On-site environmental DNA sensing with user-friendly test strips. Organisms shed their genes into the environment. This project aims to develop world-first field-portable biosensors for this environmental DNA. Based on a novel sensing principle, they will offer performance comparable with current laboratory-based techniques. They will be rapid (< 1 h), cost -effective (< $ 1 per strip) and robust. Project outcomes will include tube-based tests able to detect 1 DNA copy / microlitre and ultraligh ....On-site environmental DNA sensing with user-friendly test strips. Organisms shed their genes into the environment. This project aims to develop world-first field-portable biosensors for this environmental DNA. Based on a novel sensing principle, they will offer performance comparable with current laboratory-based techniques. They will be rapid (< 1 h), cost -effective (< $ 1 per strip) and robust. Project outcomes will include tube-based tests able to detect 1 DNA copy / microlitre and ultralight paper test strips, both with naked-eye readout. Applications of these sensors in water testing will be developed with an Australian industry partner Biopoint. Benefits will include strengthened protection against invasive pests and the spread of antimicrobial resistance without lab testing and sample logistics.Read moreRead less
Contribution of Comammox Process to Sustainable Wastewater Treatment. This project aims to understand the versatility, activity and physiological features of comammox bacteria, the newly-discovered complete nitrifiers, in Australian wastewater treatment systems, and to model and evaluate their contributions to biological nitrogen removal process. Nitrogen transformations are crucial microbial processes in the wastewater treatment ecosystems, with nitrification largely responsible for ammonium ox ....Contribution of Comammox Process to Sustainable Wastewater Treatment. This project aims to understand the versatility, activity and physiological features of comammox bacteria, the newly-discovered complete nitrifiers, in Australian wastewater treatment systems, and to model and evaluate their contributions to biological nitrogen removal process. Nitrogen transformations are crucial microbial processes in the wastewater treatment ecosystems, with nitrification largely responsible for ammonium oxidation but comammox previously overlooked. The expected outcomes will develop new knowledge on the comammox process and provide novel insight and technological solution to refine strategies to manipulate nitrification processes for achieving improved biological nitrogen removal and sustainable wastewater management.Read moreRead less
Toxic metal removal from wastewater sludge. This project aims to efficiently remove toxic metals from wastewater sludge. Sludge management is a problem for water utilities, incurring substantial costs. Land application of wastewater sludge is a sustainable way of sludge management, but toxic metals hinder its long-term repeated application. The project’s chemical-free and energy-positive technology is based on the treatment of wastewater sludge using acidified nitrite. The outcomes will help wat ....Toxic metal removal from wastewater sludge. This project aims to efficiently remove toxic metals from wastewater sludge. Sludge management is a problem for water utilities, incurring substantial costs. Land application of wastewater sludge is a sustainable way of sludge management, but toxic metals hinder its long-term repeated application. The project’s chemical-free and energy-positive technology is based on the treatment of wastewater sludge using acidified nitrite. The outcomes will help water utilities to sustainably manage sludge and could bring large economic, environmental and social benefits to the water utilities.Read moreRead less
An Integrated Biotechnological Process for Production of Lactic Acid from Carbohydrate-Waste Streams by Rhizopus sp. Lactic acid is the most widely occurring multifunctional organic acid. It has enormous applications in food and food-related industries, and great potential use for production of biodegradable and biocompatible polylactate polymers. The aim of this research is to develop an innovative biotechnological process, incorporating simultaneous saccharification and fermentation, which int ....An Integrated Biotechnological Process for Production of Lactic Acid from Carbohydrate-Waste Streams by Rhizopus sp. Lactic acid is the most widely occurring multifunctional organic acid. It has enormous applications in food and food-related industries, and great potential use for production of biodegradable and biocompatible polylactate polymers. The aim of this research is to develop an innovative biotechnological process, incorporating simultaneous saccharification and fermentation, which integrates the production of lactic acid with the treatment of high strength food industry ?effluent? streams - carbohydrate waste streams. The proposed SSF process will cultivate an identified fungal Rhizopus sp strain on the waste streams, as production substrates, leading to an environmentally friendly and economically sustainable new technology for the food industry.Read moreRead less
Biosynthesis of multiple-nonmetal codoped titania nanoparticles for visible light photocatalysis. Nano-photocatalysts' are particles of very small size that can degrade organic wastes and harmful microorganisms, when exposed to light. Titania is the most commonly used photocatalyst, but the limitation with existing titania is that it is mainly active in ultraviolet (UV) light. UV-light cannot be used for indoor applications because UV is mutagenic and causes cancer. This project will use an eco- ....Biosynthesis of multiple-nonmetal codoped titania nanoparticles for visible light photocatalysis. Nano-photocatalysts' are particles of very small size that can degrade organic wastes and harmful microorganisms, when exposed to light. Titania is the most commonly used photocatalyst, but the limitation with existing titania is that it is mainly active in ultraviolet (UV) light. UV-light cannot be used for indoor applications because UV is mutagenic and causes cancer. This project will use an eco-friendly approach to develop novel titania nanoparticles, which will be active in visible light. Success will lead to new options in the management of our organic wastes and wastewaters (global problems), plant disease control, clean clinical surroundings, and add value to our day-to-day products like self-cleaning windows, and textiles.Read moreRead less
Underlying mechanisms of e-waste bioleaching and hydropyrolysis. The project will develop a reclamation technology with an ecologically sustainable solution to e-waste management. Focusing on printed circuit boards, we will use our novel bioleaching and hydropyrolysis methods to process e-wastes, recover base and precious metals and reclaim energy. This will create safe working methods, high recycling efficiencies and generation of products from e-wastes.
