Response of Proteins to External Non-Ionising Radiation: an Experimental and Computer Modelling Investigation. The expanding use of digital technologies such as mobile phones has led to major health concerns about the effects of non-ionising pulsed radiation exposure which has been shown to produce instantaneous temperature rises undetectable by normal thermometry. The health implications of exposure are not understandable without establishing molecular mechanisms by which pulsed microwaves can ....Response of Proteins to External Non-Ionising Radiation: an Experimental and Computer Modelling Investigation. The expanding use of digital technologies such as mobile phones has led to major health concerns about the effects of non-ionising pulsed radiation exposure which has been shown to produce instantaneous temperature rises undetectable by normal thermometry. The health implications of exposure are not understandable without establishing molecular mechanisms by which pulsed microwaves can cause biological effects. We aim to establish methods for studying the molecular mechanisms of protein structural and energetic changes occurring due to non-ionising radiation. The results will help our industry partner to design specific drugs as well as formulate a scientifically based standard for microwave utilisation.Read moreRead less
Development of Novel Detergents for Green Solvent Systems and Their Self-Assembly into Nanostructures. Successful outcomes from this collaborative project will lead to the development of new commercially viable green solvent systems for the chemical industry, e.g. dry cleaning. This has the potential to impact the community on the economic and environmental level, by significantly reducing the costs of current green solvent systems, resulting in greater likelihood of conventional toxic solvent ....Development of Novel Detergents for Green Solvent Systems and Their Self-Assembly into Nanostructures. Successful outcomes from this collaborative project will lead to the development of new commercially viable green solvent systems for the chemical industry, e.g. dry cleaning. This has the potential to impact the community on the economic and environmental level, by significantly reducing the costs of current green solvent systems, resulting in greater likelihood of conventional toxic solvents being replaced. The project will also expand the training of junior and early career scientists by allowing them to work in overseas laboratories.Read moreRead less
New Polymers for Cellulose-based Bioplastics. We will design new cellulose derivatives by combining carefully engineered synthetic polymers to cellulose. We will explore the fundamental science underpinning the manufacture of these bioplastics, and apply the concept to the design of two new materials, with (super)hydrophobic and antibacterial properties. These materials have the potential to replace synthetic plastics, which comprise one of the major outputs of the chemical industry worldwide. P ....New Polymers for Cellulose-based Bioplastics. We will design new cellulose derivatives by combining carefully engineered synthetic polymers to cellulose. We will explore the fundamental science underpinning the manufacture of these bioplastics, and apply the concept to the design of two new materials, with (super)hydrophobic and antibacterial properties. These materials have the potential to replace synthetic plastics, which comprise one of the major outputs of the chemical industry worldwide. Plastic is present everywhere in human life, but its manufacture and disposal have a strong negative impact on the environment; the new materials manufactured in this project are viable alternatives to plastics, and are sustainable from a production and disposal point of view.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0347662
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$195,000.00
Summary
Laser Ablation System for Elemental Analysis and Tropical Environmental Research. This application seeks funding for a Laser Ablation system as a sample introduction system for the current Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (LA-ICPMS). The proposed LA-ICPMS facility will provide a trace element analytical facility that will be used for research in northern Australia which will enhance and develop strong and sustainable collaborative partnerships in the areas of conservation biology, ....Laser Ablation System for Elemental Analysis and Tropical Environmental Research. This application seeks funding for a Laser Ablation system as a sample introduction system for the current Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (LA-ICPMS). The proposed LA-ICPMS facility will provide a trace element analytical facility that will be used for research in northern Australia which will enhance and develop strong and sustainable collaborative partnerships in the areas of conservation biology, living resource management, tropical environmental science and resource development. The facility will not be simply providing a routine analytical service. It will be used to develop innovative approaches to environmental management and sustainable development and ensure a continued high level of research and research training which will contribute to regional development.Read moreRead less
Synthesis and Characterisation of Encoded Hybrid Polymer/Gold Nanoparticles for Application in Bioassays. Bioassays are the cornerstone of in vitro diagnostic and biomedical research. This proposal will significantly contribute to these areas, by targeting an emerging technology that is crucial for their future development. The hybrid nanoparticles described in this project have the potential to replace conventional detection strategies that are currently used for bioassays. In doing so, they sh ....Synthesis and Characterisation of Encoded Hybrid Polymer/Gold Nanoparticles for Application in Bioassays. Bioassays are the cornerstone of in vitro diagnostic and biomedical research. This proposal will significantly contribute to these areas, by targeting an emerging technology that is crucial for their future development. The hybrid nanoparticles described in this project have the potential to replace conventional detection strategies that are currently used for bioassays. In doing so, they should provide significant advantages over conventional detection strategies. These advantages include increased sample throughput and conservation of biological samples, which makes possible the acceleration of patient diagnosis and drug discovery. Read moreRead less
