Cellular and network basis of information processing in the mammalian visual system. The project aims to discover the strategies by which cells in the brain interact with each other to code the sensory input efficiently. It is expected that simultaneous recording of the activity of many neurones from the visual cortex of anaesthetised cats during visual stimulation will reveal how the biophysics of synaptic integration combined with excitatory and inhibitory inputs from different sources sculpt ....Cellular and network basis of information processing in the mammalian visual system. The project aims to discover the strategies by which cells in the brain interact with each other to code the sensory input efficiently. It is expected that simultaneous recording of the activity of many neurones from the visual cortex of anaesthetised cats during visual stimulation will reveal how the biophysics of synaptic integration combined with excitatory and inhibitory inputs from different sources sculpts the output of individual neurones. The experiments will be extended to the study of possible interactions between different areas of the brain and the study of mechanisms by which the cortical network and higher cognitive factors such as attention and memory might influence the coding of sensory information in awake animals.Read moreRead less
Immediate and delayed changes to survival, physiology, reproduction and movement of chondrichthyans following capture stress. Many sharks and rays are negatively affected by the impact of fisheries capture, with unknown consequences. The project will measure changes to survival, physiology, reproduction and behaviour following capture to better understand and manage the impact of fisheries on these animals. This information is vital for their effective conservation.
Nucleolus targeting by negative strand RNA viruses. Negative strand viruses (NSVs) include diverse animal pathogens that represent significant threats to Australian livestock industries and access to export markets. The project aims to investigate the interface formed by NSVs with cellular nucleoli in order to determine roles in viral manipulation of cell biology during infection. This project hopes to address a major gap in knowledge in virology regarding the fundamental biology of NSVs, and is ....Nucleolus targeting by negative strand RNA viruses. Negative strand viruses (NSVs) include diverse animal pathogens that represent significant threats to Australian livestock industries and access to export markets. The project aims to investigate the interface formed by NSVs with cellular nucleoli in order to determine roles in viral manipulation of cell biology during infection. This project hopes to address a major gap in knowledge in virology regarding the fundamental biology of NSVs, and is expected to redefine our understanding of the virus-host interactions formed by these important pathogens. By determining the mechanisms of NSV-nucleolus interaction, the project plans to also provide important information for the development of new vaccines/therapeutics for livestock to combat NSVs that target nucleoli.Read moreRead less
Development of Novel Pesticidal Agents. We have discovered a family of naturally occurring plant proteins called the cyclotides that have potent insecticidal activity against Helicoverpa species, one of the major pests on cotton and corn in Australia and world wide. Preliminary evidence has shown that they also have activity against major pests to livestock in Australia, including sheep blowflies. To develop these proteins as potential pesticidal agents it is necessary to understand the struct ....Development of Novel Pesticidal Agents. We have discovered a family of naturally occurring plant proteins called the cyclotides that have potent insecticidal activity against Helicoverpa species, one of the major pests on cotton and corn in Australia and world wide. Preliminary evidence has shown that they also have activity against major pests to livestock in Australia, including sheep blowflies. To develop these proteins as potential pesticidal agents it is necessary to understand the structural basis for their activity. We will do this by chemically synthesising peptides with selected residues mutated to determine their effects on activity.Read moreRead less
Modelling, Identification and Control of Complex Networks. Australia has been well known for its leading research in systems and control and many real-world applications in, for instance, telecommunications, defence, power grids and life sciences. This project will further promote Australia's leading position in the emerging new research field - complex networks by theoretical breakthrough in modelling, identification and control of complex networks, and cutting-edge platform technology that can ....Modelling, Identification and Control of Complex Networks. Australia has been well known for its leading research in systems and control and many real-world applications in, for instance, telecommunications, defence, power grids and life sciences. This project will further promote Australia's leading position in the emerging new research field - complex networks by theoretical breakthrough in modelling, identification and control of complex networks, and cutting-edge platform technology that can help Australian energy industry to reduce greenhouse emissions. It will also result in education of the next generation research leaders in this emerging field.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354729
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
Smart Use of Information Technologies (SUITs). The SUITs network will develop critical mass in world-class, leading-edge research into the smart use of information and communication technology (ICT) through integration of research within the dispersed Australian ICT research community and through facilitating international linkages. The network will undertake research applicable in key sectors including the health, education, service, knowledge and media industries. The aim is to establish a h ....Smart Use of Information Technologies (SUITs). The SUITs network will develop critical mass in world-class, leading-edge research into the smart use of information and communication technology (ICT) through integration of research within the dispersed Australian ICT research community and through facilitating international linkages. The network will undertake research applicable in key sectors including the health, education, service, knowledge and media industries. The aim is to establish a higher order of coordination and collaboration in research into ICT applications.
