ANNUAL REPORT 2020 ANNUAL REPORT 2019Members of our Chief and Associate Investigator team closely collaborate with the following companies and organisations on projects that are relevant to Imaging CoE activities: The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, Roche, Thermo Fisher Scientific (formerly FEI), EMBL, EMBL Australia, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI and its branch for Bioanalytics and Bioprocesses (IZI-BB), the European XFEL (EuXFEL), Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) and Wolf Biotherapeutics. CONTACT INFORMATION www.imagingcoe.org @ImagingCoE COVER IMAGE: “Mimicry”. Artwork depicting the way bacterial proteins mimic gluten proteins, causing an immune response to coeliac disease. By Dr Erica Tandori, artist in residence from the Rossjohn Laboratory at Monash University.Funding Body Collaborating Organisations Partner Organisations Administering Organisation1 3 2 RESEARCH 22RESEARCH THEMES 24MOLECULAR IMAGING USING XFEL 28SINGLE MOLECULE IMAGING 32MOLECULAR IMAGING OF T CELL ACTIVATION 36IN VIVO IMAGING 40IMAGING PEPTIDE-MEDIATED IMMUNITY 44IMAGING LIPID-MEDIATED IMMUNITY 48IMAGING METABOLITE-MEDIATED IMMUNITY 52IMAGING INNATE IMMUNE RESPONSES 56IMAGING IMMUNE EFFECTORS INTRO ABOUT US07 GOVERNANCE08 MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR09 2019 AT A GLANCE10 MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR11 INTERNATIONAL LINKAGES12 NATIONAL LINKAGES16 EDUCATION STUDENT AND GRADUATE SUCCESS61 ALUMNI SUCCESS 62 STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS64HIGHLIGHTS 74HIGHLIGHT EVENTS 80AWARDS AND ACCOLADES 84GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS 5 6 OUTCOMES 95KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS 96PUBLICATIONS 108FINANCIAL STATEMENT MEMBERS 87GOVERNING BOARD 88INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE 89THEME LEADERS 90CENTRE MEMBERS 7 COMMUNICATING OUR SCIENCE 67INTERACTIVE SCIENCE EXPO, UNSW 68OPENING THE WORLD OF CANCER RESEARCH TO THE LOW VISION COMMUNITY 70HOW A BEER AT A UNI BAR SPARKED AN IDEA THAT COULD HELP SAVE MILLIONS 71MECHANICAL TUNING OF THE SENSES 72CELL SUICIDE COULD HOLD KEY FOR BRAIN HEALTH AND FOOD SECURITY 73BACTERIAL TOXIN RESEARCH COULD IMPROVE PESTICIDES AND HELP TREAT CANCER 41 INTRO The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging (Imaging CoE) develops and uses innovative microscopy and imaging techniques to observe the details of how the immune system functions at the molecular level. 6IMAGING COE 2019 ANNUAL REPORTVISION & OBJECTIVES The Imaging CoE aims to visualise and interpret the atomic, molecular and cellular interactions involved in our immune response. We achieve this by developing and using a wide range of tools across chemistry, biology and physics. EXCELLENCE We achieve excellence in terms of the quality of scientific outcomes and the quality of the next generation of scientists we mentor, train and inspire. Underpinning these goals is world-class research infrastructure and strategic partnerships developed with the Australian Synchrotron, The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), the Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY) and the Monash Ramaciotti Centre for Cryo-Electron Microscopy. ENGAGEMENT Externally, we engage with an extensive community of scientists, industry, government, and the general public. We form global research collaborations, and translate our discoveries into commercial outcomes benefitting society. We raise public awareness and enthusiasm for our discoveries and build a sustainable network of peers and pipeline of future talent. The Imaging CoE uses multi-disciplinary collaborations to deliver truly groundbreaking discoveries and provide well-rounded training to our next generation of scientists. TRANSLATIONAL IMPACT We will maximise the impact of our discoveries by working with companies to pursue translational outcomes. We also leverage the expertise of the commercialisation groups at our associated universities. “The Imaging CoE is building a community in Australia, that works together, to bring new imaging technologies to the forefront of biology. The research is not only across institutions, but also across core facilities, labs, and data science,” Imaging CoE Deputy Director, Prof. Kat Gaus. Funded in 2014 with more than $39 million over seven years, the Centre brings together leading biologists, chemists and physicists from five major Australian universities, as well as scientific and commercial partners, globally. Collectively, the Centre uses a truly multi-scale and programmatic approach to imaging to deliver maximum impact. The Imaging CoE is headquartered at Monash University in Melbourne, Victoria with four collaborating organisations – La Trobe University, University of New South Wales, University of Melbourne, and the University of Queensland. ABOUT US 7IMAGING COE 2019 ANNUAL REPORTBOARD DIRECTOR DEPUTY DIRECTOR CICICICICICICICICI CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER SNR MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR PROJECT MANAGER (SCIENCE COMMUNICATION) EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE DIRECTOR INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE GOVERNANCE Our Governing Board meets twice a year and ensures the Centre’s fiscal compliance, best research practice and alignment of activities and goals, while also providing advice across all facets of Centre operations. The International Scientific Advisory Committee gives independent