Flexible user-guided network layout for biomedical applications. This project will develop techniques for automatic layout of biological network diagrams, allowing users to guide the layout while satisfying any required placement constraints and drawing conventions. As part of the project, these methods will be integrated into several real-world systems biology applications for network browsing and authoring.
Next-generation genomic resources to tackle parasitic diseases of animals. The revolution in genomics provides unprecedented opportunities to tackle destructive parasitic diseases affecting billions of animals worldwide. Through a synergy of leading-edge technologies and a strong partnership with BGI International, this project aims to deliver major conceptual advances in the understanding of parasitism; an unparalleled skills-base in genomics and bioinformatics; innovative new molecular technol ....Next-generation genomic resources to tackle parasitic diseases of animals. The revolution in genomics provides unprecedented opportunities to tackle destructive parasitic diseases affecting billions of animals worldwide. Through a synergy of leading-edge technologies and a strong partnership with BGI International, this project aims to deliver major conceptual advances in the understanding of parasitism; an unparalleled skills-base in genomics and bioinformatics; innovative new molecular technologies; and new treatments and diagnostic tests as biotechnological outcomes. This leap forward in Australia will substantially enhance the global profile of parasitology research, training and employment opportunities for early career scientists, and improve access to international research funding and networks. Read moreRead less
Searching for near-exact protein models. This project aims to develop novel and efficient heuristic-based algorithms leading to near accurate protein tertiary structure models. Knowledge about protein structures is fundamental to our understanding of living systems. The progress on experimental determination of these structures has been extremely limited and remains an open challenge in molecular biology. Computational prediction of protein structures from sequences is emerging as a promising ap ....Searching for near-exact protein models. This project aims to develop novel and efficient heuristic-based algorithms leading to near accurate protein tertiary structure models. Knowledge about protein structures is fundamental to our understanding of living systems. The progress on experimental determination of these structures has been extremely limited and remains an open challenge in molecular biology. Computational prediction of protein structures from sequences is emerging as a promising approach, but its accuracy is far from satisfactory. The software systems developed in this project will be used in structural identification of target proteins in drug design. This will make drug design process more efficient, saving time and cost, potentially saving lives.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE200101323
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$427,098.00
Summary
Structure guided mapping of protein interactions and their perturbation. Protein interactions are central to most biological processes, and significant effort has been devoted to trying to unravel these complicated networks. This project aims to develop new approaches to better understand these interactions, and the consequences of their perturbation. The main expected contributions will be: (i) methods to identify likely protein interaction sites using population conservation; (ii) computationa ....Structure guided mapping of protein interactions and their perturbation. Protein interactions are central to most biological processes, and significant effort has been devoted to trying to unravel these complicated networks. This project aims to develop new approaches to better understand these interactions, and the consequences of their perturbation. The main expected contributions will be: (i) methods to identify likely protein interaction sites using population conservation; (ii) computational approaches to assess the effects of any type of mutation on the interaction; and (iii) an understanding of how disruption of a specific interaction can affect the complicated biological network within a cell. Read moreRead less
Smart algorithms for visual field assessment. Australian demographic studies show that visual impairment contributes significantly to elderly disability. Visual field loss due to glaucoma, the second leading cause of blindness in developed nations, may be slowed if detected early, but recent studies estimate 50% of Australians with glaucoma are undiagnosed. The fast and effective approaches to measuring visual fields discovered in this project will allow more accurate diagnosis and monitoring of ....Smart algorithms for visual field assessment. Australian demographic studies show that visual impairment contributes significantly to elderly disability. Visual field loss due to glaucoma, the second leading cause of blindness in developed nations, may be slowed if detected early, but recent studies estimate 50% of Australians with glaucoma are undiagnosed. The fast and effective approaches to measuring visual fields discovered in this project will allow more accurate diagnosis and monitoring of vision loss; crucial for the ARC's priority goals of "ageing well, ageing productively" and "preventative healthcare". Developing smart algorithms in conjunction with Heidelberg Engineering creates an opportunity for the international promotion of Australia's biomedical software capabilities.Read moreRead less
Uncovering microRNA decay regulation in mammalian cells. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) constitute a novel mechanism used by cells to regulate gene expression, however, very little is known about the mechanisms affecting miRNA accumulation. Characterisation of the kinetics of miRNA turnover is of paramount importance to establish the reliability of miRNAs as novel biomarkers. This project aims to characterise miRNA stability in mammalian cells, investigate mechanisms of turnover and establish their importan ....Uncovering microRNA decay regulation in mammalian cells. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) constitute a novel mechanism used by cells to regulate gene expression, however, very little is known about the mechanisms affecting miRNA accumulation. Characterisation of the kinetics of miRNA turnover is of paramount importance to establish the reliability of miRNAs as novel biomarkers. This project aims to characterise miRNA stability in mammalian cells, investigate mechanisms of turnover and establish their importance on the regulatory function of miRNAs. Such information is critical in the future development of targeted therapeutics.Read moreRead less
Real-time phylogenetics for food-borne outbreak surveillance. The project aims to introduce, for the first time, real-time evolutionary analysis of agricultural pathogens so that outbreaks affecting crops and the food supply can be managed precisely and rapidly. An expert team will implement a large-scale data analytics framework in user-friendly software that integrates Australian infectious disease genomics data with global data. Underpinning this work are new theory and algorithms that apply ....Real-time phylogenetics for food-borne outbreak surveillance. The project aims to introduce, for the first time, real-time evolutionary analysis of agricultural pathogens so that outbreaks affecting crops and the food supply can be managed precisely and rapidly. An expert team will implement a large-scale data analytics framework in user-friendly software that integrates Australian infectious disease genomics data with global data. Underpinning this work are new theory and algorithms that apply Sequential Monte Carlo to update phylogenetic analyses continuously as new data arrives. Expected outcomes include new knowledge of statistical algorithms for evolutionary analysis, relevant to biological disciplines beyond infectious disease; and enhanced capacity for infectious disease analysis. Read moreRead less
BioPPSy: An open source BIOchemical Property Prediction SYstem. Computer software will be developed for the prediction of the pharmacokinetic properties of small molecules to assist in the development of new compounds with drug-like properties. The software will be made freely available to promote its use and further development.