The Market for Technology in Australia. Over the last 5 years, formalised markets for technology have accelerated in the US. However, there is no recognised formal market in Australia. Results from our primary data collection and analysis will highlight whether deficiencies in the market for technology are creating obstacles for the commercialisation of Australian technology. This is a particularly important issue for Australia given our relative isolation arising from geographical distance and ....The Market for Technology in Australia. Over the last 5 years, formalised markets for technology have accelerated in the US. However, there is no recognised formal market in Australia. Results from our primary data collection and analysis will highlight whether deficiencies in the market for technology are creating obstacles for the commercialisation of Australian technology. This is a particularly important issue for Australia given our relative isolation arising from geographical distance and lack of attachment to a major trading bloc such as the EU or NAFTA.Read moreRead less
Organophosphate pesticide degradation: evolved enzymes and biomimetics for bioremediation and medicine. Organophosphate (OP) pesticides are an indispensable part of modern agriculture - their use results in dramatically increased crop yields. However, they are toxic and can damage the environment and cause significant health problems. Enzymes are currently being used to treat runoff water that is contaminated with OPs. The same enzymes also have the potential to aid in the treatment of OP poison ....Organophosphate pesticide degradation: evolved enzymes and biomimetics for bioremediation and medicine. Organophosphate (OP) pesticides are an indispensable part of modern agriculture - their use results in dramatically increased crop yields. However, they are toxic and can damage the environment and cause significant health problems. Enzymes are currently being used to treat runoff water that is contaminated with OPs. The same enzymes also have the potential to aid in the treatment of OP poisoning. However, OP degrading enzymes could be improved in many ways - we will evolve these enzymes to enhance their catalytic properties - to enable them to act more efficiently on an increased number of OPs. Read moreRead less
Directed evolution of enzymes for bioremediation: structure function studies of bimetalloenzymes. We will evolve enzymes that degrade organophosphate pesticides (OPs) that are used in Australian agriculture. Although these OPs were designed to kill insects they are closely related to chemical warfare agents and are known to be toxic to humans. Bacteria have acquired a number of enzymes that degrade some OPs. One such enzyme has been used in field trials demonstrating its potential to degrade OP ....Directed evolution of enzymes for bioremediation: structure function studies of bimetalloenzymes. We will evolve enzymes that degrade organophosphate pesticides (OPs) that are used in Australian agriculture. Although these OPs were designed to kill insects they are closely related to chemical warfare agents and are known to be toxic to humans. Bacteria have acquired a number of enzymes that degrade some OPs. One such enzyme has been used in field trials demonstrating its potential to degrade OP residues. However, many pesticides are not removed rapidly and OP-degrading enzymes require modification(s) if they are to be useful environmental reagents - this can be achieved with directed evolution. Read moreRead less
ARC Research Network for a Secure Australia. The Research Network for a Secure Australia (RNSA) is a multi-disciplinary collaboration established to strengthen Australia's research capacity for protecting critical infrastructure from natural or human-caused disasters including terrorist acts. The RNSA will facilitate a knowledge-sharing network for research organisations, government and the private sector to develop research tools and methods to mitigate emerging safety and security issues relat ....ARC Research Network for a Secure Australia. The Research Network for a Secure Australia (RNSA) is a multi-disciplinary collaboration established to strengthen Australia's research capacity for protecting critical infrastructure from natural or human-caused disasters including terrorist acts. The RNSA will facilitate a knowledge-sharing network for research organisations, government and the private sector to develop research tools and methods to mitigate emerging safety and security issues relating to critical infrastructure. World-leaders with extensive national and international linkages in relevant scientific, engineering and technological research will lead this collaboration. The RNSA will launch various activities to foster research collaboration and nurture young investigators.Read moreRead less
Harnessing the potential of metals in biocatalysis. The project aims to use an integrated, multi-disciplinary approach to study the properties of a group of related but functionally diverse enzymes; binuclear metallohydrolases (BMHs). These enzymes are of great relevance to protein engineers aiming to produce potent agents for bioremediation and pharmacologists interested in developing drugs. Elucidating and modulating the mode of action of BMHs is thus our main objective and should provide esse ....Harnessing the potential of metals in biocatalysis. The project aims to use an integrated, multi-disciplinary approach to study the properties of a group of related but functionally diverse enzymes; binuclear metallohydrolases (BMHs). These enzymes are of great relevance to protein engineers aiming to produce potent agents for bioremediation and pharmacologists interested in developing drugs. Elucidating and modulating the mode of action of BMHs is thus our main objective and should provide essential information to fully exploit the potential of these enzymes for practical applications. In particular, understanding how metal ions interact with BMHs and how this contributes to their reactivity is crucial to optimally understand their biotechnological potential.Read moreRead less
