From structures to systems: A hierachical approach to understanding sub-cellular components. This program will dramatically extend the range of biomolecular systems that can be modelled with near atomistic precision. It will provide a better understanding of the structure and function of proteins involved in the regulation of membrane fusion and fission as well as shedding light on the assembly of large-scale protein-protein and protein-membrane complexes in general. The work will help place Au ....From structures to systems: A hierachical approach to understanding sub-cellular components. This program will dramatically extend the range of biomolecular systems that can be modelled with near atomistic precision. It will provide a better understanding of the structure and function of proteins involved in the regulation of membrane fusion and fission as well as shedding light on the assembly of large-scale protein-protein and protein-membrane complexes in general. The work will help place Australia at the forefront of developing simulation techniques in biomolecular systems, which are widely used within the chemical and pharmaceutical industries for modelling processes ranging from protein-drug interactions to the phase behaviour of lipids and surfactants. Read moreRead less
Increasing the Efficiency of Biomolecular Simulations. This program will extend the range of biomolecular systems that can be modelled with near atomistic precision. It will provide a better understanding of the structure and function of proteins involved in the regulation of membrane fusion and fission as well as shedding light on the assembly of large-scale protein-protein and protein-membrane complexes in general. The work will help place Australia at the forefront of developing simulation t ....Increasing the Efficiency of Biomolecular Simulations. This program will extend the range of biomolecular systems that can be modelled with near atomistic precision. It will provide a better understanding of the structure and function of proteins involved in the regulation of membrane fusion and fission as well as shedding light on the assembly of large-scale protein-protein and protein-membrane complexes in general. The work will help place Australia at the forefront of developing simulation techniques in biomolecular systems, which are widely used within the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. It will also provide opportunities for the training and development of young Australian researchers with top European laboratories. Read moreRead less
Advanced optical tweezers technologies for biophysical measurements. While much is understood about the fundamental unit of life, the living cell, such as their behaviour and their biochemistry and genetics, the interface between these two is only poorly known. We will use optical tweezers, which can trap and move microscopic objects without physical contact, to measure forces on the molecular and cellular scale to study the mechanical properties of cells and biomolecules, including molecular mo ....Advanced optical tweezers technologies for biophysical measurements. While much is understood about the fundamental unit of life, the living cell, such as their behaviour and their biochemistry and genetics, the interface between these two is only poorly known. We will use optical tweezers, which can trap and move microscopic objects without physical contact, to measure forces on the molecular and cellular scale to study the mechanical properties of cells and biomolecules, including molecular motors, which are Nature's own nanomachines, advanced our knowledge of the fundamental machinery of life.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775613
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$467,000.00
Summary
Automated Patch Clamp System. Ion channels are membrane proteins that underlie cell function and are therefore important drug targets. The patch clamp technique is the most powerful tool available to study the function of single ion channels. The recent automation of this technology represents a quantum leap in our ability to perform high throughput screening of novel natural and synthetic compounds as drug leads. This will lead to an urgently needed increase in capacity, increasing the volume o ....Automated Patch Clamp System. Ion channels are membrane proteins that underlie cell function and are therefore important drug targets. The patch clamp technique is the most powerful tool available to study the function of single ion channels. The recent automation of this technology represents a quantum leap in our ability to perform high throughput screening of novel natural and synthetic compounds as drug leads. This will lead to an urgently needed increase in capacity, increasing the volume of research and its outcomes, which will benefit the Australian pharmaceutical industry and biosciences research community.
