Enhancing aquaculture production of the tropical abalone using complementary genetic and environmental approaches. While temperate abalone are one of our most valuable seafoods, there is a growing demand worldwide for the ?cocktail?-sized tropical abalone Haliotis asinina. Australia is well positioned to capture the market for this rapidly growing species. We propose to enhance the already favourable growth rates of Haliotis asinina in aquaculture by delineating critical environmental and geneti ....Enhancing aquaculture production of the tropical abalone using complementary genetic and environmental approaches. While temperate abalone are one of our most valuable seafoods, there is a growing demand worldwide for the ?cocktail?-sized tropical abalone Haliotis asinina. Australia is well positioned to capture the market for this rapidly growing species. We propose to enhance the already favourable growth rates of Haliotis asinina in aquaculture by delineating critical environmental and genetic factors that effect production. This proposal uniquely melds commercial production practices at MG Kailis Export Pty Ltd with expertise in aquaculture and marine biotechnology present at The University of Queensland and CSIRO Marine Research. This knowledge will enhance the development of this new aquaculture industry in tropical Australia.Read moreRead less
Strength in uniformity - novel clonal technologies for a more productive avocado industry. Cost and time efficient clonal propagation protocols to multiply elite avocado rootstocks for increased productivity is a major industry gap. This project will develop novel approaches coupling tissue culture with recent advances in root induction, which will profitably deliver large numbers of uniform and high yielding avocado plants to national and international growers.
Economic complexity as a driver of innovation and smart specialisation. This project aims to determine how economic complexity can drive innovation and smart specialisation and how industry can be supported to transition to a more competitive economy. With the downturn of traditional manufacturing, innovation is crucial to create new industries and the jobs of the future. The expected outcomes of this project include high-value industry intelligence in support of product diversification. This sh ....Economic complexity as a driver of innovation and smart specialisation. This project aims to determine how economic complexity can drive innovation and smart specialisation and how industry can be supported to transition to a more competitive economy. With the downturn of traditional manufacturing, innovation is crucial to create new industries and the jobs of the future. The expected outcomes of this project include high-value industry intelligence in support of product diversification. This should provide significant benefits, such as increased international competitiveness, exports, revenue, and economic growth.
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DNA methylation in IVF and cloned embryos. In vitro fertilisation (IVF) and cloning are new assisted reproductive technologies that in time will revolutionise genetic improvement of Australia's economically important animals. IVF and cloning can be associated with aberrant growth that results from atypical gene expression. DNA methylation is central to gene regulation and determines which genes are expressed. In this project a new technique will be used to quantify DNA methylation in naturall ....DNA methylation in IVF and cloned embryos. In vitro fertilisation (IVF) and cloning are new assisted reproductive technologies that in time will revolutionise genetic improvement of Australia's economically important animals. IVF and cloning can be associated with aberrant growth that results from atypical gene expression. DNA methylation is central to gene regulation and determines which genes are expressed. In this project a new technique will be used to quantify DNA methylation in naturally conceived, IVF and cloned embryos. The information will be used to improve IVF and cloning so that these technologies can be applied with confidence to increase the international competitiveness of Australia's livestock industries.Read moreRead less
Development of New Generation Magnetic Circular Dichroism Spectrometers. We are building two Magnetic Circular Dichroism (MCD spectrometers) to meet a rising need in the study of metallo-proteins and other molecules of biological interest. The PhD project described in this application will involve instrumentation design, interfacing and sampling handling development for biological samples. We wish to involve a Lastek, a scientific instrumentation company, in the possible commercial development o ....Development of New Generation Magnetic Circular Dichroism Spectrometers. We are building two Magnetic Circular Dichroism (MCD spectrometers) to meet a rising need in the study of metallo-proteins and other molecules of biological interest. The PhD project described in this application will involve instrumentation design, interfacing and sampling handling development for biological samples. We wish to involve a Lastek, a scientific instrumentation company, in the possible commercial development of aspects of this project.Read moreRead less
