Explore as a

Search Marsden awards 2008–2017

Search awarded Marsden Fund grants 2008–2017

Fund Type: Marsden Fund

Category: Standard

Year Awarded: 2014

Title: Swings and roundabouts? What drives opposing trends in sea ice between the Ross and Amundsen Seas?

Recipient(s): Associate Professor JA Renwick | PI | Victoria University of Wellington
Dr SM Dean | PI | NIWA - The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd
Dr RM Gorman | AI | NIWA - The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd
Dr AL Kohout | AI | NIWA - The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd
Professor MN Raphael | AI | University of California, Los Angeles
Professor CM Bitz | AI | University of Washington
Professor IH Simmonds | AI | University of Melbourne

Public Summary: Sea ice extent is decreasing over the Amundsen Sea but is increasing over the Ross Sea, and total Antarctic sea ice extent is increasing, for reasons not understood. Climate models fail to reproduce observed trends but model experiments support the idea that observed trends are an unlikely outcome of natural variability. We hypothesise that climate models are missing key physics, especially the role of ocean surface waves and their interaction with sea ice, and the details of how winds and heat fluxes affect the sea ice. This research will be a combination of observational data analysis, improvements to climate and sea ice models, and a series of targeted climate model simulations, aimed at unravelling the interacting effects of wind forcing, heat fluxes, ocean waves, and the seasonal cycle upon sea ice changes.

Total Awarded: $800,000

Duration: 3

Host: Victoria University of Wellington

Contact Person: Associate Professor JA Renwick

Panel: ESA

Project ID: 14-VUW-090


Fund Type: Marsden Fund

Category: Standard

Year Awarded: 2010

Title: Symbiotic synchrony: metabolic co-regulation in a plant-fungal symbiosis

Recipient(s): Prof DB Scott | PI | Massey University
Dr T Chujo | AI | University of Tokyo
Dr MP Cox | AI | Massey University
Dr DM Gardiner | AI | Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation 

Public Summary: Establishment and maintenance of symbiotic associations between plants and microbes requires a molecular ‘dialogue’ between the symbiotic partners. While that ‘dialogue’ has been deciphered for the nitrogen-fixing symbioses between rhizobia and legumes, relatively little is known about the molecular exchange that occurs in beneficial fungal-plant associations. Using the perennial ryegrass-fungal endophyte association, as a model experimental system, we have shown that clusters of fungal genes for the synthesis of three classes of bioprotective metabolites, peramine, lolitrems and ergot alkaloids, are all highly expressed in the plant but not expressed in culture. Interestingly, the same clusters of genes are switched off in an endophyte mutant association, where the endophyte switches from restricted to proliferative growth. These results indicate that plant signaling is crucial for activation of these gene clusters and that synthesis of the bioprotective metabolites is a defining feature of the symbiosis. The aim of this work is to identify the signal(s) and transducers of the message from the plant to the fungus, and determine how signal transmission leads to activation of gene expression in specific regions of the endophyte genome. The results of this work will provide fundamental insights into the molecular and cellular requirements that define the symbiotic metabolic state.

Total Awarded: $782,609

Duration: 3

Host: Massey University

Contact Person: Prof DB Scott

Panel: CMP

Project ID: 10-MAU-057


Fund Type: Marsden Fund

Category: Standard

Year Awarded: 2010

Title: Symmetry and group structure

Recipient(s): Prof M Conder | PI | The University of Auckland
Assoc Prof J An | PI | The University of Auckland
Prof EA O'Brien | PI | The University of Auckland

Public Summary: Symmetry pervades nature and science, and group theory provides the tools for its study. We propose to undertake research that will answer deep, interesting and significant questions in the study of groups, their structure, their representations and their actions — particularly as symmetry groups of discrete structures. We aim to extend knowledge and enhance understanding of various classes of groups and their actions and representations, answer questions and solve problems posed by others.

Our research programme brings together researchers with a track record of successful work (individually and jointly) in group theory and discrete algebraic computation. A key feature of our work will be its international and collaborative focus, linking us in New Zealand with researchers from leading institutions in Europe, Israel, the UK and the USA. The involvement of graduate students will also bring positive benefits.

We will develop new theoretical and computational techniques for the solution of questions in group theory and its many applications. Along the way we will discover new phenomena, announce our findings at international conferences and workshops, and publish them in leading international mathematics journals.

