Comparing properties of innate immune proteins of bats and humans. Supra-molecular protein complexes known as signalosomes drive our innate immune response by forming large signaling hubs capable of recruiting downstream effectors. This project aims to compare the properties and structure of human and bat signalosomes and discover the molecular origins of the “supra-immunity” of bats. In this context, the project expects to generate new knowledge concerning the fundamental molecular mechanisms t ....Comparing properties of innate immune proteins of bats and humans. Supra-molecular protein complexes known as signalosomes drive our innate immune response by forming large signaling hubs capable of recruiting downstream effectors. This project aims to compare the properties and structure of human and bat signalosomes and discover the molecular origins of the “supra-immunity” of bats. In this context, the project expects to generate new knowledge concerning the fundamental molecular mechanisms that regulate the signalosomes. The intended outcome is to answer the long-standing question of control of speed and amplitude of innate immune response at the molecular level. Both locally and internationally, this new approach should provide benefits across structural biology, molecular evolution and biotechnology.Read moreRead less
In depth characterisation of the gamma delta T cell immune synapse. This project aims to comprehensively characterise the activation principles of gamma delta T cells. These cells have an understudied but central role in vertebrate immunity and development. A missing piece of the puzzle is how gamma delta T cells sense stress and how this signal leads to activation. Expected outcomes include the generation of fundamental knowledge in immunology and structural biology. This proposal uses high-ski ....In depth characterisation of the gamma delta T cell immune synapse. This project aims to comprehensively characterise the activation principles of gamma delta T cells. These cells have an understudied but central role in vertebrate immunity and development. A missing piece of the puzzle is how gamma delta T cells sense stress and how this signal leads to activation. Expected outcomes include the generation of fundamental knowledge in immunology and structural biology. This proposal uses high-skilled techniques, including cryo-electron microscopy and single-molecule imaging and holds ancillary benefits to postgraduate students. Anticipated outcomes include influential publications, building a critical mass of expertise in Australia and fostering international collaborations with Australia at the epicentre.Read moreRead less
High-throughput microfluidic approach to mapping hierarchies of interactions in the gene regulation machinery. The exploration of protein-protein interactions networks is becoming an extremely active area of research in life sciences. The current project will develop new approaches to accelerate the discovery of novel interacting proteins participating in gene regulation, in order to understand how cells differentiate into different tissues and organs.
Topological order and anyons: quantum engineering of emergent physics. Australia is recognized as one of the world leaders in the area of quantum information and computation. As a frontier technology with tremendous potential but engineering challenges it is vital we expand our theoretical landscape to better steer experimental development. A promising new paradigm is topological quantum computation which uses particles with exotic statistics called anyons that do not exist naturally in three d ....Topological order and anyons: quantum engineering of emergent physics. Australia is recognized as one of the world leaders in the area of quantum information and computation. As a frontier technology with tremendous potential but engineering challenges it is vital we expand our theoretical landscape to better steer experimental development. A promising new paradigm is topological quantum computation which uses particles with exotic statistics called anyons that do not exist naturally in three dimensions but can be engineered to emerge in two dimensional spin lattices. Our bottom up research program would help place Australia at the forefront of these ideas. As a field which combines tools from mathematics, computer science, and physics this project will provide world class training to young researchers.Read moreRead less
Elucidating the molecular basis of plant potyvirus resistance . Plant viruses are responsible for a large proportion of crop losses, and genetic resistance is currently the most effective means to control viral spread. This project investigates, on a molecular and structural level, host factors that plant viruses hijack during infection, and in particular, the mutations in these factors that confer resistance. We further aim to elucidate the mechanisms by which plant viruses overcome resistance ....Elucidating the molecular basis of plant potyvirus resistance . Plant viruses are responsible for a large proportion of crop losses, and genetic resistance is currently the most effective means to control viral spread. This project investigates, on a molecular and structural level, host factors that plant viruses hijack during infection, and in particular, the mutations in these factors that confer resistance. We further aim to elucidate the mechanisms by which plant viruses overcome resistance mediated by these host factors. A detailed understanding of the molecular interactions between plant viruses and their host will enable new, robust and more effective forms of resistance to be engineered. This work therefore has economic and environmental implications for agricultural productivity in Australia. Read moreRead less
