UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Health insurance design: choices, consumer behavior and policy challenges . Rising health costs is a global challenge. Creating an efficient health insurance system is a key policy concern in all developed countries. This project aims to study choices, consumer behaviors, and policy challenges in two health insurance markets: Australian private health insurance (PHI) and US Medicare prescription drug insurance. Expected outcomes include new evidence needed to develop a new framework for PHI, new knowledge on how consumers respond to complex pricing structures, and new policy proposals to improve the overall efficiency of the health system. The research will benefit the re-design of PHI and the health system to improve Australians’ health while saving health costs. Field of research: 1605 - Policy and Administration This project will deliver the knowledge needed to transform Australian private health insurance and improve the Australian health system. Australians spend $181 billion in healthcare per year, accounting for 10% of overall economic activity. The Australian government pays $6 billion per year in rebates to subsidize private health insurance; this is controversial because all Australians already have Medicare coverage. This project will provide new evidence on whether the large subsidies can be justified and propose new policies in reforming private health insurance. It will also advance our knowledge on how consumers respond to complex pricing structures and on how to design a value-based healthcare model. This will improve efficiency and sustainability of the Australian health system. A more efficient health system will improve Australians’ health while reducing overall healthcare costs.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Anchoring the next generation of offshore floating infrastructure. This project aims to advance the fundamental scientific understanding of embedded anchor behaviour and to develop engineering solutions to secure the next generation of floating platforms, wind turbines and submerged tunnels. This is significant because limited understanding of anchors under long-term sustained and cyclic loading, and in how wave-chain-anchor systems behave, is hindering confident deployment in deep water and harsh conditions. This project will address this challenge by combining precise observations from sophisticated physical and numerical experiments into an analysis framework that integrates system response. Outcomes will include numerical software, analytical tools and design charts for engineers to use in design. Field of research: 0905 - Civil Engineering This project will deliver scientific knowledge and engineering solutions to secure the next generation of offshore floating infrastructure to the seabed. This will have direct impact and benefit to Australia’s national interest, because deploying floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG), wind turbines and tunnels will help meet our increasing need for energy and mobility. (i) Australia’s export of natural gas contributes $21.8 billion to the national economy. This will be enhanced with anchoring solutions that push FLNG into deeper waters, where the majority of our ‘stranded’ gas reserves lie. (ii) Floating wind turbines are a game-changer to tap Australia’s rich ocean renewable energy, but require cheaper and more reliable anchors. (iii) Developing anchoring solution to the promising submerged floating tunnel concept will provide Australia with a first mover advantage in any future wave of investment in long distance coastal transport. The completion of this project is expected to strengthen Australia’s leadership and guarantee our future competitiveness in the field of offshore engineering.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Logarithmic conformal field theory and the 4D/2D correspondence. Conformal field theory provides powerful methods for attacking problems in theoretical physics and furnishes beautiful connections between seemingly disparate branches of pure mathematics. This proposal aims to greatly expand our knowledge of the logarithmic conformal field theories that have recently witnessed a resurgence of interest in physics. Advancing these theories is crucial to progress in high-energy physics and pure mathematics. Expected outcomes include a completely new understanding of the mathematical structure of these theories which will, in turn, facilitate applications in 4D gauge theory. This will boost research capacity and further cement Australia's reputation as an international leader in mathematical physics research. Field of research: 0105 - Mathematical Physics The standard model of particle physics is a theoretical framework for understanding the fundamental forces that operate in the universe and the nature of the elementary particles that make up matter. The model has been extremely successful but lacks an explanation for gravitation, dark matter and imbalance of matter and anti-matter in the Universe. Recently, physicists discovered an exciting new relationship between important supersymmetry theories and the correspondence between certain so-called 2D theories and 4D theories capable of describing the universe. The research will result in new mathematical tools that will significantly benefit research groups across the fundamental and enabling sciences. The research will also provide a fertile education platform and problem-solving skills for a future generation of Australian scientists in academia, defence, finance and industry.