THE UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Futures. ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Futures. The ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Futures aims to transform and improve the life chances of Indigenous Australians by utilising Indigenous knowledges in unique trans-disciplinary cross-sector designed research to enhance our understanding about the complex nature of Indigenous intergenerational inequity. The Centre expects to generate new knowledge to enable evidence-based policy formulation and implementation including best practice models. The Centre will be entirely led by Indigenous researchers working with communities, government agencies and practitioners to strengthen the delivery of outcomes and linkages intentionally focused on all four of the National Agreement Close The Gap -2020’s Priority Reform areas. Field of research: 4505 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Society and Community Indigenous Australians experience inequities in the education system, disparity across health matters and are economically impoverished and over-represented in the justice system. In turn, Indigenous inequity determines an exceedingly high moral, social and economic cost that is shared by all Australians. The Centre proposes ground-breaking Indigenous-led research employing different discipline perspectives to address Indigenous disparity and focused on Indigenous survivance. In partnership with communities, sectoral organisations, government agencies and practitioners, the Centre will engage policy reform and models of best practice to transform the lives of Indigenous Australians. Globally unique, it would position Australia as a world leader in Indigenous social reform, policy and practice research. Key impacts include addressing Closing the Gap targets, such as building a national Indigenous research data and information repository to improve Indigenous access to data for informed decision-making and a stronger community sector. The Centre will foster the next generation of Indigenous researchers.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

ARC Centre of Excellence in Quantum Biotechnology. ARC Centre of Excellence in Quantum Biotechnology. The ARC Centre of Excellence in Quantum Biotechnology aims to develop paradigm-shifting quantum technologies to observe biological processes and transform our understanding of life. It seeks to create technologies that go far beyond what is possible today, from portable brain imagers to super-fast single protein sensors, and to use them to unravel key problems including how enzymes catalyse reactions and how higher brain function emerges from networks of neurons. By building a diverse, multidisciplinary, and industry-engaged ecosystem, the Centre means to develop our future leaders at the interface of quantum science and biology and drive Australian innovation across manufacturing, energy, agriculture, health, and national security. Field of research: 5108 - Quantum Physics The ARC Centre of Excellence in Quantum Biotechnology will be the first national Centre worldwide at the convergence point of the quantum and bio- economies. It will place Australia at the forefront of innovation, pioneering new technologies and training the next generation to create a vibrant world-leading knowledge economy. Australia faces major challenges in agricultural productivity, the sustainable production of energy and chemicals, and the treatment of infectious and age-related diseases. The Centre will deliver the underpinning advances needed to address these challenges, from the quantum-design of drugs and chemicals to the fingerprinting of multiple diseases from a single molecule. Quantum biotechnologies are projected to have a future 100s of billion dollar market. The Centre will seize this opportunity, working with industry partners to seed a high-value, high-skilled Australian quantum bioeconomy. This will secure broad socioeconomic benefits, from national security to better treatments of disease, sustainable bioproduction of industrial and agricultural chemicals, and green energy technologies.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

ARC Centre of Excellence for Green Electrochemical Transformation of Carbon Dioxide. ARC Centre of Excellence for Green Electrochemical Transformation of Carbon Dioxide. This Centre aims to advance carbon dioxide electrochemistry innovations to enable the conversion of carbon dioxide into valuable products and transition Australia to a carbon-neutral economy. This Centre expects to generate new knowledge using experimental and computational approaches to develop systems-level understanding to furnish industry-ready carbon dioxide utilisation technologies. Expected outcomes include enhanced capacity through collaborations establishing the Centre as an international hub for research, training, technology translation and strategic advice for stakeholders and policymakers. This should accelerate Australia’s progress towards net zero emissions targets and grow a sustainable economy and create future jobs. Field of research: 3406 - Physical Chemistry The ARC Centre of Excellence for Green Electrochemical Transformation of Carbon Dioxide will develop new manufacturing businesses for Australia based on conversion of carbon dioxide into value-added products such as alcohols and urea. The Centre will also strengthen existing Australian Advanced Manufacturing capability through the development of advanced carbon dioxide conversion technologies and associated key components required in these devices such as catalysts, electrodes and membranes. The transformation of greenhouse gas carbon dioxide to value-added products will help to reshape Australia’s energy and resource export industries for long-term resilience and growth and place us as a global leader in this field. The Centre’s research, training and engagement activities will lay the foundation for Australia to meet their net zero emissions targets by 2050. The critical mass of research activities in the Centre will place Australia at the forefront of science and knowledge for carbon dioxide utilisation.