Artificial Intelligence, Robots, and Agriculture: Social and ethical issues. This project aims to investigate the social and ethical issues raised by the use of artificial intelligence and robotics in agriculture. By combining social science research methods and philosophical analysis, the project aims to generate new knowledge in bioethics and applied ethics. Expected outcomes of this project include an account of the social and ethical issues farmers, rural communities, and consumers anticipat ....Artificial Intelligence, Robots, and Agriculture: Social and ethical issues. This project aims to investigate the social and ethical issues raised by the use of artificial intelligence and robotics in agriculture. By combining social science research methods and philosophical analysis, the project aims to generate new knowledge in bioethics and applied ethics. Expected outcomes of this project include an account of the social and ethical issues farmers, rural communities, and consumers anticipate arising from these technologies, improved understanding of these issues, and an account of how these groups would like to see these issues addressed. This should help Australia benefit from the responsible use of artificial intelligence and robotics in agriculture.Read moreRead less
Synthetic phenazines for enhanced biogas production from renewable and non-renewable resources. Methane (biogas) has a large role to play in meeting the energy needs of the human race globally whilst reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Microbial communities are responsible for biogas production from non-renewable (coal) and renewable (food waste) resources. This project seeks to: increase biogas yields by redirecting electron flow towards biogas producing microbes using electrochemically active p ....Synthetic phenazines for enhanced biogas production from renewable and non-renewable resources. Methane (biogas) has a large role to play in meeting the energy needs of the human race globally whilst reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Microbial communities are responsible for biogas production from non-renewable (coal) and renewable (food waste) resources. This project seeks to: increase biogas yields by redirecting electron flow towards biogas producing microbes using electrochemically active phenazines; understand the molecular mechanism by which phenazines increase biogas yields; and, assess the environmental consequence of phenazine application to coal seam gas production and anaerobic digestion of food waste. Phenazines are likely to emerge as a safe and cost-effective technology for improved biogas generation.Read moreRead less
EXTRACELLULAR ELECTRON TRANSFER IN BIO-ELECTROCHEMICAL SYSTEMS. Water quality and supply are critical issues in Australia. This project investigates the role of bacteria in maintaining a good freshwater quality, and the influence of environmental parameters on this. It will enable us to assess the role of bacteria on greenhouse gas emissions in a variety of environments. As a result, processes can be developed to alleviate high emissions while simultaneously producing green energy. The proteomic ....EXTRACELLULAR ELECTRON TRANSFER IN BIO-ELECTROCHEMICAL SYSTEMS. Water quality and supply are critical issues in Australia. This project investigates the role of bacteria in maintaining a good freshwater quality, and the influence of environmental parameters on this. It will enable us to assess the role of bacteria on greenhouse gas emissions in a variety of environments. As a result, processes can be developed to alleviate high emissions while simultaneously producing green energy. The proteomics study will deliver, aside from knowledge, redox proteins which find their way to diagnostics and fuel cells. This project substantiates Australia based research at the forefront and enables international anchoring of our expertise.Read moreRead less
Function and application of novel proteins from sponge symbionts. This project aims to determine the function of eukaryotic-like proteins (ELPs) from bacterial symbionts of sponges and apply this knowledge to develop new tools for biotechnology. This project will use innovative microscopy techniques and gene expression studies to define the molecular and cellular interactions of ELPs with sponges and how this is influenced by changing environmental conditions. ELPs will be further used to create ....Function and application of novel proteins from sponge symbionts. This project aims to determine the function of eukaryotic-like proteins (ELPs) from bacterial symbionts of sponges and apply this knowledge to develop new tools for biotechnology. This project will use innovative microscopy techniques and gene expression studies to define the molecular and cellular interactions of ELPs with sponges and how this is influenced by changing environmental conditions. ELPs will be further used to create new, artificial interactions between bacteria and eukaryotes. This project will provide fundamental knowledge on the evolution and function of newly discovered ELPs found in both beneficial and pathogenic bacteria and paves the way to control symbiosis for biotechnological applications.Read moreRead less