Novel semio-chemical approach to control the Australian Sheep Blowfly . The Australian Federal Government through the 'Smart Farming' initiative highlights the need for improved multidisciplinary measures in order to remain at the global forefront of the invention and adoption of technology. This multidisciplinary project (entomology, biotechnology, analytical chemistry and genomics) will rapidly inform the management of fly strike on an important Australian resource merino sheep. This will bui ....Novel semio-chemical approach to control the Australian Sheep Blowfly . The Australian Federal Government through the 'Smart Farming' initiative highlights the need for improved multidisciplinary measures in order to remain at the global forefront of the invention and adoption of technology. This multidisciplinary project (entomology, biotechnology, analytical chemistry and genomics) will rapidly inform the management of fly strike on an important Australian resource merino sheep. This will build the key biochemical data in order to develop a novel fly lure technology (at scale) to be used on farm delivering national benefit through improved animal welfare and safety considerations for producers, and will establish the best approach to disseminate this scientific information to stakeholders such as farmers.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL200100220
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,364,492.00
Summary
Understanding host-microbiome signalling axes in ageing. Ageing is an inevitable biological phenomenon and is characterised by alterations in multiple biochemical, immunological and mechanical processes, which are influenced by the gut bacteria. Poor ageing exerts a heavy socioeconomic burden both nationally and globally. The aim of this proposal is to deepen understanding of host-microbiome signalling in ageing by bringing together next generation sequencing technologies to characterise age-ass ....Understanding host-microbiome signalling axes in ageing. Ageing is an inevitable biological phenomenon and is characterised by alterations in multiple biochemical, immunological and mechanical processes, which are influenced by the gut bacteria. Poor ageing exerts a heavy socioeconomic burden both nationally and globally. The aim of this proposal is to deepen understanding of host-microbiome signalling in ageing by bringing together next generation sequencing technologies to characterise age-associated change in gut bacterial composition, metabolic profiling to identify changes in functionality of the ageing microbiome and a combination of in vitro and in vivo screening approaches to establish molecular mechanisms. The new knowledge will facilitate development of improved models of health care.Read moreRead less
Imaging metal homeostasis in the ageing brain. This fellowship aims to deliver new tools to visualise how changes to blood vessels during ageing effect the amount and distribution of metal ions in brain cells in animal models. This will be a significant advance as current methods cannot image these parameters. Metal ions are essential for brain function, but the effects of ageing on metal ions within brain cells is largely unknown. The results are expected to associate brain-blood vessel permeab ....Imaging metal homeostasis in the ageing brain. This fellowship aims to deliver new tools to visualise how changes to blood vessels during ageing effect the amount and distribution of metal ions in brain cells in animal models. This will be a significant advance as current methods cannot image these parameters. Metal ions are essential for brain function, but the effects of ageing on metal ions within brain cells is largely unknown. The results are expected to associate brain-blood vessel permeability with changes to metal ion content during ageing. The methods developed, and the fundamental new knowledge they reveal will benefit national and international neuroscientists seeking to elucidate the fundamental neurobiology of metal ions with respect to maintaining healthy brain function.Read moreRead less
Gelled electrolyte materials for toxic gas sensing. This project aims to develop and implement an alternative approach to the current methods of monitoring of oxygen and toxic gas levels. The aim is to use novel gelled electrolytes based on ionic liquids and polymers, combined with miniaturised sensor devices, to create a robust membrane-free and spill-less design. Amperometric gas sensors are commonly employed to monitor oxygen and toxic gas levels, but the technology used is still based on a ....Gelled electrolyte materials for toxic gas sensing. This project aims to develop and implement an alternative approach to the current methods of monitoring of oxygen and toxic gas levels. The aim is to use novel gelled electrolytes based on ionic liquids and polymers, combined with miniaturised sensor devices, to create a robust membrane-free and spill-less design. Amperometric gas sensors are commonly employed to monitor oxygen and toxic gas levels, but the technology used is still based on a 1950s design. The expected outcome of the project is to make fundamental advances in the design of materials that are not affected by humidity changes and which impart selectivity towards particular gases. This will provide the basis for a new generation of low-cost, miniaturised, selective sensors for use in applications such as wearable toxic gas sensors, and as leak detectors on hydrogen-powered vehicles.Read moreRead less
Unlocking the potential of poly(ionic liquids) for electrochemical sensing. This project aims to create new science that will enable the development of low-cost, miniaturised electrochemical sensors based on poly-ionic liquids. The chemistry of the materials will be tuned to selectively detect hazardous pollutants to enable trace concentration detection at analytically relevant levels. Fundamental behaviour of gases and solid contaminants dissolved in poly-ionic liquid/ionic liquid membranes wil ....Unlocking the potential of poly(ionic liquids) for electrochemical sensing. This project aims to create new science that will enable the development of low-cost, miniaturised electrochemical sensors based on poly-ionic liquids. The chemistry of the materials will be tuned to selectively detect hazardous pollutants to enable trace concentration detection at analytically relevant levels. Fundamental behaviour of gases and solid contaminants dissolved in poly-ionic liquid/ionic liquid membranes will be uncovered, and their performance for sensing in real environments will be examined. It is expected that these advances will transform detection methods by taking sensing out of the lab and in to the hands of the everyday person, giving rapid and accurate knowledge about the concentration of hazards in the environment.Read moreRead less
