MONASH UNIVERSITY

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Artisan mobility, innovation and the eighteenth-century Republic of Things. This project aims to examine how movement across borders in eighteenth-century Europe and encounters between artisans from different backgrounds promoted technical innovation in the cities. Mobility to and from Paris suggests that the cosmopolitan city’s society and culture were as important as markets and institutions. The project will study male and female artisans, producers of manufactured goods in the eighteenth century, who played a vital but largely forgotten role in transferring applied knowledge between European centres. This project aims to provide a historical grounding for debates on links between cosmopolitanism, culture, and technical innovation in a globalising world. Field of research: 2103 - Historical Studies

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Harmonic analysis and dispersive partial differential equations. This project aims to develop theoretical results and practical techniques in the study of Partial Differential Equations. Harmonic analysis is used to study these equations; in which a system’s local behaviour is used to analyse global properties, using techniques such as the Fourier transform. The project will investigate central problems in the area, revealing deep connections between analysis and geometry, and apply these to study the solutions’ long-term behaviour to non-linear equations. Expected outcomes include theoretical results and practical techniques to solve non-linear dispersive equations, which arise in quantum and fluid mechanics. Field of research: 0101 - Pure Mathematics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Eco-evolutionary consequences of evolutionary shifts in body size. This project aims to understand the biological consequences of evolutionary shifts in body size at three levels of biological organisation: individuals, populations, and communities. Human-mediated body size declines in natural animal populations are a new emerging threat to the function of ecosystems, but few studies have explored the consequences of such declines. This project will use the tractability of the study species to discover how evolutionary shifts in body size alter biological processes. This project can expand understanding of the biological consequences of ongoing worldwide declines in body size in animals. Field of research: 0602 - Ecology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Flow measurement for large-scale industrial aerodynamics. This project aims to research the unsteady aerodynamic wakes of cars, trucks, athletes, turbines and micro-air vehicles. Researchers will use the flow measurement system for large-scale industrial aerodynamics to resolve high speed and large scale industrial flows. The system’s primary objective will be the characterisation of complex, three-dimensional turbulent flows. It is anticipated that the research will lead to reduced aerodynamic drag in transport and improve wind power generation, ultimately reducing emissions and improving efficiency and national competitiveness in sport. The advanced system will strengthen Australia’s position as an advanced engineering design hub. Field of research: 0915 - Interdisciplinary Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

An economic study of charitable giving. This project aims to study the motivations for charitable giving and helping behaviour and how these motivations interact with external factors under different institutions.Recent data from 2015 show that charitable donations in Australia have fallen to a 30-year low. Although real GDP has increased, inequality has risen. Social norms and perceptions relating to disadvantaged people can influence donor motivations. The anticipated goal is to design initiatives that influence prosocial activities such as charitable giving, redistribution, refugee intake and migrant integration, and improve understanding of the underlying mechanisms of prosocial behaviour. Field of research: 1402 - Applied Economics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Molecular basis for control of DNA transcription of housekeeping genes. This project aims to understand how 90 per cent of all eukaryotic genes are regulated. The development of a multicellular organism needs thousands of different messenger RNAs, at exactly the right time, in the right set of cells and in the right amount, creating a need for stringent regulation of gene expression. The data generated by the project will show how a massive protein complex of ~50 individual gene products—the general transcription machinery—identifies a gene’s start site, recruits RNA polymerase II and prepares it for transcription of the genetic code. The project is expected to reveal the molecular basis of a process that is as important for flowering in plants as it is for embryonic development in metazoans. Field of research: 0601 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Using anisotropic thermal expansion in organic semiconductor thin films. This project aims to capitalise upon the recent discovery of negative thermal expansion in high-performance organic semiconductor films. Certain molecules’ chemical structures have a planar conjugated core and flexible sidechains. When highly anisotropic thermal expansion occurs, the sidechains take up most of the thermal expansion. When a negative thermal expansion occurs, the pi-pi stacking distance decreases upon annealing. This effect has been linked with higher charge mobilities, and a tighter molecular packing is locked in upon cooling. The potential applications of these high performance organic semiconductors includes chemical/biosensors, electronic paper, and radio frequency identification cards. Field of research: 0912 - Materials Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Programming soft plasmene nanosheets with living RAFT functional polymers. This project aims to use recently discovered plasmene to demonstrate programmable materials properties using living RAFT polymeric ligands. Plasmene is free-standing, one-particle-thick, superlattice sheets of plasmonic nanoparticles. It represents a conceptually new class of two-dimensional metamaterials with broad applications in energy, environment, sensors and optoelectronic devices. This project expects to generate new knowledge and patentable technologies, and advance Australian worldwide standing in the field of nanotechnology and polymer science. Field of research: 1007 - Nanotechnology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

