Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140101530
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,744.00
Summary
Synchrotron-based modelling of the deformation and fracture mechanism in normal and osteoporotic femurs under multiaxial loading cycles. The femur is a light-weight structure designed to best perform in life. However, the complex tissue architecture, microstructural organisation and its complex loading regimens make it difficult to understand how the femur can deform and fracture. This project studies femoral fractures by modelling the proximal femur with a micrometric level of detail. Synchrotr ....Synchrotron-based modelling of the deformation and fracture mechanism in normal and osteoporotic femurs under multiaxial loading cycles. The femur is a light-weight structure designed to best perform in life. However, the complex tissue architecture, microstructural organisation and its complex loading regimens make it difficult to understand how the femur can deform and fracture. This project studies femoral fractures by modelling the proximal femur with a micrometric level of detail. Synchrotron femur images are taken in loaded and unloaded conditions. Cortical strain and fracture are measured, replicating possible multiaxial loads. Micro finite-element models will be used to study the contribution that the bone tissue architecture, tissue structure and activity types make to the fracture. The resulting knowledge will have future orthopaedic applications.Read moreRead less
Boosting brain plasticity and motor function in older adults. Ageing is associated with a pronounced decline in many motor, cognitive, and other brain functions, but the cause remains elusive. This project will examine the mechanisms that contribute to a decline in brain plasticity and motor function in the elderly. Using novel brain stimulation techniques, the project aims to develop an optimal approach to boost plasticity in the ageing brain and improve motor function. A better understanding o ....Boosting brain plasticity and motor function in older adults. Ageing is associated with a pronounced decline in many motor, cognitive, and other brain functions, but the cause remains elusive. This project will examine the mechanisms that contribute to a decline in brain plasticity and motor function in the elderly. Using novel brain stimulation techniques, the project aims to develop an optimal approach to boost plasticity in the ageing brain and improve motor function. A better understanding of changes in brain function and plasticity with advancing age is expected to help to optimise the design of preventative programs aimed at rejuvenating motor and cognitive function in the elderly.Read moreRead less
Investigating differences in decision-making ability in older adults. This project aims to investigate how healthy ageing impacts decision making and its associated neural circuits using computation modelling and neurogenetic methods. Decision-making is a fundamental cognitive ability, allowing us to choose the best course of action. This project will investigate the relationship between genes and decision-making performance across the adult lifespan. Expected outcomes include a deeper understan ....Investigating differences in decision-making ability in older adults. This project aims to investigate how healthy ageing impacts decision making and its associated neural circuits using computation modelling and neurogenetic methods. Decision-making is a fundamental cognitive ability, allowing us to choose the best course of action. This project will investigate the relationship between genes and decision-making performance across the adult lifespan. Expected outcomes include a deeper understanding of how decision-making evolves in healthy ageing, and a tool based on genetic scores and computational modelling to predict an individual's trajectory of cognitive function. This could help identify individuals who are at risk for cognitive decline, which could then inform better interventions.Read moreRead less
Molecular dynamics of steroid receptor crosstalk. This project uses state-of-the-art technology to show how steroids (for example, testosterone) affect many aspects of human life, and how these can be disrupted by chemicals and synthetic hormones. The results can be used to interpret disease, predict safety of new drugs, and to monitor risk to humans and wildlife of environmental chemicals.