Cellular mechanisms linking smoking and cardiovascular disease. Everyone develops fatty streaks in their arteries. Why some streaks remain benign, and others progress to clinically-relevant lesions is not completely understood. This project will assess novel cellular mechanisms involved in plaque development, to enable the more effective design of new therapeutic strategies to treat heart disease.
Modelling the human nervous system with human pluripotent stem cells. The human nervous system is one of the most complex structures evolved to date. In order to understand how it functions, and dysfunctions in a diseased state, it is fundamental to decipher how it develops to generate various neuronal populations that form this elaborate network. Human stem cells provide a valuable source to study such processes. The aim of this project is to use human stem cells to study how early progenitor c ....Modelling the human nervous system with human pluripotent stem cells. The human nervous system is one of the most complex structures evolved to date. In order to understand how it functions, and dysfunctions in a diseased state, it is fundamental to decipher how it develops to generate various neuronal populations that form this elaborate network. Human stem cells provide a valuable source to study such processes. The aim of this project is to use human stem cells to study how early progenitor cell types that structure the nervous system are generated and how their neuronal derivatives form connectivity and functional synapses. The outcome of these studies is that we will establish a cellular model of human neurogenesis that can be utilised to study developmental disease processes.Read moreRead less
Novel models to advance our understanding of mammalian development. This project aims to add to the understanding of cellular processes underpinning mammalian development. Protein phosphorylation is a dynamic process regulated by both protein kinases and protein phosphatases. While the role of kinases in cellular functions are well defined, the roles of protein phosphatases are not well understood. Using a range of laboratory models this project aims to discover the function of the phosphatase P ....Novel models to advance our understanding of mammalian development. This project aims to add to the understanding of cellular processes underpinning mammalian development. Protein phosphorylation is a dynamic process regulated by both protein kinases and protein phosphatases. While the role of kinases in cellular functions are well defined, the roles of protein phosphatases are not well understood. Using a range of laboratory models this project aims to discover the function of the phosphatase PP2A, in cell proliferation, survival, differentiation and DNA damage repair. The anticipated outcome is an improved understanding of all stages of mammalian development. This will provide significant benefits in the biotechnology, chemical and pharmaceutical industries.Read moreRead less
Beyond Spectral Detection: Engineering SUPER Dot Probes for High-Throughput Discovery. Molecules that are altered as a result of a pathological condition are generally present in very low abundance, and pose a “needle-in-a-haystack” problem. Current detection, quantification and localisation technologies use fluorescent probes that are limited by sensitivity and analysis time. This project will develop a new generation of nanophotonic luminescent probes (Strong Upconversion Photo-stable Encoded ....Beyond Spectral Detection: Engineering SUPER Dot Probes for High-Throughput Discovery. Molecules that are altered as a result of a pathological condition are generally present in very low abundance, and pose a “needle-in-a-haystack” problem. Current detection, quantification and localisation technologies use fluorescent probes that are limited by sensitivity and analysis time. This project will develop a new generation of nanophotonic luminescent probes (Strong Upconversion Photo-stable Encoded nano-Radiators (SUPER) Dots), based on purpose-engineered up-conversion nanocrystals that are ultra-bright and have low background interference, high specificity, speed, and large-scale multiplexing capacity. These probes will allow microscopy and flow cytometry to measure hitherto undetectable rare-event molecules and cells, opening new frontiers for the discovery of new biomarkers.Read moreRead less
Lipidomics of vision. Presbyopia and cataract are the major causes of visual impairment worldwide. Nevertheless, our understanding of lens ageing at both a cellular and molecular level is limited. This project will gain new insight into the effect of age on lens membrane lipids and their role in the development of presbyopia and cataract.
Harnessing the bioactivity of proteins and polypeptides: understanding and controlling adsorption processes to optimise linker free immobilisation. This project will use physical techniques and simulations to understand the interactions of biomolecules and plasma activated surfaces, allowing control of the biomolecule layer composition, orientation and conformation. This control, together with the ability of these surfaces to "lock-in" the optimised layer, will create a new generation of biodevi ....Harnessing the bioactivity of proteins and polypeptides: understanding and controlling adsorption processes to optimise linker free immobilisation. This project will use physical techniques and simulations to understand the interactions of biomolecules and plasma activated surfaces, allowing control of the biomolecule layer composition, orientation and conformation. This control, together with the ability of these surfaces to "lock-in" the optimised layer, will create a new generation of biodevices.Read moreRead less
Soft carbon nanotube materials. There is no doubt that the realisation of new bionic materials will dramatically improve quality of life for many individuals. The new soft conducting materials proposed will impact on several areas of bionics, including the development of the next generation Bionic Ear, conduits for spinal cord regeneration as well as muscle regeneration and other applications. This project will further enhance the international profile of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Electro ....Soft carbon nanotube materials. There is no doubt that the realisation of new bionic materials will dramatically improve quality of life for many individuals. The new soft conducting materials proposed will impact on several areas of bionics, including the development of the next generation Bionic Ear, conduits for spinal cord regeneration as well as muscle regeneration and other applications. This project will further enhance the international profile of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science in the field of Bionics. The end-user network already in place will ensure all opportunities are fully exploited.Read moreRead less
Molecular and immunological approaches to managing Australia's seafood allergy epidemic. Seafood is an increasingly important cause of food allergy. Novel insight into the functions of why and how proteins from seafood develop to potent allergens will lead to the development of better diagnostics and therapeutics. This will assist patients to better manage their serious food allergy.
The Protein Corona: Imaging the nanoparticle biological identity card. The project will determine how the intrinsic physico-chemical properties of nanoparticles translate into extrinsic biological properties through their interaction with physiological proteins in the body. This process is complex and poorly understood due to our inability to visualise it through standard imaging techniques. The project aims to develop a new tool to visualise, study, quantify and design the protein ‘corona’. The ....The Protein Corona: Imaging the nanoparticle biological identity card. The project will determine how the intrinsic physico-chemical properties of nanoparticles translate into extrinsic biological properties through their interaction with physiological proteins in the body. This process is complex and poorly understood due to our inability to visualise it through standard imaging techniques. The project aims to develop a new tool to visualise, study, quantify and design the protein ‘corona’. These are the adsorbed protein layers that are rapidly formed in contact with biological liquids which allow cells to recognise and process nanoparticles. The proteins are dependent on factors such as size, shape, surface chemistry and biological history of the particles. Being able to ‘read’ and ‘write’ the protein corona would enable efficient cellular targeting of pharmaceutical drugs.Read moreRead less
Roles of the kynurenine pathway in physiological and pathological brain function. This project will aim to study the metabolism of the essential amino acid tryptophan in the brain and its involvement in diseases including multiple sclerosis and brain tumours.