Research Projects
Filters for Projects
Research Units
AEA Ignite - Gold Barramundi
CRISPR gene editing is changing global food production by providing new ways to improve growth, quality, and sustainability. As these technologies progress worldwide, and as Australian regulations evolve to support their safe use, the country has an opportunity to build capability now and position itself as a leader in sustainable seafood production.
This project focuses on barramundi, an iconic Australian fish and an important contributor to the national seafood industry. A key challenge for farmers is unwanted greying of fillets caused by melanin pigments, which reduces product value. Consumers prefer white fillets, which attract premium prices in both domestic and export markets.
Building on proof-of-concept research at James Cook University (JCU), we will refine CRISPR editing protocols targeting two genes: tyrp (to reduce melanin) and mstn (to improve muscle growth and yield). In partnership with Mainstream Aquaculture, the world’s largest supplier of barramundi fingerlings, we will also develop a small-scale hatchery and nursery system to rear and assess edited fish under controlled, industry-relevant conditions.
Within 12 months, the project will deliver a validated workflow alongside new operating procedures and performance benchmarks. These outcomes will support the production of whiter, higher-value fillets and help future-proof Australian aquaculture as precision breeding becomes central to global seafood production.
Scoping land use conversion options for high DIN risk, low-lying sugarcane areas in Burdekin and Mackay Whitsunday region (Old ID 26454)
Water Quality Improvement Plans for most NRMs in the Great Barrier Reef catchments recognise that complete adoption of sugarcane best management practices will still not be sufficient to achieve the nitrogen load reductions required to meet the Great Barrier Reef Water Quality Guidelines. Thus additional options need to be considered like transitioning agricultural land to other uses. Here we aim to i) identify possible alternate land uses in coastal low-lying land, that has a high DIN loss; ii) quantify the economic costs of changing land use, and market mechanisms to incentivise this transition; and iii) explore benefits of land transition.
Applying new image recognition techniques for automatic detection and spraying of Harrisia cactus (Old ID 26461)
harrisia cactus is a significant rangeland weed in Queensland and bnorthern NSW. It competes against native species, inhibits stock accdess and endangers wildlife. JCU have developed image recognition software to identify Harrisia cactus in pasture; which has been deployed on a prototype robotic platform for selective spot spraying. This proect will see the development of a new spraying unit incorporating JCU's developed technology with a vehicle provided by Warrakirri Cropping. The unit will then be used to treat 500 ha of infested pasture at Warrakirri's "Willaroo" property. Its performance will be compared to traditional methods and showcased to local landholders.
Improving Asthma Outcomes for First Nations Pregnant Mothers: A Co-designed Implementation Strategy
MRFF – Preventive and Public Health Research Initiative – 2024 Chronic Respiratory Conditions
Evidence, Policy, and PRActice: UNveiling the Gaps in Surgical and Pressure Injury Prevention Care - An Environmental Scan of Four Hospitals: Gold Coast University Hospital; Townsville University Hospital (TUH); The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane; St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney.
Evidence, Policy, and PRActice: UNveiling the Gaps in Surgical and Pressure Injury Prevention Care - An Environmental Scan of Four Hospitals: Gold Coast University Hospital; Townsville University Hospital (TUH); The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane; St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney.
Examining final year nursing students’ knowledge, values, beliefs and educational exposure to advance care planning
Examining final year nursing students’ knowledge, values, beliefs and educational exposure to advance care planning
Testing the efficacy of two sacral dressings in preventing pressure injuries in adult intensive care population: TOWARDS ZERO pilot study
Queensland Health, Health Innovation, Investment and Research Office Nursing and Midwifery Fellowship
PHYSIOtherapy management for hypoxaemia following abdominal surgery: walk + talk + breathe + noninvasive ventilation. A pilot, feasibility, randomized controlled trial (PHYSIO+++)
Metro South Research Support Scheme Project Grant (2022)
EffEctiveness of Prophylactic fOam dressings in the prevention of saCral pressureinjuries in at-risk hospitalised patients: The EEPOC Trial
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Project Grant (2018)