Advanced computer simulations of star cluster evolution. The topic of this fellowship is dynamical simulations of star clusters using high-end graphics cards originally developed for the computer gaming industry. The proposed fellowship will thereby enhance Australia's capacity in the exploitation of high-performance computing and will give it a strong position in the new field of graphics card based simulations. The computer cluster built during the fellowship will also be an outstanding enviro ....Advanced computer simulations of star cluster evolution. The topic of this fellowship is dynamical simulations of star clusters using high-end graphics cards originally developed for the computer gaming industry. The proposed fellowship will thereby enhance Australia's capacity in the exploitation of high-performance computing and will give it a strong position in the new field of graphics card based simulations. The computer cluster built during the fellowship will also be an outstanding environment for the training of students. In addition, while Australia has a strong tradition in star cluster astronomy, it has so far not captured a leadership role in the theoretical analysis. The four years of this fellowship will allow it to establish a world-leading position in star cluster simulations.Read moreRead less
Assessing the mechanisms and dynamics of myelination in the brain. This project is expected to refine our understanding of brain plasticity by revealing how myelin plasticity optimises brain function in response to experience. Using a multidisciplinary approach incorporating animal studies, mathematical modelling and computational neuroscience, the project seeks to redefine our understanding of myelin remodelling using an entirely new integrated cell-to-system approach. The expected outcome is f ....Assessing the mechanisms and dynamics of myelination in the brain. This project is expected to refine our understanding of brain plasticity by revealing how myelin plasticity optimises brain function in response to experience. Using a multidisciplinary approach incorporating animal studies, mathematical modelling and computational neuroscience, the project seeks to redefine our understanding of myelin remodelling using an entirely new integrated cell-to-system approach. The expected outcome is fundamental knowledge revealing how myelination is dynamically regulated by neural activity throughout life. This may transform current understanding of neuroplasticity that could aid in the future development of strategies to improve brain health.Read moreRead less
Fusion Energy and the Physics of Burning Plasmas. The world faces a global energy crisis. Our standard of living, which is largely powered by base-load electricity supply, is unsustainable. Fusion power is a near zero greenhouse gas technology, which promises millions of years of base-load electricity, free from weapon proliferation. This promise has galvanised the international community to accelerate fusion development by committing to the next-step technology-enabling $16 billion experiment, ....Fusion Energy and the Physics of Burning Plasmas. The world faces a global energy crisis. Our standard of living, which is largely powered by base-load electricity supply, is unsustainable. Fusion power is a near zero greenhouse gas technology, which promises millions of years of base-load electricity, free from weapon proliferation. This promise has galvanised the international community to accelerate fusion development by committing to the next-step technology-enabling $16 billion experiment, International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). In anticipation of ITER, this fellowship will foster growth of Australian fusion research, and address a grand science challenge facing ITER: how do we maintain burn in the face of potentially damaging plasma instabilities? The answer will affect both ITER and the viability of fusion power.Read moreRead less
Real-Time Searches for Gravitational Waves and Identification of Their Radio and Optical Counterparts. The proposed project will directly address the national research priority in development of frontier technologies, directly involve Australians in frontier work in gravitational wave astronomy that will result in break-through sciences and improve the chance of the international Square-Kilometer-Array project being sited at Australia. In addition, it will foster a close collaboration of top int ....Real-Time Searches for Gravitational Waves and Identification of Their Radio and Optical Counterparts. The proposed project will directly address the national research priority in development of frontier technologies, directly involve Australians in frontier work in gravitational wave astronomy that will result in break-through sciences and improve the chance of the international Square-Kilometer-Array project being sited at Australia. In addition, it will foster a close collaboration of top international researchers with an Australian team. The research at The University of Western Australia will attract students from around the world and serve to educate and inspire young people in Australia.Read moreRead less
From individuals to mass organisation: aggregation, synchronisation and collective movement in locusts. By combining field biology, robotics and mathematics, this project will determine how animals flock or swarm and, in particular, how locust nymphs control their collective movement over their lifetime. The mathematical models derived during the project will be directly applied to controlling outbreaks of locusts in Australia, South and North Africa.
A networked robotic telescope array for coincident detection of transient phenomena in the optical, gravitational wave, neutrino and radio spectra. An international collaboration of scientists will employ a global network of rapid response robotic telescopes and detectors to study exotic transient phenomena in the early Universe. Potential spin-offs include the application of novel image analysis techniques for identifying and tracking dangerous space junk.
Structural studies of host-pathogen interactions. The host-pathogen interface represents a major frontier for biomedical and biotechnological applications. This project aims to understand at the atomic level two such interfaces. In the first instance, the project will elucidate the molecular basis for inhibition of premature host cell death by poxviruses, in particular vaccinia and variola virus, the causative agent of smallpox. In the second instance, the aim is to understand how defensins, a ....Structural studies of host-pathogen interactions. The host-pathogen interface represents a major frontier for biomedical and biotechnological applications. This project aims to understand at the atomic level two such interfaces. In the first instance, the project will elucidate the molecular basis for inhibition of premature host cell death by poxviruses, in particular vaccinia and variola virus, the causative agent of smallpox. In the second instance, the aim is to understand how defensins, a major class of host defence molecules, recognise microbial targets such as fungi, and exert a potent antimicrobial effect. Understanding the precise molecular mechanisms operating at both these host-pathogen interfaces this will provide novel avenues for the design of antiviral and antimicrobial agents.Read moreRead less
Optimal Control of Multi-Object System. Better understanding of multi-object systems developed from this research, in particular, optimal control algorithms for multi-object systems have several significant socio-economic benefits. Application areas that benefits from our research include aerospace applications such as radar, sonar, guidance, navigation, and air traffic control and non-aerospace areas such as image processing, oceanography autonomous vehicles and robotics, remote sensing, and bi ....Optimal Control of Multi-Object System. Better understanding of multi-object systems developed from this research, in particular, optimal control algorithms for multi-object systems have several significant socio-economic benefits. Application areas that benefits from our research include aerospace applications such as radar, sonar, guidance, navigation, and air traffic control and non-aerospace areas such as image processing, oceanography autonomous vehicles and robotics, remote sensing, and biomedical research. The sensor network discipline also stand to benefit from the understanding of multi-object system and control framework. Read moreRead less
Computational enzymology: exploring the free energy landscape of enzymatic catalysis. Most biochemical reactions depend on enzyme catalysis and understanding how enzymes work at the molecular level remains a central question. This project will develop a suite of computational models to study the mechanisms of enzyme-catalysed reactions and such knowledge holds promise for technological benefits in the form of new drugs and novel catalysts.
Structural analysis of poxviruses: advancing our understanding of complex DNA viruses and their in vivo crystals. This project will use innovative structural biology approaches to investigate two key particles of poxviruses, the largest viruses infecting humans. Advance in understanding of immature particles and natural crystals of poxviruses will provide the basis for the development of broad-spectrum antivirals and novel microparticles for vaccine-delivery.