Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160100615
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$348,200.00
Summary
Harnessing chain-forming diatoms for improved lipid biofuel production. The aim of this project is to unlock the molecular secrets of highly productive chain-forming diatom microalgae that allow them to produce high levels of biofuel lipids. The formation of multicellular chains appears key to the success of some of the most widespread and productive diatom species. Through a combination of systems biology, bioinformatics, and genetics experiments, this project aims to investigate the relationsh ....Harnessing chain-forming diatoms for improved lipid biofuel production. The aim of this project is to unlock the molecular secrets of highly productive chain-forming diatom microalgae that allow them to produce high levels of biofuel lipids. The formation of multicellular chains appears key to the success of some of the most widespread and productive diatom species. Through a combination of systems biology, bioinformatics, and genetics experiments, this project aims to investigate the relationship between chain formation and biofuel lipid productivity in Chaetoceros diatoms, and to discover genes and molecules that encode and influence these traits. The knowledge and technology generated as a result may improve biofuel yields, increase the robustness of species growing in open pond systems, and reduce processing costs such as de-watering.Read moreRead less
Function and application of novel proteins from sponge symbionts. This project aims to determine the function of eukaryotic-like proteins (ELPs) from bacterial symbionts of sponges and apply this knowledge to develop new tools for biotechnology. This project will use innovative microscopy techniques and gene expression studies to define the molecular and cellular interactions of ELPs with sponges and how this is influenced by changing environmental conditions. ELPs will be further used to create ....Function and application of novel proteins from sponge symbionts. This project aims to determine the function of eukaryotic-like proteins (ELPs) from bacterial symbionts of sponges and apply this knowledge to develop new tools for biotechnology. This project will use innovative microscopy techniques and gene expression studies to define the molecular and cellular interactions of ELPs with sponges and how this is influenced by changing environmental conditions. ELPs will be further used to create new, artificial interactions between bacteria and eukaryotes. This project will provide fundamental knowledge on the evolution and function of newly discovered ELPs found in both beneficial and pathogenic bacteria and paves the way to control symbiosis for biotechnological applications.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE200100043
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$389,000.00
Summary
Rapid Molecular (Bio)material Imaging by Infrared and Raman Microscopies. This project aims to undertake fast probe-free biochemical/chemical imaging of heterogeneity within cells and materials surfaces with new infrared and Raman imaging. It will generate new fundamental knowledge on: cell heterogeneity and dynamic processes; technologies for optimising cell printing; understanding toxicity of microplastics; and protocols for measuring materials of technological relevance. Expected outcomes inc ....Rapid Molecular (Bio)material Imaging by Infrared and Raman Microscopies. This project aims to undertake fast probe-free biochemical/chemical imaging of heterogeneity within cells and materials surfaces with new infrared and Raman imaging. It will generate new fundamental knowledge on: cell heterogeneity and dynamic processes; technologies for optimising cell printing; understanding toxicity of microplastics; and protocols for measuring materials of technological relevance. Expected outcomes include: interdisciplinary collaborations in new protocols for in-vitro drug development; cell printing technologies; environmental impacts of microplastics; and materials design. Expected benefits include innovative approaches to early stage drug design; improved environmental controls and advances in innovative materials.Read moreRead less
Seafood safety: high throughput diagnostics for ciguatoxin risk assessment. This project aims to develop a novel, high throughput platform for rapidly assessing ciguatoxins. Species of the marine microalgae Gambierdiscus produce ciguatoxins, which accumulate in fish through marine food chains to cause the often debilitating human illness called ciguatera fish poisoning. Ciiguatera fish poisoning is a growing and substantial risk for the $2.2 billion Australian commercial fishing industry. This s ....Seafood safety: high throughput diagnostics for ciguatoxin risk assessment. This project aims to develop a novel, high throughput platform for rapidly assessing ciguatoxins. Species of the marine microalgae Gambierdiscus produce ciguatoxins, which accumulate in fish through marine food chains to cause the often debilitating human illness called ciguatera fish poisoning. Ciiguatera fish poisoning is a growing and substantial risk for the $2.2 billion Australian commercial fishing industry. This serious illness is increasingly impacting more southerly areas of Australia due to environmental changes. The outcomes of this project include new knowledge of the risk of ciguatoxins at Australian 'hot spot' sites, extensively field tested methods for detecting Gambierdiscus and ciguatoxins in situ and key data to inform policy to safeguard the seafood industry and consumers.
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New photobioreactor to up-scale axenic cultures of microalgae. This project aims to deliver a scalable photo-bioreactor for the large scale axenic culture of microalgae to close the technology gap for research and development in the Australian algae biotechnology sector. Algae biotechnology is a rapidly emerging area, particularly in biofuel production. The project aims to test and demonstrate a photo-bioreactor for its applicability to produce sufficient algae biomass to study a low abundance p ....New photobioreactor to up-scale axenic cultures of microalgae. This project aims to deliver a scalable photo-bioreactor for the large scale axenic culture of microalgae to close the technology gap for research and development in the Australian algae biotechnology sector. Algae biotechnology is a rapidly emerging area, particularly in biofuel production. The project aims to test and demonstrate a photo-bioreactor for its applicability to produce sufficient algae biomass to study a low abundance photosynthetic protein complex to advance knowledge of coral bleaching.Read moreRead less