Electron transfer in proteins, a study of mechanism and function. Our research will probe the mechanisms by which nature's living systems build, maintain, and reproduce. We present an ability to understand these processes at a detailed molecular level using science and technology at the forefront of multidisciplinary research. The research will provide a foundation for new smart materials, technologies and future industries, and also ways forward for future basic scientific research and endeavo ....Electron transfer in proteins, a study of mechanism and function. Our research will probe the mechanisms by which nature's living systems build, maintain, and reproduce. We present an ability to understand these processes at a detailed molecular level using science and technology at the forefront of multidisciplinary research. The research will provide a foundation for new smart materials, technologies and future industries, and also ways forward for future basic scientific research and endeavor. All this is done with the best international researchers and capabilities within a local environment that will help to train the next generation of Australian scientists.Read moreRead less
Mimicking peptide structure - towards an aqueous environment. In this proposal we develop a fundamental understanding of the balance between 'weak' and 'strong' forces to define the properties of peptides and proteins. This will allow the design of new biological probes and materials with tailor-made chemical and physical properties for use in bioengineering, biotechnology, proteomics, and drug design. One such example is the design and preparation of a new chemical agent for the non-surgical tr ....Mimicking peptide structure - towards an aqueous environment. In this proposal we develop a fundamental understanding of the balance between 'weak' and 'strong' forces to define the properties of peptides and proteins. This will allow the design of new biological probes and materials with tailor-made chemical and physical properties for use in bioengineering, biotechnology, proteomics, and drug design. One such example is the design and preparation of a new chemical agent for the non-surgical treatment for cataract, the major cause of blindness world-wide.Read moreRead less
Conformationally constrained and immobilized beta-peptides. The research builds on world-class expertise in Australia (particularly Adelaide) in proteomics to provide a basis for fundamental advances in chemistry that will underpin the development of new pharmaceuticals and smart materials, and future technologies and industries. We create a mix of research at the interface of disciplines within academia and industry, with linkages to the very best international researchers and centres. A new cr ....Conformationally constrained and immobilized beta-peptides. The research builds on world-class expertise in Australia (particularly Adelaide) in proteomics to provide a basis for fundamental advances in chemistry that will underpin the development of new pharmaceuticals and smart materials, and future technologies and industries. We create a mix of research at the interface of disciplines within academia and industry, with linkages to the very best international researchers and centres. A new critical mass of expertise in a number of advancing areas of chemistry, biology, and materials science will be introduced to Australia. This will enhance existing strengths and opportunities in proteomics and biomedical research for the treatment of disease.Read moreRead less
Calcification of acrylic hydrogels in abiotic media: mechanism and control. Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (PHEMA) and other acrylic hydrogels are extensively used as biomaterials, yet conclusive evidence exists that they have a propensity to calcify following implantation. This process has undesirable consequences on the functionality of various prostheses. Based on preliminary observations that PHEMA can promote the deposition of calcium minerals from media devoid of biological factors, whic ....Calcification of acrylic hydrogels in abiotic media: mechanism and control. Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (PHEMA) and other acrylic hydrogels are extensively used as biomaterials, yet conclusive evidence exists that they have a propensity to calcify following implantation. This process has undesirable consequences on the functionality of various prostheses. Based on preliminary observations that PHEMA can promote the deposition of calcium minerals from media devoid of biological factors, which appears thus to be an inherent property of the polymer, the project aims at formulating new hypotheses to explain this phenomenon, and to confirm them experimentally. The "chelation" hypothesis will be validated by modifying the structure of polymers, and the "spontaneous precipitation" hypothesis by assessing the effect of solutes on the equilibrium water content of polymers. NMR and FTIR spectrometric techniques will be used to gain further insight into the mechanism of calcification. Methods to prevent the calcification will potentially result from these experiments, however, anticalcification agents will also be incorporated into hydrogels and their effect evaluated in calcification assays.Read moreRead less
Macromolecular Self-Assembly of Amyloid Fibrils. The misfolding of proteins is a key issue in public health. Common diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease are associated with protein misfolding, and have a major impact on society. The use of proteins as therapeutic drugs is now common ( e.g. as vaccines, for immune disorders) but they can be rendered ineffective or harmful by protein misfolding. Through this project, we will enhance the fundamental understandin ....Macromolecular Self-Assembly of Amyloid Fibrils. The misfolding of proteins is a key issue in public health. Common diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease are associated with protein misfolding, and have a major impact on society. The use of proteins as therapeutic drugs is now common ( e.g. as vaccines, for immune disorders) but they can be rendered ineffective or harmful by protein misfolding. Through this project, we will enhance the fundamental understanding of the processes of protein assembly in solution, at solid surfaces, and under shear.
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