Human Leukocyte Antigen-A and -B regulation of Natural Killer cell function. The aim of this project is to determine how genetic variation in the genes encoding cell surface receptors expressed by innate lymphocytes and the molecules they recognise diversifies their capacity to sense and respond to infection. This knowledge is critical for understanding why there are intrinsic differences between individuals with respect to their capacity to respond to different types of infection and will ultim ....Human Leukocyte Antigen-A and -B regulation of Natural Killer cell function. The aim of this project is to determine how genetic variation in the genes encoding cell surface receptors expressed by innate lymphocytes and the molecules they recognise diversifies their capacity to sense and respond to infection. This knowledge is critical for understanding why there are intrinsic differences between individuals with respect to their capacity to respond to different types of infection and will ultimately inform our capacity to better deploy personalised medicines.Read moreRead less
The fundamental equations for inversion of operator pencils. This project seeks to deepen understanding of how complex systems may be significantly changed by incremental changes to ambient conditions. Mathematical models of complex systems (climate change processes, optimal driving strategies, efficient distribution policies, effective search routines) often depend on key parameters. If small perturbations to the parameters cause large changes to the solution, then the perturbations are said to ....The fundamental equations for inversion of operator pencils. This project seeks to deepen understanding of how complex systems may be significantly changed by incremental changes to ambient conditions. Mathematical models of complex systems (climate change processes, optimal driving strategies, efficient distribution policies, effective search routines) often depend on key parameters. If small perturbations to the parameters cause large changes to the solution, then the perturbations are said to be singular. This project aims to reveal the underlying mathematical structures and develop new computational algorithms to analyse a general class of perturbed systems both locally near an isolated singularity and globally. It plans to use these algorithms to solve systems of equations, calculate generalised inverse operators, examine perturbed Markov processes, and estimate exit times from meta-stable states in stochastic population dynamics.Read moreRead less
The prediction of sleep/wake behaviour based on physiological and social factors. The prevalence of shiftwork has increased in Australia over the last few decades. Shiftworkers obtain less sleep, have greater difficulty maintaining good relationships, have poorer health, and are more likely to be injured at work than others. Using the largest dataset of its kind, we will substantially contribute to understanding the relationships between work hours, sleep, performance and safety. Ultimately, the ....The prediction of sleep/wake behaviour based on physiological and social factors. The prevalence of shiftwork has increased in Australia over the last few decades. Shiftworkers obtain less sleep, have greater difficulty maintaining good relationships, have poorer health, and are more likely to be injured at work than others. Using the largest dataset of its kind, we will substantially contribute to understanding the relationships between work hours, sleep, performance and safety. Ultimately, the project will answer a question critical to workplace safety - how much time off between shifts is needed to be alert and safe at work? The project will also produce tools to help industry design fatigue-friendly rosters, improving the safety, productivity and general well-being of shiftworkers in Australia and overseas.Read moreRead less
New biocatalysts for selective chemical oxidations under extreme conditions. This project will identify and design new enzyme biocatalysts which function under extreme conditions such as elevated temperature and high concentrations of peroxides. These enzymes will be sourced from microorganisms which are located in extreme biological environments e.g. hot springs (the so-called extremophiles). The expected outcome of this project are the identification of robust enzymes which can catalyse select ....New biocatalysts for selective chemical oxidations under extreme conditions. This project will identify and design new enzyme biocatalysts which function under extreme conditions such as elevated temperature and high concentrations of peroxides. These enzymes will be sourced from microorganisms which are located in extreme biological environments e.g. hot springs (the so-called extremophiles). The expected outcome of this project are the identification of robust enzymes which can catalyse selective oxidation reactions in complex organic molecules, such as steroids. The new biocatalysts developed in this project will have significant benefit in the development of new routes to access bespoke molecules of value in fine chemical synthesis and drug development.
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Design and Fabrication of 2D Hybrid Materials. There are >300 2D materials like graphene with potentially exotic and useful electrooptic and superconductor properties that will drive novel industrial applications. This project aims to use advanced computational and experimental techniques to discover and fabricate new 2D hybrid materials built from different layers of 2D materials. This approach is essential as the number of possible hybrids is huge (millions) and current processes to identify a ....Design and Fabrication of 2D Hybrid Materials. There are >300 2D materials like graphene with potentially exotic and useful electrooptic and superconductor properties that will drive novel industrial applications. This project aims to use advanced computational and experimental techniques to discover and fabricate new 2D hybrid materials built from different layers of 2D materials. This approach is essential as the number of possible hybrids is huge (millions) and current processes to identify and build 2D hybrids are technically challenging and slow. Expected outcomes include defining a new paradigm for efficient identification and synthesis of 2D hybrids with exotic, bespoke properties. The generation of a large database of materials for researchers/industry would be of wide benefit.Read moreRead less
Designing and Building Novel 2D Hybrid Materials. The aim of this project is to use computational and experimental techniques to discover and fabricate new hybrid materials. Single-layer (2-D) materials like graphene have gained prominence and new ones are constantly being reported. Hybrid materials built from combinations of 2-D layers are appearing but progress is slow. This project is designed to increase the rate of discovery and fabrication of hybrids. The outcome would be an extensive data ....Designing and Building Novel 2D Hybrid Materials. The aim of this project is to use computational and experimental techniques to discover and fabricate new hybrid materials. Single-layer (2-D) materials like graphene have gained prominence and new ones are constantly being reported. Hybrid materials built from combinations of 2-D layers are appearing but progress is slow. This project is designed to increase the rate of discovery and fabrication of hybrids. The outcome would be an extensive database of materials properties, clear direction on how to control material properties, and manufacturing protocols to build a wide range of new materials.Read moreRead less
New methods for improving active adaptive management in biological systems. Understanding population dynamics is critical in many areas of national importance to Australia, such as protection of biodiversity, management of invasive species and prediction of the possible effects of climate change. This project will develop a collection of state-of-the-art methods enabling optimal ecological management.