Non-Canonical Amino Acids for Protein Analysis and Peptide Inhibitors. This interdisciplinary project aims to establish new tools to experimentally confirm 3D structure predictions of proteins that are otherwise difficult to study. A combination of innovative biochemistry, modern spectroscopy, and high-performance computing will be applied to study protein-protein and protein-ligand interactions. The project expects to generate new techniques and to test them on established drug targets. Expecte ....Non-Canonical Amino Acids for Protein Analysis and Peptide Inhibitors. This interdisciplinary project aims to establish new tools to experimentally confirm 3D structure predictions of proteins that are otherwise difficult to study. A combination of innovative biochemistry, modern spectroscopy, and high-performance computing will be applied to study protein-protein and protein-ligand interactions. The project expects to generate new techniques and to test them on established drug targets. Expected outcomes include new tools which quickly inform medicinal chemists how drugs interact with their targets and how they can be improved. The developed tools should provide significant benefit to many researchers by accelerating the early stage of drug discovery, and support Australia’s fast growing biotechnology sector.Read moreRead less
Protein Structure and Dynamics by Electron/Nuclear Paramagnetic Resonance. This interdisciplinary project aims to establish new magnetic resonance methods for the analysis of protein structure and motion at low concentrations and in physiological conditions that are otherwise difficult or impossible to study. It brings together four different research groups with expertise in advanced biochemistry, modern magnetic spectroscopy and high-performance computing. The project expects to develop tools ....Protein Structure and Dynamics by Electron/Nuclear Paramagnetic Resonance. This interdisciplinary project aims to establish new magnetic resonance methods for the analysis of protein structure and motion at low concentrations and in physiological conditions that are otherwise difficult or impossible to study. It brings together four different research groups with expertise in advanced biochemistry, modern magnetic spectroscopy and high-performance computing. The project expects to develop tools to study protein structure, protein-protein association and protein-ligand interactions of established drug-targets. Expected outcomes include new techniques that quickly inform how drugs work, providing significant benefits to many researchers studying biomolecules, and supporting Australia’s growing biotechnology sector. Read moreRead less
ARC Centre in Bioinformatics. The Australian Centre for Genome-Phenome Bioinformatics will examine how the genome comes to life in the mammalian cell during differentiation and development. We will model, visualise and experimentally validate the complex cellular systems and regulatory networks that control the transformation of genomic information into biological structure and function. We will develop novel approaches and tools to improve health, optimise agricultural production and exploit ne ....ARC Centre in Bioinformatics. The Australian Centre for Genome-Phenome Bioinformatics will examine how the genome comes to life in the mammalian cell during differentiation and development. We will model, visualise and experimentally validate the complex cellular systems and regulatory networks that control the transformation of genomic information into biological structure and function. We will develop novel approaches and tools to improve health, optimise agricultural production and exploit new cell technologies. The Centre will build critical mass and national focus in bioinformatics to generate the human capital and intellectual property that Australia needs to compete in advanced bioscience and biotechnology.Read moreRead less
Understanding the molecular basis of heparanase activity. This project aims to advance our understanding of the structure and impact on biological processes of heparanase (HSPE), an enzyme of critical importance. HSPE’s ability to interact with heparan sulfate (HS), a key component of the extracellular matrix and basement membranes, makes HPSE a pivotal enzyme in many important physiological and disease-related processes ranging from angiogenesis, tumour metastasis, inflammation, hair follicle ....Understanding the molecular basis of heparanase activity. This project aims to advance our understanding of the structure and impact on biological processes of heparanase (HSPE), an enzyme of critical importance. HSPE’s ability to interact with heparan sulfate (HS), a key component of the extracellular matrix and basement membranes, makes HPSE a pivotal enzyme in many important physiological and disease-related processes ranging from angiogenesis, tumour metastasis, inflammation, hair follicle development to wrinkle formation. The knowledge gained through this project is expected to provide new insight into the interaction between HSPE and HS/HSPG to reveal new pathways to the development of inhibitors to treat diseases such as cancer and diabetes.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100096
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$450,000.00
Summary
