Retroviral invasion of the koala genome: Where did it come from and what is it doing now that its there? Although some populations of free-ranging koalas are flourishing, many are in decline as a result of habitat loss and disease. We have shown that a recently identified virus that has infected koalas throughout most mainland Australian populations is associated with high rates of cancer in these animals. This project will study the growth properties of this virus and the mechanism by which it ....Retroviral invasion of the koala genome: Where did it come from and what is it doing now that its there? Although some populations of free-ranging koalas are flourishing, many are in decline as a result of habitat loss and disease. We have shown that a recently identified virus that has infected koalas throughout most mainland Australian populations is associated with high rates of cancer in these animals. This project will study the growth properties of this virus and the mechanism by which it causes cancer in order to provide a foundation for developing intervention strategies for protection of this iconic Australian species.Read moreRead less
Molecular basis of the interaction between plant disease resistance proteins and pathogen avirulence proteins. Management of crop diseases involves the integrated use of resistant cultivars and the application of chemical pesticides. Many diseases, however, including rust, continue to pose an economically significant threat to agricultural productivity in Australia. The research outlined in this proposal aims to understand the mechanisms, at a molecular and structural level, that enable resistan ....Molecular basis of the interaction between plant disease resistance proteins and pathogen avirulence proteins. Management of crop diseases involves the integrated use of resistant cultivars and the application of chemical pesticides. Many diseases, however, including rust, continue to pose an economically significant threat to agricultural productivity in Australia. The research outlined in this proposal aims to understand the mechanisms, at a molecular and structural level, that enable resistant plants to detect and respond to pathogen attack. The outcomes of this currently unavailable fundamental understanding will enable new, durable and more effective resistance genes to be engineered. Therefore, the work has significant economic and environmental implications for agricultural crop plant productivity in this country.Read moreRead less
Understanding the molecular basis of marine invertebrate larval settlement and metamorphosis using complementary molecular, developmental, chemical and ecological approaches. The colonisation and fouling of submerged structures is a major economic problem for maritime industries. This proposal will detail the molecular mechanisms underlying the first crucial steps of marine invertebrate colonisation - settlement and metamorphosis - and determine how natural anti-foulant chemicals impact on these ....Understanding the molecular basis of marine invertebrate larval settlement and metamorphosis using complementary molecular, developmental, chemical and ecological approaches. The colonisation and fouling of submerged structures is a major economic problem for maritime industries. This proposal will detail the molecular mechanisms underlying the first crucial steps of marine invertebrate colonisation - settlement and metamorphosis - and determine how natural anti-foulant chemicals impact on these developmental processes. By using complementary developmental, molecular, chemical and ecological approaches, we will obtain knowledge of key control points in settlement and metamorphosis, and thus identify potential pest management strategies. This proposal comprehensively delineates the role of novel anti-foulants, linking their effect on invertebrate development with their role in shaping marine communities on natural and built surfaces.Read moreRead less
Sleeping snails: investigating hypometabolism to reveal critical factors that aid life extension. The apparent state of eternal dormancy has fascinated people for hundreds of years. This project will explore new frontiers in life extension and snail control by defining those genes and peptides involved in snail hypometabolism. To achieve this, the project will interrogate the snails' natural state of hypometabolism called estivation.
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
Investigating the Effects of Network-Induced Delays on Networked Control Systems. Networked control is the current trend for industrial automation. The results of this project will be the first in the world to contribute directly to a deeper understanding of both negative and positive effects of network-induced delays on networked control systems. It will firmly place Australia at the forefront of this research by developing cutting edge technology for reliability and efficiency of industrial ne ....Investigating the Effects of Network-Induced Delays on Networked Control Systems. Networked control is the current trend for industrial automation. The results of this project will be the first in the world to contribute directly to a deeper understanding of both negative and positive effects of network-induced delays on networked control systems. It will firmly place Australia at the forefront of this research by developing cutting edge technology for reliability and efficiency of industrial networked-based control systems. This novel frontier technology will result in cost-saving and improved productivity for Australian industries, e.g. manufacturing industries, power stations, processing industries, automotive industries, vehicular networks and locomotives.Read moreRead less
Variable Structure Control Systems in Networked Environments. This project will be the first in the world to lay the foundation for a new theory for understanding and designing new variable structure control systems in the networked environments, which is in great need due to increasing use of shared communication networks in modern industrial systems. It will firmly place Australia at the forefront of this research by developing a cutting edge technology for improving reliability and efficiency ....Variable Structure Control Systems in Networked Environments. This project will be the first in the world to lay the foundation for a new theory for understanding and designing new variable structure control systems in the networked environments, which is in great need due to increasing use of shared communication networks in modern industrial systems. It will firmly place Australia at the forefront of this research by developing a cutting edge technology for improving reliability and efficiency of industrial variable structure control systems in the networked environments, hence resulting in cost-saving and improved productivity for industry. It will provide training for new leading researchers specialised in this new theory and technology.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
The influence of resistance training upon movement control in the elderly. The primary aim of this applied research project is to investigate the impact of resistance training in the elderly. We will assess the responses to training that occur in the elderly, and determine the time course and persistence of adaptation. It is anticipated that the knowledge derived will be applied by clinicians and health practitioners in the design of resistance training programmes for the elderly, and thereby en ....The influence of resistance training upon movement control in the elderly. The primary aim of this applied research project is to investigate the impact of resistance training in the elderly. We will assess the responses to training that occur in the elderly, and determine the time course and persistence of adaptation. It is anticipated that the knowledge derived will be applied by clinicians and health practitioners in the design of resistance training programmes for the elderly, and thereby enhance the performance of tasks encountered in daily living.Read moreRead less
The social determinants of childhood injury. Child hood injury is a preventable problem of major importance. This project will provide a comprehensive, research-based policy solution that will minimise death and disability among children zero to three years of age.