A bio-enabled synthesis for the glycopeptide antibiotics. This project aims to develop an in vitro biomimetic synthesis for glycopeptide antibiotics (GPAs) by combining peptide synthesis and crosslinking catalysed by biosynthetic Cytochrome P450 enzymes. The crosslinking step in GPA biosynthesis is essential for antibiotic activity but impedes their chemical synthesis. This project will study the in vitro behaviour and characteristics of the biosynthetic P450 enzymes. This will provide direct benefits: the development of new glycopeptide antibiotic derivatives and the identification of new biocatalysts for complex chemical synthesis. Knowledge gained will also directly enable future reengineering of glycopeptide antibiotic production in vivo. Field of research: 0304 - Medicinal and Biomolecular Chemistry

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Nuclear plasticity during neutrophil migration and function. This project aims to discover how nuclear shape affects neutrophil function. Cell migration needs overall cellular plasticity and plasticity of internal structures such as the nucleus. The neutrophil, one of the most peripatetic cell types, has a specialised lobulated nucleus, thought to facilitate its mobility and function. Using zebrafish reporter lines that concurrently display the nucleus and cytoplasm, this project will display the dynamic plasticity of neutrophil nuclei during neutrophil migration and function in vivo. This project seeks to use the spatiotemporal resolution of a lattice light sheet microscope to examine this further, and explore its effect on neutrophil function. The project seeks to establish morphological and mechanical principles applying not just to neutrophils, but to all migratory cell types. Field of research: 0601 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Efficient ionic liquid-based reduction of nitrogen to ammonia. This project aims to develop a hybrid ionic liquid-nanostructured electrode platform to electrochemically convert nitrogen gas to ammonia. Ammonia production, mostly for fertilisers, consumes more than 1% of the global energy supply and contributes 1.6 % of global carbon dioxide emissions. A process that could convert nitrogen to ammonia using renewable energy would be an important alternative approach. This project will develop a platform for electrochemical conversion of nitrogen gas to ammonia and optimise it for use with surplus renewable energy supplies. The project is expected to contribute to mitigation of greenhouse emissions and create a technology for distributed production of ammonia and ammonium fertilisers. Field of research: 0303 - Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

The analysis of social networks. This project aims to explore the role of social networks in training policies, education, banks, and political beliefs. Networks are central to many activities and can help address adequate policies such as targeting key players in networks. The project will develop theoretical issues about the design and implementation of network models and policies, present empirical evidence on the importance of network effects in these activities, and determine the key players in real-world networks. This project could increase education and help the police and financial authorities. Field of research: 1402 - Applied Economics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Micro-panel data with non-linear error components. This project aims to develop methods for panel data models with heterogeneous marginal effects and discrete choice outcomes, controlling for unobserved common factors and nonlinear error components; and apply the methodologies to analyse alcohol-fuelled violence and drug-related harm in Australia. The project lies at the forefront of advances in econometrics, and the outcomes are expected to broaden and deepen Australia’s knowledge base. Empirical outcomes should inform and evaluate evidence-based policy interventions for crime prevention, and influence policy making about public transport and economic growth. Field of research: 1403 - Econometrics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Pedagogies of expertise in musical thought and practice. This project aims to research the pedagogy and environmental features that underpin the development of early expertise in music. Previous studies of musical expertise have studied instrumental expertise developed in individual contexts. The project will study choral singing, where children (age 6 – 17) attain a standard of expertise unique to that domain and acquired in a collective setting. Through studying expert practice in children’s choirs that reflect diverse socio-cultural settings (sacred, secular, male, female, Indigenous choirs), the project intends to inform pedagogical practices and learning environment design for children and young people in and beyond music. Field of research: 1904 - Performing Arts and Creative Writing

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

How childhood inattention affects the emerging cognitive landscape. This project aims to determine whether behavioural and cognitive inattention differentially map onto early and later developing cognitive skills such as numeracy and literacy. Lack of focus and concentration, distractibility, poor task completion and forgetfulness are common manifestations of inattention and can insidiously affect learning skills that need attention as a building block such as literacy and numeracy skills. However, how attention affects their acquisition, across development, is not fully known. The findings are expected to guide cognitive-based interventions to improve attention skills as a mechanism for improving children’s learning trajectories in the first years of schooling. Field of research: 1701 - Psychology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Antimicrobial and anti-Leishmanial bismuth compounds and materials. The project aims to develop the bioinorganic and medicinal chemistry of bismuth and related metals to address two global health issues: parasitic infections (principally Leishmaniasis) and antibacterial resistance. Through targeting serious microbial infections, the project will research the chemical, physical, structural and biological properties of bismuth and related metals. The project will form bio-protective materials and surfaces through incorporating bismuth and its compounds into polymer matrices. It will establish the complexes’ chemical biology and toxicology through scrutinising cellular mechanisms, particularly modern metallomic techniques. New compounds developed may address the urgent and significant health issue of antibiotic resistance and help address poorly treated parasitic infections. Field of research: 0302 - Inorganic Chemistry

