Cellular and network basis of information processing in the mammalian visual system. The project aims to discover the strategies by which cells in the brain interact with each other to code the sensory input efficiently. It is expected that simultaneous recording of the activity of many neurones from the visual cortex of anaesthetised cats during visual stimulation will reveal how the biophysics of synaptic integration combined with excitatory and inhibitory inputs from different sources sculpt ....Cellular and network basis of information processing in the mammalian visual system. The project aims to discover the strategies by which cells in the brain interact with each other to code the sensory input efficiently. It is expected that simultaneous recording of the activity of many neurones from the visual cortex of anaesthetised cats during visual stimulation will reveal how the biophysics of synaptic integration combined with excitatory and inhibitory inputs from different sources sculpts the output of individual neurones. The experiments will be extended to the study of possible interactions between different areas of the brain and the study of mechanisms by which the cortical network and higher cognitive factors such as attention and memory might influence the coding of sensory information in awake animals.Read moreRead less
Electrochemically-sensitized luminescence: A new bio-detection paradigm. This project aims to create new science which will enable the development of a superior new class of bio-detection technique, suitable for medical diagnostics and other sensing applications. A multi-disciplinary approach will be taken, combining expertise in a number of fields to explore the use of electrical rather than traditional optical means to control energy transfer and luminescence in novel molecular and nanoparticl ....Electrochemically-sensitized luminescence: A new bio-detection paradigm. This project aims to create new science which will enable the development of a superior new class of bio-detection technique, suitable for medical diagnostics and other sensing applications. A multi-disciplinary approach will be taken, combining expertise in a number of fields to explore the use of electrical rather than traditional optical means to control energy transfer and luminescence in novel molecular and nanoparticle-based systems. It is expected that these advances will transform bio-analytical science by giving rise to innovative detection techniques which are low-cost, rapid and highly sensitive.Read moreRead less
Developing vitrimers: next generation reusable plastics. This project aims to develop a new class of advanced multifunctional polymer materials with the potential to underpin significant breakthrough capabilities for soft materials in general. The proposed work will relocate biological catalysts from their native, wet environment to solid organic engineering bio-sourced resins. Suitably selected enzymes will allow creation of polymer-based products that can be fully recyclable, with built-in pro ....Developing vitrimers: next generation reusable plastics. This project aims to develop a new class of advanced multifunctional polymer materials with the potential to underpin significant breakthrough capabilities for soft materials in general. The proposed work will relocate biological catalysts from their native, wet environment to solid organic engineering bio-sourced resins. Suitably selected enzymes will allow creation of polymer-based products that can be fully recyclable, with built-in properties such as self-healing, shape morphing, which are mechanically tunable, and have the ability to be reprocessed/recycled multiple times. This research will initiate a disruptive change in the application of biocatalysts for bio-based polymers.Read moreRead less
New Polymers for Cellulose-based Bioplastics. We will design new cellulose derivatives by combining carefully engineered synthetic polymers to cellulose. We will explore the fundamental science underpinning the manufacture of these bioplastics, and apply the concept to the design of two new materials, with (super)hydrophobic and antibacterial properties. These materials have the potential to replace synthetic plastics, which comprise one of the major outputs of the chemical industry worldwide. P ....New Polymers for Cellulose-based Bioplastics. We will design new cellulose derivatives by combining carefully engineered synthetic polymers to cellulose. We will explore the fundamental science underpinning the manufacture of these bioplastics, and apply the concept to the design of two new materials, with (super)hydrophobic and antibacterial properties. These materials have the potential to replace synthetic plastics, which comprise one of the major outputs of the chemical industry worldwide. Plastic is present everywhere in human life, but its manufacture and disposal have a strong negative impact on the environment; the new materials manufactured in this project are viable alternatives to plastics, and are sustainable from a production and disposal point of view.Read moreRead less
New generation functional materials for 21st century applications: exploiting the properties of naphthalene diimides. This project melds the expertise of several research groups in the area of fluorescent material development. Based on a family of highly fluorescent molecules, the project will focus on designing new sensors, polymeric materials and molecular switching devices.
