Place and parametricism: Provocations for the rethinking of design. This project aims to explore whether quantitative methods of digital and parametric design can adequately encompass place. Quantitative digital and parametric approaches increasingly dominate contemporary architecture, but people assume architectural design should be essentially oriented to questions of place. The project will operate through a set of studio provocations based on the fictional places of Mervyn Peake's Gormenghas ....Place and parametricism: Provocations for the rethinking of design. This project aims to explore whether quantitative methods of digital and parametric design can adequately encompass place. Quantitative digital and parametric approaches increasingly dominate contemporary architecture, but people assume architectural design should be essentially oriented to questions of place. The project will operate through a set of studio provocations based on the fictional places of Mervyn Peake's Gormenghast novels. The project is expected to clarify the nature of place and parametricism, and rethink what design itself might be.Read moreRead less
Seamless journeys to work for young adults with physical disabilities. This project seeks to explore the transition to work of young people with a disability and, in particular, the role that digital technologies can play in improving self-determination and employment. Promoting self-determination, workforce participation and job retention are key planks in Australia’s policy reforms in the field of disability services. In 2013, Australia invested $750 million to support access to employment for ....Seamless journeys to work for young adults with physical disabilities. This project seeks to explore the transition to work of young people with a disability and, in particular, the role that digital technologies can play in improving self-determination and employment. Promoting self-determination, workforce participation and job retention are key planks in Australia’s policy reforms in the field of disability services. In 2013, Australia invested $750 million to support access to employment for people with disabilities. However, 70 per cent of this group did not keep their jobs beyond the initial six months. The project aims to provide new knowledge for policy and service delivery and deliver a web-based platform to facilitate self-determination for young people with a disability.Read moreRead less
Old brain cells perform new tricks to allow life-long learning. In the brain, nerve cells transmit electrical signals more quickly and reliably when they are insulated. The insulating cells undergo small adaptive changes that speed up information transfer during learning, and the faster the electrical signal, the better the learning outcomes. This project aims to understand the signals that direct insulating cells to adapt and support life-long learning. In the longer term, this knowledge may be ....Old brain cells perform new tricks to allow life-long learning. In the brain, nerve cells transmit electrical signals more quickly and reliably when they are insulated. The insulating cells undergo small adaptive changes that speed up information transfer during learning, and the faster the electrical signal, the better the learning outcomes. This project aims to understand the signals that direct insulating cells to adapt and support life-long learning. In the longer term, this knowledge may be used to: develop interventions that improve learning and educational outcomes; counteract age-related memory decline and enable longer work force participation; develop strategies to circumvent the memory loss caused by brain diseases, or improve the design of computer hardware.Read moreRead less
Rebuilding fiscal federalism in Australia: reforming the financial relationship between the Commonwealth and the States. The finances of the Australian States in the modern day face serious structural challenges. The aim of this project is to analyse and develop appropriate alternatives for reform of fiscal federalism in Australia, which would allow the States to gain access to income tax revenue as a secure source of funding in the future.
Identifying genes that influence clinical course and susceptibility in multiple sclerosis. This project aims to identify the genetic basis of multiple sclerosis (MS), the most common neurologic disease in young Australian adults. MS urgently needs research to identify predisposition, aid early diagnosis and provide bona fide molecular targets for new therapies. This will benefit people with MS and those susceptible to it. Crucial new knowledge identified will benefit other major areas of MS rese ....Identifying genes that influence clinical course and susceptibility in multiple sclerosis. This project aims to identify the genetic basis of multiple sclerosis (MS), the most common neurologic disease in young Australian adults. MS urgently needs research to identify predisposition, aid early diagnosis and provide bona fide molecular targets for new therapies. This will benefit people with MS and those susceptible to it. Crucial new knowledge identified will benefit other major areas of MS research including epidemiology, immunology and neurobiology. Collaboration of 8 major Australian institutions is also important for this project and future studies. The team will have access to a new national MS GeneBank (platform) with samples from 2240 patients that should generate findings important to world-wide MS genetic knowledge.Read moreRead less
