MONASH UNIVERSITY

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

How T cells modulate stem cells and tissue regeneration. The project aims to determine how T cells modulate tissue repair and regeneration in mammals. Most of the mechanisms modulating the healing of tissues are elusive. This research is expected to reveal unknown mechanisms controlling the processes of tissue repair and regeneration, particularly the nexus between the stem cells involved in the tissue healing process and the immune response . Field of research: 1004 - Medical Biotechnology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Unlocking critical metals from Australian sediments and ores. This project aims to explore the recrystallization of nickel-bearing minerals in laterites to extract nickel from stable mineral phases under ambient conditions. Highly-weathered Australian soils contain economic quantities of nickel but technologies to extract this metal are inefficient, leaving this vital resource underdeveloped. This project will use stable isotope tracers and three-dimensional atomic-scale tomography to resolve the recrystallization mechanisms, and determine their role in natural environments and their applicability to natural ores. Expected outcomes include strategies to process nickel-rich laterites, of high interest to industry and society in Australia and abroad.This project will exemplify the need to promote novel solutions to reduce the financial and environmental cost of processing natural resources. Field of research: 0402 - Geochemistry

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Understanding new art and museum participation in Asia. This project aims to understand new forms of public participation in Asia's arts and culture sectors. These sectors are changing in 21st century Asia, with new interest in public participation in art and museum initiatives. However, there is little research on this cultural development. Through researching art-focused public participation in East and Southeast Asia, this project will seek insights into the renewed role of art in shaping public participation, cultural belonging and creativity in Asia. In so doing, it intends to inform arts and cultural policy, and help Australian cultural and creative-industry partnerships with Asia. Field of research: 1901 - Art Theory and Criticism

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Econometric model building and estimation. This project aims to tackle issues in econometric model building and estimation under cross sectional dependence, heterogeneity and nonlinearity. This project will seek to establish flexible econometric models associated with estimation methods and user-friendly computational techniques to try to solve real world problems. The research outcomes are expected to be useful to empirical researchers in evaluating and improving model building and forecasting from better models in climatology, demography, economics, environment, finance, machine learning and neural networks. Field of research: 1403 - Econometrics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Incorporating developmental plasticity into models of species distributions. This project aims to develop a generalizable framework for predicting effects of environmental variability on organisms’ developmental strategies, using anuran tadpoles as a test case. This framework will reveal how environmental variability influences geographic variation in developmental strategies, and provide tools to account for that variation in mechanistic models of species distributions. These tools are expected to increase the capacity to predict extinction risk in changing environments, and be amenable to any taxon or environment, providing a solid foundation for understanding the evolution of life-history strategies in variable environments. Field of research: 0602 - Ecology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Hierarchical information processing in the primate visual cortex. This project aims to understand how visual information is transformed across hierarchical levels in the brain. Neuroscientists have long recognised that the visual cortex can be conceptualised as a hierarchical processing network. This became apparent when learning algorithms based on hierarchical networks ("deep learning") changed artificial intelligence. This project will combine high-throughput electrophysiology with analytical tools adopted from deep learning. By explaining the physiological properties of higher-level neurons in terms of hierarchical networks, the project expects to address long standing questions in neuroscience, and provide insights on biological hierarchical computation. Field of research: 1109 - Neurosciences

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Towards real-time image processing in single-particle electron microscopy. This project aims to research real-time image processing of single-particle electron microscopy (SPEM) images and to study structural dynamics in both biology and materials science. SPEM is an essential tool to study the structure and dynamics of nanoscale molecules. However, the theoretical frameworks underpinning SPEM are in their early stages of development. This research is expected to enable the study of colloidal nanoparticle structures in solution and reveal the protein rearrangements that underlie secretion of bacterial proteins in two different systems a number of different bacterial species require for viability and infection. Field of research: 0601 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Nonparametric estimation and forecasting of yield curve dynamics. This project aims to develop a suite of nonparametric estimation and forecasting techniques for yield curves, which describe how interest rates vary with different maturities. Its significance for monetary policy and fixed-income investment is interesting to policy makers and financial practitioners. Time-varying features are needed in the specification of the yield curve, given the constantly changing financial environment in which bond markets operate. Expected outcomes include new statistical methods and forecasting procedures applicable to empirical problems in economics and finance. Field of research: 1403 - Econometrics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Probabilistic combinatorics: Properties of large networks. This project aims to analyse important real-world network properties such as robustness and reliability, investigate the performance of network algorithms such as message propagation, and solve fundamental problems in probabilistic combinatorics. Random graphs are indispensable for modelling and analysing the growing Internet and many social networks, due to their large size and random nature. The intended outcome is improved understanding of properties of real networks, including robustness and message propagation performance. It should provide better knowledge of the evolutionary behaviour of large growing networks, relevant to a world that is influenced greatly by the Internet. Field of research: 0101 - Pure Mathematics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Socioeconomic effects of fault attribution after a motor vehicle crash. This project aims to identify claimant and crash risk characteristics that predict elevated socio-economic burden on injured persons, compensation systems and the public health system. 19% of Australians injured in road trauma annually report long-term reductions in social participation and work capacity, and have costly health service needs. Attributions of fault lead to perceived injustice and affect the capacity to cope with trauma. This project will evaluate the effect of fault attributions on socioeconomic outcomes. Expected results include approaches for identifying those at greatest risk of poor outcomes who need additional support after a crash. Field of research: 1117 - Public Health and Health Services

