Latest Jurassic history of the Exmouth Sub-basin, North West Shelf: lowstand deposits of the basal Barrow Group. Sand-filled canyons may be excellent petroleum reservoirs, however, interpretation of formation and sediment filling of these major deep marine features is controversial. This project seeks to elucidate the origin of canyons and associated basin floor fans by combining sedimentological data with seismic interpretation and modelling to generate new insights into the history of the E ....Latest Jurassic history of the Exmouth Sub-basin, North West Shelf: lowstand deposits of the basal Barrow Group. Sand-filled canyons may be excellent petroleum reservoirs, however, interpretation of formation and sediment filling of these major deep marine features is controversial. This project seeks to elucidate the origin of canyons and associated basin floor fans by combining sedimentological data with seismic interpretation and modelling to generate new insights into the history of the Exmouth Sub-basin during the Latest Jurassic. In particular, this project provides an opportunity to explore the role of tectonism in canyon formation, the results of which will be of international interest. Geological models developed in this project will enhance our understanding of deep marine systems.Read moreRead less
Seismic velocity problems associated with Cretaceous-Tertiary carbonate sediments that overlie oil and gas fields of the North West Shelf. The major aim of this collaborative study between Partner Oil Companies and The University of Melbourne is to understand seismic velocity problems associated with tropical carbonate sediments on Australias? North West Shelf. These problems can hinder the hydrocarbon exploration efforts below these carbonates. The project is a multi faceted study and will invo ....Seismic velocity problems associated with Cretaceous-Tertiary carbonate sediments that overlie oil and gas fields of the North West Shelf. The major aim of this collaborative study between Partner Oil Companies and The University of Melbourne is to understand seismic velocity problems associated with tropical carbonate sediments on Australias? North West Shelf. These problems can hinder the hydrocarbon exploration efforts below these carbonates. The project is a multi faceted study and will involve integration of seismic stratigraphy with sedimentological, micropaleontological, and geophysical data. The methods outlined below would underpin any seismic depth migration applications, thereby assisting with the delineation of new gas and oil fields, and help with the estimation of reserves in existing fields.
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The climate evolution of high latitude 140 to 90 million year old hydrocarbon prospective strata of Southeast Australia. Melbourne University and the Royal Botanic Gardens will collaborate with three companies to investigate climate variability in a 140 to 90 million year old greenhouse record in southeast Australia. Spore, pollen & algal studies integrated with wood & plant analyses and zircon dating will improve age estimates of hydrocarbon reservoirs in Gippsland where Lakes Oil and Nexus E ....The climate evolution of high latitude 140 to 90 million year old hydrocarbon prospective strata of Southeast Australia. Melbourne University and the Royal Botanic Gardens will collaborate with three companies to investigate climate variability in a 140 to 90 million year old greenhouse record in southeast Australia. Spore, pollen & algal studies integrated with wood & plant analyses and zircon dating will improve age estimates of hydrocarbon reservoirs in Gippsland where Lakes Oil and Nexus Energy are exploring in one of Australia's premier oil & gas producing regions. This work will lead to a better understanding of climate change in long-term greenhouse conditions. Knowledge of this in the past is critical to prediction of climate change into the futureRead moreRead less
Environmental Evolution of the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area. The Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area ranks as the most significant area for documenting Australia TMs unique cultural and environmental history. Parts of this remarkable archive are being lost through erosion. This project is the basis for a strategic research alliance between the custodians and managers of the area and leading Australian research institutions to build a picture of the continent TMs human and environmental hi ....Environmental Evolution of the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area. The Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area ranks as the most significant area for documenting Australia TMs unique cultural and environmental history. Parts of this remarkable archive are being lost through erosion. This project is the basis for a strategic research alliance between the custodians and managers of the area and leading Australian research institutions to build a picture of the continent TMs human and environmental history before this evidence is irretrievably lost. Lake Mungo is known to Australians as the site of the world TMs earliest cremation and a window into our remote past. We will provide novel insights into the evolution of the Australian landscape, its fragile environment and the history of its resilient inhabitants.Read moreRead less
New tools for old rocks: first cycle provenance information. The aims of this research are to enhance stratigraphic understanding of sedimentary sequences in Western Australia through application of novel provenance fingerprinting tools in K-feldspar (Pb isotopes) & apatite (U-Pb, Sr isotopes and grain chemistry). While much stratigraphic characterization has been based on detrital zircon ages & their correlation to basement sources, two major limitations are apparent: a) zircon may be multicycl ....New tools for old rocks: first cycle provenance information. The aims of this research are to enhance stratigraphic understanding of sedimentary sequences in Western Australia through application of novel provenance fingerprinting tools in K-feldspar (Pb isotopes) & apatite (U-Pb, Sr isotopes and grain chemistry). While much stratigraphic characterization has been based on detrital zircon ages & their correlation to basement sources, two major limitations are apparent: a) zircon may be multicycle, blurring source-sink relationships, b) zircon may be absent in mafic lithologies thus biasing investigations. In this work K-feldspar & apatite provenance investigation will be undertaken on a state wide basis and include case studies in the Yilgarn Craton and Canning & Northern Carnarvon Basins.
