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Developing innovative contact lens designs and materials for effective and safe corneal refractive reshaping. Despite the increasing prevalence of refractive errors, there are limited options available for refractive error correction. Current contact lens designs for orthokeratology, a corneal reshaping technique which temporarily reduces refractive error, are effective for correcting only low to moderate myopia (short-sightedness). In this project, we will use innovative lens design approache ....Developing innovative contact lens designs and materials for effective and safe corneal refractive reshaping. Despite the increasing prevalence of refractive errors, there are limited options available for refractive error correction. Current contact lens designs for orthokeratology, a corneal reshaping technique which temporarily reduces refractive error, are effective for correcting only low to moderate myopia (short-sightedness). In this project, we will use innovative lens design approaches that harness the fluid forces generated in the post-lens tear film, and modulation of the corneal tissue response to these pressures, to develop novel contact lens designs in appropriate lens materials for effective and safe corneal reshaping to correct a wide range of refractive errors.Read moreRead less
Functional genomics of light stress resistance in the model organism Chlamydomonas: combining molecular genetics, transcriptome and proteome analysis. This project aims at combining molecular genetics, transcriptome and proteome analysis to identify genes and pathways underlying high light stress tolerance in previously isolated mutants of the chlorophyte Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Comprehensive profiles of transcriptome-proteome linkage will be constructed without the complications of multicel ....Functional genomics of light stress resistance in the model organism Chlamydomonas: combining molecular genetics, transcriptome and proteome analysis. This project aims at combining molecular genetics, transcriptome and proteome analysis to identify genes and pathways underlying high light stress tolerance in previously isolated mutants of the chlorophyte Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Comprehensive profiles of transcriptome-proteome linkage will be constructed without the complications of multicellularity for this unicellular photosynthetic model organism. We will establish a public proteome reference database and provide new microarrays and molecular markers beneficial for research in Chlamydomonas. We expect to advance understanding of high light resistance mechanisms so that it will eventually be applicable to improve productivity in crop plants growing under various environmental stress conditions.Read moreRead less
The future of corneal refractive reshaping: can we control myopia or is the risk of corneal compromise too great? Refinement of corneal reshaping lens designs, optimised for visual outcomes through manipulation of aberrations, will significantly benefit local contact lens manufacturing and export by expanding the existing market base. This research will also strategically position Australian lens manufacturing to capitalise on the market for myopia-control contact lenses, particularly in the As ....The future of corneal refractive reshaping: can we control myopia or is the risk of corneal compromise too great? Refinement of corneal reshaping lens designs, optimised for visual outcomes through manipulation of aberrations, will significantly benefit local contact lens manufacturing and export by expanding the existing market base. This research will also strategically position Australian lens manufacturing to capitalise on the market for myopia-control contact lenses, particularly in the Asian region. Significant intellectual property will be generated for Australia in terms of enhanced understanding of the role of manipulation of corneal shape in modulating progressive myopia. Outcomes from this project will enhance the international reputation of the UNSW research group, keeping Australian science at the forefront of this area of research.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0453524
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$321,456.00
Summary
The Centre for Advanced Light Microscopy: Equipment for in-vivo multiphoton microscopy and high-throughput confocal microscopy. The Centre for Advanced Light Microscopy was established with ARC RIEF funding and is currently experiencing overwhelming demand as the sole confocal provider for 260 researchers at multiple institutions in south-east Queensland. The present joint application of the Universities of Queensland and Southern Queensland seeks to build on the resounding success of the origi ....The Centre for Advanced Light Microscopy: Equipment for in-vivo multiphoton microscopy and high-throughput confocal microscopy. The Centre for Advanced Light Microscopy was established with ARC RIEF funding and is currently experiencing overwhelming demand as the sole confocal provider for 260 researchers at multiple institutions in south-east Queensland. The present joint application of the Universities of Queensland and Southern Queensland seeks to build on the resounding success of the original initiative by introducing state-of-the-art confocal and multiphoton applications. This powerful platform technology will allow structural and functional information to be obtained from sensitive live samples with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution, augmenting and accelerating vital research in the biosciences.
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Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354588
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
Integrated Nanoscale Biosystems Network (INBN). The INBN will integrate high-priority research, already identified by the ARC, in materials nanoscience and engineering with nanoscale biology. The INBN will provide the means to consolidate world-class multidisciplinary Australian research groups in existing Centres of Excellence, including several Federation Fellows, into a nanobiotechnology focus. The significant outcomes of INBN are the critical mass of outstanding researchers in the nanobiosci ....Integrated Nanoscale Biosystems Network (INBN). The INBN will integrate high-priority research, already identified by the ARC, in materials nanoscience and engineering with nanoscale biology. The INBN will provide the means to consolidate world-class multidisciplinary Australian research groups in existing Centres of Excellence, including several Federation Fellows, into a nanobiotechnology focus. The significant outcomes of INBN are the critical mass of outstanding researchers in the nanobiosciences, facilitation of innovative research to produce novel intellectual property and provision of pathways into collaborative research with international scientists and industry, and the training and development of the next generation scientists for this emerging discipline.
