Structure and activity of host-defence peptides from Australian anurans: anticancer agents, neuropeptides and nNOS inhibitors. We have discovered peptides that may have clinical applications. This is significant as these molecules may have one or more of the following properties. They may have anti-cancer effects; they may increase the effectiveness of the immune system by enhancing lymphocyte formation; and, they may act to reduce inflammation, stroke or cardiac conditions by controlling nitri ....Structure and activity of host-defence peptides from Australian anurans: anticancer agents, neuropeptides and nNOS inhibitors. We have discovered peptides that may have clinical applications. This is significant as these molecules may have one or more of the following properties. They may have anti-cancer effects; they may increase the effectiveness of the immune system by enhancing lymphocyte formation; and, they may act to reduce inflammation, stroke or cardiac conditions by controlling nitric oxide formation. Another national benefit is that personnel involved in this project are trained to the highest international standards in peptide chemistry/mass spectrometry/nuclear magnetic resonance: currently, there are not enough trained scientists in this area to meet demand.Read moreRead less
Biologically active peptides and proteins from anurans: the relationship between structure and activity. We have identified peptides (from glands of frogs and toads), some of which are amongst the most powerful biologically active compounds in the animal kingdom. The aims of this project are to investigate the relationship between the structure and bioactivity of chosen groups of peptides including pheromones, anticancer and antibiotic peptides, and peptides which inhibit neuronal nitric oxide ....Biologically active peptides and proteins from anurans: the relationship between structure and activity. We have identified peptides (from glands of frogs and toads), some of which are amongst the most powerful biologically active compounds in the animal kingdom. The aims of this project are to investigate the relationship between the structure and bioactivity of chosen groups of peptides including pheromones, anticancer and antibiotic peptides, and peptides which inhibit neuronal nitric oxide synthase. It would be of national benefit if any of these peptides have applied application, e.g. if we can use the sex pheromone of the cane toad to reduce its population, or if we can produce an anticancer active peptide of clinical applicability.Read moreRead less
Deciphering the tectonic history of the Musgrave Block to assist mineral explorers and regional synthesis programs. Effective mineral exploration strategies in complex basement terrains are increasingly reliant on integrated, data-rich, tectonic models. In this project we will focus a large multidisciplinary team to develop a tectonic model for the evolution of the Musgrave Block in central Australia. This large, poorly understood terrain occupies a critical structural location, separating the ....Deciphering the tectonic history of the Musgrave Block to assist mineral explorers and regional synthesis programs. Effective mineral exploration strategies in complex basement terrains are increasingly reliant on integrated, data-rich, tectonic models. In this project we will focus a large multidisciplinary team to develop a tectonic model for the evolution of the Musgrave Block in central Australia. This large, poorly understood terrain occupies a critical structural location, separating the northern and southern Australian cratons. By constraining models of crustal evolution and architecture, the project will underpin future mineral exploration programs in this highly prospective greenfields region and define the role of the Musgrave Block in the assembly of Proterozoic Australia.Read moreRead less
Developing a Tectonic Framework for the Gawler Craton: Paving the Way for Successful Mineral Exploration Programs. The late Archaean to Mesoproterozoic Gawler Craton is the major Precambrian province in southern Australia. However, despite containing one of the largest orebodies on Earth, exploration expenditure in the craton has been comparatively low, and hampered by insufficient knowledge of the craton's tectonic systems. This project uses an integrated package of geochemical, isotopic and ....Developing a Tectonic Framework for the Gawler Craton: Paving the Way for Successful Mineral Exploration Programs. The late Archaean to Mesoproterozoic Gawler Craton is the major Precambrian province in southern Australia. However, despite containing one of the largest orebodies on Earth, exploration expenditure in the craton has been comparatively low, and hampered by insufficient knowledge of the craton's tectonic systems. This project uses an integrated package of geochemical, isotopic and geophysical tools to develop a comprehensive model for the tectonic evolution of the Gawler Craton. The project will constrain the development of the Gawler Craton in the context of Precambrian Australian evolution, and offer insights into universal processes of lithosphere formation, growth and stabilisation.Read moreRead less
Tectonic links between the Musgrave Province and the North Australian Craton: correlations, event chronology, and tectonothermal regimes. Developing effective mineral exploration strategies relies on data-rich tectonic models that seek to explain the full history of a terrain. In the Australian context the tectonic evolution of the Musgrave Province is a key focus of the minerals industry due to its widely recognised potential for base-metal mineralisation. This project will develop tectonic mod ....Tectonic links between the Musgrave Province and the North Australian Craton: correlations, event chronology, and tectonothermal regimes. Developing effective mineral exploration strategies relies on data-rich tectonic models that seek to explain the full history of a terrain. In the Australian context the tectonic evolution of the Musgrave Province is a key focus of the minerals industry due to its widely recognised potential for base-metal mineralisation. This project will develop tectonic models that encompass the evolution of the Musgrave Province and the adjacent North Australia Craton. The outcomes of the project will reduce risk to mineral explorers and make an important contribution to the broader question Australia's Proterozoic evolution.Read moreRead less
