The fate of dietary selenium in vivo; a direct approach to linking chemical form with biological activity. Dietary selenium supplementation has great potential as a preventative treatment for a range of human health conditions, including cancer, that widely affect the Australian population. However, the adverse effects of such treatments are not fully recognised. This project will increase our knowledge of how selenium compounds are stored and utilised in the body and relate the information to c ....The fate of dietary selenium in vivo; a direct approach to linking chemical form with biological activity. Dietary selenium supplementation has great potential as a preventative treatment for a range of human health conditions, including cancer, that widely affect the Australian population. However, the adverse effects of such treatments are not fully recognised. This project will increase our knowledge of how selenium compounds are stored and utilised in the body and relate the information to clinical observations regarding dietary intake of selenium and other compounds. The new understanding generated will delineate the conditions for safe intake, so that the beneficial effects associated with selenium supplementation may be harnessed more effectively.Read moreRead less
Development of an Adjustable Porphyrin-based Molecular Platform for Nanotechnology Applications. Nanotechnology, the art of molecular control, is often heralded as the next industrial revolution. For this to be realised, the construction of useful devices will require precise control at the molecular level. Our control is realised through a process called self-assembly which means that the once the components of the device are correctly designed, the device will simply be able to put itself tog ....Development of an Adjustable Porphyrin-based Molecular Platform for Nanotechnology Applications. Nanotechnology, the art of molecular control, is often heralded as the next industrial revolution. For this to be realised, the construction of useful devices will require precise control at the molecular level. Our control is realised through a process called self-assembly which means that the once the components of the device are correctly designed, the device will simply be able to put itself together. This research will use nature's light harvesting elements, namely porphyrins, and our ability to precisely control their position with respect to each other to build new, more efficient solar cells.Read moreRead less
Novel Mass Spectrometric Approaches to the Study of Protein-Protein Interactions. Protein-protein interactions mediate all fundamental cellular processes, yet the structural complexity of protein assemblies mean they are often difficult to characterise using traditional analytical methods. This project will develop and demonstrate novel mass spectrometric approaches towards a molecular level description of the structure and interactions of biological protein complexes, which in turn may underpi ....Novel Mass Spectrometric Approaches to the Study of Protein-Protein Interactions. Protein-protein interactions mediate all fundamental cellular processes, yet the structural complexity of protein assemblies mean they are often difficult to characterise using traditional analytical methods. This project will develop and demonstrate novel mass spectrometric approaches towards a molecular level description of the structure and interactions of biological protein complexes, which in turn may underpin the rational design of drugs for the treatment of a range of human health conditions. This project will also provide training of young researchers to the highest international standards in mass spectrometry and protein science, for benefit to Australian industry and research.Read moreRead less
The Geochemistry of Tellurium in Hydrothermal Environments and the Gold-Tellurium Association. Gold and base metal mining are some of Australia's principal export earners. Thus, improving the country's mining and geological exploration capabilities will be a considerable economic benefit to the whole community. The results of the project will yield information concerning how gold deposits form, improved techniques for gold exploration, and more environmentally friendly techniques for the process ....The Geochemistry of Tellurium in Hydrothermal Environments and the Gold-Tellurium Association. Gold and base metal mining are some of Australia's principal export earners. Thus, improving the country's mining and geological exploration capabilities will be a considerable economic benefit to the whole community. The results of the project will yield information concerning how gold deposits form, improved techniques for gold exploration, and more environmentally friendly techniques for the processing of gold-telluride ores. Read moreRead less
Energetics and dynamics of solvated biologically relevant molecules using liquid microjet and ion imaging technologies. The shape of many biomolecules in solution plays a critical role in determining their biological activity and function. It is known that the bonds that form between the biomolecules and the water solvent control this shape. However, very little is known about the strength and structure of these bonds at different sites around the biomolecule. Many experiments have informed u ....Energetics and dynamics of solvated biologically relevant molecules using liquid microjet and ion imaging technologies. The shape of many biomolecules in solution plays a critical role in determining their biological activity and function. It is known that the bonds that form between the biomolecules and the water solvent control this shape. However, very little is known about the strength and structure of these bonds at different sites around the biomolecule. Many experiments have informed us about the strength of the bonds, others have told us where the bonds occur. This project will provide both pieces of information for the first time, allowing us to better understand, and therefore control, biological function. This work will assist in the development of new biotechnology processes, especially in the emerging area of proteomics.Read moreRead less
