Structural domains of beta-tubulin and their role in microtubule dynamics and transport. This study aims to obtain a fundamental understanding of how the structural domains of the cytoskeletal protein beta-tubulin are involved in microtubule structures during cell division and vesicular transport. Using gene-editing technology and coupling this with cell biological approaches and high-resolution cell imaging will enable detailed analysis of the role of beta-tubulin domains in these important cel ....Structural domains of beta-tubulin and their role in microtubule dynamics and transport. This study aims to obtain a fundamental understanding of how the structural domains of the cytoskeletal protein beta-tubulin are involved in microtubule structures during cell division and vesicular transport. Using gene-editing technology and coupling this with cell biological approaches and high-resolution cell imaging will enable detailed analysis of the role of beta-tubulin domains in these important cellular processes. The outcomes will include fundamental new knowledge in cell biology and lead to the development of unique biological models that can be used to understand disease.Read moreRead less
Optimising the spring in your step to enhance footwear design. This project aims to examine how the nervous system adjusts the mechanical function of our feet across a spectrum of speeds, from slow running through to maximal effort sprinting. The proposed research will explore how the nervous system controls the function of the foot to meet the ever-varying demands of locomotion in the real-world. Expected outcomes of this project are to determine if running shoes help or hinder the natural spri ....Optimising the spring in your step to enhance footwear design. This project aims to examine how the nervous system adjusts the mechanical function of our feet across a spectrum of speeds, from slow running through to maximal effort sprinting. The proposed research will explore how the nervous system controls the function of the foot to meet the ever-varying demands of locomotion in the real-world. Expected outcomes of this project are to determine if running shoes help or hinder the natural spring-like function of the foot. It will explain a conceptually novel design allowing shoes to support our feet, whilst harnessing the energetic benefits of the foot's spring-like function. This research has the potential to revolutionise athletic footwear design and has direct implications for enhanced performance in running athletes.Read moreRead less
Understanding evolution in natural systems using robotic models. This project aims to build biologically-inspired robotic and computational systems, and then modify these in ways which are either not possible, or have not yet occurred in natural systems. A comparison of these two systems will then allow a quantitative understanding of how well optimised biological structures are and where the limitations to optimisation lie. Expected outcomes include advancing the understanding of evolutionary p ....Understanding evolution in natural systems using robotic models. This project aims to build biologically-inspired robotic and computational systems, and then modify these in ways which are either not possible, or have not yet occurred in natural systems. A comparison of these two systems will then allow a quantitative understanding of how well optimised biological structures are and where the limitations to optimisation lie. Expected outcomes include advancing the understanding of evolutionary processes, and will provide significant benefits, such as aiding the manufacture of efficient autonomous robots.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL110100098
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,750,752.00
Summary
Frontiers of reaction dynamics for new generation accelerator science. Innovative concepts and new Australian capabilities will be combined to understand reactions of exotic isotopes. This will underpin applications of next generation international rare isotope accelerators to advance many areas of physics, medical science and future energy technologies. The project strengthens national capacity in a strategic area.
Leading a coordinated international approach to understand the zeptosecond physics of superheavy element formation. Unique Australian experimental developments and concepts, to track the zeptosecond dynamics of fusion forming superheavy elements, have revealed unexpectedly strong quantum effects. The impact of these insights is attracting world-leaders in this vigorous field to collaborate with us. Leading an ambitious coordinated program of experiments in Australia and at big international faci ....Leading a coordinated international approach to understand the zeptosecond physics of superheavy element formation. Unique Australian experimental developments and concepts, to track the zeptosecond dynamics of fusion forming superheavy elements, have revealed unexpectedly strong quantum effects. The impact of these insights is attracting world-leaders in this vigorous field to collaborate with us. Leading an ambitious coordinated program of experiments in Australia and at big international facilities, and driving theoretical developments, this project will pin down the dynamics of heavy element formation. This will be a high-profile outcome from recent investment in Australian accelerators. Mapping out future opportunities at worldwide billion dollar accelerator developments will secure a strong Australian engagement and benefit from these massive investments.Read moreRead less
From coherent to dissipative dynamics in complex quantum systems: opening a new window through nuclear fusion. The new ideas and precision measurement technologies in the project will enhance the reputation of Australian research in the fundamental subjects of quantum tunnelling and nuclear fusion. The cutting-edge work, and its international linkages, provides outstanding training in quantum and nuclear science of national and international significance.
