Mathematical models of cell migration in three-dimensional living tissues. This project aims to develop mathematical models of cell migration in crowded, living tissues. Existing models rely solely on stochastic simulations, and therefore provide no general mathematical insight into how properties of the crowding environment (obstacle shape, size, density) affect the migration of cells through that environment. This project will produce mathematical analysis, mathematical calculations and exact ....Mathematical models of cell migration in three-dimensional living tissues. This project aims to develop mathematical models of cell migration in crowded, living tissues. Existing models rely solely on stochastic simulations, and therefore provide no general mathematical insight into how properties of the crowding environment (obstacle shape, size, density) affect the migration of cells through that environment. This project will produce mathematical analysis, mathematical calculations and exact analytical tools that quantify how the crowding environment in three-dimensional living tissues affects the migration of cells within these tissues. Long term effects will be the translation of this new mathematical knowledge into decision support tools for researchers from the life sciences.Read moreRead less
Mathematical models of 4D multicellular spheroids. Mathematical models have a long, successful history of providing biological insight, and new mathematical models must be developed to keep pace with emerging technologies. Modern experimental procedures involve studying 3D multicellular spheroids with fluorescent labels to show both the location of cells and the cell cycle progression. This 4D data (3D spatial information + cell cycle time) provides vast information. No mathematical models ha ....Mathematical models of 4D multicellular spheroids. Mathematical models have a long, successful history of providing biological insight, and new mathematical models must be developed to keep pace with emerging technologies. Modern experimental procedures involve studying 3D multicellular spheroids with fluorescent labels to show both the location of cells and the cell cycle progression. This 4D data (3D spatial information + cell cycle time) provides vast information. No mathematical models have been specifically developed to interpret/predict 4D spheroids. This project will deliver the first high-fidelity mathematical models to interpret/predict 4D spheroid experiments in real time, providing quantitative insight into innate mechanisms and responses to various intervention treatments. Read moreRead less
Fractional dynamic models for MRI to probe tissue microstructure. This project aims to develop new mathematical tools for mapping tissue microstructural properties via the use of space-time fractional calculus methods. In magnetic resonance imaging, mathematical models and their parameters play a key role in associating information between images and biology, with the overall aim of producing spatially resolved maps of tissue property variations. However, models which can inform on changes in mi ....Fractional dynamic models for MRI to probe tissue microstructure. This project aims to develop new mathematical tools for mapping tissue microstructural properties via the use of space-time fractional calculus methods. In magnetic resonance imaging, mathematical models and their parameters play a key role in associating information between images and biology, with the overall aim of producing spatially resolved maps of tissue property variations. However, models which can inform on changes in microscale tissue properties are lacking. The tools developed by this project will be used to generate new magnetic resonance image based maps to convey information on tissue microstructure changes in the human brain. Additionally, the mathematical tools developed will be transferable to other applications where diffusion and transport in heterogeneous porous media play a role.Read moreRead less
Human skin equivalent constructs: enhanced culturing and application of laboratory-grown skin through mathematical modelling and in silico experimentation. Laboratory-grown human skin equivalent constructs, given social and legislative imperatives, will be critical for advances in novel treatment protocol definitions for wound repair, dermatogical screening of pharmacueticals and fundamental studies of skin diseases.
In silico studies undertaken in this project will make a significant contrib ....Human skin equivalent constructs: enhanced culturing and application of laboratory-grown skin through mathematical modelling and in silico experimentation. Laboratory-grown human skin equivalent constructs, given social and legislative imperatives, will be critical for advances in novel treatment protocol definitions for wound repair, dermatogical screening of pharmacueticals and fundamental studies of skin diseases.
