Mechanisms controlling enteroendocrine hormone secretion in human duodenum. This project aims to gain a deeper understanding of nutrient sensing pathways present in enteroendocrine cells within the human intestine. These cells control digestive function, blood glucose levels and food intake and are thus critical to digestion. This project will endeavour to be the first to assess the biology of human enteroendocrine cells and will use innovative approaches to deeply assess function from the level ....Mechanisms controlling enteroendocrine hormone secretion in human duodenum. This project aims to gain a deeper understanding of nutrient sensing pathways present in enteroendocrine cells within the human intestine. These cells control digestive function, blood glucose levels and food intake and are thus critical to digestion. This project will endeavour to be the first to assess the biology of human enteroendocrine cells and will use innovative approaches to deeply assess function from the level of the individual to isolated enteroendocrine cells.Read moreRead less
Biological phosphorous removal for wastewater treatment. The aim is to provide a scientific basis for understanding how phosphorous can be removed in wastewater treatment plants, using environmentally safe biological methods rather than by using chemicals. This is expected to lead to improved performance in wastewater treatment plants, which will be of economic and environmental benefit, particularly to regional communities in inland Australia.
Enhancing fertility for the Thoroughbred and Standardbred industries. Enhancing fertility for the Thoroughbred and Standardbred industries. Responding to industry calls for improved methods of detecting and managing infertility in both stallions and mares, this project aims to provide a platform for competitive collaborations between universities, biotechnology companies and horse breeders: the end-users of technological developments in equine reproduction. The Thoroughbred and Standardbred bree ....Enhancing fertility for the Thoroughbred and Standardbred industries. Enhancing fertility for the Thoroughbred and Standardbred industries. Responding to industry calls for improved methods of detecting and managing infertility in both stallions and mares, this project aims to provide a platform for competitive collaborations between universities, biotechnology companies and horse breeders: the end-users of technological developments in equine reproduction. The Thoroughbred and Standardbred breeding industries contribute over $6.5 billion per annum to the Australian economy and employ thousands of staff across their value chains. However, these industries suffer from breeding program inefficiencies that amount to over $800 million in annual losses. Expected outcomes are novel reproductive technologies and specialised research capabilities that will make the Australian equine industry a global leader.Read moreRead less
Gene identification and functional characterization for metabolism-based herbicide resistance in Lolium rigidum. Evolution of multiple herbicide resistance is widespread in Lolium rigidum in Australia. This resistance is very often endowed by enhanced rates of herbicide metabolism (metabolic resistance) involving cytochrome P450. This project aims to identify, clone and characterise important herbicide-metabolising P450 and other genes from multiple herbicide-resistant L. rigidum biotypes, and d ....Gene identification and functional characterization for metabolism-based herbicide resistance in Lolium rigidum. Evolution of multiple herbicide resistance is widespread in Lolium rigidum in Australia. This resistance is very often endowed by enhanced rates of herbicide metabolism (metabolic resistance) involving cytochrome P450. This project aims to identify, clone and characterise important herbicide-metabolising P450 and other genes from multiple herbicide-resistant L. rigidum biotypes, and develop transcriptional and biochemical markers for metabolic resistance diagnosis. Herbicide-metabolising gene discovery, characterisation and marker development will greatly extend the currently limited knowledge and understanding of metabolic resistance and help achieve sustainable weed management.Read moreRead less
Enhancing the efficiency of equine reproduction: relevant to the Thoroughbred and Standardbred breeding industries. The purpose of this project is to link the equine breeding industry with a major centre of reproductive research at the University of Newcastle. By creating this unique nexus, major efficiency gains will be achieved for this industry that will not only secure its international competitiveness but also significantly enhance its profitability.
