Membrane Attack Complex / Perforin like proteins in Defence, Attack and Developmental Biology. This proposal will result in a major advancement of knowledge, for example, in our understanding of the emerging links between immunity and development as well as the role and mechanism of function of the pore forming family of MACPF proteins in host defence, attack, embryo development and diseases such as cancer. These data will be crucial for developing approaches to control unwanted MACPF function, ....Membrane Attack Complex / Perforin like proteins in Defence, Attack and Developmental Biology. This proposal will result in a major advancement of knowledge, for example, in our understanding of the emerging links between immunity and development as well as the role and mechanism of function of the pore forming family of MACPF proteins in host defence, attack, embryo development and diseases such as cancer. These data will be crucial for developing approaches to control unwanted MACPF function, for example in disease such as diabetes or transplant rejection. Furthermore, a detailed understanding of how MACPF proteins assemble into rings and punch holes in membranes will facilitate the development of these proteins as technological tools.Read moreRead less
Molecular Engineered Nanomaterials for Advanced Fuel Cells. This program aims to develop a new class of proton-conducting materials with high proton-conductivity, low gas permeability and good thermal stability for application to advanced fuel cells. The strategy for such a new material is to exploit the unique properties of nanoscale particles of metal phosphates and silicates, hybridised with proton-conducting polymers. Such new materials will be enabling technology for commercialising both hy ....Molecular Engineered Nanomaterials for Advanced Fuel Cells. This program aims to develop a new class of proton-conducting materials with high proton-conductivity, low gas permeability and good thermal stability for application to advanced fuel cells. The strategy for such a new material is to exploit the unique properties of nanoscale particles of metal phosphates and silicates, hybridised with proton-conducting polymers. Such new materials will be enabling technology for commercialising both hydrogen and methanol fuel cells, promising a revolutionary clean energy supply particularly for transport vehicles and mobile devices. This research advances the material science of nanostructured composite of proton-conducting nanoparticles, a key to high performance fuel cell membranes.Read moreRead less
Molecular machines that drive microbial pathogens. We will provide a comprehensive understanding of molecular machines situated at the surface of bacteria. This ground-breaking research will provide excellent outcomes in the training of research students and staff: this project entails frontier technology, and the transfer of technological capabilities not currently available in Australia. Our study on a non-pathogenic species of bacteria is timely too for National security: related species of b ....Molecular machines that drive microbial pathogens. We will provide a comprehensive understanding of molecular machines situated at the surface of bacteria. This ground-breaking research will provide excellent outcomes in the training of research students and staff: this project entails frontier technology, and the transfer of technological capabilities not currently available in Australia. Our study on a non-pathogenic species of bacteria is timely too for National security: related species of bacteria were amongst the first organisms trialed as biological weapons, and the pathogenic species remain rated as Class 3 organisms by the Centers for Disease Control.Read moreRead less
Structural neurobiology - developing a new capability in Australia to treat mental illness. Mental illness encompasses a multitude of devastating conditions that present a major burden to the Australian economy. In this project powerful tools for determining the three-dimensional shapes and functions of proteins will be utilised to gain new knowledge about the molecular bases of various mental illnesses. The project will involve extensive use of the Australian Synchrotron Facility that is due to ....Structural neurobiology - developing a new capability in Australia to treat mental illness. Mental illness encompasses a multitude of devastating conditions that present a major burden to the Australian economy. In this project powerful tools for determining the three-dimensional shapes and functions of proteins will be utilised to gain new knowledge about the molecular bases of various mental illnesses. The project will involve extensive use of the Australian Synchrotron Facility that is due to open in 2007. This knowledge gained from the project will be used to develop new therapeutic drugs to ameliorate or combat mental diseases in partnership with the Australian Biotechnology Industry.Read moreRead less
Using Law To Improve Population Health and the Quality of Health Care Services. There are huge gaps in our understanding of how legal rules and processes impact population health and the quality of health care services in Australia. This research program will begin to fill those gaps by addressing topical issues such as medical negligence litigation, the coroner's role in injury prevention, and the use of medical science in the courtroom. The findings will be useful to government policymakers, ....Using Law To Improve Population Health and the Quality of Health Care Services. There are huge gaps in our understanding of how legal rules and processes impact population health and the quality of health care services in Australia. This research program will begin to fill those gaps by addressing topical issues such as medical negligence litigation, the coroner's role in injury prevention, and the use of medical science in the courtroom. The findings will be useful to government policymakers, regulators, and judges, as well as professionals working in both the legal and health care fields. But most importantly, the findings will serve patients by helping to shape strategies and reforms that enable Australia's health care system to deliver services that are safer, of higher quality, fairer, and more efficient.Read moreRead less
