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
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.
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
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
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
The mechanisms and roles of receptor clustering in cell activation and wound healing by growth factors. Growth factors regulate cell proliferation, migration and differentation by interaction with receptors. Such receptors are usually localized at the cell surface, and require intracellular transduction systems to transmit the signal to the cell interior. We have recently shown the hormone-induced clustering of heterologous hormone receptors in cells, and that this occurs with the co-clustering ....The mechanisms and roles of receptor clustering in cell activation and wound healing by growth factors. Growth factors regulate cell proliferation, migration and differentation by interaction with receptors. Such receptors are usually localized at the cell surface, and require intracellular transduction systems to transmit the signal to the cell interior. We have recently shown the hormone-induced clustering of heterologous hormone receptors in cells, and that this occurs with the co-clustering of downstream signalling molecules at sites of engagement with the extracellular matrix. In addition, we have found that cells presented with an extracellular matrix respond better to subsequent growth factor stimulation. The project aims to determine the cellular mechanisms underlying receptor clustering and the basis of the receptor-extracellular matrix interaction. This will enhance our understanding of growth factor function in a number of conditions, including wound healing. We will extend our in vitro results to the animal model to define parameters for enhanced wound repair.Read moreRead less
Activation mechanisms of store-operated calcium channels in liver cells. Currently, one of the most active areas of research in biology involves the molecular mechanisms that control the activity of cells. Defining these will provide a deeper understanding of normal function and disease, and provide potential therapeutic targets. This group has an international reputation for its work and it makes a major input to maintaining Australia as a significant contributor to this field. While its resea ....Activation mechanisms of store-operated calcium channels in liver cells. Currently, one of the most active areas of research in biology involves the molecular mechanisms that control the activity of cells. Defining these will provide a deeper understanding of normal function and disease, and provide potential therapeutic targets. This group has an international reputation for its work and it makes a major input to maintaining Australia as a significant contributor to this field. While its research has broad application in biology, its specific focus, calcium signalling in the liver, will provide the basis for understanding liver function and disease and, potentially, for developing new treatments for liver disease associated with abnormal calcium homeostasis.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
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE130100136
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$340,000.00
Summary
Mobile weather radar system for advanced environmental monitoring and modelling. High spatial and temporal resolution weather radar data on wind and precipitation will translate to significant environmental model advances. Australian researchers will undertake model validation studies on precipitation, dust storm, and flood prediction under a wider range of environmental conditions and in greater detail than currently possible.