MONASH UNIVERSITY

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Scalable high-performance electrolytic hydrogen generator. The project aims to demonstrate energy-efficient generation of compressed hydrogen by water electrolysis in a high pressure electrolyser test-rig produced by Melbourne company Energys Australia P/L, using high-performance membrane-electrode assemblies. Innovative electrode architectures, membranes, and method for their high through-put lamination will be developed. New knowledge in catalysis, device fabrication and materials science is expected to be generated. The major project outcome is sustainable method for generation of compressed hydrogen at significantly reduced cost as compared to the existing technologies. Benefits include industry-ready processes for electrolyser and hydrogen production that support Australian energy industries. Field of research: 3406 - Physical Chemistry Australia aims to be a global hydrogen leader by 2030, both in green hydrogen exports and for the decarbonization of Australian industries. Advancement and application of technologies for green hydrogen generation from renewables is of key strategic importance to Australia’s future energy security and economic growth. This project will assist Australia in attaining this goal by developing a sustainable method for generating compressed hydrogen at significantly lower cost than is currently possible with existing technologies. The key industry partner, an Australian energy company, will become a leader in the production and supply of green hydrogen technology. The company will use its advanced hydrogen technology test-rig to demonstrate energy-efficient generation of compressed hydrogen by water electrolysis. Project benefits include industry-ready processes for electrolyser and hydrogen production that support Australian energy industries and hydrogen sector export growth.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Next-generation mRNA manufacturing and analysis technologies. Developing innovations in RNA manufacturing and technology. The project aims to develop cutting-edge manufacturing and analysis technologies by optimising Self-amplifying (SAM) RNA production towards low impurities, creating reliable purification technologies, and filling critical gaps in RNA analysis. The project expects to yield significantly cheaper, higher-quality RNA products and develop novel methods in RNA analysis. The outcomes are expected to revolutionise RNA manufacturing, develop cutting-edge commercialisable IP, scholarly know-how, and galvanise the Australian biomanufacturing sector towards sovereign capability, biosecurity and commercialisation of new animal, human and plant RNA products. Field of research: 4014 - Manufacturing Engineering Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a complex compound found in all living cells. RNA has huge potential to help make crops better, and animals and people healthier. However, it is difficult to make high-quality RNA at low cost. A lack of standardised regulatory procedures also leads to unreliable RNA quality. This project aims to make new and better ways of producing and testing RNA by using cutting-edge technology for the next-generation RNA manufacturing in collaboration with CSL and other partners. It aligns with the Future Made in Australia policy to stimulate Australian manufacturing and biosecurity. The research will be translated into new technologies that can be incorporated into new commercial spin-offs or adopted by leading Australian biomanufacturing companies including CSL's current manufacturing pipeline. The research findings may also lead to new technologies that can be commercialised by other Australian RNA manufacturers. This project will grow the Australian RNA ecosystem, strengthening Australia's manufacturing and innovation capabilities and creating commercial benefits.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Microbial life in the atmosphere. This project aims to resolve the nature and basis of microbial life in the atmosphere, the largest but most unexplored potential ecosystem on Earth. The atmosphere plays a role in transporting microbes, but our understanding of resident atmospheric microbial communities and their role in global atmospheric processes is minimal. Using cutting-edge molecular and biogeochemical approaches, this project aims to identify true microbial residents of the atmosphere, understand their mechanisms for survival in this environment and explore their role in seeding newly formed environments. The anticipated outcomes include fundamental knowledge on atmospheric microbial ecosystems, and their influence on global atmospheric processes. Field of research: 3107 - Microbiology Microbes are present almost everywhere on Earth: on land, in water and in the atmosphere. Even though the atmosphere is vital for life on Earth, its microbial life is the least understood. This project seeks to generate new knowledge about microbial communities in the atmosphere, including how they adapt to survive in this extreme environment, how they regulate the atmosphere, and how they shape new ecosystems on land. This improved understanding will increase Australia’s capacity to predict how land environments will adapt to rapid changes in climate and how new environments are colonised by microbes. Understanding atmospheric microbial ecosystems therefore has wider implications for environmental and public health. Insights and tools developed in this research may also inform future research on life in other extreme environments and where life can be hard to find (e.g. deserts).