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

A molecular investigation into the naïve T cell repertoire. This project aims to interrogate the relationship between T cell receptor (TCR) recognition modes and T cell recruitment and activation. CD8+ T cells are important for adaptive immunity. Their recognition, via TCR, of peptides bound to MHC class I antigen-presenting molecules (pMHCI), initiates a signalling cascade which activates T cells effector functions. All structural information on TCR recognition of pMHCI is based on TCRs prevalent in immune responses, and all recognise pMHCI using a conserved orientation. This project aims to use this observation to study the relationship between TCR recognition modes and T cell recruitment and activation. Field of research: 0601 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Imaging the invisible. This project aims to develop imaging technology to see and quantify objects normally invisible with X-rays. It will develop an X-ray imaging system that should provide orders of magnitude greater sensitivity to subtle changes in material composition than conventional radiography. It will devise quantitative image analysis tools for isolating specific materials of interest from complex multi-material samples, including low density components that often go undetected. Industries that could benefit significantly from this technology include airport security, the mining sector, agriculture, manufacturing quality control, and biomedical researchers studying anatomical form and function. Field of research: 0205 - Optical Physics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Visualisation of multidimensional physics data. This project aims to link multi-parameter models used in physics to explore experimental data, and statistical tools for multivariate analysis and visualisation. It addresses an important gap in the understanding of phenomenological physics analyses containing many simultaneously important parameters. This is expected to improve the understanding of results in multi-parameter models. Field of research: 0104 - Statistics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Self-gating nanochannels for nanofluidic applications. This project aims to develop a platform strategy to fabricate self-gating nanochannels that undergo autonomous opening-closing changes without any on-off switching of external stimuli. These nanochannels mimic the unique structures and smart functions of biological protein channels, and thus are expected to improve smart membrane separation, energy conversion, biosensing, and nanofluidic devices. This research could improve biomimetic design of nanochannels and directly benefit the Australian manufacturing industry. Field of research: 1007 - Nanotechnology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Tailoring nanocomposites with controllable structural-property relationship. This project aims to process and fabricate graphene-based materials into useful devices. Understanding nanocomposite structure-property relationships are crucial to rapidly develop functional devices. This project will use graphene in the form of nanocomposites and precisely construct them in devices via three-dimensional printing. This will be achieved through the polymer chemistry and interfacial engineering of graphene for enhanced dispersibility and self-assembly in the targeted polymer matrix, thus affording maximum synergistic properties. The project expects to develop three-dimensional printing techniques and control and understand the effect of micro-patterning and nano-structuring on printed graphene nanocomposites. Field of research: 0912 - Materials Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Information processing in the brain. This project aims to understand the brain's functional organisation by developing non-invasive methods to characterise connectivity between interacting brain regions. No model-based methods to compute directional coupling between brain regions can be applied to large scale networks for resting state functional MRI data. This capability would be a major breakthrough in neuroimaging, given uninformative (non-directional) network connectivity analysis restricts research. This project is expected to advance our understanding of information processing in the brain by providing a mechanistic approach to functional integration. Field of research: 1702 - Cognitive Sciences

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Molecular insight into allosteric modulation of G protein-coupled receptors. The project aims to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying signal transduction and allosteric modulation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Allosteric modulation of proteins is a fundamental process where two distinctly different binding sites are linked through a conformational change. This project will use structural biology, medicinal chemistry and analytical pharmacology to investigate how chemical probes modulate GPCRs at an atomic level, and understand the mechanisms underlying signal transduction. Project outcomes are intended to advance membrane protein crystallography and GPCR biology, and benefit the pharmaceutical industry. Field of research: 0601 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Towards a mathematical description of magneto-hydrodynamic turbulence. The project aims to better predict magneto-hydrodynamic turbulence than existing empirical models. Turbulence in high-speed flows of electrically conductive fluid sustains magnetic fields in various engineering, geophysical, and astrophysical flows. However, investigations into magneto-hydrodynamic flows have been limited to slow flows, and the application of the results to the actual problems hindered. This project aims to improve magneto-hydrodynamic flow control in future energy-generating technology, using theoretical and numerical tools that are mathematically consistent with the high-speed limit of the governing equations. More efficient electric generators could improve Australia’s future energy supply with fewer emissions of global warming gases. Field of research: 0102 - Applied Mathematics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

A global analysis of the effectiveness of corporate board diversity quotas. The project aims to examine the global effectiveness of attempts to change the demographic profile of corporate boards through gender diversity quotas (GDQs). It will investigate how firms respond to mandates for GDQs worldwide; how directors are introduced as a result of GDQs inducted into different types of boards globally; and how corporate governance practices need to be adjusted to facilitate intended benefits of complying with GDQs in different global settings. The project is expected to provide an evidence base for policy-makers and corporations to make GDQs work effectively, sustainably, and strategically. Field of research: 1503 - Business and Management