Elucidating the molecular basis of plant potyvirus resistance . Plant viruses are responsible for a large proportion of crop losses, and genetic resistance is currently the most effective means to control viral spread. This project investigates, on a molecular and structural level, host factors that plant viruses hijack during infection, and in particular, the mutations in these factors that confer resistance. We further aim to elucidate the mechanisms by which plant viruses overcome resistance ....Elucidating the molecular basis of plant potyvirus resistance . Plant viruses are responsible for a large proportion of crop losses, and genetic resistance is currently the most effective means to control viral spread. This project investigates, on a molecular and structural level, host factors that plant viruses hijack during infection, and in particular, the mutations in these factors that confer resistance. We further aim to elucidate the mechanisms by which plant viruses overcome resistance mediated by these host factors. A detailed understanding of the molecular interactions between plant viruses and their host will enable new, robust and more effective forms of resistance to be engineered. This work therefore has economic and environmental implications for agricultural productivity in Australia. Read moreRead less
Identifying novel insecticides and their targets: probing Australian arachnid venoms. Insect pests destroy an estimated 2-3 billion dollars of crops in Australia. Insect pests also are responsible for the transmission of many new and re-emerging human, animal and plant diseases threatening health, wellbeing and prosperity. Current insecticides are severely limited by toxicity and/or insect resistance, and some are undergoing use cancellation overseas. Thus there is an urgent need to develop safe ....Identifying novel insecticides and their targets: probing Australian arachnid venoms. Insect pests destroy an estimated 2-3 billion dollars of crops in Australia. Insect pests also are responsible for the transmission of many new and re-emerging human, animal and plant diseases threatening health, wellbeing and prosperity. Current insecticides are severely limited by toxicity and/or insect resistance, and some are undergoing use cancellation overseas. Thus there is an urgent need to develop safer and more specific insecticides that are effective against disease vectors and agricultural pest insects, as well as to identify new insecticide targets. This research has a multi-million dollar potential benefit to agricultural, health and pest control sectorsRead moreRead less
Understanding the potency and role of individual stem cells in the skin using Rainbow technology. To renew itself, the skin and its components rely on the activity of stem cells. This project will define more precisely the role of each individual stem cell by labelling them with a unique colour and following its fate. This project has the potential to change our current view on how the skin maintains and repairs itself.
Migration-Dependent Signalling in Macrophages . The project aims to investigate a mechanism of communication used by immune cells to guide each other towards sites of damage. The project will characterise newly revealed cell signalling membrane trails left behind by migrating cells, utilising biochemistry, innovative imaging and microscopy and a transparent zebrafish model to view cell migration through living tissues. Expected outcomes include new fundamental knowledge in the area of immune cel ....Migration-Dependent Signalling in Macrophages . The project aims to investigate a mechanism of communication used by immune cells to guide each other towards sites of damage. The project will characterise newly revealed cell signalling membrane trails left behind by migrating cells, utilising biochemistry, innovative imaging and microscopy and a transparent zebrafish model to view cell migration through living tissues. Expected outcomes include new fundamental knowledge in the area of immune cell migration with relevance to the basic biology of inflammation, repair and regeneration and new innovations for cell imaging. Significant benefits are expected to arise from this new knowledge and from advanced skills training and improved national capabilities in bio-imaging and analysis.Read moreRead less
Understanding the origin, epidemiology and transmission threat of chlamydial infections between Australian native animals and livestock. Chlamydial infections of koalas and livestock cause diseases of significant economic and environmental concern. Molecular analysis of livestock and native animal strains will improve understanding of the factors associated with transmission of these important pathogens, improving the ability to manage affected Australian animal populations.
