Neurotrophic factors for pelvic autonomic neurons: the role of neurturin. This project is about pelvic parasympathetic neurons, which are responsible for involuntary activities such as bladder voiding and penile erection. We are interested in the neurotrophic factors that determine survival of these neurons during early mammalian development and keep them healthy in adults. Little is known about ?parasympathetic neurotrophic factors? in general. However we have recently discovered that the prote ....Neurotrophic factors for pelvic autonomic neurons: the role of neurturin. This project is about pelvic parasympathetic neurons, which are responsible for involuntary activities such as bladder voiding and penile erection. We are interested in the neurotrophic factors that determine survival of these neurons during early mammalian development and keep them healthy in adults. Little is known about ?parasympathetic neurotrophic factors? in general. However we have recently discovered that the protein neurturin is very important in the pelvic parasympathetic system. We will determine exactly how neurturin affects pelvic neurons and how it interacts with other neurotrophic factors. Our results will fill a major gap in our knowledge of fundamental neurobiology.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775598
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,000,000.00
Summary
High-Resolution Transmission Electron Tomographic Facility for Nanoanalytical Characterisation in the Life and Material Sciences. The requested instrument will allow researchers in New South Wales to (i) visualize biological and physical samples in three-dimensions by electron tomography and modeling and (ii) image samples in a near-natural state and at high-resolution by cryogenic techniques. This essential research platform will provide novel information that faithfully presents both the surfa ....High-Resolution Transmission Electron Tomographic Facility for Nanoanalytical Characterisation in the Life and Material Sciences. The requested instrument will allow researchers in New South Wales to (i) visualize biological and physical samples in three-dimensions by electron tomography and modeling and (ii) image samples in a near-natural state and at high-resolution by cryogenic techniques. This essential research platform will provide novel information that faithfully presents both the surface and internal structure of samples down to the nanometre scale, enabling structural research to the highest scientific standards. The resulting knowledge is essential to diverse areas that range from development of cures to diabetes and cancer to creation of environmentally-friendly industrial catalysts to design of new nanoparticles and biosensors.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989859
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,000,000.00
Summary
A Multi-Resolution X-ray Microtomography Facility (NanoCT & MicroCT) for Non-Destructive 3D Characterisation. X-ray microtomography platforms are applicable to a wide diversity of research across many of the national research priority areas. The research outlined will provide insights into bone cancer and osteoporosis, promote breakthroughs in the understanding of tumour biology and drive new developments in novel biomaterials, all of which have significant national health benefits. In dentistr ....A Multi-Resolution X-ray Microtomography Facility (NanoCT & MicroCT) for Non-Destructive 3D Characterisation. X-ray microtomography platforms are applicable to a wide diversity of research across many of the national research priority areas. The research outlined will provide insights into bone cancer and osteoporosis, promote breakthroughs in the understanding of tumour biology and drive new developments in novel biomaterials, all of which have significant national health benefits. In dentistry, research supported by this instrumentation will provide Australians with improvements to their dental health. Furthermore applications to industrial materials are providing Australian industries with better characterisation of their products that is leading to improved export performance and consequent improvement in Australia's balance of trade.Read moreRead less
FATIGUE IN VERTEBRATE TENDONS: BIOMECHANICAL AND STRUCTURAL CORRELATES OF ONTOGENETIC AND ADAPTIVE CHANGE. Tendons are important vertebrate tissues, but little is known about their mechanical properties under fatigue-loading. Recent research has shown that dramatic differences in fatigue properties occur and that these appear to be linked to the functional roles of tendons. This project uses a variety of approaches to explore how mechanical and structural properties of tendons change during g ....FATIGUE IN VERTEBRATE TENDONS: BIOMECHANICAL AND STRUCTURAL CORRELATES OF ONTOGENETIC AND ADAPTIVE CHANGE. Tendons are important vertebrate tissues, but little is known about their mechanical properties under fatigue-loading. Recent research has shown that dramatic differences in fatigue properties occur and that these appear to be linked to the functional roles of tendons. This project uses a variety of approaches to explore how mechanical and structural properties of tendons change during growth, maturation and adaptation to different loading environments, and the cellular basis of fatigue resistance. An understanding of fatigue properties from cellular to tissue levels has significance in the areas of general biology, materials science and biomedical science.Read moreRead less
Colour vision and photoreceptors in reef fish: a model system to discover the function of double cones. Humans are visual animals and as lucky Australians we love to look at The Great Barrier Reef. This project, while rooted in the complexities of visual neurobiology, uses a recently discovered set of 4 different reef fish from the GBR to teach us more about fundamental principles in vision. These fish, diverse as damselfish and snappers, will help solve a mystery centuries old. Double cones are ....Colour vision and photoreceptors in reef fish: a model system to discover the function of double cones. Humans are visual animals and as lucky Australians we love to look at The Great Barrier Reef. This project, while rooted in the complexities of visual neurobiology, uses a recently discovered set of 4 different reef fish from the GBR to teach us more about fundamental principles in vision. These fish, diverse as damselfish and snappers, will help solve a mystery centuries old. Double cones are the commonest daytime photoreceptor in the eyes of almost all vertebrates (humans without them are exceptions) and yet nobody knows what they do. Reef fish have them, so let's ask them what they see!Read moreRead less