The biogenesis of bacterial outer membranes; how bacteria build their surface membranes. The outer membrane protects probiotic bacteria in the human intestine and enables pathogenic bacteria to cause infectious diseases. We will determine bacteria build their outer membranes - outstanding training opportunities come through cutting edge technology and the development of skills not common in Australia.
Iron, ferroptosis and the biology of ageing. This project aims to determine how and when regulation of iron is lost. Failing iron metabolism during life may dictate the rate of ageing by driving a newly discovered cell death program. Combining biology, chemistry and physics, this collaborative project aims to transform the understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of biological ageing. Anticipated outcomes include new assays for measuring iron in biology and identification of potential pathway ....Iron, ferroptosis and the biology of ageing. This project aims to determine how and when regulation of iron is lost. Failing iron metabolism during life may dictate the rate of ageing by driving a newly discovered cell death program. Combining biology, chemistry and physics, this collaborative project aims to transform the understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of biological ageing. Anticipated outcomes include new assays for measuring iron in biology and identification of potential pathways that regulate death signaling and lifespan. Outcomes will benefit life sciences and biotechnology industries.Read moreRead less
Development of Model Systems to Investigate Blood Hydrodynamic Parameters Affecting Blood Cell Function: An Interdisciplinary Approach. National benefit will come through this research contributing to a better understanding of blood flow biology and pathology, both of which are of particular relevance to the aging Australian population. This benefit is well aligned with the 2008 National research priority 2: Promoting and Maintaining Good Health; Priority Goal 3. Preventative Health. The synthes ....Development of Model Systems to Investigate Blood Hydrodynamic Parameters Affecting Blood Cell Function: An Interdisciplinary Approach. National benefit will come through this research contributing to a better understanding of blood flow biology and pathology, both of which are of particular relevance to the aging Australian population. This benefit is well aligned with the 2008 National research priority 2: Promoting and Maintaining Good Health; Priority Goal 3. Preventative Health. The synthesis of both extensive expertise in platelet/cardiovascular research and bioengineering/rheology should provide a substantial platform from which fundamental new discoveries in this niche area can be made. The development of novel platelet analysis tools arising from this work may also ultimately lead to new intellectual property and attract industry based funding.Read moreRead less
Artificially building the bacterial flagellar motor. This project will allow us to learn how nature’s most sophisticated rotary motor works and how to build these artificially, establishing a new field of research into man-made biological machines. This has potential applications for the emerging field of nanotechnology to make nanometre-scale devices that are powered by efficient biological machines.
Iron accumulation in the nematode C.elegans: a model of ageing. This project will investigate the role of biological metals in the process of ageing, the causes of which remain unresolved. The practical outcomes for society are broad; beyond improving understandings of the basic biology of ageing, this study will provide new insight and approaches that can be used to optimise lifespan.
Combined genetic and cellular analysis of melanisation to study variation in human pigmentation. This investigation examines variations in the genes that are important determinants of human skin pigmentation and are likely to be associated with skin cancer risk. Our research program will form the basis of future diagnostics based on major genes that determine a persons skin type. Current skin cancer prevention strategies rely predominantly on broad spectrum campaigns that are aimed at increasi ....Combined genetic and cellular analysis of melanisation to study variation in human pigmentation. This investigation examines variations in the genes that are important determinants of human skin pigmentation and are likely to be associated with skin cancer risk. Our research program will form the basis of future diagnostics based on major genes that determine a persons skin type. Current skin cancer prevention strategies rely predominantly on broad spectrum campaigns that are aimed at increasing the general community awareness of the damaging effects of UV radiation. A better understanding of the genetic basis of UV-sensitive skin types will greatly enhance the targeting of such skin cancer-prevention campaigns, provide an understanding of changes that occur in skin pathology, and the mechanisms of sun induced tanning.Read moreRead less
Protein structure controls light harvesting in photosynthetic light algae. The strange phenomena of quantum mechanics were not expected to play a direct role in life, however, it appears that quantum effects may be important in the efficient capture of sunlight for photosynthesis. The conditions for the emergence of quantum phenomena appear to be set by the structures of proteins. The aim of this project is to relate protein structure to the emergence of quantum effects in the light harvesting p ....Protein structure controls light harvesting in photosynthetic light algae. The strange phenomena of quantum mechanics were not expected to play a direct role in life, however, it appears that quantum effects may be important in the efficient capture of sunlight for photosynthesis. The conditions for the emergence of quantum phenomena appear to be set by the structures of proteins. The aim of this project is to relate protein structure to the emergence of quantum effects in the light harvesting proteins of marine algae. Understanding the link between structure and quantum effects could improve our knowledge of how nature achieves its remarkable efficiency in utilising the energy from the sun. This is likely to foster new technologies that improve the efficiency of solar energy systems.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
The colour of cellular aging: a deep probe of cellular processes. Understanding why we age and whether aging is preventable are profound research challenges, which must be first tackled at a cellular level. Building on our advances in non-invasive colour monitoring of cell function, this project aims to uncover intimate links between cellular processes and aging in cells that must survive for many decades such as oocytes and neurons. We will explore the tantalising possibility to rejuvenate such ....The colour of cellular aging: a deep probe of cellular processes. Understanding why we age and whether aging is preventable are profound research challenges, which must be first tackled at a cellular level. Building on our advances in non-invasive colour monitoring of cell function, this project aims to uncover intimate links between cellular processes and aging in cells that must survive for many decades such as oocytes and neurons. We will explore the tantalising possibility to rejuvenate such aged cells by interfering with molecular master switches of aging. A unique machine learning approach will be applied for finding the most effective interventions. The results will have broad impact beyond the science of aging, in the areas of female fertility, neurodegeneration and immunity.
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Regulation of lipolysis: new players, new paradigms. The way in which fat is broken down is poorly understood. This research will determine how important proteins in fat breakdown are turned on and off. By understanding this relationship, effective pharmaceutical treatments will be developed that will enhance the capacity to burn fat and ultimately reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and ease the associated financial burden on the community and healthcare system. ....Regulation of lipolysis: new players, new paradigms. The way in which fat is broken down is poorly understood. This research will determine how important proteins in fat breakdown are turned on and off. By understanding this relationship, effective pharmaceutical treatments will be developed that will enhance the capacity to burn fat and ultimately reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and ease the associated financial burden on the community and healthcare system. Understanding fat breakdown is also important for developing new processing technologies in the food industry.Read moreRead less