Superior Australian psyllium for functional foods. This project aims to establish a breeding program for Plantago ovata in Australia to provide a reliable supply of high quality, superior psyllium as a key ingredient in the gluten-free food industry, providing benefits to the industrial partner, growers in Australia and consumers. Target traits include better harvest index, reduced seed shattering and identification of lines carrying psyllium with novel properties or whole seeds that can be grou ....Superior Australian psyllium for functional foods. This project aims to establish a breeding program for Plantago ovata in Australia to provide a reliable supply of high quality, superior psyllium as a key ingredient in the gluten-free food industry, providing benefits to the industrial partner, growers in Australia and consumers. Target traits include better harvest index, reduced seed shattering and identification of lines carrying psyllium with novel properties or whole seeds that can be ground and used as flour that imparts less intense colour changes or effects on loaf structure, and which may be highly suitable for other baked gluten-free products. The fundamental knowledge gained from the genetic and biochemical anlayses of these lines will also broadly benefit seed biology research.Read moreRead less
Targeting particulate carriers to epithelial M cells. This project aims to develop and validate an advanced in vitro model of the human intestinal epithelium. The intestine-on-chip model should enable mechanistic studies of the uptake of nano- and micron-size particles by intestinal cells and deliver new insights into the way particulate carriers can be specifically targeted and transported across the intestinal epithelium. Project knowledge and technology are anticipated to generate new commerc ....Targeting particulate carriers to epithelial M cells. This project aims to develop and validate an advanced in vitro model of the human intestinal epithelium. The intestine-on-chip model should enable mechanistic studies of the uptake of nano- and micron-size particles by intestinal cells and deliver new insights into the way particulate carriers can be specifically targeted and transported across the intestinal epithelium. Project knowledge and technology are anticipated to generate new commercialisation opportunities in the oral delivery industry and ultimately, should drive the development of efficient oral formulations for biologics. The model should also reduce the need for animal studies.Read moreRead less
Bacterial mechanisms of gold mobilisation and precipitation with applications to mineral processing and exploration. The development of a comprehensive model for the biogeochemical behaviour of gold in the environment will aid mineral explorers to interpret existing exploration data and to develop better exploration strategies. Moreover, this project aims to develop the basis for a new geomicrobiological gold exploration method by identifying organisms and microbial gene sequences that could be ....Bacterial mechanisms of gold mobilisation and precipitation with applications to mineral processing and exploration. The development of a comprehensive model for the biogeochemical behaviour of gold in the environment will aid mineral explorers to interpret existing exploration data and to develop better exploration strategies. Moreover, this project aims to develop the basis for a new geomicrobiological gold exploration method by identifying organisms and microbial gene sequences that could be used as biomarkers for mineralisation. This research will also provide the fundamental information required to copy nature and engineer new cost-efficient and environmentally friendly technologies for gold processing using microorganisms that occur naturally in Australian soils. Read moreRead less
Use of Organic Residues in Edible Mushroom Production. The aims are to develop growth and casing materials for mushroom production based on organic wastes. Casing peat is the most expensive raw ingredient used in mushroom production and there are major concerns over supply due to increasing environmental concerns in supplier countries and quarantine issues such as the recent foot and mouth outbreak in Europe. This project will develop alternatives to imported peats as casing materials and invest ....Use of Organic Residues in Edible Mushroom Production. The aims are to develop growth and casing materials for mushroom production based on organic wastes. Casing peat is the most expensive raw ingredient used in mushroom production and there are major concerns over supply due to increasing environmental concerns in supplier countries and quarantine issues such as the recent foot and mouth outbreak in Europe. This project will develop alternatives to imported peats as casing materials and investigate a range of organic residues which can be used as basic growth media for button and exotic mushrooms. This will increase the viability and sustainability of the mushroom industry in Australia.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE130100199
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$475,000.00
Summary
Establishment of the Protein Quantitation Centre of South Australia (PQCSA). Determining the protein quantities in culture cells, plant material, biological fluids and entire organisms will provide critical information regarding biological processes in plants and other organisms. The facility will allow the project to progress the understanding of complex biological systems.
