Novel roles for importin alpha proteins in the nucleus. The project will provide fundamental new information about how changes in cell function are influenced by importin (IMP) alpha proteins, both through changes in gene transcription and through alterations to intracellular transport. These findings will inform areas of national priority that include Aging Well, Aging Productively with specific regard to cellular stress responses, and A Healthy Start to Life in the context of production of hea ....Novel roles for importin alpha proteins in the nucleus. The project will provide fundamental new information about how changes in cell function are influenced by importin (IMP) alpha proteins, both through changes in gene transcription and through alterations to intracellular transport. These findings will inform areas of national priority that include Aging Well, Aging Productively with specific regard to cellular stress responses, and A Healthy Start to Life in the context of production of healthy, genetically intact sperm. This project draws together an international team to investigate a phenomenon with implications for new understanding of normal developmental processes and the response of cells/tissues to disease conditions.Read moreRead less
The effect of mitochondrial and nuclear-cytoplasmic variation on longevity, metabolism and stress resistance in Drosophila. Much research points to a major role of free radical damage in aging, thus the belief that antioxidants might be beneficial in delaying aging. Free radicals are mostly formed in the subcellular organelles which consume oxygen and produce energy, and this may be the major site of age-related damage. This project seeks to understand the degree to which variation among these ....The effect of mitochondrial and nuclear-cytoplasmic variation on longevity, metabolism and stress resistance in Drosophila. Much research points to a major role of free radical damage in aging, thus the belief that antioxidants might be beneficial in delaying aging. Free radicals are mostly formed in the subcellular organelles which consume oxygen and produce energy, and this may be the major site of age-related damage. This project seeks to understand the degree to which variation among these subcellular organelles affect free radical damage and aging, using the fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism.Read moreRead less
Fluid mechanical and biological studies of a stem cell bioreactor. The project has generic benefits toward the improvement of cell and tissue based approaches to diseases which involve replacement of dysfunctional, injured or missing tissues. This is currently a global effort with the overall aim of improving medicine by improving methods in biological sciences. The development of improved bioreactors and other biotechnologies will also have commercial benefits toward the development of effici ....Fluid mechanical and biological studies of a stem cell bioreactor. The project has generic benefits toward the improvement of cell and tissue based approaches to diseases which involve replacement of dysfunctional, injured or missing tissues. This is currently a global effort with the overall aim of improving medicine by improving methods in biological sciences. The development of improved bioreactors and other biotechnologies will also have commercial benefits toward the development of efficient production systems to replace existing systems which are labour intensive and time consuming. Read moreRead less
Pheromone evolution and ecology in insects on intra- and inter-specific scales. The study of pheromones is important because so many insect pests use them as part of their reproductive life cycle, increasing their potential to cause damage to crops and other natural products. My research will improve our understanding of the evolution of pheromones and communication by smell, a subject that has been largely neglected by evolutionary biologists. More specifically, by identifying the ecological fa ....Pheromone evolution and ecology in insects on intra- and inter-specific scales. The study of pheromones is important because so many insect pests use them as part of their reproductive life cycle, increasing their potential to cause damage to crops and other natural products. My research will improve our understanding of the evolution of pheromones and communication by smell, a subject that has been largely neglected by evolutionary biologists. More specifically, by identifying the ecological factors that influence pheromone evolution, the research will help to assess the long-term consequences of the control measures currently used against such pests and, in particular, will have direct applications to the prevention of damage to Australian pine plantations by the invasive five-spined bark beetle, Ips grandicollis. Read moreRead less
Multi-scale modelling of cell migration in developmental biology. Interpretative and predictive tools are needed for the comprehensive understanding of directed cell migration in the medical sciences. Mathematical models and modelling methodologies developed in this project will make a significant contribution to the investigation of cell migration and the testing and generation of hypotheses. Such models are needed to understand observed cellular patterns. This project will contribute to knowle ....Multi-scale modelling of cell migration in developmental biology. Interpretative and predictive tools are needed for the comprehensive understanding of directed cell migration in the medical sciences. Mathematical models and modelling methodologies developed in this project will make a significant contribution to the investigation of cell migration and the testing and generation of hypotheses. Such models are needed to understand observed cellular patterns. This project will contribute to knowledge of normal and abnormal developmental processes, especially in embryonic growth. Understanding these processes should lead to prediction and treatment of congenital disorders and contribute to a healthy start to life.Read moreRead less
