The bHLH.PAS transcription factors: Determinants of dimerization specificity and high affinity DNA binding. This program of fundamental research will advance our knowledge of the way essential proteins act to correctly regulate critical biological processes. A detailed understanding of these processes at the molecular level has the potential to contribute to the design of pharmaceutical compounds to assist in the treatment of diseases such as ischaemia, myocardial infarction and tumour progress ....The bHLH.PAS transcription factors: Determinants of dimerization specificity and high affinity DNA binding. This program of fundamental research will advance our knowledge of the way essential proteins act to correctly regulate critical biological processes. A detailed understanding of these processes at the molecular level has the potential to contribute to the design of pharmaceutical compounds to assist in the treatment of diseases such as ischaemia, myocardial infarction and tumour progression. The work will contribute to the training of one or more graduate students in a technologically advancing and internationally competitive field.Read moreRead less
Investigation of the fundamental roles of class Ib MHC (major histocompatibility complex) molecules in immunity. The proposed research program, using laboratory-based and synchrotron-based radiation, will provide insight into the roles of a poorly understood class of immune molecules. This will improve our understanding of the regulation of immunity, and the knowledge gained will increase Australia's international research profile.
Structural studies of the interactions of actinin-4 and intracellular signalling proteins. The intracellular signalling cascade plays important roles in cellular processes such as growth and differentiation by exerting changes in gene expression or remodelling of the intracellular protein framework. The actin-based cytoskeleton is one such network of proteins responsible for a number of processes including cell division, migration and adhesion to other cells and tissues. This proposal aims to un ....Structural studies of the interactions of actinin-4 and intracellular signalling proteins. The intracellular signalling cascade plays important roles in cellular processes such as growth and differentiation by exerting changes in gene expression or remodelling of the intracellular protein framework. The actin-based cytoskeleton is one such network of proteins responsible for a number of processes including cell division, migration and adhesion to other cells and tissues. This proposal aims to understand how actinin-4, a component of the actin cytoskeleton in non-muscle tissues, interacts with and is stimulated by proteins of the intracellular signalling cascade.Read moreRead less
Tapasin And Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I Antigen Presentation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$226,650.00
Summary
An effective T cell response (cellular immune response) to infections is vital to a functional immune system. Normally, proteins are cleaved into small molecules called peptides and these peptides are in turn presented by Major Histocompatibility Complex molecules to T cells. However, we have only partial understanding of what determines the choice of peptides that are finally presented to T cells. Recent research suggests that a molecule called tapasin may also influence the choice of peptides. ....An effective T cell response (cellular immune response) to infections is vital to a functional immune system. Normally, proteins are cleaved into small molecules called peptides and these peptides are in turn presented by Major Histocompatibility Complex molecules to T cells. However, we have only partial understanding of what determines the choice of peptides that are finally presented to T cells. Recent research suggests that a molecule called tapasin may also influence the choice of peptides. This research proposal aims to examine the role of tapasin in this regard. A thorough understanding of the basic principles of peptide presentation to T cells is crucial to the design of effective vaccines. Furthermore it will also broaden our understanding of immunological responses to cancer, autoimmune diseases and infections.Read moreRead less
Regulatory mechanisms for calcium release-activated calcium channels. Store-operated calcium channels play a central role in the functions of all animal cells. They participate in generating the cellular responses to hormones, growth factors and other physiological stimuli. The aims of this project are to elucidate the mechanisms that regulate the activity of store-operated channels and how their properties can be modulated by different pharmacological agents. Using chiefly the techniques of ele ....Regulatory mechanisms for calcium release-activated calcium channels. Store-operated calcium channels play a central role in the functions of all animal cells. They participate in generating the cellular responses to hormones, growth factors and other physiological stimuli. The aims of this project are to elucidate the mechanisms that regulate the activity of store-operated channels and how their properties can be modulated by different pharmacological agents. Using chiefly the techniques of electrophysiology and molecular biology we expect to learn the fundamental mechanisms that modulate the opening and closing of store-operated calcium channels and to gain an important information that can be used for determining the molecular structure of these channelsRead moreRead less
