UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Optical wireless frontier: Design challenges of multi gigabit wireless. This project aims to improve the coverage, mobile access, miniaturisation, bandwidth and networking of optical wireless. As connected machines become the primary consumers of the Internet, technologies for wirelessly connecting devices, processors, storage and display devices at very high speeds become necessary for mission critical services and applications. Gigabit wireless access needs to overcome shortages in the radio-frequency spectrum and provide scalable bandwidth and wider coverage. Optical wireless transmission is a real alternative to current wireless systems because its connection speed of tens of gigabits/second means it can work efficiently with wired optical networking technologies. This project is expected to lead to optical wireless technology. Field of research: 1005 - Communications Technologies

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Developing eucalypt plantations for pharmaceutical flavanone production. The project aims to produce the tools and knowledge required to establish plantations of mallee eucalypts for the production of pinocembrin and structurally related flavanones. This is important because these flavanones have been shown to have a range of medicinal applications, including treatment of diseases of the central nervous system. The research plans to focus on producing and establishing trees with improved flavanone content and growth rates, and on understanding the biochemical mechanisms that underlie flavanone production and structural modification. Expected outcomes include supporting the development of profitable plantations in rural Australia and the establishment of plantations more widely in southern Australia, especially on marginal land. Field of research: 0607 - Plant Biology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Managing microorganisms in Melbourne’s drinking water assets. Safe, fresh drinking water is the most important resource of any country. Melbourne Water Corporation supplies drinking water to more than four million people, and Melbourne is one of the few cities in the world that receives largely unfiltered drinking water from wilderness catchment areas. Built on extensive preliminary collaborative work, the project aims to develop an integrated monitoring and surveillance program, using newly developed technologies, to underpin Melbourne Water Corporation’s prevention strategy against key waterborne diseases, including cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis. This project is sharply focused on the National Science and Research Priorities 'Soil and Water', 'Environmental Change' and 'Health'. Field of research: 0699 - Other Biological Sciences

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Nanostructured films for optical document security. This project aims to develop a new class of synthetic thin films, with unique optical signatures as strong anti-counterfeiting features for future generations of Australian banknotes. The project expects to produce novel, ultra-thin films patterned on the nanoscale that produce vivid, easily recognisable optical effects building on recent advances in nanophotonic optical design and scalable nanofabrication strategies. The development of a range of optical security features in Australia will ensure long-term confidence in our currency. An outcome of the project could be the commercialisation of new types of anti-counterfeiting features for use in Australia and overseas. Field of research: 1007 - Nanotechnology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Origins and distributions of intraplate earthquakes. This project aims to investigate the behaviour and origin of intraplate earthquakes in Australia by developing a multi-million-year record of earthquakes using geological, geochronological, geospatial, seismological, statistical and numerical modelling data. It will use maximum credible magnitudes, maximum shaking intensities of intraplate earthquakes and spatiotemporal relationships between large prehistoric and contemporary earthquakes to improve models of future seismic hazard in Australia and globally. This will lead to improved predictions of future earthquake impacts in urban and natural environments and development of new paleoseismic techniques. Field of research: 0406 - Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Tailoring aircraft surface textures to minimise drag. This project aims to optimise textured surfaces for reducing fluid dynamic drag. The project builds on recent breakthroughs in drag-evaluation methods and the associated physics. Reducing drag is valuable because it raises the costs of operating aircraft and ships. The intended outcomes are optimal drag-reducing surface textures, a further physical understanding of drag-reduction mechanisms and an improved modelling capability of drag-reducing surfaces. This project is expected to benefit the transport and logistics industries in Australia and globally. Field of research: 0915 - Interdisciplinary Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

A mechanism for pathogen detection highly conserved in mammals. This project aims to delineate biochemically how mammals fight pathogens by alerting their immune system to Vitamin B compounds produced by certain bacteria and fungi. The protein MR1 binds the compounds and displays them on the cell surface, activating pathogen-fighting MAIT cells. The MR1-MAIT cell axis is highly conserved in mammals and is thought to defend the host. This project expects to lead to new products to improve veterinary and human health services with new technology developed throughout the project and high-level training which will increase the competitiveness of the strategic biotechnology sector in Australia. Field of research: 0601 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Managing fire and ecology in northern Australia. This project aims to understand how fire affects the northern Australian savannah. European arrival changed how fire was used in Australia. This project will use ecology, palaeoecology and model development to develop pre-European ecological baselines in northern Australia and to reconstruct changes in plant cover in response to changes in fire regime. By understanding the effect of fire, the project will support the effective maintenance of the ecological integrity and biodiversity of the savannah landscapes. Field of research: 0602 - Ecology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

