics, the interface between these two is only poorly known. We will use optical tweezers, which can trap and move microscopic objects without physical contact, to measure forces on the molecular and cellular scale to study the mechanical properties of cells and biomolecules, including molecular mo ....Advanced optical tweezers technologies for biophysical measurements. While much is understood about the fundamental unit of life, the living cell, such as their behaviour and their biochemistry and genetics, the interface between these two is only poorly known. We will use optical tweezers, which can trap and move microscopic objects without physical contact, to measure forces on the molecular and cellular scale to study the mechanical properties of cells and biomolecules, including molecular motors, which are Nature's own nanomachines, advanced our knowledge of the fundamental machinery of life.Read moreRead less
Dynamic modelling of biomolecular systems: Going beyond classical empirical force fields. The ability to accurately model the structural and functional aspects of biomolecular systems at an atomic level is of fundamental importance in the pharmaceutical and biotechnological industries. By developing new approaches for treating dispersion terms and transition metals we aim to improve our understanding of critical biomolecular systems such as how novel anti-cancer metal complexes interact with DNA ....Dynamic modelling of biomolecular systems: Going beyond classical empirical force fields. The ability to accurately model the structural and functional aspects of biomolecular systems at an atomic level is of fundamental importance in the pharmaceutical and biotechnological industries. By developing new approaches for treating dispersion terms and transition metals we aim to improve our understanding of critical biomolecular systems such as how novel anti-cancer metal complexes interact with DNA and block transcription and the role various transition metals such as Cu(II) and Zn(II) stabilize the conformations of peptides involved in Alzheimer's disease. In addition by greatly expanding the range of systems that can be modeled efficiently the work will have widespread benefits in academic research as well as for industry.Read moreRead less
Cytorefractometry - a new technique for refractive index tomography of living cells. An ultrahigh-resolution bifocal optical coherence refractometry is proposed, and will result to micron-scale-resolution refractive index tomography of living cells, termed cytorefractometry. This technique represents an extension from bifocal optical coherence refractometry that has recently shown a remarkable promise for direct, several-frames-per-second, motion-artifact-free determination of refractive index ....Cytorefractometry - a new technique for refractive index tomography of living cells. An ultrahigh-resolution bifocal optical coherence refractometry is proposed, and will result to micron-scale-resolution refractive index tomography of living cells, termed cytorefractometry. This technique represents an extension from bifocal optical coherence refractometry that has recently shown a remarkable promise for direct, several-frames-per-second, motion-artifact-free determination of refractive index in turbid media, including biological tissue in vivo. We propose to apply our novel technique to study tissue calcification, a serious problem in cardiology, by making use of the refractive index contrast mechanism. Calcification of smooth muscle cells and aorta subdermal implant models will be studied aiming for prevention of calcification-associated pathologies.Read moreRead less
Universal quantum imaging. This project will integrate quantum technology with the rapidly advancing techniques of spatial light modulation utilised in LCD displays and video projectors. We will develop, for the first time, broadly versatile imaging technology based on quantum mechanics, enabling both important applications in future medical diagnostic devices and communication systems; and fundamental advances in the biological and quantum sciences. Quantum technologies offer the promise to rev ....Universal quantum imaging. This project will integrate quantum technology with the rapidly advancing techniques of spatial light modulation utilised in LCD displays and video projectors. We will develop, for the first time, broadly versatile imaging technology based on quantum mechanics, enabling both important applications in future medical diagnostic devices and communication systems; and fundamental advances in the biological and quantum sciences. Quantum technologies offer the promise to revolutionise many aspects of modern life, from computing and communications, to medical imaging and metrology. This project will put Australia at the international forefront of quantum imaging, enhancing Australia's already significant international presence in the area.Read moreRead less
Light scattering in complex mesoscale systems. The aim of the proposed project is to develop tested theoretic models of, and test applications of, the scattering of light in complex mesoscale systems. This will include: light scattering by biological cells, including optical cancer detection, remote sensing of cell populations, flow cytometry and optical tweezers; optically driven micromachines, and nano- and micro-structured materials. These applications are of considerable technological, socia ....Light scattering in complex mesoscale systems. The aim of the proposed project is to develop tested theoretic models of, and test applications of, the scattering of light in complex mesoscale systems. This will include: light scattering by biological cells, including optical cancer detection, remote sensing of cell populations, flow cytometry and optical tweezers; optically driven micromachines, and nano- and micro-structured materials. These applications are of considerable technological, social, and economic importance, and significant advances are possible. Methods developed during this project will allow accurate theoretical calculations to be performed where only inadequate approximations have previously been possible.Read moreRead less
Modelling of transdermal transport using computational molecular simulation. Through molecular simulation, we aim to model the transport of a variety of molecules through lipid bilayers typical of human skin, identifying key transport mechanisms and properties. We anticipate that this work will provide insight into existing transdermal delivery data, helping to identify relations between the physicochemical properties of a molecule and its transport properties. Ultimately, such knowledge can fac ....Modelling of transdermal transport using computational molecular simulation. Through molecular simulation, we aim to model the transport of a variety of molecules through lipid bilayers typical of human skin, identifying key transport mechanisms and properties. We anticipate that this work will provide insight into existing transdermal delivery data, helping to identify relations between the physicochemical properties of a molecule and its transport properties. Ultimately, such knowledge can facilitate the development of more efficient transdermal drug delivery, which offers significant advantages over oral delivery (which leads to high waste and variability due to drug loss in the stomach and liver) and intravenous delivery (which raises compliance issues due to the adverse psychological response of patients).Read moreRead less
Quantum coherence of electronic transport in layered magnetoresistive materials. The continued rapid expansion of information technology requires new materials and devices for information storage. State of the art computer memories are based on new materials which consist of layers of complex arrays of atoms. These materials have metallic properties quite unlike those of simple metals such as copper and steel. This research will lead to a greater understanding of and ability to design better ma ....Quantum coherence of electronic transport in layered magnetoresistive materials. The continued rapid expansion of information technology requires new materials and devices for information storage. State of the art computer memories are based on new materials which consist of layers of complex arrays of atoms. These materials have metallic properties quite unlike those of simple metals such as copper and steel. This research will lead to a greater understanding of and ability to design better materials. Australia's capacity for research and development in this scientifically challenging and technologically important field will be enhanced by this project. Read moreRead less