Total Awarded: $443,478

Duration: 3

Host: The University of Auckland

Contact Person: Prof M Conder

Panel: MIS

Project ID: 10-UOA-061


Fund Type: Marsden Fund

Category: Fast-Start

Year Awarded: 2014

Title: Symmetry breaking and pattern formation in asthmatic lungs

Recipient(s): Dr GM Donovan | PI | The University of Auckland

Public Summary: Clustered ventilation defects are a hallmark of asthma, with some regions of the lung having very little ventilation while others have normal or even above-normal ventilation. Because the patterns of these clusters vary from event to event, many believe they are a dynamic rather than structural phenomenon. This project aims to answer the mathematical questions posed by models of this phenomenon, relating to the interrelationships between airways and how these manifest as mathematical coupling. In doing so it will answer not only fundamental mathematical questions about symmetry breaking and clustered solutions, but also provide insight into the inner workings of asthma.

Total Awarded: $300,000

Duration: 3

Host: The University of Auckland

Contact Person: Dr GM Donovan

Panel: MIS

Project ID: 14-UOA-145


Fund Type: Marsden Fund

Category: Standard

Year Awarded: 2016

Title: Symmetry, group structure, algorithms and representations

Recipient(s): Professor MDE Conder | PI | The University of Auckland
Associate Professor J An | PI | The University of Auckland
Professor EA O'Brien | PI | The University of Auckland

Public Summary: Symmetry pervades nature and science, and group theory provides means for its study. We propose to undertake research that will answer interesting and significant questions in the study of groups, their structure, their representations and their actions – for example as symmetry groups of discrete objects. We will develop new theoretical and computational techniques for the solution of several long-standing questions in group theory and its applications. We will discover new phenomena, announce our findings at international conferences, and publish them in leading journals.

Total Awarded: $500,000

Duration: 3

Host: The University of Auckland

Contact Person: Professor MDE Conder

Panel: MIS

Project ID: 16-UOA-043


Fund Type: Marsden Fund

Category: Standard

Year Awarded: 2015

Title: Synergising ecology and evolution: discovering patterns of functional and phylogenetic diversity of New Zealand's marine fishes versus depth

Recipient(s): Professor MJ Anderson | PI | Massey University
Dr CD Roberts | PI | Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Public Summary: Biologists know least about the largest habitat on earth - the deep sea. The contrast from energetic shallow waters to the relatively large, stable, homogeneous environment of the deep ocean offers an exceptional opportunity to investigate potential mechanisms driving biodiversity. Yet, fundamental patterns of functional and phylogenetic biodiversity, from coastal waters to the abyss, have never been quantified. We will measure functional traits important for locomotion, feeding and reproduction of New Zealand fishes vs depth, using both museum specimens and unique in situ stereo-video footage. Our footage was drawn from a stratified replicated ecological study design, spanning latitudes from the Auckland Islands to the Kermadec Islands and depths from 50m to 1200m, allowing rigorous spatial inferences to be made for the first time. A new molecular phylogeny for these fishes will be developed and both functional and phylogenetic alpha and beta diversity (turnover) will be modelled vs depth. Traits found to change significantly with depth will be superimposed on recent and ancient lineages of the phylogeny. Statistical tests of null models will be used to identify significant phylogenetic signals of convergent evolution and niche conservatism, uncovering the key evolutionary mechanisms underlying present-day patterns in the biodiversity of marine fishes.

Total Awarded: $840,000

Duration: 3

Host: Massey University

Contact Person: Professor MJ Anderson

Panel: EEB

Project ID: 15-MAU-132


Fund Type: Marsden Fund

Category: Fast-Start

Year Awarded: 2010

Title: Synthesis of natural bis-indoles - prevention and chemotherapy of cancer

Recipient(s): Dr J Sperry | PI | The University of Auckland

Public Summary: Cancer affects people of all ages and accounts for 13% of all human deaths worldwide. An estimated 80% of all newly diagnosed cancers can be traced to environmental and lifestyle factors and as a result, innovative medicinal approaches to cancer prevention are as highly sought as new chemotherapeutic agents. By adopting a unified chemical strategy, the first total synthesis of two structurally unprecedented natural products that possess potential in both the prevention and treatment of cancer will be undertaken.

The total synthesis of the novel natural product terreusinone, an exceptional UV-A protectant, will allow investigation into its potential as a more effective sunscreen with an aim to reduce the occurrence of skin cancer - a disease of which 85-90% of cases are attributed to sun damage. The organic compounds currently used as UV-A protectants are toxic and offer limited protection against UV-A radiation.

Schischkiniin is a cytotoxic alkaloid and a promising lead compound for the development of novel chemotherapeutics. The synthesis of this unique metabolite will be undertaken to investigate its considerable promise as a new anti-cancer agent. There is a desperate demand for new cancer treatments based on such novel compounds due to multiple drug resistance (MDR) which can quickly render current drug regimens useless.

