UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Biology of immune cells. This project aims to study immune cells that target harmful microbes by recognising by-products of their metabolism, and develop methods modulating their function. In particular, it aims to determine the immune recognition of the full range of microbial metabolites that activate these cells and unravel the mechanisms behind tolerance to nutrition-derived metabolites. This project is a potential opportunity for Australia to maximise its competitive edge in this field and develop immune-modulatory agents ultimately leading to socioeconomic benefit. Field of research: 1107 - Immunology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Cell facilitated controlled radical polymerisation. This project aims to develop a controlled polymerisation method by combining reversible addition fragmentation chain (RAFT) polymerisation technology and the redox processes within bacterial cells. This polymerisation method will copy biological information in the bacterial cell surface into a growing polymer structure. Variations in the monomer structures and functionality will be used to control the incorporation of cell surface chemistry into the new polymer structure. Such cell-enabled controlled polymerisation could advance polymer synthesis resulting in biologically instructed polymer-mimics and new antibacterial agents. Field of research: 0303 - Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Towards reliable and robust machine learning systems. This project aims to protect machine learning systems from adversarial manipulation. Machine learning technologies are used in e-commerce, search, virtual assistants and self-driving cars. However, they are vulnerable to adversarial manipulations which are imperceptible to humans but can cause systems to fail, thereby undermining their usefulness or possibly causing disasters. Less vulnerable machine learning systems are expected to make future autonomous systems, such as self-driving cars and autonomous robots, safer. This project will provide a deeper understanding of how machine learning systems can be made less vulnerable, thereby increasing the safety of future autonomous systems such as self-driving cars and autonomous robots. Field of research: 0801 - Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Statistical mechanics and topology of polymer systems. This project aims to study the behaviour of systems of long polymers in solution, and the effects of temperature, solvent and other environmental properties. Polymer models capture important physical properties of real-world molecules like DNA. This project will study the topology of polymer chains in tightly confined spaces. Knots and links hinder important biological processes like DNA replication, and this project will research how entanglement forms and how the biological mechanisms are used to manage it. The project is expected to have both important biological consequences and to enhance Australia's position as a centre for research in statistical mechanics. Field of research: 0105 - Mathematical Physics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Two-dimensional spintronics probed with diamond quantum sensors. This project aims to understand the spintronic properties of graphene. Graphene, a ground-breaking two-dimensional material, has tremendous potential for the realisation of high-speed, low-power operation, spin-logic devices for next-generation electronics. However, for its full potential to be reached, techniques are needed to directly probe and image spins in operating devices. The project plans to exploit recently developed diamond quantum sensing technologies to characterise graphene spintronic devices. The results and methods are expected to clarify the underlying microscopic mechanisms and provide a route to design and optimise functional graphene spintronic devices. Field of research: 0204 - Condensed Matter Physics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Measuring interference from prior memories using experience sampling. The project aims to better understand the causes of forgetting in recognition memory. This project will measure participants' experiences using smartphone technology for four weeks before a recognition memory experiment. Similarities between the images in the experiment and images in prior experience can be used to fully specify all interference components within a computational model of recognition memory, leading to a complete model of recognition memory. Better understanding the causes of forgetting in recognition memory could show how interference contributes to memory impairments in ageing, and ultimately Alzheimer’s and other clinical disorders. Field of research: 1006 - Computer Hardware

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

How plants respond to cell wall signals. This project aims to discover mechanisms of plant cell wall signalling and modify plant cell walls for improved food, textiles, building materials and renewable biofuels without inadvertently activating cell wall signalling. However, attempts to improve cell walls have been ineffective because it is not known how plants use cell wall signalling to sense and compensate for cell wall changes. This project expects to develop both a genetic screen to find mutants defective in cell wall signal transduction and a bioinformatic tool to compare genomes across species and discover cell wall signalling components. Potential benefits include addressing Australian research priorities: Food, Environmental Change, and Energy. Field of research: 0607 - Plant Biology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Observer design for singularly perturbed systems. This project aims to provide a framework for observer design for singularly perturbed systems, analyse performance/robustness of such designs and apply it to engineering problems. Estimating unmeasured physical variables from available measurements is essential in engineering and science, but is hard when the system exhibits multiple time scales. This is common as dynamics occurring on much faster time scales age engineered systems’ physical properties, but tools to deal with these systems do not exist. This project aims to provide the fundamental science to estimate systems exhibiting multiple time scales. These results are expected to improve condition monitoring in mechanical, electrical and power systems. Field of research: 0906 - Electrical and Electronic Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Continuous wave excitation for low power Magnetic Resonance Imaging. This project aims to augment the capabilities of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) systems, using continuous wave (CW) transmission and signal reception, to image objects using very low excitation power. Any given MRI sequence tries to solve an inverse problem, involving estimation of some subset of hidden states and parameters of the system, given the observed data. Using transient and steady-state CW magnetisation dynamics to solve inverse problems is expected to advance technology toward lower power, lower cost solutions for MRI scanners in healthcare and industrial applications, including materials science and mineral processing. Field of research: 0906 - Electrical and Electronic Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

