Improving the efficiency of CRISPR gene editing in cells. Human red blood cells are well-characterised and the globin gene locus is a model system for the study of gene regulation. Gene editing technologies and delivery tools are evolving rapidly and the globin gene locus is the perfect model for gene editing optimisation. This collaboration between UNSW Sydney and CSL aims to bring together our combined expertise and new technologies to develop an optimal platform for genetic modification in a ....Improving the efficiency of CRISPR gene editing in cells. Human red blood cells are well-characterised and the globin gene locus is a model system for the study of gene regulation. Gene editing technologies and delivery tools are evolving rapidly and the globin gene locus is the perfect model for gene editing optimisation. This collaboration between UNSW Sydney and CSL aims to bring together our combined expertise and new technologies to develop an optimal platform for genetic modification in a red blood cell line. Simultaneously, this project aims to generate fundamental insights into mechanisms of human gene regulation. The technological and biological outcomes of this project will be of benefit for future gene editing applications.Read moreRead less
Atomic scale ion microscopy via laser cooling and correlated imaging. This project will develop next-generation focused ion beam microscopy and nanofabrication using a novel cold ion source based on photoionisation of a laser-cooled atom beam. The low temperature and complex internal state structure of the constituent atoms combine to allow generation of ions with unprecedented brightness and resolution. We will use three unique and innovative ideas: field ionisation of atoms in so-called 'excep ....Atomic scale ion microscopy via laser cooling and correlated imaging. This project will develop next-generation focused ion beam microscopy and nanofabrication using a novel cold ion source based on photoionisation of a laser-cooled atom beam. The low temperature and complex internal state structure of the constituent atoms combine to allow generation of ions with unprecedented brightness and resolution. We will use three unique and innovative ideas: field ionisation of atoms in so-called 'exceptional' states to reduce chromatic aberration; electron-ion correlations to enhance control of the ions at the nanoscale; and atom-atom interactions to isolate and manipulate individual ions. The new technology will enable advances in semiconductor nanofabrication and material characterisation.Read moreRead less
Regulatory architecture of the trunk-to-tail transition. This project aims to elucidate gene regulatory mechanisms that control how the head-to-tail axis is laid down during embryonic development. The project capitalises on unique pluripotent stem cell resources and cutting-edge genomic technology developed by the team. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of developmental biology and gene regulation that is anticipated to have wider application to the understanding of evol ....Regulatory architecture of the trunk-to-tail transition. This project aims to elucidate gene regulatory mechanisms that control how the head-to-tail axis is laid down during embryonic development. The project capitalises on unique pluripotent stem cell resources and cutting-edge genomic technology developed by the team. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of developmental biology and gene regulation that is anticipated to have wider application to the understanding of evolutionary mechanisms and ultimately regenerative medicine.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210101093
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$439,587.00
Summary
Development and application of super-sensitive spinning quantum sensors. This project aims to use physical rotation of diamonds on timescales faster than quantum decoherence to set new detection limits for precision quantum sensing of electric and magnetic fields. This potentially allows us to see for the first time how the Coriolis force acts on current flowing in a frame rotating 700,000,000 times faster than the earth. The project's expected outcomes are electro-magnetic sensors with unpreced ....Development and application of super-sensitive spinning quantum sensors. This project aims to use physical rotation of diamonds on timescales faster than quantum decoherence to set new detection limits for precision quantum sensing of electric and magnetic fields. This potentially allows us to see for the first time how the Coriolis force acts on current flowing in a frame rotating 700,000,000 times faster than the earth. The project's expected outcomes are electro-magnetic sensors with unprecedented sensitivity that could find application in areas ranging from detecting household wiring to locating magnetic anomalies for defence. These outcomes should fill a blind spot of quantum magnetometry, have commercial impact and expand our knowledge of quantum physics in the rotating frame.Read moreRead less
Epigenetic regulation of genomic stability and inheritance. Sperm mediate inheritance by transmitting DNA and associated chemical (epigenetic) modifications to offspring. We hypothesise that epigenetic modifications protect DNA from mutations during sperm formation. Using innovative models, our interdisciplinary team will determine whether loss of specific epigenetic modifications permits mutations in sperm and whether these mutations are transmitted to offspring. Our work will contribute to und ....Epigenetic regulation of genomic stability and inheritance. Sperm mediate inheritance by transmitting DNA and associated chemical (epigenetic) modifications to offspring. We hypothesise that epigenetic modifications protect DNA from mutations during sperm formation. Using innovative models, our interdisciplinary team will determine whether loss of specific epigenetic modifications permits mutations in sperm and whether these mutations are transmitted to offspring. Our work will contribute to understanding how new mutations arise in sperm and potentially affect offspring phenotype, adaptation and evolution. As chemicals, drugs and diet can affect epigenetic function, our studies will also contribute to determining how epigenetic inheritance affects environmental, agricultural and healthcare outcomes.Read moreRead less