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Tracking DNA repair dynamics in the nuclear landscape of a living cell. This project aims to track DNA repair factor recruitment in the nuclear landscape of a living cell and quantify the role of nucleus architecture in maintenance of genome integrity. By coupling advanced fluorescence microscopy with a novel DNA double strand break inducible cell system, this project expects to uncover how the nucleus spatially coordinates DNA damage detection, assessment and repair in real time. This research is important because DNA damage threatens organism survival and this project has the potential to define how this genomic threat is resolved at the single molecule level. The benefit of this research is a fundamental insight into DNA repair biology and development of imaging technology to quantify genome function. Field of research: 0601 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology DNA is the genetic code for life, however, breaks in its strands damage genomic integrity, leading to cell dysfunction. This DNA damage is detected and repaired by DNA factors that navigate the nuclear landscape to find and repair DNA double strand breaks through unknown mechanisms. These processes underpin the sustainability and propagation of life forms and represent basic aspects of cell biology with broad relevance to human, animal, plant and microbial life. This Fellowship will develop imaging methods to understand these processes in a living cell. The findings will advance fundamental understanding of how the DNA blueprint of cells is protected and faithfully transmitted when cells divide. Significant national benefits include new imaging technology that will enable cell biologists to quantity these and other genome functions, strengthening of Australia’s research reputation and international collaborations in cellular biophysics and imaging, and developing the next generation of Australian biophysicists.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

How does glycosylation shape protein function within Burkholderia? Protein glycosylation, the chemical addition of sugars to proteins, is an important but poorly understood aspect of bacterial physiology. This project aims to build on our recent discovery of the conservation of O-linked glycosylation across the Burkholderia genus to understand the function of this modification. Using cutting-edge proteomics, novel expression systems and molecular approaches this project will reveal the role of glycosylation in Burkholderia species. This innovative project will provide a comprehensive understanding of how glycosylation contributes to Burkholderia protein function and how these systems can be harnessed for the creation of bespoke glycoconjugates Field of research: 0601 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology This proposal seeks to reveal how glycosylation shapes protein function in the Burkholderia genus. This group of bacteria interacts with the Australian population in multiple ways, for instance, within Northern Australia Burkholderia pseudomallei is the most common cause of community-acquired bacteremic pneumonia with a 40% mortality rate. By understanding the impact of glycosylation on Burkholderia proteins this has the potential to provide new insights into how bacterial glycosylation can be harnessed to both protect people from Burkholderia infections and to produce commercially important proteins, such as glycoconjugate vaccines. Undertaking this research will strengthen Australia's research capacity in the production of glycoproteins and enable the training of the next generation of researchers in these skills. These skills are essential for probing how glycosylation effects biological processes, an increasingly active area of research. Combined this will lead to better visibility for Australian science and further our standing as world leaders in glycobiology.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Advancing human movement evaluation using artificial intelligence. Human movement disorders affect one-third of Australians; however, conventional approaches to assessing joint motion are costly and largely clinic- or laboratory-based. This project aims to combine biomechanical modelling and advanced machine learning to non-invasively produce accurate, low-cost, user-friendly shoulder and elbow joint angle measurements using wearable inertial sensors. The technology will enable a non-expert to obtain reliable kinematics data in any location. Accurate, wearable motion measurement will benefit next-generation healthcare including telemedicine and remote rehabilitation for isolated communities, performance monitoring of elite athletes and military personnel, and the gaming and film/animation industries. Field of research: 0903 - Biomedical Engineering The Fellowship aims to combine advanced biomechanical modelling with new machine learning algorithms to generate accurate, user-friendly human motion measurement using low-cost, wearable inertial sensors. It will bring together world leaders in biomechanics, data science, software engineering, orthopaedic surgery, and Australian Indigenous leaders. The technology developed will transform human-device interactions via the Internet of Things, enabling cloud-based acquisition and analysis of movement data in real-time or over extended periods (days, months or years) remotely. A subject could acquire their own joint motion in the home with little training, facilitating low-cost telemedicine and rehabilitation for remote communities. This would impact the multi-billion-dollar wearables market and Australian Medtech, with future applications in sports and elite athlete training and injury prevention, and human performance monitoring of military personnel. Cultural benefits include the digital recording and curation of Indigenous Australian customs such as hunting using a spear and womera, tool making and dancing.