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High-throughput single-molecule directed evolution. DNA polymerases are essential enzymes in many biotechnological tools, including DNA sequencing and PCR tests. However, existing DNA polymerases have limitations, resulting in inaccuracies and inefficiencies. Existing methods to improve polymerases lack sensitivity to screen for subtle, yet pivotal traits. This project aims to overcome this limitation by developing a new single-molecule directed-evolution system to evolve better polymerases. Wit ....High-throughput single-molecule directed evolution. DNA polymerases are essential enzymes in many biotechnological tools, including DNA sequencing and PCR tests. However, existing DNA polymerases have limitations, resulting in inaccuracies and inefficiencies. Existing methods to improve polymerases lack sensitivity to screen for subtle, yet pivotal traits. This project aims to overcome this limitation by developing a new single-molecule directed-evolution system to evolve better polymerases. With this new technology we aim to identify DNA polymerases with improved performance that benefit biotechnological applications. Additionally, these single-molecule directed-evolution methods will benefit the wider scientific community and lay the foundation for further advances in directed evolution.Read moreRead less
Targeting the host lipid environment to disrupt malaria transmission. This project aims to characterise host molecules (in particular lipids) that are crucial for the transition of malaria parasites from one host to another. Malaria parasites encounter different environments upon their transition from human to the mosquito host. This project expects to generate new knowledge on physiological changes that are triggered by particular differences in micronutrient abundance that allow the parasites ....Targeting the host lipid environment to disrupt malaria transmission. This project aims to characterise host molecules (in particular lipids) that are crucial for the transition of malaria parasites from one host to another. Malaria parasites encounter different environments upon their transition from human to the mosquito host. This project expects to generate new knowledge on physiological changes that are triggered by particular differences in micronutrient abundance that allow the parasites to survive in the new host. Anticipated outcomes include the identification of new intervention strategies and improved transmission model systems for vector-borne diseases. This gained knowledge could provide benefits to future biomedical applications by informing diagnostics or treatment of lipid associated diseases.Read moreRead less
About time; a new biology for the mineralocorticoid receptor . Temporal control of cell function aligns biological pathways with environmental cues and is critical for optimal heath in mammals. This project will shed light on how a hormone receptor, the MR, modulates time keeping of biological clock time in cells. We will bring together cutting edge genetic modals and bioinformatic approaches with a unique set of research models to define the interaction between the MR and the circadian clock a ....About time; a new biology for the mineralocorticoid receptor . Temporal control of cell function aligns biological pathways with environmental cues and is critical for optimal heath in mammals. This project will shed light on how a hormone receptor, the MR, modulates time keeping of biological clock time in cells. We will bring together cutting edge genetic modals and bioinformatic approaches with a unique set of research models to define the interaction between the MR and the circadian clock and its role in the normal biology of the heart. New data will significantly enhance our understanding of the biology of MR and cortisol for the circadian time keeping function in peripheral tissues, and gain a clearer understand how our heart cells adapt to environmental circadian disruptors such as shift work. Read moreRead less
What drives the Anterior Expansion of the Central Nervous System? A striking and highly conserved feature of the central nervous system is that the brain is larger than the spinal cord. Despite the manifest implications this has for nervous system function, the underlying drivers are largely unknown. This project aims to investigate the mechanisms controlling anterior expansion of the central nervous system, and will generate new knowledge in the areas of nervous system development and evolution ....What drives the Anterior Expansion of the Central Nervous System? A striking and highly conserved feature of the central nervous system is that the brain is larger than the spinal cord. Despite the manifest implications this has for nervous system function, the underlying drivers are largely unknown. This project aims to investigate the mechanisms controlling anterior expansion of the central nervous system, and will generate new knowledge in the areas of nervous system development and evolution. This project aims to impact on our understanding of nervous system function, develop bioinformatics tools with broad utility within the biosciences field, strengthen Australia’s international standing in the developmental neuroscience, and enhance the capacity for interdisciplinary international collaborations.Read moreRead less
Structures to Solve Conflicts of DNA Replication and RNA Transcription. This project aims to understand how new DNA is made so quickly and without mistakes in cells that are about to divide, in spite of competition from other processes happening at the same time on the DNA that should stop or interfere with it, such as the synthesis of RNA. The project expects to use the latest available methods to uncover what the microscopic natural machines that make DNA and RNA look like, and how they compet ....Structures to Solve Conflicts of DNA Replication and RNA Transcription. This project aims to understand how new DNA is made so quickly and without mistakes in cells that are about to divide, in spite of competition from other processes happening at the same time on the DNA that should stop or interfere with it, such as the synthesis of RNA. The project expects to use the latest available methods to uncover what the microscopic natural machines that make DNA and RNA look like, and how they compete with each other for access to DNA. Potential outcomes include the identification of processes that can be compromised by small molecules that may be developed into new antibiotics. This would be of great benefit - new antibiotics are urgently needed as one approach to countering the threat of antimicrobial resistance.Read moreRead less