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Nanocrystal Electron Diffraction Facility . This proposal aims to establish an advanced micro-crystal electron diffraction (MicroED) facility. Accurate determination of molecular structure is of crucial importance for the understanding of biological processes, the design of new materials and drugs and enhancing the efficiency of agriculture. The facility will establish an Australia-first dedicated micro-crystal electron diffractometer. The new equipment will provide new capabilities by enabling structure determination using nanometre-size crystals, and complement the already existing structural chemistry and biology facilities available at the participating institutions and nation-wide. Field of research: 3101 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology Determination of three-dimensional (3D) structures of molecules is critical for understanding how they work. It is critical for many industry applications, some examples of which include understanding mechanisms behind how vaccines, gas filtration systems and antibiotics work. Micro-crystal electron diffraction (MicroED) is a novel technique for determination of 3D structures of crystalline molecules that can be used with crystals of much smaller size than the existing technologies allow. This project will establish the first dedicated MicroED facility in Australia, that will be available to all researchers. It will allow implementation of this breakthrough methodology and benefit Australia across many industry sectors from pharmaceutical to agrochemical, petrochemical, mining and life-science industries; it will help develop new materials, drugs and improved agriculture and help reduce costs. The project will add new capabilities not yet available in Australia that will complement national facilities such as the Australian Synchrotron.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Integrated high-throughput material synthesis and characterisation system. The program aims to develop an integrated mobile high-throughput robotic system for rapid screening of synthesis parameters and physicochemical properties of functional nanomaterials. The new system with human-like reach will be designed to operate typical lab material synthesis, integrated with a thermal analyser for rapid structural analysis, a Raman spectrometer and a luminescence spectrometer for property fast screening, an electrochemical atomic force microscope for monitoring material's structure and performance during reactions. The new platform will provide the Australian Advanced Manufacturing sector excellent opportunities on critical materials development that underpin applications in clean energy, environment and health care. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering The design and fabrication of advanced materials with desirable properties and functions underpin important renewable energy, environment, and healthcare technologies. To position Australia at the forefront of developing these technologies, new infrastructure to develop advanced materials in a more efficient way is urgently needed. The proposed infrastructure will use new robotic technologies to guide rapid material selection with desirable functions for the intended applications. The integrated facility will enhance Australia’s advanced manufacturing capability by delivering new commercially viable advanced materials including value-added products from Australia’s abundant critical minerals for high-performing batteries in electric vehicles. The new advanced materials enabled by this program will be shared with Australia’s resources industry that will enable their adoption into the local advanced manufacturing sector. The deployment of new technologies like next generation batteries will accelerate Australia's transition to a low-carbon economy, leading to economic and environmental benefits.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

High-Resolution Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy. This project aims to establish a national network for Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) Imaging and Spectroscopy, with microscopic and molecular resolution. This new instrumentation, to be integrated into three facilities, will establish high spatial resolution EPR imaging, up-grade critical spectrometer detection sensitivity, provide photo-optic EPR and establish critical capability in Victoria. The equipment impacts a diverse range of fields including next generation photovoltaics and batteries, develops structural biology methods for in-cell characterisation, provides micro-dosimetry imaging of radicals from radionuclei, and provides capability to advance research using metal-based catalysts in synthetic and biological systems Field of research: 3403 - Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry Radicals are highly reactive molecules critical to chemistry and biology. When they are properly manipulated, radicals can be harnessed for development of advanced technologies. However, a lack of understanding of their identity and behaviour, impedes technology development in key areas of interest to Australia including health, food and energy. We will establish a multi-centre facility with cutting-edge infrastructure to exploit the huge potential of radicals in everyday life. This will enable Australian scientists to gain insight into the role and behaviour of radicals in a diverse range of fields which will lead to the discovery of innovative technologies. A wide range of projects will be supported, including generation of cancer-killing radicals, fungal decontamination of food, development of new drugs, improved solar cell efficiency and better batteries. Our facility will generate new knowledge, accelerating both fundamental and translational research towards their impactful outcomes for Australians.