Computational methods in atomic collision theory. We will develop computational methods for solving interactions between particles on the atomic scale. Computational problems, of particular interest to the industry partner, are the treatment of large-scale ill-conditioned linear systems, and the extension of the Gaussian molecular structure package to collision physics. We have been world-leaders in the field of atomic collision theory for almost a decade, and now, utilising the latest software ....Computational methods in atomic collision theory. We will develop computational methods for solving interactions between particles on the atomic scale. Computational problems, of particular interest to the industry partner, are the treatment of large-scale ill-conditioned linear systems, and the extension of the Gaussian molecular structure package to collision physics. We have been world-leaders in the field of atomic collision theory for almost a decade, and now, utilising the latest software and hardware, will have the capacity to extend the numerical techniques to a vast range of collision systems of interest to science and industry, where visualisation and sheer computer power will play a major role in both
code development and production runs.Read moreRead less
Digging deeper to improve yield stability. This project aims to provide innovative breeding solutions that harness the ‘hidden’ part of the plant, roots, to support the development of more productive crops in the face of climate variability. The project expects to generate new insights into the biology and genetics of root development in barley, a model cereal crop, by applying cutting-edge genome editing, phenotyping and genomics technologies. Anticipated outcomes include novel methodologies to ....Digging deeper to improve yield stability. This project aims to provide innovative breeding solutions that harness the ‘hidden’ part of the plant, roots, to support the development of more productive crops in the face of climate variability. The project expects to generate new insights into the biology and genetics of root development in barley, a model cereal crop, by applying cutting-edge genome editing, phenotyping and genomics technologies. Anticipated outcomes include novel methodologies to accelerate breeding for diverse production environments, with direct applications in barley, and other major cereals including wheat and oats. This should provide significant economic and social benefits to the Australian grains industry through yield stability amidst climate variability.Read moreRead less
Engineering safer pastures for livestock. This project aims to develop subterranean clover with elevated condensed tannins in leaves. This important pasture legume is currently a bloat risk for cattle and sheep due to low condensed tannins and high soluble proteins. Bloat is a health issue that costs the Australian and New Zealand livestock industries over $200 million per annum. Condensed tannins can reduce bloat, decrease methane production and improve efficiency of production. A novel approac ....Engineering safer pastures for livestock. This project aims to develop subterranean clover with elevated condensed tannins in leaves. This important pasture legume is currently a bloat risk for cattle and sheep due to low condensed tannins and high soluble proteins. Bloat is a health issue that costs the Australian and New Zealand livestock industries over $200 million per annum. Condensed tannins can reduce bloat, decrease methane production and improve efficiency of production. A novel approach using CRISPR and other innovative molecular techniques will generate breeding lines high in condensed tannins and deliver knowledge applicable to other pasture legumes. Expected outcomes for livestock producers include improved animal welfare, reduced carbon emissions and enhanced profits.Read moreRead less
Conservation genetics of humpback whales off Western Australia: Implications for the management of the Antarctic Group IV population. We will define the geographic structuring and gene flow of humpback whales comprising Antarctic Area Group IV, and which migrate off the coast of Western Australian. With this information we will develop guidelines for commonwealth, state, industry, and non-government organisations, for conserving and managing discrete (genetic) populations of humpback whales off ....Conservation genetics of humpback whales off Western Australia: Implications for the management of the Antarctic Group IV population. We will define the geographic structuring and gene flow of humpback whales comprising Antarctic Area Group IV, and which migrate off the coast of Western Australian. With this information we will develop guidelines for commonwealth, state, industry, and non-government organisations, for conserving and managing discrete (genetic) populations of humpback whales off Western Australia. We can then manage these cetaceans at the appropriate geographic scale, and assign conservation priority in relation to population genetic structure gained from this study.Read moreRead less
In vitro expression of macrocyclic peptides. This project aims to develop a novel strategy for the production of polypeptides with unnatural chemical groups using a sense codon reassignment approach. Novel peptides could be used in a range of pharmaceutical applications. Peptides made of 20 natural amino acids cover only a very small fraction of the available chemical and functional space. While a peptide’s functionality can be extended with unnatural amino acids, the methods for their site-sele ....In vitro expression of macrocyclic peptides. This project aims to develop a novel strategy for the production of polypeptides with unnatural chemical groups using a sense codon reassignment approach. Novel peptides could be used in a range of pharmaceutical applications. Peptides made of 20 natural amino acids cover only a very small fraction of the available chemical and functional space. While a peptide’s functionality can be extended with unnatural amino acids, the methods for their site-selective incorporation are inefficient. The project’s strategy relies on the depletion of selected tRNAs from an in vitro protein translation system and their replacement with synthetic tRNAs, charged with unnatural amino acids. It is expected that the developed technology could be used to rapidly generate and screen highly diversified macrocyclic peptide libraries.Read moreRead less
