Confinement of space based on association of water soluble container molecules. The proposed research addresses the use of water soluble bowl shaped molecules or ions (cavitands) in conjunction with metal ions and crown ether and related cryptand molecules to form molecular capsules, two or more of the components being pre-programmed to assemble thus. The new materials will be unique in supramolecular chemistry, with the associated architectures bearing on materials science, molecular electronic ....Confinement of space based on association of water soluble container molecules. The proposed research addresses the use of water soluble bowl shaped molecules or ions (cavitands) in conjunction with metal ions and crown ether and related cryptand molecules to form molecular capsules, two or more of the components being pre-programmed to assemble thus. The new materials will be unique in supramolecular chemistry, with the associated architectures bearing on materials science, molecular electronics, separation sciences, and drug delivery. The new range of water soluble container molecules that will become accessible as part of this proposal, promises new applications in these areas.Read moreRead less
Crowns, cages and cavities: Insights into host-guest chemistry from experimental charge density analysis of supramolecular crystals. Supramolecular systems - molecular aggregates - underpin the design and development of materials for a vast number of potential applications, in areas as diverse as catalysis, targeted drug delivery, gas storage, chemical separation, electro-optics and nonlinear optics. They also serve as models for complex phenomena such as self-assembly and ligand-receptor bindin ....Crowns, cages and cavities: Insights into host-guest chemistry from experimental charge density analysis of supramolecular crystals. Supramolecular systems - molecular aggregates - underpin the design and development of materials for a vast number of potential applications, in areas as diverse as catalysis, targeted drug delivery, gas storage, chemical separation, electro-optics and nonlinear optics. They also serve as models for complex phenomena such as self-assembly and ligand-receptor binding. Outcomes will impact on several of the nation's articulated research priorities and, through involvement of postdoctoral fellows and postgraduate students in an international collaboration of this nature, the project contributes directly to producing graduates and researchers familiar with state-of-the-art experimental facilities, both within Australia and overseas.Read moreRead less
Calcification of acrylic hydrogels in abiotic media: mechanism and control. Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (PHEMA) and other acrylic hydrogels are extensively used as biomaterials, yet conclusive evidence exists that they have a propensity to calcify following implantation. This process has undesirable consequences on the functionality of various prostheses. Based on preliminary observations that PHEMA can promote the deposition of calcium minerals from media devoid of biological factors, whic ....Calcification of acrylic hydrogels in abiotic media: mechanism and control. Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (PHEMA) and other acrylic hydrogels are extensively used as biomaterials, yet conclusive evidence exists that they have a propensity to calcify following implantation. This process has undesirable consequences on the functionality of various prostheses. Based on preliminary observations that PHEMA can promote the deposition of calcium minerals from media devoid of biological factors, which appears thus to be an inherent property of the polymer, the project aims at formulating new hypotheses to explain this phenomenon, and to confirm them experimentally. The "chelation" hypothesis will be validated by modifying the structure of polymers, and the "spontaneous precipitation" hypothesis by assessing the effect of solutes on the equilibrium water content of polymers. NMR and FTIR spectrometric techniques will be used to gain further insight into the mechanism of calcification. Methods to prevent the calcification will potentially result from these experiments, however, anticalcification agents will also be incorporated into hydrogels and their effect evaluated in calcification assays.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0346892
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$689,000.00
Summary
Protein Over-Expression/Purification and Macromolecular Structure Determination by X-Ray Diffraction. This proposal seeks funds for state-of-the-art facilities for protein over-expression and macromolecular X-ray diffraction. This will build upon recent initiatives within the collaborating institutions in the field of Structural Biology. It will enable research groups in Perth to pursue the large-scale production of important proteins and to conduct high-resolution structural studies using X-ray ....Protein Over-Expression/Purification and Macromolecular Structure Determination by X-Ray Diffraction. This proposal seeks funds for state-of-the-art facilities for protein over-expression and macromolecular X-ray diffraction. This will build upon recent initiatives within the collaborating institutions in the field of Structural Biology. It will enable research groups in Perth to pursue the large-scale production of important proteins and to conduct high-resolution structural studies using X-ray crystallographic techniques. This technology, which is one of the most important tools in modern biology, provides unique insights into the chemical mechanisms of biological macromolecules and will significantly enhance a great breadth of biological research in Western Australia.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
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354861
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$15,000.00
Summary
Network Australia International. "Network Australia International" will harness the expertise and knowledge of expatriate researchers and tap into their overseas networks. NAI will be a unique portal connecting and re-connecting Australian researchers overseas.
The key objectives of the Network are to:
* identify Australian researchers overseas, especially Young Investigators;
* perform a capability audit on their knowledge, expertise and networks;
* identify potential synergies betw ....Network Australia International. "Network Australia International" will harness the expertise and knowledge of expatriate researchers and tap into their overseas networks. NAI will be a unique portal connecting and re-connecting Australian researchers overseas.
The key objectives of the Network are to:
* identify Australian researchers overseas, especially Young Investigators;
* perform a capability audit on their knowledge, expertise and networks;
* identify potential synergies between Australian and overseas researchers, related to National Research Priorities;
* coordinate collaborative research;
* provide opportunities for Australian postdoctoral fellows overseas;
* communicate and enhance opportunities for permanent and recurring visits by Australian expatriates, and develop new initiatives.
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