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Can endosymbionts alter climate change resilience in insects? This project aims to establish whether endosymbionts alter climate change vulnerability and investigate the potential for endosymbionts to be used as a tool to modify climate change resilience in insects. Heritable endosymbionts – microscopic bacteria living exclusively within host cells – are widespread in insects. A handful of studies indicate that endosymbionts may influence the thermal tolerance of their host, yet whether they alter the upper thermal limits and climate change risk of insects is unknown. This fellowship will provide a greater understanding of the consequences of climate change on species persistence, as well as opening up avenues to utilise endosymbionts as a tool to manipulate the climate change resilience of insects. Field of research: 0603 - Evolutionary Biology Understanding the factors that underpin the vulnerability and resilience of insects to climate change is crucial for successfully managing this ecologically and economically important taxonomic group. This project will determine whether heritable bacterial endosymbionts - which are widespread in insects – alter climate change vulnerability and whether endosymbionts can be used as tools to modify climate change resilience. The outcomes of this research will benefit Australia by improving our ability to identify species and populations at risk from global environmental change, as well as increasing our capacity to predict the climate change resilience of invasive species, disease vectors, and agricultural pests. This research will contribute cutting-edge knowledge and training in an area of national research priority, and could deliver vital information about climate change vulnerability and novel climate mitigation strategies to researchers, managers, policy-makers, and other stakeholders.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Composite structures: a game changer for modular buildings. Modular construction can tackle Australia's housing affordability crisis on a large scale. This project aims to develop cutting-edge technologies for the next generation of modular buildings by embracing recent breakthroughs in construction materials, computational modelling methods and construction techniques. Expected outcomes include a novel composite modular unit, a smart joining technique, a robust computational framework and design guidelines that enable modular buildings to be built taller, safer, faster and thus cheaper than current practices allow. This project will position Australia at the forefront of modular construction technology, and make the local construction industry more competitive globally. Field of research: 0905 - Civil Engineering Over the next 20 years, Australia will need to build more than one million social and affordable houses, costing the government $8.6 billion a year, to meet national housing requirements. Modular construction is a promising long-term solution that can tackle Australia's housing shortages on a large scale. This project will develop state-of-the-art technologies for the next generation of modular construction, and thus provide significant economic and social benefits to the Australian community. This project will also benefit the environment since modular construction can reduce construction waste onsite up to 90% compared to traditional onsite construction. In addition, project outcomes including the invention of a smart joining technique for inter-module connections also have significant commercial potential. The modular construction technologies developed in this project will be world-leading and ensure Australian construction practices are at the forefront of international trends, and thus securing Australia as a global leader in modular construction technologies.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Extremism and the Australian National Imaginary. The project will use innovative temporal methods to assess the influence of extreme nationalist discourses on mainstream political discussion in Australia. It will develop computational tools to unpick the relationship between digital media, speed and increasing polarisation in political discourse. Expected outcomes include a dataset describing extreme discourses in Australia, an empirical evaluation of the influence of extremism within mainstream publics, and the development of software, methods and a collaborative framework to support research excellence. Expected outcomes include training governmental and non-governmental advocates and policy makers seeking to address extremism for a socially cohesive Australia. Field of research: 2001 - Communication and Media Studies Digital media is responsible for generating and spreading rumour, conspiracy theories, propaganda and extremism. Several perpetrators of extremist violence have cited media discourses as justification for their actions. In this environment, polarising discourses may be a threat to cohesion and a national security concern. Australian policymakers and security agencies have warned against extreme and nationalist discourses, many of which seek to reshape the Australian image, turning national identity into a tool of threat and exclusion. This research responds to these concerns by developing computational tools to identify extremist discourses and to facilitate an analysis of their influence in mainstream Australian social media. This analysis will reveal how Australians are discussing their national identity and produce insights to guide policy makers and social cohesion advocacy groups. Through the technologies it produces and the monitoring practices it establishes, it could help direct the effort to combat the growing influence of online extremism.