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Interfacial engineering of multilayered metal organic framework membranes . Metal-organic frameworks are a popular class of microporous materials with tunable structural properties and functionalities. This project aims to investigate the designed synthesis of thin, hierarchically structured films of this material on membranes, which displays extraordinary ion selectivity and ion rectification properties. A better understanding of the interfacial properties will be gained through advanced characterisation, and with proper design and tuning of the film, will ultimately lead to the development of high performing ion-selective membranes that will be applied for energy storage and separation applications. This project is expected to benefit Australia’s renewable energy and resource sectors. Field of research: 4004 - Chemical Engineering Demands for critical minerals and new energy storage devices such as batteries have accelerated as the world seeks to decarbonise its energy sector. This has led to pressure to efficiently extract critical minerals from new sources and to create better performing energy storage devices. This project will develop thin films (membranes) using a new generation of layered, porous materials which can precisely separate different metal ions, effectively “mining” critical minerals such as lithium from low grade and unconventional sources such as wastewater and seawater. The unique properties of these membranes also have the potential to improve battery lifetime and performance. The outcomes of this project will allow Australia to maximise both its mineral resources as well as its domestic manufacturing capabilities for the renewable energy industries. This project will leverage the partners of the recently awarded Critical Minerals Trailblazer hub as well as the networks of existing collaborators in battery technology to translate the outcomes to real world products and processes.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Molecular definition of cellular states in the vascular endothelium. The endothelium is the main cell type forming blood vessels and spans across multiple cell states from stem/progenitor to a variety of terminally differentiated cells. How each of these cell states are defined at the molecular level is not known preventing the optimal formation and integration of blood vessels in bioengineered tissues. Using innovative single cell gene expression and chromatin accessibility studies combined with innovative analysis, we propose to define and validate each cell state at the molecular level. This new knowledge would greatly enhance our ability to control the transition between cell states leading to a more widespread use of endothelial cells in bioengineering of tissues globally for many applications. Field of research: 3105 - Genetics This project is about understanding how blood vessels are formed and can be engineered in tissues. It will use state-of-the-art genomic technology to separate the stem cells that form blood vessels from their more mature counterparts. This will address a major challenge in bioengineering blood vessels in a variety of tissues to enhance blood perfusion allowing larger size tissue artificial tissue constructs. This research will change the paradigm of tissue bioengineering for a range of industries, from pharmaceutical testing, to artificial meat or organs to veterinary medicine. It will improve conditions where blood perfusion is missing such as large bioengineered tissues, models of stroke or cardiovascular disease, therefore having major impact on health. It will also dramatically change tissue bioengineering by allowing the integration of blood vessels in artificial constructs ensuring their adequate perfusion. Findings from this project are likely to lead to intellectual property and to commercial outcomes in a range of industries to benefit the health and biotechnology sector.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Defining the molecular basis for Salmonella persistence. Salmonella infections in animals and humans place significant burdens on the agri-food and healthcare sectors. All mammals and avian species can become chronically infected with Salmonella and such chronic carriage is a reservoir for disease and outbreaks in other animals and humans. Significant gaps in our understanding of Salmonella infection remain, including the molecular mechanisms involved in establishing a chronic carrier state. We identified several Salmonella specific genes and subsequent murine studies revealed that a Salmonella mutant lacking these genes is attenuated in mice and especially in the gallbladder. In this project we seek to understand the molecular basis for attenuation and the contribution of each protein to disease Field of research: 3003 - Animal Production The world’s food production and healthcare systems are in crisis. The widespread use of antibiotics in humans and the agricultural industry has led to the emergence of antibiotic resistant infections in animals and humans. New methods are desperately needed to prevent or treat these infections. Salmonella is a major cause of infection in animals and humans. Globally, Salmonella infections cost the healthcare and agricultural industries over >$15B US annually. It is a major contributor to antibiotic resistance. No vaccine is available to protect against all Salmonella infections. To solve this problem, this project will use new knowledge and techniques to develop a novel vaccine to prevent Salmonella infections in animals and humans. With a predicted global market of $850M US, this discovery will deliver a competitive advantage for the Australian livestock industry by reducing loss due to infections and emerging antibiotic resistance. Commercial development of the vaccine through the Australian biotech sector will generate high-tech manufacturing capability and skilled jobs.