The roles of stress and immunocompetence in biological invasions. Invasive species pose a major threat to biodiversity worldwide; and within Australia, cane toads are widely viewed as one of the biggest such problems. Building on recent studies that reveal weakened immune systems in invasion-front toads, this project will provide a comprehensive understanding of immune responses in cane toads and native frogs, with the aim of exploiting the toads' immunocompromised state to develop new and more ....The roles of stress and immunocompetence in biological invasions. Invasive species pose a major threat to biodiversity worldwide; and within Australia, cane toads are widely viewed as one of the biggest such problems. Building on recent studies that reveal weakened immune systems in invasion-front toads, this project will provide a comprehensive understanding of immune responses in cane toads and native frogs, with the aim of exploiting the toads' immunocompromised state to develop new and more effective control measures. The project will develop a new paradigm about the roles of stress and immunity in biological invasion, applicable to the control of other invasive species and to understanding processes at work when environmental changes force species to shift their ranges.Read moreRead less
When every second counts: Multi-drone navigation in GPS-denied environments. The aim of this research is to develop a framework for multiple Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), that balances information sharing, exploration, localization, mapping, and other planning objectives thus allowing a team of UAVs to navigate in complex environments in time critical situations. This project expects to generate new knowledge in UAV navigation using an innovative approach by combining Simultaneous Localizatio ....When every second counts: Multi-drone navigation in GPS-denied environments. The aim of this research is to develop a framework for multiple Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), that balances information sharing, exploration, localization, mapping, and other planning objectives thus allowing a team of UAVs to navigate in complex environments in time critical situations. This project expects to generate new knowledge in UAV navigation using an innovative approach by combining Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) algorithms with Partially Observable Markov Decision Processes (POMDP) and Deep Reinforcement learning. This should provide significant benefits, such as more responsive search and rescue inside collapsed buildings or underground mines, as well as fast target detection and mapping under the tree canopy. Read moreRead less
Acoustic loads on hypersonic engines. This project aims to understand how acoustic loads are generated in supersonic combustion ramjets (scramjets) to control sonic fatigue in reusable hypersonic vehicles. This knowledge could make space access affordable. This project will measure acoustic waves in scramjets. The anticipated discoveries will enable reusable, hypersonic vehicles to be used for space launch systems and high-speed aircraft. These systems will dramatically reduce the cost of space ....Acoustic loads on hypersonic engines. This project aims to understand how acoustic loads are generated in supersonic combustion ramjets (scramjets) to control sonic fatigue in reusable hypersonic vehicles. This knowledge could make space access affordable. This project will measure acoustic waves in scramjets. The anticipated discoveries will enable reusable, hypersonic vehicles to be used for space launch systems and high-speed aircraft. These systems will dramatically reduce the cost of space launch and global travel times. Expected benefits include reduced cost for access to space and the ability to design and develop advanced aerospace technology.Read moreRead less
Geometric variational problems and nonlinear partial differential systems. We will investigate several important problems on non-linear partial differential systems, bridging analysis, differential geometry and mathematical physics. Harmonic maps are the prototype of maps minimizing the Dirichlet energy. The liquid crystal configuration generalizes the harmonic map with values into two dimensional spheres. The Yang-Mills equations originated from particle physics. We will make fundamental contri ....Geometric variational problems and nonlinear partial differential systems. We will investigate several important problems on non-linear partial differential systems, bridging analysis, differential geometry and mathematical physics. Harmonic maps are the prototype of maps minimizing the Dirichlet energy. The liquid crystal configuration generalizes the harmonic map with values into two dimensional spheres. The Yang-Mills equations originated from particle physics. We will make fundamental contributions to these topics: Regularity problem and energy minimality of weakly harmonic maps, Weak solutions of the liquid crystal equilibrium system, Yang-Mills heat flow and singular Yang-Mills connections.
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Chemical principles underpinning a spermostatic-microbiostatic agent capable of preventing pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted disease. This project explores the development of a method for simultaneously controlling fertility while preventing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. A novel aspect of the approach, that will dramatically influence product development, is that the active principles will only be generated on contact with seminal plasma.