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.
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
Investigating the molecular basis of T-cell receptor cross-reactivity. This project will explore the basis of unexpected immune reactions whereby the immune system mistakes one molecular structure for another, a phenomenon known as cross-reactivity. This project will examine how often this is due to molecular mimicry, potentially explaining why immune T cells sometimes react inappropriately to different agents.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160100893
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$364,000.00
Summary
How do effector proteins from necrotrophic fungi cause disease in plants? This project aims to develop new knowledge to support the development of strategies to protect wheat from necrotrophic fungi. Crop losses caused by plant diseases are a significant economic, environmental and social challenge in a world facing increased demands on food, fibre and biofuels. Parastagonospora nodorum is an economically important necrotrophic fungal pathogen of wheat. During infection, P. nodorum uses effector ....How do effector proteins from necrotrophic fungi cause disease in plants? This project aims to develop new knowledge to support the development of strategies to protect wheat from necrotrophic fungi. Crop losses caused by plant diseases are a significant economic, environmental and social challenge in a world facing increased demands on food, fibre and biofuels. Parastagonospora nodorum is an economically important necrotrophic fungal pathogen of wheat. During infection, P. nodorum uses effector proteins to target sensitivity gene products in wheat. This process, known as necrotrophic effector-triggered susceptibility, results in plant cell death and disease. This project aims to investigate the structural basis of necrotrophic effector-triggered susceptibility in the P. nodorum – wheat pathosystem.Read moreRead less
Determining The Molecular Basis Of Tumour Cell Multidrug Resistance: Structural And Functional Analysis Of Breast Cancer Resistance Protein
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$325,396.00
Summary
Around 40% of human tumours develop resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs; a trait most commonly acquired by the increased expression of membrane proteins that remove a broad spectrum of molecules from the cell. This project aims to determine the structure of the human breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), a protein of particular importance in this process. The structure of BCRP will provide a scaffold for the design of drugs aimed at inhibiting chemotherapy drug resistance.
ARC Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science. The ARC Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science (CIPPS) strives to build a critical understanding of peptides and proteins in order to unleash the potential of these biomolecules for human benefit. We will discover nature’s untapped reservoir of peptides and proteins, decode their structures and functions, and
develop enhanced synthetic technologies to address biology’s next grand challenge—the d ....ARC Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science. The ARC Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science (CIPPS) strives to build a critical understanding of peptides and proteins in order to unleash the potential of these biomolecules for human benefit. We will discover nature’s untapped reservoir of peptides and proteins, decode their structures and functions, and
develop enhanced synthetic technologies to address biology’s next grand challenge—the design of peptides and proteins for targeted scientific, agricultural, biotechnology, animal health and pharmaceutical applications. CIPPS will assemble leading researchers from diverse disciplines to create a sustainable national entity that will drive new Australian industries and train next generation researchers.Read moreRead less
Advanced cryobanking for propagation-recalcitrant and critically endangered plant species. This project aims to advance methods for the conservation of recalcitrant/threatened plant species to achieve best practice ecological restoration in areas of high biodiversity. In particular, the nature of freezing and dehydration damage to cell membranes at various stages of tissue culture and cryopreservation will be investigated to try to minimise deleterious effects. In addition, metabolic changes tha ....Advanced cryobanking for propagation-recalcitrant and critically endangered plant species. This project aims to advance methods for the conservation of recalcitrant/threatened plant species to achieve best practice ecological restoration in areas of high biodiversity. In particular, the nature of freezing and dehydration damage to cell membranes at various stages of tissue culture and cryopreservation will be investigated to try to minimise deleterious effects. In addition, metabolic changes that affect cryogenic survival will be assessed to provide further insight into the role of oxidative stress and the toxicity of cryopreservation processes. Ultimately, improved cryogenic protocols will be developed to maintain the integrity of long-term cryobanks of key species for ecological restoration, such as in post-mined areas.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE180100179
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,189,000.00
Summary
Automated high resolution and high contrast cryo -TEM for three-dimensional structural biology. This project aims to establish a facility in automated, single-particle cryo-TEM and cryo-TEM tomography (Titan Krios) that will enable atomic and molecular structure research and three-dimensional subcellular and cellular imaging. The project will span all multiscale cryo-TEM modalities from the visualisation of cells, membranes and macromolecular complexes, through to near-atomic-resolution protein ....Automated high resolution and high contrast cryo -TEM for three-dimensional structural biology. This project aims to establish a facility in automated, single-particle cryo-TEM and cryo-TEM tomography (Titan Krios) that will enable atomic and molecular structure research and three-dimensional subcellular and cellular imaging. The project will span all multiscale cryo-TEM modalities from the visualisation of cells, membranes and macromolecular complexes, through to near-atomic-resolution protein structure determination. Cryo-single particle analysis and tomography are recognised as revolutionary technologies in molecular structural biology and powerful enablers of future ground-breaking discovery. The project will deliver significant competitive advantage for Australia in leading-edge structure-based research, drug discovery, new opportunities for applied research and development, and showcasing science to the public.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
This project investigates the way in which viruses are able to use host cell machinery to make viral proteins and to replicate their own genetic material. We focus on the picornavirus family that cause illnesses with important health and economic consequences including serious heart infections such as myocarditis and pericarditis as well as the "common cold". This research we will reveal new possible avenues of antiviral development.