Creating superheavy elements and isotopes. This project aims to measure properties, probabilities and timescales of competing quasifission processes, by combining Australian accelerator and detector capabilities with exotic radioactive targets. In 2015, nuclear fusion created superheavy elements with atomic numbers 113 to 118. The race is now on to create elements 119 and 120, as their production and properties should pin down the location of the predicted superheavy Island of Stability, but 3-f ....Creating superheavy elements and isotopes. This project aims to measure properties, probabilities and timescales of competing quasifission processes, by combining Australian accelerator and detector capabilities with exotic radioactive targets. In 2015, nuclear fusion created superheavy elements with atomic numbers 113 to 118. The race is now on to create elements 119 and 120, as their production and properties should pin down the location of the predicted superheavy Island of Stability, but 3-fragment quasifission is a major impediment to their formation. This project will evaluate quassification processes on the nuclear reactions proposed to form new superheavy elements and is expected to identify the best reactions for their discovery. The synthesis of new elements tests quantum physics, relativistic chemistry and element creation in the cosmos, and offers high profile returns on investments.Read moreRead less
On the Fast Track to the Frontier of High-Energy Physics. This project aims to extend our reach in exploring fundamental physics by exploiting a novel fast pattern-recognition technique and extending its limit beyond the current capacity. The recent discovery of the Higgs boson confirmed the remaining element of the standard model of particle physics, yet many fundamental questions about the microscopic nature of the universe remain. The Large Hadron Collider upgrades provide an opportunity to m ....On the Fast Track to the Frontier of High-Energy Physics. This project aims to extend our reach in exploring fundamental physics by exploiting a novel fast pattern-recognition technique and extending its limit beyond the current capacity. The recent discovery of the Higgs boson confirmed the remaining element of the standard model of particle physics, yet many fundamental questions about the microscopic nature of the universe remain. The Large Hadron Collider upgrades provide an opportunity to measure the particle's properties and to discover new physics processes by enabling searches for new particles at the high-energy frontier. This project aims to exploit the unique datasets anticipated, develop key electronic components and new techniques that will expand the physics reach of the ATLAS experiment.Read moreRead less
The control of chromosome division during female meiosis. Mammalian eggs are stored life-long and finally mature in the hours before ovulation. This project examines how the chromosomes in the egg are separated properly so as to produce a mature egg capable of being fertilized by a sperm. Often in eggs chromosome division is imprecisely executed, and this project will help us understand why this occurs.
Atomic scale ion microscopy via laser cooling and correlated imaging. This project will develop next-generation focused ion beam microscopy and nanofabrication using a novel cold ion source based on photoionisation of a laser-cooled atom beam. The low temperature and complex internal state structure of the constituent atoms combine to allow generation of ions with unprecedented brightness and resolution. We will use three unique and innovative ideas: field ionisation of atoms in so-called 'excep ....Atomic scale ion microscopy via laser cooling and correlated imaging. This project will develop next-generation focused ion beam microscopy and nanofabrication using a novel cold ion source based on photoionisation of a laser-cooled atom beam. The low temperature and complex internal state structure of the constituent atoms combine to allow generation of ions with unprecedented brightness and resolution. We will use three unique and innovative ideas: field ionisation of atoms in so-called 'exceptional' states to reduce chromatic aberration; electron-ion correlations to enhance control of the ions at the nanoscale; and atom-atom interactions to isolate and manipulate individual ions. The new technology will enable advances in semiconductor nanofabrication and material characterisation.Read moreRead less