strategic advice to the Director on the positioning of the Centre with respect to new research directions, international outreach and industry linkage opportunities. Together, they review the research, education and outreach programs annually and convey findings to the Governing Board for consideration and action. General management and operations of the Centre across the five nodes is overseen by the Centre Executive who meet on a monthly basis. Our executive take a proactive approach to discussing and solving issues arising on financial, operational and commercial fronts. Centre Chief Investigators meet on a quarterly basis to discuss research projects, progress and achievements as well as scientific milestones. These meetings are a vital part of the Centre as they provide a platform for sharing ideas and exploring new interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities. The Imaging CoE is administered by Monash University with day-to-day operations managed by the core administrative team including the Centre Director, Professor James Whisstock; Chief Operating Officer, Annette Wittmann; Snr Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Juliana Villa; Project Manager (Science Communication), Amanda Hamilton. Operations are further supported by dedicated administrators at each node. 8IMAGING COE 2019 ANNUAL REPORTMESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR The Imaging CoE has grown and matured into a successful, collaborative and productive ecosystem and continues to impress with its scientific excellence and impact. I will highlight a few examples in my message and if you continue reading you will find many more throughout this annual report. PROF. FRANCES SHANNON GOVERNING BOARD CHAIR EMERITUS PROFESSOR, JOHN CURTIN SCHOOL OF MEDICAL RESEARCH, AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY As I write this message, we are in the midst of a major global pandemic, with COVID-19 spreading extremely rapidly around the world. Such a major health threat clearly demonstrates that we need to continue understanding and developing technologies, treatments, vaccines and effective preventative measures to deal with new infectious diseases that will continue to emerge. These threats underscore the importance of the work undertaken by the Imaging CoE which has made major strides in visualising and understanding the cellular and molecular events involved in our immune response to such viruses. It is the excellent cross-disciplinary work of the Centre and many such entities across Australia and the globe that puts us in a strong position to deal with viral threats and many other diseases. The Centre’s female scientists have demonstrated outstanding achievement and leadership again this year. During 2019 they were granted over $7m in funding for work in their laboratories. They have also been awarded a number of very prestigious prizes and our congratulations go to A/Prof. Laura Mackay, who won the prestigious Macquarie University Eureka Prize for Outstanding ECR, the 2019 Woodward Medal in Science and Technology and the 2019 Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year; Prof. Jenny Stow who was awarded Australian and New Zealand Society for Cell and Developmental Biology (ANZCDB) President’s Medallist; A/Prof. Kate Schroder who claimed an ANZSCDB Emerging Leader Award and the Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) Merck Medal and Dr Gabby Watson who received a Fellowship from the ASBMB. The availability of new technology often paves the way for new understanding in biology. This year scientists working in the Centre have made a number of new technological advances that will enable more in-depth visualisation of cellular function. One such technology is an integrated cryo-focused ion beam and light microscope setup called the Photon Ion Electron microscope (PIE-scope) that enables direct and rapid isolation of cellular regions containing protein complexes of interest allowing an improved understanding of the biomolecules inside the cell. Centre scientists, working with colleagues from UNSW Sydney, have also developed a novel biosensor being used to monitor interactions between the HIV virus and host proteins, an essential element in the lifecycle of any virus. In November, over three days, more than 120 Centre members from around Australia and the world discussed the latest scientific achievements and opportunities for future collaboration at another successful scientific summit. This year’s special features included student professional development sessions on how to pitch to different audiences as well as panel discussions on career pathways and how to access and participate in international research networks. We also enjoyed a sample of key exhibits, including a ‘holdable’ HIV, from the award-winning Sensory Science exhibition co-created by CI Prof. Jamie Rossjohn collaborating with Dr. Erica Tandori, Artist in Residence at the Rossjohn lab. 2020 will be the final year of the Centre as it comes to the end of its funding cycle. With input from the Governing Board and the ISAC, the Director and his leadership team are planning for winding down operations and putting mechanisms in place to accelerate the Centre’s legacy and communication of its impact over the years. Thank you to my fellow Governing Board members for your contributions throughout the year and I am looking forward to the achievements of the final year and the 2020 Summit – Frontiers and Future. 9IMAGING COE 2019 ANNUAL REPORTNext >