Genes to phenotype: Exploiting the marsupial model. This research will exploit one of Australia's finest natural resources, its marsupial fauna. The features of marsupial reproduction and development provide a unique opportunity to answer fundamental biological questions. This research will show how the minor differences in key developmental genes that have arisen in their 100 million year isolation give rise to the characteristic differences in developmental timing and reproduction between mar ....Genes to phenotype: Exploiting the marsupial model. This research will exploit one of Australia's finest natural resources, its marsupial fauna. The features of marsupial reproduction and development provide a unique opportunity to answer fundamental biological questions. This research will show how the minor differences in key developmental genes that have arisen in their 100 million year isolation give rise to the characteristic differences in developmental timing and reproduction between marsupials and other mammals. The focus on reproduction and development will also provide invaluable knowledge to underpin efforts to conserve our endangered species and to control those that are overabundant.Read moreRead less
Role of an ancient genetic program in the elaboration of plant architecture. This proposal will reveal how plant architecture is controlled by genes. Ultimately it will help us manipulate plant form tailored for Australia's crops, pastures and plantations. Potential benefits include larger leaves, more fruits and seeds, and timbers with new properties. As a young researcher I bring a strong and growing international reputation in plant molecular developmental genetics with world-wide collaborati ....Role of an ancient genetic program in the elaboration of plant architecture. This proposal will reveal how plant architecture is controlled by genes. Ultimately it will help us manipulate plant form tailored for Australia's crops, pastures and plantations. Potential benefits include larger leaves, more fruits and seeds, and timbers with new properties. As a young researcher I bring a strong and growing international reputation in plant molecular developmental genetics with world-wide collaborations to build a focus of excellence in Australian plant development research.
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Energy Conversion and Signal Transduction in Nanomechanical Systems. Miniaturization of materials and electronic devices is an important technological goal. In order to make smaller working devices,we need to understand how to create molecular scale devices such as valves, switches, pumps and motors. This Fellowship will explore ways to make smaller, portable devices that can be used for personal health monitoring,environmental sensing and the detection of disease and pathogens.
Molecular control of apoptosis and protein homeostasis. A million cells are produced every second by cell division. At the same time a million cells commit suicide by a process called apoptosis. When cells fail to die when they should they can develop into cancers. In heart attacks, stroke and neurodegenerative diseases, many cells appear to activate their self destruct mechanism to die unnecessarily. Drugs that can cause cancer cells to kill themselves, or drugs that prevent cells dying when th ....Molecular control of apoptosis and protein homeostasis. A million cells are produced every second by cell division. At the same time a million cells commit suicide by a process called apoptosis. When cells fail to die when they should they can develop into cancers. In heart attacks, stroke and neurodegenerative diseases, many cells appear to activate their self destruct mechanism to die unnecessarily. Drugs that can cause cancer cells to kill themselves, or drugs that prevent cells dying when they shouldn't, would make a major impact on many important diseases. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of cell death is the first step towards developing these drugs.Read moreRead less
Biologically-Inspired Recognition and Processing in Colloidal Systems. The proposed research will enhance the understanding of forces and adsorption in biologically-inspired synthetic systems, and thereby create new strategies for improving selective adsorption, stabilization, coagulation, and separation. The expected outcomes are: increased understanding of chiral interactions at surfaces, a technique for rapid measurement of surface selectivity, new and better agents for chiral separation, a ....Biologically-Inspired Recognition and Processing in Colloidal Systems. The proposed research will enhance the understanding of forces and adsorption in biologically-inspired synthetic systems, and thereby create new strategies for improving selective adsorption, stabilization, coagulation, and separation. The expected outcomes are: increased understanding of chiral interactions at surfaces, a technique for rapid measurement of surface selectivity, new and better agents for chiral separation, a reduction in the use of organic pollutants, new methods for colloidal processing that will enable the preparation of new materials, and new surface coatings for increasing the useful life-time of medical implants.Read moreRead less
Probing the Interface Between Polymeric Photonic Materials and Biology. This application provides a basis for Professor A. B. Holmes to develop a collaboration between the University of Melbourne (within the Bio21 Institute initiative) and CSIRO Division of Molecular Science to prepare novel plastics for electronics applications (lap top displays, transistors and solar cells) and to make specialised macromolecules for studying the way in which biological molecules may be made to recognise other ....Probing the Interface Between Polymeric Photonic Materials and Biology. This application provides a basis for Professor A. B. Holmes to develop a collaboration between the University of Melbourne (within the Bio21 Institute initiative) and CSIRO Division of Molecular Science to prepare novel plastics for electronics applications (lap top displays, transistors and solar cells) and to make specialised macromolecules for studying the way in which biological molecules may be made to recognise other molecules and thus change their function. It is envisaged that the multidisciplinary research collaboration will lead to commercial opportunities in "plastic electronics" and in human health such as the control of cancer and infectious diseases.Read moreRead less
Self, the social body and wellbeing: Embodiment and adaptation in cross-cultural perspective. This interdisciplinary programme will contribute to understanding how ideas of the self, social relationships and their meanings, are revised and restructured as a result of embodied change. Ethonographic research will be conducted with Australian men and women who have had serious chronic illness and surgery, including stroke and kidney disease. Comparative research will be conducted in Thailand, the C ....Self, the social body and wellbeing: Embodiment and adaptation in cross-cultural perspective. This interdisciplinary programme will contribute to understanding how ideas of the self, social relationships and their meanings, are revised and restructured as a result of embodied change. Ethonographic research will be conducted with Australian men and women who have had serious chronic illness and surgery, including stroke and kidney disease. Comparative research will be conducted in Thailand, the Cameroon and Haiti throughcollaborations developed during the Fellowship. The work will contribute to international debates about wellbeing, social capital and resilience in different cultural, social and economic settings.Policy implications relate to community connectedness, health and welfare services, and infrastructure.Read moreRead less