The Development of Creative Thinking Ability in TAFE Design Students. The aim is to develop an instructional framework as a conceptual basis for instruction aimed at TAFE design student use of imagery in creative thinking. The research addresses the challenges of recent post-compulsory education initiatives, which include a more specific focus on the development of creative problem-solving skills, but provide little guidance on instructional strategies. The research will synthesise the framewo ....The Development of Creative Thinking Ability in TAFE Design Students. The aim is to develop an instructional framework as a conceptual basis for instruction aimed at TAFE design student use of imagery in creative thinking. The research addresses the challenges of recent post-compulsory education initiatives, which include a more specific focus on the development of creative problem-solving skills, but provide little guidance on instructional strategies. The research will synthesise the framework from theories about cognitive processes, creative problem-solving and the use of mental imagery; and the results of an imagery training program and creative problem-solving interventions. The outcome will be an instructional framework for guiding the development of student creative thinking in design-based courses in TAFE.Read moreRead less
An investigation of memory functioning of the prefrontal cortex. This project aims to investigate the role of the prefrontal cortex in human memory. While the medial temporal lobe has long been recognised as imperative for basic memory processes, the prefrontal cortex has only recently been recognised to mediate higher-level strategic memory processes. This project will clarify the memory functions of the dorsolateral, orbitofrontal, and medial prefrontal lobes by studying performance of individ ....An investigation of memory functioning of the prefrontal cortex. This project aims to investigate the role of the prefrontal cortex in human memory. While the medial temporal lobe has long been recognised as imperative for basic memory processes, the prefrontal cortex has only recently been recognised to mediate higher-level strategic memory processes. This project will clarify the memory functions of the dorsolateral, orbitofrontal, and medial prefrontal lobes by studying performance of individuals with damage in these areas using memory tests and tasks. Our findings will enhance understanding and theorising of the neural basis of memory and have implications for management and rehabilitation of memory impairments in brain injured individuals.Read moreRead less
Development of an effective vaccine for chlamydial infection: optimisation of a non-toxic cholera toxin-based adjuvant to generate a protective mucosal response. Chlamydial genital infections are the most common sexually transmitted infection in Australia and the world and impose a major health burden on the community. Chlamydial infections are also associated with cardiovascular disease, Australia's biggest killer and asthma, another condition that has increased significantly in prevalence in t ....Development of an effective vaccine for chlamydial infection: optimisation of a non-toxic cholera toxin-based adjuvant to generate a protective mucosal response. Chlamydial genital infections are the most common sexually transmitted infection in Australia and the world and impose a major health burden on the community. Chlamydial infections are also associated with cardiovascular disease, Australia's biggest killer and asthma, another condition that has increased significantly in prevalence in the past 10 years. This project will evaluate the effectiveness of a new adjuvant as a first step towards the development of a vaccine to target these important infections.Read moreRead less
The Role of RNA interference in the induction of immune responses. Our work will allow us to understand a new means by which to alert the immune system to the presence of cancer cells using a new technology called RNA interference. This will hopefully lead to new investment in biotechnology products based on RNA interference, improved treatments for cancers and better health for Australians
Development of a computational model for the prediction of mental workload in air traffic control. The aim of the project is to develop a computational model that can measure the flow of traffic through an air sector, and predict the level of workload that an air traffic controller will experience, as well as the overall risk of breakdowns in separation between aircaft. The purpose is to develop a tool that can be used for the purposes of risk analysis and scenario planning. This is a multidisci ....Development of a computational model for the prediction of mental workload in air traffic control. The aim of the project is to develop a computational model that can measure the flow of traffic through an air sector, and predict the level of workload that an air traffic controller will experience, as well as the overall risk of breakdowns in separation between aircaft. The purpose is to develop a tool that can be used for the purposes of risk analysis and scenario planning. This is a multidisciplinary project, integrating recent models of human memory and reasoning, with formal methods for the analysis of human-computer systems. The project will advance our understanding of human memory and reasoning in complex real-world systems.Read moreRead less
