Enhanced biocatalysis in organic solvents for pharmaceutical biotransformation. Enzymes such as hydrolases play an important role in biotechnology because of their extreme versatility with respect to substrate specificity and stereoselectivity. The use of lipases as catalysts for optical isomer-specific organic reactions is often limited by unacceptably low enantioselectivities. We will investigate recombinant enzymes cloned from thermophilic lipolytic bacteria for synthetic reactions in orga ....Enhanced biocatalysis in organic solvents for pharmaceutical biotransformation. Enzymes such as hydrolases play an important role in biotechnology because of their extreme versatility with respect to substrate specificity and stereoselectivity. The use of lipases as catalysts for optical isomer-specific organic reactions is often limited by unacceptably low enantioselectivities. We will investigate recombinant enzymes cloned from thermophilic lipolytic bacteria for synthetic reactions in organic solvents, especially chiral resolution of mixtures in the production of pharmaceutical intermediates. Genetic improvement of lipase enantiospecificity and regioselectivity will be achieved using in vitro evolution by recombination and screening. The outcome will be cost-effective production superior biocatalysts with specifically enhanced regiospecific, enantioselective and hydrolytic characteristics.
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Efficient organelle transformation. Chloroplasts and mitochondria are the powerhouses of plant and animal cells. Ability to express introduced genes in these organelles has enormous biotechnological potential in agriculture and medicine, but practical development has been almost stalled for 15 years by very low transformation efficiency. Plastid transformation is today routine only in tobacco; and mitochondrial transformation has been achieved only in yeasts and algae. We have developed a soluti ....Efficient organelle transformation. Chloroplasts and mitochondria are the powerhouses of plant and animal cells. Ability to express introduced genes in these organelles has enormous biotechnological potential in agriculture and medicine, but practical development has been almost stalled for 15 years by very low transformation efficiency. Plastid transformation is today routine only in tobacco; and mitochondrial transformation has been achieved only in yeasts and algae. We have developed a solution, and achieved the key technical requirements for proof of concept. This collaboration between industry, government and university partners will deliver key Australian-owned IP, for environmentally-friendly plant biofactories, and for treatment of mitochondrial genetic disorders.Read moreRead less
New Techniques for Structural Biology and Directed Molecular Evolution. This PhD program will equip an Australian graduate with advanced training in techniques in molecular genetics and protein chemistry that are currently in high demand by the biotechnology industry, and also provide him/her with direct experience of an industrial R&D laboratory environment. Moreover, it will establish a basis for further collaboration between a leading University-based research laboratory and an established R& ....New Techniques for Structural Biology and Directed Molecular Evolution. This PhD program will equip an Australian graduate with advanced training in techniques in molecular genetics and protein chemistry that are currently in high demand by the biotechnology industry, and also provide him/her with direct experience of an industrial R&D laboratory environment. Moreover, it will establish a basis for further collaboration between a leading University-based research laboratory and an established R&D company that will lead to development of new techniques for use in biotechnology in Australia and overseas.Read moreRead less
Functional genetic analysis of wood formation genes in Eucalyptus. Eucalypts are the world's most important plantation hardwood species due to their superior wood characteristics and high growth rates that make them excellent carbon sequestration platforms. Australia is the custodian of the world's natural eucalypt resource and our results will assist in their sustainable use with the potential to transform the national forestry industry by helping to streamline tree improvement efforts. This wi ....Functional genetic analysis of wood formation genes in Eucalyptus. Eucalypts are the world's most important plantation hardwood species due to their superior wood characteristics and high growth rates that make them excellent carbon sequestration platforms. Australia is the custodian of the world's natural eucalypt resource and our results will assist in their sustainable use with the potential to transform the national forestry industry by helping to streamline tree improvement efforts. This will be achieved by increasing our understanding of the development and production of wood, which will lead to increased productivity (more and better quality wood from less land). Custom designed wood also holds much promise for the production of novel biopolymers and as a renewable source for improved biofuels.Read moreRead less