The evolution of species traits and spread during biological invasions. Exotic species pose a dire threat to Australia's biodiversity and natural resources due to the speed at which non-indigenous pests spread and the ecological and environmental damage they are capable of causing. The proposed research, on identifying traits associated with the spread of exotic vertebrate species and modelling the reproductive and dispersal parameters among different populations, will provide new knowledge and ....The evolution of species traits and spread during biological invasions. Exotic species pose a dire threat to Australia's biodiversity and natural resources due to the speed at which non-indigenous pests spread and the ecological and environmental damage they are capable of causing. The proposed research, on identifying traits associated with the spread of exotic vertebrate species and modelling the reproductive and dispersal parameters among different populations, will provide new knowledge and aid in developing innovative solutions for arresting the spread of exotic species. The validation of current models of spread will represent a major and timely addition to the national research capability on exotic species, and add substantially to Australia's reputation as a global leader in evolutionary ecology.Read moreRead less
DNA and the missing: ancient DNA and advanced forensic identification. Identifying the remains of missing persons, disaster victims and war dead is of major social and cultural importance and has significant implications for national and international justice systems. This project will apply expertise in analysis of ancient DNA to build capacity and expertise within Australia to identify highly degraded human remains.
The Quest for Ultimate Measurement Precision. Precision measurement is the foundation upon which modern technological society is built. The highest quality measurement devices rely on stable clocks for their operation. The group's existing research has been aimed at developing some of the world's most precise measurement tools based on clocks and lasers. In parallel with this, other scientists have developed the means for exquisite control of light on the microscopic scale. By combining these tw ....The Quest for Ultimate Measurement Precision. Precision measurement is the foundation upon which modern technological society is built. The highest quality measurement devices rely on stable clocks for their operation. The group's existing research has been aimed at developing some of the world's most precise measurement tools based on clocks and lasers. In parallel with this, other scientists have developed the means for exquisite control of light on the microscopic scale. By combining these two technologies, both of which lie at the extreme limit of precision, the group will develop a new generation of technology for fundamental science objectives as well as for industrial needs.Read moreRead less
Hidden complexity in microRNA function. This project aims to determine the extent to which microRNAs function through “non-canonical” mechanisms within cell nuclei, how their roles are expanded by naturally occurring sequence variation and how their activity is controlled by little known families of genes that sequester and inhibit their availability. The knowledge generated is significant as microRNAs regulate the expression of virtually all genes and biological processes, yet these mechanisms ....Hidden complexity in microRNA function. This project aims to determine the extent to which microRNAs function through “non-canonical” mechanisms within cell nuclei, how their roles are expanded by naturally occurring sequence variation and how their activity is controlled by little known families of genes that sequester and inhibit their availability. The knowledge generated is significant as microRNAs regulate the expression of virtually all genes and biological processes, yet these mechanisms of function remain poorly characterised and seldom considered. The expected outcome of better understanding mechanisms through which microRNAs work should provide significant benefit to safe and effective development of microRNAs for future agricultural or therapeutic application.Read moreRead less
Data Exploitation for Critical Infrastructure Protection: Gathering Intelligence from Digital Evidence Collected from IT Networks and Process Control Systems. This proposal addresses the National Priority of Safeguarding Australia and its results will serve as a major input into current Australian Federal Government and Defence initiatives in digital evidence collection and exploitation as part of process control system security. It will play a significant part in satisfying the Australian commu ....Data Exploitation for Critical Infrastructure Protection: Gathering Intelligence from Digital Evidence Collected from IT Networks and Process Control Systems. This proposal addresses the National Priority of Safeguarding Australia and its results will serve as a major input into current Australian Federal Government and Defence initiatives in digital evidence collection and exploitation as part of process control system security. It will play a significant part in satisfying the Australian community that steps are being taken to safeguard national services and will develop techniques for protecting Australia against criminal or terrorist cyber attack on national services infrastructure. It will serve to develop niche Australian research expertise in this very specialised international field.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
Changing patterns of migration from Afghanistan with implications for Australia. As a signatory to the UN Refugee Convention, a major location for the resettlement of refugees and a major player in the international system with a stated commitment to humanitarian issues, Australia is well placed to play a lead role in promoting more effective solutions to the plight of refugees. This study is designed to contribute to that objective through research of one of the world's most important refugee g ....Changing patterns of migration from Afghanistan with implications for Australia. As a signatory to the UN Refugee Convention, a major location for the resettlement of refugees and a major player in the international system with a stated commitment to humanitarian issues, Australia is well placed to play a lead role in promoting more effective solutions to the plight of refugees. This study is designed to contribute to that objective through research of one of the world's most important refugee groups, the Afghans. It will also provide a better understanding of the security issues involved in refugee migration.Read moreRead less
Particles at Interfaces—Controlling Detachment. Small, solid particles affect the processes used by the Australian mining industry to recover precious metals and valuable minerals in ways that remain poorly understood. The outcomes of this project will make significant contributions to the fundamental understanding of the role of particles in emulsions and foams. The results will also ultimately transfer to, and have a substantial impact on, the pharmaceutical industry, which is poised to use na ....Particles at Interfaces—Controlling Detachment. Small, solid particles affect the processes used by the Australian mining industry to recover precious metals and valuable minerals in ways that remain poorly understood. The outcomes of this project will make significant contributions to the fundamental understanding of the role of particles in emulsions and foams. The results will also ultimately transfer to, and have a substantial impact on, the pharmaceutical industry, which is poised to use nanotechnology to revolutionise drug delivery.Read moreRead less
Systems modelling for synergistic ecological-climate dynamics. The project aims to improve forecasts of the response of biodiversity to future climate change and so improve on-ground conservation management. A systems modelling framework will be developed and tested against real-world data to integrate a wide variety of biological and geophysical inputs and so produce more realistic predictions.
Integrating models with molecular 'logbooks' to better forecast extinction risk from climate change. Current forecasts indicate that human-driven climate change will likely cause widespread biodiversity loss. However, climatic shifts during the Quaternary (2.6 million years ago to present), similar in magnitude to those projected for the 21st century, did not apparently cause extensive extinctions (with the exception of the megafauna). This project aims to use models linked to past responses imp ....Integrating models with molecular 'logbooks' to better forecast extinction risk from climate change. Current forecasts indicate that human-driven climate change will likely cause widespread biodiversity loss. However, climatic shifts during the Quaternary (2.6 million years ago to present), similar in magnitude to those projected for the 21st century, did not apparently cause extensive extinctions (with the exception of the megafauna). This project aims to use models linked to past responses imprinted in species’ genes to resolve whether the disparity between observed and predicted extinction rates comes from models over-predicting species loss due to climate change. It will use this genetic-demographic approach to improve predictions of biodiversity responses to global change by establishing the biological and environmental determinants of extinction.Read moreRead less