Genes to phenotype: Exploiting the marsupial model. This research will exploit one of Australia's finest natural resources, its marsupial fauna. The features of marsupial reproduction and development provide a unique opportunity to answer fundamental biological questions. This research will show how the minor differences in key developmental genes that have arisen in their 100 million year isolation give rise to the characteristic differences in developmental timing and reproduction between mar ....Genes to phenotype: Exploiting the marsupial model. This research will exploit one of Australia's finest natural resources, its marsupial fauna. The features of marsupial reproduction and development provide a unique opportunity to answer fundamental biological questions. This research will show how the minor differences in key developmental genes that have arisen in their 100 million year isolation give rise to the characteristic differences in developmental timing and reproduction between marsupials and other mammals. The focus on reproduction and development will also provide invaluable knowledge to underpin efforts to conserve our endangered species and to control those that are overabundant.Read moreRead less
Cellular Plasticity in the Brain: discovering molecular mechanisms controlling the production of neurons during brain development, function, ageing and disease. The program aims to understand the mechanisms regulating Brain Plasticity - this recently discovered property of the brain to respond to environmental stimuli, both physiological and pathological, by producing new functional neurons. Specifically, the program will discover how the brain's stem cells are stimulated to produce new neurons. ....Cellular Plasticity in the Brain: discovering molecular mechanisms controlling the production of neurons during brain development, function, ageing and disease. The program aims to understand the mechanisms regulating Brain Plasticity - this recently discovered property of the brain to respond to environmental stimuli, both physiological and pathological, by producing new functional neurons. Specifically, the program will discover how the brain's stem cells are stimulated to produce new neurons. This understanding will significantly expand our knowledge of how the brain develops, and how functions, like memory, are modulated by neuronal replacement. Discoveries will underpin the development of, in association with Australia's biotechnology sector, a new generation of therapeutics, which treat neurological diseases, like Stroke, by stimulating the production of functional neurons.Read moreRead less
Constructing an embryo. This project investigates the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying temporal and spatial organisation in the eutherian preimplantation embryo. It will examine: the relative roles of cell cycle and circadian clocks in developmental timing; the molecular mechanism by which intercellular adhesion patterns influence spatial organisation; the extent to which marsupials use similar timing and spatial localisation mechanisms to eutherians; the impact of in-vitro manipulat ....Constructing an embryo. This project investigates the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying temporal and spatial organisation in the eutherian preimplantation embryo. It will examine: the relative roles of cell cycle and circadian clocks in developmental timing; the molecular mechanism by which intercellular adhesion patterns influence spatial organisation; the extent to which marsupials use similar timing and spatial localisation mechanisms to eutherians; the impact of in-vitro manipulations over the first 5 days of mouse pregnancy on embryonic temporal and spatial organisation.Read moreRead less
Molecular control of apoptosis and protein homeostasis. A million cells are produced every second by cell division. At the same time a million cells commit suicide by a process called apoptosis. When cells fail to die when they should they can develop into cancers. In heart attacks, stroke and neurodegenerative diseases, many cells appear to activate their self destruct mechanism to die unnecessarily. Drugs that can cause cancer cells to kill themselves, or drugs that prevent cells dying when th ....Molecular control of apoptosis and protein homeostasis. A million cells are produced every second by cell division. At the same time a million cells commit suicide by a process called apoptosis. When cells fail to die when they should they can develop into cancers. In heart attacks, stroke and neurodegenerative diseases, many cells appear to activate their self destruct mechanism to die unnecessarily. Drugs that can cause cancer cells to kill themselves, or drugs that prevent cells dying when they shouldn't, would make a major impact on many important diseases. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of cell death is the first step towards developing these drugs.Read moreRead less
Ecology and evolution in dynamic systems: a new approach to conserving Australian biodiversity. Australia has different ecosystems and different species than the rest of the world, and we need a different approach to conserve and manage our unique animals. This project will develop a new, specifically Australian-oriented approach to conservation biology.
