Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354794
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
Australian e-Astronomy. Australian e-Astronomy will provide a pre-eminent example of an integrated e-Science program. The Australian e-Astronomy Research Network will build on and extend the LIEF-funded national program to participate in the International Virtual Observatory. The network includes key members of most Australian astronomy research groups, a strong group representing grid research and advanced computing partnerships and an extensive group of international experts. The network dev ....Australian e-Astronomy. Australian e-Astronomy will provide a pre-eminent example of an integrated e-Science program. The Australian e-Astronomy Research Network will build on and extend the LIEF-funded national program to participate in the International Virtual Observatory. The network includes key members of most Australian astronomy research groups, a strong group representing grid research and advanced computing partnerships and an extensive group of international experts. The network developed by Australian e-Astronomy will service the entire Australian astronomical research community (eg theory codes, databases, software telescopes) and provide new programs for postgraduate research training.Read moreRead less
Understanding the molecular mechanism of force generation in the bacterial flagellar motor. The proposed research will advance the knowledge about how the bacterial flagellar motor works, enabling scientists to learn more about nature's blueprint of a nanoscale engine. It will address the fundamental question of how bacterial cells convert electrochemical energy into mechanical energy of rotation. At present, the smallest artificial electric motor is still on a micro-, rather than nanoscale. Nan ....Understanding the molecular mechanism of force generation in the bacterial flagellar motor. The proposed research will advance the knowledge about how the bacterial flagellar motor works, enabling scientists to learn more about nature's blueprint of a nanoscale engine. It will address the fundamental question of how bacterial cells convert electrochemical energy into mechanical energy of rotation. At present, the smallest artificial electric motor is still on a micro-, rather than nanoscale. Nanotechnology would therefore benefit from this work by basing their designs on the principles behind the mechanism of the bacterial motor. This research is also of interest for veterinary science, as motility by flagellar motor is a key virulence factor of common animal pathogens associated with, for example, listeriosis and gastroenteritis.Read moreRead less
Disorder as a novel determinant of photosynthetic structure and function: an experimental study. Australia enjoys a world reputation in photosynthesis research, typified by hosting the 2001 International Photosynthesis Congress. It also has a claim to fame for theoretical work in non-equilibrium thermodynamics concerning production of disorder or entropy, yielding new insights into planetary climates. This experimental project investigates the novel relation between entropy/entropy production ....Disorder as a novel determinant of photosynthetic structure and function: an experimental study. Australia enjoys a world reputation in photosynthesis research, typified by hosting the 2001 International Photosynthesis Congress. It also has a claim to fame for theoretical work in non-equilibrium thermodynamics concerning production of disorder or entropy, yielding new insights into planetary climates. This experimental project investigates the novel relation between entropy/entropy production and the structure/function of the solar powerhouse of plants (chloroplasts), and addresses fundamental questions at the interface of biology and physics. The research explores chloroplasts as a manifestation of the all-pervading Second Law of Thermodynamics, advancing Australia's contribution to basic science and helping to train researchers.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775708
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$289,680.00
Summary
X-ray Diffraction Microscope. The results of the research will substantially expand Australia's knowledge base in the area of diffraction, imaging and structural biology. It will build up our expertise in x-ray optics and synchrotron technology, and will open up a new approach to x-ray imaging and structure determination.
This will revolutionize our understanding of cellular and sub-cellular organisation with implications for the treatment of disease while the ability to determine structures ....X-ray Diffraction Microscope. The results of the research will substantially expand Australia's knowledge base in the area of diffraction, imaging and structural biology. It will build up our expertise in x-ray optics and synchrotron technology, and will open up a new approach to x-ray imaging and structure determination.