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Venom-derived blood-brain-barrier shuttles. This project aims to discover new venom peptides capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier and to develop non-toxic peptide-based brain delivery systems. It addresses long-standing challenges and knowledge gaps in the delivery of macromolecules across biological barriers. Expected outcomes include an improved understanding of the strategies nature exploits to reach targets in the brain, mechanistic pathways to cross biological membranes, and innovative discovery and chemistry strategies to advance fundamental research across the chemical and biological sciences. Anticipated benefits include technological innovations relevant to Australia’s biotechnology sector and enhanced capacity for cross-disciplinary collaboration. Field of research: 3404 - Medicinal and Biomolecular Chemistry The blood-brain barrier controls the transfer of substances between the blood and the brain, protecting us from toxic compounds while allowing the transfer of nutrients and other beneficial molecules. We still know very little about how this barrier works which limits our capabilities to study the brain. Some molecules from animal venoms can cross the blood-brain barrier efficiently, and this project investigates how they are able to do so. This new knowledge will be used to develop non-toxic shuttles to transport molecular probes and therapeutics across the blood-brain barrier. We will ensure uptake of our research by sharing this technology with leading neuroscientists and the biotechnology industry to facilitate brain research and provide new avenues to tackle debilitating diseases, including brain cancer, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The project further highlights the benefits of Australia’s biodiversity research that could lead to urgently needed breakthroughs for some of humanity’s most challenging diseases and new advances in brain delivery technologies, a multi-million-dollar industry.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Beyond structure - solving conformational dynamics for intractable proteins. Proteins perform almost every task that enables the amazing complexity of cellular and whole organism physiology. These molecular machines perform this incredible array of tasks due to their ability to dynamically change shape. For the vast majority of these machines, we can only view a snapshot of the possible shapes they can adopt and can’t monitor how they change from one shape to another, which is critical for their functioning. This project aims to develop and apply a completely new method to visualise dynamic changes in protein shape which is not possible with current techniques. This will allow us to provide a new description and understanding of the function of proteins, which is fundamental to all biology. Field of research: 3101 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology Our bodies run on nanoscale molecular machines. They make life work, contracting muscles, sensing signals from other cells as well as smell, taste, light, touch, sound. To achieve this, molecular machines perform nanoscale gymnastics; twisting, folding, & contorting themselves. Yet in most cases we’ve no idea how these contortions occur, or even what they involve. We aim to understand these gymnastics, so that in the future we can intervene when these machines go wrong (leading to disease), or design new molecular machines for light harvesting or sustainable chemistry. We’re going to use newly discovered fluorescent chemicals & state-of-the art techniques to detect invisible nanoscale contortions in sensing molecular machines. This will provide fundamental knowledge that can be translated e.g. therapeutic design targeting these machines, with long-term implications in medicine. We also envision developing an understanding of these new fluorescent chemicals, which may allow these to become the next generation of solar collectors or photo catalysts for green synthesis.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Expanding the scramjet operating envelope through oxygen enrichment. This project aims to investigate the benefits of expanding the operating envelope of scramjets to higher altitudes and speeds by enriching their fuel with oxygen. This is expected to enhance the performance and flexibility of hypersonic air-breathing engines designed to form the core of a more reliable and economical access to space system. Expected outcomes of this project are a validated understanding and mapping of how oxygen enrichment can augment scramjet thrust at high altitudes and speeds, and a performance evaluation of a launch system optimised for this approach. This could provide significant benefits to the performance of reusable, air-breathing launch technology, where Australia is leading the push towards commercialisation. Field of research: 4001 - Aerospace Engineering Australia is increasingly dependent on space-based systems for communications, navigation and remote sensing, yet access to space is expensive and not a sovereign capability. By using atmospheric oxygen, scramjet-powered vehicles have capacity for the technology required for rapid reusability, the key to a more reliable, economical and responsive launch system. The project aims to establish the benefits of oxygen enrichment for expanding the operating envelope of scramjets in both altitude and speed. The intention is to enhance the performance and flexibility of a scramjet-based launch system being developed by Australia’s Hypersonix Launch Systems, and cruise vehicles in development globally. Commercialisation of this system in Australia would be a significant advantage in the burgeoning small satellite launch market, and securing a fraction of this market would have major economic benefits. Having technical leaders from key end-users as partner investigators provides a clear pathway to adoption of the research. This supports the development of sovereign industry capability in responsive access to space.