Dark-field: A new kind of x-ray imaging. This project aims to develop new x-ray imaging capabilities that look inside an object and map out those details that are too small to be seen directly, by extracting the dark-field which is produced as x-ray light scatters. Dark-field images can reveal tiny cracks in manufactured parts, discover powdered explosives or drugs during security screening, and detect changes in the size of the many tiny air sacs in the lungs. Expected outcomes of this project ....Dark-field: A new kind of x-ray imaging. This project aims to develop new x-ray imaging capabilities that look inside an object and map out those details that are too small to be seen directly, by extracting the dark-field which is produced as x-ray light scatters. Dark-field images can reveal tiny cracks in manufactured parts, discover powdered explosives or drugs during security screening, and detect changes in the size of the many tiny air sacs in the lungs. Expected outcomes of this project include new instruments and methods of analysis that will allow x-ray dark-field imaging to be quantitative and widely adopted. These methods should benefit non-invasive multi-scale imaging at the Australian Synchrotron and equip x-ray imaging in industry, security and healthcare.Read moreRead less
Positrons in biosystems. This project aims to improve our understanding of the damage processes in Positron Emission Tomography (PET). PET is a widely used medical imaging technique, but there are gaps in our understanding of the underlying interactions, in particular in the case of the radiation damage induced during the process. By using new models incorporating accurate descriptions of interactions processes, verified by experimental measurement, this project will develop a new model of posit ....Positrons in biosystems. This project aims to improve our understanding of the damage processes in Positron Emission Tomography (PET). PET is a widely used medical imaging technique, but there are gaps in our understanding of the underlying interactions, in particular in the case of the radiation damage induced during the process. By using new models incorporating accurate descriptions of interactions processes, verified by experimental measurement, this project will develop a new model of positron transport in PET. The project will allow validation of predictions from the model by undertaking experiments in liquid water.Read moreRead less
Space RAdiation Monitoring System (SRAMS) for safe space missions. The goal of the project is to develop a comprehensive space radiation monitoring system (SRAMS) that can evaluate: i) the radiation related hazards for astronauts, ii) the radiation damage in electronics during space missions and iii) the ground radiation facility environment used in radiation hardness assurance tests. SRAMS will also address important issue in space by minimizing manned or satellite space mission aborts due to s ....Space RAdiation Monitoring System (SRAMS) for safe space missions. The goal of the project is to develop a comprehensive space radiation monitoring system (SRAMS) that can evaluate: i) the radiation related hazards for astronauts, ii) the radiation damage in electronics during space missions and iii) the ground radiation facility environment used in radiation hardness assurance tests. SRAMS will also address important issue in space by minimizing manned or satellite space mission aborts due to space radiation adverse effects on astronaut’s health and electronics failure, and translates into an enormous economic value proposition. SRAMS will be paramount for leveraging the quantifiable standards of the space-radiation qualification facilities that are important for boosting the Australian Space industry. Read moreRead less
Reading the sequence of a single molecule of DNA . This project seeks to develop technology capable of accurately reading the sequence of a single DNA molecule for the first time. This is possible by combining state-of-the-art methods in DNA self-assembly, single-molecule fluorescence microscopy and bioelectronics, to overcome fundamental limits in current technologies.
The outcome of accurate DNA sequencing at single molecule resolution, promises ground-breaking biological insight from a more ....Reading the sequence of a single molecule of DNA . This project seeks to develop technology capable of accurately reading the sequence of a single DNA molecule for the first time. This is possible by combining state-of-the-art methods in DNA self-assembly, single-molecule fluorescence microscopy and bioelectronics, to overcome fundamental limits in current technologies.
The outcome of accurate DNA sequencing at single molecule resolution, promises ground-breaking biological insight from a more fine-grained view of the genetic world, game-changing technologies such as point-of-care genomics and in turn a substantial impact on the rapidly growing multi-billion-dollar DNA sequencing market. Read moreRead less
The geometry of genome access: lessons from HIV. Access to the cell’s nucleus, and hence its genome, is of deep scientific and commercial significance. It is controlled by a phase-separated diffusion barrier within the nuclear pore complex. Recent evidence, however, has shown that HIV can cross this barrier with its protective capsid intact, despite it being over one thousand times larger than the limit for passive transport. Combining concepts from soft-matter physics with recombinant assays, t ....The geometry of genome access: lessons from HIV. Access to the cell’s nucleus, and hence its genome, is of deep scientific and commercial significance. It is controlled by a phase-separated diffusion barrier within the nuclear pore complex. Recent evidence, however, has shown that HIV can cross this barrier with its protective capsid intact, despite it being over one thousand times larger than the limit for passive transport. Combining concepts from soft-matter physics with recombinant assays, this project aims to uncover the link between the unique geometry of HIV capsids and their ability to subvert the nucleus’ defenses. The expected outcome is a step-change in the understanding of nuclear access control, with downstream benefits to virology, bio-engineering and bio-technology.Read moreRead less
Biophysics of the brain’s waste disposal system: Understanding why we sleep. This project aims to develop a new biophysical model of the brain, founded on the recently discovered glymphatic system responsible for waste disposal during sleep. It sets out to formulate, analyse, and validate rigorous new multiscale quantitative modelling – to advance the study of sleep and brain clearance dynamics, at timescales from hours to decades. Among expected outcomes are powerful models ready for applicatio ....Biophysics of the brain’s waste disposal system: Understanding why we sleep. This project aims to develop a new biophysical model of the brain, founded on the recently discovered glymphatic system responsible for waste disposal during sleep. It sets out to formulate, analyse, and validate rigorous new multiscale quantitative modelling – to advance the study of sleep and brain clearance dynamics, at timescales from hours to decades. Among expected outcomes are powerful models ready for application at both population and individual level, and testable predictions concerning the sleep patterns that lead to aggregation of waste in the brain and eventual cognitive decline. Project outcomes should also benefit society and the economy though translation into interventions for sleep disturbance – in future applied research.Read moreRead less
Ultra-sensitive 3D molecular assays using total body PET and deep learning. Recent advances in biomedical engineering have led to the development of Total Body Positron Emission Tomography (TB-PET), the most sensitive imaging device to date. Despite these impressive engineering advances, computational methods lag far behind and model-based approaches cannot deal with the complexity or volume of data these systems produce. We will develop new computational methods based on deep learning and stati ....Ultra-sensitive 3D molecular assays using total body PET and deep learning. Recent advances in biomedical engineering have led to the development of Total Body Positron Emission Tomography (TB-PET), the most sensitive imaging device to date. Despite these impressive engineering advances, computational methods lag far behind and model-based approaches cannot deal with the complexity or volume of data these systems produce. We will develop new computational methods based on deep learning and statistical methods that fully exploit the richness and complexity of the data generated by TB-PET, enabling 3D quantitative assays of molecular processes throughout the entire human body with unparalleled sensitivity. The technology we create will open up new capability for the study of complex physiological systems.Read moreRead less
The colour of cellular aging: a deep probe of cellular processes. Understanding why we age and whether aging is preventable are profound research challenges, which must be first tackled at a cellular level. Building on our advances in non-invasive colour monitoring of cell function, this project aims to uncover intimate links between cellular processes and aging in cells that must survive for many decades such as oocytes and neurons. We will explore the tantalising possibility to rejuvenate such ....The colour of cellular aging: a deep probe of cellular processes. Understanding why we age and whether aging is preventable are profound research challenges, which must be first tackled at a cellular level. Building on our advances in non-invasive colour monitoring of cell function, this project aims to uncover intimate links between cellular processes and aging in cells that must survive for many decades such as oocytes and neurons. We will explore the tantalising possibility to rejuvenate such aged cells by interfering with molecular master switches of aging. A unique machine learning approach will be applied for finding the most effective interventions. The results will have broad impact beyond the science of aging, in the areas of female fertility, neurodegeneration and immunity.
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Uncovering the molecular mechanisms of potassium channel activity. The aim of this project is to determine the mechanisms of protein-mediated potassium ion transport across cell membranes. It will combine advanced simulations, structural biology and electrophysiology to describe the detailed molecular processes underscoring calcium-activated potassium channel conduction, gating and inactivation. The expected outcome is an improved description of how ion channels recognise and respond to physiolo ....Uncovering the molecular mechanisms of potassium channel activity. The aim of this project is to determine the mechanisms of protein-mediated potassium ion transport across cell membranes. It will combine advanced simulations, structural biology and electrophysiology to describe the detailed molecular processes underscoring calcium-activated potassium channel conduction, gating and inactivation. The expected outcome is an improved description of how ion channels recognise and respond to physiological stimuli to control electrical signalling the body. Our results will provide benefits in the form of basic understanding relevant to ion transport phenomena in biological systems, and atomic-level views of nervous system function to guide future directions in pharmacology.Read moreRead less
Transport control in multi-species fluid suspensions. This project aims to develop novel methods of controlling multi-species particles in fluid suspensions, such as microorganisms in wounds. Physical methods of control offer additional opportunities for wound healing in the era of increased microbial resistance to antibiotics. The project will develop methods of controlling the local concentration of microorganisms, such as bacteria and cells, using wave-driven turbulent transport and active sy ....Transport control in multi-species fluid suspensions. This project aims to develop novel methods of controlling multi-species particles in fluid suspensions, such as microorganisms in wounds. Physical methods of control offer additional opportunities for wound healing in the era of increased microbial resistance to antibiotics. The project will develop methods of controlling the local concentration of microorganisms, such as bacteria and cells, using wave-driven turbulent transport and active synthetic agents. The proposed methods will also benefit applications in microfluidics, liquid metamaterials, micro-assembly and technologies for cleaning liquid surfaces. The project will advance our fundamental knowledge of particle interaction with matter waves.Read moreRead less