Novel approach to study mechanisms of Na+ transport in plants using Lab on a Chip technology. A Lab on a Chip for sodium ion measurements in plants is proposed, offering a long overdue solution to the lack of appropriate techniques to study the mechanisms of sodium iron uptake, transport and compartmentation. Sodium ion transport is a key determinant of salt tolerance, but a good understanding of its transport mechanisms is lacking since no appropriate measurement tools are available. Using the ....Novel approach to study mechanisms of Na+ transport in plants using Lab on a Chip technology. A Lab on a Chip for sodium ion measurements in plants is proposed, offering a long overdue solution to the lack of appropriate techniques to study the mechanisms of sodium iron uptake, transport and compartmentation. Sodium ion transport is a key determinant of salt tolerance, but a good understanding of its transport mechanisms is lacking since no appropriate measurement tools are available. Using the system proposed here, sodium ion is separated from interfering ions, allowing fast and selective measurements. A series of ground breaking studies towards sodium ion uptake, transport and compartmentation in plants will be conducted using this Lab on a Chip.Read moreRead less
Probing the four photosynthetic membrane protein complexes at work in situ in leaves. This proposal aims at sustainable improvements in plant productivity and photosynthetic adaptation in drastic Australian climates. In photosynthesis, membranes with the four multiprotein complexes use sunlight to make compounds that drive carbon assimilation. Instead of the usual dissection of photosynthetic membranes, this project will develop and refine the applicant's rapid, reliable, non-intrusive technique ....Probing the four photosynthetic membrane protein complexes at work in situ in leaves. This proposal aims at sustainable improvements in plant productivity and photosynthetic adaptation in drastic Australian climates. In photosynthesis, membranes with the four multiprotein complexes use sunlight to make compounds that drive carbon assimilation. Instead of the usual dissection of photosynthetic membranes, this project will develop and refine the applicant's rapid, reliable, non-intrusive techniques to probe the four membrane complexes at work in their native state in leaves. Two portable commercial instruments will potentially emerge from the techniques. This novel non-reductionist approach will identify key limitations to photosynthetic performance under stress, and insights into improvements for primary plant productivity.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989782
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$524,000.00
Summary
A Core Western Australian Cell Sorting Facility - Ultra-Small Objects and Rare Cell Populations. This new generic capacity to rapidly isolate structures smaller than the cell has extraordinarily wide application in the biological sciences. Making this capacity widely accessible through a core facility to the Western Australian research community will generate research outcomes of national and community benefit. Sorting chromosomes to better understand genetic abnormalities and sorting bacteria t ....A Core Western Australian Cell Sorting Facility - Ultra-Small Objects and Rare Cell Populations. This new generic capacity to rapidly isolate structures smaller than the cell has extraordinarily wide application in the biological sciences. Making this capacity widely accessible through a core facility to the Western Australian research community will generate research outcomes of national and community benefit. Sorting chromosomes to better understand genetic abnormalities and sorting bacteria to better understand and reduce bacterial infection will result in improvements in human health. Sorting parasites, bacteria and immune cells will lead to new animal vaccines for parasites and diseases such as bird flu. Sorting marine plankton will lead to more sustainable marine ecosystems and fisheries.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100146
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$800,000.00
Summary
Ultra high vacuum scanning probe microscope facility. Ultra high-vacuum scanning tunneling microscopy underpins advances in the understanding of novel materials for electronics, engineering and medical applications, including thin-films, nanostructures, advanced semiconductors, nanostructured (organic or inorganic) conductors, and nanoscale interfaces (heteronanostructures). It is a core technique underpinning the new Superscience agenda in Future Technologies. A number of present and future re ....Ultra high vacuum scanning probe microscope facility. Ultra high-vacuum scanning tunneling microscopy underpins advances in the understanding of novel materials for electronics, engineering and medical applications, including thin-films, nanostructures, advanced semiconductors, nanostructured (organic or inorganic) conductors, and nanoscale interfaces (heteronanostructures). It is a core technique underpinning the new Superscience agenda in Future Technologies. A number of present and future research fields will benefit from the presence of this instrument, which will enhance Australia's competitiveness in nanotechnology research and development. Training of PhD and graduate students in this area is essential to exploit the potentiality of nanotechnology for the future benefit of Australia.Read moreRead less
Microchip Impedance Biosensor for Biomedical Diagnostics. This research proposal uses an innovative engineering approach based on novel nanomaterials with the aim of developing a new and generic biosensing technology with the potential to be widely applied in many areas including medical diagnostics, environmental control, industry and biosecurity. The outcomes from this project will benefit Australia by contributing through the development of novel materials, new technologies and new devices. ....Microchip Impedance Biosensor for Biomedical Diagnostics. This research proposal uses an innovative engineering approach based on novel nanomaterials with the aim of developing a new and generic biosensing technology with the potential to be widely applied in many areas including medical diagnostics, environmental control, industry and biosecurity. The outcomes from this project will benefit Australia by contributing through the development of novel materials, new technologies and new devices. The development of technological innovations based on fabricated nanomaterials, will also enhance capacity in frontier technology such as nanotechnology, and build Australia’s strength in using new biosensing technologies.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0237784
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$707,000.00
Summary
