The Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC) invites you to participate in a short survey about your
interaction with the ARDC and use of our national research infrastructure and services. The survey will take
approximately 5 minutes and is anonymous. It’s open to anyone who uses our digital research infrastructure
services including Reasearch Link Australia.
We will use the information you provide to improve the national research infrastructure and services we
deliver and to report on user satisfaction to the Australian Government’s National Collaborative Research
Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) program.
Please take a few minutes to provide your input. The survey closes COB Friday 29 May 2026.
Complete the 5 min survey now by clicking on the link below.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120103084
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Targeting bacterial superbugs: novel approaches for optimisation of antibiotic combinations and resistance prevention. This project will elucidate the mechanistic basis to optimally combine available beta-lactam antibiotics to prevent resistance of gram-negative 'superbugs'. The interdisciplinary project will substantially contribute to solving the global crisis due to multidrug-resistant bacteria and inform the design of effective new antibiotics.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170101438
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
Application of boronate ester-appended scaffolds in drug-discovery. This project aims to improve carbohydrate synthesis. Glycochemistry is an increasingly important chemical science that combines organic synthesis with biology. This project will develop methodologies that incorporate boronate ester residues onto selected carbons of monosaccharides and transform them to obtain hitherto inaccessible scaffolds for drug discovery. This strategy can be used in the controlled assembly of other biologi ....Application of boronate ester-appended scaffolds in drug-discovery. This project aims to improve carbohydrate synthesis. Glycochemistry is an increasingly important chemical science that combines organic synthesis with biology. This project will develop methodologies that incorporate boronate ester residues onto selected carbons of monosaccharides and transform them to obtain hitherto inaccessible scaffolds for drug discovery. This strategy can be used in the controlled assembly of other biologically important compounds, including azacycles, oxacycles and inositols. The methods for the controlled diversification of carbohydrates are expected to be broadly applicable to scientific endeavours ranging from glycobiology to medicine. Successful execution will provide new drug-discovery tools and ensure Australia secures a competitive position in this rapidly expanding discipline.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180100929
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$365,058.00
Summary
Stronger together: understanding antibiotic synergy on a molecular level. This project aims to use genomics-based approaches to answer fundamental questions about how antibiotic synergy works. Antibiotic combination therapy presents an opportunity to revive the use of antibiotics in otherwise resistant bacteria, yet currently there is little understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying antibiotic synergy. Studies indicate that additional mechanisms of action (MOA) occur during synergist ....Stronger together: understanding antibiotic synergy on a molecular level. This project aims to use genomics-based approaches to answer fundamental questions about how antibiotic synergy works. Antibiotic combination therapy presents an opportunity to revive the use of antibiotics in otherwise resistant bacteria, yet currently there is little understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying antibiotic synergy. Studies indicate that additional mechanisms of action (MOA) occur during synergistic killing beyond those of the original antibiotics. This project will identify genes involved in multiple synergistic treatments and determine how bacterial cells gain resistance. The synergy-specific MOA identified also represent an untapped reservoir of primary drug targets.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240100295
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$455,563.00
Summary
Unlocking the helminth ‘early infection gap’ using 3D cell culture models. This project aims to revolutionise the study of critical early host-parasite interactions using innovative 3D cell culture models, reducing our dependence on animal infections. Liver fluke is the most economically important zoonotic parasite of Australian livestock and is a significant contributor to global food insecurity. Due to the reliance of parasites on mammalian hosts to survive, very little is known about the earl ....Unlocking the helminth ‘early infection gap’ using 3D cell culture models. This project aims to revolutionise the study of critical early host-parasite interactions using innovative 3D cell culture models, reducing our dependence on animal infections. Liver fluke is the most economically important zoonotic parasite of Australian livestock and is a significant contributor to global food insecurity. Due to the reliance of parasites on mammalian hosts to survive, very little is known about the early infection process. Expected outcomes include new knowledge on key migratory stimuli and liver fluke biology. Benefits include the identification of drug targets and vaccine candidates for use in livestock via the development of animal-free in vitro screening platforms that will serve as a prototype for other parasites.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150101518
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$345,000.00
Summary
Cellular responses to nanoparticles from cells on micropatterned surfaces. The mechanisms underlying cell-nanoparticle interactions remain largely unknown. It has hampered the design and development of innovative nano devices to be used for drug delivery, biomarkers and diagnostics. This project aims to explore the influences of cell size, density, geometry, intercellular communication and substrate properties on cell-nanoparticle interactions. A micropatterning technology is applied to precisel ....Cellular responses to nanoparticles from cells on micropatterned surfaces. The mechanisms underlying cell-nanoparticle interactions remain largely unknown. It has hampered the design and development of innovative nano devices to be used for drug delivery, biomarkers and diagnostics. This project aims to explore the influences of cell size, density, geometry, intercellular communication and substrate properties on cell-nanoparticle interactions. A micropatterning technology is applied to precisely control cell behaviour and provide a novel in vitro cellular model for nanoparticle studies. This project aims to significantly improve the understanding of cell-nanoparticle interactions to provide new insight into nanoparticle design and improve the efficacy of nano devices.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230100356
