Multiplexed bio-imaging mass spectrometry. This project aims to develop technology for simultaneous three-dimensional imaging of trace elements and molecules in biological tissues. This technology is an essential analytical and diagnostic advance to uncover latent mechanistic biology and will reveal subtle metabolic interactions between cells. The project will use laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and lanthanide-conjugated probes to map the zinc metabolic pathway in the ....Multiplexed bio-imaging mass spectrometry. This project aims to develop technology for simultaneous three-dimensional imaging of trace elements and molecules in biological tissues. This technology is an essential analytical and diagnostic advance to uncover latent mechanistic biology and will reveal subtle metabolic interactions between cells. The project will use laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and lanthanide-conjugated probes to map the zinc metabolic pathway in the ageing mouse brain. It is expected to result in a complete imaging solution for quantitative spatial determination of all important elements, co-factors, metabolites and other functional molecules to investigate metabolic pathways which current technologies find difficult or impossible to track. Ultimately this technology is expected to underpin investigations of diseases where trace metal and chemical species dysfunction is implicated.Read moreRead less
Microfluidic Separation Science: Innovative Technology for Characterising Complex Chemical Systems. At present there is a need for fast and detailed chemical analysis of complex samples, such as those important to biomedical diagnostics and forensic science. Innovative technology will be developed here in order to reduce analysis time whilst maintaining the integrity of the chemical information contained within the sample. This step change in separation science will directly aid biomedical diagn ....Microfluidic Separation Science: Innovative Technology for Characterising Complex Chemical Systems. At present there is a need for fast and detailed chemical analysis of complex samples, such as those important to biomedical diagnostics and forensic science. Innovative technology will be developed here in order to reduce analysis time whilst maintaining the integrity of the chemical information contained within the sample. This step change in separation science will directly aid biomedical diagnostics, forensic sample determination and industrial process monitoring through decreased analysis time with an increase in the chemical information gained. By performing chemical separations on a microfluidic scale a reduction in both the cost of analysis and impact of solvent waste on the environment will be achieved.Read moreRead less
Pushing the Boundaries of Multi-modal Biospectroscopic Microscopies. In order to understand the fundamentals of life processes, diseases, and their treatments, it is essential to probe fundamental changes in molecular processes in cells, tissues and whole organisms. Much of our understanding of these processes has involved the introduction of chemical probes for biospectroscopy, but these have inherent problems because the probe can often change the biochemistry that is being probed. This projec ....Pushing the Boundaries of Multi-modal Biospectroscopic Microscopies. In order to understand the fundamentals of life processes, diseases, and their treatments, it is essential to probe fundamental changes in molecular processes in cells, tissues and whole organisms. Much of our understanding of these processes has involved the introduction of chemical probes for biospectroscopy, but these have inherent problems because the probe can often change the biochemistry that is being probed. This project will push the boundaries of a variety of micro and nano "probe-free" microscopies to provide fundamental insights into these life processes, which could ultimately lead to improvements in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases.Read moreRead less
Formation, photochemistry and fate of gas-phase peroxyl radicals. This project aims to understand how peroxyl radical reactions modulate the composition of air. The gas-phase chemical reactions of organic peroxyl radicals contribute to air quality in clean and polluted environments. However, experimental observations of these reaction intermediates and the complex mechanisms governing their formation and fate are limited. This project will use mass spectrometry and laser-based methods to interro ....Formation, photochemistry and fate of gas-phase peroxyl radicals. This project aims to understand how peroxyl radical reactions modulate the composition of air. The gas-phase chemical reactions of organic peroxyl radicals contribute to air quality in clean and polluted environments. However, experimental observations of these reaction intermediates and the complex mechanisms governing their formation and fate are limited. This project will use mass spectrometry and laser-based methods to interrogate the chemical and photochemical reactions of peroxyl radicals in the gas phase. This project expects to understand the composition and dynamics of the troposphere and inform strategies to improve air quality.Read moreRead less
Building insights of our largest terrestrial carbon sink: rangelands soils. Rangelands soils represent Australia’s largest carbon sink. Yet, little is known about their potential for carbon sequestration or their vulnerability to climate and environmental change. This project leverages investments in national terrestrial observation platforms and integrates previous research outputs to develop new methods to measure and build understanding of soil carbon composition and dynamics in rangeland eco ....Building insights of our largest terrestrial carbon sink: rangelands soils. Rangelands soils represent Australia’s largest carbon sink. Yet, little is known about their potential for carbon sequestration or their vulnerability to climate and environmental change. This project leverages investments in national terrestrial observation platforms and integrates previous research outputs to develop new methods to measure and build understanding of soil carbon composition and dynamics in rangeland ecosystems. Under a framework that connects detailed measurements and small-scale processes, with machine-learning, data-model assimilation and large-scale next-generation biogeochemical modelling, it’ll allow more accurate predictions of soil carbon change and better decision-making to guide sustainable rangelands management.Read moreRead less
Developing the basis for an quality control platform for human pluripotent stem cells and their differentiated derivatives. Biophotonic techniques based on spectroscopy have the potential to provide low-cost, automatable measurements for the quality control of stem and differentiated cells produced for use in industry and regenerative medicine. This project is aimed at acquiring the fundamental scientific knowledge base required to bring this about.
A Novel Hybrid Chemical Looping Process for Production of Liquid Hydrocarbon Fuels with a Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions Profile. This project determines the fundamental science underpinning the operation of a novel hybrid chemical looping carbon reforming (CLCR) process for production of alternative transportation fuels with a reduced greenhouse gas emissions profile. Compare with conventional processes, the CLCR process features a 50 per cent reduction in the energy and carbon dioxide footpr ....A Novel Hybrid Chemical Looping Process for Production of Liquid Hydrocarbon Fuels with a Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions Profile. This project determines the fundamental science underpinning the operation of a novel hybrid chemical looping carbon reforming (CLCR) process for production of alternative transportation fuels with a reduced greenhouse gas emissions profile. Compare with conventional processes, the CLCR process features a 50 per cent reduction in the energy and carbon dioxide footprints and represents a large sink for carbon dioxide sequestration if deployed widely. To achieve the broad objectives of the project comprehensive experimental and modelling studies will be carried out at macro, micro and molecular levels. Expected outcomes include fundamental knowledge essential to the development and commercial-scale deployment of the CLCR process.Read moreRead less