MONASH UNIVERSITY

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

How cells control autophagy during nutrient starvation and stress. This project aims to understand how human cells form autophagosomes during nutrient starvation and stress conditions, including bacterial invasion and mitochondrial dysfunction. Autophagy is a conserved intracellular degradation pathway which fungi, plants, insects and mammals use to respond to starvation and stress. Autophagy can provide nutrients by recycling cellular components, and protect cells from dysfunctional organelles and invading pathogens by mediating their removal. The autophagosome is a vesicular membrane structure important in autophagy by delivering material destined for degradation to the lysosome. Better understanding how plant and human cells protect themselves during starvation and stress is expected to benefit the environment and economy. Field of research: 0601 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Realisation of novel electronic phases in two-dimensional materials. This project will address one of the most pressing concerns facing society today, the efficient generation, storage, transmission and use of energy. Silicon based transistor technology is approaching the hard limit of efficiency set by thermodynamics, requiring new materials to be found that possess electronic properties that break away from conventional transistor technology. Utilising a new facility being installed by the applicant at the Australian Synchrotron, this project aims to prepare and characterise the electronic properties of free-standing atomically thin bismuth. Successful realisation of this project will provide a radical new approach towards realising more efficient electronic devices for the storage and transmission of energy. Field of research: 0204 - Condensed Matter Physics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Distributed facility for fragment based drug discovery. Distributed facility for fragment based drug discovery: The facility aims to provide researchers with the ability to generate small molecules that modulate therapeutically and biologically important protein targets. Fragment-based drug design (FBDD) provides a rational approach to generate such biologically active compounds. The facility is designed to allow researchers throughout Australia to access the necessary infrastructure to undertake FBDD projects against a range of biologically important targets. The facility aims to enable access to high-throughput nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and surface plasmon resonance, and to generate the capacity for automation in chemical synthesis and sample preparation to expedite the development of novel bioactive molecules. The development of better approaches to hit development may benefit many researchers in Australia employing FBDD. Field of research: 0304 - Medicinal and Biomolecular Chemistry

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Edge decomposition of dense graphs. This project aims to address the edge decomposition of dense graphs, including the Nash-Williams conjecture. Edge decomposition of graphs is important for the mathematical fields of graph theory, combinatorial design theory and finite geometry, and also has strong applications to digital communication and information technologies. It is anticipated that the project will result in methods for edge decomposition of dense graphs, the solution of famous open problems, and a deeper, more cohesive understanding of edge decomposition. Field of research: 0101 - Pure Mathematics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Surfactants and complex fluids. This project aims to design surfactants for applications in agriculture and energy, and the science needed to understand and deploy them. New molecules have been designed based around the versatile betaine core, and their synthesis could allow a systematic understanding of the relationships between molecular architecture, effectiveness and self-assembly behaviour. This strategy will use molecules that can respond to light to understand why certain molecules tend to form valuable viscoelastic fluids. When used to form complex fluids with unique properties, these surfactants could be used as lubricants, dispersants and energy fluids for use as drilling lubricants, texture modifiers in personal care products, and dispersants in agrochemicals. Field of research: 0306 - Physical Chemistry (Incl. Structural)

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Greek drama in ancient Italy. This project aims to reconstruct how ancient Italian communities – Greek colonies, indigenous populations and Rome – appropriated Greek drama, made it part of their cultural heritage and drew upon it to create their own forms of drama. The project will document and analyse how Greek plays became a shared cultural product despite racial, social and linguistic barriers, to illuminate the significance and effect of cross-cultural exchange in antiquity. The analysis of cultural negotiations in ancient Italy also aims to provide points for reflection on today’s debate on multiculturalism and globalisation. Field of research: 2005 - Literary Studies

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Atomic Engineering of Molybdenum Disulfide for Ultra-Scaled Electronics. This project aims to explore novel approaches to device fabrication and functionality by atomic-level engineering of next generation electronic materials. As transistors shrink towards the atomic scale, conventional fabrication methods fail and device behaviour is altered by emerging quantum effects. Atomically thin two-dimensional (2D) crystals are emerging as next-generation electronic materials in nanoelectronics. However, no reliable fabrication techniques currently exist at the targeted sub-10-nanometre scale and basic scientific investigation of the operation of these ultimately small devices is needed. The project plans to use innovative approaches to investigate the physics of atomic-scale electronic devices and explore entirely new device concepts and functionalities for future quantum electronics. Field of research: 0204 - Condensed Matter Physics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

