The role of short tandem repeat DNA variation in the evolution of human psychological diversity. The proposed work addresses fundamental questions about human nature. It ties together the evolutionary processes that have shaped us as a species with the way our genes influence: our personalities, the way we think and how we behave. It introduces a novel approach to addressing questions about the role of genetics in human variation that will contribute substantially to the way we understand, perce ....The role of short tandem repeat DNA variation in the evolution of human psychological diversity. The proposed work addresses fundamental questions about human nature. It ties together the evolutionary processes that have shaped us as a species with the way our genes influence: our personalities, the way we think and how we behave. It introduces a novel approach to addressing questions about the role of genetics in human variation that will contribute substantially to the way we understand, perceive and manage important aspects of human diversity.Read moreRead less
Harnessing the potential of metals in biocatalysis. The project aims to use an integrated, multi-disciplinary approach to study the properties of a group of related but functionally diverse enzymes; binuclear metallohydrolases (BMHs). These enzymes are of great relevance to protein engineers aiming to produce potent agents for bioremediation and pharmacologists interested in developing drugs. Elucidating and modulating the mode of action of BMHs is thus our main objective and should provide esse ....Harnessing the potential of metals in biocatalysis. The project aims to use an integrated, multi-disciplinary approach to study the properties of a group of related but functionally diverse enzymes; binuclear metallohydrolases (BMHs). These enzymes are of great relevance to protein engineers aiming to produce potent agents for bioremediation and pharmacologists interested in developing drugs. Elucidating and modulating the mode of action of BMHs is thus our main objective and should provide essential information to fully exploit the potential of these enzymes for practical applications. In particular, understanding how metal ions interact with BMHs and how this contributes to their reactivity is crucial to optimally understand their biotechnological potential.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0882531
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$250,000.00
Summary
Quantum Limited Single Atom Detectors. The technology that has shaped our society, solid state diodes, transistors and computer chips is based on our ability to manipulate the average quantum properties of materials such as semiconductors. This physics has been well understood for decades. Many technologies that will shape our societies in this century will be based on our ability to manipulate quantum systems precisely, an area that is the focus of quantum atom optics. The detectors requested i ....Quantum Limited Single Atom Detectors. The technology that has shaped our society, solid state diodes, transistors and computer chips is based on our ability to manipulate the average quantum properties of materials such as semiconductors. This physics has been well understood for decades. Many technologies that will shape our societies in this century will be based on our ability to manipulate quantum systems precisely, an area that is the focus of quantum atom optics. The detectors requested in this proposal will ensure that Australia remains competitive in the technologies that will emerge from the new field of quantum atom optics.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0453256
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$512,573.00
Summary
National Positron Beamline Facility. We shall construct an experimental facility for the study of positron interactions with atoms, molecules and condensed matter. It will
- Provide a unique Australian facility for the study of positron interactions with matter
- Provide benchmark data for low energy positron interactions with atoms and molecules and a reference point for theoretical calculations
- Provide Australian materials scientists with a new tool for the development of novel material ....National Positron Beamline Facility. We shall construct an experimental facility for the study of positron interactions with atoms, molecules and condensed matter. It will
- Provide a unique Australian facility for the study of positron interactions with matter
- Provide benchmark data for low energy positron interactions with atoms and molecules and a reference point for theoretical calculations
- Provide Australian materials scientists with a new tool for the development of novel materials and thin film technology
- Provide new insight on the mechanisms of positron binding to matter
- Address a National Research Priority: Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries.
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Australian Centre for Quantum-Atom Optics. The Centre will combine pre-eminent Australian theoretical and experimental research groups in quantum and atom optics to create a powerful network to advance the rapidly developing field of Quantum-Atom Optics. We will exploit the quantum nature of multiple particle quantum states of atoms and photons including entangled light and Bose-Einstein condensates. The Centre will focus on fundamental research, but our long term goal is to underpin and develo ....Australian Centre for Quantum-Atom Optics. The Centre will combine pre-eminent Australian theoretical and experimental research groups in quantum and atom optics to create a powerful network to advance the rapidly developing field of Quantum-Atom Optics. We will exploit the quantum nature of multiple particle quantum states of atoms and photons including entangled light and Bose-Einstein condensates. The Centre will focus on fundamental research, but our long term goal is to underpin and develop the next generation quantum technology. We aim to build a quantum toolbox to enable applications such as the transfer and storage of information for photonics, and precision quantum control of atoms for enhanced atom interferometry.Read moreRead less
AusDiab 3: Emerging Risk Factors For And Long-term Incidence Of Cardio-metabolic Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,616,397.00
Summary
This study will track 11,000 Australian adults over 12 years to determine how many develop diabetes, obesity, kidney and heart disease. The study will develop ways to best predict those who are going to develop these conditions before they have arisen, and will explore a range of novel risk factors to better understand these conditions.
Evolved enzymes and biomimetics for organophosphate degradation. Organophosphate (OP) pesticides are an indispensable part of modern agriculture - their use results in dramatically increased crop yields. However, they are toxic and can damage the environment and cause significant health problems. This project intends to evolve enzymes capable of dealing with problems caused by OPs.
TraitCapture: Genomic modelling for plant phenomics under environmental stress. This project aims to develop software to integrate new hyper-spectral and 3D growth models of plant phenomics with population genomics to identify heritable developmental traits across varied environments. Genome wide association studies aim to then be used to identify causal genes. Functional structural plant models incorporating genetic variation will be used to predict growth under simulated stress environments. ....TraitCapture: Genomic modelling for plant phenomics under environmental stress. This project aims to develop software to integrate new hyper-spectral and 3D growth models of plant phenomics with population genomics to identify heritable developmental traits across varied environments. Genome wide association studies aim to then be used to identify causal genes. Functional structural plant models incorporating genetic variation will be used to predict growth under simulated stress environments. The research team unites international industry, the Australian Plant Phenomics Facility, and university statistical geneticists. TraitCapture software will use open standards applicable to both controlled and field environments enabling plant breeders to pre-select adaptive traits to increase crop productivity under environmental stress.Read moreRead less
ARC Centre of Excellence - Centre for Antimatter-Matter Studies. While our world is made of matter, all particles have anti-particles and the most abundant is the positron, the electron's antiparticle. It is the "workshop" for most anti-matter studies, particularly for the characterization of materials, including gases, polymers, insulators, thin films and surfaces, as well as the development of new and novel, nano-structured materials. The ARC Centre of Excellence in Antimatter-Matter Studies ....ARC Centre of Excellence - Centre for Antimatter-Matter Studies. While our world is made of matter, all particles have anti-particles and the most abundant is the positron, the electron's antiparticle. It is the "workshop" for most anti-matter studies, particularly for the characterization of materials, including gases, polymers, insulators, thin films and surfaces, as well as the development of new and novel, nano-structured materials. The ARC Centre of Excellence in Antimatter-Matter Studies (CAMS) will bring together key Australian and international scientists to work in this emerging scientific field of antimatter-matter interactions. It will forge a unique and effective scientific team for state-of-the-art studies of the nano-world that underlies many everyday processes and new technologies.Read moreRead less
Novel Insights Into The Pathobiology Of Alphavirus Infections
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$827,660.00
Summary
Infections with mosquito-borne viruses are increasing at an alarming rate worldwide. Ross River virus is endemic in parts of Australia, PNG and Pacific islands, while chikungunya virus is distributed globally and causes recurrent pandemics that involve millions of people. These viruses cause severe musculoskeletal disease for several months after infection. This project aims to establish how these viruses interact with the human host to cause disease and may provide a basis for new treatments.