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Uncovering ancient landscapes with emerging technologies: integrating complex geospatial and fossil data to explore late Cenozoic environmental change. This project aims to use emerging technologies to unravel relationships between prehistoric climate changes and environmental impacts in northern Australia. Given current uncertainty about impacts of contemporary climate change on our biota, it is important to document the outcomes of past climatic changes and, in particular, the globally critica ....Uncovering ancient landscapes with emerging technologies: integrating complex geospatial and fossil data to explore late Cenozoic environmental change. This project aims to use emerging technologies to unravel relationships between prehistoric climate changes and environmental impacts in northern Australia. Given current uncertainty about impacts of contemporary climate change on our biota, it is important to document the outcomes of past climatic changes and, in particular, the globally critical period between 15 and five million years ago that shaped modern Australian environments. Fossil-rich deposits in the Riversleigh World Heritage Area of northern Queensland span this period. Interpretation of their fine-grained record of impact and change will improve our ability to predict and hence better manage impacts of future climate change on our unique national natural heritage.Read moreRead less
Probing the Tasmanian Devil Serum Proteome for Preclinical Diagnosis of Devil Facial Tumour Disease. The Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is a carnivorous marsupial endemic to the island state of Tasmania, and is found all over the state. Over the past decade, a dramatic decline has occurred in the Devil population in association with the emergence of Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD). This project aims to develop a preclinical diagnostic test for DFTD that will provide vital information ....Probing the Tasmanian Devil Serum Proteome for Preclinical Diagnosis of Devil Facial Tumour Disease. The Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is a carnivorous marsupial endemic to the island state of Tasmania, and is found all over the state. Over the past decade, a dramatic decline has occurred in the Devil population in association with the emergence of Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD). This project aims to develop a preclinical diagnostic test for DFTD that will provide vital information for use in developing management strategies to ensure the ongoing survival of the Tasmanian Devil. The benefit to Australia in performing this research rests in the new technology that will be developed and the application of this technology to key areas of national and international significance.Read moreRead less
Determination of the mechanisms of immune system regulation of inflammation by the human protein, chaperonin 10. The aim of this project is to determine the mechanisms by which a human protein, chaperonin 10 (Cpn10), regulates the immune system and suppresses inflammation. When cells of the human immune system are challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (a product of bacterial infection), the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF is released. Cpn10 has been shown to suppress production of TNF on chall ....Determination of the mechanisms of immune system regulation of inflammation by the human protein, chaperonin 10. The aim of this project is to determine the mechanisms by which a human protein, chaperonin 10 (Cpn10), regulates the immune system and suppresses inflammation. When cells of the human immune system are challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (a product of bacterial infection), the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF is released. Cpn10 has been shown to suppress production of TNF on challenge of cells with LPS, while increasing the levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Investigating the role of Cpn10 in modulating inflammation will contribute to the understanding and treatment of diseases associated with inflammation, including multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.Read moreRead less
Inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion- A new route to therapeutics of chronic inflammatory disease. Chronic inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease, affect millions of people leading to considerable suffering, economic loss and premature death. Anti-TNF treatments have recently shown success in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and other conditions, however, a substantial number of patients (~50%) do not re ....Inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion- A new route to therapeutics of chronic inflammatory disease. Chronic inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease, affect millions of people leading to considerable suffering, economic loss and premature death. Anti-TNF treatments have recently shown success in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and other conditions, however, a substantial number of patients (~50%) do not respond to the current TNF treatments. Improved anti-TNF strategies would provide enhanced health outcomes and welcome relief to many Australians. In addition, the economic benefit of the TNF market is very substantial. Therefore the potential impact of this research is very high both for health care and economical potential.Read moreRead less
The development of tyrosine kinase inhibitors for the treatment of inflammation and malignant disease. Through the combination of expertise from the Industry partner and the Hume group this project aims to develop specific inhibitors of the CSF-1 receptor protein tyrosine kinase in order to demonstrate their efficacy as modulators of CSF-1 dependent macrophage and tumour cell function in vitro. The expected outcome will be a lead set of targets which can be further assessed for therapeutic pote ....The development of tyrosine kinase inhibitors for the treatment of inflammation and malignant disease. Through the combination of expertise from the Industry partner and the Hume group this project aims to develop specific inhibitors of the CSF-1 receptor protein tyrosine kinase in order to demonstrate their efficacy as modulators of CSF-1 dependent macrophage and tumour cell function in vitro. The expected outcome will be a lead set of targets which can be further assessed for therapeutic potential in clinical trials.Read moreRead less