Laser Spectroscopic Studies of Non-Covalent Solute-Solvent Interactions Involving Non-Volatile Biomolecules in the Gas Phase. Solute-solvent interactions play a critical role in determining whether or not many biomolecules display biological activity in solution. Making use of our novel liquid microjet injection technology, we will generate micro-solvated gas phase biomolecules by rapid laser desorption from the surface of a liquid jet (here, micro-solvation describes up to ~10 solvent molecule ....Laser Spectroscopic Studies of Non-Covalent Solute-Solvent Interactions Involving Non-Volatile Biomolecules in the Gas Phase. Solute-solvent interactions play a critical role in determining whether or not many biomolecules display biological activity in solution. Making use of our novel liquid microjet injection technology, we will generate micro-solvated gas phase biomolecules by rapid laser desorption from the surface of a liquid jet (here, micro-solvation describes up to ~10 solvent molecules attached to a solute). Following desorption, laser spectroscopy will be used to directly characterise the non-volatile biomolecular solute-solvent topography. This project will create a new application of laser science to study biophysical and biochemical processes that remain difficult, if not impossible, to explore using traditional techniques.Read moreRead less
Cross sections for electron scattering from molecules and radicals of technological and environmental relevance. We will use two state of the art crossed beam spectrometers to measure absolute differential and integral cross sections for low energy electron scattering from molecules and their molecular fragments (radicals). The species to be considered are those of significant industrial (e.g. C2F4, C4F8 and CF2) and environmental (e.g. CO2 and H2O) interest, with the cross sections we will mea ....Cross sections for electron scattering from molecules and radicals of technological and environmental relevance. We will use two state of the art crossed beam spectrometers to measure absolute differential and integral cross sections for low energy electron scattering from molecules and their molecular fragments (radicals). The species to be considered are those of significant industrial (e.g. C2F4, C4F8 and CF2) and environmental (e.g. CO2 and H2O) interest, with the cross sections we will measure being crucial to our modelling both the processes involved in plasma enhanced chemical vapour desposition of semiconductor devices and the spectral emission characteristics of planetary atmospheres. The modelling will be conducted self-consistently with our enhanced statistical equilibrium simulation code, which is unique to Australia.Read moreRead less
Detection of infrared-biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of canine neoplasia. This research hopes to discover infrared-biomarkers for canine cancers using synchrotron infrared and laser light. Many dog cancers are similar to human cancers so cancerous tissues and cells from dogs make excellent models for human cancer research. This project will provide new insights and technological approaches to cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Quantum Coherences in Artificial Light-Harvesting Complexes. The aim of this project is to relate efficient energy and electron transfer processes in molecular materials to the presence of quantum coherences. The ongoing debate on the role of quantum coherences in the efficient harvesting of sunlight of photosynthesis appears to be limited by the complexity of the biological systems and a lack of high instrumentation sensitivity. Using molecular systems and a highly sensitive method, this projec ....Quantum Coherences in Artificial Light-Harvesting Complexes. The aim of this project is to relate efficient energy and electron transfer processes in molecular materials to the presence of quantum coherences. The ongoing debate on the role of quantum coherences in the efficient harvesting of sunlight of photosynthesis appears to be limited by the complexity of the biological systems and a lack of high instrumentation sensitivity. Using molecular systems and a highly sensitive method, this project aims to reveal the effects of molecular conformation and geometry on quantum coherences. The outcome is likely to improve our understanding of nature's remarkable ability to harvest energy efficiently from the sun and foster new approaches that increase the efficiency of light-harvesting systems.Read moreRead less
Skin penetration of nanoparticles promoted by particle design, formulation and application method. This project seeks to better define the determinants of nanoparticle skin penetration and subsequent disposition in the body. The data would be used to guide minimal skin penetration of 'undesirable' nanoparticles and the properties required of 'safe' nanoparticles to enable effective human skin delivery in cosmetic and dermatological products.