Drugging the undruggable: Development of novel technologies to selectively regulate the expression of targets driving cancer and other diseases. Transcription factors are “undruggable” targets playing a principal role driving cancer. This project will create novel therapeutic strategies to inhibit transcription factors and other elusive targets differentially expressed in diseased cells, without affecting normal tissue. It proposes to construct engineered proteins able to bind and modify specifi ....Drugging the undruggable: Development of novel technologies to selectively regulate the expression of targets driving cancer and other diseases. Transcription factors are “undruggable” targets playing a principal role driving cancer. This project will create novel therapeutic strategies to inhibit transcription factors and other elusive targets differentially expressed in diseased cells, without affecting normal tissue. It proposes to construct engineered proteins able to bind and modify specific key genes deregulated in cancer, to correct their expression and stably reprogram the phenotype of the tumour cell in a normal-like state. It outlines the engineering of novel synthetic agents to block specific protein-protein interactions in cancer cells and to induce potent tumour cell death. This work will generate novel and selective therapeutics to treat un-curable forms of tumours.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140101728
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$395,220.00
Summary
The regulation and evolution of posttranscriptional gene networks. The ability of cells to regulate gene expression is key for organism development, adaptation to new environments and evolutionary changes that shape the diversity of life on Earth. This project studies the RNA binding proteins called PUFs which are central for gene expression in diverse organisms. Using cutting-edge new generation systems biology approaches, this project will study how PUF proteins regulate genes to enable metabo ....The regulation and evolution of posttranscriptional gene networks. The ability of cells to regulate gene expression is key for organism development, adaptation to new environments and evolutionary changes that shape the diversity of life on Earth. This project studies the RNA binding proteins called PUFs which are central for gene expression in diverse organisms. Using cutting-edge new generation systems biology approaches, this project will study how PUF proteins regulate genes to enable metabolic adaptation, differentiation of cell types and the evolution of new gene expression outputs in distinct biological species. The outcomes will include new insights into the regulation and evolution of posttranscriptional gene networks. Read moreRead less
High performance inks for solution based organic light emitting diodes manufacturing. This project aims to introduce an advanced solution processing and printing technique for organic light emitting diode (OLED) fabrication based on a set of innovative macromolecular chemistries. These proceed either photochemically or thermally, exploiting precision macromolecular designs of the polymer precursor materials, which contain advanced emitter systems developed by Cynora. Solution fabrication of OLED ....High performance inks for solution based organic light emitting diodes manufacturing. This project aims to introduce an advanced solution processing and printing technique for organic light emitting diode (OLED) fabrication based on a set of innovative macromolecular chemistries. These proceed either photochemically or thermally, exploiting precision macromolecular designs of the polymer precursor materials, which contain advanced emitter systems developed by Cynora. Solution fabrication of OLED is a challenging, yet ultimately powerful, process with key advantages over current vacuum processing systems, especially with regard to production flexibility, cost and OLED size. The project will provide a functioning technology platform for solution OLED fabrication.Read moreRead less
Improving the efficiency of CRISPR gene editing in cells. Human red blood cells are well-characterised and the globin gene locus is a model system for the study of gene regulation. Gene editing technologies and delivery tools are evolving rapidly and the globin gene locus is the perfect model for gene editing optimisation. This collaboration between UNSW Sydney and CSL aims to bring together our combined expertise and new technologies to develop an optimal platform for genetic modification in a ....Improving the efficiency of CRISPR gene editing in cells. Human red blood cells are well-characterised and the globin gene locus is a model system for the study of gene regulation. Gene editing technologies and delivery tools are evolving rapidly and the globin gene locus is the perfect model for gene editing optimisation. This collaboration between UNSW Sydney and CSL aims to bring together our combined expertise and new technologies to develop an optimal platform for genetic modification in a red blood cell line. Simultaneously, this project aims to generate fundamental insights into mechanisms of human gene regulation. The technological and biological outcomes of this project will be of benefit for future gene editing applications.Read moreRead less
Investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying non-visual photoreception and their implications in the treatment of human neurological disease. The ability of organisms to detect light is fundamental for survival and has been a major driver in evolution. The project will investigate the genetic origins of the various visual and non-visual systems and will explore its implications for the bioengineering of therapeutics for the treatment of neurological disease in humans.
