Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220100165
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$451,900.00
Summary
Engineering T cells to promote peripheral immunity. Tissue-resident memory T cells (TRM) are key for immune protection against infections and cancer. This has led to much interest in understanding how these immune cells develop, although elucidation of molecules that regulate TRM are still scarce. This project aims to (i) identify genetic drivers of TRM in peripheral organs and (ii) modulate TRM generation utilising state-of-the-art genetic engineering techniques. Expected outcomes include gener ....Engineering T cells to promote peripheral immunity. Tissue-resident memory T cells (TRM) are key for immune protection against infections and cancer. This has led to much interest in understanding how these immune cells develop, although elucidation of molecules that regulate TRM are still scarce. This project aims to (i) identify genetic drivers of TRM in peripheral organs and (ii) modulate TRM generation utilising state-of-the-art genetic engineering techniques. Expected outcomes include generating new knowledge that will contribute to the development of novel therapeutics against infectious disease and cancer, together with the benefit of promoting national and international collaboration with the ultimate goal of improving health.Read moreRead less
Crosstalk between breast cancer cells and the microenvironment to promote metastasis. Breast cancer spread (metastasis) to distant tissues is usually fatal. It is now clear that cross-talk between cancer cells and other normal cells is essential for metastasis and previous studies have discovered two key mechanisms: tumour cell suppression of immune defence pathways to escape immune recognition, and activation of proteases to promote invasion and blood vessel growth. Using unique models and cell ....Crosstalk between breast cancer cells and the microenvironment to promote metastasis. Breast cancer spread (metastasis) to distant tissues is usually fatal. It is now clear that cross-talk between cancer cells and other normal cells is essential for metastasis and previous studies have discovered two key mechanisms: tumour cell suppression of immune defence pathways to escape immune recognition, and activation of proteases to promote invasion and blood vessel growth. Using unique models and cellular imaging, this project aims to investigate the cell specific functions of these pathways and the therapeutic potential of altering their expression and function. This project may lead to the development of novel predictors of metastasis in patients and new targeted therapeutics to prevent breast cancer spread.Read moreRead less
How Does Fra-1 Regulate The Invasive Properties Of Tumour Cells?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$468,119.00
Summary
Most cancer deaths occur when tumours spread and destroy vital body functions. The invasion of tumour cells into surrounding tissue is a critical step during the spread of cancer. This project aims to unravel the molecular mechanisms that control the ability of tumour cells to invade into surrounding tissue and subsequently spread to other sites in the body. We expect to identify potential targets to better diagnose and treat the spread of cancer.
Regulation Of Actin Polymerization During Malaria Parasite Invasion Of The Human Erythrocyte
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,147.00
Summary
Malaria parasites depend on successful invasion of red blood cells for their survival. Invasion is powered by a molecular motor based on two key proteins: actin and myosin. Non-specific drugs that inhibit parasite actin block invasion, demonstrating how important its regulation is to parasite success. This project will study several newly identified malaria actin-regulators, aiming to identify new drug targets that will block malaria actin function, stop motility and as such prevent disease.
Dynamics and correlations of many-body systems. The proposed program will greatly enhance Australian science through linking innovative
theoretical techniques with the successful ongoing Australian experimental program in atom
lasers, atom chip interferometry and ultra-cold fermions. Pioneering theoretical methods in
quantum phase-space are internationally recognized, and will be extended into new areas relevant
to Australia. These have fundamental significance to fields ranging from nanotec ....Dynamics and correlations of many-body systems. The proposed program will greatly enhance Australian science through linking innovative
theoretical techniques with the successful ongoing Australian experimental program in atom
lasers, atom chip interferometry and ultra-cold fermions. Pioneering theoretical methods in
quantum phase-space are internationally recognized, and will be extended into new areas relevant
to Australia. These have fundamental significance to fields ranging from nanotechnology to
astrophysics, as well as providing a route to improved atomic clocks and other instruments.