High throughput microbial microculture and single cell analysis facility. High throughput microbial microculture and single cell analysis facility: To support the emerging research area of microbial heterogeneity and variation in response to conditions, this project aims to establish a facility centred on a 24-microbioreactor system for high throughput microbial culturing. This is designed to be connected to two complementary analysis techniques – flow cytometry and high resolution infra-red microscopy – for the non-destructive measurement of metabolic activities and mapping of constituents of whole cells. This would help us to determine the variation in response between organisms, to guide cell line development and process optimisation for a wide range of biotechnology applications. Expected outcomes may apply to Australia’s brewing, wine, food processing, aquaculture, biofuels, biomedical and biotechnology industries. Field of research: 0904 - Chemical Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Next Generation Mass Spectrometry for Analysis of Biomolecules. Next-generation mass spectrometry for analysis of biomolecules: This project seeks to establish a next-generation mass spectrometer that represents the most sensitive, accurate and rapid mass spectrometer allowing the simultaneous quantitation of several hundred to several thousand proteins in a single experiment. This is designed to particularly support infection and immunity research. Novel fragmentation capabilities and enhanced workflows on this instrument may allow new types of experiments to be conducted providing significant improvements in coverage and depth of analysis. Field of research: 0601 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Atomic Structure and Stability of Nanocrystal Facets. This project aims to provide a ‘toolkit’ to understand and grow nanocrystal shapes to achieve desired optical properties. The facets of a metal nanocrystal comprise just a few atoms, which are pivotal to its growth and properties. This project aims to develop methods to measure the location and stability of these atoms to understand the factors controlling their assembly and to understand their impact on the properties of the nanocrystal. It plans to correlate atomic structure and corresponding optical excitations with unprecedented spatial and energy resolution. Combining these advances, the project aims to relate nanofacet chemistry, structure, stability and optical excitations to deliver a new understanding of optical properties and their control. Field of research: 0204 - Condensed Matter Physics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Understanding the Impact of Sovereign Wealth Funds on the Financial Markets. This project aims not only to reveal the impact of sovereign wealth fund (SWFs) on Australian international stock markets, but also to assess their investment behaviour. An SWF is an investment fund managed by a government or other organisation on behalf of a sovereign state. The impact of SWFs on international financial markets and their behaviour are of great importance to market participants as well as policy-makers. The project aims to measure the systemic risk contribution of SWFs and to analyse the anti-takeover provisions of SWFs’ target firms. In addition, the project aims to understand the relation between anti-takeover provisions and target firm value and will examine the role of SWFs as a socially responsible investor. The expected outcomes will improve our understanding of the impact of SWFs on the Australian financial markets in terms of social and economic wellbeing. Field of research: 1502 - Banking, Finance and Investment

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Defining a role for non-coding RNAs in gonadal sex differentiation. This project aims to increase knowledge in the area of developmental biology, studying how gene regulation by so-called non-coding RNAs contributes to tissue patterning. The project plans to use a unique model system: gonadal development in the chicken embryo. It also plans to use novel molecular approaches that exploit the chicken model to study the role of microRNAs and a long non-coding RNA in patterning the embryonic gonad. The project aims to provide a deeper understanding of how genes operate to control tissue patterning and organogenesis. It may thus inform the field of sex determination specifically, and, more broadly, stem cell biology and tissue engineering. Field of research: 0604 - Genetics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

