Metagenomics and the genetic basis of ecology and evolution of communities - complex microbial communities in industrial processes as excellent paradigms. Benefits accrue on two fronts: the international reputation of Australian science in contributing significantly to two new, challenging and highly topical questions in ecology and evolution, and in pioneering a route to better efficiency and control of an important industrial process. Wastewater is rich in organic phosphorus that is damaging t ....Metagenomics and the genetic basis of ecology and evolution of communities - complex microbial communities in industrial processes as excellent paradigms. Benefits accrue on two fronts: the international reputation of Australian science in contributing significantly to two new, challenging and highly topical questions in ecology and evolution, and in pioneering a route to better efficiency and control of an important industrial process. Wastewater is rich in organic phosphorus that is damaging to the environment if untreated, but current understanding enables only rudimentary control of the microbial communities that are the basis of the treatment process. The work will provide unprecedented insight into the mechanisms underpinning the dynamics of phosphorus absorbing microbes in industrial facilities by integrating from gene-to-ecosystem.Read moreRead less
Yeast cell-cell communication of overcrowding and nutrient limitation: novel signalling systems and their impact on fermentation. The project will investigate known and novel signalling molecules that allow communication between yeast cells and impact on fermentation dynamics, specifically in a nutrient-depleted environment. The mechanisms by which these molecules exert their effect will be defined using a systems biology approach that integrates many analyses and data sets.
An Integrated Biotechnological Process for Production of Lactic Acid from Carbohydrate-Waste Streams by Rhizopus sp. Lactic acid is the most widely occurring multifunctional organic acid. It has enormous applications in food and food-related industries, and great potential use for production of biodegradable and biocompatible polylactate polymers. The aim of this research is to develop an innovative biotechnological process, incorporating simultaneous saccharification and fermentation, which int ....An Integrated Biotechnological Process for Production of Lactic Acid from Carbohydrate-Waste Streams by Rhizopus sp. Lactic acid is the most widely occurring multifunctional organic acid. It has enormous applications in food and food-related industries, and great potential use for production of biodegradable and biocompatible polylactate polymers. The aim of this research is to develop an innovative biotechnological process, incorporating simultaneous saccharification and fermentation, which integrates the production of lactic acid with the treatment of high strength food industry ?effluent? streams - carbohydrate waste streams. The proposed SSF process will cultivate an identified fungal Rhizopus sp strain on the waste streams, as production substrates, leading to an environmentally friendly and economically sustainable new technology for the food industry.Read moreRead less
Interspecies electron transfer in biotechnology. While the project is fundamental in nature, it has direct technological gains to a wide range of biotechnology processes, and in particular, mixed culture anaerobic biotechnology. It therefore promotes Australian bioenergy, biofuel, and commodity renewable chemicals industries, and contributes to the national research priority of an Environmentally Sustainable Australia. In addition, this is a fast moving, high impact area that will demonstrate e ....Interspecies electron transfer in biotechnology. While the project is fundamental in nature, it has direct technological gains to a wide range of biotechnology processes, and in particular, mixed culture anaerobic biotechnology. It therefore promotes Australian bioenergy, biofuel, and commodity renewable chemicals industries, and contributes to the national research priority of an Environmentally Sustainable Australia. In addition, this is a fast moving, high impact area that will demonstrate excellence in Australian research on an international scale. The exciting multidisciplinary nature of the project, excellent management team, and high-class partners will also provide for an excellent experience for the three PhD candidates to be educated through the project.Read moreRead less
Cellulose-based composites as models for primary plant cell walls of cereals and grasses. Cereals and grasses are the lynchpins of the Australian Agri-Food industry. Cell walls provide shape, form and barrier properties to the plant and are the basis for both post-harvest mechanical properties and direct nutritional benefits. There is as yet no validated model for the molecular assembly, architecture and mechanical behaviour of cereal/grass cell walls. This project aims to derive such a model, s ....Cellulose-based composites as models for primary plant cell walls of cereals and grasses. Cereals and grasses are the lynchpins of the Australian Agri-Food industry. Cell walls provide shape, form and barrier properties to the plant and are the basis for both post-harvest mechanical properties and direct nutritional benefits. There is as yet no validated model for the molecular assembly, architecture and mechanical behaviour of cereal/grass cell walls. This project aims to derive such a model, so that predictions can be made concerning the effects of tailoring either plant composition (e.g. at the gene level) or post-harvest treatment in order to achieve desired plant or food properties. The findings will also be relevant to understanding how individual features of cell walls affect digestibility and nutritional properties.Read moreRead less
Surface immobilisation of enzymes for the synthesis of ethanol. The efficiency of ethanol production will be increased by preventing poisoning of enzymes by reaction products as in current technology. Enzymes will be robustly attached to porous surfaces so that a high efficiency continuous flow process can be used. A novel selective membrane for the continuous removal of ethanol will be developed, allowing water to be saved and unreacted inputs to be recycled. The ultimate outcome will be a proc ....Surface immobilisation of enzymes for the synthesis of ethanol. The efficiency of ethanol production will be increased by preventing poisoning of enzymes by reaction products as in current technology. Enzymes will be robustly attached to porous surfaces so that a high efficiency continuous flow process can be used. A novel selective membrane for the continuous removal of ethanol will be developed, allowing water to be saved and unreacted inputs to be recycled. The ultimate outcome will be a process which achieves dramatic water saving and greatly reduced environmental impact. In the final stage of the project we will apply our methods to the processing of cellulose from agricultural and forestry waste, with the potential of preventing the diversion of food resources into the transport fuel industry.Read moreRead less