Membrane transporters mediating 2,4-D resistance in wild radish. This project aims to identify the membrane transporter protein(s) that endows resistance to the herbicide 2,4-D in wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum). Wild radish is a particular problem in Australia due to its high competitiveness with crops and widespread resistance to other herbicides. 2,4-D resistance is rapidly increasing and threatening crop production in Australia and the United States. The anticipated outcome of the projec ....Membrane transporters mediating 2,4-D resistance in wild radish. This project aims to identify the membrane transporter protein(s) that endows resistance to the herbicide 2,4-D in wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum). Wild radish is a particular problem in Australia due to its high competitiveness with crops and widespread resistance to other herbicides. 2,4-D resistance is rapidly increasing and threatening crop production in Australia and the United States. The anticipated outcome of the project is to identify strategies to minimise 2,4-D resistance in wild radish by interfering with the specific transporters that confer resistance and by taking advantage of the fitness cost associated with resistance in some populations. It is expected that this will help to improve crop yields and preserve 2,4-D as an effective herbicide.Read moreRead less
Identifying the biochemical and molecular bases of 2,4-D herbicide resistance in the economically important weed Raphanus raphanistrum (wild radish). An alarming increase in the incidence of field-evolved resistance to 2,4-D in Australian wild radish has recently been observed. The project aims to characterise the molecular and biochemical mechanism(s) of resistance to help minimise its impact on Australian cropping.
Understanding trifluralin resistance in annual ryegrass, a major Australian agricultural weed. This project aims to better understand the biochemical and molecular basis of trifluralin resistance in annual ryegrass. The herbicide trifluralin is an alternative to soil cultivation in controlling crop-infesting weeds such as annual ryegrass. However, resistance to trifluralin in annual ryegrass now looms. A fundamental understanding and insight into trifluralin resistance will assist resistance man ....Understanding trifluralin resistance in annual ryegrass, a major Australian agricultural weed. This project aims to better understand the biochemical and molecular basis of trifluralin resistance in annual ryegrass. The herbicide trifluralin is an alternative to soil cultivation in controlling crop-infesting weeds such as annual ryegrass. However, resistance to trifluralin in annual ryegrass now looms. A fundamental understanding and insight into trifluralin resistance will assist resistance management, trifluralin sustainability and soil conservation. This will provide significant benefits for Australian grain production and soil conservation.Read moreRead less
Genome editing to improve the dietary quality of potato. The project aims to develop non-genetically modified (non-GM) potato varieties with lower glycaemic index (GI) but good agronomic and culinary traits. Potato is the world's fourth-most important food. It is integral to the western diet and consumption is rising rapidly in Asia. However, the starch in cooked potato is readily digestible causing a rapid elevation of blood sugar levels on eating (i.e. it has a high GI). Long-term consumption ....Genome editing to improve the dietary quality of potato. The project aims to develop non-genetically modified (non-GM) potato varieties with lower glycaemic index (GI) but good agronomic and culinary traits. Potato is the world's fourth-most important food. It is integral to the western diet and consumption is rising rapidly in Asia. However, the starch in cooked potato is readily digestible causing a rapid elevation of blood sugar levels on eating (i.e. it has a high GI). Long-term consumption of meals with high GI is associated with increased risk of obesity, type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This project aims to use new genome editing methods to silence key genes that influence starch composition and thus develop non-GM potato varieties with lower GI to reduce these risks.Read moreRead less
Rethinking and revitalising herbicides to counter resistance. Weeds and increasingly herbicide resistant weeds are the major yield penalty for agriculture. This project aims to develop innovative ways to overcome resistance. This project expects to (i) make herbicides work more efficiently, (ii) reveal a new mode of action for an under-used herbicide and (iii) assign breakdown pathways to herbicides. Expected outcomes of this project are to (i) to find rare, but truly synergistic herbicide combi ....Rethinking and revitalising herbicides to counter resistance. Weeds and increasingly herbicide resistant weeds are the major yield penalty for agriculture. This project aims to develop innovative ways to overcome resistance. This project expects to (i) make herbicides work more efficiently, (ii) reveal a new mode of action for an under-used herbicide and (iii) assign breakdown pathways to herbicides. Expected outcomes of this project are to (i) to find rare, but truly synergistic herbicide combinations; (ii) reveal a herbicide against which weeds outside of Japan have not evolved resistance to; and (iii) establish how best to make breakdown blockers. A benefit of using existing herbicides is the approaches are close to market, so with partner Nexgen Plants, its outcomes can be commercialised.Read moreRead less