Trapped Ion Imaging for Biomolecular Dynamics. The functionality of large biological molecules is driven by their chemical composition and the folded shape of their active form. The higher-order structure and dynamics of nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids drives the chemistry of life. Combining single molecule microscopy and trapped ion mass spectroscopy will develop a new tool for precision measurements of higher-order folding dynamics in large biomolecules. Optical techniques i ....Trapped Ion Imaging for Biomolecular Dynamics. The functionality of large biological molecules is driven by their chemical composition and the folded shape of their active form. The higher-order structure and dynamics of nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids drives the chemistry of life. Combining single molecule microscopy and trapped ion mass spectroscopy will develop a new tool for precision measurements of higher-order folding dynamics in large biomolecules. Optical techniques including Förster resonance energy transfer and super-resolution imaging can register changes in shape down to the nanometer scale. The uniquely adaptable ion trap environment enables manipulation of the surrounding solvent cage, temperature, and net charge down to the single quantum level. Read moreRead less
Why certain viruses don't get along in mosquitoes. The molecular mechanism. The overall goal of this project is to obtain an understanding of how certain insect-only viruses make mosquitoes incapable of transmitting diseases. These viruses, called insect-specific flaviviruses, can be employed as biocontrol agents for mosquito-borne human and veterinary diseases. However as it is currently unknown how exactly they affect mosquitoes, the safety and efficacy of their use can't be predicted. The pro ....Why certain viruses don't get along in mosquitoes. The molecular mechanism. The overall goal of this project is to obtain an understanding of how certain insect-only viruses make mosquitoes incapable of transmitting diseases. These viruses, called insect-specific flaviviruses, can be employed as biocontrol agents for mosquito-borne human and veterinary diseases. However as it is currently unknown how exactly they affect mosquitoes, the safety and efficacy of their use can't be predicted. The proposed project will dissect the very intricate mechanisms of interactions between insect-specific flaviviruses and mosquitoes and explain how exactly they prevent disease transmission. It should generate novel fundamental knowledge, implement innovative methodologies and provide training for students and junior scientist. Read moreRead less
Quantum-Assisted Sensing. Modern physics has been very successful at developing incredibly precise theoretical descriptions of nature. Can exquisitely accurate models of the interaction between light and matter, to push sensing and measurement far beyond the current state-of-the art, be exploited? This project aims to address this question, focussing on three domains of measurement: temperature, time and power. Improving sensors and measurement has been the cornerstone of new physical discoverie ....Quantum-Assisted Sensing. Modern physics has been very successful at developing incredibly precise theoretical descriptions of nature. Can exquisitely accurate models of the interaction between light and matter, to push sensing and measurement far beyond the current state-of-the art, be exploited? This project aims to address this question, focussing on three domains of measurement: temperature, time and power. Improving sensors and measurement has been the cornerstone of new physical discoveries, with applications from radio-astronomy to quantum information and navigation. This project aims to build the theoretical foundations for world-beating thermometers, clocks, and photon counters, and to guide experiments in Australia and abroad to bring them into reality.Read moreRead less
Novel control strategies for mosquitoes threatening Australia. Increased global transport and human mobility have led to the spread and establishment of potential disease vectors and pathogens of public health importance in many parts of the world from which these were absent or had been eradicated. Aversion of this risk can be more effective when applying area-wide rather than focal (e.g. insecticide) control efforts. We will further the development of genetic and biological control tactics. We ....Novel control strategies for mosquitoes threatening Australia. Increased global transport and human mobility have led to the spread and establishment of potential disease vectors and pathogens of public health importance in many parts of the world from which these were absent or had been eradicated. Aversion of this risk can be more effective when applying area-wide rather than focal (e.g. insecticide) control efforts. We will further the development of genetic and biological control tactics. We aim to reduce the risks posed by two important dengue-vectoring mosquitoes: the yellow fever and the Asian tiger mosquito. This will lead to environmentally friendly and sustainable mosquito control and protect the Australian population and its regional neighbours against the threats of mosquito-borne disease.Read moreRead less
Synthetic genes as reference standards for biology and biomanufacture. Reference standards are needed to improve the measurement of biology and the reliability of biomanufacturing processes. This project aims to engineer synthetic genes capable of acting as reference standards for DNA, RNA and protein. The synthetic genes can be transcribed into mRNA standards, and translated into protein standards, and be further integrated into living cells to measure internal cellular processes.
