Motor Unit Numbers Estimation (MUNE) using Bayesian statistical methodology for monitoring of progression of neuromuscular diseases. A means of objectively measuring the pathology of a neuromuscular disease involving motor unit loss, such as motor neuron disease, is much needed. This will be achieved by using newly developed electrophysiological techniques and developing new Bayesian statistical methodology to determine the number of motor units that supply a muscle. Our innovations will reliabl ....Motor Unit Numbers Estimation (MUNE) using Bayesian statistical methodology for monitoring of progression of neuromuscular diseases. A means of objectively measuring the pathology of a neuromuscular disease involving motor unit loss, such as motor neuron disease, is much needed. This will be achieved by using newly developed electrophysiological techniques and developing new Bayesian statistical methodology to determine the number of motor units that supply a muscle. Our innovations will reliably determine the number of motor units that supply a muscle in both normal subjects and in diseased patients with loss of motor nerves. This will enable the monitoring of disease progression. An outcome will be a software package that can be used with standard electrophysiology machines.Read moreRead less
Modelling with stochastic differential equations. We will develop methodology for modelling and analysis of phenomena subjected to random and uncertain influences, such as behaviour of investors in the market, evolution of economy, values of stocks and ant colonies. This methodology will enable scientists to achieve more accurate description and analysis of their models and provide better understanding of these phenomena. Creating the tools for understanding such complex systems will have far re ....Modelling with stochastic differential equations. We will develop methodology for modelling and analysis of phenomena subjected to random and uncertain influences, such as behaviour of investors in the market, evolution of economy, values of stocks and ant colonies. This methodology will enable scientists to achieve more accurate description and analysis of their models and provide better understanding of these phenomena. Creating the tools for understanding such complex systems will have far reaching benefits both nationally and internationally and will allow Australia to strengthen its position in international research. The project will also provide for postgraduate training and international scientific exchange.Read moreRead less
Cross-Entropy Methods in Complex Biological Systems. The Cross-Entropy method provides a powerful new way to find superior solutions to complicated optimisation problems in biology, ranging from better design and implementation of medical treatments to an increased understanding of complex ecosystems.
Modelling and estimation techniques for the transmission and control of Tuberculosis with new and existing vaccines. Most Tuberculosis in Australia is seen in foreign-born people. Australia has an important role in providing leadership in the Asia-Pacific region in Tuberculosis control, which will have flow-on benefits to TB control in this country. Using mathematical models, this project will assess the use of vaccines for Tuberculosis in the developing world. Rising levels of extremely drug r ....Modelling and estimation techniques for the transmission and control of Tuberculosis with new and existing vaccines. Most Tuberculosis in Australia is seen in foreign-born people. Australia has an important role in providing leadership in the Asia-Pacific region in Tuberculosis control, which will have flow-on benefits to TB control in this country. Using mathematical models, this project will assess the use of vaccines for Tuberculosis in the developing world. Rising levels of extremely drug resistant infections make this a timely and important study with significant policy implications, both externally and in the Australian context. Read moreRead less
Stochastic systems with applications to Biology and Finance. This project is concerned with stochastic systems. These mathematical systems, which are controlled by statistical uncertainty and variability, have profound importance in the fields of biology and finance. They are recognised worldwide as being of primary scientific importance. Important questions to be examined are: 1) Branching processes in DNA Polymerase Chain Reaction, 2) long term stationarity in metastable systems, and 3) Sto ....Stochastic systems with applications to Biology and Finance. This project is concerned with stochastic systems. These mathematical systems, which are controlled by statistical uncertainty and variability, have profound importance in the fields of biology and finance. They are recognised worldwide as being of primary scientific importance. Important questions to be examined are: 1) Branching processes in DNA Polymerase Chain Reaction, 2) long term stationarity in metastable systems, and 3) Stochastic Volatility in Finance. The answers to these questions will underpin the statistical theory for potential breakthroughs in the respective areas. This project will contribute to the theory and applications of Stochastic Processes, as well as modelling in biology and finance.Read moreRead less
