The use of outcrop analogues to characterise large-scale deepwater sedimentary architecture. Deepwater turbidite sedimentary systems are one of the modern frontiers in petroleum exploration, with many major discoveries expected from around the world in the next 25 years. Technological advances in the drilling and production of the deepwater hydrocarbons now enable the exploration and exploitation in this realm. However, the geometry, internal architecture and spatial variations of deepwater sand ....The use of outcrop analogues to characterise large-scale deepwater sedimentary architecture. Deepwater turbidite sedimentary systems are one of the modern frontiers in petroleum exploration, with many major discoveries expected from around the world in the next 25 years. Technological advances in the drilling and production of the deepwater hydrocarbons now enable the exploration and exploitation in this realm. However, the geometry, internal architecture and spatial variations of deepwater sandbodies are still poorly understood. By using state-of-the-art outcrop, modern submarine fan and petroleum exploration data, this research project will improve the understanding of the reservoir geometry and internal architecture of deepwater sandbodies. The results will aid in the exploration and development of hydrocarbons in deepwater sedimentary systems.Read moreRead less
Constraining the snowball earth: timing and duration of neoproterozoic glaciations using precise Re-Os geochronology. This project aims to investigate the onset and duration of major global glacial events during the period of Earth history when metazoan life first appeared. Understanding such processes will enable insights into both the rate and nature of evolutionary processes, and place constraints of ancient and modern climate models. This will be achieved by establishing a facility to obtain ....Constraining the snowball earth: timing and duration of neoproterozoic glaciations using precise Re-Os geochronology. This project aims to investigate the onset and duration of major global glacial events during the period of Earth history when metazoan life first appeared. Understanding such processes will enable insights into both the rate and nature of evolutionary processes, and place constraints of ancient and modern climate models. This will be achieved by establishing a facility to obtain precise Re-Os isotope age data from sediments at Adelaide University (only the second such in the world), and studying sedimentary rocks preserved in the Centralian Superbasin. A basis for global stratigraphic correlation will also result from the intended program of work.Read moreRead less
Longshore Sediment Supply to the Deep Ocean. The current model to supply sand to deep water off continental margins is that provided by rivers operating at low sea level. We propose an alternative model in which sand is provided by longshore transport to deep water at high sea level north of Fraser Island, SE Queensland. Here we will test the validity of our new model by site studies of sea bottom morphology, composition and dynamics. If the model proves true, we will have: 1) generated an entir ....Longshore Sediment Supply to the Deep Ocean. The current model to supply sand to deep water off continental margins is that provided by rivers operating at low sea level. We propose an alternative model in which sand is provided by longshore transport to deep water at high sea level north of Fraser Island, SE Queensland. Here we will test the validity of our new model by site studies of sea bottom morphology, composition and dynamics. If the model proves true, we will have: 1) generated an entirely new exploration model for deepwater hydrocarbons, 2) provided new expertise and seabed maps for generating a superior marine naval defence capability.Read moreRead less
The stratigraphic architecture of continental margins (MARGINS). The project seeks to increase our understanding of how continental margins develop. Emphasis is given to studying the controls exerted on sedimentation by sea-level change, climate cycling, ocean front location, current-deposition and tectonics, using the southwest Pacific (temperate eastern NZ) as the prime fieldwork area. Sediment being transported across continental margins passes through a number of energy fences (e.g. piedmont ....The stratigraphic architecture of continental margins (MARGINS). The project seeks to increase our understanding of how continental margins develop. Emphasis is given to studying the controls exerted on sedimentation by sea-level change, climate cycling, ocean front location, current-deposition and tectonics, using the southwest Pacific (temperate eastern NZ) as the prime fieldwork area. Sediment being transported across continental margins passes through a number of energy fences (e.g. piedmont, shoreline, wave-base, storm-zone, shelf-edge), which together modulate sediment transport and deposition. These fences differ in their relative positions, magnitudes and effects on different margins. The research will combine onland and offshore studies, builds on data collected during ODP Leg 181, and is integrated with the international MARGINS "source to sink" program.Read moreRead less
Small is beautiful: Did gene-rich regions of mammal chromosomes evolve from microchromosomes? Most birds and reptile genomes feature many tiny microchromosomes. These are not junk, as previously thought, but contain most of the genes. Mammals lack microchromosomes, but contain gene-rich regions with similar attributes. We suggest that microchromosomes originated by genome duplication, and evolved into the gene-rich regions of mammalian chromosomes. We will test this hypothesis by comparing seque ....Small is beautiful: Did gene-rich regions of mammal chromosomes evolve from microchromosomes? Most birds and reptile genomes feature many tiny microchromosomes. These are not junk, as previously thought, but contain most of the genes. Mammals lack microchromosomes, but contain gene-rich regions with similar attributes. We suggest that microchromosomes originated by genome duplication, and evolved into the gene-rich regions of mammalian chromosomes. We will test this hypothesis by comparing sequences and genes in microchromosomes of birds, reptiles and monotremes. This will clarify the origin and evolution of the ?microgenome?, establish its suitability as a model for vertebrate genome organisation, and demonstrate whether microchromosomes are the ancestors of the gene-rich regions of mammalian chromosomes.Read moreRead less