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Mapping the genetics of brain connectivity. The brain is a complex biological system that gives rise to our consciousness, thoughts, and experiences, yet we still do not know how this complexity emerges. This project aims to comprehensively investigate the genetics of brain connectivity combining cutting-edge techniques in neuroimaging, genomics, mathematical modelling, and cognitive neuroscience, focusing specifically on the connectivity of functionally important brain network hubs. The outcomes will provide a mechanistic understanding of the genetic origins of brain network formation and an explanation for how genetic influences on brain organisation shape human behaviour advancing the fundamental knowledge about the complexity of the brain. Field of research: 5202 - Biological Psychology The brain is an extraordinarily complex network with more than 100 trillion connections. Critically, this network is organized in different ways in different people, forming a biological basis for what makes us unique as individuals. This project will use a combination of neuroscience, genetics, and mathematical models to better understand the biology of individual differences in behaviour, and to identify how genes shape these differences. The results will help us understand why we are all unique, and provide an evidence base to guide efforts to develop personally-tailored strategies for optimizing development, ageing, and combatting brain disease. The insights from the project may also ultimately help with understanding developmental brain connectivity disorders, such as schizophrenia, bipolar, and autism.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Bacterial membrane remodelling and the interaction with peptides. This project aims to elucidate the fundamental mechanism of lipid remodelling in Gram-negative outer membrane, which is critical both in preventing noxious compounds and evading host immune defence. For the first time, the complex interplays between bacterial cellular metabolism and membrane remodelling will be defined through systems pharmacology, and the precise membrane-peptide interaction will be examined by computational and biophysical approaches. Novel knowledge will be generated to improve our understanding on how bacteria remodel their outer membrane in response to environmental stress. This will benefit the future design of much-needed antimicrobial strategies including products and technologies to target bacterial membrane. Field of research: 3214 - Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences One major group of bacteria, the Gram-negative bacteria, have posed a serious threat to human and animal health worldwide. The properties of their unique outer surface make them extremely resistant to many antibiotics. However, there is a lack of understanding on how bacteria modify their cell surface to resist antibiotics. Hence, this project aims to study the precise composition of the outer surface of Gram-negative bacteria and understand how the surface adjusts to and protects against noxious chemicals in the environment. Findings from this research will uncover new targets for medicines and antibiotics to fight these bacteria and this will be pursued through productive academic-industry collaborations. This research will therefore lay the groundwork to benefit Australia’s antimicrobial biotechnology sector.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Investigating the responses of Australian native bees to climatic warming. This project aims to investigate changes to native bee cognition, morphology, and pollination capability in response to climatic warming. Using emerging experimental methods for behavioural testing and state-of-the-art 3D modelling of museum specimens, the project expects to identify which species are likely to experience change under future climate scenarios. This project expects to determine if increased temperatures cause pollination deficits through impaired bee cognition and changed morphology. The knowledge gained in this project will allow us to identify vulnerable species and develop strategies across agriculture, government, and community sectors to support pollination and inform conservation priorities. Field of research: 3109 - Zoology Bees provide a critical role in pollination across native ecosystems and agricultural crops. However, we currently do not know how climate change will affect pollination patterns of Australian bees across both natural and agricultural environments. This project will determine how native bee behaviour, body size and shape respond to increased temperatures and climate change, and the potential effects on pollination patterns. The results will enable us to predict which species of native bees, and the plants they pollinate, are most at risk under future climate scenarios so we can act to conserve them. The project could also provide tools to help optimise pollination in managed honeybees as well as support a growing industry of native bee pollination and products. The project will also allow agricultural peak bodies to accurately forecast future pollination needs for Australia as the climate changes.