Human longevity: Modelling social changes that propelled its evolution. The project plans to simulate behavioural and social changes that could have driven the evolution of human longevity past the end of female menopause. The aims are to develop a mathematical framework for modelling complex organisation in a population in terms of fundamental social units and to qualitatively evaluate the relative importance of these social units in potentially driving human evolution from the ancestral state. ....Human longevity: Modelling social changes that propelled its evolution. The project plans to simulate behavioural and social changes that could have driven the evolution of human longevity past the end of female menopause. The aims are to develop a mathematical framework for modelling complex organisation in a population in terms of fundamental social units and to qualitatively evaluate the relative importance of these social units in potentially driving human evolution from the ancestral state. Such models may enable us to compare two prominent and opposing hypotheses of the evolution of human longevity: the Grandmother Hypothesis and the Hunting Hypothesis.Read moreRead less
The ins and outs of HIV biology. This project aims to delineate the fundamental mechanisms that regulate the production of HIV and the ability of HIV to cause AIDS in infected patients. It will utilise state-of-the-art technologies to unearth new clues that govern the biology of HIV, with the ultimate goal to develop novel vaccine and treatment strategies against HIV.
Motor Unit Numbers Estimation (MUNE) using Bayesian statistical methodology for monitoring of progression of neuromuscular diseases. A means of objectively measuring the pathology of a neuromuscular disease involving motor unit loss, such as motor neuron disease, is much needed. This will be achieved by using newly developed electrophysiological techniques and developing new Bayesian statistical methodology to determine the number of motor units that supply a muscle. Our innovations will reliabl ....Motor Unit Numbers Estimation (MUNE) using Bayesian statistical methodology for monitoring of progression of neuromuscular diseases. A means of objectively measuring the pathology of a neuromuscular disease involving motor unit loss, such as motor neuron disease, is much needed. This will be achieved by using newly developed electrophysiological techniques and developing new Bayesian statistical methodology to determine the number of motor units that supply a muscle. Our innovations will reliably determine the number of motor units that supply a muscle in both normal subjects and in diseased patients with loss of motor nerves. This will enable the monitoring of disease progression. An outcome will be a software package that can be used with standard electrophysiology machines.Read moreRead less
Density regulation as a major determinant of population persistence: advancing empirical and theoretical approaches to conserve biodiversity. Without efficient application of limited conservation resources, more species will go extinct and invasive species will continue to proliferate. With a better understanding of extinction processes, a higher benefit:cost ratio will ensure better outcomes for biodiversity. We will directly address (1) the sustainable use of Australia's biodiversity by provid ....Density regulation as a major determinant of population persistence: advancing empirical and theoretical approaches to conserve biodiversity. Without efficient application of limited conservation resources, more species will go extinct and invasive species will continue to proliferate. With a better understanding of extinction processes, a higher benefit:cost ratio will ensure better outcomes for biodiversity. We will directly address (1) the sustainable use of Australia's biodiversity by providing evidence-based support for minimum viable population size targets to avoid extinction; (2) responding to climate change by determining the species- and environmentally specific contexts leading to elevated risks of extinction; and (3) protecting Australia from invasive diseases and pests by determining density targets that maximise eradication success.Read moreRead less
Bio-inspired speech analysis: Specialised information processing of vocalisations in the auditory brainstem. This project has the potential to benefit bionic ear and hearing aid users through the development of signal processing methods that mimic the amazing abilities of the brain. Speech perception performance by bionic ear users has reached a plateau and these new strategies could produce the breakthrough needed to provide the next increase in performance. The benefit for greater improved hea ....Bio-inspired speech analysis: Specialised information processing of vocalisations in the auditory brainstem. This project has the potential to benefit bionic ear and hearing aid users through the development of signal processing methods that mimic the amazing abilities of the brain. Speech perception performance by bionic ear users has reached a plateau and these new strategies could produce the breakthrough needed to provide the next increase in performance. The benefit for greater improved hearing has enormous benefit and potential for improving the quality of life of the hearing impaired, especially those with severe and profound hearing loss. In addition, the algorithms may provide more robust automatic speech recognition, making this technology more useful in everyday situations; the markets that this would open up are enormous.Read moreRead less
