Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0561041
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$347,358.00
Summary
A New Generation Biosensor and Fluorescence Facility for Proteomics. The complete DNA sequence (the genome) is now known for many organisms and advances are being made to identify the complement of messenger RNA (the transcriptome) and the resultant collection of proteins (the proteome). The genome is largely fixed while the transcriptome and proteome differ between cell types in an organism and constantly vary to adapt the cell to changing conditions. The mediators of these variations are prote ....A New Generation Biosensor and Fluorescence Facility for Proteomics. The complete DNA sequence (the genome) is now known for many organisms and advances are being made to identify the complement of messenger RNA (the transcriptome) and the resultant collection of proteins (the proteome). The genome is largely fixed while the transcriptome and proteome differ between cell types in an organism and constantly vary to adapt the cell to changing conditions. The mediators of these variations are proteins, interacting with each other and with signal molecules. The next frontier in molecular biology is to identify and quantify these protein interactions. Our two institutions have a very large cohort of biologists whose research on proteins would be greatly facilitated by the Biacore 3000 and the ISS K2.Read moreRead less
Understanding mechanistic and systemic regulation of protein prenyltransferases. The proposed research will expand our understanding of lipid-conjugating enzymes that are critical for a multitude of normal cellular functions. We seek to reveal the basic workings of cells and help to explain the development and complexity of signalling networks in eukaryotic evolution. The findings will enable us to explore and exploit the catalytic properties of these lipid-related enzymes for applications in bi ....Understanding mechanistic and systemic regulation of protein prenyltransferases. The proposed research will expand our understanding of lipid-conjugating enzymes that are critical for a multitude of normal cellular functions. We seek to reveal the basic workings of cells and help to explain the development and complexity of signalling networks in eukaryotic evolution. The findings will enable us to explore and exploit the catalytic properties of these lipid-related enzymes for applications in biotechnology. The ultimate aim is to create novel technologies for protein production, modification and analysis that will accelerate the pace of discovery in protein research, basic cell and organism biology, diagnostics, biotechnology and drug discovery. Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354892
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$40,000.00
Summary
The Australian Protease Network. Proteases are pivotal enzymes during birth, life, ageing and death of all organisms. Proteases regulate most physiological processes by controlling protein activation, synthesis and turnover and are essential for replication and spread of viruses, bacteria and parasites that cause infectious diseases. Blockbuster drugs and diagnostics already target a few proteases. Australians have made innovative contributions individually to understanding and regulating these ....The Australian Protease Network. Proteases are pivotal enzymes during birth, life, ageing and death of all organisms. Proteases regulate most physiological processes by controlling protein activation, synthesis and turnover and are essential for replication and spread of viruses, bacteria and parasites that cause infectious diseases. Blockbuster drugs and diagnostics already target a few proteases. Australians have made innovative contributions individually to understanding and regulating these enzymes. However this initiative aims to network their efforts by value-adding to the current protease research through promoting national and international collaborations to improve our understanding of biology, and encourage exploitation of proteases/inhibitors/receptors for pharmaceutical and industrial applications.Read moreRead less
Molecular mechanisms of novel bacterial copper defense proteins. This project aims to reveal molecular and cellular mechanisms used by bacteria to neutralise the destructive effects of copper. Copper is an essential trace element in living systems. It is toxic to bacteria and so plays a vital role in nutritional immunity. To counteract copper toxicity, bacteria have evolved defense mechanisms. The project will investigate a novel but poorly understood class of bacterial proteins, the suppressor ....Molecular mechanisms of novel bacterial copper defense proteins. This project aims to reveal molecular and cellular mechanisms used by bacteria to neutralise the destructive effects of copper. Copper is an essential trace element in living systems. It is toxic to bacteria and so plays a vital role in nutritional immunity. To counteract copper toxicity, bacteria have evolved defense mechanisms. The project will investigate a novel but poorly understood class of bacterial proteins, the suppressor of copper sensitivity proteins, that contribute to this key virulence trait. The expected outcomes will be fundamental new knowledge of metallo-protein diversity, bacterial virulence mechanisms, and membrane protein function with potential impact on health, environment, and biotechnology.Read moreRead less
Understanding the structural basis for catalysis and substrate specificity in non-heme diiron medium-chain alkane hydroxylases. This work will determine the molecular basis for catalysis and specificity of non-heme diiron medium-chain alkane hydroxylases by obtaining the first structure of such an enzyme. This pivotal knowledge will drive enzyme engineering for applications in biodegradation of spilt oils and biosynthesis of pharmaceuticals and high-cost chemicals.
