Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE150100161
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$540,000.00
Summary
A multi-omics platform for molecular evolution and developmental biology. A multi-omics platform for molecular evolution and developmental biology: The proposed multi-omics platform will provide the computational environment (consisting of data, computer hardware, software and workflows) required to undertake large scale 'omics based research projects within molecular evolution and developmental biology. The platform architecture is designed to accommodate the requirements of data intensive rese ....A multi-omics platform for molecular evolution and developmental biology. A multi-omics platform for molecular evolution and developmental biology: The proposed multi-omics platform will provide the computational environment (consisting of data, computer hardware, software and workflows) required to undertake large scale 'omics based research projects within molecular evolution and developmental biology. The platform architecture is designed to accommodate the requirements of data intensive research in a collaborative environment where datasets, tools and workflows can be shared. Bringing together complementary expertise in molecular evolution and developmental biology, the platform will provide the opportunity to perform integrative analysis across genomes, transcriptomes, proteomes, metabalomes and epigenomes, providing a unique collaborative analytical platform for Australian researchers.Read moreRead less
Structure and temperature adaptation of chaperonin TF55 from Sulfolobus solfataricus. Our work has future potential both for biotechnology and for medical therapies. The cages formed by chaperonin subunits and their ability to bind to specific targets could lead to their application as nano-vesicles, could facilitate expression of eukaryotic proteins in bacteria and could help to prevent or dissolve protein aggregates. With Australia's ageing population, we can expect an increasing prevalence of ....Structure and temperature adaptation of chaperonin TF55 from Sulfolobus solfataricus. Our work has future potential both for biotechnology and for medical therapies. The cages formed by chaperonin subunits and their ability to bind to specific targets could lead to their application as nano-vesicles, could facilitate expression of eukaryotic proteins in bacteria and could help to prevent or dissolve protein aggregates. With Australia's ageing population, we can expect an increasing prevalence of pathologies such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease and other diseases that arise from protein mis-folding and aggregation, including myopathies and cataracts. A participation of chaperonins has been implicated in these age-related diseases and demands detailed structural and functional investigations.Read moreRead less
Taming the intruders: the domestication of Tigger transposable elements in mammals. It has become apparent that most of the DNA that makes us what we are is actually comprised of the remnants of invading parasitic DNA acquired over time. A continual battle exists between host which tries to silence or remove this DNA, and the parasite that tries to multiply and spread. We are currently investigating an intriguing aspect of this process that involves host genomes 'domesticating' parasitic DNA to ....Taming the intruders: the domestication of Tigger transposable elements in mammals. It has become apparent that most of the DNA that makes us what we are is actually comprised of the remnants of invading parasitic DNA acquired over time. A continual battle exists between host which tries to silence or remove this DNA, and the parasite that tries to multiply and spread. We are currently investigating an intriguing aspect of this process that involves host genomes 'domesticating' parasitic DNA to provide novel functions, thereby facilitating the evolution of specific characteristics within species.Read moreRead less
Unravelling transthyretin amyloid, bounding ahead using wallabies. Each protein in our body has a unique shape that enables it to function correctly. For unknown reasons, some proteins can change their shape, aggregate with other proteins and stick to the outside of cells of major organs or nerves. This prevents those cells from working properly and results in disease. Transthyretin is a protein that changes shape and aggregates in the heart of most people over the age of 70. The disease is call ....Unravelling transthyretin amyloid, bounding ahead using wallabies. Each protein in our body has a unique shape that enables it to function correctly. For unknown reasons, some proteins can change their shape, aggregate with other proteins and stick to the outside of cells of major organs or nerves. This prevents those cells from working properly and results in disease. Transthyretin is a protein that changes shape and aggregates in the heart of most people over the age of 70. The disease is called Senile Systemic Amyloidosis (SSA). It is not known how or why this happens. There is no cure or therapy. This project will use transthyretins from human and wallaby to explore a possible cause of SSA. If our hypothesis is correct, we will propose preventative actions to reduce the incidence of SSA in the future.Read moreRead less