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Imaging mammalian organogenesis with adaptive optics. Optical and computational barriers to analysing cell movement have limited our understanding of mammalian organogenesis. We have built a super-resolution spinning disk confocal microscope with adaptive optics and developed machine learning-based image processing and cell segmentation workflows to overcome these long-standing barriers. We propose to combine these cutting-edge live imaging and analysis approaches to characterise the role of cell movement in mammalian organ formation and develop advanced cell segmentation and tracking methods for use in the scientific community. We anticipate this project will generate fundamental insights into how cells interact to build complex organs. Field of research: 3105 - Genetics Cells are the building blocks of all living things. They work together to build tissues, organs and body systems. However, the way in which cells grow, change and come together to create organs is not well understood. This project will develop microscope technology that will allow cells to be viewed as they move and form one organ, the kidney. The outcomes will include a set of general principles about how cells move and form organs, including which factors affect a cell’s role in an organ and the overall architecture of an organ. This new knowledge could be used by bioengineers to develop ways to grow cells and tissues outside the body. Such advances in tissue engineering ultimately pave the way for many industrial and biomedical applications: for example, artificial replacement organs and tissues could improve health, and artificial meat could provide an alternative food source.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Understanding why mammalian eggs have so much mitochondrial DNA . During oocyte growth there is massive increase in the replication of mitochondrial DNA so that each ovulated egg has 200,000-400,000 copies of the mitochondrial genome. This mitochondrial compliment will provide the template for all mitochondrial DNA in the subsequent organism. The established role of mitochondria is to provide energy in the form of ATP, but they are also known to be highly adaptive to the metabolic and energetic state of the cell. In this project, we will use genetic approaches to decrease the amount of oocyte mitochondrial DNA by 90%. We will examine how this influences mitochondrial organisation, oocyte metabolism and embryo development. This new knowledge will provide insights into animal breeding and human health. Field of research: 3109 - Zoology In mammals, eggs are fertilised by sperm and become embryos. Many factors influence whether an embryo is healthy. Eggs contain very large numbers of mitochondria, a type of mini organ (organelle) that produces energy within cells and has other important functions. This project will investigate how mitochondria in eggs influence the development of a healthy embryo. More specifically, this research will increase our understanding of how the number of mitochondria in an egg affects how the mitochondria are organised within the egg, how the egg uses and produces energy, and how an embryo develops. This knowledge could be harnessed by veterinary reproductive technologists, as part of breeding and cloning strategies for improving livestock quality. Understanding the factors that control mitochondrial quality might also provide insight into mitochondrial disease and ultimately pave the way to using mitochondrial replacement therapy.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Harnessing Business Insights from Unstructured Customer Data. Resulting from customers’ widespread uptake of online channels to buy and communicate has been a surge in online reviews and social media posts. This textual information offers a viable alternative to surveys that Australian businesses currently conduct to obtain customer insights. However, these reviews are unstructured and require substantial pre-processing to extract underlying customer perceptions. Therefore, this project aims to develop a novel machine learning approach to quantify the business-relevant information contained in textual information shared by customers online. This alternative approach will provide significant cost-saving benefits for a range of Australian companies, such as retailers, hotels, airlines and restaurants. Field of research: 3506 - Marketing There is an abundance of customer feedback about Australian businesses available in online reviews and social media posts, and this has accelerated due to a surge in online shopping during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this textual information is voluminous, unstructured, and does not always reflect opinions of all customers. Consequently, online customer feedback requires significant computational processing to ensure it accurately portrays underlying customer perceptions. Many Australian companies, especially small ones, do not have the capability or resources to meaningfully interpret online customer feedback, thereby missing a cost-effective way of utilising customer perceptions. This project aims to develop a novel machine learning approach to organise and quantify the business-relevant information contained in textual information shared by customers online. A key outcome is the development of a web application to quantify customer perceptions using online feedback. This automated approach provides Australian businesses with a significantly cheaper alternative than current marketing research methods.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

The impact of India-Asia tectonics on climate. This interdisciplinary project aims to determine the controls of tectonics on global climate in the last 50 million years. A combination of tectonics, paleogeography, climate modelling and high-performance computing will be applied to test systematically outstanding issues in the reconstruction of the Indo-Asia region and their landmass/seaways configurations and topography, which have bedevilled previous models of paleoclimate evolution. The proposal expects to generate novel knowledge in the area at the boundary between tectonics, paleoclimate modelling and present-day climate. This provides significant benefits to the interpretation of tectonics–climate coupling as current drivers of climate evolution. Field of research: 0403 - Geology The tectonics of the Indo-Asian region is associated with the emergence of complex features of present-day climate. The closure of the Tethys ocean, the growth of the Himalaya and the expansion of the Tibetan Plateau in the last 50 million years, are known drivers of regional, as well as global, climate change. To date, the exact timing of these critical features' evolution remain largely uncertain, affecting the global paleogeography and its correlation to the climatic record. This project will leverage geodynamics constraints, climate modelling and high-performance computing to systematically test the impact of tectonic forcing on the climate of key stages in the Cenozoic and their evolution into the present-day climate. The project will answer outstanding questions in Cenozoic tectonics, constrain their role in climate forcing and provide methodological advance in paleoclimatology. These outcomes improve our ability to understand the current drivers of long-term climate change at the regional and global scale.