Generating multi-component scaffolding to influence the differentiation of embryonic stem cells. Nervous system diseases are debilitating and will develop in over 50 per cent of people at some time in their life. This project will develop strategies so that stem cells can be utilised to encourage brain repair for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. The technology developed will also be of benefit for the treatment of other nervous system disorders.
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR1101002
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$21,000,000.00
Summary
Stem Cells Australia. Despite progress in stem cell research, scientists do not understand how stem cells “decide” what to become. Stem Cells Australia will draw upon strengths within Australia’s premier stem cell research universities and institutes. This collaboration between leading bioengineering, nanotechnology, stem cell and advanced molecular analysis experts, will fast-track efforts to deliver a fundamental understanding of the mechanisms of stem cell regulation and differentiation, and ....Stem Cells Australia. Despite progress in stem cell research, scientists do not understand how stem cells “decide” what to become. Stem Cells Australia will draw upon strengths within Australia’s premier stem cell research universities and institutes. This collaboration between leading bioengineering, nanotechnology, stem cell and advanced molecular analysis experts, will fast-track efforts to deliver a fundamental understanding of the mechanisms of stem cell regulation and differentiation, and the ability to control and influence this process. Stem Cells Australia will deliver new methods for stem cell propagation and manipulation, new translational technologies for therapeutic applications, and will prepare Australia’s future stem cell scientific leaders.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100319
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,000.00
Summary
Fast three-dimensional imaging of neural signal propagation using light-field microscopy. This project aims to use a light-field microscope to reveal the dynamics of sustained neural activity in the brain. The brain’s neurons are highly interconnected, so neural signals can be sustained in a repeating cycle. While this may underlie tasks such as working memory, its role in information processing is unclear. Understanding information processing is vital for finding treatments for neurodegenerativ ....Fast three-dimensional imaging of neural signal propagation using light-field microscopy. This project aims to use a light-field microscope to reveal the dynamics of sustained neural activity in the brain. The brain’s neurons are highly interconnected, so neural signals can be sustained in a repeating cycle. While this may underlie tasks such as working memory, its role in information processing is unclear. Understanding information processing is vital for finding treatments for neurodegenerative disorders. To characterise this large-scale aspect of neural computation, this project measures neural activity at high speed across large numbers of neurons. This is expected to provide evidence of the nature of sustained activity which may in the future lead to treatments for neurodegenerative disorders.Read moreRead less
Resolving the Structures of Human Muscarinic M1 and M4 Receptors. Muscarinic receptors are vital for most basic human brain functions. These receptors are changed in schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. This project will determine the structure and localisation of two of these receptors in order to i) understand their roles in brain disorders and ii) develop drugs to treat disorders involving them.
Industrial Transformation Training Centres - Grant ID: IC170100030
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,133,659.00
Summary
ARC Training Centre in Cognitive Computing for Medical Technologies. The ARC Training Centre in Cognitive Computing for Medical Technologies aims to create a workforce that is expert in developing, applying and interrogating cognitive computing technologies in data-intensive medical contexts. This will facilitate the next generation of data-driven and machine learning-based medical technologies. The Centre will provide a world-class industry-driven research training environment for PhD students ....ARC Training Centre in Cognitive Computing for Medical Technologies. The ARC Training Centre in Cognitive Computing for Medical Technologies aims to create a workforce that is expert in developing, applying and interrogating cognitive computing technologies in data-intensive medical contexts. This will facilitate the next generation of data-driven and machine learning-based medical technologies. The Centre will provide a world-class industry-driven research training environment for PhD students and postdoctoral researchers. These researchers will lead the medical technology industry into a new era of data-driven personalised and precision medical devices and applications. The Centre will result in the development of capabilities in the core technologies of machine learning and the practical application of cognitive computing in the area of health.Read moreRead less
ARC Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function. The Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function will address one of the greatest scientific challenges of the 21st century to understand how the brain works. We will investigate complex functions such as attention, prediction and decision-making, which require the coordination of information processing by many areas of the brain. This will require a highly collaborative approach involving neurobiologists, cognitive scientists, eng ....ARC Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function. The Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function will address one of the greatest scientific challenges of the 21st century to understand how the brain works. We will investigate complex functions such as attention, prediction and decision-making, which require the coordination of information processing by many areas of the brain. This will require a highly collaborative approach involving neurobiologists, cognitive scientists, engineers and physicists, allowing us to translate our discoveries into novel technologies for the social and economic benefit of all Australians. We will also train a new generation of multidisciplinary researchers, and contribute our expertise to a range of public education and awareness programs.Read moreRead less