Establishing nanoscale design principles for non-viral genome engineering. This project aims to develop a bio-nanotechnology platform for non-viral genome engineering using dendronised polymers. The project will advance both fundamental and practical knowledge at the forefront of nanotechnology and cell biology, whilst providing training to the research community. Outcomes from the project will also provide significant benefits, such as positioning Australia at the forefront of genome engineerin ....Establishing nanoscale design principles for non-viral genome engineering. This project aims to develop a bio-nanotechnology platform for non-viral genome engineering using dendronised polymers. The project will advance both fundamental and practical knowledge at the forefront of nanotechnology and cell biology, whilst providing training to the research community. Outcomes from the project will also provide significant benefits, such as positioning Australia at the forefront of genome engineering.Read moreRead less
Vapour phase detection of chemical warfare agents. This project aims to create luminescent plastic optoelectronic materials that can detect airborne chemical warfare agents, particularly nerve agents. Such agents are often odourless and invisible at lethal concentrations, so technology must detect and identify them before exposure. The intended outcomes are design rules for sensitive and selective materials that can be used in a handheld infield detector to sense chemical warfare agents based on ....Vapour phase detection of chemical warfare agents. This project aims to create luminescent plastic optoelectronic materials that can detect airborne chemical warfare agents, particularly nerve agents. Such agents are often odourless and invisible at lethal concentrations, so technology must detect and identify them before exposure. The intended outcomes are design rules for sensitive and selective materials that can be used in a handheld infield detector to sense chemical warfare agents based on the materials’ photophysical properties, and new analytical methods and sensing protocols. This research will be of interest to security agencies in Australia and internationally, and will better protect our military.Read moreRead less
How are plants responding to damage by oxidizing air pollutants? This project aims to obtain detailed understanding of the chemical processes by which the air pollutants ozone and nitrogen dioxide damage plants. Through an interdisciplinary approach involving physical organic chemistry and analytical biochemistry, this project intends to discover important reactions between plant biomolecules and air pollutants, identify biochemical mechanisms for pollution damage in crop model plants and reveal ....How are plants responding to damage by oxidizing air pollutants? This project aims to obtain detailed understanding of the chemical processes by which the air pollutants ozone and nitrogen dioxide damage plants. Through an interdisciplinary approach involving physical organic chemistry and analytical biochemistry, this project intends to discover important reactions between plant biomolecules and air pollutants, identify biochemical mechanisms for pollution damage in crop model plants and reveal the plant defence mechanism at the molecular level. Expected outcomes include the much-needed scientific foundations to support the development of more pollution-resilient crops in the future, ultimately enabling a breakthrough for the triple challenge of environmental pollution, climate change and food security.Read moreRead less
A Midas touch for electrophiles in new reaction development. This project aims to address the lack of knowledge about how high-value organic molecules are formed in gold-catalysed reactions by advancing a novel mode of catalysis. This project expects to generate new knowledge about these gold-catalysed reactions using an innovative, interdisciplinary approach incorporating computational and synthetic techniques. Expected outcomes of this project include the optimisation and development of import ....A Midas touch for electrophiles in new reaction development. This project aims to address the lack of knowledge about how high-value organic molecules are formed in gold-catalysed reactions by advancing a novel mode of catalysis. This project expects to generate new knowledge about these gold-catalysed reactions using an innovative, interdisciplinary approach incorporating computational and synthetic techniques. Expected outcomes of this project include the optimisation and development of important organic reactions and enhancing collaboration nationally and internationally between computational and synthetic chemists. This should provide significant benefits in the form of improved chemical reactions for chemists to prepare new pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and materials.Read moreRead less
Detecting stress-induced changes to subcellular copper pools in brain cells. Copper (Cu) plays essential roles in the functioning of brain cells, but the regulation and activity of this metal is poorly understood. This project aims to map sub-cellular Cu pools in brain cells, with particular emphasis on the effects of cellular stresses on these pools. These studies are expected to contribute important new methods for the study of Cu biology, and could provide valuable information about how Cu ho ....Detecting stress-induced changes to subcellular copper pools in brain cells. Copper (Cu) plays essential roles in the functioning of brain cells, but the regulation and activity of this metal is poorly understood. This project aims to map sub-cellular Cu pools in brain cells, with particular emphasis on the effects of cellular stresses on these pools. These studies are expected to contribute important new methods for the study of Cu biology, and could provide valuable information about how Cu homeostasis is maintained or perturbed under various stresses. In the future, this work is expected to form the basis of studies of brain Cu pools in neurodegenerative diseases.Read moreRead less