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Casual Fertility Consequences: The Role of Non-Standard Employment (NSE). This project aims to investigate the role of temporary, casual, part-time paid work (non-standard employment) on Australians’ fertility behaviour (childbirth intentions and outcomes). It expects to use high-quality longitudinal data, engage in novel quasi-experiments (policy changes) to identify new causal mechanisms and pathways between employment types and fertility. Expected outcomes include a novel interdisciplinary theoretical framework, most up-to-date empirical evidence on this topic in Australia, high-quality research outputs and training, and clear work and family policy recommendations. This should significantly benefit families, communities, governments and organisations to lift productivity. Field of research: 1603 - Demography This project seeks to bring together a team of international experts from different disciplines to provide the most up-to-date and most systematic empirical insights ever conducted in Australia of the relationship between non-standard employment and childbirth intentions and outcomes. Using high-quality data, cutting-edge methods and natural experiments, it aims to inform policy in a subject area that is highly relevant and lacking in evidence. The intent is to provide evidence to explain structural issues regarding employment types and fertility, including those that underpin or derogate from the benefits of non-standard employment, that could be vital to improve the social, economic and fertility outcomes for Australian families. It will build Australian research capacity, train junior scholars and foster ongoing national and international collaborations.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Indigenous Engineering: interpreting engineering foundations of Budj Bim. The Budj Bim World Heritage Cultural Landscape is internationally recognised for preserving the world’s oldest aquaculture system, which provided an economic and social base for the Gunditjmara people of South-western Victoria for more than six millennia. This project aims to elucidate the engineering processes that enabled the Gunditjmara to site, plan, construct, operate and maintain this aquaculture complex, to show how it may have evolved over time, and how it responded to changing social and environmental circumstances. This project will develop geospatial methods to uncover and document the technological foundations of the aquaculture complex, and contribute to the understanding of the Gunditjmara technological knowledge and history. Field of research: 2202 - History and Philosophy of Specific Fields This project contributes to Australia's national interest by promoting a greater understanding of Aboriginal history, and heritage, by developing a model for a collaborative two-way, intercultural knowledge exchange about indigenous engineering and technology. Through enhancing the historical understanding of the engineering and technological foundations of the Budj Bim aquaculture complexes, with the active engagement of the Traditional owners' Elders, community and ranger, and by refinement of geospatial methodologies for the investigations of Australian cultural landscapes, this project will contribute to the economic development of south-western Victoria, and Australia more broadly. The outcomes of this project will significantly contribute to the capacity of the Traditional owners to understand and document the history of the cultural landscape and communicate it through appropriate digital storytelling with their community, the Australian society at large, and with visitors to the World heritage site.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

The war at home: art describes Australia’s turbulent present. This project investigates the friction between the nation’s stories of itself, and the current massive fracturing of health, of places and of peoples. Because Australia is changing beyond measure, it is even appropriate to talk about the war at home. From World War 1 onwards, the Australian government decided that war artists be commissioned to make art about the nation at war. Our project proposes that a team of Australian artists, with a deep experience of picturing conflict, investigates the current war at home, guided by a senior Gunditjimara elder and in collaboration with an eminent biomedical scientist. Future Australians will benefit from the heritage created by art portraying a new understanding of the current war at home. Field of research: 1905 - Visual Arts and Crafts Since World War 1, Australia has commissioned artists to make art about the nation at war, contributing to a cultural heritage that encompasses experiences of conflict at a great distance from Australia. We are now experiencing profound social disruptions arising from climate change and disease that are akin to living through a war at home. Capturing the impact of these experiences through art will provide an enduring public record of Australian responses and, like art produced during war times, deepen understanding of current social crises. The project moves away from a negative portrait of social fractures to contribute a positive depiction of resilience and cultural strengthening. Outcomes will include visual representations of humanitarian responses and adaptability in the face of massive upheaval; this will also shed light on modern forms of Australian national identity. In creating accessible and vivid illustrations of contemporary responses to major challenges, the art produced through this project will create a unique record of our heritage for Australian generations to come.