Mechanisms of antifungal resistance in blackleg disease of canola. This project aims to determine how fungicide resistance evolves in the fungus Leptosphaeria maculans, the major pathogen of the oilseed crop canola. Global food production has become more reliant on the use of antifungal agents to protect crops, however these advances are now threatened by the emergence of drug-resistant microbes. The knowledge generated by this project will be used to reduce the risk of resistance evolving in po ....Mechanisms of antifungal resistance in blackleg disease of canola. This project aims to determine how fungicide resistance evolves in the fungus Leptosphaeria maculans, the major pathogen of the oilseed crop canola. Global food production has become more reliant on the use of antifungal agents to protect crops, however these advances are now threatened by the emergence of drug-resistant microbes. The knowledge generated by this project will be used to reduce the risk of resistance evolving in populations of the blackleg fungus. This will have economic benefits through ensuring increased canola yields, while providing health and environmental benefits through minimisation of use of fungicides.Read moreRead less
An Integrated Assessment of the Impacts of Climate Change on Vegetation in the Victorian Alps. This project will integrate novel approaches from experimental ecology, genetics and ecological monitoring to evaluate the potential effects of climate change on biodiversity in the Victorian Alps. Warming of alpine landscapes is increasingly likely, yet the potential impacts are poorly understood. We will examine the responses of key plant species to experimental warming, asses their inherent genetic ....An Integrated Assessment of the Impacts of Climate Change on Vegetation in the Victorian Alps. This project will integrate novel approaches from experimental ecology, genetics and ecological monitoring to evaluate the potential effects of climate change on biodiversity in the Victorian Alps. Warming of alpine landscapes is increasingly likely, yet the potential impacts are poorly understood. We will examine the responses of key plant species to experimental warming, asses their inherent genetic capacity to adapt to changing environmental conditions, and asses the consequences of individual species responses for broader habitat change using simulation modelling. The project will result in a sound framework for monitoring management strategies that anticipate climate change in the Australian Alps.Read moreRead less
Green roofs - improving urban environments in a changing climate. Green roofs are an emerging climate change adaptation technology that is widespread in Europe and North America, but rare and untested in Australia. Our research will significantly progress the Australian green roof industry by overcoming barriers to their implementation. This will lead to multiple environmental, economic and health benefits at a variety of scales. Benefits for individual buildings include greater energy efficienc ....Green roofs - improving urban environments in a changing climate. Green roofs are an emerging climate change adaptation technology that is widespread in Europe and North America, but rare and untested in Australia. Our research will significantly progress the Australian green roof industry by overcoming barriers to their implementation. This will lead to multiple environmental, economic and health benefits at a variety of scales. Benefits for individual buildings include greater energy efficiency, increased roof life and the attenuation of noise. Environmental benefits include biodiversity habitat, reduced volume and improved quality of stormwater flows and cooling of the urban environment. This will further reduce energy use and greenhouse emissions, while reducing human health risks during heat waves.Read moreRead less
Insoluble-fibre enriched beverages. Insoluble-fibre enriched beverages. This project aims to develop healthy new beverages, by studying the effect of chemistry and physical interactions of insoluble dietary fibre with other food ingredients. Insoluble fibre reduces the risk of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes. This project will research how insoluble-fibre linked phytochemicals behave in complex matrices and contribute to malodorous flavours; and design adv ....Insoluble-fibre enriched beverages. Insoluble-fibre enriched beverages. This project aims to develop healthy new beverages, by studying the effect of chemistry and physical interactions of insoluble dietary fibre with other food ingredients. Insoluble fibre reduces the risk of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes. This project will research how insoluble-fibre linked phytochemicals behave in complex matrices and contribute to malodorous flavours; and design advanced experimental protocols to prevent undesirable sensory characteristics in liquid systems.Read moreRead less
Novel methods for the production of micronutrient-enriched rice. The increasingly productive Australian rice industry generated AUD$1 billion revenue in 2012. By targeting a rice gene that we recently identified as a key regulator of iron uptake and transport, this project will produce high value, micronutrient-enriched rice grain to improve the nutritional health of people in Australia and throughout the world.
New insulins for the improved management of diabetes. The prevalence of diabetes has increased dramatically over the past few decades and now this condition is widely considered the world’s fastest growing disease. New insulins with improved pharmacological and storage properties are desperately needed, and this project will work on chemical synthesis enabling designer insulins to be prepared for improved management of diabetes.
Understanding the structure-function relationship of dietary fibre for engineering novel food products with superior textural properties and nutrition. The focus of this project will be on the merits of dietary fibre from underutilised agricultural by-products as valuable ingredients in food products. This project aims to innovate by developing high quality foods using dietary fibre, hence delivering socioeconomic benefits through a healthier population and increased financial returns to agri-fo ....Understanding the structure-function relationship of dietary fibre for engineering novel food products with superior textural properties and nutrition. The focus of this project will be on the merits of dietary fibre from underutilised agricultural by-products as valuable ingredients in food products. This project aims to innovate by developing high quality foods using dietary fibre, hence delivering socioeconomic benefits through a healthier population and increased financial returns to agri-food processors.Read moreRead less
Bright x-ray beams from laser-driven microplasmas. This project aims to develop a new generation of bright, laser-like x-ray sources for laboratory use. X-ray sources underpin key diagnostic techniques in materials science, advancing applications from structural engineering through to ore processing and energy storage. However, the limited brightness of present-day laboratory x-ray sources restricts the utility and range of these diagnostic techniques. This research intends to use intense lasers ....Bright x-ray beams from laser-driven microplasmas. This project aims to develop a new generation of bright, laser-like x-ray sources for laboratory use. X-ray sources underpin key diagnostic techniques in materials science, advancing applications from structural engineering through to ore processing and energy storage. However, the limited brightness of present-day laboratory x-ray sources restricts the utility and range of these diagnostic techniques. This research intends to use intense lasers to create microscopic plasmas and drive high harmonic generation. The high harmonic generation process is already used to create laser-like ultraviolet light. By optimising the characteristics of the plasma medium, the project aims to extend bright high harmonic generation to the x-ray regime.Read moreRead less
Creation of a new branch of food research by utilising whey protein in the development of novel products of low calorie content and glycemic response. Australian consumers are demanding healthy foods, yet our society is suffering from 'diseases of choice' such as obesity that largely result from our lifestyle. One particular problem is the low intake of nutrients in contemporary diet. Growing consumer interest in readily available and affordable foods with good nutrition has focused the industry ....Creation of a new branch of food research by utilising whey protein in the development of novel products of low calorie content and glycemic response. Australian consumers are demanding healthy foods, yet our society is suffering from 'diseases of choice' such as obesity that largely result from our lifestyle. One particular problem is the low intake of nutrients in contemporary diet. Growing consumer interest in readily available and affordable foods with good nutrition has focused the industry on the merits of whey protein in processed products. This project will address the issue of consumer acceptability of whey-protein based products by rationalising at the molecular level the interactions of the protein with soluble dietary fibre and starch leading to added value formulations of appealing texture, low-calorie content and low glycemic load.Read moreRead less
Physiology and genetics of barley grain germination in the malting and brewing industries. An international research team will provide new scientific information on barley grain germination. This detailed basic knowledge will be immediately applied in breeding programs that are aimed at improving malting and brewing quality in a commercial context. At the same time, the industry's carbon footprint will be significantly reduced.