A high-performance cloud resource for computational modelling. This project aims to build a relatively low-cost graphical-processing-unit-based cloud-accessible facility. Much current cutting-edge research is based on intensive computational models and simulations, which are used to deepen our understanding and predict real-world phenomena. This facility will provide a specialised computational platform for high-fidelity predictive models and simulations. It will underpin research in critical fields of science and engineering and be used by researchers from across Australia. This facility's computational capabilities are expected to complement other national computing resources, keep Australia globally competitive, and enhance research in fields including engineering, biology and materials science. Field of research: 0303 - Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ participation in political parties. This project aims to examine the participation of, leadership opportunities for, and challenges faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians participation in Australia’s major political parties. Working with major political parties, this project encompasses both Australia-wide research and in-depth case studies. The project will provide evidence-based research and policy advice on factors affecting the advancement of Indigenous Australian party members into leadership roles and the recognised challenge of continued political marginalisation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in party hierarchies, representative institutions and decision-making processes. This project is expected to understand and help redress a key issue for Australian democracy. Field of research: 1606 - Political Science

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Expanding concepts of harm and their implications. This project aims to document how the meanings of psychological concepts – mental disorder, trauma, abuse, prejudice, and bullying, among others – have changed in recent decades. Their meanings now refer to a broader range of phenomena than before. Using experimental and computerized text analysis, this project will document these historical changes in the scientific literature, the culture at large and the general public. It aims to clarify the cultural dynamics that drive ‘concept creep’, proposing that it reflects a rising sensitivity to harm, and examine the complex social implications of expanded definitions of harm. It expects to evaluate major cultural shifts in how the public understands harm and vulnerability. Field of research: 1701 - Psychology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Information sharing in networks and the allocation of medical appointments. The project aims to research social networks and the normative allocation of invisible goods. It will study information sharing in social networks and the allocation of consultant led appointments to patients. This project is intended to benefit society, public policy and health by showing how social networks’ design options affect users’ welfare and the network owner’s revenue. Field of research: 1401 - Economic Theory

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Molecular Structure Elucidation Facility. This project aims to provide state-of-the-art X-ray diffraction instrumentation in a shared research facility. X-ray diffraction is essential for many research programmes, and the facility would support research in chemical synthesis, materials chemistry and structural biology. Structure determinations makes it possible to understand the underlying molecular structure of complex chemical and biological systems in terms of the underlying molecular structure. Anticipated outcomes are scientific and economic benefits to Australia arising from the training of young scientists and advancements in technology and medicine. Field of research: 0306 - Physical Chemistry (Incl. Structural)

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Inhibition of sensory relay mechanisms. This project aims to investigate the maturation of the respiratory network from a functional to synaptic level. The brain generates motor commands for every single breath. After birth, the respiratory network matures to adapt breathing to emotional and behavioural demands. The mature respiratory network actively inhibits sensory feedback to express learned breathing patterns associated with motor behaviour such as speech. This project expects to provide the foundation for understanding the hierarchical organisation and plasticity of motor circuits in the brain as it acquires learned motor patterns. Field of research: 0606 - Physiology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Predicting the ecological and economic outcomes of trade. This project aims to understand and predict the effects of global trade on land use and biodiversity.Growth in international trade increases trade-mediated land-use by increasing demand for commodities directly or indirectly derived from the land. Accurate predictions of trade effects and opportunities would allow governments to maximise ecological and economic benefits and minimise effects through judicious planning and regulation, but such analyses do not exist. This project expects to advance trade policy evaluation by improving and integrating computable global equilibrium models and land-use and ecological models to better characterise consequences of trade. Field of research: 0502 - Environmental Science and Management

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Mathematical and statistical modelling of antimalarial drug action. This project aims to develop a mathematical model to optimise global antimalarial treatment policy. Malaria-causing parasites are resistant to the most potent antimalarial drug available. If left unaddressed, a catastrophic rise in global malaria incidence and mortality could occur. Changes to global antimalarial treatment policy increasingly rely on mathematical models, but they do not encompass recent breakthroughs in antimalarial drug action and the immune response. This project’s model is expected to improve antimalarial drug dosing regimens and control the spread of antimalarial drug resistance. Field of research: 0102 - Applied Mathematics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

How the brain regulates blood pressure. This project will test whether a group of nerve cells in the rostral ventrolateral medulla generate sympathetic activity in blood vessels. The brain regulates blood pressure through several pathways, including nerves in the sympathetic nervous system that constrict blood vessels and increase the heart rate. Activity of these sympathetic nerves regulates blood pressure, but it is unknown which nerve cells in the brain cause this activity. This information is essential to understand how blood pressure is controlled under healthy conditions. Field of research: 1109 - Neurosciences

