Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130100117
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Allosteric fingerprinting of G protein-coupled receptor monomers and oligomers. Allosteric modulation describes interactions between distinct, but conformationally linked, binding sites. Research will develop enabling technology using the unique profile, or 'fingerprint', of allosteric modulation at interacting and non-interacting G protein-coupled receptors to probe for receptor complexes within healthy and diseased tissue.
Molecular mechanisms of cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate (AMP) induced apoptosis. Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate (cAMP) is an important cellular chemical necessary for cell growth. However, de-regulated cAMP production in response to altered physiology can result in cellular death or apoptosis. This is attributed to the development of certain human diseases and this project aims to understand the molecular mechanism behind this process.
The discovery and characterisation of novel protein regulators of blood cell formation. All of the mature blood cells in the human body are derived from a common ancestor cell type known as a stem cell. Our proposed studies will enhance our knowledge of how functional, mature blood cells are formed from stem cells and how dysregulation of these normally tightly controlled pathways can give rise to severe blood diseases.
Inhibiting pathological signalling in haematopoietic disease. Certain leukaemias and other blood diseases are caused by the mutation of one particular molecule, called Janus Kinase (JAK), inside our bodies. This project aims to understand the biochemical details of these diseases by studying this mutated molecule in detail. The project will aim to provide the information for developing effective therapeutics against these diseases.
Novel mechanisms controlling signaling by adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, central regulator of energy homeostasis. Sedentary lifestyles and consumption of high energy foods have led to dramatic increases in the incidence of obesity-related metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, placing enormous financial and medical burden on the Australian economy. An attractive drug target to treat these diseases is AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which fu ....Novel mechanisms controlling signaling by adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, central regulator of energy homeostasis. Sedentary lifestyles and consumption of high energy foods have led to dramatic increases in the incidence of obesity-related metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, placing enormous financial and medical burden on the Australian economy. An attractive drug target to treat these diseases is AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which functions as both a cellular fuel gauge and co-ordinator of whole-body metabolism. Building on recent breakthroughs made at St. Vincent's Institute, this project will produce innovative research into novel mechanisms that control AMPK. These discoveries will greatly increase our understanding of AMPK regulation by cellular processes, and aid the design of more effective AMPK drugs.Read moreRead less
Interrogating a novel protein scaffold that coordinates signal transduction and molecular motor function. The inside of a cell is an extremely crowded environment and the precise location of each component is carefully controlled. This project will unravel the protein machinery involved in transporting cargos in cells as they divide and identify new protein targets for the development of next generation anti-cancer drugs.
Structural and functional analysis of the protein kinase R. We have shown that protein kinase R (PKR) plays a key role in regulating the body's response to virus infections, inflammation and cancer. This project will identify mechanisms that regulate the activity of PKR and provide information useful for the development of novel drugs.
The combined use of proteomics and small molecules for target identification and pathway analysis. This project intends to investigate how a series of new small molecules identified from our research to improve the metabolic effects of insulin. This project will integrate medicinal chemistry with proteomics and metabolic biology to identify the cellular targets and their mechanism of action.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE120100037
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$350,000.00
Summary
A cellular nano-imaging facility: Probing cellular complexity. Answering the major medical and biotechnology questions of the 21st century will be heavily reliant on the use of advanced imaging techniques. This facility will establish a new and revolutionary microscope which is capable of producing images of living cells in action at high magnification and with the greatest clarity.
Regulation of neurite outgrowth by an inhibitor of PI3K signalling. PIPP is an enzyme which inhibits important cellular functions such as cell maturation. We have shown the amount of PIPP is increased in Alzheimer's disease brains. This project will characterise the mechanisms by which PIPP regulates brain cell function to identify how PIPP may be acting to exacerbate Alzheimer's disease development/progression.