Techniques for probing biological media with holographic angular scattering spectroscopy. Huge effort in the biological and medical sciences is spent in using simple software to laboriously mark, count and measure cells and structures in microscope images of samples. We could replace this incredibly inefficient process in many instances with single-shot size-map images of unstained samples. If depth selectivity can be added, we could perform non-invasive measurements on animals, making a huge re ....Techniques for probing biological media with holographic angular scattering spectroscopy. Huge effort in the biological and medical sciences is spent in using simple software to laboriously mark, count and measure cells and structures in microscope images of samples. We could replace this incredibly inefficient process in many instances with single-shot size-map images of unstained samples. If depth selectivity can be added, we could perform non-invasive measurements on animals, making a huge reduction in their usage. We could assess thick tissues enabling early noninvasive diagnosis of malignancy in tumours in situ or muscle characterization for meat quality or muscular dystrophy. These benefits impact on research, animal ethics, and on health, and have commercial potential in life and medical sciences, and the meat industry.Read moreRead less
Isolation and characterization of cell signalling systems that activate or suppress apoptosis in pathogenic and symbiotic fungal:plant interactions. The key roles of programmed cell death (PCD) in plant disease are becoming apparent. This project will test the hypotheses that successful colonisation by arbuscular mycorrhizae in plant roots requires the plant to up-regulate inhibitors of PCD; that susceptibility in plants to necrotrophic fungal pathogens requires triggering of PCD; and that resis ....Isolation and characterization of cell signalling systems that activate or suppress apoptosis in pathogenic and symbiotic fungal:plant interactions. The key roles of programmed cell death (PCD) in plant disease are becoming apparent. This project will test the hypotheses that successful colonisation by arbuscular mycorrhizae in plant roots requires the plant to up-regulate inhibitors of PCD; that susceptibility in plants to necrotrophic fungal pathogens requires triggering of PCD; and that resistance is the result of activation of inhibitors of PCD. This international project will have important implications biologically and economically for control of plant disease and symbiosis, will train early career researchers in an area of international expertise and will strengthen collaboration between the US and Australian research groupRead moreRead less
Materials World Network for the Study of Macromolecular Ferrofluids. This work will develop an understanding that will allow us to optimise the properties of ferrofluids (magnetic liquids) to suit particular applications. Although the primary application that will be investigated is the treatment of retinal detachment, the results will be applicable to a wide range of applications including ferrofluid-based actuators, electromagnetic micropumps and fluid based valves and sealing systems. During ....Materials World Network for the Study of Macromolecular Ferrofluids. This work will develop an understanding that will allow us to optimise the properties of ferrofluids (magnetic liquids) to suit particular applications. Although the primary application that will be investigated is the treatment of retinal detachment, the results will be applicable to a wide range of applications including ferrofluid-based actuators, electromagnetic micropumps and fluid based valves and sealing systems. During the course of this work, young Australian scientists will be trained in a cross-disciplinary environment in a variety of aspects of both nano- and bio- technology that are a key part of the National Research Priority: Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries.Read moreRead less