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Nonlinear econometric panel models with fixed effects. This project aims to develop effective quantitative methods tailored to policy questions in public health and international trade. Many nonlinear panel models are essential to answer policy-relevant research questions, but cannot estimate key objects of interest, while default procedures for inference are often misleading, making magnitudes of identified effects impossible to quantify. This project will develop methods to overcome these limitations for many econometric models, and apply them to important models in health economics and international trade. Such improvements are expected to reduce risk in public decision-making, resulting in better and more effective policies. Field of research: 1403 - Econometrics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Pathogen detection in mammals. This project aims to study the role of a host molecule in immune protection. Multicellular organisms need to recognise pathogens to initiate immune protection. To do this, pathogen-specific molecules are presented to the immune system causing activation. Recently a mode of pathogen recognition was discovered in mammals. As microbes synthesise essential vitamins, they release tell-tale metabolite by-products, which a host molecule called MR1 captures and presents to white blood cells. However, it is not understood how MR1 accomplishes this, the cellular machinery required, or how the metabolites are guided to MR1. Understanding this process is expected to explain microbial pathogen recognition. Field of research: 0601 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

The unintended consequences of foreign military training. This project aims to explore the effects of foreign military training on civil-military relations in recipient states. Developed countries are increasingly training developing countries’ militaries. While training is provided to promote traditional security goals, development, and stability, it may have unintended consequences including increasing the prospect of a coup. Using quantitative and qualitative methods, including case studies of the US and Australia, the project aims to explain the effects of these training programs, advance the understanding of civil-military relations and produce policy recommendations to improve outcomes of engagement with foreign militaries. Field of research: 1606 - Political Science

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Unrestricted antigen recognition by T lymphocytes. This project aims to investigate the unrestricted T cell repertoire; the molecular and structural basis of antigen recognition by unrestricted T cells; and the development of unrestricted T cells. T lymphocytes typically are restricted to detecting foreign molecules (antigens) on the cell membrane in association with specialised antigen-presenting molecules encoded within the highly polymorphic major histocompatibility (MHC) locus (MHC restriction). T lymphocytes that can recognise antigens in the absence of MHC or MHC like molecules challenges a major paradigm in the field of immunology. As T cell based therapy underpins treatments for cancer and infection, new mechanisms of T cell activation that are independent of patient genotype should ultimately create opportunities for therapeutic and commercial development, leading to both health and economic benefits. Field of research: 1107 - Immunology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

The origin of (dark) matter. This project aims to discover the origin and nature of dark matter and why the Universe contains more matter than antimatter – two important unresolved problems in particle physics and cosmology. These questions cannot be resolved within the framework of the particle physics Standard Model, and thus provide concrete evidence that new elementary particle physics remains to be uncovered. This project aims to explore the origin of dark matter, new mechanisms for creating a matter-antimatter asymmetry, and the possibility that dark and ordinary matter share a common origin. This project could address humanity's deep need to understand the nature of the universe and our origins. Field of research: 0202 - Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle and Plasma Physics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Social geographies of youth action in India. This project aims to examine the nature and effectiveness of pre-figurative action among youth in north India. Over the past decade, social movements have risen in which young people try to prefigure their desired better society, while “being the change you want to see in the world” to try to alter social life is common. This project will examine how young people’s efforts to “be the change” in education, health, infrastructure and work might be changing the social landscape. It expects to contribute to scholarly and public understanding of youth and development in Australia and globally. Field of research: 1604 - Human Geography

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Motor control of the upper airway muscle genioglossus. This project aims to evaluate a recent proposal about the motor control of the upper airway muscle Genioglossus. The upper airway muscles, the most complex in the human body, are critical for breathing and speaking, but are not well understood. Genioglossus draws the base of the tongue forward to maintain airway patency. This project will study genioglossus during wakefulness and sleep in normal healthy individuals. It is anticipated that the project will suggest improved avenues for treatment of sleep related respiratory disorders. Field of research: 1701 - Psychology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Sustainable reactive nitrogen management for Australian ecosystems. This project aims to quantify the overall nitrogen budget and its influencing factors in Australia; benchmark Australian performance against other nations; assess the costs and benefits of reactive nitrogen (Nr) use; and analyse policy settings and their feasibility for addressing the challenges of Australian Nr management. Nr, if poorly managed, can cause significant environmental degradation, but is essential for ecosystems, especially agro-ecosystems. The project expects to provide a framework for the future sustainable use of Nr in relation to food production, environment protection and climate change in dry regions. Field of research: 0602 - Ecology