Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775598
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,000,000.00
Summary
High-Resolution Transmission Electron Tomographic Facility for Nanoanalytical Characterisation in the Life and Material Sciences. The requested instrument will allow researchers in New South Wales to (i) visualize biological and physical samples in three-dimensions by electron tomography and modeling and (ii) image samples in a near-natural state and at high-resolution by cryogenic techniques. This essential research platform will provide novel information that faithfully presents both the surfa ....High-Resolution Transmission Electron Tomographic Facility for Nanoanalytical Characterisation in the Life and Material Sciences. The requested instrument will allow researchers in New South Wales to (i) visualize biological and physical samples in three-dimensions by electron tomography and modeling and (ii) image samples in a near-natural state and at high-resolution by cryogenic techniques. This essential research platform will provide novel information that faithfully presents both the surface and internal structure of samples down to the nanometre scale, enabling structural research to the highest scientific standards. The resulting knowledge is essential to diverse areas that range from development of cures to diabetes and cancer to creation of environmentally-friendly industrial catalysts to design of new nanoparticles and biosensors.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989125
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$150,000.00
Summary
Enhanced Capacity in Ultra-Trace Level Detection and Speciation of Compounds of Environmental, Biological and Materials Science Interest. The proposed integrated facility will strongly support collaborative research in areas of high national priority. These are environmental sustainability, development of new materials and designing molecules of therapeutic value on the basis of better understanding the relevant biological processes. This support will lead to maximizing the outcomes of numerous ....Enhanced Capacity in Ultra-Trace Level Detection and Speciation of Compounds of Environmental, Biological and Materials Science Interest. The proposed integrated facility will strongly support collaborative research in areas of high national priority. These are environmental sustainability, development of new materials and designing molecules of therapeutic value on the basis of better understanding the relevant biological processes. This support will lead to maximizing the outcomes of numerous projects already funded by the Australian Research Council which require accurate and highly sensitive analysis. This will improve the cost effectiveness of research funding and will further strengthen the outstanding reputation of Australia science worldwide.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0238094
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$197,000.00
Summary
Fine and Ultrafine Particle - Characterisation and Research Facility. The proposed grant aims to establish an integrated facility for characterising and researching fine and ultrafine particles. It will serve various research groups of three collaborating universities. Current facilities are limited to characterisation of liquid-borne particles down to 10 nm size. To extend the groups research interests into aerosols and nanoparticles the facilities requested in this grant are essential. Equipme ....Fine and Ultrafine Particle - Characterisation and Research Facility. The proposed grant aims to establish an integrated facility for characterising and researching fine and ultrafine particles. It will serve various research groups of three collaborating universities. Current facilities are limited to characterisation of liquid-borne particles down to 10 nm size. To extend the groups research interests into aerosols and nanoparticles the facilities requested in this grant are essential. Equipment critical for research into catalytic processes is also requested. Integration of the groups will create a force that institutions and industries,nation-wide, can turn to when the need for competent analytical and research solutions for particles and catalysis arises.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms and modelling of gels for protein separation. Gradipore approached Sydney University to collaborate on fundamental science needed to improve polymer gels for separation and characterization of proteins. These gels have many applications: e.g. proteomics and diagnostics. Presently, control of polymer microstructure in the synthesis of these gels is by trial and error. This project will create an accurate model of the process so pore size can be predicted. This involves novel work in ex ....Mechanisms and modelling of gels for protein separation. Gradipore approached Sydney University to collaborate on fundamental science needed to improve polymer gels for separation and characterization of proteins. These gels have many applications: e.g. proteomics and diagnostics. Presently, control of polymer microstructure in the synthesis of these gels is by trial and error. This project will create an accurate model of the process so pore size can be predicted. This involves novel work in experimental and theoretical methods developed by the Sydney University group. The result will be qualitative and quantitative understanding which can be subsequently used to tailor-make gels for new applications.Read moreRead less
Allosteric Enhancers: Leads for the Therapy of Cardiovascular Disease. Cardiovascular disease (CVD - heart, stroke and blood vessel disease) kills more people each year than cancer, AIDS and traffic accidents combined. Coronary heart disease (CHD), followed by stroke, is the largest single cause of death in Australia. Allosteric enhancers are particularly attractive drug targets for the prevention of CVD due to their ability to limit injury associated with ischaemic tissue trauma selectively ....Allosteric Enhancers: Leads for the Therapy of Cardiovascular Disease. Cardiovascular disease (CVD - heart, stroke and blood vessel disease) kills more people each year than cancer, AIDS and traffic accidents combined. Coronary heart disease (CHD), followed by stroke, is the largest single cause of death in Australia. Allosteric enhancers are particularly attractive drug targets for the prevention of CVD due to their ability to limit injury associated with ischaemic tissue trauma selectively in tissues where adenosine is elevated. Whilst the development of drugs that protect against heart attack and stroke is a difficult and long term objective, any advances toward this goal would clearly be of great benefit to the community.Read moreRead less
