Smart affinity membranes for manufacture of high value therapeutic proteins. This project aims to develop next generation separation membranes for production of high-value proteins from serum. Through a combination of innovative chemistries, biotechnology and engineering, the project will enhance production, efficiency and resolution of membranes for separating complex mixtures, thereby contributing to broader understanding in membrane science. By establishing a strong collaborative link between ....Smart affinity membranes for manufacture of high value therapeutic proteins. This project aims to develop next generation separation membranes for production of high-value proteins from serum. Through a combination of innovative chemistries, biotechnology and engineering, the project will enhance production, efficiency and resolution of membranes for separating complex mixtures, thereby contributing to broader understanding in membrane science. By establishing a strong collaborative link between academic and industry researchers, this project has the potential to significantly value-add to existing and exciting Australian technology by enhancing the efficiency of plasma fractionation, improving isolation of large molecules from complex media and by improving the downstream manufacturing and bioprocessing pipeline. Read moreRead less
New antiparasitics to protect Australian livestock. There is an urgent need for new antiparasitics to treat multi-drug resistant livestock infections. This project aims to explore the bacteria and fungi present in the microbiomes of heavily infected sheep faeces and pastures, challenging them with environmental cues, including those from associated parasites, to stimulate production of defensive chemicals hidden deep within their genomes. Enabled by an integrated pipeline of high throughput anal ....New antiparasitics to protect Australian livestock. There is an urgent need for new antiparasitics to treat multi-drug resistant livestock infections. This project aims to explore the bacteria and fungi present in the microbiomes of heavily infected sheep faeces and pastures, challenging them with environmental cues, including those from associated parasites, to stimulate production of defensive chemicals hidden deep within their genomes. Enabled by an integrated pipeline of high throughput analytical cultivation, molecular networking, and chemical and biological analyses, expected outcomes include an enhanced ability to explore and exploit valuable chemistry hidden within microbial genomes, leading to the discovery of new classes of natural antiparasitic to safeguard livestock.
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Mechanistic investigation of fluorinated coatings for stone preservation. We will investigate mechanisms governing the synthesis of a latex used for stone preservation. This latex is made from novel and unusual starting materials, and will be the most complex system for which mechanisms have been investigated. We will redesign the synthesis procedure to control particle size and composition of the functional species at the particle surface. This will enable both particle size and surface composi ....Mechanistic investigation of fluorinated coatings for stone preservation. We will investigate mechanisms governing the synthesis of a latex used for stone preservation. This latex is made from novel and unusual starting materials, and will be the most complex system for which mechanisms have been investigated. We will redesign the synthesis procedure to control particle size and composition of the functional species at the particle surface. This will enable both particle size and surface composition to be tailored as desired. The results will be used to investigate the influence of these quantities on interactions between particles and sandstone surfaces. The outcomes will be used by the industrial partner to devise improved protective coatings for stone surfaces in Australian conditions.Read moreRead less
Elemental release and oxidant production from mixed coal mine dusts. The aim of this project is to understand the implications of physical and chemical characteristics of mixed coal mine dusts to their elemental release and oxidant production. The re-emergence of occupational lung diseases in recent years has revealed a major knowledge gap in the area of respirable particle reactivity. This research will examine the role between coal mine dust and their capacity to produce reactive oxygen specie ....Elemental release and oxidant production from mixed coal mine dusts. The aim of this project is to understand the implications of physical and chemical characteristics of mixed coal mine dusts to their elemental release and oxidant production. The re-emergence of occupational lung diseases in recent years has revealed a major knowledge gap in the area of respirable particle reactivity. This research will examine the role between coal mine dust and their capacity to produce reactive oxygen species, with the focus being on the role of physical and chemical properties of particles and how they transform with age. The findings will be used to develop screening protocols and develop novel monitoring / mitigation strategies for coal mine workers.Read moreRead less
Advanced Fibre Interfaces in Active Water Management Systems. Flooding is a critical issue in Australia, generating considerable economic losses, including by stormwater contamination. The current project will pioneer an integrated solution for stormwater retention, while removing chemical pollutants. In collaboration with the company ROCKWOOL-Lapinus - based on a stonewool fibre platform - we will (i) design fibre coatings based on a versatile and chemically simple deposition process, (ii) inco ....Advanced Fibre Interfaces in Active Water Management Systems. Flooding is a critical issue in Australia, generating considerable economic losses, including by stormwater contamination. The current project will pioneer an integrated solution for stormwater retention, while removing chemical pollutants. In collaboration with the company ROCKWOOL-Lapinus - based on a stonewool fibre platform - we will (i) design fibre coatings based on a versatile and chemically simple deposition process, (ii) incorporate functionalities onto the fibres allowing active stormwater treatment to e.g. retain pollutants or target heavy metals and (iii) investigate these interfaces in-depth by advanced surface and interface characterisation methods to understand the fibre interface properties from nano- to macroscale.Read moreRead less