Hyphenated Separations/Mass Spectrometry Technology for Protein and Natural Product Characterisation. This proposal consolidates the 3 institutions' collaboration on the ACROSS (Australian Centre for Research on Separation Science) initiative, providing fundamental technology for chemical structural analysis of complex samples involving high resolution protein and natural product characterisation. Requested equipment supports complete characterisation of important novel target molecules. GCxGC-T ....Hyphenated Separations/Mass Spectrometry Technology for Protein and Natural Product Characterisation. This proposal consolidates the 3 institutions' collaboration on the ACROSS (Australian Centre for Research on Separation Science) initiative, providing fundamental technology for chemical structural analysis of complex samples involving high resolution protein and natural product characterisation. Requested equipment supports complete characterisation of important novel target molecules. GCxGC-TOFMS technology will validate our newly patented multidimensional separation techniques. Q-TOF-TOFMS technology, novel patented protein prefractionation approaches, and sample handling with high resolution characterisation / identification of new target proteins allows advanced proteomics developments. Proteomics depends critically upon sophisticated MS techniques. These technologies will: ·enhance the capabilities and expertise in these sciences in the SE Australian area; ·ensure the ACROSS initiative achieves internationally competitive research capabilities; ·provide commercial endpoints in fields associated with analysis of proteins, essential oils and other natural (bio)substances.Read moreRead less
New Enantiomeric Separation Technologies for Natural Product, Pharmaceuticals and Environmental Pollutant Characterisation. Enantiomeric characterisation allows evaluation of drug purity for potentially harmful constituents, consumer protection against adulteration of essential oils and natural materials, and study of chemical interactions in biochemical/environmental systems. Chromatograph technologies (GC, HPLC and CE)for enantioseparation are available, however limitations prevent multicompon ....New Enantiomeric Separation Technologies for Natural Product, Pharmaceuticals and Environmental Pollutant Characterisation. Enantiomeric characterisation allows evaluation of drug purity for potentially harmful constituents, consumer protection against adulteration of essential oils and natural materials, and study of chemical interactions in biochemical/environmental systems. Chromatograph technologies (GC, HPLC and CE)for enantioseparation are available, however limitations prevent multicomponent characterisation of complete sample mixtures. Critical choices involve: choosing a chiral selector that interacts differentially upon all enantiomers; incorporation of selector into high-efficiency chromatographic systems; application to all target compounds in the sample. We will synthesise novel chiral selectors, incorporate these into new separation columns, apply ultra-high resolution 2-dimensional GCxGC to broad-spectrum chiral analysis of volatile chemical samples.Read moreRead less
Selective enrichment of proteins using micro-Gradiflow technology and characterisation of proteins using LC-MS/MS. This project describes crucial areas for the technology development of protein enrichment and fractionation. While current techniques are powerful, the usefulness to identify and characterise proteins of low abundance from massively complex samples in the presence of abundant proteins is limited and requires up to mililitre volumes. We intend to develop the micro-Gradiflow technolog ....Selective enrichment of proteins using micro-Gradiflow technology and characterisation of proteins using LC-MS/MS. This project describes crucial areas for the technology development of protein enrichment and fractionation. While current techniques are powerful, the usefulness to identify and characterise proteins of low abundance from massively complex samples in the presence of abundant proteins is limited and requires up to mililitre volumes. We intend to develop the micro-Gradiflow technology in association with Gradipore as a means of protein fractionation using microlitre volumes of sample. This technology will be applicable to all areas of proteomic research and in particular to the study of cell differentiation. The outcome for Australian industry, our competitiveness both industrial and scientific, and the potential for economic advancement is tremendous.Read moreRead less
Radiation protection for space, aviation, and terrestrial applications: the development of novel radiation detectors and computational techniques. Personnel in space, aviation, and terrestrial applications may be exposed to potentially harmful levels of densely ionising radiation. This project will produce improved radiation detectors and computational techniques, addressing needs in the prediction and assessment of equivalent dose in these applications. The "preventative healthcare" priority go ....Radiation protection for space, aviation, and terrestrial applications: the development of novel radiation detectors and computational techniques. Personnel in space, aviation, and terrestrial applications may be exposed to potentially harmful levels of densely ionising radiation. This project will produce improved radiation detectors and computational techniques, addressing needs in the prediction and assessment of equivalent dose in these applications. The "preventative healthcare" priority goal of the National Research Priority "Promoting and Maintaining Good Health" will be addressed, serving to reduce the risk to personnel involved in such activities. This research will also enhance Australia's international reputation in this field, stimulate local expertise, and create a critical mass of researchers in this field. Read moreRead less
Development of innovative radiation detectors and computational techniques for improving quality of life. This project will produce improved radiation detectors and advanced computational techniques, addressing needs in the prediction and assessment of the effects of radiation in homeland security, medicine, aviation and space applications. The 'preventative healthcare' priority goal of the National Research priority 'Promoting and maintaining good health' will be addressed, serving to reduce th ....Development of innovative radiation detectors and computational techniques for improving quality of life. This project will produce improved radiation detectors and advanced computational techniques, addressing needs in the prediction and assessment of the effects of radiation in homeland security, medicine, aviation and space applications. The 'preventative healthcare' priority goal of the National Research priority 'Promoting and maintaining good health' will be addressed, serving to reduce the risk to people involved in such activities. This fundamental research will also enhance Australia's international reputation in this field, stimulate local expertise and create a critical mass of researchers working in this sector.Read moreRead less