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Portable Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Detection (Old ID 22435)
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are toxic contaminants in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) especially in areas near industrial, port and shipping activities. PAH monitoring is costly and complex. A portable technology for the quick detection of environmentally persistent and toxic PAHs will be developed using a new colourimetric detection technology based on photochromic compounds. This technology has been successfully used for sensing nitroaromatic-based explosives and will here be applied to strongly UV-absorbing PAHs. This work will be performed in collaboration with an end-user: Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).
Tropical Disease - immunity, pathogenesis and vaccine development: global translation. (Old ID 22490)
Malaria, helminths and streptococci are poorly controlled and neglected pathogens of global significance causing major morbidity and mortality - particularly in disadvantaged communities. This Program brings together a multidisciplinary team of scientists and clinicians who will leverage their unparalleled understanding of tropical health, microbiology and pathogenesis of these infections to develop new therapeutics and vaccines. The Program has both standard and unique animal models and unrivalled access to controlled human experimental infections, clinical trials and longitudinal field studies to define the impact of infection on the host immune response.
Building a simulation model to improve cardiovascular disease risk prediction and treatment for indigenous Australians (Old ID 22925)
This project will use a large linked cohort of 2800 Indigenous adults from north Queensland remote communities which looks at reasons for the excess cardiovascular risk in this group. The aim is to get better measures of risk of heart disease and premature death which can be done by primary health care services for better early detection and better management and survival.
NESP 3.7 Barriers to Restoration and NbS (Old ID 28996)
Coastal and marine restoration in Australia has been hindered by the ability for project managers to obtain approval. This project examines the barriers and challenges presenting project managers keen to begin restoration projects. The project will work through a series of case studies from SA, Tasmania, NSW and QLD focusing on oyster and tidal ingress project approaches. The outcomes of this research will outline areas in policy requiring changes and identify a consistent approach for project managers working in several states across Australia.
Incorporating genome editing into the aquaculture industry in Australia (Old ID 29013)
Professor Jehee Lee from Jeju International University, South Korea has agreed to allow me to visit his lab and receive extensive training in genome editing. He has successfully genetically edited numerous species of fish to optimise and select for commercial traits valuable to the aquaculture industry. Visiting with Professor Lee, as well as with other members of his lab, would allow me to gain the techniques and skills necessary to develop a general protocol applicable for a variety of aquaculture species.
Protecting north Queensland from Aedes albopictus, an exotic dengue vector, with Attractive Targeted Sugar Baits (ATSB) (Old ID 26789)
Aedes albopictus, a documented vector of dengue, Zika and chikungunya, is one of the fastest spreading invasive species worldwide, and was first detected in the Torres Strait in 2005. This pilot project will lay the foundation required to assess the feasibility of Attractive Targeted Sugar Baits (ATSB) to control Aedes albopictus. The overall objective is to determine the frequency that mosquitos’ sugar feed, a parameter critical to the success of ATSBs. This pilot data will be leveraged for funding to trial the use of ATSBs to stop Ae. albopictus from reaching the mainland.
Lobster Aquaculture Groote Eylandt Phase 1 (Old ID 26976)
The project seeks to assess and develop tropical rock lobster aquaculture on Groote Eylandt. Phase 1 will quantitatively assess the local resource of naturally settling post-larval lobsters. If the seed lobsters are available, Phase 2 will comprise development of nursery and grow out of the lobsters. The project includes aspects of resource assessment, training, production technology extension, social science, economics and marketing.
STRengthening Systems for Indigenous Health Equity (CRE-STRIDE) (Old ID 27033)
Growing international evidence places community-led comprehensive primary health care (PHC) systems as a central driver in improving health equity, and intersectoral action to address the social and cultural determinants of health (SCDH) mostly responsible for health inequities including racism and social exclusion, connection to family, community and culture, education and housing. Participatory Quality Improvement (QI) methods have led to substantial progress in many aspects of Indigenous PHC. Yet some of the most significant areas for improvement cannot be adequately addressed solely through the current strong clinical focus of QI. Indigenous health systems are characterised by fragmentation and detached from the priorities and leadership of communities. Further, performance between PHCs and different aspects of clinical care continues to be variable. The CRE-STRIDE co-produces novel research with Indigenous community and other PHC stakeholders to address these gaps by further embedding QI knowledge into policy and practice; enhancing the involvement of Indigenous communities in QI, and expanding QI processes to address the SCDH. Our specific strategies include: i) Indigenous research leadership and two-way mentoring and learning; ii) strengthening QI processes within PHC systems and enhancing community linkages; and iii) extending QI processes and collaborations across sectors to promote health and strengthen determinants of wellbeing.
Lobster Aquaculture Groote Eylandt Phase 1 (Old ID 27052)
The project follows a preliminary activity completed in September 2020, seeking to assess and develop tropical rock lobster aquaculture on Groote Eylandt. This project represents Phase 1 of 3 phases, that will quantitatively assess the local resource of naturally settling post-larval lobsters. If the seed lobsters are available, Phase 2 will comprise development of nursery and Phase 3 the growout of the lobsters. The project includes aspects of resource assessment, training, production technology extension, social science, economics and marketing.
Understanding Babesia Pathogenesis (Old ID 27083)
This project aims at gaining a deep understanding of the biology of Babesia parasites and how they cause disease (bovine babesiosis) in cattle. The project expects to discover novel parasite proteins involved in the development and persistence of bovine babesiosis and identify their functional role in infection. The main expected outcome is the discovery of parasite proteins that are critical for infection and pathogenesis of bovine babesiosis. The outputs from this project will aid in the development of novel vaccines to control bovine babesiosis and such vaccines would significantly improve beef and dairy production worldwide.