Correlative Imaging of Brain Lipids. This project aims to develop imaging tools and protocols for the detection of lipids in brain tissue and cells. This project expects to generate advanced methodologies to display specific lipid classes and their corresponding structures within tissues and cells, with the ability to be detected and correlated with multiple techniques, which represent a currently unavailable capacity. The expected outcomes of this project are improved opportunities to study lip ....Correlative Imaging of Brain Lipids. This project aims to develop imaging tools and protocols for the detection of lipids in brain tissue and cells. This project expects to generate advanced methodologies to display specific lipid classes and their corresponding structures within tissues and cells, with the ability to be detected and correlated with multiple techniques, which represent a currently unavailable capacity. The expected outcomes of this project are improved opportunities to study lipid biology at the cellular and sub-cellular level across a wide range of in vitro and in vivo models. The outcomes of this project should provide significant knowledge to tackle modern societal challenges in healthy ageing, brain pathologies and neurodegenerative diseases.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Training Centres - Grant ID: IC210100040
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,997,903.00
Summary
ARC Training Centre for Facilitated Advancement of Australia's Bioactives (FAAB). The Centre for Facilitated Advancement of Australia's Bioactives (FAAB) will transform the rapidly growing bioactive ingredients sector. It will apply advanced analytical methods to molecular characterisation of bioactive products derived from foods, food-waste, and cell-based biotechnologies. FAAB will determine modes of action for bioactives with potential lifestyle and nutritional benefits allowing for evidence- ....ARC Training Centre for Facilitated Advancement of Australia's Bioactives (FAAB). The Centre for Facilitated Advancement of Australia's Bioactives (FAAB) will transform the rapidly growing bioactive ingredients sector. It will apply advanced analytical methods to molecular characterisation of bioactive products derived from foods, food-waste, and cell-based biotechnologies. FAAB will determine modes of action for bioactives with potential lifestyle and nutritional benefits allowing for evidence-informed decision-making, and regulatory framework development. FAAB graduates will lead and deliver future national self-reliance to the Australian bioactives sector, increasing diversification and international competitiveness and development of regulation in a growing market. Read moreRead less
Automated Sensors for a ‘wetland in a box’. Globally, and particularly in Australia, water supply and water pollution is one of the most critical constraints to our health and growth. This project seeks to validate a new portable remediation system suitable for deployment at regional locations through the integration and development of advanced sensors. We aim to develop the world’s first completely integrated platform for monitoring both water chemistry and microbiology to provide near-real-tim ....Automated Sensors for a ‘wetland in a box’. Globally, and particularly in Australia, water supply and water pollution is one of the most critical constraints to our health and growth. This project seeks to validate a new portable remediation system suitable for deployment at regional locations through the integration and development of advanced sensors. We aim to develop the world’s first completely integrated platform for monitoring both water chemistry and microbiology to provide near-real-time information regarding the quality of the remediated water. We expect this to improve the availability of regional water resources by providing a low-cost remediation solution with integrated monitoring to provide assurances of meeting the Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling (2006).Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Training Centres - Grant ID: IC210100056
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,975,864.00
Summary
ARC Training Centre for Next-Gen Technologies in Biomedical Analysis . The Centre for Next-Gen Technologies in Biomedical Analysis will deliver workforce trained in the development of transformative technologies that will rapidly expand the Australian pharmaceutical, diagnostic and defence sector. The university-industry partnership will increase Australia’s manufacturing capability by fast tracking screening, by integrating 3D printing, advanced sensing, big data analytics, machine learning an ....ARC Training Centre for Next-Gen Technologies in Biomedical Analysis . The Centre for Next-Gen Technologies in Biomedical Analysis will deliver workforce trained in the development of transformative technologies that will rapidly expand the Australian pharmaceutical, diagnostic and defence sector. The university-industry partnership will increase Australia’s manufacturing capability by fast tracking screening, by integrating 3D printing, advanced sensing, big data analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence for the delivery of optimal solutions in diagnosis, treatment and wellbeing. The centre will deliver training in Industry 4.0 skills which will boost early-stage scale-up and accelerate the sector’s supply chain, which is pivotal for the Australian industries to maintain a competitive edge. Read moreRead less
Counting the Electrons: Nickel Catalysed Electrochemical C-H Activation. Modern chemical synthetic methods using organometallic catalysts are highly prized in chemical industry and provide a multibillion dollar driver for world economies. However, traditional catalysis is expensive because of the reliance on rare earth metals often conjunction with toxic additives or reagents. The aim of this work is to develop new inexpensive transition metal catalysts based on earth abundant nickel and harness ....Counting the Electrons: Nickel Catalysed Electrochemical C-H Activation. Modern chemical synthetic methods using organometallic catalysts are highly prized in chemical industry and provide a multibillion dollar driver for world economies. However, traditional catalysis is expensive because of the reliance on rare earth metals often conjunction with toxic additives or reagents. The aim of this work is to develop new inexpensive transition metal catalysts based on earth abundant nickel and harness the power of electrons through electrochemistry to dramatically improve the reactivity of these catalysts. This project will seek to improve the way both complex and commonly used chemicals constructed through an atom economical process with potentially renewably produced electrons.Read moreRead less