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Novel photoprotective mechanisms and functional biodiversity of high light tolerance in the model alga Chlamydomonas. Most plants have limited capacity to avoid high light (HL) stress which commonly accompanies drought and high temperature stress. We will identify novel genes and proteins that underlie diverse mechanisms of photoprotection in unique very high light resistant (VHLR) mutants in the alga Chlamydomonas and develop new tools to screen other plants for these attributes. Depending on p ....Novel photoprotective mechanisms and functional biodiversity of high light tolerance in the model alga Chlamydomonas. Most plants have limited capacity to avoid high light (HL) stress which commonly accompanies drought and high temperature stress. We will identify novel genes and proteins that underlie diverse mechanisms of photoprotection in unique very high light resistant (VHLR) mutants in the alga Chlamydomonas and develop new tools to screen other plants for these attributes. Depending on progress, we expect to express them in the higher plant Arabidopsis as a first step towards utilization of VHLR genes for crop improvement. Understanding the mechanisms conferring HL photoprotection is a research priority in plant sciences and will further strengthen Australia's innovative contributions to the internationally networked Chlamydomonas Genome Project.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989589
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$550,000.00
Summary
A massively parallel genome analysis facility for the ACT region. Maintaining a healthy environment, supporting a sustainable agriculture industry and providing excellent healthcare are three key requirements for the future of Australia and Australians. Modern biological research has a major role to play in all three areas. The success and application of this research requires a serious investment in the new technologies that enable a systems-wide high throughput approach to biological questions ....A massively parallel genome analysis facility for the ACT region. Maintaining a healthy environment, supporting a sustainable agriculture industry and providing excellent healthcare are three key requirements for the future of Australia and Australians. Modern biological research has a major role to play in all three areas. The success and application of this research requires a serious investment in the new technologies that enable a systems-wide high throughput approach to biological questions. Co-investing in a massively parallel genome analysis facility to underpin cutting edge environmental, agricultural and biomedical research in the ACT region, will facilitate progress in areas of the utmost importance to the community and future of the nation.Read moreRead less
Harnessing contact lens design to optimise optics and vision through corneal refractive reshaping. Development of innovative OK lens designs to correct presbyopia and astigmatism, optimised for visual performance through manipulation of optical aberrations, will place Australian rigid contact lens manufacturing at the international forefront of OK lens production. Lens designs to control myopia progression will strategically position Australian lens manufacturing to capitalise on the potential m ....Harnessing contact lens design to optimise optics and vision through corneal refractive reshaping. Development of innovative OK lens designs to correct presbyopia and astigmatism, optimised for visual performance through manipulation of optical aberrations, will place Australian rigid contact lens manufacturing at the international forefront of OK lens production. Lens designs to control myopia progression will strategically position Australian lens manufacturing to capitalise on the potential market in Asia, where myopia is prevalent. Significant intellectual property will be generated for Australia through greater understanding of OK lens design manipulation to optimise visual outcomes. This project promises to enhance the international reputation of UNSW researchers, keeping Australian science at the forefront of this research area.Read moreRead less
Endosymbiotic DNA transfer. Interorganellar DNA movement is a major force in evolution. In higher organisms, the prokaryotic ancestors of mitochondria and chloroplasts donated many genes to the nucleus. Plants have unique potential in studies of the mechanisms that have driven genome evolution. We established experimentally that DNA moves from the chloroplast to the nucleus at high frequency and this provided us with a world lead in this scientifically new area. The relocated genes contribute to ....Endosymbiotic DNA transfer. Interorganellar DNA movement is a major force in evolution. In higher organisms, the prokaryotic ancestors of mitochondria and chloroplasts donated many genes to the nucleus. Plants have unique potential in studies of the mechanisms that have driven genome evolution. We established experimentally that DNA moves from the chloroplast to the nucleus at high frequency and this provided us with a world lead in this scientifically new area. The relocated genes contribute to the number and diversity of genes and gene function. Genetically manipulated (GM) crops use the chloroplast compartment to make high levels of protein, necessitating a full understanding of how transgenes behave within the cellular and the external environment.Read moreRead less
Exploring and harnessing mobile DNA: Integrons and gene cassettes in natural populations of Bacteria. Bacteria respond rapidly to environmental change by acquiring new genes via lateral gene transfer. The integron/gene cassette system is important in this process as it is found in an increasingly broad range of bacteria. As well as being common, we have shown that the system is associated with an unprecedented amount of genetic novelty. Here we explore the limits of this novelty and its con ....Exploring and harnessing mobile DNA: Integrons and gene cassettes in natural populations of Bacteria. Bacteria respond rapidly to environmental change by acquiring new genes via lateral gene transfer. The integron/gene cassette system is important in this process as it is found in an increasingly broad range of bacteria. As well as being common, we have shown that the system is associated with an unprecedented amount of genetic novelty. Here we explore the limits of this novelty and its contribution to bacterial evolution. In so doing we have the potential to identify new commercially important genes and develop enabling technologies. These discoveries could produce beneficial outcomes for exploitation by a wide range of Australian industries.Read moreRead less