Mathematical Methods for Next Generation Sequencing. The emergence of a new generation of high throughput genomic sequencing technologies is providing unprecedented opportunities for biological research. Hidden within the huge amounts of data generated by this technology is information about the expression and regulation of genes, and the complex functional purpose of non-coding, so called 'junk', DNA. Development of mathematical and statistical tools is essential to interpreting these data. The ....Mathematical Methods for Next Generation Sequencing. The emergence of a new generation of high throughput genomic sequencing technologies is providing unprecedented opportunities for biological research. Hidden within the huge amounts of data generated by this technology is information about the expression and regulation of genes, and the complex functional purpose of non-coding, so called 'junk', DNA. Development of mathematical and statistical tools is essential to interpreting these data. The proposed research will enhance Australia's reputation for developing novel quantitative techniques at the cutting edge of modern biology. The proposed project has a broad range of potential applications in biotechnology, particularly in the medical and agricultural industries.Read moreRead less
Decision-making in social insects and nature-inspired optimisation algorithms. Insect societies are ideal for the study of complex systems. Contrary to other complex systems, insect colonies can be modified without destroying the system. Computer scientists have found a source of inspiration in the behaviour of social insects for solving optimisation problems. Here we will study the influence of information flow on decision-making in real insect societies using:
1) Experiments aimed at investig ....Decision-making in social insects and nature-inspired optimisation algorithms. Insect societies are ideal for the study of complex systems. Contrary to other complex systems, insect colonies can be modified without destroying the system. Computer scientists have found a source of inspiration in the behaviour of social insects for solving optimisation problems. Here we will study the influence of information flow on decision-making in real insect societies using:
1) Experiments aimed at investigating how storage and transfer of information affects individual decision-making within a honey bee colony (University of Sydney)
2) Design of a new class of 'bee' algorithms that incorporate direct information transfer and are aimed at solving dynamic multicriterion optimisation problems (University of Leipzig).
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Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140101268
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$386,820.00
Summary
Stochastic mathematical modelling of the Wnt signalling pathway. The Wnt signalling pathway is pivotal in multicellular organisms, regulating cellular processes such as proliferation, apoptosis and migration. Faulty Wnt signalling is associated with degenerative diseases, developmental disorders and cancers and is therefore a potential target for therapeutic drugs. This project will perform a stochastic spatial simulation of the Wnt signalling pathway which will be matched to experimental data. ....Stochastic mathematical modelling of the Wnt signalling pathway. The Wnt signalling pathway is pivotal in multicellular organisms, regulating cellular processes such as proliferation, apoptosis and migration. Faulty Wnt signalling is associated with degenerative diseases, developmental disorders and cancers and is therefore a potential target for therapeutic drugs. This project will perform a stochastic spatial simulation of the Wnt signalling pathway which will be matched to experimental data. The model will be extended to integrate with the cell cycle. Increased proliferation in tumours has been linked to mutations in Wnt components. Using the extended model, the effect of Wnt-targeting therapeutic cancer drugs on cancer cell proliferation rates will be predicted and compared to experiments.Read moreRead less
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
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
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130101191
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Formation of the osteocyte network in bone matrix. The formation of new bone, which occurs throughout life for bone renewal and acutely after fractures, entraps a network of cells that can detect micro-damage and direct repair mechanisms. Mathematical and computational methods will be used to understand how this network can lead to a self-detecting and self-repairing biomaterial.
New data-driven mathematical models of collective cell motion. Cancer and chronic wounds are a national, and indeed, international health problem set to worsen as our population ages. Predictive and interpretive tools are required to improve our understanding of collective cell migration in relation to cancer and chronic wounds. This project will produce new validated mathematical tools for predicting collective cell migration in a general framework that can deal with application-specific detail ....New data-driven mathematical models of collective cell motion. Cancer and chronic wounds are a national, and indeed, international health problem set to worsen as our population ages. Predictive and interpretive tools are required to improve our understanding of collective cell migration in relation to cancer and chronic wounds. This project will produce new validated mathematical tools for predicting collective cell migration in a general framework that can deal with application-specific details, such as the role of cell shape and cell size. Although cell shape and size are known to affect collective cell migration, standard mathematical models ignore these details. This project will produce new predictive mathematical modelling tools that are validated by new experimental data. Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140100741
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$389,564.00
Summary
Analysis of defect driven pattern formation in mathematical models. . Defects, or heterogeneities, are common in nature and technology and therefore in mathematical models. This project will underpin the effects a defect can have on the dynamics of a model, characterise the new patterns created by a heterogeneity and see how the dynamics can be controlled by manipulating the heterogeneity. Moreover, these new insights will be applied to a model for skin cancer, resulting in a more appropriate mo ....Analysis of defect driven pattern formation in mathematical models. . Defects, or heterogeneities, are common in nature and technology and therefore in mathematical models. This project will underpin the effects a defect can have on the dynamics of a model, characterise the new patterns created by a heterogeneity and see how the dynamics can be controlled by manipulating the heterogeneity. Moreover, these new insights will be applied to a model for skin cancer, resulting in a more appropriate model and a mathematically justifiable analysis of a very important scientific problem.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.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120101113
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Mathematical modelling of breast cancer immunity: guiding the development of preventative breast cancer vaccines. The project will apply various methods from mathematical modelling to simulate anti-breast cancer immune responses to incipient tumours. Results from simulation and analysis will help develop, assess, and optimise preventative breast cancer vaccines for further testing in future experimental studies.