Measuring pain in livestock: mechanisms, objective biomarkers and treatments. This project aims to create an objective blood test to measure pain in livestock, and to create a new drug treatment for persistent pain by targeting the immunology of the brain and spinal cord. This project expects to generate new knowledge of the involvement of the neuro-immune system in the creation and maintenance of persistent pain and how this can be quantified through the innovative use of peripheral blood tests ....Measuring pain in livestock: mechanisms, objective biomarkers and treatments. This project aims to create an objective blood test to measure pain in livestock, and to create a new drug treatment for persistent pain by targeting the immunology of the brain and spinal cord. This project expects to generate new knowledge of the involvement of the neuro-immune system in the creation and maintenance of persistent pain and how this can be quantified through the innovative use of peripheral blood tests. Expected outcomes of this project include a blood test capable of quantifying the extent of current pain experience, and a cumulative life measure of pain an animal has experienced. This should provide significant benefits to the Australian livestock industry by improving best practice.Read moreRead less
Artificial photosynthesis for solar fuel production. We aim to realise an artificial system that converts solar energy to hydrogen (artificial photosynthesis). The resulting device will be able to 'split' water into oxygen and hydrogen, whereas hydrogen can be further converted into electricity or heat (combustion).
The role of long non-coding RNAs in the epigenetic control of gene expression during endosperm development in plants. Elucidating the molecular events underlying the biology of seed development is important in both understanding plant development and in developing new methods to enhance the productivity and qualities of grain crops. In recent years it has become clear that various classes of non-coding RNAs have important roles in gene regulation. Of these non-coding RNAs, small RNAs (20-25 nucl ....The role of long non-coding RNAs in the epigenetic control of gene expression during endosperm development in plants. Elucidating the molecular events underlying the biology of seed development is important in both understanding plant development and in developing new methods to enhance the productivity and qualities of grain crops. In recent years it has become clear that various classes of non-coding RNAs have important roles in gene regulation. Of these non-coding RNAs, small RNAs (20-25 nucleotides) are beginning to be understood however less is known about the role and complexity of long non-coding RNAs. This project would identify new regulators of seed development that may lead to novel methods to increase grain yields, ultimately benefitting the Australian grains industry.Read moreRead less
Design of novel nanoporous semiconductor materials for clean environment and energy. This project will develop a low cost nanoporous semiconductor device for the capture and conversion of CO2 into fuels by using water and sunlight. This novel approach will deliver a low cost technology that offers clean energy and will help to mitigate global warming.
Testing our knowledge on the dawn of animal life: evidence from the fossil record against modern ecological and morphological analogues. The Cambrian 'Explosion', half a billion years ago, is regarded as one of the most important events in the history of the Earth, when most major animal groups first appear in the rock record, and for which South Australia has recently become a significant source of spectacular fossils. However, important questions remain regarding their Ediacaran roots, the spe ....Testing our knowledge on the dawn of animal life: evidence from the fossil record against modern ecological and morphological analogues. The Cambrian 'Explosion', half a billion years ago, is regarded as one of the most important events in the history of the Earth, when most major animal groups first appear in the rock record, and for which South Australia has recently become a significant source of spectacular fossils. However, important questions remain regarding their Ediacaran roots, the speed of evolution at the time, and the environments in which the radiation took place. Studying the fossil evidence in the light of present-day ecological frameworks, and in comparison with modern behavioural and morphological analogues, as well as living relatives, can help us better assess our understanding of this first radiation of animals.Read moreRead less
