Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR180100005
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,225,000.00
Summary
Remediation of PFAS contaminated soil using soil washing and immobilisation. This project aims to assess the applicability of soil washing and immobilisation as cost-effective techniques for the remediation of per- and poly-fluroalkyl substance (PFAS) contaminated Australian soils. The project expects to establish the efficacy of the remediation of a range of PFASs, including many polyfluorinated precursors of perfluorinated, chemically-persistent legacy pollutants which are of concern. The proj ....Remediation of PFAS contaminated soil using soil washing and immobilisation. This project aims to assess the applicability of soil washing and immobilisation as cost-effective techniques for the remediation of per- and poly-fluroalkyl substance (PFAS) contaminated Australian soils. The project expects to establish the efficacy of the remediation of a range of PFASs, including many polyfluorinated precursors of perfluorinated, chemically-persistent legacy pollutants which are of concern. The project will provide a scientific basis for understanding the benefits and limitations associated with soil washing and immobilisation techniques and a more comprehensive understanding of future liabilities associated with formation of PFASs from precursors remaining in remediated soils. Collaboration with stakeholders will ensure benefits are captured both commercially and environmentally, as well as removing a potential and on-going health threat to communities exposed to these contaminants.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE240100039
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$470,000.00
Summary
Advanced HR-ICP-MS facility for marine, Antarctic and environmental samples. This proposal seeks support for a shared High Resolution Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry facility for Tasmanian researchers. The existing UTAS instrument is approaching end-of-life and is becoming increasingly unreliable. Access to enhanced capabilities embodied in a rejuvenated facility, along with a renewed lifespan, is essential for continued analysis of ultra-trace elements and isotopes in challenging s ....Advanced HR-ICP-MS facility for marine, Antarctic and environmental samples. This proposal seeks support for a shared High Resolution Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry facility for Tasmanian researchers. The existing UTAS instrument is approaching end-of-life and is becoming increasingly unreliable. Access to enhanced capabilities embodied in a rejuvenated facility, along with a renewed lifespan, is essential for continued analysis of ultra-trace elements and isotopes in challenging samples from southern environments. The new instrument will allow TAS researchers and their (inter)national collaborators to undertake world-leading research, enhancing competitive profiles in a diverse range of research areas (oceanography, analytical chemistry, Antarctic studies, environmental assessment, geochemistry). Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE200101785
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$424,978.00
Summary
Viewing Chemistry through Diamond: Quantum Sensors for Realtime in situ NMR. This project aims to develop a new analytical method and integrated platform technology for time dependent, in situ monitoring of chemical reactions. The proposed research will capitalise on recent developments made in the field of diamond-based quantum sensing to enable the resolution of chemical species and their concentrations within the timescales associated with many important reaction systems. This project thus ex ....Viewing Chemistry through Diamond: Quantum Sensors for Realtime in situ NMR. This project aims to develop a new analytical method and integrated platform technology for time dependent, in situ monitoring of chemical reactions. The proposed research will capitalise on recent developments made in the field of diamond-based quantum sensing to enable the resolution of chemical species and their concentrations within the timescales associated with many important reaction systems. This project thus expects to generate knowledge in both quantum metrology and physical chemistry. Moreover, the realisation of this technology has significant potential to improve the design and manufacture of important advanced materials, ranging from clean energy production and storage, to pharmaceutical development and drug discovery.Read moreRead less
Smart affinity membranes for manufacture of high value therapeutic proteins. This project aims to develop next generation separation membranes for production of high-value proteins from serum. Through a combination of innovative chemistries, biotechnology and engineering, the project will enhance production, efficiency and resolution of membranes for separating complex mixtures, thereby contributing to broader understanding in membrane science. By establishing a strong collaborative link between ....Smart affinity membranes for manufacture of high value therapeutic proteins. This project aims to develop next generation separation membranes for production of high-value proteins from serum. Through a combination of innovative chemistries, biotechnology and engineering, the project will enhance production, efficiency and resolution of membranes for separating complex mixtures, thereby contributing to broader understanding in membrane science. By establishing a strong collaborative link between academic and industry researchers, this project has the potential to significantly value-add to existing and exciting Australian technology by enhancing the efficiency of plasma fractionation, improving isolation of large molecules from complex media and by improving the downstream manufacturing and bioprocessing pipeline. Read moreRead less
