Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100207
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
A biomolecular small angle X-ray scattering facility. The biomolecular small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) facility will support a broad range of research activities that will significantly benefit basic and applied biological and biomedical research as well as the field of biomolecular engineering. Specific areas of investigation will include enzyme action, viral protein assembly, gene regulation, immunity and fertility. The instrumentation will complement the current research tools of Australi ....A biomolecular small angle X-ray scattering facility. The biomolecular small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) facility will support a broad range of research activities that will significantly benefit basic and applied biological and biomedical research as well as the field of biomolecular engineering. Specific areas of investigation will include enzyme action, viral protein assembly, gene regulation, immunity and fertility. The instrumentation will complement the current research tools of Australian biomedical scientists, as well as stimulate new collaborative partnerships and opportunities for researchers studying biological macromolecules. In this way Australia will benefit though direct research outcomes and through training of future scientists in state-of-the-art technologies.Read moreRead less
Structure and dynamics of a multiprotein-mRNA complex involved in the regulation of gene expression. RNA/protein interactions are now recognised as a major control point in the regulation of gene-expression. Proteins such as HuR and the poly(C)-binding proteins (PCBPs) act to stabilise and transport specific messenger (m)RNAs, and thus determine their translation levels. In contrast to such an important function, very little is known about these protein/mRNA interactions at an atomic level. The ....Structure and dynamics of a multiprotein-mRNA complex involved in the regulation of gene expression. RNA/protein interactions are now recognised as a major control point in the regulation of gene-expression. Proteins such as HuR and the poly(C)-binding proteins (PCBPs) act to stabilise and transport specific messenger (m)RNAs, and thus determine their translation levels. In contrast to such an important function, very little is known about these protein/mRNA interactions at an atomic level. The current study will investigate the structural and biophysical properties of a recently discovered HuR/PCBP/mRNA complex implicated in the regulation of androgen receptor expression. This information has the potential to assist in the development of drugs to reduce AR expression in prostate cancer.Read moreRead less
Exploiting the self-assembly of hydrophobin proteins to engineer functional nanostructuring surfaces. There is an increasing world-wide demand for advanced nano-biomaterials with novel properties. We will use natural hydrophobin proteins to coat nanodevices and make them more compatible with biological systems. Hydrophobin coatings will be applicable to biosensors, medical devices, diagnostics and drug delivery systems. The research will lead to an understanding of the basic mechanisms of protei ....Exploiting the self-assembly of hydrophobin proteins to engineer functional nanostructuring surfaces. There is an increasing world-wide demand for advanced nano-biomaterials with novel properties. We will use natural hydrophobin proteins to coat nanodevices and make them more compatible with biological systems. Hydrophobin coatings will be applicable to biosensors, medical devices, diagnostics and drug delivery systems. The research will lead to an understanding of the basic mechanisms of protein self-assembly and will have application outcomes that contribute to Australia being an important player in the field of nanotechnology. This is critical for Australia's long term competitiveness and productivity in and beyond the 21st century.Read moreRead less
Synthesis and Functionalisation of Advanced Polymer Films and Particles. Scientific and technological advances at the frontiers of nano- and biotechnology are poised to revolutionise the scope of treatment and healthcare options. This project will involve the synthesis of engineered polymer building blocks with the capability for multifunctional and intelligent response. These smart polymers will then be assembled into responsive nanostructured materials for drug delivery and biosensing applica ....Synthesis and Functionalisation of Advanced Polymer Films and Particles. Scientific and technological advances at the frontiers of nano- and biotechnology are poised to revolutionise the scope of treatment and healthcare options. This project will involve the synthesis of engineered polymer building blocks with the capability for multifunctional and intelligent response. These smart polymers will then be assembled into responsive nanostructured materials for drug delivery and biosensing applications. These materials are expected to have health benefits for Australian citizens and will contribute to a world-leading nanobiotechnology industry. The project will also provide development opportunities for young scientists and will also foster multidisciplinary collaborations within both Australia and abroad.Read moreRead less
Molecular machines: regulation of the catalysis and rotation of the enzyme ATP synthase. This project aims to elucidate the regulation of the molecular machine ATP synthase. ATP synthase is an enzyme that performs a critical role in all cells - the synthesis of ATP, the universal biological energy currency. It is known that the enzyme operates via rotation of a central stalk which is driven by a hydrogen ion gradient across a membrane. Constructs of this molecule have been envisaged in the desig ....Molecular machines: regulation of the catalysis and rotation of the enzyme ATP synthase. This project aims to elucidate the regulation of the molecular machine ATP synthase. ATP synthase is an enzyme that performs a critical role in all cells - the synthesis of ATP, the universal biological energy currency. It is known that the enzyme operates via rotation of a central stalk which is driven by a hydrogen ion gradient across a membrane. Constructs of this molecule have been envisaged in the design of future biological nano-motors. Our work will provide an understanding of the regulation of this enzyme with potential application in the control of nano-motors.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0560722