Identification of Biological pathways regulated by circular RNAs. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a, recently discovered molecule. circRNAs are highly abundant and expressed in a tissue and disease specific manner. Yet, currently the understanding of how circRNAs regulate biological processes is very poor. This project aims to use pooled shRNA libraries to screen a large panel of cell lines and systematically identify cellular activities that are regulated by circRNAs. The expected outcome of this ....Identification of Biological pathways regulated by circular RNAs. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a, recently discovered molecule. circRNAs are highly abundant and expressed in a tissue and disease specific manner. Yet, currently the understanding of how circRNAs regulate biological processes is very poor. This project aims to use pooled shRNA libraries to screen a large panel of cell lines and systematically identify cellular activities that are regulated by circRNAs. The expected outcome of this study will be a catalogue of functionally active circRNAs. Over the past decades, the wealth of knowledge on the function of linear mRNAs has had a significant impact on medicine and agriculture. Similarly understanding how circRNAs regulate cellular activities may have an analogous impact on humans.Read moreRead less
The developmental and evolutionary origins of vertebrate fins and limbs. This project aims to investigate the origin of paired appendages, a major event in early vertebrate history that changed ecological opportunity and fuelled the radiation of jawed vertebrates. This project expects to generate new knowledge on the mechanism that drove this innovation, which despite over a century of debate, remains one
of the great unknowns of comparative vertebrate evolution. Expected outcomes of this projec ....The developmental and evolutionary origins of vertebrate fins and limbs. This project aims to investigate the origin of paired appendages, a major event in early vertebrate history that changed ecological opportunity and fuelled the radiation of jawed vertebrates. This project expects to generate new knowledge on the mechanism that drove this innovation, which despite over a century of debate, remains one
of the great unknowns of comparative vertebrate evolution. Expected outcomes of this project include uncovering the anatomical changes underpinning the origin of the vertebrate appendicular system. This should provide significant benefits as it will inform our own natural history and provide a paradigm for studying gene network
conservation, phylogenetic modifications, and the acquisition of novel structures.Read moreRead less
Differentiation of effector and tissue regulatory T cells . Regulatory T cells (Tregs) populate almost every organ of the body and play a central role in preventing inflammation and maintaining health. To exercise these functions, Tregs undergo a developmental program, the details of which are poorly known. This project will utilize newly developed biological tools and state-of-the-art technology to uncover the molecular mechanisms that govern Treg development and function. The project will gene ....Differentiation of effector and tissue regulatory T cells . Regulatory T cells (Tregs) populate almost every organ of the body and play a central role in preventing inflammation and maintaining health. To exercise these functions, Tregs undergo a developmental program, the details of which are poorly known. This project will utilize newly developed biological tools and state-of-the-art technology to uncover the molecular mechanisms that govern Treg development and function. The project will generate basic scientific knowledge and new intellectual property that will afford new opportunities for research and development. The outcomes of this project will help to devise strategies to treat diseases such as autoimmunity, cancer and metabolic syndrome, and will thus benefit veterinary and human health.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210101427
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$462,265.00
Summary
Challenging the Standard Model with the LHCb experiment. This project aims to reveal the existence of elementary particles never observed before or of new forces of nature by studying data collected by the LHCb experiment. LHCb is situated at the world’s most powerful particle accelerator, the Large Hadron Collider. The studies are expected to generate new knowledge in the field of particle physics and could resolve long-standing puzzles such as the composition of the Universe. The project aims ....Challenging the Standard Model with the LHCb experiment. This project aims to reveal the existence of elementary particles never observed before or of new forces of nature by studying data collected by the LHCb experiment. LHCb is situated at the world’s most powerful particle accelerator, the Large Hadron Collider. The studies are expected to generate new knowledge in the field of particle physics and could resolve long-standing puzzles such as the composition of the Universe. The project aims at optimally exploiting LHCb data by using an innovative measurement approach based on advanced computational and machine learning techniques. It should enhance the capacity in particle physics and should create new collaborations with Europe, benefiting the diversity of the Australian physics programme.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210100446
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$445,688.00
Summary
Exploring the Nature of Dark Matter. This project aims to address one of the key fundamental questions in physics: what is dark matter? Dark matter makes up 84% of the matter in the universe, but we do not know its identity. This project expects to improve our understanding of the fundamental properties of dark matter and how it interacts with ordinary matter. Expected outcomes include new theoretical models of dark matter that will guide future experiments, and precision calculations of intera ....Exploring the Nature of Dark Matter. This project aims to address one of the key fundamental questions in physics: what is dark matter? Dark matter makes up 84% of the matter in the universe, but we do not know its identity. This project expects to improve our understanding of the fundamental properties of dark matter and how it interacts with ordinary matter. Expected outcomes include new theoretical models of dark matter that will guide future experiments, and precision calculations of interactions between dark and ordinary matter that are needed to interpret experimental results. Benefits include enhancing Australian research capacity in an internationally active area of research and advanced student training. Read moreRead less