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Neural circuit control of effort under stress . This Project aims to investigate how the ‘decision’ to persist in exerting effort to obtain a reward is encoded in the the brain and affected by stress. This work will generate new knowledge on the neural mechanisms through which stress modifies neural activity to control decision making processes underpinning adaptive behaviours essential for survival. The expected outcomes of this work include enhanced capacity at the interface of behavioural and computational neuroscience, that will in turn provide significant benefits through greater insight into brain functions essential for survival, with long ranging implications for performance optimisation and brain-inspired computing. Field of research: 5202 - Biological Psychology Persistent effort in the face of diminishing returns is essential for success in life, and critical for survival in challenging economic times. In this way, perseverance in goal-directed behaviours underpins modern life and the Australian economy. However, little is understood about the brain processes that enable individuals to ‘keep going’ when rewards are not immediately received, and critically, how stress encourages ‘giving up’. Our project will identify these basic biological processes and develop a computer-generated model explaining how the brain encodes and controls persistent goal-directed behaviour. This discovery will benefit Australia by providing an understanding of the underlying processes that govern perseverance during times of stress, which is particularly relevant to defence, corporate, and education sectors where high performance under pressure provides competitive advantage. New tools (software) can be developed as commercial products for behavioural training and non-invasive brain therapy for peak performance and cognitive illness. Industry pathways are in place for this technology.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Zooplankton: the missing link in modelling the ocean carbon cycle. What is arguably the biggest gap in our ability to close the ocean carbon cycle, and thus improve future forecasts of carbon sequestration and fisheries? The answer is our modelling of zooplankton, the most abundant animals on Earth. This project aims to build a next-generation ecosystem model that resolves zooplankton groups, their traits and key processes, generating novel insights into carbon sequestration and fisheries. Expected outcomes include new methods for zooplankton modelling, leading to a paradigm shift in how we model carbon cycling. This should provide significant benefits, including vastly improved estimates of carbon sequestration and fisheries production, vital for carbon budgets and food security in Australia and globally. Field of research: 4101 - Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation The ocean is responsible for removing 40% of the carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas contributing to climate change, from our atmosphere. Zooplankton are abundant ocean animals (e.g. microscopic species, krill, jellyfish) that play a critical role in CO2 removal and as fish food. However, zooplankton are poorly understood, only limited groups have been modelled, and their key processes that move carbon through the food web (e.g. eating, swimming, defecation) have been omitted. To solve this, we aim to increase the number of zooplankton groups in marine models and include their key carbon cycling processes. Our next-generation model will improve forecasting of wild fish numbers in different areas, assisting Australia’s fishing industry which generates $1.7 billion a year, to adapt to climate change. This work will also improve estimates of CO2 removal, helping Australia meet commitments under the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) Paris Agreement. Our innovative zooplankton model will be shared with industry and collaborators including CSIRO to ensure maximum uptake.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Pathways to semelparity versus early maturity in animals and plants. The project aims to resolve an important but unresolved question in life history evolution and ecology- which mechanisms and constraints lead to semelparity (breeding once, which is rare), and which lead to fast life history (breeding early, which is common) in animals and plants. Theory predicts that both may be adaptations to schedules of adult death. Understanding why males and females have either semelparous or fast life history strategies is crucial to predicting survival of harvested and threatened species under pressure from climate change, drought, predators, and diseases that kill adults. Expected project outcomes include improved ability to address agents of decline of threatened animals and plants including semelparous species. Field of research: 3103 - Ecology A species survives only if it can compensate for deaths by breeding. To harvest animals and plants sustainably and manage species for conservation we must understand if species can adapt their reproductive intensity and timing to replace adults that die. Some species breed multiple times, and others only once per lifetime. This project will identify which species can adapt to poor adult survival by concentrating their energy on breeding only once and increasing the number of young (suicidal reproduction), or alternatively by starting to breed at a younger age. It will discover how species adapt their reproductive intensity and timing to compensate for increased adult deaths from climate change, predators, disease, and overharvesting. Project outcomes will be shared with Australian and global environment and biosecurity agencies, through publications and meetings. These outcomes will enable decision-makers to improve threatened species recovery results and harvest quotas by accounting for reproductive adaptation.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Role of Tau and Synapsin in clustering distinct synaptic vesicle pools. Neurotransmitter-containing synaptic vesicles (SVs) are highly enriched in specific locations of brain cells, called nerve terminals via an unknown mechanism. The clustering of SVs depend on the phosphorylation of an unknown set of proteins. Two key proteins have been identified for their phosphorylation pattern and their potential to form membraneless compartments: tau and synapsin. Using highly innovative single-molecule super-resolution microscopy, this grant will uncover how tau and synapsin phosphorylation controls the clustering of SVs thereby regulating neurotransmitter release. This project uses improved nanoscopic technologies and international collaborations to unveil novel avenues in our understanding of brain communication. Field of research: 3101 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology Understanding how neurons, the fundamental cells of the brain, communicate at the level of the synapse, the junction between two neurons, is essential to unravelling the deeper processes of brain function. However, there is currently only limited knowledge of these intricate processes. This project will use innovative microscopy techniques capable of tracking individual molecules as they perform their functions in living neurons, to uncover how key proteins control neuronal communication at the synapse. This project will deliver for the first time an understanding of how synapses work at nanoscale level and will unveil the inner working of neuronal communication. Outcomes of the project will enhance our understanding of how the brain can change its activity in response to stimulus and how neurons can maintain connections for a lifetime to underpin our memories and thoughts. These findings could provide a fundamental basis for future treatment strategies for neurological diseases in which molecules malfunction and form clumps called aggregates, a hallmark of neurodegenerative such as Alzheimer’s disease.