This will revolutionize our understanding of cellular and sub-cellular organisation with implications for the treatment of disease while the ability to determine structures of membrane proteins will open the door to fresh opportunities in rational drug design and biotechnology that will promote innovation in this industry, and the likely foundation of new start-up companies.Read moreRead less
Mechanism of glutamate transport from experimental and simulation studies. Glutamate transporters play key roles in shaping the electrical signaling in the brain. Under conditions of stress or after a stroke, glutamate transporter function is impaired, which can lead to excessive levels of glutamate, cell death and impaired brain function. The project will help to decipher the operation of glutamate transporters at a molecular level and provide greater understanding of how glutamate levels are c ....Mechanism of glutamate transport from experimental and simulation studies. Glutamate transporters play key roles in shaping the electrical signaling in the brain. Under conditions of stress or after a stroke, glutamate transporter function is impaired, which can lead to excessive levels of glutamate, cell death and impaired brain function. The project will help to decipher the operation of glutamate transporters at a molecular level and provide greater understanding of how glutamate levels are controlled, which is vital for developing better treatments for neurological disorders such as stroke. The project will also provide research training in experimental/computational molecular biology, which is a rapidly growing field underpinning the biotechnological and pharmaceutical industries. Read moreRead less
Silk Fibroin Optofluidic Chips. Unlike any other material, even any other biologically occurring material, silk is unique in being very transparent, able to be shaped on a very small scale and can keep natural chemicals like proteins and enzymes active. This project will use silk to make optical devices and sensors. Optics made from silk will have all these properties, which means that they can be used as sensors and devices in biochemistry applications that have never been possible before. Thes ....Silk Fibroin Optofluidic Chips. Unlike any other material, even any other biologically occurring material, silk is unique in being very transparent, able to be shaped on a very small scale and can keep natural chemicals like proteins and enzymes active. This project will use silk to make optical devices and sensors. Optics made from silk will have all these properties, which means that they can be used as sensors and devices in biochemistry applications that have never been possible before. These cost-effective devices will have the potential to enhance healthcare, emergency medicine and assist early medical diagnosis.Read moreRead less
Ultrahigh resolution crystallography and ultrafast laser spectroscopy to uncover the evolution and mechanisms of a unique algal light harvesting system. The results of our research will provide the first comprehensive understanding of a biological light harvesting system at high temporal, energetic and spatial resolution. This will allow us to understand how nature has evolved highly efficient strategies for trapping light. The benefits of this work include spawning ideas as to how to improve ....Ultrahigh resolution crystallography and ultrafast laser spectroscopy to uncover the evolution and mechanisms of a unique algal light harvesting system. The results of our research will provide the first comprehensive understanding of a biological light harvesting system at high temporal, energetic and spatial resolution. This will allow us to understand how nature has evolved highly efficient strategies for trapping light. The benefits of this work include spawning ideas as to how to improve current technologies for enhancing optoelectronic devices and solar collectors. Protein systems are by nature nanotechnology. The understanding gained through probing a natural nanosystem will enhance our understanding of how human designed nanophotonic systems will behave. Read moreRead less
Hierarchical modeling of protein interactions. Protein interactions play a central role in function and structural organization of cells. Their elucidation is essential for a better understanding of many cellular processes from signal transduction to enzyme inhibition. The aim of this project is to utilize the unprecedented powers of current supercomputers in developing a hierarchical model of protein interactions. The method combines Brownian dynamics at large distances and long time scales ....Hierarchical modeling of protein interactions. Protein interactions play a central role in function and structural organization of cells. Their elucidation is essential for a better understanding of many cellular processes from signal transduction to enzyme inhibition. The aim of this project is to utilize the unprecedented powers of current supercomputers in developing a hierarchical model of protein interactions. The method combines Brownian dynamics at large distances and long time scales with molecular dynamics at small distances and shorter times. Applications to both membrane proteins (blocking of ion channels by toxins and drugs) and globular proteins (ligand binding to receptors and protein association) will be considered.Read moreRead less
Statistical Mechanics of Classical Glasses. Glasses and ceramics can possess a combination of properties not available in other materials and thus they are of technological importance with rapidly developing applications. However a fundamental theoretical basis for describing these systems has been missing. The reason for this is that glasses are not in thermodynamic equilibrium, so the standard tools of equilibrium statistical mechanics cannot be rigorously applied . This project will make an i ....Statistical Mechanics of Classical Glasses. Glasses and ceramics can possess a combination of properties not available in other materials and thus they are of technological importance with rapidly developing applications. However a fundamental theoretical basis for describing these systems has been missing. The reason for this is that glasses are not in thermodynamic equilibrium, so the standard tools of equilibrium statistical mechanics cannot be rigorously applied . This project will make an important contribution towards building a strong local knowledge base by addressing the problem of understanding the glassy state. The knowledge base can then serve as a springboard for possible high tech applications in materials science and engineering.Read moreRead less
Linear Dynamical Quantum Networks: Synthesis and Control. Australia is recognized as a leader in the international race to develop quantum technologies of the future. This project will strengthen Australia's profile in quantum technology engineering by developing a new theory for building arbitrary complex linear quantum mechanical control systems for control tasks in quantum technology, and presenting new control system design tools to support high performance quantum communication systems. The ....Linear Dynamical Quantum Networks: Synthesis and Control. Australia is recognized as a leader in the international race to develop quantum technologies of the future. This project will strengthen Australia's profile in quantum technology engineering by developing a new theory for building arbitrary complex linear quantum mechanical control systems for control tasks in quantum technology, and presenting new control system design tools to support high performance quantum communication systems. The project outcomes together with advances in experimental physics are anticipated to play an important role in the long term as enablers of viable quantum technologies that can provide new commercial opportunities for Australian hi-tech industries to benefit Australia's economy in the future.Read moreRead less