Low-energy electron transport in soft-condensed biological matter. To obtain optimal accuracy and selectivity of ionising radiation based technologies requires an understanding and quantification of the underpinning fundamental physical processes. This project will focus on developing accurate theoretical models of low-energy electron transport in biological matter which account for new physical mechanisms.
Quantitiative Assessment Of Solar UV Exposure For Vitamin D Synthesis In Australian Adults
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,162,536.00
Summary
This research program will add significantly to our current scientific understanding of the dual health outcomes of UV exposure (Vitamin D and skin cancer) . This project is in line with Australia's R and D Priorities, in that it will result in direct and indirect social and economic benefits to Australia by applying the scientific knowledge gained through this research to develop public health initiatives to improve some of Australia's most significant and costly health problems.
There is a need for a greater understanding of the complex relationship between sun exposure and the production of Vitamin D. This study will expand on the recently-completed AusD study to examine how personal, behavioural, and environmental factors impact on intra-individual seasonality in Vitamin D production. The study findings will guide the development of specific, evidence-based public health recommendation that balance the risks and benefits of sun exposure.
Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is extremely common in Australia, resulting in disfiguring surgeries and deaths. Although cumulative sun exposure is important, some people are very susceptible, and we do not know why. This project hinges on the notion that skin cancer is a complex (many genes involved). We will utilize novel systems to harness this complexity to understand why some people are resistant and others very susceptible so as to design appropriate control measures and treatments.
Fighting Epidermal Skin Cancers By Targeting Epidermal Clones That Accumulate Mutations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,149,373.00
Summary
Common skin cancers such as basal and squamous cell carcinomas (BCC and SCC) are by far the most frequent cancer worldwide and require over a million interventions per year in Australia. This project will identify the skin cells that are most susceptible to give rise to cancer if excessively exposed to the sun and explores ways to prevent cancer formation. This will inform on new strategies to prevent new skin cancer development.
The Centre for Research Excellence in Sun and Health (CRESH) aims to build an evidence base that will lead to the development of regionally appropriate public health guidelines that will balance the adverse and beneficial effects of sun exposure to optimise the health of the Australian community.
Tracking Epidermal Clonal Evolution During Skin Cancer Induction And Progression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$558,168.00
Summary
Skin cancer is the most frequent form of cancer in Australia and in many parts of the world. It is strongly connected to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. In this project, we will use our capacity to track individual cells, to observe the heterogeneity of tumours and the lesions that precede them. We will show the importance of this heterogeneity in tumour progression unveiling the limits of current therapies against skin cancer.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140100433
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$395,220.00
Summary
Optimising light harvesting using quantum transport. Observations of wavelike energy transport in photosynthetic systems have exposed the role of quantum mechanics in natural light harvesting. This project is a study of how light harvesting functions for an incoherent source like sunlight. In sunlight, energy transport occurs at steady state, a dramatically simpler regime than when a coherent source like lasers are used. This project will exploit this simplification to develop new methods for tr ....Optimising light harvesting using quantum transport. Observations of wavelike energy transport in photosynthetic systems have exposed the role of quantum mechanics in natural light harvesting. This project is a study of how light harvesting functions for an incoherent source like sunlight. In sunlight, energy transport occurs at steady state, a dramatically simpler regime than when a coherent source like lasers are used. This project will exploit this simplification to develop new methods for treating light harvesting in sunlight and apply them to a variety of natural and artificial systems. It will clarify how bacteria and plants harvest sunlight and lead to design principles that will enable artificial light harvesting to take advantage of quantum effects.Read moreRead less
Modelling quantum dynamics of electronic excited states in complex molecular materials. Understanding new materials that are the basis of new sources of renewable energy sources represents a major scientific challenge. Many of these materials are composed of large organic molecules containing hundreds of atoms. Their properties and the concepts needed to understand these materials are distinctly different from semiconductors such as silicon. This research will enhance our ability to design bett ....Modelling quantum dynamics of electronic excited states in complex molecular materials. Understanding new materials that are the basis of new sources of renewable energy sources represents a major scientific challenge. Many of these materials are composed of large organic molecules containing hundreds of atoms. Their properties and the concepts needed to understand these materials are distinctly different from semiconductors such as silicon. This research will enhance our ability to design better materials and optimize the performance of organic solar cells and LEDs. Australia's capacity for research and development in this scientifically challenging and technologically important field will be enhanced by this project. Read moreRead less
Organic superconductors and frustrated antiferromagnets: from quantum chemistry to quantum many-body theory to experiment. Aims. To obtain an understanding of how quantum physics and the
interactions between electrons determine the unusual properties of
organic superconductors and frustrated antiferromagnets.
Significance. The project brings together investigators who are
each world leaders in their respective areas of expertise.
Expected outcomes. Answers will be obtained to fundamenta ....Organic superconductors and frustrated antiferromagnets: from quantum chemistry to quantum many-body theory to experiment. Aims. To obtain an understanding of how quantum physics and the
interactions between electrons determine the unusual properties of
organic superconductors and frustrated antiferromagnets.
Significance. The project brings together investigators who are
each world leaders in their respective areas of expertise.
Expected outcomes. Answers will be obtained to fundamental questions about how the quantum
properties of individual molecules combine to determine the
macroscopic properties of new states of matter.Read moreRead less