The early structural assembly of high-density lipoproteins. This project aims to study the interaction between proteins and lipids, a fundamental aspect of cellular processes in all organisms. Lipid binding by apoA-I forms high-density lipoproteins (HDL) in the bloodstream, which removes cholesterol from the body. This project will define the types of lipids that bind first to the apolipoprotein (apo) A-I and the structural mechanisms of this process. The conformation of lipid binding proteins often changes during lipid binding. However, the structural mechanisms and conformational rearrangements are poorly understood. This project expects to understand the function of HDL and the structural mechanisms of lipid binding proteins in general. The results will have far-reaching applications in biology, human health, and biotechnology, including food and biopharmaceutical processing. Field of research: 0601 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Stopping post-tensioned anchorage zone concrete failures. This project aims to design post-tensioning anchorage zones for early age concrete. Post-tensioning of concrete is a common construction method in Australia and worldwide. Despite careful material selection, many unexplained catastrophic failures happen at anchorage zones. Current empirical models in the standard design guidelines are outdated and inadequate, because they are based on the properties of hardened concrete. A more reliable design approach is expected to benefit the construction and consulting industries, encourage the adoption of high-performance and sustainable materials, improve community safety, and reduce the environmental effect. Field of research: 0905 - Civil Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Probing microbial emulsions to break barriers to green oil production. This project aims to understand ultrasonic processing of concentrated slurries of oil-bearing yeast and algae. Humans must reduce their dependency on petroleum. While microorganisms can produce oils as replacement fuels and base chemicals, the processes for extracting these oils are inefficient. Ultrasound could improve oil recovery by replacing toxic solvents. Understanding the effects of ultrasound on microbial emulsions is expected to develop solvent-free oil recovery processes that improve the economic and environmental benefits of microbial oil production. Such processes would greatly increase the efficiency and reduce the cost of producing microbial oils that can be used as green alternatives to petroleum fuels and chemicals. Field of research: 1003 - Industrial Biotechnology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

How antibiotic resistance is transferred from animal manure to vegetable. This project aims to decipher the transmission routes of antibiotic resistance from animal manure to manured soil and vegetable. Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) threaten human health, but the pathways and mechanisms for transmission of ARGs in the environment are unknown. This project will investigate all the major classes of ARGs in typical animal manure and vegetable form, and possible routes for their transmission from manure to soil and to vegetable surfaces and endophytic bacterial communities. The results are expected to identify the ARGs indicators likeliest to spread into the food chain, and develop management options to tackle the environmental antibiotic resistance. Field of research: 0799 - Other Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Smart searches for continuous gravitational waves with advanced LIGO. This project aims to detect continuous gravitational waves from neutron stars, by using smart signal processing methods developed for engineering applications like mobile telephony. The first direct detection of Einstein's gravitational waves from two merging black holes by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory in 2015 began a new era of human discovery. This project is expected to progress gravitational wave science and Australia's role in it, and generate insights about the origin of neutron stars and the physics of bulk nuclear matter under extremes of gravity, density and magnetisation which cannot be replicated on Earth. Field of research: 0201 - Astronomical and Space Sciences