Development of psychological capital in emergency service organisations. The project addresses the research priorities ‘Promoting good health and well being for all Australians’ and Safeguarding Australia. The project will identify ways in which the performance and wellbeing of volunteer and paid members of emergency service organisations can be enhanced, potentially diminishing the likelihood of depression, aggression, and other detrimental effects. The findings will also contribute to the qual ....Development of psychological capital in emergency service organisations. The project addresses the research priorities ‘Promoting good health and well being for all Australians’ and Safeguarding Australia. The project will identify ways in which the performance and wellbeing of volunteer and paid members of emergency service organisations can be enhanced, potentially diminishing the likelihood of depression, aggression, and other detrimental effects. The findings will also contribute to the quality of training provided to leaders in emergency services. Theoretically, the project will advance understanding of the mechanisms that underpin the psychological capital construct, placing Australian researchers at the forefront of this important emerging field of inquiry.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE180100042
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$621,834.00
Summary
Australian dark matter detector for high mass axions. This project aims to provide the necessary equipment to allow an Australian Dark Matter Axion Haloscope, with significantly increased sensitivity by providing a milliKelvin environment and a 14 T magnet to drive axion-to-photon conversions. Dark matter is a fundamental component of the universe yet the nature of its composition is still unknown. There is growing evidence that it is comprised of axions, a low energy, weakly interacting particl ....Australian dark matter detector for high mass axions. This project aims to provide the necessary equipment to allow an Australian Dark Matter Axion Haloscope, with significantly increased sensitivity by providing a milliKelvin environment and a 14 T magnet to drive axion-to-photon conversions. Dark matter is a fundamental component of the universe yet the nature of its composition is still unknown. There is growing evidence that it is comprised of axions, a low energy, weakly interacting particle. The precision measurement tools developed by this project will have the potential to contribute both to the economy, via commercialisation, and to national security, via future applications to radar, communication and the development of engineered quantum systems.Read moreRead less
Building capacity for adaptive management in protected areas through improved systems for monitoring and evaluation. The project demonstrates how evaluation can lead to improved management of protected areas. Effectively managed protected areas are essential for biodiversity conservation. Improved management, and hence improved conservation outcomes will flow from enhanced use of monitoring and evaluation data in decision-making. Identifying strengths and weaknesses in management will allow mana ....Building capacity for adaptive management in protected areas through improved systems for monitoring and evaluation. The project demonstrates how evaluation can lead to improved management of protected areas. Effectively managed protected areas are essential for biodiversity conservation. Improved management, and hence improved conservation outcomes will flow from enhanced use of monitoring and evaluation data in decision-making. Identifying strengths and weaknesses in management will allow managers to better allocate resource for more effective conservation outcomes. The project establishes connections with all protected area management agencies in Australia, and will contribute to the development of national policy and practice in protected area evaluation and reporting, thus helping to meet national and international reporting obligations. Read moreRead less
Serving the greater good: using 'Servant Leadership' to build ethical and engaging work practices. The project will result in the first organisational application in Australia of a leadership development program based on scientific foundations of the 'Servant Leadership' framework. The outcomes will benefit organisations of all types in developing the leadership capabilities required to create ethical, positive, and sustainable work environments.
Planning for the impacts of land-uses on coral reef fisheries. This projects aims to develop models that can determine the ecological and economic impacts of land-use changes (e.g. agriculture) on fisheries and assess alternative land-use plans that seek to maximise economic opportunity while protecting fisheries. Fisheries support the livelihoods of 12 per cent of the world’s population. Land-based activities are among the most significant threats to coral reef fisheries because sediments and n ....Planning for the impacts of land-uses on coral reef fisheries. This projects aims to develop models that can determine the ecological and economic impacts of land-use changes (e.g. agriculture) on fisheries and assess alternative land-use plans that seek to maximise economic opportunity while protecting fisheries. Fisheries support the livelihoods of 12 per cent of the world’s population. Land-based activities are among the most significant threats to coral reef fisheries because sediments and nutrients degrade reefs, yet they are often ignored in fisheries management. By improving the sustainability of coastal development, biodiversity conservation, and health of fisheries, the models developed by the project could deliver socio-economic and environmental benefits for millions of people reliant upon fisheries for their livelihoods.Read moreRead less