A molecular structure-function investigation of major membrane channels involved in olfactory transduction. Olfactory receptor neurons are extraordinarily-sensitive sensors for detecting minute concentrations of odorant molecules. This project aims to extend our previous studies of these specialised mammalian olfactory cells by using state-of-the art technologies: electrophysiology (patch-clamp) and molecular biology (site-directed-mutagenesis), to investigate how the molecular structure of the ....A molecular structure-function investigation of major membrane channels involved in olfactory transduction. Olfactory receptor neurons are extraordinarily-sensitive sensors for detecting minute concentrations of odorant molecules. This project aims to extend our previous studies of these specialised mammalian olfactory cells by using state-of-the art technologies: electrophysiology (patch-clamp) and molecular biology (site-directed-mutagenesis), to investigate how the molecular structure of their ion channels (selective protein pores) and receptors contribute to the odorant-induced generation of electrical activity, which mediates our sense of smell (olfaction). The project has specific relevance for understanding olfaction, as well as relevance for other sensory systems and other ion channels.Read moreRead less
Resurgent Sodium Currents in Peripheral Nerve Axons and Sensory Neurones. This project seeks evidence that unusual gating of sodium channels contributes to the hyperexcitability that results in spontaneous impulse activity in sensory axons. It asks whether axons normally behave as if they have this gating mode, whether it can be induced, whether any such behaviour is more prominent with sensory axons than motor, and whether the current can be measured directly in sensory neurones. The project is ....Resurgent Sodium Currents in Peripheral Nerve Axons and Sensory Neurones. This project seeks evidence that unusual gating of sodium channels contributes to the hyperexcitability that results in spontaneous impulse activity in sensory axons. It asks whether axons normally behave as if they have this gating mode, whether it can be induced, whether any such behaviour is more prominent with sensory axons than motor, and whether the current can be measured directly in sensory neurones. The project is the first to involve correlation of patch-clamp recordings with the behaviour of intact axons. Its outcomes will affect thought about sodium channel behaviour and may alter approaches to disorders of axonal excitability.Read moreRead less
Phloem unloading of sucrose: cloning, functional characterisation and regulation of novel membrane transporters. Sucrose is the principal form in which plant biomass, produced in photosynthetic leaves, is transported to non-photosynthetic organs for growth and storage. Sucrose transport proteins play pivotal roles in facilitating sucrose transport around plants. Hence activities of sucrose transporters directly impact on plant growth rates and crop yields. Our aim is to isolate hitherto unkno ....Phloem unloading of sucrose: cloning, functional characterisation and regulation of novel membrane transporters. Sucrose is the principal form in which plant biomass, produced in photosynthetic leaves, is transported to non-photosynthetic organs for growth and storage. Sucrose transport proteins play pivotal roles in facilitating sucrose transport around plants. Hence activities of sucrose transporters directly impact on plant growth rates and crop yields. Our aim is to isolate hitherto unknown membrane proteins that move sucrose at high rates between cells and discover their transport properties. Expected outcomes are to better understand mechanisms and regulation of sucrose transport and hence provide novel opportunities to enhance crop yield. The project will foster a productive international collaboration.Read moreRead less
Cardiac a1-adrenergic receptors in survival of the fittest. This project aims to determine the role of alpha1A-adrenergic receptor inactivation, a receptor/signalling pathway, in mediating cardiac contraction and survival in response to stressors fight-or-flight response triggers.Higher organisms’ ability to respond to environmental changes is central to the survival of the fittest, and is mediated by the release of catecholamines that stimulate adrenergic receptors. The precise receptor and sig ....Cardiac a1-adrenergic receptors in survival of the fittest. This project aims to determine the role of alpha1A-adrenergic receptor inactivation, a receptor/signalling pathway, in mediating cardiac contraction and survival in response to stressors fight-or-flight response triggers.Higher organisms’ ability to respond to environmental changes is central to the survival of the fittest, and is mediated by the release of catecholamines that stimulate adrenergic receptors. The precise receptor and signalling pathways underlying these adaptive responses remain unclear. This project’s research could improve contractility, reduce cardiomyocyte death and define organismal adaptation to extreme environmental changes.Read moreRead less
Nutritional and bacterial influences on gut and peripheral homeostasis. Nutritional and bacterial influences on gut and peripheral homeostasis. This project aims to understand the role of macronutrients on gut homeostasis. While the understanding of what factors affect gut homeostasis is still in its infancy, scientists know that its disruption contributes to a broad range of inflammatory diseases, including type 1 diabetes and asthma. This project will determine the role of specific macronutrie ....Nutritional and bacterial influences on gut and peripheral homeostasis. Nutritional and bacterial influences on gut and peripheral homeostasis. This project aims to understand the role of macronutrients on gut homeostasis. While the understanding of what factors affect gut homeostasis is still in its infancy, scientists know that its disruption contributes to a broad range of inflammatory diseases, including type 1 diabetes and asthma. This project will determine the role of specific macronutrients on gut microbiota, gut epithelium, and immunity in mice, and the receptors involved. This research could ultimately lead to significant decreases in the cost of healthcare.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0561161