Effect of cane sugar juice composition on scaling rate and scale composition in sugar mills. The Australia sugar industry produces 1100 GWh of renewable electricity annually, abating ~1.1 M tonnes of CO2-equivalent of greenhouse gases. This can be increased if the juice evaporation performance, which largely determines the energy efficiency of the sugar factory, can be improved through reduced fouling of evaporators. This project will investigate the effect of juice composition on fouling of sug ....Effect of cane sugar juice composition on scaling rate and scale composition in sugar mills. The Australia sugar industry produces 1100 GWh of renewable electricity annually, abating ~1.1 M tonnes of CO2-equivalent of greenhouse gases. This can be increased if the juice evaporation performance, which largely determines the energy efficiency of the sugar factory, can be improved through reduced fouling of evaporators. This project will investigate the effect of juice composition on fouling of sugar factory evaporators so that a model to predict scale type and scale propensity can be developed. This will enable the development of better scale control strategies, resulting in reduced energy usage and reduced usage of the hazardous and polluting chemicals required to remove scale.Read moreRead less
Development and calibration of aquatic passive sampler technologies for emerging water pollutants. Contaminated water is a key exposure source for many emerging pollutants either direct via consumption of water or indirect via consumption of aquatic biota. Monitoring of emerging aquatic pollutants remains a challenge. In this project we will develop cost effective monitoring technologies for emerging aquatic pollutants. The outcome will allow a more comprehensive and cost-effective monitoring ....Development and calibration of aquatic passive sampler technologies for emerging water pollutants. Contaminated water is a key exposure source for many emerging pollutants either direct via consumption of water or indirect via consumption of aquatic biota. Monitoring of emerging aquatic pollutants remains a challenge. In this project we will develop cost effective monitoring technologies for emerging aquatic pollutants. The outcome will allow a more comprehensive and cost-effective monitoring of these pollutants and related to that a decrease in risk related to water pollution. Furthermore it will enhance consumer confidence, improve water management and allow more comprehensive identification of emerging risks related to aquatic pollutants.Read moreRead less
Development and evaluation of a Phytotox-Test for field and laboratory testing of phytotoxic chemicals in water. Monitoring of trace pollutants in water is expensive, laborious and requires sophisticated analytical techniques. Building on the research team's new technique, which uses a phyto-tox test based on photosynthesis inhibition in algae, this study will further develop and evaluate methodologies and applications for measuring phyto-toxic chemicals in environmental water samples. The proj ....Development and evaluation of a Phytotox-Test for field and laboratory testing of phytotoxic chemicals in water. Monitoring of trace pollutants in water is expensive, laborious and requires sophisticated analytical techniques. Building on the research team's new technique, which uses a phyto-tox test based on photosynthesis inhibition in algae, this study will further develop and evaluate methodologies and applications for measuring phyto-toxic chemicals in environmental water samples. The project aims specifically to:
- identify suitable algae, sensitive to phyto-toxic chemicals
- determine dose-response for priority pollutants in selected algae
- evaluate critical parameters affecting measurements
- develop pre-concentration techniques.
The outcomes will provide the first on-site trace pollutant testing method allowing more effective management of water pollution
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Growing a sustainable new molecular resource. This project will provide access to a unique and unexplored Australian molecular resource pre-programmed by evolution for therapeutic potential. These discoveries will enable important biomedical research and advance the development of new improved drugs that treat a diverse array of human diseases and illness.
Application and evaluation of passive samplers for monitoring aquatic pollution. Pollutants in water bodies pose a threat to environmental and human health. Monitoring of chemicals in water has thus become a key challenge for environmental authorities. Sampling based on the
analysis of grab samples is expensive, complicated and provides only patchy data. Passive sampling devices that allow time integrated sampling of pollutants are a promising alternative. This collaborative research aims t ....Application and evaluation of passive samplers for monitoring aquatic pollution. Pollutants in water bodies pose a threat to environmental and human health. Monitoring of chemicals in water has thus become a key challenge for environmental authorities. Sampling based on the
analysis of grab samples is expensive, complicated and provides only patchy data. Passive sampling devices that allow time integrated sampling of pollutants are a promising alternative. This collaborative research aims to evaluate a series of existing and novel passive samplers both in laboratory and field conditions and determine sensitive parameters that significantly influence sampler behaviour.
The project should provide a set of new tools for more effective management of water pollution.Read moreRead less