Developing a new class of RNA delivery vehicle using synthetic virology. This project aims to develop robust protein cages derived from the empty shells of viruses, or capsids, to protect and deliver sensitive cargo such as RNA in agricultural settings. It will do so by directed evolution of non-infectious capsids in the lab. This will uncover the molecular mechanisms underpinning the response of viruses to chemical and biological signals and create a new class of RNA delivery vehicle. This synt ....Developing a new class of RNA delivery vehicle using synthetic virology. This project aims to develop robust protein cages derived from the empty shells of viruses, or capsids, to protect and deliver sensitive cargo such as RNA in agricultural settings. It will do so by directed evolution of non-infectious capsids in the lab. This will uncover the molecular mechanisms underpinning the response of viruses to chemical and biological signals and create a new class of RNA delivery vehicle. This synthetic biology approach combines virology and protein engineering to establish a platform biotechnology for stable and effective delivery. The project expects to demonstrate the potential of nature’s nanoparticles, virus capsids, to enhance the efficacy of RNA technologies in a wide range of applications.Read moreRead less
A novel platform for the biosynthesis of commercially valuable saxitoxins. Saxitoxins are potent microbial toxins, which pose a significant threat to food and water quality. Highly pure saxitoxins are required for environmental monitoring and studies of cell physiology. Certain analogues have also shown promise as long-lasting and non-addictive pain blockers. However, the procurement of these compounds from natural sources is convoluted and unsustainable. This project aims to use the latest synt ....A novel platform for the biosynthesis of commercially valuable saxitoxins. Saxitoxins are potent microbial toxins, which pose a significant threat to food and water quality. Highly pure saxitoxins are required for environmental monitoring and studies of cell physiology. Certain analogues have also shown promise as long-lasting and non-addictive pain blockers. However, the procurement of these compounds from natural sources is convoluted and unsustainable. This project aims to use the latest synthetic biology techniques to characterise, modify and express saxitoxin biosynthesis pathways, thereby providing a sustainable source of toxin analogues of value to industry and research. This novel 'green technology' will benefit the environment, human health and the Australian economy.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR180100030
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,103,883.00
Summary
Development of electrochemically activated sorbents for PFAS defluorination. This project aims to develop a new treatment technology to completely defluorinate per- and poly-fluroalkyl substances (PFAS) and to treat significant water quantities. The majority of existing water treatment technologies are unable to remove PFAS to the desired extent, are prohibitively expensive or are only useful for a very limited lifespan. This project is expected to develop a new treatment technology with the abi ....Development of electrochemically activated sorbents for PFAS defluorination. This project aims to develop a new treatment technology to completely defluorinate per- and poly-fluroalkyl substances (PFAS) and to treat significant water quantities. The majority of existing water treatment technologies are unable to remove PFAS to the desired extent, are prohibitively expensive or are only useful for a very limited lifespan. This project is expected to develop a new treatment technology with the ability to completely defluorinate PFAS, treat significant water quantities and help address many of the pressing concerns facing water treatment operators. This technology is also scalable, and can potentially be used to treat significant quantities of contaminated water.Read moreRead less
Tracking flood waters over Australia using space gravity data. This project aims to assess the utility of near-real-time data from the currently operating space gravity satellite mission to quantify and track flood waters in Australia. Through analysis of the satellite data and fusion of observed signals with rainfall, river flows and conventional hydrological modelling, it expects to create new knowledge of soil moisture and movement of flood waters. Expected outcomes include a capability to im ....Tracking flood waters over Australia using space gravity data. This project aims to assess the utility of near-real-time data from the currently operating space gravity satellite mission to quantify and track flood waters in Australia. Through analysis of the satellite data and fusion of observed signals with rainfall, river flows and conventional hydrological modelling, it expects to create new knowledge of soil moisture and movement of flood waters. Expected outcomes include a capability to improve hydrological models by including the information of water signals obtained from the near-real-time observations. This should provide significant benefits such as more accurate land saturation maps and better predictions of runoff and flood risk.Read moreRead less
