How the gut nervous system interacts with bacteria. This project aims to reveal how the enteric nervous system of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract interacts with the gut microbiota. Gut function has largely been studied without considering microbiota. The project will use genetically modified animal models, image analysis of gut motility and sequencing of gut microbes, and develop neurophysiological methods to understand gut function. Expected benefits include better understanding of mechanisms u ....How the gut nervous system interacts with bacteria. This project aims to reveal how the enteric nervous system of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract interacts with the gut microbiota. Gut function has largely been studied without considering microbiota. The project will use genetically modified animal models, image analysis of gut motility and sequencing of gut microbes, and develop neurophysiological methods to understand gut function. Expected benefits include better understanding of mechanisms underlying antibiotic resistance, risks associated with discretionary caesarean sections and the benefits of breastfeeding.Read moreRead less
Understanding somatic mutation in plants: new methods, new software, new data. Somatic mutations accumulate as plants grow, affecting everything from short-term ecological interactions to long-term evolutionary dynamics. These mutations have important consequences for plant industry and conservation, but because they are so hard to measure almost nothing is known about them. This project aims to develop new methods and software to detect, analyse, and compare the genome-wide history of somatic m ....Understanding somatic mutation in plants: new methods, new software, new data. Somatic mutations accumulate as plants grow, affecting everything from short-term ecological interactions to long-term evolutionary dynamics. These mutations have important consequences for plant industry and conservation, but because they are so hard to measure almost nothing is known about them. This project aims to develop new methods and software to detect, analyse, and compare the genome-wide history of somatic mutation in individual plants, providing an unprecedented level of detail into an important but understudied source of biological variation. By applying these methods to an iconic experimental population, This project aims to provide the first insights into the genome-wide causes and consequences of somatic mutation in plants.Read moreRead less
Smart comparison and assessment of prediction models for better health using next generation data mining. Prediction models can be used to provide early warning of events, such as adverse medical outcomes. This project will develop principles for the smart management of large collections of prediction models using data mining, enabling more timely medical interventions for Australians to live healthier and longer.
Smart Algorithms Linking Medical Image Data and Measures of Dysfunction. Losing sight has a profound affect on a person's quality of life. Advances in devices that monitor vision have not been matched by advances in computer software that analyses data from those devices. This project will combine computer science, visual neuroscience and clinical expertise to devise algorithms and build software that will vastly improve clinician's abilities to diagnose and monitor vision loss. In turn, this wi ....Smart Algorithms Linking Medical Image Data and Measures of Dysfunction. Losing sight has a profound affect on a person's quality of life. Advances in devices that monitor vision have not been matched by advances in computer software that analyses data from those devices. This project will combine computer science, visual neuroscience and clinical expertise to devise algorithms and build software that will vastly improve clinician's abilities to diagnose and monitor vision loss. In turn, this will dramatically improve the chances of those with diseases such as glaucoma to preserve their sight into old age. Furthermore, outcomes from this project will inform the development bionic eye technologies, which will assist those with eye diseases such as retinis pigmantosa and age-related macular degeneration to see.Read moreRead less
Engineering solutions for the next generation of offshore oil and gas infrastructure. Offshore extraction of oil and gas reserves is a key industry for Australia, annually contributing A$21 billion to the economy, and underpinning much of our prosperity. With reserves close to shore being exhausted and A$1 trillion of gas reserves (four times that already developed) known to be 'stranded' in deep and remote locations, the outcomes of the proposed research programme will help scientifically under ....Engineering solutions for the next generation of offshore oil and gas infrastructure. Offshore extraction of oil and gas reserves is a key industry for Australia, annually contributing A$21 billion to the economy, and underpinning much of our prosperity. With reserves close to shore being exhausted and A$1 trillion of gas reserves (four times that already developed) known to be 'stranded' in deep and remote locations, the outcomes of the proposed research programme will help scientifically underpin the reliable design of the next generation of Australia's exploration and development infrastructure. It continues Australia's leadership in the field of offshore geotechnics and engineering, fostering tomorrow's engineering leaders and ensuring the future competitiveness of Australia's offshore oil and gas industry.Read moreRead less
