Mid-Career Industry Fellowships - Grant ID: IM230100745
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,050,633.00
Summary
New models of replacement care for working carers. This project aims to investigate the replacement care arrangements that will support different groups of informal carers of a person with a disability, chronic illness or older relative to participate in paid work in contemporary Australia. Using mixed methods, field trials, and an innovative conceptual approach focused on time synchronicity, it will generate critical new knowledge about the characteristics and effectiveness of sustainable repla ....New models of replacement care for working carers. This project aims to investigate the replacement care arrangements that will support different groups of informal carers of a person with a disability, chronic illness or older relative to participate in paid work in contemporary Australia. Using mixed methods, field trials, and an innovative conceptual approach focused on time synchronicity, it will generate critical new knowledge about the characteristics and effectiveness of sustainable replacement care models that enable carers to enter or increase paid work and maintain work/care balance. Significant benefits include improving aged, disability and carer service models and policies to enhance women’s workforce participation, boost national productivity, and improve carer wellbeing.Read moreRead less
Understanding how reproduction and sexual conflict drive sex-dependent longevity and ageing. The biological study of longevity and ageing has two important fronts: understanding how evolution shapes lifespan and ageing, and the mechanistic study of how molecules, genes, hormones, tissues and cells interact during ageing. The evolutionary study of ageing is considered one of the success stories of the emerging field of evolutionary medicine, yet we desperately need greater integration of the evol ....Understanding how reproduction and sexual conflict drive sex-dependent longevity and ageing. The biological study of longevity and ageing has two important fronts: understanding how evolution shapes lifespan and ageing, and the mechanistic study of how molecules, genes, hormones, tissues and cells interact during ageing. The evolutionary study of ageing is considered one of the success stories of the emerging field of evolutionary medicine, yet we desperately need greater integration of the evolutionary and mechanistic spheres. This project addresses why males and females have different lifespans and age differently in a way that bridges evolutionary and mechanistic study, and will build Australia's research capacity to study ageing at both levels. Read moreRead less
Gas phase studies of reactive organic radicals: a novel approach using mass spectrometry. Radical reactions play a crucial role in a range of important chemistries, ranging from the formation of photochemical smog to the accumulation of pathogens in the ageing body. Despite their importance, the reactions of many radicals are poorly understood because of current experimental limitations. In this project we propose to develop two new and broadly applicable techniques for probing radical chemistry ....Gas phase studies of reactive organic radicals: a novel approach using mass spectrometry. Radical reactions play a crucial role in a range of important chemistries, ranging from the formation of photochemical smog to the accumulation of pathogens in the ageing body. Despite their importance, the reactions of many radicals are poorly understood because of current experimental limitations. In this project we propose to develop two new and broadly applicable techniques for probing radical chemistry in the gas phase via novel applications of mass spectrometry. Combined with quantum chemical calculations and state-of-the-art thermodynamic measurements these methods will provide a comprehensive understanding of the reactivity of key organic radicals.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120100836
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Oxidative stress as a physiological constraint on the pace of life histories. The project will draw on several areas of biology to answer a fundamental question: which mechanisms underlie the link between vital processes, like growth and reproduction, and rates of biological ageing? This research is needed to understand the basis of trade-offs that cause some individuals or species to age faster than others.