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$450,241.00
Summary
Bacterial membrane remodelling and the interaction with peptides. This project aims to elucidate the fundamental mechanism of lipid remodelling in Gram-negative outer membrane, which is critical both in preventing noxious compounds and evading host immune defence. For the first time, the complex interplays between bacterial cellular metabolism and membrane remodelling will be defined through systems pharmacology, and the precise membrane-peptide interaction will be examined by computational and ....Bacterial membrane remodelling and the interaction with peptides. This project aims to elucidate the fundamental mechanism of lipid remodelling in Gram-negative outer membrane, which is critical both in preventing noxious compounds and evading host immune defence. For the first time, the complex interplays between bacterial cellular metabolism and membrane remodelling will be defined through systems pharmacology, and the precise membrane-peptide interaction will be examined by computational and biophysical approaches. Novel knowledge will be generated to improve our understanding on how bacteria remodel their outer membrane in response to environmental stress. This will benefit the future design of much-needed antimicrobial strategies including products and technologies to target bacterial membrane. Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120101547
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Novel smart materials: development of positively thermo-responsive polymers for biomedical applications. The project will develop novel materials, which drastically change their structure and shape on a microscopic level in response to subtle temperature changes. In modern pharmaceuticals, this smart behaviour can be exploited to cause tailored microscopic containers to open inside the body and release medicine exactly where and when it is needed.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210100422
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$447,346.00
Summary
Using toxins to manipulate the gating of voltage-gated sodium channels. The project aims to investigate how sodium channel subtypes contribute to the excitability of sensory neurons by utilising venom-derived peptides that specifically target and alter the function of these channels. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of neuroscience using an interdisciplinary approach including synthetic peptide chemistry, pharmacology and electrophysiology. Expected outcomes of this pro ....Using toxins to manipulate the gating of voltage-gated sodium channels. The project aims to investigate how sodium channel subtypes contribute to the excitability of sensory neurons by utilising venom-derived peptides that specifically target and alter the function of these channels. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of neuroscience using an interdisciplinary approach including synthetic peptide chemistry, pharmacology and electrophysiology. Expected outcomes of this project include the development of new venom-based research tools and improved techniques for studying sodium channel function. This will provide significant benefits, including advancement of fundamental knowledge in physiology and the development of novel analgesics. Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240100780
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$455,237.00
Summary
Functional and structural dissection of the human replisome. This project aims to develop technology to visualise the structure and enzymatic activities of the human replisome, the multiprotein assembly that copies DNA before cell division. A combination of novel single-molecule and state-of-the-art cryo-electron microscopy will be used to define how the human replisome coordinates DNA synthesis during times of replication stress. Key outcomes of this project include development of novel molecul ....Functional and structural dissection of the human replisome. This project aims to develop technology to visualise the structure and enzymatic activities of the human replisome, the multiprotein assembly that copies DNA before cell division. A combination of novel single-molecule and state-of-the-art cryo-electron microscopy will be used to define how the human replisome coordinates DNA synthesis during times of replication stress. Key outcomes of this project include development of novel molecular visualisation technologies, leading to the first molecular description of dynamic processes used by the human replisome. Benefits include improved understanding of a fundamental biological process that often malfunctions in cancers, development of novel methodology, and interdisciplinary training.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160100704
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$355,000.00
Summary
Development of Two-Dimensional MnO2 Nanosheets for a theranostic platform. This project aims to develop a novel diagnostic and therapeutic nanoplatform for cancer treatment that will improve cancer diagnosis and monitoring of treatment and reduce the side-effects of chemotherapy. The platform, based on biocompatible, ultrasmall and targeted two-dimensional manganese-oxide nanosheets, aims to combine simultaneous targeting, stimuli-responsive magnetic resonance imaging and drug release and delive ....Development of Two-Dimensional MnO2 Nanosheets for a theranostic platform. This project aims to develop a novel diagnostic and therapeutic nanoplatform for cancer treatment that will improve cancer diagnosis and monitoring of treatment and reduce the side-effects of chemotherapy. The platform, based on biocompatible, ultrasmall and targeted two-dimensional manganese-oxide nanosheets, aims to combine simultaneous targeting, stimuli-responsive magnetic resonance imaging and drug release and delivery. This should enable precise imaging of tumour tissues and enhanced drug delivery triggered by the physiological tumour microenvironment. The translation of this technology into clinical practice is likely to have significant benefits for the efficient treatment of cancer.Read moreRead less