Development of a novel high yield cell-free protein expression system. Recombinant proteins are used as vaccines, drugs, and research tools, as well as food and detergent additives, comprising a A$100 billion international market. Their production requires laborious, expensive, and time-consuming construction of transgenic organisms or cells. Alternatively, recombinant proteins can be produced in extracts prepared from cells or organisms. The aim of this proposal is to develop a new technology t ....Development of a novel high yield cell-free protein expression system. Recombinant proteins are used as vaccines, drugs, and research tools, as well as food and detergent additives, comprising a A$100 billion international market. Their production requires laborious, expensive, and time-consuming construction of transgenic organisms or cells. Alternatively, recombinant proteins can be produced in extracts prepared from cells or organisms. The aim of this proposal is to develop a new technology that will make cell-free production of recombinant proteins rapid, cheap, and scalable. This will advance Australia’s intellectual leadership in the area of biotechnology and will bring numerous economic benefits by accelerating pharmaceutical development. Read moreRead less
Structure-based design of anti-osteoporotic drug leads: an integrated approach. One of the major consequences of Australia's aging population is that age-related diseases, such as osteoporosis, are increasing. Apart from the significant human suffering caused by this disease, there is an immense financial burden on the community, patients and their families. Current treatments for osteoporosis are often ineffective and also have major side-effects. An enzyme has been identified which plays a cru ....Structure-based design of anti-osteoporotic drug leads: an integrated approach. One of the major consequences of Australia's aging population is that age-related diseases, such as osteoporosis, are increasing. Apart from the significant human suffering caused by this disease, there is an immense financial burden on the community, patients and their families. Current treatments for osteoporosis are often ineffective and also have major side-effects. An enzyme has been identified which plays a crucial role in the progression of this disease by increasing the rate of bone-thinning. We will make compounds to slow down this enzyme. This project will provide the basis for the future development of new and improved drugs to treat osteoporosis.Read moreRead less
Development of new herbicides targeting enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of branched-chain amino acids. Modern agriculture is heavily reliant on the use of herbicides. An inevitable consequence of herbicide usage is that resistant weeds will develop. Therefore, there is a continuing need to develop new herbicides to kill these resistant species. Herbicides interact with vulnerable molecular targets in plants, such as photosynthesis or the biosynthesis of certain amino acids. This project wil ....Development of new herbicides targeting enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of branched-chain amino acids. Modern agriculture is heavily reliant on the use of herbicides. An inevitable consequence of herbicide usage is that resistant weeds will develop. Therefore, there is a continuing need to develop new herbicides to kill these resistant species. Herbicides interact with vulnerable molecular targets in plants, such as photosynthesis or the biosynthesis of certain amino acids. This project will attempt to develop new herbicides that act upon two molecular targets that are not exploited by herbicides that are used currently. We will design, synthesize and test a variety of new compounds as potential environmentally-benign herbicides.Read moreRead less
EnzOnomy - an enzyme-based production pipeline for the bioeconomy. The sustainable production of high value chemicals (e.g. fuels, foods) from renewable materials is a cornerstone for the emerging global bioeconomy. We aim to harness the potential of protein engineering to develop a technology (EnzOnomy) to convert renewable raw material (e.g. sugar) into platform chemicals (e.g. isobutanol, a building block for jet fuels, fibers, plastics and antioxidants). Our multi-disciplinary and well estab ....EnzOnomy - an enzyme-based production pipeline for the bioeconomy. The sustainable production of high value chemicals (e.g. fuels, foods) from renewable materials is a cornerstone for the emerging global bioeconomy. We aim to harness the potential of protein engineering to develop a technology (EnzOnomy) to convert renewable raw material (e.g. sugar) into platform chemicals (e.g. isobutanol, a building block for jet fuels, fibers, plastics and antioxidants). Our multi-disciplinary and well established international team will link scientific progress to markets to enhance potential commercial impact in the bioeconomy. The project thus provides great benefit for our nation as it embeds Australia in technologies and global networks that will cement its leading position to safe-guard the future of our planet.
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Understanding the mechanisms of peptide cyclisation. This project aims to identify, study, engineer and apply a new class of biocatalysts (called asparaginyl endopeptidase enzymes) as versatile tools for manufacturing of advanced therapeutics and bio-insecticides. The expected outcomes include fundamental new knowledge on the mechanism of action of these catalysts, an expanded toolbox for precision engineering of biomolecules and new strategies for production of high-value pharmaceuticals and cr ....Understanding the mechanisms of peptide cyclisation. This project aims to identify, study, engineer and apply a new class of biocatalysts (called asparaginyl endopeptidase enzymes) as versatile tools for manufacturing of advanced therapeutics and bio-insecticides. The expected outcomes include fundamental new knowledge on the mechanism of action of these catalysts, an expanded toolbox for precision engineering of biomolecules and new strategies for production of high-value pharmaceuticals and crop protecting agents. The project is significant because it will contribute to high value biotechnology and agricultural industries in Australia, with the potential for economic, environmental, training and societal benefits.Read moreRead less