Television in the post-broadcast era: the role of old and new media in the formation of national communities. This Federation Fellowship program will examine the place of television in a range of national locations during the post-broadcast era, addressing its socio-cultural function for the citizen as well as considering the competing or complementary roles played by new forms of online journalism. The program will provide a unique international comparative overview of contemporary media system ....Television in the post-broadcast era: the role of old and new media in the formation of national communities. This Federation Fellowship program will examine the place of television in a range of national locations during the post-broadcast era, addressing its socio-cultural function for the citizen as well as considering the competing or complementary roles played by new forms of online journalism. The program will provide a unique international comparative overview of contemporary media systems in the midst of dramatic change. The expertise, critical mass and findings developed within the program will equip Australia to better understand and manage the complex role the media plays in socio-cultural change, while providing cutting edge policy advice to government and industry.Read moreRead less
Precision Pulsar Timing and its Applications. The rapidly rotating pulsars known as millisecond pulsars have period stabilities which rival that of the best terrestrial clocks. Observations of many millisecond pulsars spread across the sky should allow detection of the gravitational-wave background - likely to be the first direct detection of gravity waves. It will also enable establishment of a long-term time standard which is independent of and probably superior to that derived from terrestria ....Precision Pulsar Timing and its Applications. The rapidly rotating pulsars known as millisecond pulsars have period stabilities which rival that of the best terrestrial clocks. Observations of many millisecond pulsars spread across the sky should allow detection of the gravitational-wave background - likely to be the first direct detection of gravity waves. It will also enable establishment of a long-term time standard which is independent of and probably superior to that derived from terrestrial clocks. New analysis techniques and establishment of an international observing network will be required. Investigation and application of techniques for overcoming radio interference will be an important part of the project.Read moreRead less
A clearer view of the evolving universe. The two complementary research objectives of this proposal are (i) a basic research program to understand star formation in galaxies through a study of the correlation betwen far infrared and radio continuum emission and (ii) a strategic research program to develop interference mitigation techniques to enable the next generation of radio telescopes which will study star formation in the early Universe. This programme of research innovation in radio astron ....A clearer view of the evolving universe. The two complementary research objectives of this proposal are (i) a basic research program to understand star formation in galaxies through a study of the correlation betwen far infrared and radio continuum emission and (ii) a strategic research program to develop interference mitigation techniques to enable the next generation of radio telescopes which will study star formation in the early Universe. This programme of research innovation in radio astronomy will also promote the broad aims of furthering opportunities for Australian participation in international science and of gaining insight into ways in which Australia can exploit its niche advantages in the global economy.Read moreRead less
Science for resilience of coral reef systems. Hughes's Fellowship has enormous capacity to provide economic, cultural, environmental and social benefits for Australia. The coral reefs of Australia, particularly the Great Barrier Reef, Ningaloo Reef, and Lord Howe Island World Heritage Area are Australian national icons, of great economic, social, and aesthetic value to this country. Hughes and his collaborators in a newly-created ARC Centre of Excellence will be the premier providers of the scie ....Science for resilience of coral reef systems. Hughes's Fellowship has enormous capacity to provide economic, cultural, environmental and social benefits for Australia. The coral reefs of Australia, particularly the Great Barrier Reef, Ningaloo Reef, and Lord Howe Island World Heritage Area are Australian national icons, of great economic, social, and aesthetic value to this country. Hughes and his collaborators in a newly-created ARC Centre of Excellence will be the premier providers of the scientific expertise that underpins the management of Australian reefs, which is vital for the sustainable use of biodiversity goods and services (e.g. by the tourist industry, fisheries, and recreational users).Read moreRead less
Biohumanities: Philosophical, Historical, and Socio-Cultural Studies of Contemporary Bioscience. Improving understanding of the meaning and implications of contemporary bioscience, especially genetics and molecular biology, through bioliterate research in the humanities and social sciences, and conversely through better assimilation of bioscience and its significance by the humanities and social sciences. The research will be conducted in close collaboration with the Australian scientific commun ....Biohumanities: Philosophical, Historical, and Socio-Cultural Studies of Contemporary Bioscience. Improving understanding of the meaning and implications of contemporary bioscience, especially genetics and molecular biology, through bioliterate research in the humanities and social sciences, and conversely through better assimilation of bioscience and its significance by the humanities and social sciences. The research will be conducted in close collaboration with the Australian scientific community and will be disseminated back to the scientific community, to the humanities and to the Australian public. The project will bring to Australia the strengths of the applicant's existing collaborations with leading research centres in this field in the USA, UK and Canada.Read moreRead less