Enhancement of monopartite geminivirus pathogenicity by satellite DNA beta encoded betaC1 protein: the role of host factors. Australian incursions of geminiviruses are uncontrollable due to their unique mode of spread by whiteflies. The first incursion in Darwin in 1970 has spread to Far Northern Queensland. The second in SE Queensland in 2006 is estimated to cause $500 million loss to horticulture. Our $2 billion cotton industry is threatened by cotton leaf curl diseases from South Asia, where ....Enhancement of monopartite geminivirus pathogenicity by satellite DNA beta encoded betaC1 protein: the role of host factors. Australian incursions of geminiviruses are uncontrollable due to their unique mode of spread by whiteflies. The first incursion in Darwin in 1970 has spread to Far Northern Queensland. The second in SE Queensland in 2006 is estimated to cause $500 million loss to horticulture. Our $2 billion cotton industry is threatened by cotton leaf curl diseases from South Asia, where DNA beta enhances virus replication and disease severity. DNA beta has the potential to enter Australia with several different geminiviruses and to spread into others by co-infection, which requires research on detection and pathogenesis of DNA beta.Read moreRead less
Drug Targeting to Immune Cells Using Modified Inulin Particles. Vaxine Pty Ltd is an Australian biotechnology company that has discovered specific particulate forms of inulin that are efficiently internalised by human immune cells. This project aims to exploit cell migration to injury and infection sites by attaching drugs to inulin particles creating a targeted drug delivery system. This system will transport drugs specifically to afflicted areas, reducing systemic concentrations of drugs and h ....Drug Targeting to Immune Cells Using Modified Inulin Particles. Vaxine Pty Ltd is an Australian biotechnology company that has discovered specific particulate forms of inulin that are efficiently internalised by human immune cells. This project aims to exploit cell migration to injury and infection sites by attaching drugs to inulin particles creating a targeted drug delivery system. This system will transport drugs specifically to afflicted areas, reducing systemic concentrations of drugs and hence the risks of dose related side effects. This project has potential both to improve healthcare and to encourage the growth of expertise in the biotechnology industry in Australia.Read moreRead less
Proteomic analysis of central nervous system inflammation in multiple sclerosis. This project aims to identify new therapeutic targets and diagnostics for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) the most common neurological disease in young adults. The estimated economic burden of this disease in Australia is around $2 billion per annum. There is also a large social cost to take into account. In spite of a great deal of research, current therapies are limited. We expect that this this research will: lead to n ....Proteomic analysis of central nervous system inflammation in multiple sclerosis. This project aims to identify new therapeutic targets and diagnostics for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) the most common neurological disease in young adults. The estimated economic burden of this disease in Australia is around $2 billion per annum. There is also a large social cost to take into account. In spite of a great deal of research, current therapies are limited. We expect that this this research will: lead to new therapies and better diagnostics, which will reduce the financial and human cost of this disease; generate IP with subsequent economic benefits and; expand proteomics technologies which will have flow on effects including economic benefits and benefits to a wide range of basic research. Read moreRead less
Investigation of Australian crop species for the rhizoremediation of residual sulfonyl urea herbicide contaminations in agricultural soils. This research aims to identify an environmentally sustainable and economically viable solution to the problem of residual herbicide contaminations in agricultural soils. The strategy is focused on stimulation of microbial degradation of pesticides in the root zone of crop species (Lupins). Such a strategy will improve crop yields and reduce soil contaminatio ....Investigation of Australian crop species for the rhizoremediation of residual sulfonyl urea herbicide contaminations in agricultural soils. This research aims to identify an environmentally sustainable and economically viable solution to the problem of residual herbicide contaminations in agricultural soils. The strategy is focused on stimulation of microbial degradation of pesticides in the root zone of crop species (Lupins). Such a strategy will improve crop yields and reduce soil contaminations and environmental impacts at minimal cost. Read moreRead less
Development of novel and effective strategies for soil microbial- and rhizo-remediation of onshore petrogenic hydrocarbon spills. The extensive use of petroleum products represents a constant threat of oil spills to onshore and offshore environments. Petroleum spillage seriously impacts environment and human health. This project is aimed at providing a suite of techniques for dealing with onshore oil spills and thereby building Australia’s environmental response capability.