The development of tyrosine kinase inhibitors for the treatment of inflammation and malignant disease. Through the combination of expertise from the Industry partner and the Hume group this project aims to develop specific inhibitors of the CSF-1 receptor protein tyrosine kinase in order to demonstrate their efficacy as modulators of CSF-1 dependent macrophage and tumour cell function in vitro. The expected outcome will be a lead set of targets which can be further assessed for therapeutic pote ....The development of tyrosine kinase inhibitors for the treatment of inflammation and malignant disease. Through the combination of expertise from the Industry partner and the Hume group this project aims to develop specific inhibitors of the CSF-1 receptor protein tyrosine kinase in order to demonstrate their efficacy as modulators of CSF-1 dependent macrophage and tumour cell function in vitro. The expected outcome will be a lead set of targets which can be further assessed for therapeutic potential in clinical trials.Read moreRead less
The development of a rapid diagnostic test for heparanase activity. Heparanase is an enzyme that has been implicated in a number of disease states such as cancer, arthritis, multiple sclerosis and other inflammatory diseases. Characterisation of this enzyme has been slow, due in part to the lack of a reliable direct activity assay. Using a multi-disciplinary approach, this project seeks to establish a rapid assay that will provide easy determination of heparanase activity. Furthermore, this a ....The development of a rapid diagnostic test for heparanase activity. Heparanase is an enzyme that has been implicated in a number of disease states such as cancer, arthritis, multiple sclerosis and other inflammatory diseases. Characterisation of this enzyme has been slow, due in part to the lack of a reliable direct activity assay. Using a multi-disciplinary approach, this project seeks to establish a rapid assay that will provide easy determination of heparanase activity. Furthermore, this assay could provide a useful diagnostic tool in a clinical environment that would allow for the rapid assessment of these diseases, their progression and indeed response to therapy.Read moreRead less
Developing a model of animation knowledge transfer relating traditional character animation skills and advanced proprietary animation software knowledge. The project will develop a model for the transfer, to the learning of animation software programmes, of the traditional character animation skills necessary for a sustainable, creative, commercial animation practice. This is significant because the features of advanced animation software programs are regularly modified or transformed. Expected ....Developing a model of animation knowledge transfer relating traditional character animation skills and advanced proprietary animation software knowledge. The project will develop a model for the transfer, to the learning of animation software programmes, of the traditional character animation skills necessary for a sustainable, creative, commercial animation practice. This is significant because the features of advanced animation software programs are regularly modified or transformed. Expected outcomes are a model for transfer and a detailed, critical examination of how traditional character animation skills can be combined effectively with animation software in production studios.Read moreRead less
Proteomics Analysis of Interactions Between Chaperonin 10 and Cell Surface Proteins. Specific interactions at the cell surface may induce downstream biological responses. In the case of chaperonin 10, Cpn10, interaction at the cell surface results in immunomodulation of the inflammatory response. Cell surface proteins that interact with Cpn10 have not been identified. This project will use chemical crosslinking and proteomic techniques to identify cell surface proteins that interact with Cpn10 a ....Proteomics Analysis of Interactions Between Chaperonin 10 and Cell Surface Proteins. Specific interactions at the cell surface may induce downstream biological responses. In the case of chaperonin 10, Cpn10, interaction at the cell surface results in immunomodulation of the inflammatory response. Cell surface proteins that interact with Cpn10 have not been identified. This project will use chemical crosslinking and proteomic techniques to identify cell surface proteins that interact with Cpn10 and structural features of Cpn10 involved in these interactions. These findings will providde leads for the development of immunomodulatory therapeutics based on Cpn10 interactions. Analytical technologies will be developed that are applicable to other interacting protein systems.Read moreRead less
Attention and hazard perception while driving: how experts see the scene. All drivers have 'drifted-off' or failed to see something that was clearly in view, yet trained expert drivers appear to rarely experience this. This project aims to understand in both 'normal' drivers and expert drivers, attentional mechanisms that control distraction and the perception of hazards, which is critical to road safety and young driver training.