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Investigating Hippo-regulated transcription at single molecule resolution. Signalling pathways operate throughout life to relay signals from the extracellular world to the cellular nucleus, to control transcription and elicit a response. This project aims to understand how the Hippo growth control pathway regulates transcription. Using a combination of biology, biophysics and computational biology, this project aims to quantify behaviour of the Hippo pathway transcription factors at sub-micron resolution, and how Hippo signalling modulates their behaviour, interaction with the genome and function. We anticipate our discoveries will stimulate new research, e.g. testing of how other signaling pathways regulate transcription. Intended benefits are creation of jobs and new knowledge on fundamental principles of life. Field of research: 0604 - Genetics This project aims to provide new fundamental insights into how a cellular signalling pathway (Hippo) controls organ size and development in animals. This research is a valuable foundation for regenerative medicine and for our understanding of some forms of cancer (both of which relate to regulating elements of controlled or uncontrolled cell growth). More broadly, the project will provide an essential intellectual framework and the key tools to study, and ultimately control, signalling pathways for gene transcription and cellular behaviour. Given that these signalling pathways operate in all species (e.g. mammals, plants, insects, bacteria) the framework has the potential to be of far reaching benefit to the biotechnology industry with commercial, economic and health benefits for the Australian community.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

High-productivity ammonia electrosynthesis. The aim of this project is to develop and demonstrate high-performance devices for ammonia production from renewables by a scalable electrolysis method. This will be achieved by experimental and modelling investigations of the nitrogen reduction reaction to guide the design of tailor-made cathodes. New knowledge in catalysis and materials science is expected to be generated. The target outcome of the project is a sustainable and affordable ammonia synthesis method as an alternative to the current fossil-fuels-based and excessively greenhouse-emitting process. The technology to be developed in this project is anticipated to be of significant benefit to the Australian agriculture sector as a local, on-demand source of low-cost fertilisers. Field of research: 0306 - Physical Chemistry (Incl. Structural) This project aims to develop and optimise high-performance devices for ammonia production from renewable sources. The innovative, Australian-invented electrolytic process underpinning the project has the potential deliver a new export market for fertilisers powered by abundant Australian renewable energy, and reduce the reliance on fossil fuels for a large part of the chemical sector. To achieve this, the project will develop new materials to increase the efficiency of the ammonia production process and dramatically improve the sustainability and affordability of the technology. This will enable the process to be commercialised by Australian industry, and ultimately underpin the production of local, on-demand, low-cost fertilisers for use in Australian agriculture.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Nanostructured Silicon-Based Wearable and Implantable Biosensors. The aim is to gain a deep understanding of the interface between nanostructured-silicon-based nanomaterials and biological systems, to develop a new generation of biosensor technologies applied on and in the body. Using innovative nanofabrication techniques, the team will integrate porous silicon nanomaterials with highly controllable optical and electrochemical properties into wearable and implantable biosensors for detecting bioanalytes directly and continuously in interstitial fluid, sweat, and blood; critically, they will be capable of long-term monitoring. The outcomes are expected to enable development of downstream applications across medical diagnostics, sports sciences, workplace testing as well as defence and space technologies. Field of research: 3206 - Medical Biotechnology Current wearable sensors (e.g fitness trackers) measure physical parameters such as temperature, heartbeat and movement. This project will design advanced sensors that allow monitoring of more detailed biological signals for long periods, either inside the body, or as a patch on the skin. The sensors would measure changes in the skin to help with decisions about a person’s health or performance. The expected breakthroughs will enable us to build these sensors into new wearable devices that can continuously monitor human performance. The new wearables would be more comfortable to wear and better able to detect much more useful information than current devices. Such wearables could monitor health indicators, elite sports performance, as well as performance in high-risk environments (examples include glucose levels for people with diabetes or stress levels for soldiers and astronauts). The new knowledge and prototype devices will be of interest to existing industry partners to develop and manufacture wearable biosensors in Australia, accessing a $150 billion market.

