CMB has been successful with ARC funding to commence in 2010, by being awarded the largest ARC Linkage Grant at UNSW and 2 ARC discovery grants. Additionally, in collaboration with UTS, CMB also has been awarded 1 ARC discovery grant.

 

 

Investigators: Dr Michael J Manefield, Dr Torsten Thomas, Prof Staffan L Kjelleberg, Prof Peter D Steinberg

Project Title: In situ microbial conversion of coal to methane: Biotechnology development for clean use of Australian coal. 2010 - 2013

Partner Organisations: Biogas Energy

Administering Organisation: The University of New South Wales

Project Summary We will develop a biotechnology that uses native microorganisms to accelerate the underground conversion of coal to methane. Approximately 90% of Australia’s coal resources cannot be accessed economically using traditional mining technologies. A technology that converts coal to methane could generate an energy supply worth an estimated $60 billion, foster the development of an energy industry now in its infancy, and generate numerous new employment opportunities. Environmentally, methane is a cleaner burning fuel than coal, uses much less water for processing and generates the same quantity of electricity with lower CO2 emissions. Summary of Discovery Projects Proposals for Funding to Commence in 2010

 

Investigators: Prof PD Steinberg; Prof SL Kjelleberg; Dr T Thomas; Dr SG Egan; Dr MA Coleman Project

Title: Approved Stress, virulence and bacterial disease in temperate seaweeds: the rise of the microbes.

2010- 2013

Administering Organisation: The University of New South Wales

Project Summary Climate change is predicted to increase the spread and virulence of pathogens, and decrease the resistance to disease via temperature stress on the hosts. Combined with other human impacts (higher nutrients, pollution), we may be facing a major rise in the effect of disease on natural communities. However, these effects are largely unstudied. We will investigate the impact of marine pathogens on kelps and other seaweeds when they are stressed by temperature, elevated nutrients or other anthropogenic stressors. Kelp are the 'trees of the oceans', the organisms responsible for creating much of the habitat that fishes and other organisms live in. The loss of kelp forests due to disease would radically change these environments.

 

Investigators: Prof PD Steinberg; Prof SL Kjelleberg; Dr D McDougald; Dr T Harder; Dr CA Motti

Project Title: Approved Chemical warfare at small scales: does eukaryotic chemical defense theory fit biofilms?

2010 -2012 Administering Organisation: The University of New South Wales

Project Summary The ecology of bacteria has long been treated separately from the ecology of higher organisms. Thus we do not know whether the ecology of bacteria operates by the same general rules as those of plants and animals. This significantly diminishes our understanding of the natural world, and our capacity to manage our environment. In this project we will systematically test ecological defense theories in bacterial systems. Our aim is to merge our understanding of the ecology of these very different organisms. This integration of plant and animal ecology and environmental microbiology is new for both fields, and thus studies such as this one have the potential to put Australia at the forefront of this exciting new approach to our environment.

 

 

Investigators: A/Prof EJ Harry; Dr T Thomas; Dr JA Triccas; Prof WJ Britton Project

Title: Bacterial filamentation as a survival strategy: a goldmine for the discovery of new cell division regulators 2010 - 2012

Administering Organisation: University of Technology, Sydney

Project Summary: The increasing emergence of untreatable bacterial infections is a serious threat to the health of Australians. Medical advances (organ transplants, chemotherapy), increases in diabetes, and an aging population increase the risk of infections caused by bacteria that are now resistant to most available antibiotics. New classes of antibiotics are urgently needed to treat these infections. This project uses a novel approach to identify the mechanisms bacterial cells use to control their growth and avoid attack by our immune system. The research will identify potential targets for the development of new, effective antibiotics to kill multi-resistant bacteria, and ensure Australia's position at the forefront of infection control.

 

More details are available at: http://www.science.unsw.edu.au/news/science-wins-23m-in-arc-project-and-grants/