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Click chemistry to reveal how neurons and glia shape perineuronal nets . The extracellular matrix (ECM) and its perineuronal nets (which are net-like structures with holes wrapped around neurons) are largely underexplored, despite representing a remarkable 20% of the brain’s total volume and having been suggested to be involved in many brain functions. Interestingly, digestion of the ECM improves learning and memory, but deficits return once the ECM has reformed. However, how this ECM remodelling is organised at a cell-type level is not understood. Here we aim to close this knowledge gap, using cutting-edge technology including bioconjugation and ultrasound-mediated cargo delivery. Together, this project aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of this major brain compartment in neuronal function. Field of research: 3101 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology Up to 20% of the human brain is composed of a glue-like meshwork that forms fine nets wrapped around the cells in the brain. Interestingly, the role of this meshwork goes beyond mere structural support, as it is thought to be involved in many brain functions, including learning and memory. When the meshwork is partly dissolved, memory and learning improve; when it re-forms, they become impaired. Surprisingly, little is known about which gene products are made by which cell-types in this process. Here, we aim to close this knowledge gap using cutting-edge technology. This project will also develop novel and versatile tools that help to easily manipulate this meshwork to improve normal brain function, including learning and memory, which is important because this impacts many facets of the Australian quality of life including educational outcomes and healthy ageing. Translation of this knowledge and these tools into practice will occur by designing gene therapies and licencing them to the pharmaceutical industry to combat cognitive impairment in normal ageing.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Torres Strait Islander History: Sport, Culture and Identity. This project aims to investigate sport as a means of understanding the cultures, identities and history of Torres Strait Islanders. Through a community-centred approach, and a project team including Torres Strait Islanders, the project challenges versions of Australian history that marginalise the Strait or conflate Islanders with Aboriginal people. Expected outcomes of this project include a more nuanced history of Indigenous Australia, a significant body of repatriated resources on Islander sport and increased involvement of Islander communities in the history-making process. Anticipated benefits include a multifaceted contribution to reconciliation and better understanding of our unique and complex national identity. Field of research: 4501 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture, Language and History This project examines the history of the Torres Strait through its local, national, and international sporting past by involving Islanders in the history-making process. The prevalence and popularity of sport amongst Islanders provides an ideal opportunity for their involvement in their history and to understand the complex cultures and identities of the Torres Strait. It addresses a major gap in knowledge of Indigenous history, which frequently ignores the Torres Strait or conflates Islanders with Aboriginal people. Expected outcomes, which extend to local and national digital resources, will benefit those who reside in the Islands and the diasporic communities of Torres Strait Islanders who live on the Australian mainland. This project will provide a body of literature and resources for national communities, schools and scholars demonstrating the uniqueness of Torres Strait Islander history, cultures, and identities.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

A new perspective on how we learn motor skills: two adaptation classes? The capacity to adapt and acquire movement skills is essential for success in almost every aspect of our lives. This project will test the idea that there are two fundamentally distinct classes of motor learning processes in the brain that are driven by different error types. Using brain recordings, robotic perturbation of movement, and novel variations of classical learning paradigms, the project aims to reveal the neurocomputational properties of these proposed adaptation classes across a range of sensorimotor learning paradigms. The knowledge gained from this project may identify new strategies for adapting movements that are widely applicable to industry, defence, sport, and health. Field of research: 5202 - Biological Psychology Accurate body movements are crucial in many industrial, defence, sport, and health settings, and every action we take must account for variations in the states of our bodies and the environment. However, the brain processes that allow us to move accurately despite changes in our bodies (fatigue, posture) and the environment (weight and position of objects) are not well understood. This project challenges conventional thinking about the processes that underlie motor learning—the changes in movement that reflect changes in the nervous system. It will use new approaches to reveal how the brain controls our ability for flexible and efficient movement. This may identify new strategies for acquiring motor skills that are widely applicable, including protocols for learning how to remotely operate machinery and medical devices, and to control complex vehicles. The outcomes may benefit Australia by reducing accidents, increasing productivity, and improving engagement with technology. Existing links with aircraft manufacturers, defence agencies, and medical institutes will promote adoption of the project outcomes.