Total Awarded: $260,870

Duration: 3

Host: The University of Auckland

Contact Person: Dr J Sperry

Panel: PCB

Project ID: 10-UOA-203


Fund Type: Marsden Fund

Category: Standard

Year Awarded: 2015

Title: Synthetic sulfated saccharides in cell signalling

Recipient(s): Dr PC Tyler | PI | Victoria University of Wellington
Professor JE Turnbull | PI | University of Liverpool
Dr OV Zubkova | AI | Industrial Research Ltd
Dr R Schwoerer | AI | Victoria University of Wellington

Public Summary: Cell signalling is an essential communication process that controls most cellular function. We will design and synthesize molecules that will unlock new knowledge governing cell signalling. Heparan sulfate (HS) is a component of important signalling processes by being an essential co-receptor for fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and regulates their complexation with cognate receptors into functional signalling complexes. This proposal combines world-leading groups in New Zealand and the UK and together we will exploit our chemistry and HS biology expertise to build new knowledge of - and control over - these critical signalling functions.

Total Awarded: $790,000

Duration: 3

Host: Victoria University of Wellington

Contact Person: Dr PC Tyler

Panel: PCB

Project ID: 15-VUW-095


Fund Type: Marsden Fund

Category: Standard

Year Awarded: 2017

Title: Tailored environments for highly active and stable electrocatalysts

Recipient(s): Professor AJ Downard | PI | University of Canterbury
Dr AT Marshall | PI | University of Canterbury
Dr CM Fitchett | AI | University of Canterbury

Public Summary: Electrocatalysts play a critical role in technologies that can tackle the challenges of climate change and sustainable energy production. Electrocatalysts accelerate electrically-driven chemical transformations and increase their energy efficiency, yet many environmentally-friendly technologies are hindered due to poorly-performing catalysts. Our work will boost the efficiency of molecular electrocatalysts through a new approach: molecular-level design of the catalyst environment.

To develop our novel strategy, we will focus on catalysis of the oxygen reduction reaction which is central to fuel cells and metal-air batteries, and catalysis of carbon dioxide reduction which gives carbon monoxide, a useful feed-stock for fuels, and other commodity chemicals. Iron porphyrin catalysts will be immobilized on carbon electrodes through well-defined linkages and detailed electrochemical investigations will reveal how the immobilisation mode influences the catalytic performance. We will then add selected molecules to the electrode to tailor the chemical environment of the catalyst. In this task, we will be guided by known catalytic mechanisms and factors that influence catalytic activity. Through systematic investigations we will fabricate electrodes bearing catalysts with tailored environments that optimise their performance. Our goal is to demonstrate a general strategy for fabricating highly efficient electrocatalysts so that sustainable technologies become technically and economically feasible.

Total Awarded: $910,000

Duration: 3

Host: University of Canterbury

Contact Person: Professor AJ Downard

Panel: PCB

Project ID: 17-UOC-064


Fund Type: Marsden Fund

Category: Fast-Start

Year Awarded: 2017

Title: Taku ara rā, ko Tūrongo rāua ko Māhinaarangi: (re)tracing the journeys of our ancestors to restore tribal geographies.

Recipient(s): Dr NB Simmonds | PI | University of Waikato

Public Summary: Māhinaarangi, a prominent Ngāti Kahungunu ancestress, made a famous journey from the lands of her people to those of her husband, Tūrongo, at Rangiātea. Māhinaarangi, whilst heavily pregnant, purposefully made the approximately 500km walk across ridges and ranges, lakes and rivers. Along the way she went into labour and gave birth to her son Raukawa before continuing on to their new home with Tūrongo. Māhinaarangi demonstrated great mana and foresight through her journey - she was a cartographer, mapping her story, history, language, tradition, ceremony, knowledge and therefore herself and her descendants into the land upon which her footsteps fell. This research seeks to (re)story and (re)trace Māhinaarangi’s trail in order to unlock new (yet ancient) knowledges and associated tikanga. Methodologically this research utilises Māhinaarangi’s hīkoi as both context and process. Using pūrākau and hīkoi, a group of Māhinaarangi’s descendants will walk the stories of her trail to better understand the pertinence of ancestral journey-based and land-based knowledges to our present and future realities. As such, the research focuses on learning from and with, not simply about, land and offers a conceptual and physical map that restores the unique ancestral pathways and lifeways embedded in our tribal geographies.

Total Awarded: $300,000

Duration: 3

Host: The University of Waikato

Contact Person: Dr NB Simmonds

Panel: SOC

Project ID: 17-UOW-075


Share our content