Testing the free radical theory of aging: do indicators of oxidative damage predict lifespan? Because of the Free Radical Theory of Aging, many millions of dollars are spent around the world on dietary antioxidants of unproven efficacy. Many millions of research dollars are spent providing support for this theory but few studies test it rigorously. The first major benefit of this research is worldwide; to refute, or to substantially enhance and focus the current support for the Free Radical Theo ....Testing the free radical theory of aging: do indicators of oxidative damage predict lifespan? Because of the Free Radical Theory of Aging, many millions of dollars are spent around the world on dietary antioxidants of unproven efficacy. Many millions of research dollars are spent providing support for this theory but few studies test it rigorously. The first major benefit of this research is worldwide; to refute, or to substantially enhance and focus the current support for the Free Radical Theory. This should help to rationalise and direct funding supplied to these areas. The second benefit is for Australia: aging is a fruitful area for research because of the high general public interest and for training because of its multidisciplinary nature, and funding in Australia is very low by international standards. Read moreRead less
Optimised distributed stimulation of muscle. The project aims to extend to humans, a method of producing a non-fatiguing, smooth, submaximal muscle contraction. The method using multiple electrodes, stimulated at different times, with those times being adjusted for optimum smoothness at low stimulation rates. This will enable the gathering of information about the mechanics of muscle undergoing near physiological contractions, which will be of interest to researchers in Biomechanics. It will ....Optimised distributed stimulation of muscle. The project aims to extend to humans, a method of producing a non-fatiguing, smooth, submaximal muscle contraction. The method using multiple electrodes, stimulated at different times, with those times being adjusted for optimum smoothness at low stimulation rates. This will enable the gathering of information about the mechanics of muscle undergoing near physiological contractions, which will be of interest to researchers in Biomechanics. It will also be a step towards the restoration of function to spinal cord injured patients.Read moreRead less
Optimisation of peptidic non-phosphorylated inhibitors of the Grb7 SH2 domain. The research outcomes will be of fundamental importance in the field of inhibitor development and as such will result in publications in high-profile international journals and continue to contribute to Australia's outstanding international reputation in biological research. Students and research associates that have the opportunity to work on this project will be trained in the use of state-of-the art technologies in ....Optimisation of peptidic non-phosphorylated inhibitors of the Grb7 SH2 domain. The research outcomes will be of fundamental importance in the field of inhibitor development and as such will result in publications in high-profile international journals and continue to contribute to Australia's outstanding international reputation in biological research. Students and research associates that have the opportunity to work on this project will be trained in the use of state-of-the art technologies in biochemistry, scientific rigour and presentation skills and thus contribute to the quality of our national workforce. Furthermore, applications that arise from this work will contribute to Australia's intellectual property and future developments in the pharmaceutical industry.Read moreRead less
Metabolic Profiling of Human Embryonic Stem Cells. Stem cell therapies are becoming a commercial reality. Stem cell products have an estimated value of US$ 87 million this year and are predicted to be worth US$ 8.5 billion within a decade. Development of stem cell products will be an international research effort with many contributing to the final products. Research described here will augment this effort, strengthening Australia's contribution by developing novel intellectual property and appl ....Metabolic Profiling of Human Embryonic Stem Cells. Stem cell therapies are becoming a commercial reality. Stem cell products have an estimated value of US$ 87 million this year and are predicted to be worth US$ 8.5 billion within a decade. Development of stem cell products will be an international research effort with many contributing to the final products. Research described here will augment this effort, strengthening Australia's contribution by developing novel intellectual property and applications. The training of individuals skilled in stem cell research will add to Australia's pool of stem cell researchers. Individuals trained in this area will be paramount to maintaining Australia's research effort and in the application of these technologies into the Australian health sector.Read moreRead less
Membrane interactions and neurotoxicity of Amyloid Abeta peptides from Alzheimer's disease. A consequence of the increase in human life span is that age-related neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) are more prevalent. Currently there are limited therapeutic treatments and no cure for AD. The key protein causing AD is Abeta and characterization of the toxic species of this peptide is critical towards identifying potential therapeutic targets. This proposal aims to study mut ....Membrane interactions and neurotoxicity of Amyloid Abeta peptides from Alzheimer's disease. A consequence of the increase in human life span is that age-related neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) are more prevalent. Currently there are limited therapeutic treatments and no cure for AD. The key protein causing AD is Abeta and characterization of the toxic species of this peptide is critical towards identifying potential therapeutic targets. This proposal aims to study mutant peptides made synthetically and to identify a membrane-binding site. By establishing which lipid is critically involved in membrane binding of Abeta and mediating subsequent cell death, drugs may be developed to prevent the binding of Abeta to membranes resulting in neuronal survival and prevention of memory loss in AD patients.Read moreRead less