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Mitochondria as sensors of environmental threats. This project aims to understand how energy-generating mitochondria control immune responses, both in immune cells called macrophages and in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (a free-living roundworm used as a model organism to study gene function and evolutionary biology). The project expects to advance knowledge of how a process called mitochondrial fission enables cells to respond to environmental threats. Expected outcomes include important conceptual advances in cell biology and genetics, new international and national collaborations, and improved methods for cell biology research. Anticipated benefits include a knowledge base that can be indirectly applied in the long term in the development of new strategies to combat infections. Field of research: 3101 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology All animals require an immune system to defend against harmful bacteria and other microbes that cause infections. Immune cells can use many different approaches to directly kill bacteria, however there are significant gaps in our understanding of how the immune system detects them. This project will address this knowledge gap by exploring one specific process that enables immune cells to detect and destroy bacteria. A better understanding of this cellular pathway would enable us to switch on the immune system to better fight infections caused by bacteria. In the future, this knowledge could lead to the development of drugs and/or vaccines that improve and/or maintain the health of livestock, companion animals and humans. By using the immune system to defeat harmful bacteria, this project can also help reduce antibiotic use and the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This research thus has the potential to deliver economic benefit to the Australian pharmaceutical, livestock, veterinary and/or health industries, as well as social and environmental benefits to the Australian community.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Origin and evolution of animal-bacterial symbiosis. This project seeks to understand how interactions between animals and their microbial symbionts – the holobiont – evolved, and how they are influenced by the environment over an animal's life. Using a homegrown Australian model, a sea sponge from the Great Barrier Reef, and advanced multi-omic approaches (genomics plus cell biology), this project aims to uncover the mechanisms underlying the establishment and maintenance of the holobiont through development, and under changing ecological and environmental conditions. Because of the evolutionary position of sponges, outcomes of this project expect to reveal cardinal rules governing animal-microbe interactions that are fundamental to the health and conservation of most animals and ecosystems. Field of research: 3104 - Evolutionary Biology The health of all animals depends on their microbial symbionts, the tiny single-celled organisms that live in beneficial relationships inside the animal. Disruption of animal-microbe interactions can have devastating impact on individuals, such as ill-health when the human gut microbiome is disrupted, and on ecosystems, such as coral bleaching when coral-microbe symbiosis breaks down. Despite this, we know very little about how the interactions are formed or maintained through changes in the animal’s life. Our project will use a Great Barrier Reef sponge to reveal fundamental rules governing animal-microbe interactions, and how they are affected by change. This knowledge can be used to predict and regulate stability of the symbioses, with benefits for health of animals and ecosystems. In the hands of policy-makers and ecologists, this could revolutionise management efforts to mitigate threats to Australia’s world-renowned natural environments and the biodiversity they support. Successful mitigation is crucial for bolstering Australia’s tourism industry, worth $60.8 billion GDP in the 2018-19 financial year.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Novel role of RNA methylation in neuronal homeostasis. This proposal is aimed at understanding the RNA signalling that takes place in neuronal homeostatic response. The crucial role of neuronal homeostasis for normal brain function is evidenced throughout the nervous system; however, the precise underlying mechanisms are still not well understood. The proposed research will utilise high-throughput sequencing approaches coupled with biochemical, molecular and cell biological assays to provide mechanistic insights into the molecular processes that control neuronal homeostatic responses. This will elucidate how neural plasticity and network stability are maintained, a process that is critical for our understanding of sensory processing, learning and memory throughout life. Field of research: 3209 - Neurosciences Understanding how learning and memory are regulated in the brain is one of the major goals of modern neuroscience. Neuronal activity drives all aspects of sensory processing (e.g vision and hearing), as well as cognitive processes such as learning and memory; however, we still do not understand how nerve cells are protected from sensory overload throughout life. This project will investigate the previously unexplored processes that operate as a safeguard mechanism to maintain ideal brain function. The outcome of this research will lead to strategies that restore neural stability to improve learning and mental health, which are of major relevance to Australia’s national interest. In the longer term, improvements in these areas could benefit education, health, and social outcomes, as well as economic productivity across generations. Translation of these discoveries into practice could occur by partnering with the pharmaceutical industry to create novel therapeutics, or with health professionals to improve the challenging diagnoses of neurological conditions that often arise from neural network instability.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