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Application of exact coherent structures to transition and turbulence. This project aims to understand coherent structures and devise methods to prevent bypass transition to turbulence and reduce turbulent wall drag. Coherent structures in turbulence may be identified with nonlinear solutions of the exact equations of motion. Such "exact" coherent structures have their Reynolds number dependence described explicitly and apply for moderate to very large Reynolds numbers, well above the range of full Navier–Stokes calculations. Understanding the fundamentals of turbulence is expected to lead to more efficient and cheaper air transportation, and better tools for climate prediction and short-term weather forecasting. Field of research: 0915 - Interdisciplinary Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Expanding the organometallic toolbox for constructing heterocycles. This project aims to design and synthesise stereospecific cyclic molecules. This is a problem for chemists, particularly when bioactivity and medicinal relevance depend on complex stereochemistry and substitution patterns. This team will build on their discovery of a cascade reaction for synthesising highly stereospecific indolene derivatives. They will target reagents and reaction pathways for creating heterocyclic molecules which are difficult to access. They will synthesise and characterise homo- and hetero-bimetallic complexes to develop cyclic molecules and scaffolds relevant in drug discovery. New molecules and reaction pathways will be relevant for biological and medicinal chemistry, and drug discovery programmes. Field of research: 0399 - Other Chemical Sciences

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Testing models for sex evolution and maintenance. This project aims to study the evolution of sex. The short-term costs of sexual reproduction seem to outweigh its benefits, making its widespread success an evolutionary conundrum. The project will test high-profile models which predict higher rates of sex in individuals poorly adapted to their environment than in well adapted individuals. This process allows sex genes to escape from unfavourable genetic backgrounds and hastens local adaptation of populations to their environment. This work is expected to discover the link between reproductive mode and adaptation, strengthen research into consequences of environmental change, and solve a long-standing puzzle of evolutionary biology. Field of research: 0603 - Evolutionary Biology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Facility for exploring light-matter interactions in space, time and energy. This project aims to create a readily accessible facility consisting of a suite of tools to study light-matter interactions in materials, molecules and biological systems. Understanding light-matter interactions offers insight into the properties of nano- and biomaterials. The project intends to combine local probes and pump-probe spectroscopy methods for studying nanoscale femtosecond dynamics. It will be accessible to a broad user base, cementing Australia’s leadership in ultrafast spectroscopy techniques and nano/bio-materials. The facility will provide a window to the quantum nanoworld, with potential for developing new energy efficient light sources, light-harvesting systems and sensors. Field of research: 0912 - Materials Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Wandering minds in sleep and wakefulness: Attention, consciousness, self. This project aims to develop a theory of mind wandering. A large portion of our conscious lives is spent mind wandering: attention periodically drifts away from current tasks, often without our noticing. This challenges the assumption that healthy adults are normally aware of and able to control their thought processes. This project will use cognitive neuroscience, sleep and dream research and philosophy of mind to develop a theory of mind wandering across the sleep-wake cycle and an interdisciplinary methodology for its investigation. The anticipated outcome is understanding of spontaneous thought and its relationship to attention, consciousness and the self. This potentially throws new light on important issues relating to mental health and sleep disorders. Field of research: 2203 - Philosophy

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

UltraTEM: Resolving the structure of matter in space, energy and time. This project aims to establish a transmission electron microscope facility to analyse materials structure at the atomic level. A small number of atoms in critical locations governs the properties of materials from solar cells and catalysts to aerospace alloys, bio-sensors and quantum computers. To understand and engineer matter at this atomic level, tools are needed to characterise these critical atoms. This open access, national facility will be able to characterise matter at the atomic-level. Expected outcomes include better understanding of the natural world and advanced materials to solve problems in energy, technology, health, environment, communications, advanced manufacturing, transport and security. Field of research: 0204 - Condensed Matter Physics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Silk-based conformal pressure sensing devices. This project aims to develop silk biomaterials-based biocompatible and conformal pressure sensing devices and systems for sustainable wearable electronics. Biocompatible conformal sensing interfaces and sensor arrays will be developed for real-time highly sensitive measurement of pressure, critical for accurate and comprehensive health monitoring and electronic skins. It is believed that the wearable products will provide comfort, utility and accurate physical information to end users, and improve the performance of personnel working in demanding environments, such as in defence forces, athletics and outfield industrial operations, by continuously monitoring physiological parameters. Field of research: 1007 - Nanotechnology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