Combining these theoretical and computational methods from the physical sciences with biology
and genetics will provide future cross-disciplinary benefits to Australian biomedical science.Read moreRead less
Fermionic superfluidity in lower dimensional quantum gases. This project seeks to carry out cutting edge research on fermionic superfluidity using ultracold quantum gases. Through collaboration with one of the world's leading groups we will investigate the emerging issue of superfluidity in two-dimensional environments. This research will forge strong links with the European community and raise Australia's international profile in this rapidly growing field. Outstanding opportunities for youn ....Fermionic superfluidity in lower dimensional quantum gases. This project seeks to carry out cutting edge research on fermionic superfluidity using ultracold quantum gases. Through collaboration with one of the world's leading groups we will investigate the emerging issue of superfluidity in two-dimensional environments. This research will forge strong links with the European community and raise Australia's international profile in this rapidly growing field. Outstanding opportunities for young Australian scientists will arise through this collaboration and our findings may have implications for future superconducting technologies, based on the remarkable properties of fermionic superfluids.Read moreRead less
Life is swirl in flatland: two dimensional turbulence in a superfluid. The project will create two-dimensional turbulence in a superfluid gas of atoms in order to observe the predicted, but counter-intuitive, growth of ordered structure out of chaotic motion. The observation of such behaviour would support its mechanism as the explanation for phenomena such as giant eddies in ocean currents and the Great Red Spot of Jupiter.
Generation and Application of Ultracold Molecules. This project will extend the techniques of laser trapping and cooling of neutral atoms to produce ensembles of ultracold molecules, specifically Rb2. The starting point will be a cold sample of atoms, followed by the photoassociative formation of ultracold molecules. The ultracold molecules will be collected in a far-detuned optical dipole trap, and subsequently probed using femtosecond time-resolved spectroscopy. This unique combination of femt ....Generation and Application of Ultracold Molecules. This project will extend the techniques of laser trapping and cooling of neutral atoms to produce ensembles of ultracold molecules, specifically Rb2. The starting point will be a cold sample of atoms, followed by the photoassociative formation of ultracold molecules. The ultracold molecules will be collected in a far-detuned optical dipole trap, and subsequently probed using femtosecond time-resolved spectroscopy. This unique combination of femtosecond spectroscopy with ultraslow molecules will extend the study of chemical processes to an entirely new temperature regime, leading to a new understanding of the quantum nature of chemical reactions.Read moreRead less
Investigating Cytoskeletal Dynamics Across The Lifecycle Of The Malaria Parasite
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$387,741.00
Summary
During its lifecycle the malaria parasite must cross tissues and invade cells in two very different hosts - humans and mosquitos. Although the molecules that drive this process are known, we know nothing about their dynamics in live parasites. Here, we will use state-of-the art microscopy and genetics to dissect parasite motility, tracking proteins in the parasite cell on their journey from human host through to the mosquito - utilising the first Australian malaria-dedicated insectary.
New Multidimensional Femtosecond Spectroscopic Techniques for Complex Molecular Systems. We will develop novel multidimensional nonlinear spectroscopic techniques based on sequences of femtosecond laser pulses to investigate ultrafast processes and transient species in complex molecular systems. The molecular systems will include biologically important protein molecules, complex synthetic polymers, new semiconductor materials and semiconductor quantum structures including quantum dots. This in ....New Multidimensional Femtosecond Spectroscopic Techniques for Complex Molecular Systems. We will develop novel multidimensional nonlinear spectroscopic techniques based on sequences of femtosecond laser pulses to investigate ultrafast processes and transient species in complex molecular systems. The molecular systems will include biologically important protein molecules, complex synthetic polymers, new semiconductor materials and semiconductor quantum structures including quantum dots. This information will significantly advance our understanding of fundamental dynamical processes such as energy and charge transfer in macro- and supra-molecules, transport of oxygen in animals, photosynthesis, advanced photo-active devices, and ultrafast processes in new semiconductor materials and semiconductor quantum structures.Read moreRead less