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$512,744.00
Summary
High-speed Ultracentrifuge Facility with Sensitive Scanning Optics for the Analysis of Interacting Biomolecules. This request is for a high-speed analytical ultracentrifuge equipped with sensitive absorbance, fluorescence, and interference scanning optics. The equipment, the first of its kind in Australia, would establish a world-class facility for analysing the size, shape, and stability of macromolecular complexes and their interactions in solution. This new facility will enable high through ....High-speed Ultracentrifuge Facility with Sensitive Scanning Optics for the Analysis of Interacting Biomolecules. This request is for a high-speed analytical ultracentrifuge equipped with sensitive absorbance, fluorescence, and interference scanning optics. The equipment, the first of its kind in Australia, would establish a world-class facility for analysing the size, shape, and stability of macromolecular complexes and their interactions in solution. This new facility will enable high through-put screening of small molecules with potential as new drugs. This core platform technology will cover the range of needs from basic research through to commercialization of discovery. The equipment will support existing high quality research projects in biotechnology and provide new opportunities for post-graduate training and international collaboration.Read moreRead less
Drug binding to human fatty acid binding proteins: a mechanism of cellular transport for poorly water soluble drugs. Considerable recent effort has been directed towards the development of Australia as a focal point for biotechnology and drug discovery. The principle operational focus of this effort has been the identification of potent and active new chemical entities. In order for these new molecules to be most useful in the community, however, they must be active after oral administration. Th ....Drug binding to human fatty acid binding proteins: a mechanism of cellular transport for poorly water soluble drugs. Considerable recent effort has been directed towards the development of Australia as a focal point for biotechnology and drug discovery. The principle operational focus of this effort has been the identification of potent and active new chemical entities. In order for these new molecules to be most useful in the community, however, they must be active after oral administration. This project will examine the fundamental mechanisms by which drugs are absorbed across the cells lining the intestine and will provide insight critical to the design and development of new drugs that are both potent and orally active. Read moreRead less
The role of fatty acid binding proteins in the binding and transport of lipophilic drugs. Poorly water-soluble drugs must cross the aqueous cytoplasm of intestinal cells if they are to be absorbed following oral administration. The mechanisms by which this occurs are currently unknown. We have shown that some lipophilic drugs are capable of binding to cytosolic transport proteins called fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs). We propose to use a range of physical techniques including NMR spectrosco ....The role of fatty acid binding proteins in the binding and transport of lipophilic drugs. Poorly water-soluble drugs must cross the aqueous cytoplasm of intestinal cells if they are to be absorbed following oral administration. The mechanisms by which this occurs are currently unknown. We have shown that some lipophilic drugs are capable of binding to cytosolic transport proteins called fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs). We propose to use a range of physical techniques including NMR spectroscopy, calorimetry and fluorescence firstly to identify the nature of drug binding to FABP and secondly to determine the effect of binding on drug transport.Read moreRead less
New approaches to inhibition of activity of HIV integrase. This project aims to assist in the development of novel anti-HIV drugs that will benefit the 17000 Australians and more than 33 million people worldwide who are currently suffering with this terrible disease. The project will utilise state-of-the-art approaches in structure-based drug design to identify and synthesise compounds as leads for the development of anti-HIV drugs. Furthermore, the project will provide invaluable training for t ....New approaches to inhibition of activity of HIV integrase. This project aims to assist in the development of novel anti-HIV drugs that will benefit the 17000 Australians and more than 33 million people worldwide who are currently suffering with this terrible disease. The project will utilise state-of-the-art approaches in structure-based drug design to identify and synthesise compounds as leads for the development of anti-HIV drugs. Furthermore, the project will provide invaluable training for the researchers involved and enhance the relationship between the academic and commercial collaborators.Read moreRead less
Protein-protein interactions in amyloid deposits. The aggregation of specific proteins to form insoluble amyloid fibrils is characteristic of several age-related diseases such as type-II diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. In vivo amyloid deposits also contain three prominent non-fibrillar protein components, namely serum amyloid P component, apolipoprotein E and alpha1-antichymotrypsin. These non-fibrillar amyloid components bind to a wide variety of amyloid fibrils, irresp ....Protein-protein interactions in amyloid deposits. The aggregation of specific proteins to form insoluble amyloid fibrils is characteristic of several age-related diseases such as type-II diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. In vivo amyloid deposits also contain three prominent non-fibrillar protein components, namely serum amyloid P component, apolipoprotein E and alpha1-antichymotrypsin. These non-fibrillar amyloid components bind to a wide variety of amyloid fibrils, irrespective of the nature of the protein constituent. This proposal is to identify the structural basis for this recognition process, the capacity of non-fibrillar components to cross-link amyloid fibrils to form networks and the influence of these interactions on amyloid fibril cytotoxicity.Read moreRead less