Wnt Signaling In Dopaminergic Neuronal Connectivity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$564,721.00
Summary
A major obstacle in repairing the injured or diseased brain is inducing axons (nerve cell processes) to make the appropriate connections. This is especially true following cell replacement therapy (CRT) in Parkinson's disease (PD). We will examine the processes inducing axons in the dopamine pathways to grow. We hypothesize that Wnt signaling plays and important role and that therapeutic introduction of Wnt is required to repair the dopamine pathways following CRT in PD.
Regulation Of Lipid Metabolism By AMP Activated Protein Kinase
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$478,776.00
Summary
Western communities are experiencing an epidemic of overweight and obesity that is contributing to diabetes, heart disease, and premature death. This project is investigating an enzyme, called AMP-activated protein kinase, that plays a pivotal role in controlling how our bodies control energy metabolism in response to exercise. Improved understanding about how this enzyme regulates the body's storage and breakdown of fat and responsiveness to insulin will enable the development of new medicines ....Western communities are experiencing an epidemic of overweight and obesity that is contributing to diabetes, heart disease, and premature death. This project is investigating an enzyme, called AMP-activated protein kinase, that plays a pivotal role in controlling how our bodies control energy metabolism in response to exercise. Improved understanding about how this enzyme regulates the body's storage and breakdown of fat and responsiveness to insulin will enable the development of new medicines for the treatment of obesity and the prevention of diabetes.Read moreRead less
Transplantation of pancreatic islets is the only cure for type 1 diabetes (T1D). Unfortunately, many of the transplanted islet cells die quickly due to an inadequate supply of blood. Herein, we investigate a novel cell surface protein for its role in islet and blood vessel survival and function. Furthermore, we use nanotechnology to provide said protein to the islet cells during transplantation for increased survival and function. Ultimately, this work may cure more patients with diabetes.
Regulation Of Protein Kinases And Their Substrates
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$582,000.00
Summary
Western communities are experiencing an obesity epidemic with up to half the population being overweight. Sedentary life styles and high caloric intake are the cause and will contribute to the development of age onset diseases including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke and neurodegeneration. This project is investigating an enzyme that plays a pivotal role in controlling the body s response to exercise and diet. The key enzyme involved in this process is called the AMP-activated ....Western communities are experiencing an obesity epidemic with up to half the population being overweight. Sedentary life styles and high caloric intake are the cause and will contribute to the development of age onset diseases including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke and neurodegeneration. This project is investigating an enzyme that plays a pivotal role in controlling the body s response to exercise and diet. The key enzyme involved in this process is called the AMP-activated protein kinase. This work will increase our understanding of the health benefits of diet and exercise. This new knowledge will play a vital role in developing new therapies for promoting exercise and mitigating the effects of diet that will improve health during the ageing process.Read moreRead less
A microscopical examination of curdlan production by an Agrobacterium sp. We will investigate the secretion of the insoluble polysaccharide curdlan, a (1,3)-beta-glucan, from the surfaces of Agrobacterium cells and the assembly of the individual polysaccharide chains into microfibrils. Using state-of-the-art techniques in time lapse and electron microscopy we will compare the images of wild type curdlan-producing cells with those of mutants impaired in the production of curdlan. The outputs will ....A microscopical examination of curdlan production by an Agrobacterium sp. We will investigate the secretion of the insoluble polysaccharide curdlan, a (1,3)-beta-glucan, from the surfaces of Agrobacterium cells and the assembly of the individual polysaccharide chains into microfibrils. Using state-of-the-art techniques in time lapse and electron microscopy we will compare the images of wild type curdlan-producing cells with those of mutants impaired in the production of curdlan. The outputs will be information on the mechanics of curdlan production that will complement that emerging from our molecular biological and biochemical studies. These will have implications for understanding bacterial polysaccharide production in general and may have a commercial outcome in enhanced curdlan production.Read moreRead less
Does a novel class of small RNA molecules control self-incompatibility in solanaceous plants? Self-incompatibility is a simple and genetically defined cell recognition system that prevents inbreeding in many plant species. Flowers of self-incompatible plants can distinguish self pollen from foreign pollen, and allow only foreign pollen to fertilise their egg cells. This proposal will investigate the possibility that the part of the genetic self-incompatibility locus controlling recognition of ....Does a novel class of small RNA molecules control self-incompatibility in solanaceous plants? Self-incompatibility is a simple and genetically defined cell recognition system that prevents inbreeding in many plant species. Flowers of self-incompatible plants can distinguish self pollen from foreign pollen, and allow only foreign pollen to fertilise their egg cells. This proposal will investigate the possibility that the part of the genetic self-incompatibility locus controlling recognition of pollen is a novel type of gene that encodes a small RNA molecule but no protein. Knowledge gained by studying the self-incompatibility genes will help us to understand how plant cells recognise each other, and may allow us to manipulate seed (and hence crop) production.Read moreRead less
The Role Of Cell Adhesion Molecules In Regulation Of Axon Advance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$426,006.00
Summary
All cells contain on their surface a class of molecules, cell adhesion molecules, that enable them to adhere to other cells in tissues. Cell adhesion molecules have long been known to be involved in the guidance of axons to their targets during development. However the molecular mechanisms by which these molecules act are largely unknown. We propose to use the powerful genetic tools available in the fruitfly to dissect the mechanisms by which two cell adhesion molecules promote axon growth.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0347970
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$186,000.00
Summary
Integrated Bio-nano-fabrication Facility. The project proposes the upgrade of a joint facility for the probing, fabrication and operation of hybrid bio-nano-devices. The facility will enhance the proposers' capabilities in the area of the fundamental and prototype-type research on biomolecular/cellular devices. The ultimate goal of these projects is to thrust Australian science in the era when the essential functions of cells can be replicated and controlled on devices that are smaller than livi ....Integrated Bio-nano-fabrication Facility. The project proposes the upgrade of a joint facility for the probing, fabrication and operation of hybrid bio-nano-devices. The facility will enhance the proposers' capabilities in the area of the fundamental and prototype-type research on biomolecular/cellular devices. The ultimate goal of these projects is to thrust Australian science in the era when the essential functions of cells can be replicated and controlled on devices that are smaller than living cells. The proposed facility has a modular structure consisting of additional nano-positioning, confocal microscope and zeta potential modules built on the existent laser tweezers/scissors, picoliter pipette and Atomic Force Microscope modules.Read moreRead less