High resolution atomic force microscopy facility for bionanotechnology. This project aims to establish a collaborative high resolution atomic force microscopy facility. Nanoscale surface structure and the complex structure/mechanical-functional relationships underpin many biological processes, and understanding cell systems at the molecular level is expected to lead to scientific knowledge and therapeutic and other biotechnological applications. Expected outcomes include innovations in advanced manufacturing in the pharmaceutical and medical devices industries, underpinning economic returns from new industries. Field of research: 1007 - Nanotechnology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Understanding and preventing road deaths using coronial investigations. This project aims to study coronial death investigations of fatal road crashes in Australia using public health and road safety theoretical frameworks. Fatal road crashes are sudden, unexpected and violent. Each fatality has a lasting effect resulting in immeasurable emotional costs and a financial burden in excess of $3.8 billion per year. Intended outcomes will contribute to understanding of fatal road crashes including pre-crash social factors (e.g. alcohol/drug use and dependence, unemployment, age), the use and effect of coronial recommendations on road safety policy and practice, and preventing deaths on Australian roads. Field of research: 1205 - Urban and Regional Planning

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Bespoke rylene diimides for fundamental and applied photophysics. This project aims to develop and apply bespoke fluorescent molecular systems based on rylene diimide. Fluorescence provides a tuneable, exquisitely sensitive readout allowing detailed investigation and application down to the level of single molecules. This project will use fluorescence to study chemical reactions and energy transfer phenomena, design tools and methodologies for microscopy (including emerging super-resolution techniques), and develop 'designed for purpose' systems for a range of applications. The knowledge gained and proofs-of-principle established are expected to influence fields as diverse as energy storage and transduction, imaging and diagnostics and chemical reactions and catalysis. Field of research: 0306 - Physical Chemistry (Incl. Structural)

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Site-specific modification of proteins with radioactive technetium. This project aims to produce homogeneous and fully functional constructs that may be used as imaging agents. Most techniques for incorporating radioactive isotopes into proteins adversely influence biological behaviour and the quality of the image. This project will develop technology for the benign modification of proteins with the radioactive isotope technetium for nuclear imaging. Development of the fundamental chemistry in this project may lead to future applications in imaging and therapy. Creation of intellectual property could lead to joint ventures with hospitals and industry. Field of research: 0302 - Inorganic Chemistry

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Magnesium(I) complexes: Potent workhorse reagents. This project aims to install magnesium(I) compounds as powerful and selective reagents to prepare metal-metal bonded compound classes that are otherwise inaccessible. These environmentally benign species will be viable alternatives to established systems, incorporating expensive and toxic metals, which are currently used for the stoichiometric/catalytic transformation of small molecules to value added products. The project is expected to cement Australia's internationally leading role in the emerging field of low oxidation state s-block chemistry. The development and commercialisation of magnesium(I), and related compounds as reagents for the selective synthesis of value added products will provide significant economic benefits to fine chemicals industries. Field of research: 0302 - Inorganic Chemistry

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Mucus control: Applying concepts from bacteriophage-mucus interactions. This project aims to examine how mucus-adherent bacteriophage interact with bacteria in mucus as a mechanism to manipulate microbiomes. Bacterial infections at mucosal surfaces in animals are a serious global health threat. Traditionally antibiotics have been used to curb mucosal infections, but antibiotic resistance means new therapies are urgently needed. Bacteriophage – viruses that infect bacteria – can kill bacteria and might provide a layer of antimicrobial immunity in animal mucus. The anticipated outcomes are resolving how bacteriophage control bacteria within mucus, and applying concepts to bioengineer mucosal microbiomes. Field of research: 0605 - Microbiology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Atmospheric trace gases: Fuelling the dormant microbial majority. This project aims to determine the physiological roles and ecological significance of hydrogen, methane and carbon monoxide scavenging. Bacteria adapt to adverse environmental conditions such as energy-starvation by entering dormant states. The fuel sources that sustain this dormant majority have yet to be resolved. Aerobic soil bacteria survive by scavenging trace gases from the atmosphere; they literally live on thin air. These trace gas scavengers are the major biological sinks in the global methane and hydrogen cycles. This project aims to study entire ecosystems of trace gas scavengers, which could enhance understanding of soil microbial ecology and biogeochemical cycling. By studying the regulation and distribution of gas scavenging, we can better model how these sinks respond to global change. Field of research: 0605 - Microbiology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Stabilising biased allosteric G protein-coupled receptor conformations. This project aims to develop and identify molecules that can stabilise distinct calcium sensing receptor (CaSR) conformations. The CaSR is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) vertebrates need to live. GPCRs are responsible for virtually all (patho)physiological processes. They are structurally very flexible, but this has hindered their structural determination. Developing and validating the proposed molecules should help future structural studies of an important GPCR. The project expects to enhance understanding of the structure and function of the CaSR and ultimately of the GPCR superfamily, which will ultimately lead to opportunities to discover new drugs. Field of research: 1115 - Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences