New Insights on Modelling Time Trends with Panel Data: Theory and Practice. This project aims to tackle important challenges in time trend modelling by taking advantage of panel data structures. This project expects to propose flexible models in time trend modelling to retrieve reliable inference. The expected outcomes include innovative econometric models and methods that have a wide range of applications, and are particularly suited for empirical problems within large and complex systems. This ....New Insights on Modelling Time Trends with Panel Data: Theory and Practice. This project aims to tackle important challenges in time trend modelling by taking advantage of panel data structures. This project expects to propose flexible models in time trend modelling to retrieve reliable inference. The expected outcomes include innovative econometric models and methods that have a wide range of applications, and are particularly suited for empirical problems within large and complex systems. This will provide significant benefits to all fields in which data displays any form of trending behaviour. The proposed model is used to evaluate the economic consequences of climate change and global housing market contagion, which provide strong evidence-based insights to the environmental and economic policies in Australia.Read moreRead less
Computational modelling of nanofluids for industrial applications. The use of nanoparticles in heat transfer fluids, then known as nanofluids, increases their specific heat and thermal conductivity. Recent experimental works highlight that anomalous transport phenomena are evident in nanofluids that cannot be adequately described by classical conservation laws. We will extend these conservation laws to incorporate fractional operators to capture the fluid memory effects and the impact of particl ....Computational modelling of nanofluids for industrial applications. The use of nanoparticles in heat transfer fluids, then known as nanofluids, increases their specific heat and thermal conductivity. Recent experimental works highlight that anomalous transport phenomena are evident in nanofluids that cannot be adequately described by classical conservation laws. We will extend these conservation laws to incorporate fractional operators to capture the fluid memory effects and the impact of particle clustering. Computational modelling and experimental investigations will be undertaken to identify the heat transfer mechanisms of various nanofluids. The outcomes of the work will increase knowledge on nanofluids and offer a significant opportunity to improve the efficiency of many thermal engineering systems.Read moreRead less
Metabolic control of gene expression networks and microbiome interactions. The proposal aims to advance our understanding of how metabolism (and resulting metabolites) regulate the expression of genes, and investigate how these processes dictate the interaction of microbiota with the immune system. The project is expected to generate transformative knowledge of gene regulation, a fundamental process for cellular function, and decipher how the microbiome yeast Candida albicans interacts with immu ....Metabolic control of gene expression networks and microbiome interactions. The proposal aims to advance our understanding of how metabolism (and resulting metabolites) regulate the expression of genes, and investigate how these processes dictate the interaction of microbiota with the immune system. The project is expected to generate transformative knowledge of gene regulation, a fundamental process for cellular function, and decipher how the microbiome yeast Candida albicans interacts with immune cells and bacteria. By utilising a powerful combination of molecular and systems biology with molecular genetics and imaging, the project outcomes should foster interdisciplinary collaborations and build capacity for fundamental and applied research to benefit academia and industry, locally and globally.Read moreRead less
The transcriptome dynamics that refine eukaryotic gene expression. This project aims to understand the fundamental mechanisms of gene expression control, by exploring how cells respond to acute perturbation with changes to RNA expression and processing. Unlike the static information encoded within the genome, the information encoded in its intermediary RNA, is transient, plastic and responsive to environmental and developmental cues. This project will use new technologies encompassing RNA-bioche ....The transcriptome dynamics that refine eukaryotic gene expression. This project aims to understand the fundamental mechanisms of gene expression control, by exploring how cells respond to acute perturbation with changes to RNA expression and processing. Unlike the static information encoded within the genome, the information encoded in its intermediary RNA, is transient, plastic and responsive to environmental and developmental cues. This project will use new technologies encompassing RNA-biochemistry, Next Generation Sequencing, and bioinformatics to answer long-standing questions in RNA processing. The project expects to significantly enhance our understanding of the mechanisms underpinning gene-expression control, benefitting Australia by positioning it as a world leader in the field of RNA Biology.Read moreRead less
Investigating non-canonical RNA processing in developing spermatids. RNA combines the information content of DNA and the physical properties of proteins. These features mean it's emerging as a major player for new knowledge; for answers to fundamental questions in biology, and for applications in biotechnology. This project aims to understand how non-canonical RNA processing events control gene expression. How mRNA is processed post-transcriptionally for selective storage, translation, stabilisa ....Investigating non-canonical RNA processing in developing spermatids. RNA combines the information content of DNA and the physical properties of proteins. These features mean it's emerging as a major player for new knowledge; for answers to fundamental questions in biology, and for applications in biotechnology. This project aims to understand how non-canonical RNA processing events control gene expression. How mRNA is processed post-transcriptionally for selective storage, translation, stabilisation or decay to control development. RNA-driven processes program morphogenesis and differentiation of spermatids, but via mechanisms only poorly understood. Uncovering the function of extensive cytoplasmic polyadenylation, which is essential for murine fertility, may fuel the next wave of RNA biotech applications. Read moreRead less
