Analysing the protective role of platelets during malaria infection. Platelets protect the host during malarial infection. This project aims to study how platelets kill the malaria parasite by investigating the role of host molecules and their potential as novel antimalarial agents. The role of platelets in the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria syndrome will also be investigated.
An efficient approach to the computation of bacterial evolutionary distance. This project aims to apply advanced mathematical tools to improve our understanding of bacterial evolution. Bacteria account for as much total Earth biomass as all plant species put together, and have an unparalleled ability to evolve quickly and adapt to changing environments. Unfortunately, the existing mathematical models used to model bacterial evolution are generally computationally intractable. This project will r ....An efficient approach to the computation of bacterial evolutionary distance. This project aims to apply advanced mathematical tools to improve our understanding of bacterial evolution. Bacteria account for as much total Earth biomass as all plant species put together, and have an unparalleled ability to evolve quickly and adapt to changing environments. Unfortunately, the existing mathematical models used to model bacterial evolution are generally computationally intractable. This project will rectify this situation by using representation theory to transform combinatorial group theory into linear algebra, allowing for the application of advanced methods of numeric approximation. This will provide a better understanding of how bacteria evolve and improve our ability to manage their impact.Read moreRead less
Hierarchical assembly of graphene oxide nanoparticles as bionanointerface. This project aims to develop a state-of-the-art fabrication methodology to develop large area polymer/graphene hybrid nanoparticle patterns to precisely modulate cell guidance and regeneration by exogenous electrical stimulation. Polymers and graphene have emerged as the main contenders for the development of soft biocompatible platforms. However, their applicability has been limited due to difficulties in patterning and ....Hierarchical assembly of graphene oxide nanoparticles as bionanointerface. This project aims to develop a state-of-the-art fabrication methodology to develop large area polymer/graphene hybrid nanoparticle patterns to precisely modulate cell guidance and regeneration by exogenous electrical stimulation. Polymers and graphene have emerged as the main contenders for the development of soft biocompatible platforms. However, their applicability has been limited due to difficulties in patterning and their consequent integration under physiological conditions. This project will advance both fundamental and practical knowledge at the forefront of nanotechnology and cell biology, whilst providing training to the research community at the cutting edge of science. The project will also deliver intellectual property, which will position Australia at the forefront of bionanotechnology.Read moreRead less
Investigating the molecular function of alpha-Haemoglobin stabilising protein. The research described in this proposal will provide new insights into haemoglobin regulation and redox chemistry in erythrocytes. Deregulation of these processes gives rise to a number of debilitating diseases, including varieties of anaemia and thalassaemia-in Australia it is estimated that 3% of the population could be carriers of b-thalassaemia mutations. Given the contribution of free aHb to the pathology of b-th ....Investigating the molecular function of alpha-Haemoglobin stabilising protein. The research described in this proposal will provide new insights into haemoglobin regulation and redox chemistry in erythrocytes. Deregulation of these processes gives rise to a number of debilitating diseases, including varieties of anaemia and thalassaemia-in Australia it is estimated that 3% of the population could be carriers of b-thalassaemia mutations. Given the contribution of free aHb to the pathology of b-thalassaemia, understanding the specific aHb-binding factor, AHSP is a goal of national significance. In the long term, manipulation of AHSP function through gene therapy may have a direct role in the treatment of thalassaemia.Read moreRead less
Prediction of radiated noise from marine propellers. Underwater noise radiated from marine vessels is a significant problem for research, fishing and military vessels, and is a major source of pollution in the marine environment. The major source contributing to underwater noise is due to the propeller. This work will develop numerical models with experimental validation that can accurately predict the sources of noise generated by marine propellers and acoustic signatures of marine vessels due ....Prediction of radiated noise from marine propellers. Underwater noise radiated from marine vessels is a significant problem for research, fishing and military vessels, and is a major source of pollution in the marine environment. The major source contributing to underwater noise is due to the propeller. This work will develop numerical models with experimental validation that can accurately predict the sources of noise generated by marine propellers and acoustic signatures of marine vessels due to propeller motion. This work has great significance for Australia’s construction and military maritime industries. The technologies developed in this project are also applicable to rotors in other industries such as in aircraft, helicopters and wind turbines.Read moreRead less
Physics-aware machine learning for data-driven fire risk prediction. The 2019/20 Australian fire season was unprecedented in its extent, impact, and the response of fire agencies. In this project, we aim to answer the question: was the scale of these fires driven by known drivers of fire (drought, weather, fuels and ignitions), or were fundamentally new undescribed processes and phenomena involved? We will accomplish this by developing an innovative, physics-aware machine learning model of fire ....Physics-aware machine learning for data-driven fire risk prediction. The 2019/20 Australian fire season was unprecedented in its extent, impact, and the response of fire agencies. In this project, we aim to answer the question: was the scale of these fires driven by known drivers of fire (drought, weather, fuels and ignitions), or were fundamentally new undescribed processes and phenomena involved? We will accomplish this by developing an innovative, physics-aware machine learning model of fire risk and spread, trained and validated on a two-decade satellite fire record. The predictive ability of the model will be tested on the 2019/20 fire season to determine if novel drivers of fire can be identified, and the model itself will be operationalised into a novel short-to-mid term fire risk prediction tool. Read moreRead less