Applications of Bayesian methods in Genomics and Comparative Genomics. Bayesian statistics provides a unified and versatile approach to problems of data analysis, inference and hypothesis testing. This project will involve the application of Bayesian methods to four topics of commercial and scientific importance in the fields of Genomics and Comparative Genomics. The four topics are: data analysis for a novel DNA sequencing technology, investigating genomic structure using multiple change-point ....Applications of Bayesian methods in Genomics and Comparative Genomics. Bayesian statistics provides a unified and versatile approach to problems of data analysis, inference and hypothesis testing. This project will involve the application of Bayesian methods to four topics of commercial and scientific importance in the fields of Genomics and Comparative Genomics. The four topics are: data analysis for a novel DNA sequencing technology, investigating genomic structure using multiple change-point analysis, phlogenetic inference with multiple genes and detection of incongruent phylogenies. The overall goal of the project is to advance understanding of the structure, function and evolution of genomes.Read moreRead less
Multi-scale modelling of cell migration in developmental biology. Interpretative and predictive tools are needed for the comprehensive understanding of directed cell migration in the medical sciences. Mathematical models and modelling methodologies developed in this project will make a significant contribution to the investigation of cell migration and the testing and generation of hypotheses. Such models are needed to understand observed cellular patterns. This project will contribute to knowle ....Multi-scale modelling of cell migration in developmental biology. Interpretative and predictive tools are needed for the comprehensive understanding of directed cell migration in the medical sciences. Mathematical models and modelling methodologies developed in this project will make a significant contribution to the investigation of cell migration and the testing and generation of hypotheses. Such models are needed to understand observed cellular patterns. This project will contribute to knowledge of normal and abnormal developmental processes, especially in embryonic growth. Understanding these processes should lead to prediction and treatment of congenital disorders and contribute to a healthy start to life.Read moreRead less
Measure-valued analysis of stochastic populations. The project aims to develop new mathematical models and tools for the rigorous analysis of very general stochastic populations that are subject to internal competition and feedback. The proposed mathematical framework is that of measure-valued processes, a setting needed to encompass the complexity and random structure inherent in such systems. Models of this kind have real-world applications in evolutionary biology, cell kinetics and cancer res ....Measure-valued analysis of stochastic populations. The project aims to develop new mathematical models and tools for the rigorous analysis of very general stochastic populations that are subject to internal competition and feedback. The proposed mathematical framework is that of measure-valued processes, a setting needed to encompass the complexity and random structure inherent in such systems. Models of this kind have real-world applications in evolutionary biology, cell kinetics and cancer research, and are essential to our understanding of the persistence of endemic disease and of the preservation of endangered species. The results of this project are expected to provide insight into the behaviour and (in-)stabilities of complex stochastic populations, and offer guidance for their management.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150101044
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$315,000.00
Summary
New computational approaches for branching processes in population biology. Branching processes are powerful modelling tools in population biology. They describe how individuals live and reproduce according to specific probability laws, and can be used to answer a wide range of population-related questions. This project aims to develop new algorithmic methods for a tractable class of branching processes called Markovian binary trees. Following a matrix analytic approach, it will deliver new resu ....New computational approaches for branching processes in population biology. Branching processes are powerful modelling tools in population biology. They describe how individuals live and reproduce according to specific probability laws, and can be used to answer a wide range of population-related questions. This project aims to develop new algorithmic methods for a tractable class of branching processes called Markovian binary trees. Following a matrix analytic approach, it will deliver new results on the efficient estimation of model parameters, and on the effects of random environments on population dynamics. These results will be used to study significant problems in evolutionary and conservation biology, thereby establishing the relevance of the developed techniques.Read moreRead less
Mathematical models of diseases with complex transmission routes. This project aims to model diseases that spread via a mixture of routes including food, water, the environment, and direct spread between individuals. Key diseases include: avian influenza, which causes massive disruption to the poultry industry; gastroenteritis, which costs Australia $1,250 million each year; and leptospirosis, which causes one million severe illnesses each year globally. This project will develop mathematical a ....Mathematical models of diseases with complex transmission routes. This project aims to model diseases that spread via a mixture of routes including food, water, the environment, and direct spread between individuals. Key diseases include: avian influenza, which causes massive disruption to the poultry industry; gastroenteritis, which costs Australia $1,250 million each year; and leptospirosis, which causes one million severe illnesses each year globally. This project will develop mathematical and statistical tools to better estimate risk, analyse outbreak data, and provide guidance for disease control. This research will improve policy and enhance our ability to respond to disease outbreaks.Read moreRead less