Neural mechanisms of vestibular perception in zebrafish. This project aims to understand vestibular processing by removing physical movement. The vestibular system allows us to perceive gravity and movement, but it is not understood how the brain processes information from vestibular sensors in the inner ear. This project will exert forces on the zebrafish’s inner ear with a laser, stimulating the vestibular sense. This means that the animal will experience vestibular stimuli while stationary, a ....Neural mechanisms of vestibular perception in zebrafish. This project aims to understand vestibular processing by removing physical movement. The vestibular system allows us to perceive gravity and movement, but it is not understood how the brain processes information from vestibular sensors in the inner ear. This project will exert forces on the zebrafish’s inner ear with a laser, stimulating the vestibular sense. This means that the animal will experience vestibular stimuli while stationary, allowing calcium imaging of neurons that respond to vestibular cues and optogenetics to stimulate or silence these neurons. This is expected to reveal which cells and circuits mediate vestibular perception, processing and behaviour.Read moreRead less
Cell–fluid interaction: inside and outside cells. The project aims to measure mechanics at the cellular level using a combination of optical tweezers for measurement of nano-scale environment around/inside cells and light-sheet microscopy for imaging. The project expects to generate new knowledge about movement of cells through their environment, relating to collective behaviour which is of importance in understanding infections and formation of biofilms. Expected outcomes include deepened under ....Cell–fluid interaction: inside and outside cells. The project aims to measure mechanics at the cellular level using a combination of optical tweezers for measurement of nano-scale environment around/inside cells and light-sheet microscopy for imaging. The project expects to generate new knowledge about movement of cells through their environment, relating to collective behaviour which is of importance in understanding infections and formation of biofilms. Expected outcomes include deepened understanding of an enigmatic process conserved from amoebae to humans, by which cells ‘drink and eat’ by ‘gulping’ fluid and supplement their nutrient intake by degrading proteins and cell debris. It will generate new knowledge of these processes to better understand how mechanics affects cellular life.Read moreRead less
Neural mechanisms of water flow perception and spatial integration. This project aims to develop a novel zebrafish platform for elucidating the circuits that mediate lateral line perception. The sensory modality by which fish detect and respond to water flow is poorly understood. This project proposes a novel preparation in the zebrafish model for applying controlled water flow using microfluidics, thereby stimulating the lateral line. Because the animal remains stationary, it is possible to per ....Neural mechanisms of water flow perception and spatial integration. This project aims to develop a novel zebrafish platform for elucidating the circuits that mediate lateral line perception. The sensory modality by which fish detect and respond to water flow is poorly understood. This project proposes a novel preparation in the zebrafish model for applying controlled water flow using microfluidics, thereby stimulating the lateral line. Because the animal remains stationary, it is possible to perform whole-brain calcium imaging of cells and circuits that respond to water flow, and to use optogenetics to stimulate or silence these neurons. This will reveal the circuitry mediating flow perception, and its relationship with other senses, in a way that has been previously impossible.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
Securing the quantum internet with high-dimensional quantum systems. This project aims to develop experimental and theoretical tools for increasing security in the future quantum networks. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of quantum communication by leveraging on the properties of high-dimensional quantum systems. Expected outcomes of this project include novel protocols for quantum secret sharing that are resistant to experimental noise and an experimental implementati ....Securing the quantum internet with high-dimensional quantum systems. This project aims to develop experimental and theoretical tools for increasing security in the future quantum networks. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of quantum communication by leveraging on the properties of high-dimensional quantum systems. Expected outcomes of this project include novel protocols for quantum secret sharing that are resistant to experimental noise and an experimental implementation of such protocols. This should provide significant benefits to the development of the quantum internet and its security.Read moreRead less
Quantum equilibration. This project will shed light on a fundamental problem in physics - how do fragile quantum systems, entirely isolated from the rest of the world, return to equilibrium when disturbed from their natural state? Our results will provide a theoretical underpinning for the development of quantum simulators that can be used for the design of advanced materials.
Resources for Quantum Networks. In classical information theory communication is an important resource. In quantum information theory there are the additional resources of entanglement and quantum communication. The aim of this project is to establish a complete theory of resources for quantum networks, by determining the relation between these resources, their symmetry properties, and effective ways of calculating capacities. Critical issues, such as the networking of quantum computers, quan ....Resources for Quantum Networks. In classical information theory communication is an important resource. In quantum information theory there are the additional resources of entanglement and quantum communication. The aim of this project is to establish a complete theory of resources for quantum networks, by determining the relation between these resources, their symmetry properties, and effective ways of calculating capacities. Critical issues, such as the networking of quantum computers, quantum teleportation and secure communication, require a complete theory of resources. The expected outcome of this project is a rigorous foundation for resources in quantum information that may be used to address these issues.Read moreRead less
Heisenberg-limited lasers: building the revolution. The project aims to design and build a revolutionary new type of laser based on the ground-breaking 2020 Nature Physics paper by the two Chief Investigators. The significance of this work is that it overturns 60 years of theory about the limits to laser coherence, by applying 21st century quantum theory and quantum technology to the problem. This project expects to greatly advance the theory and, by instigating a collaboration with world-leadin ....Heisenberg-limited lasers: building the revolution. The project aims to design and build a revolutionary new type of laser based on the ground-breaking 2020 Nature Physics paper by the two Chief Investigators. The significance of this work is that it overturns 60 years of theory about the limits to laser coherence, by applying 21st century quantum theory and quantum technology to the problem. This project expects to greatly advance the theory and, by instigating a collaboration with world-leading experimentalists working with superconducting quantum devices, to demonstrate a laser with coherence beyond what was thought possible. Benefits of the project should flow from the manifold applications for highly coherent radiation, including scaling up superconducting quantum computing.Read moreRead less
Ultimate quantum limits to coherence. This project aims to discover the ultimate quantum limits to optical coherence. Quantum physics underpin the miniaturisation of technology, and quantum devices can do things better, often with vastly fewer resources, than conventional devices. Lasers underpin most modern optical technologies, and have been studied for decades, but the ultimate quantum limits are unknown. To find them, this project will use theoretical techniques that have not hitherto been c ....Ultimate quantum limits to coherence. This project aims to discover the ultimate quantum limits to optical coherence. Quantum physics underpin the miniaturisation of technology, and quantum devices can do things better, often with vastly fewer resources, than conventional devices. Lasers underpin most modern optical technologies, and have been studied for decades, but the ultimate quantum limits are unknown. To find them, this project will use theoretical techniques that have not hitherto been combined. This project will likely influence the long-term development of lasers and other quantum devices and underpin innovation in miniaturised optical technology and other quantum devices, leading ultimately to commercial products that yield a better quality of life.Read moreRead less
Entanglement as resource for quantum technology. This project focuses on groundbreaking research in quantum information theory, an exciting new area of fundamental physics that underpins the development of quantum technologies. Australia has already invested heavily in one particular quantum technology: computation. Our project, if successful, will enable an Australian research effort into other quantum technologies for communication, metrology, data storage and security. This project will as ....Entanglement as resource for quantum technology. This project focuses on groundbreaking research in quantum information theory, an exciting new area of fundamental physics that underpins the development of quantum technologies. Australia has already invested heavily in one particular quantum technology: computation. Our project, if successful, will enable an Australian research effort into other quantum technologies for communication, metrology, data storage and security. This project will assist in elevating Australia to a major international research centre in quantum information theory, complementing its existing strength in experiment, and will provide extensive training of early career researchers.Read moreRead less