Spatio-temporal activation of genes in cells and mice. This project aims to develop novel genetic methods and instrumentation for the local, rapid and reversible activation of genes in cells and mice. This project expects to generate highly innovative light- and sound-based technologies that will permit to study living systems on the gene-level with unprecedented precision. Expected outcomes include new research and technology capacity to broadly address fundamental biological questions and to c ....Spatio-temporal activation of genes in cells and mice. This project aims to develop novel genetic methods and instrumentation for the local, rapid and reversible activation of genes in cells and mice. This project expects to generate highly innovative light- and sound-based technologies that will permit to study living systems on the gene-level with unprecedented precision. Expected outcomes include new research and technology capacity to broadly address fundamental biological questions and to create new applied processes. This project intends to provide significant benefits, such as enhanced knowledge generation, multidisciplinary training opportunities and patentable technologies.Read moreRead less
Understanding co-activator function in transcriptional regulation. A change in gene expression underpins all cell fate decisions yet there is scant knowledge about how transcription factors (TF), the master regulators of transcription, specifically interact with some, but not all, transcription cofactors to nuance gene expression. Aims: Using innovative molecular technologies we will identify and characterise the shared and unique relationships between TF and cofactors. Significance: This study ....Understanding co-activator function in transcriptional regulation. A change in gene expression underpins all cell fate decisions yet there is scant knowledge about how transcription factors (TF), the master regulators of transcription, specifically interact with some, but not all, transcription cofactors to nuance gene expression. Aims: Using innovative molecular technologies we will identify and characterise the shared and unique relationships between TF and cofactors. Significance: This study is important to every biological process in plants and animals driven by a change in gene expression. Expected Outcomes: This study will increase our biological knowledge in transcription control. Benefit: The knowledge gained has future applications in genomics and broad implications for biotechnology and industry.Read moreRead less
Can we exploit mRNA modifications to control protein expression? Genes are encoded by DNA but are transcribed into a message called RNA before they can be translated into protein. RNA can be chemically modified at a gene-specific level, and this modification has been central to the success of RNA vaccines against COVID-19. Despite the importance of these modifications in cellular life and in biotechnology, the role of the most abundant RNA modifications is unclear. This project will investigate ....Can we exploit mRNA modifications to control protein expression? Genes are encoded by DNA but are transcribed into a message called RNA before they can be translated into protein. RNA can be chemically modified at a gene-specific level, and this modification has been central to the success of RNA vaccines against COVID-19. Despite the importance of these modifications in cellular life and in biotechnology, the role of the most abundant RNA modifications is unclear. This project will investigate how we can exploit RNA modifications to modulate protein expression in a tractable single-celled organism with a small genome, Plasmodium. This information is important because understanding gene regulation is fundamental to all life, and the role of RNA modifications is emerging as integral to biotechnology.Read moreRead less
Investigating Hippo-regulated transcription at single molecule resolution. Signalling pathways operate throughout life to relay signals from the extracellular world to the cellular nucleus, to control transcription and elicit a response. This project aims to understand how the Hippo growth control pathway regulates transcription. Using a combination of biology, biophysics and computational biology, this project aims to quantify behaviour of the Hippo pathway transcription factors at sub-micron r ....Investigating Hippo-regulated transcription at single molecule resolution. Signalling pathways operate throughout life to relay signals from the extracellular world to the cellular nucleus, to control transcription and elicit a response. This project aims to understand how the Hippo growth control pathway regulates transcription. Using a combination of biology, biophysics and computational biology, this project aims to quantify behaviour of the Hippo pathway transcription factors at sub-micron resolution, and how Hippo signalling modulates their behaviour, interaction with the genome and function. We anticipate our discoveries will stimulate new research, e.g. testing of how other signaling pathways regulate transcription. Intended benefits are creation of jobs and new knowledge on fundamental principles of life.Read moreRead less
Econometric studies of the dynamics of loneliness and social isolation. This project aims to provide new insights into the socioeconomic dynamics of loneliness and social isolation using advanced econometric modelling techniques applied to longitudinal data from Australia and the UK. This project will apply advanced econometric modelling techniques to data from four nationally-representative longitudinal surveys to substantively help address these knowledge gaps, giving policy-makers new informa ....Econometric studies of the dynamics of loneliness and social isolation. This project aims to provide new insights into the socioeconomic dynamics of loneliness and social isolation using advanced econometric modelling techniques applied to longitudinal data from Australia and the UK. This project will apply advanced econometric modelling techniques to data from four nationally-representative longitudinal surveys to substantively help address these knowledge gaps, giving policy-makers new information about how to address these growing societal concerns. The expected outcomes will provide policy-makers with a better understanding of the socioeconomic triggers for loneliness and social isolation; quantify the costs of loneliness and social isolation on health and wellbeing; and identify policy interventions aimed at reducing loneliness and social isolation.Read moreRead less