Adaptive Morphology and Evolution of Invasive Rabbits and Hares. This project aims to uncover the morphological variation that allows rapid adaptive evolution in two invasive species, the rabbit and hare. This project expects to generate new knowledge at the interface between invasion biology and evolutionary biology, using cutting-edge methods to phenotype widespread populations. This project will address key inter-related hypotheses of rapid adaptive evolution at temporal, spatial and phylogen ....Adaptive Morphology and Evolution of Invasive Rabbits and Hares. This project aims to uncover the morphological variation that allows rapid adaptive evolution in two invasive species, the rabbit and hare. This project expects to generate new knowledge at the interface between invasion biology and evolutionary biology, using cutting-edge methods to phenotype widespread populations. This project will address key inter-related hypotheses of rapid adaptive evolution at temporal, spatial and phylogenetic scales, particularly about changing morphologies involved role in locomotion and dispersal ability. Expected outcomes of this project include a comprehensive phenotypic database of these two species and identifying how these invasive species are adapting to the Australian landscape.Read moreRead less
Using language to predict cognitive outcomes in old age. This project aims to understand the relationship between linguistic complexity metrics and cognitive decline in old age. The project will test the hypothesis that high linguistic complexity scores reflect the ability to strategically optimise processing in the face of age-related reductions in processing capacity. By studying the relation between complexity scores and real-time information processing (measured via electroencephalography) a ....Using language to predict cognitive outcomes in old age. This project aims to understand the relationship between linguistic complexity metrics and cognitive decline in old age. The project will test the hypothesis that high linguistic complexity scores reflect the ability to strategically optimise processing in the face of age-related reductions in processing capacity. By studying the relation between complexity scores and real-time information processing (measured via electroencephalography) across the adult lifespan (20–80 years), this project will develop a simple and accurate marker of the individual balance between processing capacity and strategy. This project has the potential to increase quality of life for the elderly and reduce costs of age-related cognitive impairment.Read moreRead less
Deciphering how plants control water and salt co-transport. This project aims to increase our understanding of how plant cells regulate solute transport. Crop growth depends on water uptake and transport, and the rapid movement of water across plant cell membranes requires transporters such as aquaporins. Preliminary data indicates that a series of signals can switch aquaporins between functioning as highly selective water channels and salt transport channels. The project aims to reveal the mole ....Deciphering how plants control water and salt co-transport. This project aims to increase our understanding of how plant cells regulate solute transport. Crop growth depends on water uptake and transport, and the rapid movement of water across plant cell membranes requires transporters such as aquaporins. Preliminary data indicates that a series of signals can switch aquaporins between functioning as highly selective water channels and salt transport channels. The project aims to reveal the molecular pathways that regulate water and salt co-transport, using genetics, molecular biology, and electrophysiology data to decipher how plants regulate and coordinate aquaporin solute transport during growth and in osmotic adjustment. The project has the potential to lead to improvements in crop-plant solute transport traits, enhanced agricultural productivity, and yield stability in saline and water limited environments.Read moreRead less
Understanding why aluminium and other trace metals are toxic to plants - the key to improving crop yield in degraded soils. Aluminium toxicity drastically reduces plant growth in acid soils, costing Australia approximately $1.5 billion per annum in lost productivity. This project will aim to identify the reasons behind the toxicities of aluminium and other metals and has the potential to increase yields in 50 per cent of Australia’s agricultural land which is acidic.
Going beyond genetics: the shape of marsupial evolution and conservation. This project aims to explain the past and protect the present biodiversity of endangered marsupial mammals such as bilbies and koalas. It will generate new knowledge using an interdisciplinary combination of 3D analysis of skull shape, reflecting a mammal’s ability to feed and sense its surrounds, with the fast-moving fields of marsupial conservation and evolutionary genetics. This will help to anticipate if, and how, chan ....Going beyond genetics: the shape of marsupial evolution and conservation. This project aims to explain the past and protect the present biodiversity of endangered marsupial mammals such as bilbies and koalas. It will generate new knowledge using an interdisciplinary combination of 3D analysis of skull shape, reflecting a mammal’s ability to feed and sense its surrounds, with the fast-moving fields of marsupial conservation and evolutionary genetics. This will help to anticipate if, and how, changing environments and declining numbers reduce these species’ ability to adapt. Benefits include better information to support improved conservation decisions and identification of genes underlying the evolution of marsupial skull diversity.Read moreRead less