The outcomes ....Synthetic genes as reference standards for biology and biomanufacture. Reference standards are needed to improve the measurement of biology and the reliability of biomanufacturing processes. This project aims to engineer synthetic genes capable of acting as reference standards for DNA, RNA and protein. The synthetic genes can be transcribed into mRNA standards, and translated into protein standards, and be further integrated into living cells to measure internal cellular processes.
The outcomes include a unified understanding of gene expression and more accurate next-generation sequencing and mass-spectrophotometry technologies. The synthetic genes also allow standardisation and optimisation of biomanufacturing processes that will produce mRNA and biologics products at a higher purity and lower cost.Read moreRead less
Single-molecule optofluidics: streamlining high-throughput engineering and analysis of proteins and protein assemblies. This project aims at creating novel technologies for high-throughput engineering and analysis of proteins with single-molecule sensitivity. The platform will considerably accelerate the generation of protein-based diagnostics, new vaccines and therapeutics; it will foster collaborations with industry putting Australia at the forefront of protein research.
Heavy atoms and ions and precision tests of fundamental physics. This project aims to further the understanding of the structure of heavy atoms through development and application of state-of-the-art many-electron methods. Atomic physics is undergoing a period of rapid growth with a new generation of experiments underway across different areas in fundamental physics. This includes testing particle physics at low energies, opening a new realm of discovery with the synthesis and interrogation of s ....Heavy atoms and ions and precision tests of fundamental physics. This project aims to further the understanding of the structure of heavy atoms through development and application of state-of-the-art many-electron methods. Atomic physics is undergoing a period of rapid growth with a new generation of experiments underway across different areas in fundamental physics. This includes testing particle physics at low energies, opening a new realm of discovery with the synthesis and interrogation of superheavy elements, and the development of atomic clocks of ever-increasing precision. The expected benefit will be to increase capability in fundamental physics tests and in the development of precision atomic instruments.Read moreRead less
Adaptive evolution of coleoid (cuttlefish, octopus, squid) venoms. This project represents an opportunity for biodiscovery from the venoms of cuttlefish, octopuses and squids. The independent adaptation for venom active at the subzero Arctic and Antarctic polar waters is of particular evolutionary interest. However, their divergent, bioactive compounds are also a rich drug design resource.
Converging on new particles and fundamental symmetries. The goal of this project is to test theories for new particles and fundamental symmetries. By using advanced computational and statistical methods to combine all relevant data from many different experiments with a large number of different theoretical predictions, it expects to reveal just how well different theories actually describe reality. This will help us to understand what new particles and fundamental symmetries exist beyond thos ....Converging on new particles and fundamental symmetries. The goal of this project is to test theories for new particles and fundamental symmetries. By using advanced computational and statistical methods to combine all relevant data from many different experiments with a large number of different theoretical predictions, it expects to reveal just how well different theories actually describe reality. This will help us to understand what new particles and fundamental symmetries exist beyond those we already know. It will lead to new algorithms and computational methods in machine learning and statistical sampling, and will train a cohort of graduates highly skilled in statistical data science and research computing.Read moreRead less
Bioactive Peptides as Pharmacological Tools and Novel Drug Leads. Bioactive peptides are produced by all organisms and play numerous critical physiological roles, including in cellular communication, host defence and capture of prey. Peptides have huge potential as tools for studying roles of signalling pathways and as novel drugs due to their high affinity and selectivity for various therapeutically relevant targets. However their use has been limited by poor in vivo stability. This project is ....Bioactive Peptides as Pharmacological Tools and Novel Drug Leads. Bioactive peptides are produced by all organisms and play numerous critical physiological roles, including in cellular communication, host defence and capture of prey. Peptides have huge potential as tools for studying roles of signalling pathways and as novel drugs due to their high affinity and selectivity for various therapeutically relevant targets. However their use has been limited by poor in vivo stability. This project is focused on studying structural features of a range of peptides and their contributions to both activity and to resistance against degradation, with the aim to develop stabilised bioactive peptide sequences for in vivo applications, allowing the full potential of peptides as drugs to be realised.Read moreRead less