Characterisation of the oxygen-sensing asparaginyl hydroxylase, FIH-1, and hydroxylase-specific antagonists. This research will provide fundamental information on how cells and whole organisms can sense and respond accordingly to oxygen deficiency. This information is fundamental for our understanding of embryo development and adult life in different environments, and central to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as stroke, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. This research will contrib ....Characterisation of the oxygen-sensing asparaginyl hydroxylase, FIH-1, and hydroxylase-specific antagonists. This research will provide fundamental information on how cells and whole organisms can sense and respond accordingly to oxygen deficiency. This information is fundamental for our understanding of embryo development and adult life in different environments, and central to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as stroke, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. This research will contribute to our basic knowledge of these processes, provide invaluable information about the specific genes and proteins involved, and provide direct information about the therapeutic potential of specific drugs or inhibitors designed to target this oxygen response in human disease.Read moreRead less
Discovery and development of novel insulin sensitising compounds for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is one of the major health problems facing Australia today, and current treatments are proving inadequate to combat this disease. We previously discovered a new drug with potential for development for the treatment of diabetes. In this project, we will identify how this drug works to combat diabetes in cell and animal models, and use novel chemistry approaches to modify the drug to imp ....Discovery and development of novel insulin sensitising compounds for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is one of the major health problems facing Australia today, and current treatments are proving inadequate to combat this disease. We previously discovered a new drug with potential for development for the treatment of diabetes. In this project, we will identify how this drug works to combat diabetes in cell and animal models, and use novel chemistry approaches to modify the drug to improve its properties and reduce potential side-effects. The outcomes of this project will be understanding of a new biological process that contributes to the development of diabetes, and the discovery and characterisation of new chemical compounds that could be developed as drugs to treat diabetes.Read moreRead less
The role of redox balance and reactive oxygen species in beer stability using an integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis. A better understanding of yeast redox balance will enable it to be used to predict fermentation outcomes and to link raw materials and processes to the quality of the final product. These data will produce economies in the brewing industry by the introduction of quality control regimes for raw materials and can be extrapolated to the wine industry. This will prov ....The role of redox balance and reactive oxygen species in beer stability using an integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis. A better understanding of yeast redox balance will enable it to be used to predict fermentation outcomes and to link raw materials and processes to the quality of the final product. These data will produce economies in the brewing industry by the introduction of quality control regimes for raw materials and can be extrapolated to the wine industry. This will provide real economic advantage to Carlton and United Breweries which is an Australian company that has an international profile within a highly competitive industry.Read moreRead less
Application of functional genomics to study early fermentation parameters and flavour development in industrial fermentations. The aim of this research is to use genome-wide analyses to identify yeast genes involved in flavour compound production in order to manipulate the flavour profiles of industrial fermentations. This will identify those metabolic pathways and cellular processes that are important in the maintenance of flavour production during fermentation and give extensive insight into t ....Application of functional genomics to study early fermentation parameters and flavour development in industrial fermentations. The aim of this research is to use genome-wide analyses to identify yeast genes involved in flavour compound production in order to manipulate the flavour profiles of industrial fermentations. This will identify those metabolic pathways and cellular processes that are important in the maintenance of flavour production during fermentation and give extensive insight into the way metabolism changes during the fermentation process. Flavour is a major component of the product of fermented beverages and its development and maintenance in the finished product is of primary concern to the brewing and wine industries. This research will lead to a more competitive Australian-owned company with a major stake in the beer and wine industry.Read moreRead less
Clean fuels for the future: Scale up and optimisation of microalgal oil production and biodiesel synthesis. The development of renewable carbon-neutral fuels is an urgent challenge facing our society. This project aims to develop an innovative system for biodiesel production from local Australian algae species. If cultivated under the right conditions, microalgae are very efficient near-continuous producers of biodiesel and are likely the only renewable source of fuel that could match our curren ....Clean fuels for the future: Scale up and optimisation of microalgal oil production and biodiesel synthesis. The development of renewable carbon-neutral fuels is an urgent challenge facing our society. This project aims to develop an innovative system for biodiesel production from local Australian algae species. If cultivated under the right conditions, microalgae are very efficient near-continuous producers of biodiesel and are likely the only renewable source of fuel that could match our current and future demand without competing for arable land and food production. Such systems couple the national/community benefits of energy generation, carbon-capture, biodiesel production and the clean-up of wastewater. Successful outcomes from this project will bring this innovative technology closer to commercial reality. Read moreRead less