In silico studies undertaken in this project will make a significant contribution to the effectiveness of the application of human skin constructs, by delivering new and deeper insights into the interplay between dependent processes that regulate the behaviour of skin, in vivo or ex vivo. The models and the researchers associated with this project will drive innovative studies in medical science over the next decade.Read moreRead less
New mathematics for understanding complex patterns in the natural sciences. This project aims to examine the interaction of fundamental two-dimensional patterns such as spots and stripes in reaction-diffusion equations, by developing and extending mathematical techniques. These fundamental planar structures form the backbone of more complex patterns and are, for example, observed in models that describe the propagation of impulses in nerve axons and the formation of vegetation patterns. The futu ....New mathematics for understanding complex patterns in the natural sciences. This project aims to examine the interaction of fundamental two-dimensional patterns such as spots and stripes in reaction-diffusion equations, by developing and extending mathematical techniques. These fundamental planar structures form the backbone of more complex patterns and are, for example, observed in models that describe the propagation of impulses in nerve axons and the formation of vegetation patterns. The future impact of this research will have economic and environmental benefits. For example, the project will develop a deeper understanding of interacting patterns that will provide insights into the role of vegetation in ecosystems that are undergoing desertification.Read moreRead less
Optimisation of piezoelectric metamaterials: Towards robotic stress sensors. This project aims to design new piezoelectric material microstructures that can enhance the measurement of complex local stress states within robotic limbs. The project expects to generate new knowledge of the achievable properties of multi-poled piezoelectric materials and develop computational tools for the analysis and structural optimisation of such materials. The designed microstructures may revolutionise piezoelec ....Optimisation of piezoelectric metamaterials: Towards robotic stress sensors. This project aims to design new piezoelectric material microstructures that can enhance the measurement of complex local stress states within robotic limbs. The project expects to generate new knowledge of the achievable properties of multi-poled piezoelectric materials and develop computational tools for the analysis and structural optimisation of such materials. The designed microstructures may revolutionise piezoelectric sensor technology. Expected outcomes include manufactured proof-of-concept sensors that enable measurement of local stress fields. This should provide significant benefits, such as improved future robot capability and reliability, and research training for next-generation Australian computational mathematicians. Read moreRead less
Modelling cell invasion incorporating the epithelial to mesenchymal transition: Exploring therapies to control wound healing and cancer progression. Cancer and wounds are closely related, commonly lethal, diseases. Both require cell growth and invasion. This project will apply experimental measurements to create new mathematical models of cancer and wounds; models that will inform new targets and strategies for the treatment of these deadly diseases.
Determination of benchmarking parameters for assessing the mechanical robustness of articular cartilage: a joint mathematical and experimental investigation. Osteoarthritis associated with the deterioration of the articular cartilage affects about 12% of Australian adults. This project will use an integrated approach combining novel mathematical modelling and an extensive experimental program to establish critical mechanical parameters, in particular, the fracture toughness of articular cartilag ....Determination of benchmarking parameters for assessing the mechanical robustness of articular cartilage: a joint mathematical and experimental investigation. Osteoarthritis associated with the deterioration of the articular cartilage affects about 12% of Australian adults. This project will use an integrated approach combining novel mathematical modelling and an extensive experimental program to establish critical mechanical parameters, in particular, the fracture toughness of articular cartilage and will incorporate the unique structure of the dissimilar layers in articular cartilage. It will be used to study how these resist the propagation of an initiated crack and will offer significant insight into the desirable fracture properties of any replacement material for articular cartilage and will provide a basis for assessing replacement biomaterials.Read moreRead less
A Mathematical Model of the Roles of Contraction and Oxygen in Human Wound Healing. Slow or impaired wound healing and excessive scarring associated with burns are both painful and costly. Moreover, the debilitating effect of chronic wounds can be expected to increase with the continuing aging of the population and the current rise in incidence of Type 2 diabetes. This project brings together a multidisciplinary team to develop a mathematical model of human wound healing and to drive the modelli ....A Mathematical Model of the Roles of Contraction and Oxygen in Human Wound Healing. Slow or impaired wound healing and excessive scarring associated with burns are both painful and costly. Moreover, the debilitating effect of chronic wounds can be expected to increase with the continuing aging of the population and the current rise in incidence of Type 2 diabetes. This project brings together a multidisciplinary team to develop a mathematical model of human wound healing and to drive the modelling to generate important breakthroughs at the level of basic science with implications for both experimentalists and clinicians.Read moreRead less
Investigating the Effects of Network-Induced Delays on Networked Control Systems. Networked control is the current trend for industrial automation. The results of this project will be the first in the world to contribute directly to a deeper understanding of both negative and positive effects of network-induced delays on networked control systems. It will firmly place Australia at the forefront of this research by developing cutting edge technology for reliability and efficiency of industrial ne ....Investigating the Effects of Network-Induced Delays on Networked Control Systems. Networked control is the current trend for industrial automation. The results of this project will be the first in the world to contribute directly to a deeper understanding of both negative and positive effects of network-induced delays on networked control systems. It will firmly place Australia at the forefront of this research by developing cutting edge technology for reliability and efficiency of industrial networked-based control systems. This novel frontier technology will result in cost-saving and improved productivity for Australian industries, e.g. manufacturing industries, power stations, processing industries, automotive industries, vehicular networks and locomotives.Read moreRead less