Nanoscale Coating and Biomodification of Colloids for Biological Applications. The research entails the preparation of novel biofunctional colloids of nanometer to micrometer dimensions and their utilisation in biological applications. Self-assembly processes will be exploited to achieve nanoscale biomodification of technologically important colloid particles, including latex beads and rare earth and semiconductor nanoparticles. The studies conducted will generate fundamental knowledge pertainin ....Nanoscale Coating and Biomodification of Colloids for Biological Applications. The research entails the preparation of novel biofunctional colloids of nanometer to micrometer dimensions and their utilisation in biological applications. Self-assembly processes will be exploited to achieve nanoscale biomodification of technologically important colloid particles, including latex beads and rare earth and semiconductor nanoparticles. The studies conducted will generate fundamental knowledge pertaining to the underlying factors that govern the formation of biofunctional colloid particles through self-assembly. This is essential for the development of tailored colloids that will meet the demands placed on nanomaterials synthesis and performance by nanotechnology. The colloids prepared will find new applications in medicine, biocatalysis and bioassays.Read moreRead less
Spectroscopy of complex and biological micro-objects for biosensing applications. The optically based test for specific DNA binding resulting from the conclusion of this project is of great potential benefit to all Australians as DNA is the building block of all living organisms. The technique developed and resulting biosensor will provide an invaluable tool for the determination and analysis of specific DNA reactions. The general technique developed for the genetic targeting of specific DNA rea ....Spectroscopy of complex and biological micro-objects for biosensing applications. The optically based test for specific DNA binding resulting from the conclusion of this project is of great potential benefit to all Australians as DNA is the building block of all living organisms. The technique developed and resulting biosensor will provide an invaluable tool for the determination and analysis of specific DNA reactions. The general technique developed for the genetic targeting of specific DNA reactions makes the detection of diseases and toxins like Chlamydia and anthrax, for example cheap, quick and accurate, keeping Australian's healthy, and strengthening national security.Read moreRead less
Nanoengineered Colloids and thin films through self-assembly with potential applications in Bioscince and Nanotechnology. The proposed research program will focus on the preparation, characterisation and application of novel, small (nanometer size) particles and thin (micrometer thick)films derived from such particles. These new and advanced materials will be prepared by usinf a recently developed, highly versatile and facile technology to coat particles in solution. The strategy to be used en ....Nanoengineered Colloids and thin films through self-assembly with potential applications in Bioscince and Nanotechnology. The proposed research program will focus on the preparation, characterisation and application of novel, small (nanometer size) particles and thin (micrometer thick)films derived from such particles. These new and advanced materials will be prepared by usinf a recently developed, highly versatile and facile technology to coat particles in solution. The strategy to be used entails the step-by-step construction of well-defined layers of different composition on particles and flat surfaces, thereby allowing unprecendented control over the material properties and function. This will provide new avenues for the application of nanoscale materials in biotechnology and nanotechnology.Read moreRead less
Metabolic Profiling of Human Embryonic Stem Cells. Stem cell therapies are becoming a commercial reality. Stem cell products have an estimated value of US$ 87 million this year and are predicted to be worth US$ 8.5 billion within a decade. Development of stem cell products will be an international research effort with many contributing to the final products. Research described here will augment this effort, strengthening Australia's contribution by developing novel intellectual property and appl ....Metabolic Profiling of Human Embryonic Stem Cells. Stem cell therapies are becoming a commercial reality. Stem cell products have an estimated value of US$ 87 million this year and are predicted to be worth US$ 8.5 billion within a decade. Development of stem cell products will be an international research effort with many contributing to the final products. Research described here will augment this effort, strengthening Australia's contribution by developing novel intellectual property and applications. The training of individuals skilled in stem cell research will add to Australia's pool of stem cell researchers. Individuals trained in this area will be paramount to maintaining Australia's research effort and in the application of these technologies into the Australian health sector.Read moreRead less
Genetic control of plant organ growth. Plants organs, such as leaves and petals, have a distinct size and shape reflecting differences in growth. Despite its importance, very little is known about the mechanisms that regulate growth. The objectives of this proposal are a) to test whether organ growth depends on cell-cell signalling and b) to identifying genes that regulate growth, and to characterize their molecular function.
