Pore Engineering of Chromatography Membranes for Bioseparation. Protein separation and purification is an essential unit operation in manufacturing processes of therapeutic proteins. The project aims to advance the practical applications of chromatography membrane, an emerging technology for protein separation and purification, by tailoring membrane pore geometry and surface functionality to achieve enhanced separation performance. The project expects to generate advanced knowledge and technique ....Pore Engineering of Chromatography Membranes for Bioseparation. Protein separation and purification is an essential unit operation in manufacturing processes of therapeutic proteins. The project aims to advance the practical applications of chromatography membrane, an emerging technology for protein separation and purification, by tailoring membrane pore geometry and surface functionality to achieve enhanced separation performance. The project expects to generate advanced knowledge and techniques in the fields of reactive polymer synthesis, functional membrane fabrication and application in bioseparation. The innovative membranes developed in the project are able to improve the production capacity of therapeutic protein manufacturing processes, providing significant economic benefits to Australia.Read moreRead less
Industrial biotechnology for improved manufacture of medicinal alkaloids. Industrial biotechnology for improved manufacture of medicinal alkaloids. This project aims to develop a new semi-synthetic route for the manufacture of Codeine from Thebaine. Codeine is manufactured by the chemical conversion of poppy-derived Morphine, which is low yielding and environmentally unfriendly. This project will investigate and optimise two key enzymes in the biosynthetic pathway to Codeine and develop an innov ....Industrial biotechnology for improved manufacture of medicinal alkaloids. Industrial biotechnology for improved manufacture of medicinal alkaloids. This project aims to develop a new semi-synthetic route for the manufacture of Codeine from Thebaine. Codeine is manufactured by the chemical conversion of poppy-derived Morphine, which is low yielding and environmentally unfriendly. This project will investigate and optimise two key enzymes in the biosynthetic pathway to Codeine and develop an innovative bioreactor to achieve high yield. It will research industrial biotransformations, providing a greener and cheaper process for increased global access to Codeine. Australian opiate manufacturing is expected to benefit from value adding and increased flexibility introduced by a biotechnology approach.Read moreRead less
Development of cryopreservation for high value provenance collections of recalcitrant plant species used in post-mining restoration. This project will develop new and innovative ways to store highly valued native plant germplasm at ultra cold temperatures (-196 °C, in liquid nitrogen) as a means to ensure that elite genotypes used in minesite restoration and critically endangered species are not lost forever to extinction. This project will be the first of its type in Australia utilising a multi ....Development of cryopreservation for high value provenance collections of recalcitrant plant species used in post-mining restoration. This project will develop new and innovative ways to store highly valued native plant germplasm at ultra cold temperatures (-196 °C, in liquid nitrogen) as a means to ensure that elite genotypes used in minesite restoration and critically endangered species are not lost forever to extinction. This project will be the first of its type in Australia utilising a multidisciplinary approach to answer key storage questions and will provide significant national benefits to conservation programs and landcare groups, providing these with additional resources to ensure the long-term survival of native plant germplasm collections. Read moreRead less
Optimising dissolved air flotation (DAF) for algae removal by bubble modification in drinking water and advanced wastewater systems. Algal blooms in potable water reservoirs and advanced wastewater treatment lagoons can impact the performance and economic viability of water treatment processes resulting in taste and odour episodes and the risk of algal toxins as well as causing further limitation to already stressed water resources in Australia. This project aims to develop an adaptation of the ....Optimising dissolved air flotation (DAF) for algae removal by bubble modification in drinking water and advanced wastewater systems. Algal blooms in potable water reservoirs and advanced wastewater treatment lagoons can impact the performance and economic viability of water treatment processes resulting in taste and odour episodes and the risk of algal toxins as well as causing further limitation to already stressed water resources in Australia. This project aims to develop an adaptation of the dissolved air flotation process that is already used for algae treatment that will provide a more robust, economic and sustainable barrier to algal cells in accordance with the Australian Drinking and Recycled Water Guidelines.Read moreRead less
New modulators of voltage-gated sodium channel subtypes from Australian Tarantula venoms. The venoms of Australian tarantula spiders provide a unique and untapped source of bioactive molecules. From a large stock of venom, and in collaboration with Australian pharmaceutical company Xenome, we will develop a comprehensive library of venom components suitable for drug screening. Potential national benefits from this work include a huge reduction in the healthcare bill deriving from a new treatmen ....New modulators of voltage-gated sodium channel subtypes from Australian Tarantula venoms. The venoms of Australian tarantula spiders provide a unique and untapped source of bioactive molecules. From a large stock of venom, and in collaboration with Australian pharmaceutical company Xenome, we will develop a comprehensive library of venom components suitable for drug screening. Potential national benefits from this work include a huge reduction in the healthcare bill deriving from a new treatment for pain, as well as substantial royalty returns from drugs sales. Discoveries from the program are also likely to lead to an enhancement in Australia's reputation in the neurosciences and to the development of new diagnostic research tools. The major community benefit will be a reduction in the suffering of chronic pain patients.Read moreRead less
Development of technologies to monitor multimolecular complexes. Development of technologies to monitor multimolecular complexes. This project aims to develop technologies to monitor how proteins and their interacting molecules (such as hormones) form multi-component complexes, and how these complexes function in the cell, including movement from the cell surface, into different cellular compartments and back up to the surface. These technologies are expected to enable monitoring in live cells i ....Development of technologies to monitor multimolecular complexes. Development of technologies to monitor multimolecular complexes. This project aims to develop technologies to monitor how proteins and their interacting molecules (such as hormones) form multi-component complexes, and how these complexes function in the cell, including movement from the cell surface, into different cellular compartments and back up to the surface. These technologies are expected to enable monitoring in live cells in real-time with high sensitivity. This project could have broad benefits for and affect study of all aspects of the life sciences at the cellular and molecular levels. How these protein complexes function in cells underpins much of our understanding of biology, and technological tools.Read moreRead less