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Modelling, analysis and design of secure networked control systems. This project aims to develop models, design and analysis techniques for secure Networked Control Systems (NCS). These could control large-scale and complex distributed systems. Improved NCS technology will underpin our ability to optimise water and energy use, live in sustainable communities and create greater efficiencies in manufacturing and transport globally. Only secure NCS design methodologies can use this emerging technology to deliver benefits while protecting it against cyber-attacks. Modelling and designing secure NCS with specific networks is expected to realise the full potential of existing and emerging technology. Field of research: 0906 - Electrical and Electronic Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Geometry of wall-turbulence and its potential to advance scalable models. This project aims to unravel the connections between the statistical geometry of wall-turbulence and the dynamical interactions of its instantaneous motions. Predicting the complex behaviour of turbulent fluid flow over surfaces in relative motion is central to atmospheric modelling for climate and agriculture, and reducing the environmental effect of fossil fuel usage. Wall-turbulence statistics organise according to a predictable geometric structure, and the notorious complexity of turbulent wall-flow dynamics could be clarified through its inherent geometry. This project expects to construct a basis for predicting engineering and atmospheric wall-flows, which would enhance atmospheric flow prediction, reduce energy consumption and further environmental sustainability. Field of research: 0915 - Interdisciplinary Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Optimal prize structures in the innovation context. This project aims to study the optimal prize structures in innovation contests. Innovation contests spur innovation for governments, not-for-profit organizations and firms, but the optimal design of innovation contests is a problem. Innovation is important in economic growth and firm competitiveness, but the 2015 Australian Innovation System Report identifies Australia as a mediocre innovator amongst the OECD countries. This project will use an ideas-based innovation model to distinguish between easy and difficult challenges based on the availability of good ideas. The results should be important for effective incentivising of innovation through contests. Field of research: 1402 - Applied Economics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Multifunctional particles for biological applications. This project aims to engineer multifunctional particles, examine their biological interactions and create particles for cell targeting, cell internalisation, subcellular drug release and improved pharmacokinetics. Engineered particles are important for drug delivery in nanomedicine. Although various particle-based delivery systems have been developed, few have been commercialised, largely because of problems challenges associated with biological barriers. This project will develop a platform for the assemble of particles with tailored properties which are expected to provide insights on particle-biological interactions for particle-based therapeutic delivery. Field of research: 1007 - Nanotechnology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Mathematical and statistical methods for modelling invivo pathogen dynamics. This project aims to develop mathematical models and Bayesian statistical methods that better capture how natural defence responses and drugs help control infection. When viruses (e.g. influenza) or parasites (e.g. malaria) invade the human body, they begin to replicate. To date, only simple mathematical models have been developed to capture these processes, and these models are not well formulated. This project will improve biomathematics and biostatistical algorithms for pathogen dynamics and is ultimately expected to benefit public health and clinical research aimed at alleviating the effect of infectious diseases on human health. Field of research: 0102 - Applied Mathematics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Telling the truth to seriously ill children. This project aims to investigate how doctors and parents give information to young children who have serious medical conditions. Ethical and clinical guidelines agree that even young children should be given open, accurate and honest information in a developmentally appropriate way. However, doctors find this a challenging and uncertain area, and children do not receive open communication. This project aims to understand factors influencing the doctors and parents‘ real-life decisions of what and when to tell a child; undertake a practical ethical analysis; and produce practical guidelines and educational resources for parents and doctors. This project intends to improve the experience for young children being treated for serious medical conditions and their families. Field of research: 2201 - Applied Ethics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Freedom and inclusion in the modern university. This project aims to understand conflicts in modern universities over intellectual freedom and inclusiveness. Universities are important social institutions whose core values must include a commitment to intellectual freedom and to including people from different backgrounds and with different views. These values have increasingly come into tension, causing anger, division and even violence in some parts of the world. This project aims to develop a strong theoretical understanding of these conflicts in modern universities and will create a set of practical principles to help universities prevent or manage these conflicts. This project is expected to strengthen universities’ capacities to benefit Australian society and students and staff. Field of research: 1801 - Law

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Urban subsurface flow pathways from stormwater infiltration. This project aims to understand how water (and associated pollutants) move through the urban landscape. Urban stormwater runoff degrades streams, causing erosion, pollution and loss of biodiversity. Stormwater infiltration can reduce runoff volumes and pollutant loads and could restore stream baseflows, lost through creation of impervious areas. In reality, however, the fate of infiltrated stormwater in the urban landscape is unknown. This project is expected to predict where infiltration may damage waterway health, saving money on repairs. Field of research: 0406 - Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Art precincts and cultural participation in networked public space. This project aims to examine the changing relation between public culture and public space. Cultural activity in the contemporary city is increasingly networked and street-based, manifest in events that use the city as a stage for mass participation in art. This challenges the dominant model of cultural engagement that focuses on activities within cultural institutions located in designated arts precincts. This project will develop tools for data gathering to map this shift. The analysis is expected to contribute to the evaluation of cultural policy settings and design developments in Australian cities. Field of research: 2002 - Cultural Studies

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

A panel study of Kobe women’s interview discourse. This project aims to investigate women’s life transitions and language use over 30 years. Analysis of changes to the languages, societies and cultures of Asia is essential to Australia’s Asia literacy. This project will analyse shifts and changes in women’s language, discourse and identities by examining ethnographic data of a longitudinal research project into working-class women’s life trajectories in Kobe, Japan. The project will research language, gender, class and mobility in Japan in the transition from young adulthood to middle adulthood. Understanding how life transitions and identities shape ways of speaking Japanese is expected to contribute to sociocultural understandings, and influence social and public policies about Japan. Field of research: 2004 - Linguistics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Collaborative learning in Australia and China. This project aims to investigate aspects of learning for which “the social” is the most fundamental and useful level of explanation, modelling and instructional intervention. Interactive problem solving and learning are priorities in contemporary education, but have proven difficult to research. This project will use Australian and Chinese research facilities to investigate social interactions and classroom learning by strategically orchestrating conditions for collaborative problem solving and knowledge construction by mathematics students in two very different cultures and pedagogical traditions. Outcomes from this project are expected to identify and optimise the function of social interaction in learning. Field of research: 1302 - Curriculum and Pedagogy