Early evolutionary origins of mechanosensory transduction: structure, function and phylogenetic studies of the family of mechanosensitive channels in cell-walled organisms. The proposed project is based on the recent progress the applicants have made by (i) identifying a novel family of mechanosensitive (MS) channels in cell-walled organisms, which include Archaea and Bacteria (prokaryotes), as well as fungi and plants (eukaryotes), and (ii) determining basic aspects of the structural dynamics ....Early evolutionary origins of mechanosensory transduction: structure, function and phylogenetic studies of the family of mechanosensitive channels in cell-walled organisms. The proposed project is based on the recent progress the applicants have made by (i) identifying a novel family of mechanosensitive (MS) channels in cell-walled organisms, which include Archaea and Bacteria (prokaryotes), as well as fungi and plants (eukaryotes), and (ii) determining basic aspects of the structural dynamics of MscL, the prototype MS channel, using electronparamagnetic resonance spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations in combination with the patch clamp technique. The aim of the project is to elucidate the molecular principles underlying the function of MS channels, which is of fundamental importance for understanding of the biophysics and physiology of mechanosensory transduction throughout the biological world.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0453524
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$321,456.00
Summary
The Centre for Advanced Light Microscopy: Equipment for in-vivo multiphoton microscopy and high-throughput confocal microscopy. The Centre for Advanced Light Microscopy was established with ARC RIEF funding and is currently experiencing overwhelming demand as the sole confocal provider for 260 researchers at multiple institutions in south-east Queensland. The present joint application of the Universities of Queensland and Southern Queensland seeks to build on the resounding success of the origi ....The Centre for Advanced Light Microscopy: Equipment for in-vivo multiphoton microscopy and high-throughput confocal microscopy. The Centre for Advanced Light Microscopy was established with ARC RIEF funding and is currently experiencing overwhelming demand as the sole confocal provider for 260 researchers at multiple institutions in south-east Queensland. The present joint application of the Universities of Queensland and Southern Queensland seeks to build on the resounding success of the original initiative by introducing state-of-the-art confocal and multiphoton applications. This powerful platform technology will allow structural and functional information to be obtained from sensitive live samples with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution, augmenting and accelerating vital research in the biosciences.
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Force from lipids: the role of the lipid bilayer in mechanosensory transduction. The proposed research will significantly contribute to a better understanding of the wide range of physiological processes underlying mechanosensory transduction in living cells. The direct benefit for Australian science consists of: (i) strengthening international links with leading overseas laboratories, and (ii) accessing the state-of-the-art expertise not available in Australia. The acquired knowledge will aid i ....Force from lipids: the role of the lipid bilayer in mechanosensory transduction. The proposed research will significantly contribute to a better understanding of the wide range of physiological processes underlying mechanosensory transduction in living cells. The direct benefit for Australian science consists of: (i) strengthening international links with leading overseas laboratories, and (ii) accessing the state-of-the-art expertise not available in Australia. The acquired knowledge will aid in developing and designing artificial tactile sensors inspired by their biological models studied in this project. Long-term, the project is expected to make an original contribution towards developing new technologies and novel medical applications, both of which promise to be of great national benefit.Read moreRead less