Natural flood management: Nature-based flood mitigation in the 21st Century. The 2021-22 floods in Eastern Australia revealed the vulnerability of rivers to climate extremes. To prepare for a future with more intense floods, we must integrate nature-based flood mitigation strategies into river management. This project aims to address the potential of using Natural Flood Management (NFM) as a 21st Century flood mitigation solution. NFM uses natural processes to slow floods, reduce erosion, and mi ....Natural flood management: Nature-based flood mitigation in the 21st Century. The 2021-22 floods in Eastern Australia revealed the vulnerability of rivers to climate extremes. To prepare for a future with more intense floods, we must integrate nature-based flood mitigation strategies into river management. This project aims to address the potential of using Natural Flood Management (NFM) as a 21st Century flood mitigation solution. NFM uses natural processes to slow floods, reduce erosion, and minimise flood risk. Collaborating with NSW government partners the project expects to deliver scientific evidence for NFM and solutions for implementation in river rehabilitation, planning and community capacity building. The results will impact society's ability to adapt, reduce economic costs, and benefit the environment.Read moreRead less
Restoring amphibian populations in chytrid-impacted landscapes. This project aims to address an outstanding problem in wildlife disease ecology: how can we enable susceptible amphibians to persist in the face of the chytrid pathogen, which has devastated amphibian biodiversity? This project expects to generate new knowledge by experimentally trialling two highly promising interventions: immunising animals and creating disease refugia through simple habitat manipulations. Outcomes of this project ....Restoring amphibian populations in chytrid-impacted landscapes. This project aims to address an outstanding problem in wildlife disease ecology: how can we enable susceptible amphibians to persist in the face of the chytrid pathogen, which has devastated amphibian biodiversity? This project expects to generate new knowledge by experimentally trialling two highly promising interventions: immunising animals and creating disease refugia through simple habitat manipulations. Outcomes of this project include a framework for predicting how interventions might enable host-pathogen coexistence. This project should provide significant benefits including enhanced understanding of wildlife disease dynamics that will pave the way for interventions to restore amphibian biodiversity in chytrid-impacted landscapes.Read moreRead less
An in-built depolymerisation solution for polyethylene waste. This project aims to design enzymes that can be embedded into polyethylene, and later activated by the elevated temperatures of a compost heap, to depolymerise the plastic to small molecules. There are no good options available for the controlled decomposition of polyethylene waste at present, and instead researchers have focussed on solutions that rely on modifications to the underlying chemistry of the backbone and or collection to ....An in-built depolymerisation solution for polyethylene waste. This project aims to design enzymes that can be embedded into polyethylene, and later activated by the elevated temperatures of a compost heap, to depolymerise the plastic to small molecules. There are no good options available for the controlled decomposition of polyethylene waste at present, and instead researchers have focussed on solutions that rely on modifications to the underlying chemistry of the backbone and or collection to a central facility. Our approach would result in an in-built decomposition that does not require collection and recycling in a central facility. Since it is based on a depolymerisation mechanism it does not result in the production of harmful, partially disintegrated microplastics.Read moreRead less
Interfacial and Structural Changes During Digestion of Milk-like Systems. This project aims to enhance the understanding of the behaviour of milk and milk-like systems during digestion. Utilising new Australian research infrastructure the project aims to unlock the complex behaviour across different types of milk (including human breast milk) and infant formulae, linking how enzymes behave towards fat droplets and the consequences for lipid structuring and nutrient transport. The rational design ....Interfacial and Structural Changes During Digestion of Milk-like Systems. This project aims to enhance the understanding of the behaviour of milk and milk-like systems during digestion. Utilising new Australian research infrastructure the project aims to unlock the complex behaviour across different types of milk (including human breast milk) and infant formulae, linking how enzymes behave towards fat droplets and the consequences for lipid structuring and nutrient transport. The rational design of systems that function much more closely to human milk will enable the development of new products with flow on benefits in human nutrition and increased utilisation of products from our dairy industry.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230101504
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$438,026.00
Summary
Crossing restrictive biobarriers with self-assembled lipid nanocarriers. This project aims to determine how nanoscale objects which mimic the surface of cells behave in biologically relevant environments. This project expects to generate new knowledge in physical chemistry by complementing innovative surface chemistry design and characterisation with data science approaches. The expected outcome of this project is identification of the mode of interaction of these biomimetic objects with cells, ....Crossing restrictive biobarriers with self-assembled lipid nanocarriers. This project aims to determine how nanoscale objects which mimic the surface of cells behave in biologically relevant environments. This project expects to generate new knowledge in physical chemistry by complementing innovative surface chemistry design and characterisation with data science approaches. The expected outcome of this project is identification of the mode of interaction of these biomimetic objects with cells, which may then reveal a new pathway for the delivery of pharmaceuticals. This could provide significant future benefits in the treatment of neurological diseases and bacterial infections, by overcoming the barrier that the cell surface presents to the uptake of many medicinal drugs.Read moreRead less