Synthesis of Novel Dual Acting, Selenium Containing Antioxidants. Ischemic heart disease and chronic inflammation afflict a large segment of the Australian population, especially the ageing. These states are associated with free-radicals and other reactive oxygen species and can be controlled to some extent by the application of adenosine therapy. This project will combine the activity of adenosine agonists and enhancers with selenium-containing antioxidants, used to quench reactive oxygen spe ....Synthesis of Novel Dual Acting, Selenium Containing Antioxidants. Ischemic heart disease and chronic inflammation afflict a large segment of the Australian population, especially the ageing. These states are associated with free-radicals and other reactive oxygen species and can be controlled to some extent by the application of adenosine therapy. This project will combine the activity of adenosine agonists and enhancers with selenium-containing antioxidants, used to quench reactive oxygen species, to provide a powerful new class of pharmaceutical products designed to enhance the quality of life of Australians afflicted by diseases propagated by free-radicals.Read moreRead less
Structure and activity of host-defence peptides from Australian anurans: anticancer agents, neuropeptides and nNOS inhibitors. We have discovered peptides that may have clinical applications. This is significant as these molecules may have one or more of the following properties. They may have anti-cancer effects; they may increase the effectiveness of the immune system by enhancing lymphocyte formation; and, they may act to reduce inflammation, stroke or cardiac conditions by controlling nitri ....Structure and activity of host-defence peptides from Australian anurans: anticancer agents, neuropeptides and nNOS inhibitors. We have discovered peptides that may have clinical applications. This is significant as these molecules may have one or more of the following properties. They may have anti-cancer effects; they may increase the effectiveness of the immune system by enhancing lymphocyte formation; and, they may act to reduce inflammation, stroke or cardiac conditions by controlling nitric oxide formation. Another national benefit is that personnel involved in this project are trained to the highest international standards in peptide chemistry/mass spectrometry/nuclear magnetic resonance: currently, there are not enough trained scientists in this area to meet demand.Read moreRead less
Development of High Performance Nanocomposite Filtration Membranes: Fabrication and Fouling Mechanisms. This project will develop high performance membranes for the filtration of water and wastewater using novel nanotechnology processes. This will reduce the costs and environmental impact of water treatment and risk from low-level chemical contaminants such as micropollutants. The project will also provide an enhanced technology base for producing low cost, hybrid inorganic-organic materials fo ....Development of High Performance Nanocomposite Filtration Membranes: Fabrication and Fouling Mechanisms. This project will develop high performance membranes for the filtration of water and wastewater using novel nanotechnology processes. This will reduce the costs and environmental impact of water treatment and risk from low-level chemical contaminants such as micropollutants. The project will also provide an enhanced technology base for producing low cost, hybrid inorganic-organic materials for widespread environmental, agricultural and food applications.Read moreRead less
An innovative approach to fabricate thermally stable polymer/layered silicate nanocomposites. By fully taking advantage of excellent affinity of water with polar layered silicate and polar polymer, an innovative approach to fabricate thermally stable polymer/layered silicate nanocomposites via melt extrusion with the aid of water/water vapour will be developed. In this process, the pristine layered silicate will be directly exfoliated into individual layers with nanometer thickness and high aspe ....An innovative approach to fabricate thermally stable polymer/layered silicate nanocomposites. By fully taking advantage of excellent affinity of water with polar layered silicate and polar polymer, an innovative approach to fabricate thermally stable polymer/layered silicate nanocomposites via melt extrusion with the aid of water/water vapour will be developed. In this process, the pristine layered silicate will be directly exfoliated into individual layers with nanometer thickness and high aspect ratio, and uniformly dispersed in a polymer matrix. This novel approach is environmentally benign and cost-effective since no alkyl ammonium surfactants are required. The resultant nanocomposites will exhibit excellent barrier properties, high thermal stability, environmental durability and superior mechanical properties. These qualities make them very attractive for many applications in the automotive and packaging industries.Read moreRead less
Biologically active peptides and proteins from anurans: the relationship between structure and activity. We have identified peptides (from glands of frogs and toads), some of which are amongst the most powerful biologically active compounds in the animal kingdom. The aims of this project are to investigate the relationship between the structure and bioactivity of chosen groups of peptides including pheromones, anticancer and antibiotic peptides, and peptides which inhibit neuronal nitric oxide ....Biologically active peptides and proteins from anurans: the relationship between structure and activity. We have identified peptides (from glands of frogs and toads), some of which are amongst the most powerful biologically active compounds in the animal kingdom. The aims of this project are to investigate the relationship between the structure and bioactivity of chosen groups of peptides including pheromones, anticancer and antibiotic peptides, and peptides which inhibit neuronal nitric oxide synthase. It would be of national benefit if any of these peptides have applied application, e.g. if we can use the sex pheromone of the cane toad to reduce its population, or if we can produce an anticancer active peptide of clinical applicability.Read moreRead less