The Role of Molecular Dipole Layers on Charge Carrier Separation. The aim of this project is to explore the potential of self-assembled dipole layers (molecular and inorganic) as a mechanism for separating charge carriers at semiconductor surfaces. Although dipole layers have been shown to enhance the efficiency of photovoltaic devices, there have been no systematic studies of this. The project plans to use both dipole layers and ferroelectric layers as a means to improve the efficiency of electron injection. Understanding this mechanism would help in the design of more efficient solar cells and other light-harvesting molecular systems. Field of research: 0303 - Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Numerical modeling of hydraulic fracturing for unconventional gas recovery. The project seeks to improve our understanding of the mechanics and physics of hydraulic fracturing in unconventional shale/tight gas reservoirs. By determining key aspects of the mechanics and physics of hydraulic fractures in naturally fractured unconventional reservoirs the project aims to build an accurate continuum hydro-mechanical model for hydraulic fracturing stimulation. The new computational approach and software is expected to improve our fundamental understanding of the underlying physics of initiation and propagation of hydraulic fractures and their interactions with pre-existing natural faults. This has the potential to benefit the natural gas industry by providing information for better hydraulic fracture treatments and mitigation of the inherent risks of hydraulic fracturing and other processes. Field of research: 0914 - Resources Engineering and Extractive Metallurgy

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Towards reliability in combinatorial optimisation. This project intends to develop techniques to ensure that the solutions reported by optimisation tools are correct and verifiable. Combinatorial optimisation problems, where the best solution must be found from a vast set of possibilities, are central to critical sectors of the economy, including shipping, transit, mining and emergency response. Automated tools for these problems can now solve large industrial examples, however, they are incredibly complex artefacts which are prone to error and difficult to test. New methods for ensuring the correctness of automated tools would allow users to trust that the results returned by these tools are correct when making critical decisions. Field of research: 0801 - Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Chicken and ChIPs; genetic control of avian gonadal development. This project aims to improve our understanding of gonad formation at the genetic level, using unique approaches that exploit the chicken embryo as a model system. Gonad formation during embryonic life provides an excellent model for studying the genetic control of development. The project plans to use innovative methods to study novel and known gonad-determining genes. The project seeks to make a substantial contribution to our understanding of cell fate decisions, sex determination and gonad development. It also potentially has application to the poultry industry by illuminating those genes and pathways that can be targeted to modulate sex determination in chickens, which is a goal of the industry. Field of research: 0604 - Genetics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Nonparametric Machine Learning for Modern Data Analytics. This project intends to develop next-generation machine-learning methods to cope with the growing data deluge. Modern data analytics tasks need to interpret and derive values from complex, growing data. Intended outcomes of the project include new Bayesian nonparametric methods that can express arbitrary dependency amongst multiple, heterogeneous data sources with infinite model complexity, together with algorithms to perform inference and deduce knowledge from them; new Bayesian statistical inference for set-valued random variables that moves beyond vectors and matrices to enrich our analytics toolbox to deal with sets; and a new deterministic fast inference to meet with real-world demand. Field of research: 1702 - Cognitive Sciences

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Development of Metal-Titania Core-Shell Nanostructures for Photocatalysis. The aim of this project is to develop innovative techniques for the synthesis of advanced nanomaterials for pollutant removal and antibacterial applications. Improving the photocatalysis efficiency of titanium oxide (TiO2) is critical in energy and environmental applications. This project aims to develop innovative strategies to prepare metal–TiO2 core-shell nanostructures, in which metals (eg gold, silver) can be used as light absorbers for visible incident light and generate intense electromagnetic fields, thus improving efficiency. Field of research: 1007 - Nanotechnology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Evolution of the dermomyotome in vertebrates. The project seeks to understand how different muscle populations within the embryo form and have evolved within the vertebrate phylogeny. All amniote muscles, except that of the head, derive from a transient embryonic structure termed the dermomyotome. The formation of muscle from the dermomyotome of amniotes uses a highly conserved mechanism that is distinct from that deployed by bony fish and amphibians. How the dermomyotome evolved to generate the distinct types of locomotor systems we see deployed throughout the vertebrate phylogeny remains unresolved. This project aims to contribute to an understanding of how different locomotor strategies deployed at important evolutionary transitions were generated. Field of research: 0603 - Evolutionary Biology

Other NSERC · FY 2024

Human Robot Interaction (HRI), Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Communication Systems, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Collaborative Robots, Mobile Robots, Multi-Robot Systems, Augmented Reality