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Improving stream management using ecological modelling and DNA barcodes. Rivers and streams provide invaluable ecosystem services, yet are commonly degraded by human activities: a problem likely to be exacerbated by thermal and flow regimes being altered by climate change. Stream biodiversity is both a value and an indicator of ecological health: effective stream management requires prediction of biodiversity responses to natural environmental and human-impact gradients. By compiling a dataset of macroinvertebrate species using new DNA metabarcoding, modelling their distributions, and ranking biodiversity by reach, we will develop molecular and quantitative spatial tools to provide data-driven, landscape-scale decision support for protecting and restoring streams: an urgent need for stream managers globally. Field of research: 0602 - Ecology Streams and rivers are vital resources for Australia and the world, but urbanisation and agriculture, compounded by climate change, are causing reduced water quality and quantity, and large biodiversity losses. Arresting the global decline of rivers requires novel solutions including sensitive, informative and cost-effective tools for waterway management. This project will use new DNA approaches to efficiently identify freshwater invertebrate species (excellent indicators of stream health) and combine this with new high-resolution environmental data for streams and rivers to model species distributions and prioritise management interventions that will maximise biodiversity. These research tools will enable scenarios of stream and catchment management actions to be explored and prioritised, allowing stream managers to quantify trade-offs and choose the most cost-effective management actions to protect and improve stream health and biodiversity, placing Australia in a leading position to understand and minimise human and climate change impacts on freshwater ecosystems using invertebrate species biodiversity.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Accessing the family violence provision: enhancing migrant women’s safety. This project aims to investigate the operation of the Family Violence Provision (Migration Regulations (Clth) 1994), designed to act as a safety net for women on temporary visas whose relationships break down due to family violence. The project expects to generate new knowledge about awareness and application processes and outcomes. Using a multi-method approach this will be the first study to examine the operation of the Provision. The outcomes will offer direct benefit to the Partner Organisations, and to national stakeholders providing support to migrant women. The project is expected to strengthen support for women who have experienced family violence for whom this provision was designed. Field of research: 1602 - Criminology The Council of Australian Governments’ [COAG] Fourth National Action Plan on Violence Against Women has identified that women from diverse cultural and visa status backgrounds require specific support in the context of family and domestic violence. This includes tailored service provision, and targeted immigration support. This project is designed to directly support COAGs commitment to enhancing women’s safety. It will be the first study to focus on the Family Violence Provision [FVP], which allows eligible partner visa applicants to leave a violent relationship without the risk of losing their right to apply for permanent residence in Australia. The findings aim to support the FVP to achieve the stated intent of protection for women. The research will contribute important knowledge to best practice nationally and internationally to supporting migrant women experiencing family violence.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

The geometric structure of spatial noise. Spatial noise is ubiquitous in nature and science: as interference in medical imaging, in oceanography, in the modelling of telecommunication networks etc. Despite this diversity of sources, spatial noise can be studied in a unified way by considering mathematical models that capture its essential features. This project aims to study spatial noise by analysing its geometric structure, for instance by considering the number of contour lines of the noise, and the way these lines connect different regions of space. The project further aims to apply this analysis to construct statistical tests that can distinguish different classes of spatial noise, with potential applications across all of the disciplines mentioned above. Field of research: 0104 - Statistics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

The Law and Politics of Machine Listening. Machine listening refers to the branch of AI driving the rapid growth of smart speakers, voice assistants and other always-on listening devices. Many of its applications offer real benefits, but machine listening also poses urgent challenges across privacy, security, surveillance, human rights and other areas of law and politics. These challenges are yet to receive a systematic response. This project aims to examine the effects of machine listening’s emergence in order to develop a conceptual framework for regulation and greater public scrutiny of this growing field of power. These outcomes are intended to impact public policy and enhance the social benefits of future technologies, devices and services that use machine listening techniques. Field of research: 1801 - Law

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Structure guided mapping of protein interactions and their perturbation. Protein interactions are central to most biological processes, and significant effort has been devoted to trying to unravel these complicated networks. This project aims to develop new approaches to better understand these interactions, and the consequences of their perturbation. The main expected contributions will be: (i) methods to identify likely protein interaction sites using population conservation; (ii) computational approaches to assess the effects of any type of mutation on the interaction; and (iii) an understanding of how disruption of a specific interaction can affect the complicated biological network within a cell. Field of research: 0601 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Rapid climate change, early modern human dispersal, and Neanderthal demise. Why are we the only surviving human species? This project aims to investigate whether seasonal environmental changes associated with rapid climate change events played a role in the expansion of our own species and the demise of Neanderthals between 60,000-30,000 years ago. The project will generate quantitative, sub-seasonal records of past climate variability using novel multi-proxy analyses from key archaeological sites, offering a framework for understanding early human responses to extreme climate fluctuations. This may inform our strategies for coping with future extreme scenarios. These unparalleled records will also provide data to test and refine climate models, enabling a better understanding of Earth’s climate system. Field of research: 2101 - Archaeology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 5: a novel regulator of T cell immunity. T cells provide critical immune protection against infection and cancer. However, the pathways that regulate these immune cells are not fully understood. T cells express a molecule called S1P5 that has an unknown function in these cells. In this proposal, we reveal new evidence that this molecule is an unappreciated and crucial regulator of T cell behaviour. Using state-of-the-art techniques and novel genetic tools, this project aims to discover the involvement of S1P5 in the immune response, and determine how S1P5 can be controlled to enhance protective T cell immunity. The expected outcomes are to generate fundamental new knowledge that will have significance for regulation of the immune response. Field of research: 1107 - Immunology This project will generate fundamental new knowledge on how the immune system is regulated. It is anticipated that discoveries made in this project will lead to highly cited academic articles and the opportunity to represent Australia at leading international scientific meetings. Knowledge generated through this effort will lead to new insights for innovative strategies for vaccination against disease, with the ultimate goal of improving veterinary and human health. We expect to develop new collaborations to build commercial products and patent applications for improved vaccination strategies, encouraging multi-disciplinary research that will foster Australian research capacity and economic growth.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Using Drosophila to analyse a master regulator of epithelial homeostasis. Aims: This proposal aims to use genetic and cell biological analysis of the vinegar fly, Drosophila, to identify the function of the grainyhead gene in intestinal regeneration. Significance: This gene is conserved in all animal species and appears to be a master regulator of epithelial tissue development but it is unclear how it can both influence stem cell maintenance and production of functional cell types. Expected outcomes: We will identify a new mechanism that governs tissue development, and introduce new imaging and genetic technologies to the Australian research community. Benefit: We expect potential economic and commercial interest in development of new gene analysis tools and biotechnological tissue manipulation applications. Field of research: 0608 - Zoology New biotechnological and tissue engineering technologies are dependent upon our ability to precisely manipulate cell growth and the ability of cells to form specific tissues. We have identified a particular gene that can both maintain stem cells and facilitate functional cell production, depending upon its state of activity. This project aims to precisely determine how this gene functions, and how we can tweak its activity to produce tissues on demand. As part of this proposal we will develop genetic technologies and cellular imaging tools. We envisage economic and commercial interest in further development of these technologies and more specifically tissue engineering applications that will arise from an understanding of the genetics of tissue development..

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Structural Characterisation of the Type IX Secretion System. The Type IX Secretion System present in diverse bacteria of veterinary, agricultural, environmental and industrial importance enables effector proteins to be secreted and attached to the cell surface where they contribute to disease pathogenesis or degrade biopolymers of commercial interest. This project aims to determine the structure and assembly mechanism of this complex secretion nanomachine comprising 15 different proteins using state of the art microscopy. Knowledge of the structure will greatly enhance our understanding of secretion mechanisms and our ability to both inhibit the system to treat disease in animals or manipulate the system for industrial applications providing future economic and environmental benefits to our nation. Field of research: 0605 - Microbiology Our research will result in the structural characterisation of a novel bacterial secretion system that is present in a variety of important bacteria. This will lead to the development of new therapies (antibiotics/vaccine) for animal pathogens and provide important knowledge to allow manipulation of this secretion system in environmentally important bacteria for critical industrial applications. Overall the work will provide future economic, enviromental and productivity benefits for Australia.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Understanding how cells store and use iron . This project aims to understand the mechanism and function of the protein nanocage, ferritin, which stores iron in the body ready for use on demand. Iron is an essential element, vital for wellbeing. To understand iron we need to understand ferritin. Despite being widely studied, how ferritin actually works remains unclear. This project aims to use an interdisciplinary approach combining protein biochemistry, spectroscopy, genetics and whole organism studies. It will develop new techniques to enable the physiological role of iron to be explored. Outcomes of this innovative platform are anticipated to include in-depth understanding of how ferritin functions to unravel its fundamental role in iron storage and release ready for re-use. Field of research: 0302 - Inorganic Chemistry Correct iron homeostasis is vital for health and well-being. This project will generate a complete and accurate model of iron flux into and out of the iron storage protein ferritin in a whole organism. This information is the basis for developing a complete understanding of iron physiology. The knowledge gained may, in the longer term, identify new strategies to alleviate iron deficiency or toxicity in a targeted way. To achieve this aim, new tools and technologies will be developed to allow us to examine iron function within ferritin and a new generation of multidisciplinary talent will be trained ensuring that Australian researchers remain leaders in the field of iron metabolism.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

The role of enemies in the generation of biodiversity. A fundamental question in biology is how new species are generated. The role of abiotic factors has been widely explored, but there is still little known about the role that ecological or behavioural interactions between organisms, such as parasitism or predation, play in the generation of diversity. This project aims to test the importance of anti-predator defences (warning colours) in generating species. It will combine micro- and macroevolutionary analyses to provide an in-depth test of this association. This project aims to provide a bridge between behavioural ecology and macroevolutionary processes, using Australian fauna, and increase our knowledge about whether and how enemies can contribute to generating diversity of life on earth. Field of research: 0602 - Ecology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Giving Mums a fair go: culturally-responsive care for refugees and migrants. More than one-third of women giving birth in Australia are refugees or migrants, who have poorer pregnancy and childbirth experiences and outcomes compared to Australian-born women. This project uses an intersectional lens to explore how lived experiences of gender inequality, racism, and migration contribute to social disadvantage and poor experiences of maternal health. A participatory research approach will be used to engage with refugee and migrant women and provide them with an opportunity to share their stories in their own voices. Knowledge generated will increase understanding of why these women have poorer pregnancy and childbirth experiences, and potential solutions will be co-developed to address these inequalities in the future. Field of research: 1117 - Public Health and Health Services

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Maximizing male fertility: the role of CRISP proteins. This project aims to investigate the function of cysteine rich secretory protein (CRISP) family members in fertility. It is expected to generate new knowledge on the role CRISP1 and 4 play in sperm competition in vivo, and thus, evolutionary processes; to define the role seminal plasma CRISPs play in fertility; and identify the mechanism underpinning their biological activities. This will be achieved using a range of innovative, state-of-the-art approaches. Expected outcomes and benefits include an enhanced knowledge of the mechanisms underpinning fertility and infertility, enhanced collaboration and research knowhow, and an evidence base for future applied projects aimed enhancing fertility in agricultural species. Field of research: 0702 - Animal Production This project will make multiple significant contributions to the future prosperity and standing of Australia. It will add to our knowledge of the processes of male fertility and, by extension, consolidate Australia’s already excellent standing in reproductive biology. It will enhance intra-country and international collaborations, and in doing so, enhance the impact of precious ARC funding. It will generate a knowledge base for applied research wherein these proteins may be used to enhance sperm function and stability in assisted reproductive technologies, including the artificial insemination of agricultural species. It will provide a mechanistic understanding of a body of agricultural observations – and thus, a means to optimise breeding strategies to improve fertility. This project will also provide an outstanding, industry relevant, training and mentoring opportunity for at least one post-doctoral fellow and one PhD student.