Gas Phase Reactivity of Charged Peptide and DNA Radicals: Fundamentals and Applications. Radicals derived from the "molecules of life", proteins and DNA, play both beneficial (e.g. enzyme catalysis) and deleterious roles (e.g. protein and DNA damage associated with disease). Two electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry approaches have been discovered to generate charged radicals of related models systems (e.g. peptides and nucleobases). The gas phase chemistry of these species is a largely unch ....Gas Phase Reactivity of Charged Peptide and DNA Radicals: Fundamentals and Applications. Radicals derived from the "molecules of life", proteins and DNA, play both beneficial (e.g. enzyme catalysis) and deleterious roles (e.g. protein and DNA damage associated with disease). Two electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry approaches have been discovered to generate charged radicals of related models systems (e.g. peptides and nucleobases). The gas phase chemistry of these species is a largely unchartered area! We will examine the fundamental chemistry (unimolecular and bimolecular reactions) of these systems and build upon some exciting preliminary results which suggest potential applications (e.g. as a proteomics tool to sequence and distinguish between leucine and isoleucine residues in peptides).Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0346895
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$450,000.00
Summary
A Mass Directed Molecular Resolution Laboratory. The proposed "Mass Directed Molecular Resolution Laboratory" combines an integrated suite of instrumentation housed in purpose built laboratories with technical expertise to provide an unique "one stop shop" to meet the burgeoning mass spectrometry needs of the chemical community in the Melbourne area. This truly collaborative effort will service the needs of 17 research groups with 92 PhD students and post doctoral researchers and will enhance ex ....A Mass Directed Molecular Resolution Laboratory. The proposed "Mass Directed Molecular Resolution Laboratory" combines an integrated suite of instrumentation housed in purpose built laboratories with technical expertise to provide an unique "one stop shop" to meet the burgeoning mass spectrometry needs of the chemical community in the Melbourne area. This truly collaborative effort will service the needs of 17 research groups with 92 PhD students and post doctoral researchers and will enhance existing excellence in a range of areas. Finally, the laboratory will provide opportunities to: collaborate and consult with industry; train postgraduate students in instrumentation used at the cutting edge of chemical and biochemical sciences.Read moreRead less
Structure and activity of host-defence peptides from Australian anurans: anticancer agents, neuropeptides and nNOS inhibitors. We have discovered peptides that may have clinical applications. This is significant as these molecules may have one or more of the following properties. They may have anti-cancer effects; they may increase the effectiveness of the immune system by enhancing lymphocyte formation; and, they may act to reduce inflammation, stroke or cardiac conditions by controlling nitri ....Structure and activity of host-defence peptides from Australian anurans: anticancer agents, neuropeptides and nNOS inhibitors. We have discovered peptides that may have clinical applications. This is significant as these molecules may have one or more of the following properties. They may have anti-cancer effects; they may increase the effectiveness of the immune system by enhancing lymphocyte formation; and, they may act to reduce inflammation, stroke or cardiac conditions by controlling nitric oxide formation. Another national benefit is that personnel involved in this project are trained to the highest international standards in peptide chemistry/mass spectrometry/nuclear magnetic resonance: currently, there are not enough trained scientists in this area to meet demand.Read moreRead less
Biologically active peptides and proteins from anurans: the relationship between structure and activity. We have identified peptides (from glands of frogs and toads), some of which are amongst the most powerful biologically active compounds in the animal kingdom. The aims of this project are to investigate the relationship between the structure and bioactivity of chosen groups of peptides including pheromones, anticancer and antibiotic peptides, and peptides which inhibit neuronal nitric oxide ....Biologically active peptides and proteins from anurans: the relationship between structure and activity. We have identified peptides (from glands of frogs and toads), some of which are amongst the most powerful biologically active compounds in the animal kingdom. The aims of this project are to investigate the relationship between the structure and bioactivity of chosen groups of peptides including pheromones, anticancer and antibiotic peptides, and peptides which inhibit neuronal nitric oxide synthase. It would be of national benefit if any of these peptides have applied application, e.g. if we can use the sex pheromone of the cane toad to reduce its population, or if we can produce an anticancer active peptide of clinical applicability.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989759
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
Australian Access to and Operation of Advanced Synchrotron Radiation Facilities at the Photon Factory. The primary national benefit of this application will be continued access by peer review for Australian scientists to the advanced synchrotron-radiation capabilities of the Australian National Beamline Facility and other complementary beamlines at the Photon Factory, Japan. This proposal is consistent with the National Research Priorities of An Environmentally Sustainable Australia, Promoting a ....Australian Access to and Operation of Advanced Synchrotron Radiation Facilities at the Photon Factory. The primary national benefit of this application will be continued access by peer review for Australian scientists to the advanced synchrotron-radiation capabilities of the Australian National Beamline Facility and other complementary beamlines at the Photon Factory, Japan. This proposal is consistent with the National Research Priorities of An Environmentally Sustainable Australia, Promoting and Maintaining Good Health and Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries and will generate science to support and stimulate domestic industry, enhance the domestic knowledge base and international research profile, train students and future synchrotron scientists and foster domestic and international collaborations.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE210100139