Redirecting Carbon Flow through Mesophyll and Bundle Sheath Cells of Sugarcane to Produce Poly-3-Hydroxybutyrate. This project is part of the National Priorities "Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries." Using innovative plant metabolic engineering technologies combined with sophisticated computer modeling we are generating green plants that produce renewable, biodegradable, bioplastics possessing properties such that they are suitable replacements for petrol ....Redirecting Carbon Flow through Mesophyll and Bundle Sheath Cells of Sugarcane to Produce Poly-3-Hydroxybutyrate. This project is part of the National Priorities "Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries." Using innovative plant metabolic engineering technologies combined with sophisticated computer modeling we are generating green plants that produce renewable, biodegradable, bioplastics possessing properties such that they are suitable replacements for petroleum-derived products in many applications. During the course of these studies, we are increasing our basic level of understanding of plant metabolism of important bioenergy crops. The production of renewable, bioplastics in sugarcane will help to diversify the Australian sugarcane industry by providing a value-added product with significant world-wide markets.Read moreRead less
Red Cell Polymorphisms and Malaria. Certain red blood cell disorders have been associated with innate protection against malaria infection. However many early studies were inconclusive. We intend to carry out a comprehensive study to investigate the effect of red blood cell differences on the invasion and/or growth of Plasmodium falciparum in vitro using improved techniques. Identification of red cell components involved in interaction with P.falciparum would give a better understanding of host ....Red Cell Polymorphisms and Malaria. Certain red blood cell disorders have been associated with innate protection against malaria infection. However many early studies were inconclusive. We intend to carry out a comprehensive study to investigate the effect of red blood cell differences on the invasion and/or growth of Plasmodium falciparum in vitro using improved techniques. Identification of red cell components involved in interaction with P.falciparum would give a better understanding of host parasite interactions which may in turn suggest novel approaches or pathways to persue. This may eventually lead to the development of novel therapeutics.
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A lipodomic approach to cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbiosis. Fatty Acids are essential for human health and for reef health. This lipodomic study using newly developed techniques, aims to understand the essential and non-essential fatty acid metabolic exchange in the symbiosis that drives coral reef formation and health, and in turn gives reflective insight into our own metabolism.
Scalable nanomechanical information processing. This project aims to build the first scalable computer architecture based on nanoscale motion on a silicon chip. Such nanomechanical computers could extend computing performance in space and earth-orbit applications, and in other environments where intense radiation causes digital electronics to fail. The project intends to utilise recent advances in nanomechanics and nanofabrication to demonstrate all key nanomechanical circuit elements, including ....Scalable nanomechanical information processing. This project aims to build the first scalable computer architecture based on nanoscale motion on a silicon chip. Such nanomechanical computers could extend computing performance in space and earth-orbit applications, and in other environments where intense radiation causes digital electronics to fail. The project intends to utilise recent advances in nanomechanics and nanofabrication to demonstrate all key nanomechanical circuit elements, including transistors, logic gates, memories and analogue-to-digital converters and to deliver a roadmap for commercialisation of the technology in Australia. The expected outcome of this project is the development of the underpinning nanotechnologies, predicted to have wide uses in sensing, health and communications,and which could improve heat management and energy efficiency in future computers. This new approach to computing has potential for near-term commercial impact in the aerospace industry, building on Australian know-how.Read moreRead less
Microchip Impedance Biosensor for Biomedical Diagnostics. This research proposal uses an innovative engineering approach based on novel nanomaterials with the aim of developing a new and generic biosensing technology with the potential to be widely applied in many areas including medical diagnostics, environmental control, industry and biosecurity. The outcomes from this project will benefit Australia by contributing through the development of novel materials, new technologies and new devices. ....Microchip Impedance Biosensor for Biomedical Diagnostics. This research proposal uses an innovative engineering approach based on novel nanomaterials with the aim of developing a new and generic biosensing technology with the potential to be widely applied in many areas including medical diagnostics, environmental control, industry and biosecurity. The outcomes from this project will benefit Australia by contributing through the development of novel materials, new technologies and new devices. The development of technological innovations based on fabricated nanomaterials, will also enhance capacity in frontier technology such as nanotechnology, and build Australia’s strength in using new biosensing technologies.Read moreRead less