Photosynthetic traits as “key performance indicators” of coral health. The objective of this project is to advance knowledge on the healthy functioning of the coral–algal symbiosis, which defines the response of coral reef ecosystems to worldwide environmental change. Current approaches to address this problem have linked coral health to algal symbiont diversity but have been unable to resolve the fundamental symbiont functional traits that govern this link – the “key performance indicators (KPI ....Photosynthetic traits as “key performance indicators” of coral health. The objective of this project is to advance knowledge on the healthy functioning of the coral–algal symbiosis, which defines the response of coral reef ecosystems to worldwide environmental change. Current approaches to address this problem have linked coral health to algal symbiont diversity but have been unable to resolve the fundamental symbiont functional traits that govern this link – the “key performance indicators (KPIs)”. This project plans to couple advanced physiological and functional genomics techniques to transform our understanding of how algal symbiont metabolic KPIs regulate coral growth and stress susceptibility. This may provide new diagnostic capability for the assessment of coral health and may enable us to improve coral reef ecosystem management.Read moreRead less
The development of novel and tunable metamaterials. Metamaterials are designed materials with properties that cannot be found in nature. This project uses a new disruptive design that allows broadband metamaterials to be made using mass production techniques. The design opens up a range of new applications in environmental and medical sensing, improved security screening and active devices.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE180100042
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$621,834.00
Summary
Australian dark matter detector for high mass axions. This project aims to provide the necessary equipment to allow an Australian Dark Matter Axion Haloscope, with significantly increased sensitivity by providing a milliKelvin environment and a 14 T magnet to drive axion-to-photon conversions. Dark matter is a fundamental component of the universe yet the nature of its composition is still unknown. There is growing evidence that it is comprised of axions, a low energy, weakly interacting particl ....Australian dark matter detector for high mass axions. This project aims to provide the necessary equipment to allow an Australian Dark Matter Axion Haloscope, with significantly increased sensitivity by providing a milliKelvin environment and a 14 T magnet to drive axion-to-photon conversions. Dark matter is a fundamental component of the universe yet the nature of its composition is still unknown. There is growing evidence that it is comprised of axions, a low energy, weakly interacting particle. The precision measurement tools developed by this project will have the potential to contribute both to the economy, via commercialisation, and to national security, via future applications to radar, communication and the development of engineered quantum systems.Read moreRead less
How ribosomal protein loss affects cell fate. This project aims to challenge the dogma that the ribosome behaves only as a ‘‘house-keeper’’. Ribosomal protein (RP) mutations should, and often do, result in reduced cell growth and stunted animal development. Depletion of RPs in Drosophila blood cells impair stem cells and cause massive tissue overgrowth. This suggests RPs are involved in cell fate determination, which this project will research using genetic models. As ribosomal function is funda ....How ribosomal protein loss affects cell fate. This project aims to challenge the dogma that the ribosome behaves only as a ‘‘house-keeper’’. Ribosomal protein (RP) mutations should, and often do, result in reduced cell growth and stunted animal development. Depletion of RPs in Drosophila blood cells impair stem cells and cause massive tissue overgrowth. This suggests RPs are involved in cell fate determination, which this project will research using genetic models. As ribosomal function is fundamental to the development of all living organisms, this work could have wide implications for understanding all biology – from microbes, insects and plants to humans.Read moreRead less
Photonic Crystal Signal Processing and Antenna Technologies. The information society in which we live requires increasingly high bandwidth, low cost communications. This project addresses two critically important technologies needed to meet these demands: signal processing devices and antennas. These devices will be designed using three-dimensional photonic crystals, which provide excellent possibilities for low-cost, highly integrated photonic circuits. Working prototypes will be built at micro ....Photonic Crystal Signal Processing and Antenna Technologies. The information society in which we live requires increasingly high bandwidth, low cost communications. This project addresses two critically important technologies needed to meet these demands: signal processing devices and antennas. These devices will be designed using three-dimensional photonic crystals, which provide excellent possibilities for low-cost, highly integrated photonic circuits. Working prototypes will be built at microwave frequencies, but due to the scalability of electromagnetic theory these results are also valid in the optical domain. The outcomes of this project will be accurate theoretical models and empirical tests for new technologies that satisfy the future needs of the information society.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100008
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$350,000.00
Summary