Mid-Career Industry Fellowships - Grant ID: IM230100534
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$874,096.00
Summary
NOVEL MASS-SCALE BIOSYNTHESIS: TAILORING CHEMICAL LOGIC & BIOSYNTHESIS. No new antibiotics against Gram-negative ‘superbugs’ are expected to be available in the near future. We have exhausted the chemical space from the natural product pool and lack a fundamental understanding of antibiotics in nature, this is a major hurdle for antibiotic design targeting bacterial resistance. This proposal aims to engineer unique chemo-enzymatic platforms for the synthesis of new lipopeptide scaffolds which wi ....NOVEL MASS-SCALE BIOSYNTHESIS: TAILORING CHEMICAL LOGIC & BIOSYNTHESIS. No new antibiotics against Gram-negative ‘superbugs’ are expected to be available in the near future. We have exhausted the chemical space from the natural product pool and lack a fundamental understanding of antibiotics in nature, this is a major hurdle for antibiotic design targeting bacterial resistance. This proposal aims to engineer unique chemo-enzymatic platforms for the synthesis of new lipopeptide scaffolds which will significantly expand the chemical space available for novel antibiotic discovery. The development of these unique platforms will greatly expand our inventory of natural product antibiotics and will represent a major technological break-through for Australia's biotechnology and pharmaceutical manufacturing sectors.Read moreRead less
Connecting soil nitrogen and plant uptake for greener agriculture. This project will use synthetic organic chemistry, biochemistry, root and rhizosphere biology and rhizosphere modelling to establish detailed mechanistic knowledge of the nitrogen (N) transport and uptake processes at the soil-root interface to develop new, efficient urease and nitrification inhibitors for reliable provision of N to the plant/root system. The reduction of excessive N fertilisation has significant environmental be ....Connecting soil nitrogen and plant uptake for greener agriculture. This project will use synthetic organic chemistry, biochemistry, root and rhizosphere biology and rhizosphere modelling to establish detailed mechanistic knowledge of the nitrogen (N) transport and uptake processes at the soil-root interface to develop new, efficient urease and nitrification inhibitors for reliable provision of N to the plant/root system. The reduction of excessive N fertilisation has significant environmental benefits by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and water pollution. This project will lead to a breakthrough for the triple challenge of food security, environmental degradation and climate change, while improving plant productivity and increasing the profitability of agriculture through lower fertiliser costs.Read moreRead less
Computational tools for organic synthesis. This project aims to develop new computer modelling techniques with the ability to rapidly identify efficient synthetic routes to target molecules. The barrier heights, reaction energies, and product selectivities of the individual steps in a multi-step synthesis are key factors determining its overall efficiency, and are traditionally determined empirically. Innovative tools for predicting these properties through computer simulations are the expected ....Computational tools for organic synthesis. This project aims to develop new computer modelling techniques with the ability to rapidly identify efficient synthetic routes to target molecules. The barrier heights, reaction energies, and product selectivities of the individual steps in a multi-step synthesis are key factors determining its overall efficiency, and are traditionally determined empirically. Innovative tools for predicting these properties through computer simulations are the expected outcomes of this project. These tools are anticipated to enable target molecules to be accessed more efficiently, with less expenditure of laboratory resources and a lower environmental impact, thereby contributing to an agile and sustainable chemical industry.Read moreRead less
Microfluidic models of the CNS: Understanding cells, circuits & synapses. Aims: We aim to develop new cell culture platforms to form defined networks of brain cells. These platforms will be used to determine the critical mechanisms underpinning central nervous system function.
Significance: The devices developed will enable an unprecedented capacity to monitor changes throughout a network, with analysis at the level of the synapse, cell and circuit.
Expected outcomes: We will advance knowledge ....Microfluidic models of the CNS: Understanding cells, circuits & synapses. Aims: We aim to develop new cell culture platforms to form defined networks of brain cells. These platforms will be used to determine the critical mechanisms underpinning central nervous system function.
Significance: The devices developed will enable an unprecedented capacity to monitor changes throughout a network, with analysis at the level of the synapse, cell and circuit.
Expected outcomes: We will advance knowledge regarding the function of the CNS and deliver complex human cellular systems, that have both discovery and commercial applications.
Benefit: These platforms will have subsequent application revealing the mechanisms underlying numerous neurological diseases, with capacity to upscale for rapid drug screening.
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