Kinematica: Inference-Based Rapid Resource Exploration Scenario Testing. This project aims to build a new workflow for improving resource exploration evaluation by Australian companies and applied to three practical industry cases in frontier basins. The expected outcomes of this proposal are: detailed risk analysis of oil and gas prospectivity in frontier basins onshore and offshore Australia; a new strategic collaboration between Australian industry, government and universities; students train ....Kinematica: Inference-Based Rapid Resource Exploration Scenario Testing. This project aims to build a new workflow for improving resource exploration evaluation by Australian companies and applied to three practical industry cases in frontier basins. The expected outcomes of this proposal are: detailed risk analysis of oil and gas prospectivity in frontier basins onshore and offshore Australia; a new strategic collaboration between Australian industry, government and universities; students trained in advanced computational methods suitable for the evolving Australian oil and gas industry; and a software product that has high commericalisation potential. The project will transfer knowledge from European industry and universities to Australia and has applications for mineral prospectivity in sedimentary basins. Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0882854
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$6,000,000.00
Summary
Australian Membership of the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program. Membership of the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) will provide high-leverage access to the largest, and most effective international geoscience program.
Results from drilling within Australia's marine jurisdiction will give understanding of the oceans' state under past climates through high resolution records of the range of oceanographic and biological responses to climate change, the role of the deep biosphere in shapin ....Australian Membership of the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program. Membership of the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) will provide high-leverage access to the largest, and most effective international geoscience program.
Results from drilling within Australia's marine jurisdiction will give understanding of the oceans' state under past climates through high resolution records of the range of oceanographic and biological responses to climate change, the role of the deep biosphere in shaping oil and gas deposits, hydrothermal and igneous processes involved in ore genesis, and enhanced understanding of some of the world's largest earthquake- and tsunami-generating processes.
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Road rules for traffic on DNA - gene regulation by encounters between transcribing RNA polymerases and DNA-bound proteins. This project addresses a widespread but poorly understood phenomenon in gene regulation. The work will support Australian industries by supplying new tools for manipulation of gene expression for industrial and medical applications and will provide unique opportunities for Australian students in this emerging field.
Non-coding RNAs in mammalian reproduction. This project aims to investigate the role of non-coding RNAs in mammalian sex chromosome biology and reproduction. Non-protein coding RNAs are a major regulatory mechanism in eukaryotic genomes; they can bind other RNAs or chromatin modifying complexes. However, the evolutionary trajectory and function of non-coding RNAs in sex chromosome biology and sexual development is largely unknown. This project will study non-coding RNAs in Australian mammals to ....Non-coding RNAs in mammalian reproduction. This project aims to investigate the role of non-coding RNAs in mammalian sex chromosome biology and reproduction. Non-protein coding RNAs are a major regulatory mechanism in eukaryotic genomes; they can bind other RNAs or chromatin modifying complexes. However, the evolutionary trajectory and function of non-coding RNAs in sex chromosome biology and sexual development is largely unknown. This project will study non-coding RNAs in Australian mammals to try to answer fundamental questions about how non-coding RNAs function in mammalian sexual development.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775503
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$255,000.00
Summary
Robotics for plant genomics: Increasing throughput in plant genetic analyses. Plant genomics has direct benefit to crop improvement, especially as focussed in the applicants' laboratories. Thus, the Australian agri-food sector will benefit substantially from the acceleration in plant functional genomics that will arise from the installation of the robotics equipment described in the current application, by both underpinning more applied research and also being used directly in crop improvement p ....Robotics for plant genomics: Increasing throughput in plant genetic analyses. Plant genomics has direct benefit to crop improvement, especially as focussed in the applicants' laboratories. Thus, the Australian agri-food sector will benefit substantially from the acceleration in plant functional genomics that will arise from the installation of the robotics equipment described in the current application, by both underpinning more applied research and also being used directly in crop improvement programs such as are based at the Waite Campus. The outputs will include crops with increased tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses, a reduced dependence on chemical inputs such as fertilisers and improved food quality, with consequent benefits to the environment and human health and nutrition.Read moreRead less