The feasibility study proposed will engage key stakeholders, refine research goals and investigate linkage mechanisms to improve Australia's ICT research and its contribution to economic and social well-being.
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Making Green Guard® greener: enhancing the efficacy of a biopesticide. The project aims to identify naturally occurring micro-organisms to increase the effectiveness of Green Guard ®, which is a biopesticide used against the Australian plague locust. The project will use next-generation sequencing and other molecular techniques to potentially identify candidate microbes or combinations of microbes that can be added to Green Guard to enhance locust susceptibility. The project also aims to quantif ....Making Green Guard® greener: enhancing the efficacy of a biopesticide. The project aims to identify naturally occurring micro-organisms to increase the effectiveness of Green Guard ®, which is a biopesticide used against the Australian plague locust. The project will use next-generation sequencing and other molecular techniques to potentially identify candidate microbes or combinations of microbes that can be added to Green Guard to enhance locust susceptibility. The project also aims to quantify the interactive impact of temperature and nutrition on immune function, disease resistance and host-plant quality of plague locusts; and to explore the combined effects of temperature, habitat and Green Guard, in combination with candidate microbes or pathogens, on the behaviour and collective movement of locusts. It is anticipated that this will have implications for management and control strategies.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354693
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
Australian e-Research Grid. The e-Research Grid program will research and implement core Grid technologies on APAC and partner's deployed HPC resources, to underpin a broad range of Australian research. The computer science CIs will form collaborative links with international programs, adapting developments to local circumstances. The applications-domain CIs will leverage those into their scientific simulations and databases, using grid integrative techniques and portals. Many CIs participate in ....Australian e-Research Grid. The e-Research Grid program will research and implement core Grid technologies on APAC and partner's deployed HPC resources, to underpin a broad range of Australian research. The computer science CIs will form collaborative links with international programs, adapting developments to local circumstances. The applications-domain CIs will leverage those into their scientific simulations and databases, using grid integrative techniques and portals. Many CIs participate in other RNs linking to their motivating applications, enhancing prospects for research and integration. They participate in the APAC Grid program, leveraging 75 HPC staff nationally. A key aim is interoperability with "real-world Grids": eg e-learning & e-health programs.Read moreRead less
Discovering And Targeting Genes Regulating Skeletal Muscle Function, Metabolism, And Adaptations To Exercise Interventions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$431,000.00
Summary
Muscle wasting and decreased in mitochondrial function due to ageing or lack of physical activity are associated with reduced quality of life. The overarching aim is to develop a unique research program focusing on targeting specific genes, and to discover novel genes regulating muscle wasting and mitochondrial (dis)function. I anticipate this approach to assist in the development of targeted and personalised prevention and therapy for diseases associated with muscle (dis)function.
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354794
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
Australian e-Astronomy. Australian e-Astronomy will provide a pre-eminent example of an integrated e-Science program. The Australian e-Astronomy Research Network will build on and extend the LIEF-funded national program to participate in the International Virtual Observatory. The network includes key members of most Australian astronomy research groups, a strong group representing grid research and advanced computing partnerships and an extensive group of international experts. The network dev ....Australian e-Astronomy. Australian e-Astronomy will provide a pre-eminent example of an integrated e-Science program. The Australian e-Astronomy Research Network will build on and extend the LIEF-funded national program to participate in the International Virtual Observatory. The network includes key members of most Australian astronomy research groups, a strong group representing grid research and advanced computing partnerships and an extensive group of international experts. The network developed by Australian e-Astronomy will service the entire Australian astronomical research community (eg theory codes, databases, software telescopes) and provide new programs for postgraduate research training.Read moreRead less