The biosynthesis of structural proteins in parasites. The socio-economic impact of parasitic diseases, in Australia and throughout the world, is enormous- they kill 2-3 million people per year and cost livestock industries billions of dollars per annum. Some are serious food and waterborne threats, such as the coccidia, because they are transmitted from person-to-person via the faecal-oral route, or via ingestion of contaminated water or food, or through the ingestion of cysts in raw or underco ....The biosynthesis of structural proteins in parasites. The socio-economic impact of parasitic diseases, in Australia and throughout the world, is enormous- they kill 2-3 million people per year and cost livestock industries billions of dollars per annum. Some are serious food and waterborne threats, such as the coccidia, because they are transmitted from person-to-person via the faecal-oral route, or via ingestion of contaminated water or food, or through the ingestion of cysts in raw or undercooked meat. They cause diarrhoea, which in some cases, can be life-threatening. We will understand how the coccidia protect themselves as they move from host to host and, through that understanding, develop new ways to control them and eliminate the suffering caused by parasitic diseases.Read moreRead less
Parasite virulence: the role of activation and suppression of P2X7 receptors. Toxoplasmosis and leishmaniasis pose a threat to the health and well-being of the Australian human and animal populations. Around 6-8 million Australians are infected with Toxoplasma, a parasite that can cause severe problems in immunosuppressed individuals and birth defects and miscarriage in pregnant women with a primary infection. Toxoplasmosis is also the main cause of abortion and stillbirth in Australian sheep. L ....Parasite virulence: the role of activation and suppression of P2X7 receptors. Toxoplasmosis and leishmaniasis pose a threat to the health and well-being of the Australian human and animal populations. Around 6-8 million Australians are infected with Toxoplasma, a parasite that can cause severe problems in immunosuppressed individuals and birth defects and miscarriage in pregnant women with a primary infection. Toxoplasmosis is also the main cause of abortion and stillbirth in Australian sheep. Leishmaniasis, recently found in Australia, is a risk for overseas travellers, livestock and wildlife. This research will provide an understanding of what makes these parasites successful, paving the way for development of novel drugs to combat these chronic diseases.Read moreRead less
Mongolian medicine: different modes of knowledge transmission. This project aims to investigate a multispecies approach within nomadic medical practices and how this knowledge has been transmitted on the Mongolian Plateau. It will examine how Mongolian medicine treats both humans and animal patients, and how multispecies knowledge has developed over time. The project will focus on three forms of knowledge transmission: learning through word-of-mouth and practical trial-and-error; a more structur ....Mongolian medicine: different modes of knowledge transmission. This project aims to investigate a multispecies approach within nomadic medical practices and how this knowledge has been transmitted on the Mongolian Plateau. It will examine how Mongolian medicine treats both humans and animal patients, and how multispecies knowledge has developed over time. The project will focus on three forms of knowledge transmission: learning through word-of-mouth and practical trial-and-error; a more structured form of learning through Buddhist monasteries, which engages with both apprenticeship and ancient texts; and the modern institutional model of the hospital. The project expects to contribute to research on global health across species, as well as across different environmental contexts within local settings.Read moreRead less
Realistic models of permeation in ion channels. Ion channels are formed by proteins in cell membranes and provide pathways for fast and controlled flow of selected ions. This activity generates action potentials in nerves and muscles that forms the basis of all movement, sensation and thought processes. Recent determination of the crystal structure of channel proteins has enabled construction of models that can relate channel function to its structure--necessary for understanding their operati ....Realistic models of permeation in ion channels. Ion channels are formed by proteins in cell membranes and provide pathways for fast and controlled flow of selected ions. This activity generates action potentials in nerves and muscles that forms the basis of all movement, sensation and thought processes. Recent determination of the crystal structure of channel proteins has enabled construction of models that can relate channel function to its structure--necessary for understanding their operation and seeking cures for diseases caused by their malfunction. This project aims to develop accurate ion-protein-water interactions for permeation models based on stochastic and molecular dynamics simulations using both classical and quantum mechanical methods.Read moreRead less
The First Deep Infrared Study of the Nearby Galaxy Population. We will conduct two major near-infrared (IR) surveys: The Southern Galactic Cap near-IR survey, and the Local Sphere of Influence survey. These surveys will capitalise on the innovative and award winning Australian IRIS2 facility. The two surveys push the observational frontier by orders of magnitude. They will be used to explore the close connection between the near-IR global properties of a galaxy and its underlying physics and pro ....The First Deep Infrared Study of the Nearby Galaxy Population. We will conduct two major near-infrared (IR) surveys: The Southern Galactic Cap near-IR survey, and the Local Sphere of Influence survey. These surveys will capitalise on the innovative and award winning Australian IRIS2 facility. The two surveys push the observational frontier by orders of magnitude. They will be used to explore the close connection between the near-IR global properties of a galaxy and its underlying physics and provide a generic local reference for the upcoming next generation infrared space-telescope missions.