Seabed engineering to unlock Australia's deepwater oil and gas resources. The development of offshore petroleum contributes $25 billion annually to the Australian economy. The majority of our $1 trillion of reserves are currently untapped, being in deep water, remote from shore. This Fellowship will generate a scientific understanding of the mechanics of seabed sediments when disturbed by infrastructure and ocean storms, and lead to procedures for designing the seabed pipelines and facilities ne ....Seabed engineering to unlock Australia's deepwater oil and gas resources. The development of offshore petroleum contributes $25 billion annually to the Australian economy. The majority of our $1 trillion of reserves are currently untapped, being in deep water, remote from shore. This Fellowship will generate a scientific understanding of the mechanics of seabed sediments when disturbed by infrastructure and ocean storms, and lead to procedures for designing the seabed pipelines and facilities needed to unlock Australia's isolated deep water petroleum reserves. These procedures will provide economic solutions for safely transmitting the hydrocarbons to shore. The resulting expertise will enhance Australia's global reputation in offshore geotechnics and engineering and raise the competitiveness of our petroleum industry.Read moreRead less
Behaviour and design of concrete-filled stainless steel tubular columns at ambient and elevated temperatures. Stainless steel is recognised as an advanced construction material for its merits of corrosion resistance, attractive appearance and ease of maintenance. It has enormous potential for use in steel-concrete composite construction, which will provide the structural engineering community with greater choice in terms of aesthetics, constructability, cost and sustainability. The research put ....Behaviour and design of concrete-filled stainless steel tubular columns at ambient and elevated temperatures. Stainless steel is recognised as an advanced construction material for its merits of corrosion resistance, attractive appearance and ease of maintenance. It has enormous potential for use in steel-concrete composite construction, which will provide the structural engineering community with greater choice in terms of aesthetics, constructability, cost and sustainability. The research put forward in this proposal will promote the better use of stainless steel in Australia's building, bridge and offshore infrastructure, thereby providing significant socio-economic benefits to Australia. Moreover it will greatly increase Australia's infrastructure maintenance capability.Read moreRead less
Uncovering microRNA decay regulation in mammalian cells. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) constitute a novel mechanism used by cells to regulate gene expression, however, very little is known about the mechanisms affecting miRNA accumulation. Characterisation of the kinetics of miRNA turnover is of paramount importance to establish the reliability of miRNAs as novel biomarkers. This project aims to characterise miRNA stability in mammalian cells, investigate mechanisms of turnover and establish their importan ....Uncovering microRNA decay regulation in mammalian cells. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) constitute a novel mechanism used by cells to regulate gene expression, however, very little is known about the mechanisms affecting miRNA accumulation. Characterisation of the kinetics of miRNA turnover is of paramount importance to establish the reliability of miRNAs as novel biomarkers. This project aims to characterise miRNA stability in mammalian cells, investigate mechanisms of turnover and establish their importance on the regulatory function of miRNAs. Such information is critical in the future development of targeted therapeutics.Read moreRead less
Advanced Interface Technologies for Computational Science & Simulation. The project will research novel computer vision technologies that enable the next generation of visualisation portals for scientific collaboration. The development of new computer vision tools is key to truly natural human-machine interaction. The research outcomes of this project directly align with National Research Priority 3: Frontier Technologies. It supports four of the five relevant priority goals - Breakthrough Scien ....Advanced Interface Technologies for Computational Science & Simulation. The project will research novel computer vision technologies that enable the next generation of visualisation portals for scientific collaboration. The development of new computer vision tools is key to truly natural human-machine interaction. The research outcomes of this project directly align with National Research Priority 3: Frontier Technologies. It supports four of the five relevant priority goals - Breakthrough Science, Frontier Technologies, Smart Information Use, and Promoting an Innovation Culture and Economy. Outcomes of this research are also relevant to Research Priority 4: Safeguarding Australia, and has direct applications to video surveillance technology. Significant commercial opportunities, including licensing and spin-offs exist.Read moreRead less
Comparative Biogeography of Australasian biota. Establishing an internationally recognised biogeographical research program will help scientists, policy makers and the public understand the past and future distribution patterns of the plants and animals of Australia. Discovering these patterns will help conservation biologists and government implement the right policies and practices to deal with biodiversity loss and climate change.