Molecular toxinology of Australia's lesser known venomous snakes. This proposal represents a tremendous opportunity for biodiscovery from venomous snakes. This will be achieved through the researchers' unique approach of investigating previously unmapped venom systems for divergent, bioactive proteins. An understanding of venomous animal protein evolution great potential in drug discovery and other commercial applications. This project will provide Australian graduate and post-graduate stude ....Molecular toxinology of Australia's lesser known venomous snakes. This proposal represents a tremendous opportunity for biodiscovery from venomous snakes. This will be achieved through the researchers' unique approach of investigating previously unmapped venom systems for divergent, bioactive proteins. An understanding of venomous animal protein evolution great potential in drug discovery and other commercial applications. This project will provide Australian graduate and post-graduate students with finely tuned skills in cutting edge methodological techniques and a fluent understanding of molecular evolution, preparing them to be internationally competitive scientists.Read moreRead less
The evolution of dim light vision in vertebrates. High sensitivity (rod-based) vision has been extremely important for the survival and adaptive radiation of many vertebrates, including humans over evolutionary time. This multidisciplinary project will reveal the evolutionary and physiological constraints on early photoreception and the difficulties in operating over an enormous range of lighting conditions. Not only will the findings be crucial for our understanding of basic mechanisms of dim l ....The evolution of dim light vision in vertebrates. High sensitivity (rod-based) vision has been extremely important for the survival and adaptive radiation of many vertebrates, including humans over evolutionary time. This multidisciplinary project will reveal the evolutionary and physiological constraints on early photoreception and the difficulties in operating over an enormous range of lighting conditions. Not only will the findings be crucial for our understanding of basic mechanisms of dim light vision, but also provide potential insights into the physiological bases of various rod dystrophies affecting humans and the improved design of more sensitive cameras and safe light environments for rearing animals in captivity e.g. for aquaculture.Read moreRead less
Modern reptiles with ancient toxins: the molecular origin and evolution of novel bioactive proteins from squamate dental glands. Animal venoms provide a rich source of novel bioactive proteins, some of which have demonstrated therapeutically useful activities. Through this researcher's unique approach of investigating previously unmapped squamate venom systems, there is potential for the identification of divergent, bioactive proteins. Those already identified by the applicant in the dental gl ....Modern reptiles with ancient toxins: the molecular origin and evolution of novel bioactive proteins from squamate dental glands. Animal venoms provide a rich source of novel bioactive proteins, some of which have demonstrated therapeutically useful activities. Through this researcher's unique approach of investigating previously unmapped squamate venom systems, there is potential for the identification of divergent, bioactive proteins. Those already identified by the applicant in the dental glands of Australian monitor lizard species represent a tremendous opportunity for biodiscovery. Further knowledge in this area will increase medical understandings of bites and aid conservation measures informed by the natural history of these animals.Read moreRead less
Evolution, structure and function of key components in a molecular machine. The project will provide the basis for training of students and personnel in the previously recognized priority "Genomes-Phenomes", still the central theme of modern biology. In particular,
collaborations established with the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico will transfer to Australia expertise in the cutting edge discipline of small angle scattering for analysis of biologically important molecules. Such tr ....Evolution, structure and function of key components in a molecular machine. The project will provide the basis for training of students and personnel in the previously recognized priority "Genomes-Phenomes", still the central theme of modern biology. In particular,
collaborations established with the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico will transfer to Australia expertise in the cutting edge discipline of small angle scattering for analysis of biologically important molecules. Such training is essential for developing a future pool of skilled Australian scientists to staff and utilise the major national infrastructure developments represented by the Replacement Research Reactor and Australian Synchrotron, as outlined in the National Research Priority "Frontier Technologies".Read moreRead less
Investigating the subunit interactions of a molecular protein import machine. The project will provide fundamental knowledge of how sophisticated natural molecular machines interact with their substrates in plants and animals. It will also provide the basis for training of students and personnel in a range of structural biology technologies including several that are not commonly used by biologists, but make use of two major facilities that have been invested in by our government, namely the Aus ....Investigating the subunit interactions of a molecular protein import machine. The project will provide fundamental knowledge of how sophisticated natural molecular machines interact with their substrates in plants and animals. It will also provide the basis for training of students and personnel in a range of structural biology technologies including several that are not commonly used by biologists, but make use of two major facilities that have been invested in by our government, namely the Australian Synchrotron and the OPAL Research Reactor.Read moreRead less