Imaging the generation and recall of protective antiviral immune responses in vivo. Our understanding of the in vivo dynamics of cellular immune responses to infectious diseases is poor. This project will utilise advanced intravital imaging combined with novel tools to dissect the cellular events involved in the generation and recall of T cell responses to localised virus infection, combined with a detailed functional analysis of the lymphoid organ stroma. Such fundamental information will contr ....Imaging the generation and recall of protective antiviral immune responses in vivo. Our understanding of the in vivo dynamics of cellular immune responses to infectious diseases is poor. This project will utilise advanced intravital imaging combined with novel tools to dissect the cellular events involved in the generation and recall of T cell responses to localised virus infection, combined with a detailed functional analysis of the lymphoid organ stroma. Such fundamental information will contribute to the development of new generation vaccines and therapies to protect against tissue-specific infectious diseases, cancers and autoimmune diseases.Read moreRead less
How the immune system recognises vitamin B-based allergies. This project aims to evaluate the range of molecules that can stimulate vitamin B-reactive T cells in mammals and amphibians, and the degree of conservation or variation in these molecules among diverse microorganisms. T cells are immune cells that recognise foreign molecules, including peptides, lipids and vitamin B metabolites, bound to specialised antigen-presenting molecules. In mammals, Mucosal Associated Invariant T cells, still p ....How the immune system recognises vitamin B-based allergies. This project aims to evaluate the range of molecules that can stimulate vitamin B-reactive T cells in mammals and amphibians, and the degree of conservation or variation in these molecules among diverse microorganisms. T cells are immune cells that recognise foreign molecules, including peptides, lipids and vitamin B metabolites, bound to specialised antigen-presenting molecules. In mammals, Mucosal Associated Invariant T cells, still poorly understood, recognise Vitamin B-based molecules. Combining immunology with structural biology and chemistry, this project aims to understand how the immune system detects molecules produced by diverse microorganisms.Read moreRead less
Reducing rocket resonance is the key to safer spaceflight. This fellowship considers a particularly dangerous component of rocket launch, which is the potential for destructive feedback loops to form either in the nozzle, or between the nozzle and the launch pad. CI Edgington-Mitchell is a world leader in the study of resonance in jet engines, having developed best-in-field methodologies for the problem. In this innovative fellowship, he will apply these methodologies to better understand the da ....Reducing rocket resonance is the key to safer spaceflight. This fellowship considers a particularly dangerous component of rocket launch, which is the potential for destructive feedback loops to form either in the nozzle, or between the nozzle and the launch pad. CI Edgington-Mitchell is a world leader in the study of resonance in jet engines, having developed best-in-field methodologies for the problem. In this innovative fellowship, he will apply these methodologies to better understand the dangerous resonances that can occur during rocket launch, using a combination of experimental, numerical, and theoretical techniques, in partnership with NASA, Stanford, and the CNRS.Read moreRead less
Cellular Organisation of Protective Immune Responses. Our immune system consists of a task force of white blood cells that coordinate to defeat invading pathogens. Research has revealed a cell receptor, CXCR3, controls immune cell interactions, which determine immune control and protection during initial cell activation and viral infection. This project will use a multi-disciplinary approach combining viral immunology, unique mouse models, advanced imaging, and bioinformatic analyses to dissect ....Cellular Organisation of Protective Immune Responses. Our immune system consists of a task force of white blood cells that coordinate to defeat invading pathogens. Research has revealed a cell receptor, CXCR3, controls immune cell interactions, which determine immune control and protection during initial cell activation and viral infection. This project will use a multi-disciplinary approach combining viral immunology, unique mouse models, advanced imaging, and bioinformatic analyses to dissect the cellular conversations that underpin immune protection. Revealing the mechanisms of cellular interactions during an immune response will have a major impact on development of targeted vaccines, and therapeutics (particularly for chronic infections and cancer), which are major health burdens.Read moreRead less
Transcriptional control of neural stem cell differentiation during development and disease. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that control how neural stem cells differentiate is critical to provide potential therapeutic treatment for neurodegenerative diseases and for brain cancer. This project will aim to discover, using an animal model system, the genes and molecules regulating these key biological processes.