Modelling with stochastic differential equations. We will develop methodology for modelling and analysis of phenomena subjected to random and uncertain influences, such as behaviour of investors in the market, evolution of economy, values of stocks and ant colonies. This methodology will enable scientists to achieve more accurate description and analysis of their models and provide better understanding of these phenomena. Creating the tools for understanding such complex systems will have far re ....Modelling with stochastic differential equations. We will develop methodology for modelling and analysis of phenomena subjected to random and uncertain influences, such as behaviour of investors in the market, evolution of economy, values of stocks and ant colonies. This methodology will enable scientists to achieve more accurate description and analysis of their models and provide better understanding of these phenomena. Creating the tools for understanding such complex systems will have far reaching benefits both nationally and internationally and will allow Australia to strengthen its position in international research. The project will also provide for postgraduate training and international scientific exchange.Read moreRead less
Communication and information storage mechanisms in complex dynamical brain networks. Recordings of electrical activity in the brain often cycle repetitively. The aim of this research is to explain how these brain rhythms assist the brain to coordinate simultaneous activity in several regions. Australian socioeconomic benefits include: (i) contributions to the knowledge base of theoretical neuroscience, enhancing Australia's reputation for cutting-edge research; (ii) strengthening of internation ....Communication and information storage mechanisms in complex dynamical brain networks. Recordings of electrical activity in the brain often cycle repetitively. The aim of this research is to explain how these brain rhythms assist the brain to coordinate simultaneous activity in several regions. Australian socioeconomic benefits include: (i) contributions to the knowledge base of theoretical neuroscience, enhancing Australia's reputation for cutting-edge research; (ii) strengthening of international collaborations with Europe and Japan; (iii) outcomes will ultimately impact on improved medical bionics and future interfaces between brain activity and machines or computers; and (iv) commercialization and technology transfer opportunities, via the transfer of results to biologically inspired engineering.Read moreRead less
Cross-Entropy Methods in Complex Biological Systems. The Cross-Entropy method provides a powerful new way to find superior solutions to complicated optimisation problems in biology, ranging from better design and implementation of medical treatments to an increased understanding of complex ecosystems.
Modelling and estimation techniques for the transmission and control of Tuberculosis with new and existing vaccines. Most Tuberculosis in Australia is seen in foreign-born people. Australia has an important role in providing leadership in the Asia-Pacific region in Tuberculosis control, which will have flow-on benefits to TB control in this country. Using mathematical models, this project will assess the use of vaccines for Tuberculosis in the developing world. Rising levels of extremely drug r ....Modelling and estimation techniques for the transmission and control of Tuberculosis with new and existing vaccines. Most Tuberculosis in Australia is seen in foreign-born people. Australia has an important role in providing leadership in the Asia-Pacific region in Tuberculosis control, which will have flow-on benefits to TB control in this country. Using mathematical models, this project will assess the use of vaccines for Tuberculosis in the developing world. Rising levels of extremely drug resistant infections make this a timely and important study with significant policy implications, both externally and in the Australian context. Read moreRead less
Stochastic systems with applications to Biology and Finance. This project is concerned with stochastic systems. These mathematical systems, which are controlled by statistical uncertainty and variability, have profound importance in the fields of biology and finance. They are recognised worldwide as being of primary scientific importance. Important questions to be examined are: 1) Branching processes in DNA Polymerase Chain Reaction, 2) long term stationarity in metastable systems, and 3) Sto ....Stochastic systems with applications to Biology and Finance. This project is concerned with stochastic systems. These mathematical systems, which are controlled by statistical uncertainty and variability, have profound importance in the fields of biology and finance. They are recognised worldwide as being of primary scientific importance. Important questions to be examined are: 1) Branching processes in DNA Polymerase Chain Reaction, 2) long term stationarity in metastable systems, and 3) Stochastic Volatility in Finance. The answers to these questions will underpin the statistical theory for potential breakthroughs in the respective areas. This project will contribute to the theory and applications of Stochastic Processes, as well as modelling in biology and finance.Read moreRead less