A unique soft matter high-performance scanning probe microscopy (HP-SPM) facility. Soft matter research touches every aspect of our lives as it covers materials from the range of plastics found in cars, television sets and other mass-manufactured products, to new medical materials for tissue engineering and sensors. The proposed facility will enable Australia's leading scientists in this area to understand better how soft matter, including both biological and new advanced soft materials, behave ....A unique soft matter high-performance scanning probe microscopy (HP-SPM) facility. Soft matter research touches every aspect of our lives as it covers materials from the range of plastics found in cars, television sets and other mass-manufactured products, to new medical materials for tissue engineering and sensors. The proposed facility will enable Australia's leading scientists in this area to understand better how soft matter, including both biological and new advanced soft materials, behaves on the nano-scale level. This will put Australian researchers and engineers in a leading position for developing new treatments against cancer and other diseases, as well as harnessing the power of biology for application in areas such as waste treatment and energy production.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100142
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
An integrated liquid chromatography mass spectrometry nuclear magnetic resonance (LC-MS-NMR) facility for applications in proteomics and organic chemistry. This application completes the requested liquid chromatography mass spectrometry nuclear magnetic resonance (LCMS-NMR) facility and will allow the training of over 150 researchers, significantly enhancing their research productivity and translation of outcomes in areas of national importance. New breakthroughs in drug development, smart mate ....An integrated liquid chromatography mass spectrometry nuclear magnetic resonance (LC-MS-NMR) facility for applications in proteomics and organic chemistry. This application completes the requested liquid chromatography mass spectrometry nuclear magnetic resonance (LCMS-NMR) facility and will allow the training of over 150 researchers, significantly enhancing their research productivity and translation of outcomes in areas of national importance. New breakthroughs in drug development, smart materials, organic electronic materials and biomedical research require routine access to cutting edge technology. The LCMS-NMR augments the capabilities of our research teams at the forefront of these efforts. These include understanding the impact of the environment on plant and animal development, pest animal control, development of new biotechnology tools, new drugs and new methods for the detection of narcotics and explosives.Read moreRead less
Anticipating, Combating and Exploiting the Evolution of Pesticide Resistance in Australian Agricultural Pests and Disease Vectors. Synthetic insecticides have resulted in an explosion in food production through effective insect control. However, insects have begun to evolve resistance against one of the most widely used classes of insecticides (organophosphates) via mutations in carboxylesterases (CBEs). To address this problem, the ability to anticipate further evolution, combat it and exploit ....Anticipating, Combating and Exploiting the Evolution of Pesticide Resistance in Australian Agricultural Pests and Disease Vectors. Synthetic insecticides have resulted in an explosion in food production through effective insect control. However, insects have begun to evolve resistance against one of the most widely used classes of insecticides (organophosphates) via mutations in carboxylesterases (CBEs). To address this problem, the ability to anticipate further evolution, combat it and exploit it for our own benefit is needed. This project aims to anticipate evolution by simulating it in the laboratory, allowing for the best preparation for change. New pesticides will be designed to combat insecticide resistance based upon the molecular structure of an insect CBE. This project aims to exploit these newly evolved enzymes to create biosensors and decontamination agents.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100085
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$450,000.00
Summary
Regional facility for macromolecular x-ray crystallography. This facility in the southern NSW/ACT region will allow research into structures of biological molecules. Research at the facility will contribute to advances in understanding of processes in living organisms, new drugs and new biotechnology with national and international significance.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120101550
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Understanding multidrug resistance: identifying the molecular basis of substrate and inhibitor transport by P-glycoprotein. Chemotherapy resistance causes 90 per cent of cancer deaths and is commonly triggered by the increased activity of P-glycoprotein, which controls the cellular clearance of drugs. This project will determine how P-glycoprotein recognises and transports drugs, essential knowledge for the design of anticancer agents that can stop chemotherapy resistance.
Targeting An Ion Pump In The Malaria Parasite With Multiple Compound Classes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$384,686.00
Summary
Large-scale antimalarial drug screening projects have identified three different classes of compound that kill the malaria parasite at extremely low doses and which hold real promise as next-generation antimalarials. Genetic evidence, as well as preliminary data from our own lab, has led us to the hypothesis that all three compound classes exert their antimalarial effect by blocking a molecular ion pump on the parasite surface. The aim of this study is to test this.