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Ending HIV transmission by Optimizing Pre-exposure prophylaxis in East... Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Kagome metals: From Japanese basket to next generation electronic devices. This project aims to investigate a new material that is very promising for electronic devices that can operate faster, and be more energy efficient than today’s silicon-based technology. Kagome metals have topological non-trivial nature and can pass current without resistance, making them ideal for next-generation electronic devices. This project aims to grow Kagome metals in the ultra-thin layers needed to realise this potential, make devices and study their electronic properties. Expected outcomes of the project will include showing Kagome metals can form the basis of ultra-low energy electronic devices, as well as having future applications in high-temperature fault-tolerant quantum computing. Field of research: 5104 - Condensed Matter Physics This project will investigate a new class of materials, Kagome metals, that may enable electronic devices to operate faster, and be more energy efficient. The project will explore new ways to make atom-thick Kagome metals and measure their electronic properties, in order to understand how they can be used for future electronics. Electrical currents in Kagome metals may flow without heat loss at much higher temperatures than other materials. The project aims to demonstrate these currents at room temperature, a necessary step towards device applications. New devices based on Kagome metals would consume significantly less energy when performing switching operations (the control of electrical signals in most modern electronics), which currently consume 10% of the world’s energy. The project will generate valuable new knowledge to stimulate further research in electronic materials physics, as well as generate intellectual property for commercial translation and build a foundation for Australian industry in next-generation electronics.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

The neurobiology of curiosity. This project aims to define the neurobiology of curiosity by combining cutting-edge techniques in computational modelling, pharmacointervention and neuroimaging. It is expected to lead to a comprehensive neuroscientific framework of curiosity, which will characterise its evolution over the lifespan, and its dependency on key neurotransmitter systems. Expected outcomes include a legacy of open access stimulus & data sets; the development of a global collaborative network; and an increase in our national capacity and profile in decision neuroscience. The benefits of this project include laying the foundations for future interventions to improve curiosity, with potential downstream effects on many aspects of education, social & public policy. Field of research: 5202 - Biological Psychology Curiosity is the bedrock of learning, education, and discovery. However, despite the pervasive importance of curiosity to human behaviour, we have a poor understanding of the fundamental brain processes that drive it. The goal of this project is to understand the biology of curiosity across the lifespan. The outcome will be a comprehensive explanation of what makes people curious, and why. The pathway to adoption of this research will involve the development of behavioural strategies and learning environments that enhance our curiosity, which can be commercialised to maximise educational outcomes, increase work-place productivity, and drive scientific discovery. In addition, the results of this research can be applied by industry to develop tailored strategies and interventions that are able to stimulate and sustain new hobbies and interests in individuals of all ages. This in turn has the potential to benefit the Australian community by increasing psychological resilience, learning, and community and social engagement across the lifespan.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Next-generation methods for transport in poroelastic media with interfaces. Deformable porous structures are ubiquitous in the design of materials such as filters, sponges, and prosthetics. They often show complex mechano-chemical processes that occur across several spatio-temporal scales. To mathematically describe them requires coupled sets of nonlinear, multiphysical, and multiscale equations. This makes the design of accurate, efficient numerical methods challenging. The Fellowship aims to address the mathematical characteristics encountered in poromechanics equations and their discretisation methods, and to devise novel mathematical and computational techniques for extending the analysis to cases where large deformations and the presence of interfaces and coupling with other neighbouring elements are relevant. Field of research: 4903 - Numerical and Computational Mathematics This Fellowship will develop next-generation mathematical methods for modelling permeable materials (eg. sponges, textiles, skin and volcanic rock) that change shape when exposed to many environments or different temperatures. Examples are rock fractured during oil and gas exploration, smart filters that remove contaminants from water, and porous living tissue like eyes. Such materials are critical in many applications, but current models cannot accurately predict how the different materials respond to changes in environment. The project will create new theory and tools for solving major problems in industry through the combination of engineering, biomedicine and computational mathematics. Examples of possible applications include significantly raising the efficiency of (i) water usage needed for lithium mining, (ii) location of and drilling at geothermal electricity production sites, and (iii) waste-water treatment. Through the dissemination of the findings, this project will assist industry in solving problems and also increase public awareness of the critical role of modern mathematics in tackling industry's programs.