Marsupial germ cells and genes. Germ cells are the most fascinating cells in the body, since theirs is the unique responsibility for transmitting life from generation to generation. Studies in mice have suggested that position in the embryo determines their origin, but the early embryology of the mouse is so different from that of other mammals that the events need confirming and extending in another species. The simplified embryology of the tammar wallaby makes it ideal for studying one of the ....Marsupial germ cells and genes. Germ cells are the most fascinating cells in the body, since theirs is the unique responsibility for transmitting life from generation to generation. Studies in mice have suggested that position in the embryo determines their origin, but the early embryology of the mouse is so different from that of other mammals that the events need confirming and extending in another species. The simplified embryology of the tammar wallaby makes it ideal for studying one of the most fundamental questions in the whole of biology: what is the basis for the primal distinction between sex and soma?Read moreRead less
How does the unilaminar blastocyst form an embryo? Marsupials are synonymous with Australia and they are scientifically amazing. An understanding how the single-layered marsupial blastocyst cells are directed to form the complex organisation of an embryo would help us understand the biology underlying the developmental potential of all cells. Understanding these processes is not only of great fundamental interest to developmental biology but also for the development of embryonic stem cell lines. ....How does the unilaminar blastocyst form an embryo? Marsupials are synonymous with Australia and they are scientifically amazing. An understanding how the single-layered marsupial blastocyst cells are directed to form the complex organisation of an embryo would help us understand the biology underlying the developmental potential of all cells. Understanding these processes is not only of great fundamental interest to developmental biology but also for the development of embryonic stem cell lines. This research will continue Australia's high profile in reproductive biology using one of our iconic native mammals. A greater understanding of marsupial reproduction will also contribute to management of our threatened marsupial populations.Read moreRead less
Taming the intruders: the domestication of Tigger transposable elements in mammals. It has become apparent that most of the DNA that makes us what we are is actually comprised of the remnants of invading parasitic DNA acquired over time. A continual battle exists between host which tries to silence or remove this DNA, and the parasite that tries to multiply and spread. We are currently investigating an intriguing aspect of this process that involves host genomes 'domesticating' parasitic DNA to ....Taming the intruders: the domestication of Tigger transposable elements in mammals. It has become apparent that most of the DNA that makes us what we are is actually comprised of the remnants of invading parasitic DNA acquired over time. A continual battle exists between host which tries to silence or remove this DNA, and the parasite that tries to multiply and spread. We are currently investigating an intriguing aspect of this process that involves host genomes 'domesticating' parasitic DNA to provide novel functions, thereby facilitating the evolution of specific characteristics within species.Read moreRead less
Regulation of DNA replication initiation during Drosophila development. This proposal addresses the fundamental issue of the regulation of DNA
replication during development, using the animal model system, Drosophila melanogaster. This research uses a whole animal genetic and cell biological approach to explore DNA replication regulatory mechanisms that are present in multicellular organisms but not in yeast. The work undertaken here will make a significant contribution to our understanding of ....Regulation of DNA replication initiation during Drosophila development. This proposal addresses the fundamental issue of the regulation of DNA
replication during development, using the animal model system, Drosophila melanogaster. This research uses a whole animal genetic and cell biological approach to explore DNA replication regulatory mechanisms that are present in multicellular organisms but not in yeast. The work undertaken here will make a significant contribution to our understanding of DNA replication regulation within a developing organism that will be relevant to all animals.Read moreRead less
Unveiling and characterisation of a fundamental pathway important in cell division. This work will have a major impact by producing top quality research that addresses a fundamental biological question of relevance to all organisms. The research will advance understanding of genetic factors important in foetal and early childhood development and proliferative disorders that occur during ageing. This work will provide intellectual and practical training to Honours and PhD students and postdoctora ....Unveiling and characterisation of a fundamental pathway important in cell division. This work will have a major impact by producing top quality research that addresses a fundamental biological question of relevance to all organisms. The research will advance understanding of genetic factors important in foetal and early childhood development and proliferative disorders that occur during ageing. This work will provide intellectual and practical training to Honours and PhD students and postdoctoral researchers in the disciplines of Molecular Genetics, Molecular & Cellular Biology, Developmental Cell Biology, Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, which will be of immense benefit to their scientific careers and the Australian scientific community.Read moreRead less