Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150101243
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$371,000.00
Summary
The molecular mechanisms of dual nucleic acid specificities of SFPQ. Dynamic interactions between proteins and nucleic acids are a fundamental process in gene regulation, where aberrant regulation leads to lethality or various diseases. This project aims to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of DNA-RNA interplay with a multifunctional nuclear protein, splicing factor proline/glutamine-rich (SFPQ) in gene regulation at the molecular level by characterising the interactions between SFPQ and nucle ....The molecular mechanisms of dual nucleic acid specificities of SFPQ. Dynamic interactions between proteins and nucleic acids are a fundamental process in gene regulation, where aberrant regulation leads to lethality or various diseases. This project aims to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of DNA-RNA interplay with a multifunctional nuclear protein, splicing factor proline/glutamine-rich (SFPQ) in gene regulation at the molecular level by characterising the interactions between SFPQ and nucleic acids. The results will provide a fundamental understanding of the molecular mechanisms of dual nucleic acid specificities of nuclear proteins in gene regulation, for which no structural information is currently available.Read moreRead less
The early structural assembly of high-density lipoproteins. This project aims to study the interaction between proteins and lipids, a fundamental aspect of cellular processes in all organisms. Lipid binding by apoA-I forms high-density lipoproteins (HDL) in the bloodstream, which removes cholesterol from the body. This project will define the types of lipids that bind first to the apolipoprotein (apo) A-I and the structural mechanisms of this process. The conformation of lipid binding proteins o ....The early structural assembly of high-density lipoproteins. This project aims to study the interaction between proteins and lipids, a fundamental aspect of cellular processes in all organisms. Lipid binding by apoA-I forms high-density lipoproteins (HDL) in the bloodstream, which removes cholesterol from the body. This project will define the types of lipids that bind first to the apolipoprotein (apo) A-I and the structural mechanisms of this process. The conformation of lipid binding proteins often changes during lipid binding. However, the structural mechanisms and conformational rearrangements are poorly understood. This project expects to understand the function of HDL and the structural mechanisms of lipid binding proteins in general. The results will have far-reaching applications in biology, human health, and biotechnology, including food and biopharmaceutical processing.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE210100122
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$725,000.00
Summary
Hydrogen-deuterium exchange system - a missing link in protein analysis . Proteins are highly dynamic molecules that are essential to life. This project aims to acquire a fully automated and integrated hydrogen-deuterium exchange system, a powerful tool for analysing the motion of proteins and their interactions with other molecules. Expected outcomes include a new capability for biology labs around Australia by (1) increasing success rates of difficult projects that aim to visualise 3D protein ....Hydrogen-deuterium exchange system - a missing link in protein analysis . Proteins are highly dynamic molecules that are essential to life. This project aims to acquire a fully automated and integrated hydrogen-deuterium exchange system, a powerful tool for analysing the motion of proteins and their interactions with other molecules. Expected outcomes include a new capability for biology labs around Australia by (1) increasing success rates of difficult projects that aim to visualise 3D protein structures and (2) providing rapid information about protein interaction sites. Anticipated benefits include the generation of dynamic data that will be highly complementary to static pictures of protein structures. This will enable clever design of new proteins with beneficial uses in the biotechnology industry.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100036
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$470,000.00
Summary
A protein molecular interaction and localization facility. This proposal will address a major gap in our mass spectrometry capabilities and aid in our understanding of protein interactions and tissue distribution in areas such as neuroscience, microbiology, immunology, and botany, as well as enhance our understanding of fundamental gas phase chemistry of protein molecules. It brings together a highly successful multidisciplinary team of high-profile researchers with a track record of collaborati ....A protein molecular interaction and localization facility. This proposal will address a major gap in our mass spectrometry capabilities and aid in our understanding of protein interactions and tissue distribution in areas such as neuroscience, microbiology, immunology, and botany, as well as enhance our understanding of fundamental gas phase chemistry of protein molecules. It brings together a highly successful multidisciplinary team of high-profile researchers with a track record of collaboration and delivering outcomes from shared facilities. In addition to these key scientific outcomes this project will also facilitate the training of several new personnel in a skill area for which there is a critical shortage (mass spectrometry) and promote true cross-disciplinary skills.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0346895
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$450,000.00
Summary
