A technology platform for multiple body site image-omics. The project aim is to derive a technology platform comprising new image processing and machine learning algorithms to integrate imaging and biological data across multiple body sites. The relationships between image features and biological data across multiple sites has not been discovered before. We propose the use of biological information from one sampled site to investigate other unsampled sites based on imaging-omics correspondences. ....A technology platform for multiple body site image-omics. The project aim is to derive a technology platform comprising new image processing and machine learning algorithms to integrate imaging and biological data across multiple body sites. The relationships between image features and biological data across multiple sites has not been discovered before. We propose the use of biological information from one sampled site to investigate other unsampled sites based on imaging-omics correspondences. We will use a data-driven, searchable graph model approach for knowledge discovery within the population data. The project will provide new insights into systems biology and bioinformatics that will then inform and promote benefits in life sciences, with potential future benefits in healthcare.Read moreRead less
Smarter fermentations through starter culture genomics. Australia makes over $1 billion dollars worth of cheese each year, however fermentation can be adversely affected by virus (phage) attack or sub-optimal strain mixtures. The latest genomics and molecular biology approaches will be used to characterise and optimise starter culture strains leading to improved flavour, quality and efficiency in cheese making.
Deep Weak Learning for Morphology Analysis of Micro and Nanoscale Images. This project will develop novel methods for automated discovery and quantification of image phenotypes from micro and nanoscale images. The outcome will be an advance of the state of the art in biomedical image analysis with a particular focus on generalized weakly-supervised deep learning models for morphological feature representation. The methodologies will transform the deep learning pipeline for real biomedical imagin ....Deep Weak Learning for Morphology Analysis of Micro and Nanoscale Images. This project will develop novel methods for automated discovery and quantification of image phenotypes from micro and nanoscale images. The outcome will be an advance of the state of the art in biomedical image analysis with a particular focus on generalized weakly-supervised deep learning models for morphological feature representation. The methodologies will transform the deep learning pipeline for real biomedical imaging scenarios with high heterogeneity and limited training data. The frameworks will facilitate high-throughput processing for a wide range of microscopy image modalities and biological applications, and potentially become the next generation computational platform to support fundamental research in human biology.Read moreRead less
Neural mechanisms for visual target detection and attention in complex scenes. This project will study neurons in the insect brain that solve one of the biggest problems for computer vision systems - tracking the motion of tiny targets moving against strongly camouflaged backgrounds. The results will be used to develop a novel biologically inspired model for target tracking with applications for smart cameras and robotics.
Modelling and simulation of self-organised behaviour in biological and bio-inspired systems. Understanding self-organised systems is fundamental in biology and bio-inspired engineering. The project develops sophisticated mathematical modelling techniques and high performance simulation methods for such systems. This will increase our capacity to explain complex biological behaviour and to produce reliable bio-inspired engineering solutions
Strategies for neural summation in space and time for night vision. This project will study motion vision in nocturnal and day-active insects to understand how the brain sees in darkness, even when individual light sensitive cells in the eye perform poorly. This will help to identify optimal strategies that have evolved in nature to deal with noisy signals in low light and has implications for man-made night cameras.
System to synapse. Biological tissue is studied at the cellular and organ level with ever increasing clarity and sensitivity, but there are limitations in understanding how microscopic changes are manifested in the organ and vice versa. This project will develop new methods to bridge this gap and allow next generation correlative imaging.
Managing infectious disease through partial wildlife social networks. This project aims to investigate the dynamics of the spread of infectious disease in wildlife, derived from incomplete information about contact networks. Infectious diseases in wildlife are difficult to track and control, because it is not feasible to monitor each individual in a population and know the contact network for a population. The project will create ways to best utilise incomplete observational data of contact netw ....Managing infectious disease through partial wildlife social networks. This project aims to investigate the dynamics of the spread of infectious disease in wildlife, derived from incomplete information about contact networks. Infectious diseases in wildlife are difficult to track and control, because it is not feasible to monitor each individual in a population and know the contact network for a population. The project will create ways to best utilise incomplete observational data of contact networks to develop robust predictions of disease spread and population fate, and to reliably predict the outcomes of management interventions. These robust prediction methods will provide better insights for conservation of Australian wildlife.Read moreRead less
Parameter estimation for genetic time-series data: Theory and methods. This project aims to develop a novel computational framework for solving parameter estimation problems in evolutionary modelling by leveraging genetic time-series data measured by Next-Generation Sequencing technologies. It will foster international collaboration, cutting across disciplines. By introducing new techniques from signal processing and tools from random matrix theory commonly employed for mobile wireless communica ....Parameter estimation for genetic time-series data: Theory and methods. This project aims to develop a novel computational framework for solving parameter estimation problems in evolutionary modelling by leveraging genetic time-series data measured by Next-Generation Sequencing technologies. It will foster international collaboration, cutting across disciplines. By introducing new techniques from signal processing and tools from random matrix theory commonly employed for mobile wireless communications, it seeks to design scalable inference methods for resolving mutational fitness effects from genetic time-series measurements of complex evolving populations. This would enable new understanding of complex adaptive systems, such as pathogen evolution, host-immune dynamics, and acquisition of drug resistance. Read moreRead less
Modelling of neural plasticity for enhanced performance of brain-machine interfaces. Plasticity of the brain is one of the great scientific challenges of neuroscience. The aim of this project is to model the synaptic changes that occur with reward-modulated spike-timing-dependent plasticity and apply the model to developing plasticity targeted brain-machine interfaces. The significance of this approach is that such plasticity targeted techniques provide the prospect of taking advantage of the un ....Modelling of neural plasticity for enhanced performance of brain-machine interfaces. Plasticity of the brain is one of the great scientific challenges of neuroscience. The aim of this project is to model the synaptic changes that occur with reward-modulated spike-timing-dependent plasticity and apply the model to developing plasticity targeted brain-machine interfaces. The significance of this approach is that such plasticity targeted techniques provide the prospect of taking advantage of the underlying neural plasticity to optimise the form of the neural recording and electrical stimulation. The outcomes will be to greatly improve the performance of brain-machine interface in terms of measures such as the number and sensitivity of channels, as well as robustness and reliability.Read moreRead less