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$110,000.00
Summary
Joint Facility for Genome Analysis of Nutrient Transport Proteins. The joint facility for genome analysis of nutrient transport proteins is a new initiative between the University of Adelaide, the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics, and the University of Western Australia to use a high throughput Xenopus oocyte expression system to screen plant cDNA/cRNA collections for genes encoding nutrient transport proteins. The facility will also provide a platform to rapidly accelerate our p ....Joint Facility for Genome Analysis of Nutrient Transport Proteins. The joint facility for genome analysis of nutrient transport proteins is a new initiative between the University of Adelaide, the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics, and the University of Western Australia to use a high throughput Xenopus oocyte expression system to screen plant cDNA/cRNA collections for genes encoding nutrient transport proteins. The facility will also provide a platform to rapidly accelerate our present capacity for Xenopus oocyte expression analysis of nutrient transport proteins. This facility will greatly aid our current research quantum in this field and allow for new discoveries related to nutrient transport in plants.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE170100206
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$550,000.00
Summary
Lattice light sheet microscopy for imaging biology in real space and time. This project aims to establish a Lattice Light-Sheet Microscope (LLSM) Facility, to provide the dedicated computing infrastructure needed for terabyte-scale image acquisition and handling. Lattice light sheet microscopy allows four-dimensional imaging of live biological specimens from individual molecules to small organisms. The microscope images live specimens without phototoxicity or photobleaching, enabling prolonged i ....Lattice light sheet microscopy for imaging biology in real space and time. This project aims to establish a Lattice Light-Sheet Microscope (LLSM) Facility, to provide the dedicated computing infrastructure needed for terabyte-scale image acquisition and handling. Lattice light sheet microscopy allows four-dimensional imaging of live biological specimens from individual molecules to small organisms. The microscope images live specimens without phototoxicity or photobleaching, enabling prolonged imaging of significant physiological or biophysical events. Expected outcomes include high impact discoveries and publications in fundamental research, rapid solutions for industry-focussed projects and opportunities for collaboration, research and development. The imaging is expected to reveal key scientific insights and showcase biology to the public.Read moreRead less
The response of mitochondria to oxidative stress in plants. Crops encounter many situations in their environment which place them under stress. Reactive oxygen molecules produced in these situations act as messengers to trigger defence mechanisms but also cause cellular damage. Mitochondria are the subcellular compartments involved in energy production and are essential for plant development and growth. However, they also have been implicated in the response of plants to stress and pathogen atta ....The response of mitochondria to oxidative stress in plants. Crops encounter many situations in their environment which place them under stress. Reactive oxygen molecules produced in these situations act as messengers to trigger defence mechanisms but also cause cellular damage. Mitochondria are the subcellular compartments involved in energy production and are essential for plant development and growth. However, they also have been implicated in the response of plants to stress and pathogen attack, and in production of reactive oxygen molecules. This proposal seeks to investigate how mitochondria are involved in these processes, focusing on the role of terminal oxidases. Potential outcomes include crops better able to cope with environmental stress.Read moreRead less
Why is the peribacteroid membrane transcription factor SAT1 required for legume nitrogen fixation and what is its role in other symbiotic systems? This project will investigate the functional activity of the plant membrane bound basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor SAT1 in both nitrogen fixing (Rhizobia) and phosphorus acquiring (Arbuscular Mycorrhizal) symbioses found in plants. The project will identify its regulation and downstream activities across both symbiosis using selected ....Why is the peribacteroid membrane transcription factor SAT1 required for legume nitrogen fixation and what is its role in other symbiotic systems? This project will investigate the functional activity of the plant membrane bound basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor SAT1 in both nitrogen fixing (Rhizobia) and phosphorus acquiring (Arbuscular Mycorrhizal) symbioses found in plants. The project will identify its regulation and downstream activities across both symbiosis using selected legumes and or cereals.Read moreRead less
Calcium Signalling and Sequestration at Vertebrate Motor-Nerve Terminals. A fundamental process at Synapses is the release of transmitter from nerve terminals due to the initiation of calcium signalling in the temrinals by impulses. This calcium signalling must be terminated by sequestering processes. The aim of this project is to identify these processes in a vertebrate motor-nerve terminal and to determine the means by which calcium signals the changes in efficacy of transmitter release during ....Calcium Signalling and Sequestration at Vertebrate Motor-Nerve Terminals. A fundamental process at Synapses is the release of transmitter from nerve terminals due to the initiation of calcium signalling in the temrinals by impulses. This calcium signalling must be terminated by sequestering processes. The aim of this project is to identify these processes in a vertebrate motor-nerve terminal and to determine the means by which calcium signals the changes in efficacy of transmitter release during trains of impulses. This work will give a complete description of calcium signalling in a vertebrate nerve terminal and provide the basis for ameliorating failures in transmission from nerve to muscle.Read moreRead less