Magmatism, Metamorphism and Mineralisation: The Development of an Isotopic and Geochemical Framework for the Curnamona Cu-Au Province. Recent advances have highlighted the potential significance of the Olary Domain in the Curnamona Province in southern Australia as an important Proterozoic copper-gold district. However, an outstanding problem yet to be solved is the interplay between mineralisation, granitic magmatism and the metamorphic history of the Province. This multi-disciplinary project ....Magmatism, Metamorphism and Mineralisation: The Development of an Isotopic and Geochemical Framework for the Curnamona Cu-Au Province. Recent advances have highlighted the potential significance of the Olary Domain in the Curnamona Province in southern Australia as an important Proterozoic copper-gold district. However, an outstanding problem yet to be solved is the interplay between mineralisation, granitic magmatism and the metamorphic history of the Province. This multi-disciplinary project will use isotopic and geochemical tools to develop an integrated geologic framework within which to view mineralisation. The outcomes will enhance the prospectivity of the region and make an important contribution to the globally relevant question of controls on Proterozoic copper-gold systems.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354727
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$20,000.00
Summary
Mathematics for Government, Industry and Community -- The *Magic* Network. The *Magic* network will promote the use of mathematics by government, industry and community to analyse real problems and implement practical solutions. It will connect the most promising young Australian mathematicians to experienced researchers with strong research teams linked directly to the broader community. Our program will demand research excellence, emphasise a sustainable society, support outstanding young mat ....Mathematics for Government, Industry and Community -- The *Magic* Network. The *Magic* network will promote the use of mathematics by government, industry and community to analyse real problems and implement practical solutions. It will connect the most promising young Australian mathematicians to experienced researchers with strong research teams linked directly to the broader community. Our program will demand research excellence, emphasise a sustainable society, support outstanding young mathematicians and create opportunities for promising postgraduate students. We will offer scholarships for professional development and fund research visits and exchanges. *Magic* will provide tangible incentives for young Australian mathematicians and a new generation of researchers and research leaders.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775649
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$400,000.00
Summary
An Integrated Multi-Node Microfluidics Facility. The establishment of the proposed facility will enhance Australia's position in microfluidics research, thus contributing to all National Priority areas, particularly the National Priority area 3 through advancement in breakthrough science and frontier technologies. In addition to researchers from participating institutions, the Facility will be made available to other Australian researchers from non-participating organisations at minimum cost. Th ....An Integrated Multi-Node Microfluidics Facility. The establishment of the proposed facility will enhance Australia's position in microfluidics research, thus contributing to all National Priority areas, particularly the National Priority area 3 through advancement in breakthrough science and frontier technologies. In addition to researchers from participating institutions, the Facility will be made available to other Australian researchers from non-participating organisations at minimum cost. The socio-economic potentials of the research carried out using the proposed facility are significant and include: R&D development, small scale high technology manufacture, exports, and improved methods of biochemical processing and medical diagnostics.Read moreRead less
The precise manipulation and deformation of fine glass medical products. The production of high quality medical products requires strict process control, which is especially important for products of microscopic dimensions such as the glass pipettes used for in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures and other research applications. In this project, a tailored mechanical system capable of simultaneously deforming a fine glass pipette at two points of micro geometrical dimensions and different temp ....The precise manipulation and deformation of fine glass medical products. The production of high quality medical products requires strict process control, which is especially important for products of microscopic dimensions such as the glass pipettes used for in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures and other research applications. In this project, a tailored mechanical system capable of simultaneously deforming a fine glass pipette at two points of micro geometrical dimensions and different temperatures will be developed after accurately experimentally benchmarking and computationally simulating the process. The system will be able to accommodate different types of pipettes and significantly improve the productivity and quality of this micro process.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0560751
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$432,474.00
Summary
Facility for the Analysis of Biomacromolecular Interactions. A facility for the analysis of biological macromolecules and their interactions with ligand molecules is required to support a large number of research projects in high priority areas including mechanisms of aging, drug development and bio/nanotechnology at three different universities. The instrumentation will (i) afford quantitative measurements of binding affinities between biological and chemical macromolecules, which are available ....Facility for the Analysis of Biomacromolecular Interactions. A facility for the analysis of biological macromolecules and their interactions with ligand molecules is required to support a large number of research projects in high priority areas including mechanisms of aging, drug development and bio/nanotechnology at three different universities. The instrumentation will (i) afford quantitative measurements of binding affinities between biological and chemical macromolecules, which are available only in small quantities, and small, drug related molecules (by microcalorimetry and dual polarization interferometry), and (ii) provide equipment necessary for sample characterization and purification prior to quantitative measurements (CD spectroscopy, and FPLC equipment).Read moreRead less