Identifying the specific structural features of metallothionein that regulate its ability to modulate astrogliosis. This project contributes directly to the Designated National Research Priority 2 and could potentially have a significant impact upon the broader Australian Community by identifying a novel and powerful therapeutic agent based upon metallothionein proteins with the ultimate aim of helping patients who have a brain injury or a neurodegenerative disease. It is important to note that ....Identifying the specific structural features of metallothionein that regulate its ability to modulate astrogliosis. This project contributes directly to the Designated National Research Priority 2 and could potentially have a significant impact upon the broader Australian Community by identifying a novel and powerful therapeutic agent based upon metallothionein proteins with the ultimate aim of helping patients who have a brain injury or a neurodegenerative disease. It is important to note that the partnership between UTAS and Bestenbalt LLC is a critical step in the development of these exciting research discoveries into commercially viable outcomes for the Australian Biotechnology Industry and the broader Australian community.Read moreRead less
Using metallothioneins as a model for understanding cellular and biochemical interactions between neurons and astrocytes within the brain. This research will reveal some of the changes that occur in the relationship between neurons and astrocytes as a consequence injury, aging or disease to the human brain. In national terms, it will contribute to the concerted effort by Australian scientists to understand how and why neurons die following brain injury or in neurodegenerative diseases. These a ....Using metallothioneins as a model for understanding cellular and biochemical interactions between neurons and astrocytes within the brain. This research will reveal some of the changes that occur in the relationship between neurons and astrocytes as a consequence injury, aging or disease to the human brain. In national terms, it will contribute to the concerted effort by Australian scientists to understand how and why neurons die following brain injury or in neurodegenerative diseases. These are significant community issues in both economical and social terms. Furthermore, this research contributes directly to the Designated National Research Priorities by identifying some of the earliest cellular processes associated with aging or disease of the brain, and will provide clues to promoting healthy aging.Read moreRead less
Redefining the metallothionein's role in the injured brain: extracellular metallothioneins play an important role in astrocyte-neuron responses to injury. This project is being performed by an Australian team of researchers who are leaders in this field of research, and has significant national benefits in supporting this team reveal fundamental information on the cellular interactions that occur between astrocytes and neurons within the injured brain. In national terms, it will contribute to th ....Redefining the metallothionein's role in the injured brain: extracellular metallothioneins play an important role in astrocyte-neuron responses to injury. This project is being performed by an Australian team of researchers who are leaders in this field of research, and has significant national benefits in supporting this team reveal fundamental information on the cellular interactions that occur between astrocytes and neurons within the injured brain. In national terms, it will contribute to the concerted effort by Australian scientists to understand how and why neurons die following brain injury or neurodegenerative disease. Furthermore, this research contributes directly to the Designated National Research Priorities by identifying some of the earliest biochemical and cellular processes associated with aging or disease of the brain.Read moreRead less
Bioanalytical Microchips Based on Integrated, Application Tailored Monolithic Modules. Microfluidic devices offer substantial advantages over current technology, in terms of speed, cost of analysis, portability, operator simplicity and safety. Integrating multiple analytical processes within a simple and reliable portable device will lead to application in a range of areas, from pharmacology to therapeutic drug monitoring, proteomic and metabolomic screening for disease diagnosis and drug develo ....Bioanalytical Microchips Based on Integrated, Application Tailored Monolithic Modules. Microfluidic devices offer substantial advantages over current technology, in terms of speed, cost of analysis, portability, operator simplicity and safety. Integrating multiple analytical processes within a simple and reliable portable device will lead to application in a range of areas, from pharmacology to therapeutic drug monitoring, proteomic and metabolomic screening for disease diagnosis and drug development, and also for performing clinical diagnostics in a rural area. This will significantly impact on the quality of life of the Nation as a whole, not only due to expedient diagnosis and treatment which has obvious health benefits, but also in the considerable financial benefits that result from early and efficient treatment. Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR1101002
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$21,000,000.00
Summary
Stem Cells Australia. Despite progress in stem cell research, scientists do not understand how stem cells “decide” what to become. Stem Cells Australia will draw upon strengths within Australia’s premier stem cell research universities and institutes. This collaboration between leading bioengineering, nanotechnology, stem cell and advanced molecular analysis experts, will fast-track efforts to deliver a fundamental understanding of the mechanisms of stem cell regulation and differentiation, and ....Stem Cells Australia. Despite progress in stem cell research, scientists do not understand how stem cells “decide” what to become. Stem Cells Australia will draw upon strengths within Australia’s premier stem cell research universities and institutes. This collaboration between leading bioengineering, nanotechnology, stem cell and advanced molecular analysis experts, will fast-track efforts to deliver a fundamental understanding of the mechanisms of stem cell regulation and differentiation, and the ability to control and influence this process. Stem Cells Australia will deliver new methods for stem cell propagation and manipulation, new translational technologies for therapeutic applications, and will prepare Australia’s future stem cell scientific leaders.Read moreRead less