Unique epigenetic states in plant stem cell niches for safeguarding genome integrity. Plant stem cells are the foundation cells of all plant growth and development, including generation of the reproductive cells. Therefore, it is critical that stem cells defend against attacks that may damage the genome. A unique epigenetic state in plant stem cell niches has been discovered that may protect the genome from damage due to parasitic DNA elements. Using sophisticated genomics, genetics, and cellula ....Unique epigenetic states in plant stem cell niches for safeguarding genome integrity. Plant stem cells are the foundation cells of all plant growth and development, including generation of the reproductive cells. Therefore, it is critical that stem cells defend against attacks that may damage the genome. A unique epigenetic state in plant stem cell niches has been discovered that may protect the genome from damage due to parasitic DNA elements. Using sophisticated genomics, genetics, and cellular technologies, this project will investigate how stem cell epigenetic state is linked to genome defence, how environmental stresses can disrupt the defence system, and the role of the system in driving new genetic diversity. This knowledge is of high importance as agricultural crops enter an era of increasingly challenging conditions.Read moreRead less
The roles and regulators of new plant cells linked to root transport. Plant genomics has moved to the single cell resolution, allowing precise investigations of previously hidden cell types and cell states that respond to environmental stress and that vary among differentially adapted plant populations. Here, we will extend our pioneering efforts that have mapped and discovered novel root cell types, to determine their salt and nutrient stress responses, and to elegantly dissect the underling ca ....The roles and regulators of new plant cells linked to root transport. Plant genomics has moved to the single cell resolution, allowing precise investigations of previously hidden cell types and cell states that respond to environmental stress and that vary among differentially adapted plant populations. Here, we will extend our pioneering efforts that have mapped and discovered novel root cell types, to determine their salt and nutrient stress responses, and to elegantly dissect the underling causal genetic variation. The unique cell markers and regulatory networks will be validated with tissue specific and transgenic tools that can work across a host of plant species to reveal adaptive cellular responses to harsh environmental conditions.Read moreRead less
The genes and pathways regulated by the AMYB80 network are involved in Arabidopsis pollen development. Tapetum is the inner layer of an anther essential for pollen formation. The project will study tapetal AtMYB80 network regulating pollen development. Knowledge of the network will be important in developing means to protect crop yields against cold and drought. Regulation of AtMYB80 activity is being used to create hybrid crops of high productivity.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100525
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,000.00
Summary
Mucus control: Applying concepts from bacteriophage-mucus interactions. This project aims to examine how mucus-adherent bacteriophage interact with bacteria in mucus as a mechanism to manipulate microbiomes. Bacterial infections at mucosal surfaces in animals are a serious global health threat. Traditionally antibiotics have been used to curb mucosal infections, but antibiotic resistance means new therapies are urgently needed. Bacteriophage – viruses that infect bacteria – can kill bacteria and ....Mucus control: Applying concepts from bacteriophage-mucus interactions. This project aims to examine how mucus-adherent bacteriophage interact with bacteria in mucus as a mechanism to manipulate microbiomes. Bacterial infections at mucosal surfaces in animals are a serious global health threat. Traditionally antibiotics have been used to curb mucosal infections, but antibiotic resistance means new therapies are urgently needed. Bacteriophage – viruses that infect bacteria – can kill bacteria and might provide a layer of antimicrobial immunity in animal mucus. The anticipated outcomes are resolving how bacteriophage control bacteria within mucus, and applying concepts to bioengineer mucosal microbiomes.Read moreRead less
Quantum-Assisted Sensing. Modern physics has been very successful at developing incredibly precise theoretical descriptions of nature. Can exquisitely accurate models of the interaction between light and matter, to push sensing and measurement far beyond the current state-of-the art, be exploited? This project aims to address this question, focussing on three domains of measurement: temperature, time and power. Improving sensors and measurement has been the cornerstone of new physical discoverie ....Quantum-Assisted Sensing. Modern physics has been very successful at developing incredibly precise theoretical descriptions of nature. Can exquisitely accurate models of the interaction between light and matter, to push sensing and measurement far beyond the current state-of-the art, be exploited? This project aims to address this question, focussing on three domains of measurement: temperature, time and power. Improving sensors and measurement has been the cornerstone of new physical discoveries, with applications from radio-astronomy to quantum information and navigation. This project aims to build the theoretical foundations for world-beating thermometers, clocks, and photon counters, and to guide experiments in Australia and abroad to bring them into reality.Read moreRead less