Small RNAs: what makes a plant, a plant. Understanding the roles of small RNAs and their pathways is a young field of research that is giving, and will continue to give, profound insights into how multicellular organisms regulate gene expression at a genomic level. Research in this area has already led to RNA interference technology, by which almost any gene can be switched off, and there is considerable potential for other gene silencing and trait modification technologies to emerge. The projec ....Small RNAs: what makes a plant, a plant. Understanding the roles of small RNAs and their pathways is a young field of research that is giving, and will continue to give, profound insights into how multicellular organisms regulate gene expression at a genomic level. Research in this area has already led to RNA interference technology, by which almost any gene can be switched off, and there is considerable potential for other gene silencing and trait modification technologies to emerge. The project will yield insights into fundamental biological processes which are expected to engender applications in agriculture and biotechnology. It will maintain and enhance Australia's position in this area.Read moreRead less
Reducing health inequities and social exclusion: improved theory, understanding and policies. This research will provide knowledge to help understanding of why some groups are less healthy and less included in the mainstream of society than others. Research evidence indicates that reducing differences in health status & making more citizens included in the activities of society has overall health benefits & is good for economic development. The program will provide Australian and other governmen ....Reducing health inequities and social exclusion: improved theory, understanding and policies. This research will provide knowledge to help understanding of why some groups are less healthy and less included in the mainstream of society than others. Research evidence indicates that reducing differences in health status & making more citizens included in the activities of society has overall health benefits & is good for economic development. The program will provide Australian and other governments with much improved evidence about what works, what does not work in terms of improving population health and so enable better decisions about which public programs to invest in. Thus the research conducted under this program will inform ways in which Australian and overseas populations can achieve long and more productive livesRead moreRead less
Molecular control of apoptosis and protein homeostasis. A million cells are produced every second by cell division. At the same time a million cells commit suicide by a process called apoptosis. When cells fail to die when they should they can develop into cancers. In heart attacks, stroke and neurodegenerative diseases, many cells appear to activate their self destruct mechanism to die unnecessarily. Drugs that can cause cancer cells to kill themselves, or drugs that prevent cells dying when th ....Molecular control of apoptosis and protein homeostasis. A million cells are produced every second by cell division. At the same time a million cells commit suicide by a process called apoptosis. When cells fail to die when they should they can develop into cancers. In heart attacks, stroke and neurodegenerative diseases, many cells appear to activate their self destruct mechanism to die unnecessarily. Drugs that can cause cancer cells to kill themselves, or drugs that prevent cells dying when they shouldn't, would make a major impact on many important diseases. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of cell death is the first step towards developing these drugs.Read moreRead less
Ecology and evolution in dynamic systems: a new approach to conserving Australian biodiversity. Australia has different ecosystems and different species than the rest of the world, and we need a different approach to conserve and manage our unique animals. This project will develop a new, specifically Australian-oriented approach to conservation biology.
Television in the post-broadcast era: the role of old and new media in the formation of national communities. This Federation Fellowship program will examine the place of television in a range of national locations during the post-broadcast era, addressing its socio-cultural function for the citizen as well as considering the competing or complementary roles played by new forms of online journalism. The program will provide a unique international comparative overview of contemporary media system ....Television in the post-broadcast era: the role of old and new media in the formation of national communities. This Federation Fellowship program will examine the place of television in a range of national locations during the post-broadcast era, addressing its socio-cultural function for the citizen as well as considering the competing or complementary roles played by new forms of online journalism. The program will provide a unique international comparative overview of contemporary media systems in the midst of dramatic change. The expertise, critical mass and findings developed within the program will equip Australia to better understand and manage the complex role the media plays in socio-cultural change, while providing cutting edge policy advice to government and industry.Read moreRead less