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Star Formation and Gas Consumption in High Redshift Galaxies. The research addresses fundamental issues in the nature of the Universe and how our present world came to be. The spirit of exploration is contagious, and Australia's successes in astronomy are a source of national pride.
Observations of hydrogen gas have long been recognised as a key to following galaxy formation and evolution, and they are a key driver for building the Square Kilometre Array telescope, a project which could be si ....Star Formation and Gas Consumption in High Redshift Galaxies. The research addresses fundamental issues in the nature of the Universe and how our present world came to be. The spirit of exploration is contagious, and Australia's successes in astronomy are a source of national pride.
Observations of hydrogen gas have long been recognised as a key to following galaxy formation and evolution, and they are a key driver for building the Square Kilometre Array telescope, a project which could be sited in Australia. The SKA project is a multi-billion dollar project, which would bring international recognition and prestige. Development of the scientific expertise to motivate this project is an important part of establishing Australia's leadership role.Read moreRead less
Galactic Archaeology: A Radial Velocity Experiment to Unveil the History of the Milky Way. The ambitious RAdial Velocity Experiment (RAVE) will measure velocities and chemical properties of 50 million stars in the period 2006-2010 - 2000 times the number measured throughout history. RAVE will use a new-technology Australian fiber spectrometer at the Siding Spring UK Schmidt Telescope. A key demonstrator for RAVE is our proposed pilot survey using existing instruments to measure 100,000 stars - a ....Galactic Archaeology: A Radial Velocity Experiment to Unveil the History of the Milky Way. The ambitious RAdial Velocity Experiment (RAVE) will measure velocities and chemical properties of 50 million stars in the period 2006-2010 - 2000 times the number measured throughout history. RAVE will use a new-technology Australian fiber spectrometer at the Siding Spring UK Schmidt Telescope. A key demonstrator for RAVE is our proposed pilot survey using existing instruments to measure 100,000 stars - already 20 times larger than any previous survey - providing unique chemical and kinematical fingerprints of our Galaxy's formation. This is critical for determining the optimum observing strategy, data management, and software pipeline, before embarking on the full survey in 2006.Read moreRead less
The Last 8 Billion Years of Cosmic Evolution. A key factor in Australia's international prominence in astronomy has been the development and use of innovative instrumentation on its telescopes to undertake major leading-edge surveys. This project will enhance this reputation by using the new AAOmega facility on the 3.9m Anglo-Australian Telescope to make the largest ever survey of galaxies in the distant universe. This will allow us to address the two most important issues in cosmology today - ....The Last 8 Billion Years of Cosmic Evolution. A key factor in Australia's international prominence in astronomy has been the development and use of innovative instrumentation on its telescopes to undertake major leading-edge surveys. This project will enhance this reputation by using the new AAOmega facility on the 3.9m Anglo-Australian Telescope to make the largest ever survey of galaxies in the distant universe. This will allow us to address the two most important issues in cosmology today - the nature of the "dark energy" that is causing the universe's expansion to accelerate, and the detailed role of dark matter in galaxy formation and evolution. Read moreRead less
Understanding the Evolution of the Milky Way. This research will produce stunning radio images of the Milky Way, which will help us understand the nature of our Galaxy and how it evolves. This project will capitalise on Australia's unique strengths in radio astronomy to help return Australia to the forefront of Milky Way research. The headway made on understanding the evolution of the Milky Way will be applied to understanding countless other galaxies and the Universe as a whole.
Galactic Archaeology: A Radial Velocity Experiment to Unveil the History of the Milky Way. The RAVE survey is a large international project, conceived by Australians and involving astronomers from 10 countries. The survey is well-known internationally - it enhances Australia's scientific visibility and contributes very significantly to Australia's international collaborations in science. RAVE will be an outstanding resource for Australia's distinguished community of stellar and galactic astronom ....Galactic Archaeology: A Radial Velocity Experiment to Unveil the History of the Milky Way. The RAVE survey is a large international project, conceived by Australians and involving astronomers from 10 countries. The survey is well-known internationally - it enhances Australia's scientific visibility and contributes very significantly to Australia's international collaborations in science. RAVE will be an outstanding resource for Australia's distinguished community of stellar and galactic astronomers, as well as for the international community. A large astronomical survey of this kind provides excellent opportunities for public outreach and stimulation of young Australian prospective scientists.Read moreRead less