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
Molecular hallmarks of androgen receptor targeting in prostate cancer. There is a critical need in oncology drug development for better biomarkers of response to prostate cancer therapies, clinically to assist with treatment decision making, and pre-clinically to facilitate translation of emerging agents into clinical practice. Using a unique explant culture model, this project will identify protein and lipid markers that can be used to accurately and reliably assess response to androgen recepto ....Molecular hallmarks of androgen receptor targeting in prostate cancer. There is a critical need in oncology drug development for better biomarkers of response to prostate cancer therapies, clinically to assist with treatment decision making, and pre-clinically to facilitate translation of emerging agents into clinical practice. Using a unique explant culture model, this project will identify protein and lipid markers that can be used to accurately and reliably assess response to androgen receptor (AR)-targeting therapies in human prostate tumours. The identification and functional assessment of these biomarkers will identify those that can be used as surrogate endpoints in clinical trials, facilitate earlier approval of investigational agents and lead to improved options for therapeutic management of prostate cancer.Read moreRead less
Identifying novel roles of disease-related proteins in the regulation of exocytosis and nervous communication. This research aims to identify new molecules involved in regulating nerve communication and hormone secretion and which are relevent to human diseases and conditions including Type 2 Diabetes, Down Syndrome, Alzheimer's Disease and Huntington's Disease. The findings may provide new targets in the treatments of such conditions. This research is therefore of special relevance to National ....Identifying novel roles of disease-related proteins in the regulation of exocytosis and nervous communication. This research aims to identify new molecules involved in regulating nerve communication and hormone secretion and which are relevent to human diseases and conditions including Type 2 Diabetes, Down Syndrome, Alzheimer's Disease and Huntington's Disease. The findings may provide new targets in the treatments of such conditions. This research is therefore of special relevance to National Research Priority 2: Promoting and Maintaining Good Health and especially to the sub-areas of this Research Priority 2: Ageing well, ageing productively and Preventative healthcare.Read moreRead less
Improved theory and practice in econometric modelling of nonlinear spatial time series. Modern Australia faces many challenges in economic and global climate changes, which require advanced statistical technologies in modeling and forecasting of econometric spatial time series data. This project will provide flexible models and methods that enable practitioners to more accurately measure and manage economic and climatic risks.
Balancing Societies’ Priorities in addressing Emerging National and Global Environmental Challenges. Growing global demands for water, food and energy will continue to intensify land-use conflicts, contribute to carbon emissions, and exacerbate threats to biodiversity. Consumption needs to be balanced with environmental protection. This project aims to frame the issues of food security, rural development, carbon emissions and biodiversity loss from the perspective of ecological and economic theo ....Balancing Societies’ Priorities in addressing Emerging National and Global Environmental Challenges. Growing global demands for water, food and energy will continue to intensify land-use conflicts, contribute to carbon emissions, and exacerbate threats to biodiversity. Consumption needs to be balanced with environmental protection. This project aims to frame the issues of food security, rural development, carbon emissions and biodiversity loss from the perspective of ecological and economic theory. It will use cutting-edge analyses to assess the implications and trade-offs of alternative land-use and development scenarios that reflect key socioeconomic and environmental priorities in Indonesia. Based on these analyses, decision-support tools will be developed to help Indonesian policymakers reconcile these objectives to achieve more sustainable development.Read moreRead less
Light driven degradation of persistent organic pollutants. This project aims to address the accumulation of pollutants in our environment by developing and optimising materials that utilise light energy to breakdown these persistent chemicals. Combining novel techniques and approaches, this project expects to generate new knowledge in the field of materials science and photochemistry. The anticipated outcomes of this project include an advancement of environmental remediation methods and the cap ....Light driven degradation of persistent organic pollutants. This project aims to address the accumulation of pollutants in our environment by developing and optimising materials that utilise light energy to breakdown these persistent chemicals. Combining novel techniques and approaches, this project expects to generate new knowledge in the field of materials science and photochemistry. The anticipated outcomes of this project include an advancement of environmental remediation methods and the capture of pollutants at their source. This should provide significant benefits to both humans and the environment through preventing the adverse impacts of pollutant exposure.Read moreRead less
The mechanochemical basis of cell polarity. This project aims to study how epithelial cells initiate polarisation, a major question in biology that conventional biochemical, cell biological and genetic approaches have not answered. This project will investigate the mechanochemical basis of symmetry breaking in the cellular cortex, a thin layer of actomyosin filaments underneath the plasma membrane, and how this forms signalling zones. Understanding polarity is expected to improve epithelia manip ....The mechanochemical basis of cell polarity. This project aims to study how epithelial cells initiate polarisation, a major question in biology that conventional biochemical, cell biological and genetic approaches have not answered. This project will investigate the mechanochemical basis of symmetry breaking in the cellular cortex, a thin layer of actomyosin filaments underneath the plasma membrane, and how this forms signalling zones. Understanding polarity is expected to improve epithelia manipulation in disciplines from tissue engineering to regenerative biology and reveal how epithelial architecture and physiology are generated.Read moreRead less
Regulation of tissue morphogenesis in reproductive function and metastatic cancer. Infertility, endocrine and metabolic disorders and reproductive cancers are all increasing medical problems and principal contributors to morbidity and mortality in the Australian community. This research takes the novel approach of investigating the mechanisms of dynamic remodeling in reproductive organs. Novel hormonally controlled mechanisms of tissue remodeling unique to reproductive organs and cancers in ad ....Regulation of tissue morphogenesis in reproductive function and metastatic cancer. Infertility, endocrine and metabolic disorders and reproductive cancers are all increasing medical problems and principal contributors to morbidity and mortality in the Australian community. This research takes the novel approach of investigating the mechanisms of dynamic remodeling in reproductive organs. Novel hormonally controlled mechanisms of tissue remodeling unique to reproductive organs and cancers in adults have been discovered. The results are being applied to new medical alternatives for infertile patients and new diagnostics and therapeutics for patients with metastatic cancers. The information is also being applied to improve reproductive efficiency in animal production industries.Read moreRead less
Understanding the molecular mechanisms of intellectual disability. Intellectual disability is frequent in the population, with one in every fifty people in the world directly affected. This project will improve our understanding of the correct development and function of the brain required for cognition by investigating specific roles and regulation of key molecules involved.