Understanding the neuronal mechanisms underlying inherited epilepsies. Epilepsy is a serious disease that impacts severely on individuals and the community as a whole. Conservative estimates suggest a financial cost of more than $2 billion per annum. Drug treatment for this disease is often not adequate. Recent advances have allowed scientists to determine mutation in human genes that cause epilepsy. New models of epilepsy based on this knowledge will allow us to better understand what causes e ....Understanding the neuronal mechanisms underlying inherited epilepsies. Epilepsy is a serious disease that impacts severely on individuals and the community as a whole. Conservative estimates suggest a financial cost of more than $2 billion per annum. Drug treatment for this disease is often not adequate. Recent advances have allowed scientists to determine mutation in human genes that cause epilepsy. New models of epilepsy based on this knowledge will allow us to better understand what causes epilepsy enabling us to devise new and potent therapeutic strategies to treat the disease.Read moreRead less
Positive Computing: The design of technologies that support psychological wellbeing. Designing future technology to foster psychological wellbeing has the potential to affect population-wide positive change. The design of software like apps or social media, can impact things like cyber-bullying, depression, or even foster resilience. This project aims to connect experts across multiple disciplines (psychology, technology and policy) to develop pioneering methods, knowledge, and strategies that w ....Positive Computing: The design of technologies that support psychological wellbeing. Designing future technology to foster psychological wellbeing has the potential to affect population-wide positive change. The design of software like apps or social media, can impact things like cyber-bullying, depression, or even foster resilience. This project aims to connect experts across multiple disciplines (psychology, technology and policy) to develop pioneering methods, knowledge, and strategies that will allow future technologies to play an active role in improving health, performance, and quality of life for all Australians, through research-based design for wellbeing. In doing so, Australia will lead the way on the technological front in a growing global initiative to improve the wellbeing of nations.Read moreRead less
Benchmarking the neurophysiology of human cortex models in vitro. This project aims to improve human brain models in vitro by developing an analytical tool benchmarking biophysical similarities to the adult human cortex. This project expects to generate new knowledge by testing for the first time the theory that integrating sensory-like inputs and awake/sleep-like cycles of electrical activity in vitro may complete the maturation of human brain organoid models. It will also generate new methods ....Benchmarking the neurophysiology of human cortex models in vitro. This project aims to improve human brain models in vitro by developing an analytical tool benchmarking biophysical similarities to the adult human cortex. This project expects to generate new knowledge by testing for the first time the theory that integrating sensory-like inputs and awake/sleep-like cycles of electrical activity in vitro may complete the maturation of human brain organoid models. It will also generate new methods to simplify the analysis of multimodal path-clamping data (Patch-seq). Expected outcomes will facilitate research collaboration and the reproducibility of accurate experimental replicates of the human brain. This will provide significant benefits in the global race to understand human brain computation mechanisms.Read moreRead less
Understanding T cell immunity induced by infection. We aim to understand how killer T cells are “programmed” upon activation and acquire their characteristic functions and how these are maintained into immunological memory. This proposal will provide insights important for the design and improvement of vaccine strategies to fight pathogens such as influenza, HIV and even tumors.
Emerging technologies for enrichment in old age: A critical perspective. This project aims to generate knowledge about older adults' experiences with emerging technologies used for social and emotional enrichment. Technologies like virtual reality are said to offer social benefits for those in advanced old age, but we have limited knowledge about the issues that can impede older adults’ experiences with these technologies and even cause harm for vulnerable users. This project seeks to identify e ....Emerging technologies for enrichment in old age: A critical perspective. This project aims to generate knowledge about older adults' experiences with emerging technologies used for social and emotional enrichment. Technologies like virtual reality are said to offer social benefits for those in advanced old age, but we have limited knowledge about the issues that can impede older adults’ experiences with these technologies and even cause harm for vulnerable users. This project seeks to identify empirically informed strategies for good practice in the design and deployment of emerging technologies for enrichment in old age. This should inform the future ethical design and use of emerging technologies to benefit the social and emotional well-being of older Australians.Read moreRead less