Co-designing Innovations in Digital Storytelling with Older Adults. This project aims to investigate how emerging technologies can be leveraged to provide innovative ways for older adults to create and share their life stories to foster social wellbeing. Later life can be a time of considerable change, leaving people feeling disconnected from the people, places, and life events that are important to them. Autobiographical storytelling can help create links with one's past, but little is known ab ....Co-designing Innovations in Digital Storytelling with Older Adults. This project aims to investigate how emerging technologies can be leveraged to provide innovative ways for older adults to create and share their life stories to foster social wellbeing. Later life can be a time of considerable change, leaving people feeling disconnected from the people, places, and life events that are important to them. Autobiographical storytelling can help create links with one's past, but little is known about how technologies such as digital games and virtual reality can be used to enable older adults to share stories about their lives in a way that supports ongoing social interactions. This project is expected to co-design new forms of digital storytelling to improve social wellbeing of older adults. Read moreRead less
A study of China’s south to north water transfer project. This project aims to investigate the motives, processes, and socio-political and hydrological consequences of the South-North Water Transfer (SNWT) in China, the world’s largest inter-basin water network. It connects four major river basins, six provinces, three megacities and over 700 million people. This project will analyse the SNWT's governance regime; its effects on local and regional flows of water, money, people, pollutants, produc ....A study of China’s south to north water transfer project. This project aims to investigate the motives, processes, and socio-political and hydrological consequences of the South-North Water Transfer (SNWT) in China, the world’s largest inter-basin water network. It connects four major river basins, six provinces, three megacities and over 700 million people. This project will analyse the SNWT's governance regime; its effects on local and regional flows of water, money, people, pollutants, production and political authority; and the interactions between these systemic and local changes. This project expects to produce knowledge about the politics of vast technologies, and the management of inter-basin water schemes in Australia and globally.Read moreRead less
(Re)Designing Digital Justice. This project aims to address the challenge of (re)designing novel online court systems by introducing a human-centred design process to the legal process. This project will generate fundamental new knowledge in respect of how to effectively design an inclusive justice system, bridging the gap between the legal system and human-computer interaction. Expected outcomes include how to use technology to implement a more just, efficient, and fair legal system, which is a ....(Re)Designing Digital Justice. This project aims to address the challenge of (re)designing novel online court systems by introducing a human-centred design process to the legal process. This project will generate fundamental new knowledge in respect of how to effectively design an inclusive justice system, bridging the gap between the legal system and human-computer interaction. Expected outcomes include how to use technology to implement a more just, efficient, and fair legal system, which is accessible to all Australians. This should provide significant benefits for both Australian society and the legal system.Read moreRead less
Bacterial vesicles transport their bioactive cargo to the host nucleus. This project aims to investigate how bacterial membrane vesicles transport their cargo to the nucleus of cells and its impact on host cell functions. Bacteria use membrane vesicles as a means of communication with the host, but the full extent of their effects on host cells has yet to be fully elucidated. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the field using cutting-edge imaging and molecular biology approaches. ....Bacterial vesicles transport their bioactive cargo to the host nucleus. This project aims to investigate how bacterial membrane vesicles transport their cargo to the nucleus of cells and its impact on host cell functions. Bacteria use membrane vesicles as a means of communication with the host, but the full extent of their effects on host cells has yet to be fully elucidated. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the field using cutting-edge imaging and molecular biology approaches. The work should provide significant benefits, particularly towards the development of membrane vesicles in gene therapy, gene editing and other applications. Read moreRead less
Beyond the resource curse: redistribution and resource-led development. The project aims to improve the sustainability of resource-led development in Australia and worldwide via a novel, multi-scalar framework, co-produced with mining/Indigenous communities that connects local development outcomes with mining global production networks (GPN). It will generate new, community co-authored and policy-engaged knowledge to better attune fiscal, industry and regional policies to tackling the local reso ....Beyond the resource curse: redistribution and resource-led development. The project aims to improve the sustainability of resource-led development in Australia and worldwide via a novel, multi-scalar framework, co-produced with mining/Indigenous communities that connects local development outcomes with mining global production networks (GPN). It will generate new, community co-authored and policy-engaged knowledge to better attune fiscal, industry and regional policies to tackling the local resource curse. Expected outcomes include co-developed GPN theory advances; new policies for sustainable mining locality development; and more engaged mining/Indigenous communities. Significant welfare savings, social coherence, environment amelioration and cultural transformation benefits are expected.Read moreRead less