Photosynthesis under extreme conditions. The aim of this project is to characterise modifications to the light dependent reactions of photosynthesis of simple, single cell organisms that live under harsh environmental conditions including: i) elevated temperature; ii) low, variable and low energy (red) light; iii) arid and variable hydration; and iv) chemical stress e.g. low pH. In a changing biosphere brought about by anthropological climate change, a better understanding of existing adaptions ....Photosynthesis under extreme conditions. The aim of this project is to characterise modifications to the light dependent reactions of photosynthesis of simple, single cell organisms that live under harsh environmental conditions including: i) elevated temperature; ii) low, variable and low energy (red) light; iii) arid and variable hydration; and iv) chemical stress e.g. low pH. In a changing biosphere brought about by anthropological climate change, a better understanding of existing adaptions of bacterial photosynthetic organisms may allow more resilient crops and other essential plants to be developed in the future. The project brings together an international consortium of world renowned experts across key aspects of photosynthesis. Read moreRead less
Molecular mechanisms of mechanosensation and shape regulation in cells. This project aims to explore how cells physically sense and respond to the surrounding environment on a molecular level. Physical distortion of erythrocytes doubles their glucose consumption and increases cation membrane flux five-fold. This mechanism involves opening of the mechanosenstive ion channel Piezo1. This project will include a kinetic description of these phenomena, with a goal to establish a predictive mathematic ....Molecular mechanisms of mechanosensation and shape regulation in cells. This project aims to explore how cells physically sense and respond to the surrounding environment on a molecular level. Physical distortion of erythrocytes doubles their glucose consumption and increases cation membrane flux five-fold. This mechanism involves opening of the mechanosenstive ion channel Piezo1. This project will include a kinetic description of these phenomena, with a goal to establish a predictive mathematical model of the regulation of cell-shape and volume. The project will provide an understanding of mechanisms operating when cells and tissues are succumbing to trauma and invasion, and how to control these processes on a molecular level.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE140100162
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$300,000.00
Summary
Ultrafast Science Facility: manipulating and probing matter on fs timescales with microscopic resolution. Ultrafast science facility: manipulating and probing matter on femtosecond timescales with microscopic resolution: Knowledge of dynamics that occur on femtosecond timescales is essential for a detailed understanding of many important processes in physics, chemistry and biology. This facility will enable unprecedented insight into the mechanisms driving such processes through complementary ca ....Ultrafast Science Facility: manipulating and probing matter on fs timescales with microscopic resolution. Ultrafast science facility: manipulating and probing matter on femtosecond timescales with microscopic resolution: Knowledge of dynamics that occur on femtosecond timescales is essential for a detailed understanding of many important processes in physics, chemistry and biology. This facility will enable unprecedented insight into the mechanisms driving such processes through complementary capabilities to manipulate and probe matter on femtosecond time scales at microscopic resolution. Such processes include photosynthetic energy transfer, efficient operation of organic electronics, redox reactions in biological systems and the manipulation of material properties by intense femtosecond-laser pulses. The unique capabilities of this facility will also allow the development of novel device structures and the limits of the characterisation techniques to be pushed.Read moreRead less