Laser microdissection microscopy system for cell and development biology. The University of Newcastle has invested heavily in its biological and life sciences to create a research nexus focusing on national research priorities in biotechnology and environmental protection. The live cell laser microdissection platform will be utilised by scientists researching such strategically important areas as developmental biology, intracellular signalling cascades, cell cycle dynamics, plant development and ....Laser microdissection microscopy system for cell and development biology. The University of Newcastle has invested heavily in its biological and life sciences to create a research nexus focusing on national research priorities in biotechnology and environmental protection. The live cell laser microdissection platform will be utilised by scientists researching such strategically important areas as developmental biology, intracellular signalling cascades, cell cycle dynamics, plant development and microbiology. Moreover, this component of the University's research portfolio plays a major role in the postgraduate training of young Australian scientists who will, in turn, fuel future developments in both the life sciences and biotechnology industries.Read moreRead less
Learned Academies Special Projects - Grant ID: LA170100022
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$118,098.00
Summary
Nourishing Australia: a decadal plan for nutrition science. This project aims to develop a plan to address the complex health and environmental challenges associated with changes in food production and consumption. Since the industrial revolution, our understanding of human diet has lagged behind the rate of change. This project aims to better integrate knowledge across nutrients, foods, meals, diets, and dietary patterns to understand balance rather than single nutrients or commodities. It will ....Nourishing Australia: a decadal plan for nutrition science. This project aims to develop a plan to address the complex health and environmental challenges associated with changes in food production and consumption. Since the industrial revolution, our understanding of human diet has lagged behind the rate of change. This project aims to better integrate knowledge across nutrients, foods, meals, diets, and dietary patterns to understand balance rather than single nutrients or commodities. It will examine the broader context of nutrition from individuals to communities to nations, and globally, and develop a consistent theoretical framework for nutrition that includes both individual biology and the physical, social and biological environment. This will provide broad benefits for social, cultural, economic and health outcomes in the region.Read moreRead less
The Identification and Development of Strategies for Increasing Engineering Enrolments. There is a continuing nation-wide decline in high school student enrolment in higher level mathematics and science. This is already leading to a reduction in the number of students undertaking university engineering programs in Australia and the situation is expected to worsen. This project is directed toward a better understanding of the reasons for the trend and the development of strategies to reverse it. ....The Identification and Development of Strategies for Increasing Engineering Enrolments. There is a continuing nation-wide decline in high school student enrolment in higher level mathematics and science. This is already leading to a reduction in the number of students undertaking university engineering programs in Australia and the situation is expected to worsen. This project is directed toward a better understanding of the reasons for the trend and the development of strategies to reverse it. It aims to 1. Evaluate the most effective strategies that increase student's interests and understanding of engineering and increase participation in engineering studies. 2. Develop an optimised national communication strategy for promoting engineering studies to secondary students.Read moreRead less
Eco-NextNet: An Ecologically-Inspired Adaptive Network Resource Management Framework for a Sustainable Next Generation Mobile Network for Ubiquitous Services. Ubiquitous communications service is the most important element of today's societies. In urban and rural areas of the country as well as at the time of natural disasters such as bushfires, floods, cyclones, it is vital to devise alternative schemes to create and sustain on-demand telecommunications services. In most cases it is not the lac ....Eco-NextNet: An Ecologically-Inspired Adaptive Network Resource Management Framework for a Sustainable Next Generation Mobile Network for Ubiquitous Services. Ubiquitous communications service is the most important element of today's societies. In urban and rural areas of the country as well as at the time of natural disasters such as bushfires, floods, cyclones, it is vital to devise alternative schemes to create and sustain on-demand telecommunications services. In most cases it is not the lack of technology that hinders the implementation of a reliable communications service, but it is the resource allocation. In this project we propose a novel sustainable resource management framework inspired by natural ecological systems to solve the above problem. Upon completion, Australia will be in forefront of technologies related to the management of complex networks.Read moreRead less
ARC Communications Research Network. Building on a strong platform of existing research excellence, the Aim of the Network is to facilitate nation-wide collaborative research, promoting four intersecting research Themes: Mobile and Wireless Communications, Rural Communications, Broadband and Optical Networks, and Fundamentals of Emerging Media. Each Theme is formulated to drive multidisciplinary, innovative research as well as inspire new collaborative initiatives. Four Programs encapsulate the ....ARC Communications Research Network. Building on a strong platform of existing research excellence, the Aim of the Network is to facilitate nation-wide collaborative research, promoting four intersecting research Themes: Mobile and Wireless Communications, Rural Communications, Broadband and Optical Networks, and Fundamentals of Emerging Media. Each Theme is formulated to drive multidisciplinary, innovative research as well as inspire new collaborative initiatives. Four Programs encapsulate the core activities of the Network: Researcher Mobility, Workshops and Conferences, Postgraduate Education, and Knowledge Management Systems. The Network is expected to add significant value to pre-existing investments and raise the profile of Australian telecommunications research.Read moreRead less