Solving the passport problem: re-designing photo-ID to improve recognition. We aim to contribute to national security and crime prevention by increasing the accuracy with which security staff can check the validity of photo-ID documents such as passports. Research shows that it is surprisingly difficult to determine if the image on a photo-ID document is of the bearer, and as a result it is likely that fraudulent use of photo-ID documents sometimes goes undetected. Our novel approach is to use ....Solving the passport problem: re-designing photo-ID to improve recognition. We aim to contribute to national security and crime prevention by increasing the accuracy with which security staff can check the validity of photo-ID documents such as passports. Research shows that it is surprisingly difficult to determine if the image on a photo-ID document is of the bearer, and as a result it is likely that fraudulent use of photo-ID documents sometimes goes undetected. Our novel approach is to use our knowledge of unfamiliar face perception to develop new image formats for photo-ID documents which increase the accuracy with which security staff can detect identity fraud.Read moreRead less
New clean and green aqueous metathesis. The technique of olefin metathesis has already yielded new pharmaceuticals and materials for use in consumer products and ballistic protection. This project will help move metathesis into the realms of natures aqueous environment, a key advance if metathesis is to reveal its full potential in biological, polymeric, and pharmaceutical applications. We specifically aim to target treatments for cataract (and other conditions associated with an aging populatio ....New clean and green aqueous metathesis. The technique of olefin metathesis has already yielded new pharmaceuticals and materials for use in consumer products and ballistic protection. This project will help move metathesis into the realms of natures aqueous environment, a key advance if metathesis is to reveal its full potential in biological, polymeric, and pharmaceutical applications. We specifically aim to target treatments for cataract (and other conditions associated with an aging population) and also important new biopolymers for use in health technologies of the future.Read moreRead less
Techniques for probing biological media with holographic angular scattering spectroscopy. Huge effort in the biological and medical sciences is spent in using simple software to laboriously mark, count and measure cells and structures in microscope images of samples. We could replace this incredibly inefficient process in many instances with single-shot size-map images of unstained samples. If depth selectivity can be added, we could perform non-invasive measurements on animals, making a huge re ....Techniques for probing biological media with holographic angular scattering spectroscopy. Huge effort in the biological and medical sciences is spent in using simple software to laboriously mark, count and measure cells and structures in microscope images of samples. We could replace this incredibly inefficient process in many instances with single-shot size-map images of unstained samples. If depth selectivity can be added, we could perform non-invasive measurements on animals, making a huge reduction in their usage. We could assess thick tissues enabling early noninvasive diagnosis of malignancy in tumours in situ or muscle characterization for meat quality or muscular dystrophy. These benefits impact on research, animal ethics, and on health, and have commercial potential in life and medical sciences, and the meat industry.Read moreRead less
Raman spectroscopy and imaging of natural and synthetic melanins. The national benefit of this research lies in three main areas. First, this research could lead to a non-invasive diagnostic for melanoma. Second, it could reveal stronger connections between melanin and melanoma development than previously believed and thus inspire possible methods of treatment or prevention of melanoma. Given Australia's high incidence of melanoma, these could have an enormous impact on our health care system. T ....Raman spectroscopy and imaging of natural and synthetic melanins. The national benefit of this research lies in three main areas. First, this research could lead to a non-invasive diagnostic for melanoma. Second, it could reveal stronger connections between melanin and melanoma development than previously believed and thus inspire possible methods of treatment or prevention of melanoma. Given Australia's high incidence of melanoma, these could have an enormous impact on our health care system. Third, it will increase our understanding of the melanin pigment and further establish Australia as a leader in this field. Given the links between melanin and Parkinson's Disease and immune response, this understanding could have greater impact on health care than simply melanoma.Read moreRead less
Conformationally constrained and immobilized beta-peptides. The research builds on world-class expertise in Australia (particularly Adelaide) in proteomics to provide a basis for fundamental advances in chemistry that will underpin the development of new pharmaceuticals and smart materials, and future technologies and industries. We create a mix of research at the interface of disciplines within academia and industry, with linkages to the very best international researchers and centres. A new cr ....Conformationally constrained and immobilized beta-peptides. The research builds on world-class expertise in Australia (particularly Adelaide) in proteomics to provide a basis for fundamental advances in chemistry that will underpin the development of new pharmaceuticals and smart materials, and future technologies and industries. We create a mix of research at the interface of disciplines within academia and industry, with linkages to the very best international researchers and centres. A new critical mass of expertise in a number of advancing areas of chemistry, biology, and materials science will be introduced to Australia. This will enhance existing strengths and opportunities in proteomics and biomedical research for the treatment of disease.Read moreRead less