Bayesian Inference for Multivariate Hierarchical Regression Models. This project will develop Bayesian methodology for analysing multivariate regression models. The distribution of each measurement can be discrete or continuous, with the dependence between measurements obtained through the correlation matrix of a Gaussian copula. Model parsimony is obtained by identifying zero elements in the correlation matrix or its inverse and by variable selection on the regression parameters. The results wi ....Bayesian Inference for Multivariate Hierarchical Regression Models. This project will develop Bayesian methodology for analysing multivariate regression models. The distribution of each measurement can be discrete or continuous, with the dependence between measurements obtained through the correlation matrix of a Gaussian copula. Model parsimony is obtained by identifying zero elements in the correlation matrix or its inverse and by variable selection on the regression parameters. The results will be applied to solve problems in finance, health management and marketing. In all these fields multiple observations are often taken per individual or time period and the models need to incorporate measures of dependence and uncertainty.Read moreRead less
Atomic tests of unification theories. Although the standard model of particle physics has withstood decades of intensive experimental tests, it is widely believed to be merely a low-energy manifestation of a "true" theory that unifies the four forces of nature. While some searches for new physics beyond the standard model are performed at high-energy particle accelerators, a very sensitive probe can be done at low energies in atomic and molecular measurements of weak interaction effects. This pr ....Atomic tests of unification theories. Although the standard model of particle physics has withstood decades of intensive experimental tests, it is widely believed to be merely a low-energy manifestation of a "true" theory that unifies the four forces of nature. While some searches for new physics beyond the standard model are performed at high-energy particle accelerators, a very sensitive probe can be done at low energies in atomic and molecular measurements of weak interaction effects. This project is devoted to a theoretical investigation of weak interaction effects in atoms, molecules, and nuclei. It will provide improved tests of unified theories.Read moreRead less
Violation of fundamental symmetries in atoms, molecules and nuclei. This theoretical project aims to predict enhanced effects of parity (P), time reversal (T), CP and Lorentz invariance violation, which may be measured using atomic spectroscopy and nuclear physics methods. This project expects to contribute to search for physics beyond standard model, including standard model extensions predicting axion, dark matter and T,P-violating electric dipole moments. Expected outcomes include predictions ....Violation of fundamental symmetries in atoms, molecules and nuclei. This theoretical project aims to predict enhanced effects of parity (P), time reversal (T), CP and Lorentz invariance violation, which may be measured using atomic spectroscopy and nuclear physics methods. This project expects to contribute to search for physics beyond standard model, including standard model extensions predicting axion, dark matter and T,P-violating electric dipole moments. Expected outcomes include predictions of new enhanced effects in nuclei, atoms and molecules. By-products and benefits include development of high precision computer codes for atomic calculations, which are expected to have numerous applications including photon and electron processes, properties of superheavy elements and atomic clocks.Read moreRead less
Atomic clocks, space-time variation of fundamental constants, violation of fundamental symmetries and tests of unification theories. The project will help to establish Australia among the leaders in important areas of modern science: tests of theories unifying all physical forces and cosmology, search for variation of the fundamental forces of Nature and making super precise atomic clocks. The atomic clocks are used in all navigation (current GPS and future Galileo) systems and many other import ....Atomic clocks, space-time variation of fundamental constants, violation of fundamental symmetries and tests of unification theories. The project will help to establish Australia among the leaders in important areas of modern science: tests of theories unifying all physical forces and cosmology, search for variation of the fundamental forces of Nature and making super precise atomic clocks. The atomic clocks are used in all navigation (current GPS and future Galileo) systems and many other important applications. The training of students and researchers combined with a rich international collaborative program will insure that Australia is well placed to prepare for the approaching revolution in physics and cosmology.Read moreRead less
Violation of fundamental symmetries and test of unification models. This project is devoted to a theoretical investigation of the atomic and nuclear effects of parity and time invariance violation. Measurements of these effects provide accurate tests of unification theories of elementary particles. Effects of weak interactions are normally very small, and we want to look for possibilities to enhance these effects. We also plan to search for new effects and tests of the unification theories an ....Violation of fundamental symmetries and test of unification models. This project is devoted to a theoretical investigation of the atomic and nuclear effects of parity and time invariance violation. Measurements of these effects provide accurate tests of unification theories of elementary particles. Effects of weak interactions are normally very small, and we want to look for possibilities to enhance these effects. We also plan to search for new effects and tests of the unification theories and develop accurate method of atomic calculations.Read moreRead less