High value biocoke for low emission steel production. This project aims to discover methods to fill nanopores that form during conversion of biomass to biocoke through controlled adsorption and carbonisation of tar compounds. By filling nanopores, their disruptive effects during coke-making will be avoided. Coke will remain a vital ingredient for steel production in the future and is currently produced from coal. The expected outcome is breakthrough knowledge to enable, for the first time, technologies for incorporating biomass materials into coke-making operations. Key benefits are for Australia to provide essential technologies for the world’s steel industries to lower CO2 emissions in addition to creating high value carbon products from its agricultural wastes. Field of research: 4004 - Chemical Engineering Steel production processes contribute to 8% of global CO2 emissions. High-strength coke plays a vital role and is currently made from metallurgical coal. Supplementing coal with biomass reduces emissions, however biomass properties lead to low strength biocokes. This project presents an innovation to overcome the deleterious properties of biomass and is expected to lead to a new technology that enables high levels of biomass from agricultural wastes to be blended with coal to produce high-strength cokes. Metallurgical coal provides $40 billion annually to the Australian economy and this novel technology will help Australia maintain its position as a major supplier of essential materials for steel production, take a leading role in curbing global CO2 emissions, and create high-value products from its agricultural wastes. We have demonstrated experience in translating research into commercialised outcomes, having taken many new technologies through to successful large-scale trials. We will work with companies in the supply chain, particularly overseas steelmakers, to enable rapid adoption of this technology.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Untangling the matrix of bacterial biofilms. This research aims to use forefront molecular microbiology and biophysical approaches to advance fundamental knowledge on bacterial biofilms. These bacterial clusters are held together by an extracellular matrix comprised of bacterial-derived fibrous protein and the polysaccharide cellulose, which imparts structural integrity and resistance to antimicrobials. The major goals of this project are to dissect how bacteria regulate production of the biofilm matrix, and examine how changes in the composition of the matrix alters its properties, including the penetration of antimicrobial peptides and antibiotics. The outcomes will help address the economic burden of difficult to treat industrial, environmental and biomedical biofilms. Field of research: 3107 - Microbiology We typically think of bacteria as individual organisms. However, bacteria can use sophisticated systems to communicate with each other to protect their local community. Biofilms are communities of bacteria encased in a matrix or glue that holds the structure together. Bacteria that reside within biofilms exhibit extraordinary resistance to antibiotics and biocides, making biofilms a global industrial, environmental, and biomedical problem. This study will dissect how bacteria produce components of the biofilm matrix, examine its structural properties, and determine how it impedes the diffusion of antibiotics. Understanding the properties and function of the biofilm could lead to the development of new approaches to inhibit or dismantle biofilm communities. The new knowledge produced by this project will be of significant interest across multiple industrial sectors, and therefore has the potential for social and economic benefits for Australia such as protecting our food manufacturing industry, improving the quality of our environment, and allowing us to lead healthy lives.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

How parents manage climate anxiety: coping and hoping for the whole family. This project studies how Australian parents manage climate anxiety for themselves and their families. Using mixed-methods/mixed-media approaches, it examines whether an increase in climate disasters is accelerating the spread of collective anxiety amongst families, how parents manage this anxiety for their children and partners, and if there are associated mental health burdens and gendered inequities in this management. It also looks at climate anxiety management across generations and climate histories, drawing out pessimistic/optimistic narratives about the future to enable action, resilience, and hope. It will produce an evidence base and photo-voice/documentary resources to help parents and support organisations combat climate anxiety. Field of research: 4410 - Sociology After several years of heightened climate-related natural disasters (such as the 2020 bushfires and 2022 East Coast floods), climate anxiety is a looming mental health concern for Australian families. This project will examine how parents manage climate anxiety for themselves and their families. It will reveal specific emotional techniques for helping children with climate anxiety and investigate gendered differences in providing emotional support for children. The research will: inform national debates on the social impacts of climate change; benefit family support organisations; offer Australian parents techniques for managing the emotional burden of climate change, and give parents a voice about their future fears and hopes. The research will be shared via national/international workshops with community and government stakeholders to develop strategies for applying our findings (including the Climate Council, Mental Health Australia, Beyond Blue, Relationships Australia) etc. In addition to academic publications, findings will be presented through a unique set of photo-voice/documentary resources.