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,240,000.00
Summary
Revitalizing facilities for nuclear magnetic resonance in South Australia. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is the single most powerful spectroscopic tool for determining molecular structure. Our aim is to upgrade NMR infrastructure available to researchers across South Australia with an integrated and complementary array of state-of-the-art spectrometers to diversify usage across a range of disciplines. Replacement of outdated spectrometers will modernise core NMR facilities along ....Revitalizing facilities for nuclear magnetic resonance in South Australia. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is the single most powerful spectroscopic tool for determining molecular structure. Our aim is to upgrade NMR infrastructure available to researchers across South Australia with an integrated and complementary array of state-of-the-art spectrometers to diversify usage across a range of disciplines. Replacement of outdated spectrometers will modernise core NMR facilities along with installation of new probes to improve sensitivity and the ability to analyze small sample quantities. Our overall strategy is to maximize capability and minimize duplication, while bringing South Australia's NMR capabilities up to a national and international standard. Read moreRead less
Pushing the Boundaries of Multi-modal Biospectroscopic Microscopies. In order to understand the fundamentals of life processes, diseases, and their treatments, it is essential to probe fundamental changes in molecular processes in cells, tissues and whole organisms. Much of our understanding of these processes has involved the introduction of chemical probes for biospectroscopy, but these have inherent problems because the probe can often change the biochemistry that is being probed. This projec ....Pushing the Boundaries of Multi-modal Biospectroscopic Microscopies. In order to understand the fundamentals of life processes, diseases, and their treatments, it is essential to probe fundamental changes in molecular processes in cells, tissues and whole organisms. Much of our understanding of these processes has involved the introduction of chemical probes for biospectroscopy, but these have inherent problems because the probe can often change the biochemistry that is being probed. This project will push the boundaries of a variety of micro and nano "probe-free" microscopies to provide fundamental insights into these life processes, which could ultimately lead to improvements in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases.Read moreRead less
Smart polymer-DNA hybrids as recognition sites for advanced DNA nanotechnology applications. This project aims to design and synthesise a new family of DNA-conjugated chain transfer agents for the positional control of DNA in a broad range of 2D and 3D 'smart' polymer-DNA hybrid materials. These bioconjugated materials will be investigated to understand the fundamental self-assembly processes which underpin emerging dynamic DNA nanotechnologies. This timely research will revolutionise the use of ....Smart polymer-DNA hybrids as recognition sites for advanced DNA nanotechnology applications. This project aims to design and synthesise a new family of DNA-conjugated chain transfer agents for the positional control of DNA in a broad range of 2D and 3D 'smart' polymer-DNA hybrid materials. These bioconjugated materials will be investigated to understand the fundamental self-assembly processes which underpin emerging dynamic DNA nanotechnologies. This timely research will revolutionise the use of biologically inspired intelligent metamaterials for use in medical diagnostics, DNA computing and DNA nanomachines.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100236
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$180,000.00
Summary
Facilities for spectroscopy and diffraction at high pressures. The provision of infrastructure for the study of novel materials under high pressures will enhance Australia's capability in creating new materials and in creating new devices that meet needs in communication, environment and medicine applications. The new facility will enable researchers to understand the response of structures to extreme pressures and will exploit the unique capabilities of the synchrotron light.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220100403
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$468,582.00
Summary
Defining how gut bacteria regulate metabolism: a role for gut serotonin. This project aims to understand how serotonin-producing cells in the gut interact with gut bacteria (the microbiome), using a combination of cells in culture and live germ-free and genetically modified mice. This project expects to generate new knowledge regarding cellular interactions that underlie important physiological pathways, such as the control of blood glucose and fat storage. The intended outcomes of this project ....Defining how gut bacteria regulate metabolism: a role for gut serotonin. This project aims to understand how serotonin-producing cells in the gut interact with gut bacteria (the microbiome), using a combination of cells in culture and live germ-free and genetically modified mice. This project expects to generate new knowledge regarding cellular interactions that underlie important physiological pathways, such as the control of blood glucose and fat storage. The intended outcomes of this project are to identify how gut bacteria communicate with serotonin-producing cells to regulate metabolism, and whether diet acts via a gut microbiome-serotonin axis to impact physiology. The expected benefit of this project will be to provide a new understanding of highly complex physiological systems that regulate our health.Read moreRead less