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Ethical frameworks for responsible innovation of neurotechnology. This project aims to ensure the ethical and efficient innovation of emerging neurotechnologies, including implantable brain devices, synthetic drugs and direct-to-consumer brain devices. This project expects to generate Australian’s first responsible innovation framework through extensive community engagement. Expected outcomes of this project include: guidelines for the development of neurotechnologies; a national framework for responsible innovation; partnerships with international brain initiatives; and enhanced interdisciplinary capacity. The proposed research should provide significant benefits: innovation of technologies that meet Australians' needs, reduced misuse and harm, and greater social support for innovation in neuroscience. Field of research: 5001 - Applied Ethics Neurotechnologies aimed at enhancing brain health and performance, such as brain-computer interfaces, synthetic drugs and commercial wearable devices, are proliferating globally. With an estimated value of $USD 13.3 billion per year, the industry has the potential to reduce cognitive decline, which costs Australia $500 million per day. However, these technologies raise fundamental ethical and social challenges to privacy and discrimination, responsibility, equity, agency, consent and coercion. Australia currently lacks an enforceable ethical framework to guide and regulate their development. This project will develop the first national framework for responsible innovation of neurotechnologies to ensure that new and emerging technologies meet the needs of all Australians, are provided ethically and efficiently, and with minimal harm. Practical resource packs will be disseminated to guide policy and practice for neurotechnological innovation in Australia, enhancing regulatory and policy frameworks for the design of emerging neurotechnologies, and ensure a more efficient and prosperous neurotechnology sector.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Discovery of new metabolic functions in Plasmodium parasites. This research will provide new understanding about the metabolism of parasites, such as those that cause malaria. These parasites have evolved bespoke metabolic networks to survive in diverse host environments including mosquitos and humans. Previous studies have revealed many unique genes and metabolites in these organisms, but their biochemical function is not known. This project will use state-of-the-art metabolomics and proteomics technology to accurately identify novel metabolites produced by the parasites, and discover the enzymes that are responsible for their synthesis. This work will not only advance our understanding of cellular metabolism, but will provide new opportunities for future biotechnology applications. Field of research: 3101 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology This project will provide fundamental new understanding about the metabolism of parasites, such as those which cause malaria. Specifically, the project will develop new knowledge on the biology of the malaria parasite, enabling future advances in the management of malaria, which is a major health security issue for our region. Furthermore, many of the findings will likely be applicable to other parasites of medical, veterinary, agricultural and environmental importance through better chemical design to inhibit harmful parasites, or by revealing unique approaches to detect parasites that cause health or biosecurity concerns. The project will develop tools that will enable new approaches for malaria diagnostics and drug targets in further research. One example would be that the discovery of new enzymes in malaria parasites could allow future discovery of new drugs that inhibit this enzyme. Likewise, the discovery of novel cellular chemicals could allow the development of faster, more sensitive diagnostic devices that detect these chemicals.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Understanding and controlling neuropeptide GPCR-transducer coupling. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are physiologically essential, yet the spatiotemporal complexity of receptor function has limited our understanding of their function and success in drug development. Using a multi-disciplinary approach integrating GPCR signalling, trafficking and drug delivery, this research program aims to understand, and control, the molecular mechanisms that enable a single receptor to respond to different ligands to promote unique cellular processes. The anticipated outcomes include an enhanced capacity for understanding fundamental biology, and stronger national and international collaborations. It will provide significant benefits including expanded basic knowledge and advancement of drug delivery technology. Field of research: 3214 - Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences G Protein-Coupled Receptors are the largest family of receptors in the body, contributing to all physiological processes. They are historically considered to function as cell surface sensors, but are also found within the interior of cells. Although widely studied and ubiquitous targets for drug treatments, we still do not understand how receptor location within a cell influences function. This proposal will investigate how multiple peptides can bind and activate a single receptor, and promote distinct functions by influencing its movement to different cellular sites. This knowledge opens up new avenues for targeted delivery of drug candidates, as well as new classes of therapies. The anticipated outcomes include an expanded fundamental understanding of cell signalling for peptide receptors, and developing new tools to investigate possible therapeutic avenues. It has potential to provide economic and commercial benefit through innovative delivery technologies and unique assays for use in the biotechnology sector.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Through the Lens of Sufism: Global Dissemination of Knowledge in Islam. This project aims to investigate the intellectual legacy of Sufism on Islamic thought. Using an interdisciplinary approach it expects to generate new knowledge about the influence of Sufism since the thirteenth century, through a detailed analysis of newly-identified medieval texts and their transmission and dissemination throughout knowledge systems. Expected outcomes of the project include a challenge to conventional understandings about the chronology and structures of Islamic thought, and the first global mapping of Islamic intellectual networks. The project should provide significant benefits including an improved appreciation of the influences on, and complexities of, Islamic thought in the modern world. Field of research: 2204 - Religion and Religious Studies Australia is an increasingly diverse country that has successfully integrated people from many countries, cultures, and religions. However, there remain misunderstandings in and around religions such as Islam, including within Muslims and non-Muslims. In particular the important influence of Sufism within Islam has largely been ignored and at times marginalised. The present project utilises unstudied archival resources and aims to detail and map the intellectual contribution and reach of Sufi mysticism, philosophy, and teaching within Islam and globally. The project has the potential to benefit Australia through improved social and cultural relations within Islam in Australia, and by providing a more informed view of Islam broadly through the study of Sufism in shaping Islam.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

A molecular investigation into metabolite-mediated T cell immunity. This project aims to undertake discovery research to investigate the roles of metabolites in T cell immunity. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the areas of cellular biology and immunology by using cutting-edge molecular and immunological approaches. This will provide fundamental insights into the mechanisms that govern microbial metabolite-based T cell immunity, which may advise future research into vaccines or therapeutics. In addition to knowledge gains, expected outcomes of this project include the development of innovative methodology and building international collaborations to enhance national research capabilities. This will place Australia at the forefront of conceptually innovative discovery in the life sciences. Field of research: 0601 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology The immune system fights off invading pathogens by sensing foreign fragments “antigens” on the surface of the infected host cells. Using multidisciplinary approaches, this DECRA aims to provide fundamental knowledge on the roles of the poorly understood classes of antigens “small molecule metabolites” in T cell immunity. This project is expected to improve our understanding of an important biological process that will pave the way for the establishment of inter-disciplinary technology platform pipelines for the development of novel T cell-based therapies: either as a drug or vaccine adjuvant, with the alignment to the biotechnology industry. This, in turn, contributes to improving Australian health services and with the potential to lead to both health and economic benefits.