Second messenger-activated calcium channels in liver cells. This project concerns second messenger-activated calcium channels, part of the family of hormone-activated calcium channels which are essential to the functions of all animal cells. The aims are to elucidate the properties of a novel "large conductance" Ca2+ channel (using maitotoxin as an artificial activator), an inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-activated calcium channel, and the calcium channel formed by the transient receptor potential ....Second messenger-activated calcium channels in liver cells. This project concerns second messenger-activated calcium channels, part of the family of hormone-activated calcium channels which are essential to the functions of all animal cells. The aims are to elucidate the properties of a novel "large conductance" Ca2+ channel (using maitotoxin as an artificial activator), an inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-activated calcium channel, and the calcium channel formed by the transient receptor potential-1 (TRP-1) protein in hepatocytes. The electrophysiological properties, mechanisms of activation and intracellular trafficking of the channels will be investigated. It is anticipated the results will provide basic information on the physiological functions of second messenger-activated calcium channels. This will benefit the understanding of liver function, hepatotoxicity in animals, animal production and the development of pharmaceuticals in animal husbandary.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE180100202
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$255,120.00
Summary
Three-dimensional cryo correlative light and electron microscopy facility. This project aims to establish a three-dimensional (3D) cryo-correlative light and electron microscopy facility. The facility will integrate light microscopy with high resolution cryo-electron tomography and 3D slice-and-view focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy. The open access facility should create new capabilities for Australian researchers to tag biological events and structures with fluorescence markers and ....Three-dimensional cryo correlative light and electron microscopy facility. This project aims to establish a three-dimensional (3D) cryo-correlative light and electron microscopy facility. The facility will integrate light microscopy with high resolution cryo-electron tomography and 3D slice-and-view focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy. The open access facility should create new capabilities for Australian researchers to tag biological events and structures with fluorescence markers and image them using the currently highest resolution 3D imaging techniques for biological matter. The facility expects to reveal fundamental insights into cell and structural biology, and help drive innovation in agriculture, pharmaceutics, and biomaterials.Read moreRead less
Long Chain Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Heart Health in Humans. The primary aims of the project is to assess the effect of DHA rich tuna oil on cholesterol carrying lipoproteins and to determine a quicker method in assessing someone's omega-3 status. The expected outcomes include the determination of: 1) the most appropriate blood sample and a rapid test and for evaluating the omega-3 status; 2) the minimum dose of tuna oil required which will not only improve a person's omega-3 statu ....Long Chain Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Heart Health in Humans. The primary aims of the project is to assess the effect of DHA rich tuna oil on cholesterol carrying lipoproteins and to determine a quicker method in assessing someone's omega-3 status. The expected outcomes include the determination of: 1) the most appropriate blood sample and a rapid test and for evaluating the omega-3 status; 2) the minimum dose of tuna oil required which will not only improve a person's omega-3 status but also improve their plasma lipid profile and hence reduce their overall risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD); and 3) the use of the Omega-3 Index by medical practitioners. The significance is the increased knowledge of the health benefits of DHA rich tuna oil and that a new CVD risk marker will be generally accepted.Read moreRead less
Structural and functional characterisation of PI3Kgamma, uniquely activated by p101. The movement of cells is involved in all aspects of life including development, growth and maintenance of organisms. In spite of this, our understanding of the mechanism involved in cell migration is limited. There are a number of conditions in which the ability to control cell movement would be of significant benefit. Examples include autoimmune conditions, asthma and cancer, the social and economic burdens ....Structural and functional characterisation of PI3Kgamma, uniquely activated by p101. The movement of cells is involved in all aspects of life including development, growth and maintenance of organisms. In spite of this, our understanding of the mechanism involved in cell migration is limited. There are a number of conditions in which the ability to control cell movement would be of significant benefit. Examples include autoimmune conditions, asthma and cancer, the social and economic burdens of which account for billions of dollars and millions of Australians. This project aims to understand one of the major mechanisms that controls cell migration, which is expected to produce significant economic and social outcomes in the areas of basic science knowledge, human health, and biotechnology. Read moreRead less
Defining the spatial and temporal regulation of neurite branching. This project aims to identify mechanisms via which the cytoskeleton regulates the branching of nerve cell extensions. The formation of branched cell extensions is essential for establishing a complex network of connecting and communicating nerve cells in all higher organisms. This project expects that by combining advanced light microscopy technology and recently developed tools for the study of the cell architecture in vitro and ....Defining the spatial and temporal regulation of neurite branching. This project aims to identify mechanisms via which the cytoskeleton regulates the branching of nerve cell extensions. The formation of branched cell extensions is essential for establishing a complex network of connecting and communicating nerve cells in all higher organisms. This project expects that by combining advanced light microscopy technology and recently developed tools for the study of the cell architecture in vitro and in vivo, we will be able to define the molecular changes in neurites that control neurite branching. This should provide significant benefits, such as gaining crucial insights into the mechanisms of forming complex neuronal networks.Read moreRead less