A Mass Directed Molecular Resolution Laboratory. The proposed "Mass Directed Molecular Resolution Laboratory" combines an integrated suite of instrumentation housed in purpose built laboratories with technical expertise to provide an unique "one stop shop" to meet the burgeoning mass spectrometry needs of the chemical community in the Melbourne area. This truly collaborative effort will service the needs of 17 research groups with 92 PhD students and post doctoral researchers and will enhance ex ....A Mass Directed Molecular Resolution Laboratory. The proposed "Mass Directed Molecular Resolution Laboratory" combines an integrated suite of instrumentation housed in purpose built laboratories with technical expertise to provide an unique "one stop shop" to meet the burgeoning mass spectrometry needs of the chemical community in the Melbourne area. This truly collaborative effort will service the needs of 17 research groups with 92 PhD students and post doctoral researchers and will enhance existing excellence in a range of areas. Finally, the laboratory will provide opportunities to: collaborate and consult with industry; train postgraduate students in instrumentation used at the cutting edge of chemical and biochemical sciences.Read moreRead less
Uncovering novel metabolic processes in eukaryotic cells. This project aims to investigate the origin and function of the large number of chemically undefined metabolites that occur in all cells. The project will utilise advanced analytical techniques, as well as computational and genetic approaches, to characterise the chemical structures of these metabolites and identity the enzymes involved in their synthesis and degradation. It will provide new information on the metabolic capacity of eukary ....Uncovering novel metabolic processes in eukaryotic cells. This project aims to investigate the origin and function of the large number of chemically undefined metabolites that occur in all cells. The project will utilise advanced analytical techniques, as well as computational and genetic approaches, to characterise the chemical structures of these metabolites and identity the enzymes involved in their synthesis and degradation. It will provide new information on the metabolic capacity of eukaryotic cells and allow the generation of more accurate models of metabolism. These outcomes have important biotechnology applications and will identify metabolic processes that underpin normal and disease states in animals and human cells.Read moreRead less
Defining the cellular impacts of protein aggregation in neurodegenerative disease with an aggreomics platform. The brain disease Huntington’s is caused by abnormally shaped proteins that assemble into toxic clusters. This project will design new bioprobes to track how these clusters form and cause damage to cells. This strategy will also provide new opportunities for discovering novel therapeutic targets.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100174
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$800,000.00
Summary
Innovative synchrotron science - program for access to the Australian National Beamline Facility and cutting-edge beamlines at international synchrotrons. Synchrotron science dramatically affects the community through the innovative scientific, engineering and medical research outcomes it produces. This program for access to synchrotron beamlines is aimed at enhancing Australia's high international standing in synchrotron science and will have many flow-on effects in areas such as health and ind ....Innovative synchrotron science - program for access to the Australian National Beamline Facility and cutting-edge beamlines at international synchrotrons. Synchrotron science dramatically affects the community through the innovative scientific, engineering and medical research outcomes it produces. This program for access to synchrotron beamlines is aimed at enhancing Australia's high international standing in synchrotron science and will have many flow-on effects in areas such as health and industry.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0882977
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,000.00
Summary
Enhanced NMR Research, Characterisation and Analysis Facility. Studying molecular species is at the heart of chemistry and biochemistry and fundamental to improving our understanding of molecular mechanisms and interactions. This becomes important for elucidating aspects of biological function, medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry, materials science and synthetic methodology, which all underpin health and technology advances in Australia. The infrastructure will support projects involving fun ....Enhanced NMR Research, Characterisation and Analysis Facility. Studying molecular species is at the heart of chemistry and biochemistry and fundamental to improving our understanding of molecular mechanisms and interactions. This becomes important for elucidating aspects of biological function, medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry, materials science and synthetic methodology, which all underpin health and technology advances in Australia. The infrastructure will support projects involving fundamental and strategic research spanning nanotechnology and the biological and materials sciences to industry-oriented projects.Read moreRead less
Synthesis of carbohydrate antigens and production of monoclonal antibodies for biotechnological applications. Plant proteoglycans are widely used in the Australian agrifood industry as emulsifiers and thickening agents. In plants, they have been implicated in critical roles such as embryogenesis, development and programmed cell death; processes that ultimately determine agricultural production. However studies into plant proteoglycans are limited by a lack of specific reagents to probe their cel ....Synthesis of carbohydrate antigens and production of monoclonal antibodies for biotechnological applications. Plant proteoglycans are widely used in the Australian agrifood industry as emulsifiers and thickening agents. In plants, they have been implicated in critical roles such as embryogenesis, development and programmed cell death; processes that ultimately determine agricultural production. However studies into plant proteoglycans are limited by a lack of specific reagents to probe their cellular function. We propose to develop a series of monoclonal antibodies that can be used to study the structure and function of plant proteoglycans. These antibodies will have broad uses in basic and strategic research programs and will accelerate the commercial development of plant proteoglycans for use in the food industry.Read moreRead less