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Towards Electrochemical Fertiliser Production Powered by Renewable Energy. The electrochemical manufacturing system is a sustainable alternative to traditional fertiliser manufacturing plants. The system can be assembled inexpensively and readily integrated into the renewable electricity grid, solving the greenhouse gas emission issues of the fertiliser plants. This project will identify ground-breaking electrochemical pathways for urea fertiliser and other value-added C-N containing chemicals synthesis. Gaseous CO2 and N2 will be electrochemically reacted to produce the C-N bonds. Therefore, a suite of new materials and electrochemical systems for sustainable fertiliser manufacturing will be developed. It is anticipated that the technology will revolutionise Australian fertiliser manufacturing and agriculture. Field of research: 0306 - Physical Chemistry (Incl. Structural) This project will contribute to several of Australia's national interest, including: (i) Environmental: An environmentally benign and renewable energy powered fertiliser manufacturing device will be developed, helping Australia in reducing its annual greenhouse gas emissions. (ii) Commercial: The electrochemical device will significantly alter the fertiliser supply chain. In contrast to the current centralised fertiliser manufacturing practice in large chemical plants, the electrochemical device will be suitable to be implemented at a smaller scale and distributed level (i.e. hydroponic grower, greenhouses). A new manufacturing industry for device production will emerge. (iii) Economic: Australia has great potential to become a major global exporter of renewable energy. Innovation in a renewable energy powered electrochemical process for fertiliser/chemical manufacturing improves Australia ability to grow its manufacturing industry inexpensively and rapidly. Hence, expanding Australian 'sustainable commodity' exports portfolio considerably, which will significantly contribute to the Australian economy.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Multi-scale, multi-modal X-ray imaging using speckle. This project aims to develop new X-ray imaging methods that capture multiple next-generation image modalities at an unprecedented range of length and time scales. While conventional X-ray imaging is routinely used in medicine and industry, it can only visualise high-density materials like bone. To reveal low-density objects like biological soft tissue and microstructure like tiny cracks, the project plans to extract two complementary image modalities using a robust setup that does not rely on large-scale facilities. Significant benefits from the developed methods are expected for leading-edge research in fields including biomedicine, materials science and palaeontology, and industries such as security, medical diagnostics and manufacturing. Field of research: 0205 - Optical Physics This project aims to develop cutting-edge X-ray imaging methods that will benefit research and industry for a broad range of applications. The new methods will visualise low-density features and the microarchitecture of objects, which are invisible with conventional X-ray scanners. This project will bring Australia to the forefront of global imaging capabilities, equipping the Australian Synchrotron with world-leading imaging technologies and making the innovative methods also accessible to a wider user community via translation to compact X-ray systems. This will enable novel research in areas like biomedicine, materials science, palaeontology and geology and will benefit the economy, healthcare and society when applied in industry, for example, for quality control in manufacturing and agriculture, soil analysis, food safety inspection, mineral and structural analysis in mining, security screening and clinical diagnostic imaging. Moreover, the project will advance knowledge in optical and imaging physics by developing a better understanding of the processes contributing to the multi-modal signal formation.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Minding the gaps in our maps of the stars. This Project seeks to understand the formation of our Galaxy by studying the brightest billion stars. This Project will develop novel methods to account for the unseen hundreds of billions of fainter stars, and for the complexities of space telescopes. Anticipated outcomes include fundamental tests of stellar evolution theory; the discovery of stars flung from our Galaxy by massive black holes; a timeline of our Galaxy’s evolution; and a 3D map of its stars and interstellar dust. This is expected to drive a generational advancement in astrophysics, provide social benefits by engaging the public with discovering the cosmos, and generate economic benefits from a general method for hypothesis testing with biased and incomplete datasets. Field of research: 0201 - Astronomical and Space Sciences The arc of our Galaxy across the night sky is central to Australia's stories, from the dust clouds that form the Emu in the Sky to the Southern Cross on the flag. This Project seeks to uncover the continuing story of our Galaxy and its stars using humanity’s largest star catalogue. This Project will investigate the key processes that drive the evolution of the Milky Way and advance our understanding of the physical laws of the Universe, by i) studying how stars evolve from birth to death, ii) discovering stars escaping our Galaxy, iii) creating a timeline of our Galaxy's formation, and iv) mapping its stars and dust in 3D. This Project will drive cultural benefit by exciting the public in the mapping of our Galaxy, and thus inspiring them to further engage with science and technology. This Project will develop novel statistical methods that can handle biased or incomplete data, which will create economic benefit in other applications.