A mathematical model relating neural activity to cerebral blood flow. An ageing population is increasingly prone to neurodegenerative disease and the associated mental impairment can severely disrupt the lives of both the sufferers and the carers. Non-invasive brain imaging techniques are used to both diagnose and supervise treatment of such disease, but at present a lack of understanding of the underlying physiology leaves these methods open to criticism. The construction of a detailed quanti ....A mathematical model relating neural activity to cerebral blood flow. An ageing population is increasingly prone to neurodegenerative disease and the associated mental impairment can severely disrupt the lives of both the sufferers and the carers. Non-invasive brain imaging techniques are used to both diagnose and supervise treatment of such disease, but at present a lack of understanding of the underlying physiology leaves these methods open to criticism. The construction of a detailed quantitative model of the basic processes underlying this imaging will enable precise interpretation of such brain scans and increase their usefulness both as a research and as a therapeutic tool.Read moreRead less
A new theory for retinotectal map formation. How brains become wired up during development is a question of
importance to both biology and computing. In this project we adopt a
novel computational approach to understanding the development of
topographic maps, a wiring pattern that is ubiquitous in biological
nervous systems. This project will build capacity for research in
computational neuroscience in Australia. It may also lead to
technological benefits such as new ideas for the design o ....A new theory for retinotectal map formation. How brains become wired up during development is a question of
importance to both biology and computing. In this project we adopt a
novel computational approach to understanding the development of
topographic maps, a wiring pattern that is ubiquitous in biological
nervous systems. This project will build capacity for research in
computational neuroscience in Australia. It may also lead to
technological benefits such as new ideas for the design of self-wiring
computing devices, and new insights into
the causes of wiring defects both during normal development and
rewiring after injury.
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Modelling, Identification and Control of Complex Networks. Australia has been well known for its leading research in systems and control and many real-world applications in, for instance, telecommunications, defence, power grids and life sciences. This project will further promote Australia's leading position in the emerging new research field - complex networks by theoretical breakthrough in modelling, identification and control of complex networks, and cutting-edge platform technology that can ....Modelling, Identification and Control of Complex Networks. Australia has been well known for its leading research in systems and control and many real-world applications in, for instance, telecommunications, defence, power grids and life sciences. This project will further promote Australia's leading position in the emerging new research field - complex networks by theoretical breakthrough in modelling, identification and control of complex networks, and cutting-edge platform technology that can help Australian energy industry to reduce greenhouse emissions. It will also result in education of the next generation research leaders in this emerging field.Read moreRead less
Mathematical modelling in developmental biology. Modern observational techniques in biology and medicine generate a wealth of genetic and molecular detail. Mathematical modelling integrates and synthesises this information to provide insight into how complex biological processes are coupled to produce experimentally observed behaviour. Mathematical modelling generates experimentally testable predictions that can be used to verify the validity of the models. This program is dedicated to exciting ....Mathematical modelling in developmental biology. Modern observational techniques in biology and medicine generate a wealth of genetic and molecular detail. Mathematical modelling integrates and synthesises this information to provide insight into how complex biological processes are coupled to produce experimentally observed behaviour. Mathematical modelling generates experimentally testable predictions that can be used to verify the validity of the models. This program is dedicated to exciting opportunities for advancing our knowledge of normal and abnormal developmental processes, especially in embryonic growth. Understanding these processes will lead to prediction and treatment of congenital disorders and contribute to a healthy start to life. Read moreRead less
Dynamic Analysis and Control for Hybrid Systems and Networks. Hybrid systems are now accepted as the best way to model many high-tech situations in transport, energy management, networking, household and industrial automation. This project will develop the theoretical tools needed to ensure such systems operate stably and efficiently despite imperfections and outside disturbances.
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
Generalised quantum models of complexity with application to cognitive systems. Non-separable systems surround us. Our transportation, taxation, schooling, environmental and social policies are all interrelated, and it is increasingly recognised that we cannot consider them in isolation. Such systems are generally deemed complex, and it is often impossible to separate them from one another. Despite this, many of our most advanced modelling techniques are grounded in principles of separability a ....Generalised quantum models of complexity with application to cognitive systems. Non-separable systems surround us. Our transportation, taxation, schooling, environmental and social policies are all interrelated, and it is increasingly recognised that we cannot consider them in isolation. Such systems are generally deemed complex, and it is often impossible to separate them from one another. Despite this, many of our most advanced modelling techniques are grounded in principles of separability and non-contextuality. This project will develop a new set of models of non-separable systems and complexity that will in turn lead to new frontier technologies and theories.Read moreRead less
Mathematical measurement and modelling of neuronal degeneration. Currently about 150,000 Australian's suffer from cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease or dementia and this number is expected to double over the next few decades. By combining newly developed mathematical methods in complex systems with sophisticated neural imaging we will develop new techniques to advance the diagnosis and treatment of cognitive decline in normal ageing and neurodegenerative disease.
This project will ....Mathematical measurement and modelling of neuronal degeneration. Currently about 150,000 Australian's suffer from cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease or dementia and this number is expected to double over the next few decades. By combining newly developed mathematical methods in complex systems with sophisticated neural imaging we will develop new techniques to advance the diagnosis and treatment of cognitive decline in normal ageing and neurodegenerative disease.
This project will also maintain the collaborative link between researchers in Biomathematics at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York and researchers in Applied Mathematics at UNSW that enables training of Australian scientists in the vital area of mathematical bio-complexity.Read moreRead less
A mathematical model of calcium signalling in single cells and in multicellular systems. Calcium released from stores inside cells plays a vital signalling role in living organisms. It initiates cell division after fertilization, mediates communication and learning in the nervous system, causes contraction in the muscular walls of arteries and plays an important but as yet poorly understood role in the information processing that occurs in systems of coupled glial cells. We will construct a uni ....A mathematical model of calcium signalling in single cells and in multicellular systems. Calcium released from stores inside cells plays a vital signalling role in living organisms. It initiates cell division after fertilization, mediates communication and learning in the nervous system, causes contraction in the muscular walls of arteries and plays an important but as yet poorly understood role in the information processing that occurs in systems of coupled glial cells. We will construct a unified mathematical model of calcium signalling in multicellular systems, starting from the known processes in single cells, and use it to gain insight into the functioning and possible dysfunctioning of calcium-mediated intercellular communication.Read moreRead less
Occupational Measures Approach to Long Run Average and Singularly Perturbed Optimal Control Problems. Problems of optimal control of long-run average and singularly perturbed systems arise in many applications. The project will lead to the development of new linear programming based techniques for analyzing these problems (including problems intractable so far) and finding their numerical solutions. The new techniques will have a potential to be further developed into software that can benefit A ....Occupational Measures Approach to Long Run Average and Singularly Perturbed Optimal Control Problems. Problems of optimal control of long-run average and singularly perturbed systems arise in many applications. The project will lead to the development of new linear programming based techniques for analyzing these problems (including problems intractable so far) and finding their numerical solutions. The new techniques will have a potential to be further developed into software that can benefit Australian industries and technologies. The proposed topic is in the focus of interest of many eminent researchers around the world and the dissemination of our results will further improve Australia's standing in the international research community. Read moreRead less