Combining evolutionary, physiological and molecular approaches to understand ageing and performance. How organisms grow, behave and perform is a result of environmentally triggered molecular, physiological and biochemical reactions. Little is known about how these different levels of organisation interact to create the infinite morphological and behavioural complexities seen in adults. This project aims to integrate the fields of developmental, physiological and evolutionary biology to elucidate ....Combining evolutionary, physiological and molecular approaches to understand ageing and performance. How organisms grow, behave and perform is a result of environmentally triggered molecular, physiological and biochemical reactions. Little is known about how these different levels of organisation interact to create the infinite morphological and behavioural complexities seen in adults. This project aims to integrate the fields of developmental, physiological and evolutionary biology to elucidate how the environment moderates cell and tissue development through gene expression. This will highlight how early developmental decisions affect lifetime energetic trade-offs and efficiency, and how underlying biology manifests into emergent phenomena such as performance, behaviour, ageing and lifespan.Read moreRead less
Why do good males die young? The relationship between ageing and sexual selection. A biological understanding of ageing is directly relevant to human welfare. We will use lab and field studies to explore the evolutionary genetics of ageing in an Australian cricket, with particular emphasis on how diet and the timing of reproduction influence the rate at which crickets deteriorate with age. We will also test whether biological differences between males and females generate genetic conflicts over ....Why do good males die young? The relationship between ageing and sexual selection. A biological understanding of ageing is directly relevant to human welfare. We will use lab and field studies to explore the evolutionary genetics of ageing in an Australian cricket, with particular emphasis on how diet and the timing of reproduction influence the rate at which crickets deteriorate with age. We will also test whether biological differences between males and females generate genetic conflicts over ageing rates. Our results will not only complement an evolutionary study of ageing, but may ultimately suggest interventions that may prolong human life or improve the quality of life in an ageing population.Read moreRead less
Linking the evolutionary and bioenergetic causes of sex differences in lifespan and ageing. The biological study of longevity and ageing has two important fronts: understanding how evolution shapes lifespan and ageing, and the mechanistic study of how genes, hormones, tissues and cells interact during ageing. Interventions to prolong longevity and improve quality of life depend on a vigorous and innovative research effort in both spheres. This project addresses why males and females have differe ....Linking the evolutionary and bioenergetic causes of sex differences in lifespan and ageing. The biological study of longevity and ageing has two important fronts: understanding how evolution shapes lifespan and ageing, and the mechanistic study of how genes, hormones, tissues and cells interact during ageing. Interventions to prolong longevity and improve quality of life depend on a vigorous and innovative research effort in both spheres. This project addresses why males and females have different lifespans and age differently in a way that bridges evolutionary and mechanistic study, and will build Australia's research capacity to study ageing at both levels. Because of the human interest in diet, sex, reproduction and ageing, we expect this research will be a showcase for public interest in science.Read moreRead less
The genetics of ageing in human populations. This project aims to test whether genetic differences among individuals influence changes in cognition and physiological function in later life. Differences among individuals, in terms of distinct changes in their physiology as they age, lead to differences in their susceptibility to negative later-life outcomes and ultimately to differences in lifespan. Using a combination of genomic techniques, novel data analysis methods, and the largest dataset of ....The genetics of ageing in human populations. This project aims to test whether genetic differences among individuals influence changes in cognition and physiological function in later life. Differences among individuals, in terms of distinct changes in their physiology as they age, lead to differences in their susceptibility to negative later-life outcomes and ultimately to differences in lifespan. Using a combination of genomic techniques, novel data analysis methods, and the largest dataset of its kind, the project intends to identify the genomic regions and biochemical pathways associated with these changes, and to test for genetic associations between early-life reproduction and later-life outcomes. This is crucial to understanding, predicting and managing transitions across different human life stages.Read moreRead less
The role of sexual conflict in the evolution of lifespan and ageing. Despite the central importance of ageing in our own lives, our understanding of the evolution of ageing is still incomplete. Reproductive interests of males and females often diverge, resulting in sexual conflict which may in turn drive the evolution of rapid ageing. I will use experimental evolution to investigate the role of sexual conflict in the evolution of age-specific mortality, reproductive ageing and lifespan in the se ....The role of sexual conflict in the evolution of lifespan and ageing. Despite the central importance of ageing in our own lives, our understanding of the evolution of ageing is still incomplete. Reproductive interests of males and females often diverge, resulting in sexual conflict which may in turn drive the evolution of rapid ageing. I will use experimental evolution to investigate the role of sexual conflict in the evolution of age-specific mortality, reproductive ageing and lifespan in the seed beetle Callosobruchus maculates. This study will reveal the role of sexual interactions and reproduction in the ageing process and result in the development of important new resources for resolving the genetic basis of deteriorative ageing.Read moreRead less
The Consequences of the Mental Load for Australian Families. This project aims to investigate the mental load; a structure of household work that combines cognitive and emotional labour. While there are theoretical understandings of the mental load, there is a dearth of quantitative research. This project expects to develop a consistent and reliable measure of the mental load and an understanding of its impacts on Australian families. The expected outcomes of the project include a comprehensive ....The Consequences of the Mental Load for Australian Families. This project aims to investigate the mental load; a structure of household work that combines cognitive and emotional labour. While there are theoretical understandings of the mental load, there is a dearth of quantitative research. This project expects to develop a consistent and reliable measure of the mental load and an understanding of its impacts on Australian families. The expected outcomes of the project include a comprehensive measurement of the mental load both in Australia and abroad. This will allow for the development of policy alleviating its impacts on caregivers, particularly mothers, and assist workplaces and Government in incorporating women into employment to reduce gender inequality.Read moreRead less