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The role of mechanosensitive (MS) ion channels in magnetoreception. The magnetic field of the Earth has for long been known to influence the behaviour and orientation of a variety of organisms. Experimental study of the magnetic sense has however, been impaired by the lack of a plausible cellular and/or molecular mechanism providing meaningful explanation for detection of magnetic fields by living organisms. Recently, mechanosensitive (MS) ion channels have been implied to play a role in magneto ....The role of mechanosensitive (MS) ion channels in magnetoreception. The magnetic field of the Earth has for long been known to influence the behaviour and orientation of a variety of organisms. Experimental study of the magnetic sense has however, been impaired by the lack of a plausible cellular and/or molecular mechanism providing meaningful explanation for detection of magnetic fields by living organisms. Recently, mechanosensitive (MS) ion channels have been implied to play a role in magnetoreception. Based on our preliminary investigations, which suggest that the activity of bacterial MS channels may be affected by magnetic fields, we propose to study effects of magnetic fields on MS ion channels in Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Magnetospirillum magnetotacticum. The project promises also to contribute towards better understanding of adverse effects of electromagnetic radiation on human health and towards understanding the mechanisms behind remote magnetic-nanoparticle mediated activation of MS ion channels.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775660
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
A National Biomedical Electron Paramagnetic Resonance and Molecular Imaging Centre. Multifrequency continuous wave and pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and molecular imaging instrumentation will provide forefront technologies in identifying, characterising, quantifying, visualising and manipulating fundamental chemical and biologically relevant processes involving free radicals, metalloproteins and metal ions. This technology is crucial in validating these functional processes ....A National Biomedical Electron Paramagnetic Resonance and Molecular Imaging Centre. Multifrequency continuous wave and pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and molecular imaging instrumentation will provide forefront technologies in identifying, characterising, quantifying, visualising and manipulating fundamental chemical and biologically relevant processes involving free radicals, metalloproteins and metal ions. This technology is crucial in validating these functional processes at the cellular and tissue level and for providing invaluable and unique biomedical information under physiological conditions. This synergistic and highly integrative approach will make available new techniques for identifying major disease mechanisms such as cardiovascular disease with a potential to improve and maintain health. Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354716
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
Energetically Open Systems Research Network Study. Conceptual frameworks arising in the physical sciences, such as non-equilibrium statistical mechanics and thermodynamics, synergetics, chaos and dynamical systems theory, are seminal in the emerging science of complexity. This study will lay the groundwork for a network to link Australian and overseas research on these fundamental concepts, and their application within the context of entropy-producing systems vital to the long-term sustainabilit ....Energetically Open Systems Research Network Study. Conceptual frameworks arising in the physical sciences, such as non-equilibrium statistical mechanics and thermodynamics, synergetics, chaos and dynamical systems theory, are seminal in the emerging science of complexity. This study will lay the groundwork for a network to link Australian and overseas research on these fundamental concepts, and their application within the context of entropy-producing systems vital to the long-term sustainability of the earth - oceans, atmosphere, biosphere, CO2-free energy production, space and solar environment. The network would facilitate the development of young investigators and be linked into wider complex systems networks such as the CSIRO Centre for Complex Systems Science.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354751
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
Australian Bio-Metals Research Network. The aim of the Bio-Metals Research Network is to connect the extensive Australian expertise in the study of metal ions in relation to the Environment, Health and Frontier Technologies. The Network is inter-disciplinary and brings together over 50 group leaders in the biological, biomedical and physical sciences. A major aim of the Network will be to provide a molecular understanding of biological and environmental processes and disease states as well as pr ....Australian Bio-Metals Research Network. The aim of the Bio-Metals Research Network is to connect the extensive Australian expertise in the study of metal ions in relation to the Environment, Health and Frontier Technologies. The Network is inter-disciplinary and brings together over 50 group leaders in the biological, biomedical and physical sciences. A major aim of the Network will be to provide a molecular understanding of biological and environmental processes and disease states as well as providing new materials for the development of new technologies. The Network will interact in research and education with Bio-Metals groups around the world and will develop collaborative funding proposalsRead moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354683
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
Ocean Discovery Network. The ODN will focus research on Australia's vast marine jurisdiction by:
1. Providing a forum for developing coordinated marine research enterprises in the National Research Priority areas of biodiversity, exploitation of resources, seaway security and climate.
2. Developing innovative international research and providing a mechanism for involvement in international science programs
3. Advancing research capabilities between national and international ocean scientist ....Ocean Discovery Network. The ODN will focus research on Australia's vast marine jurisdiction by:
1. Providing a forum for developing coordinated marine research enterprises in the National Research Priority areas of biodiversity, exploitation of resources, seaway security and climate.
2. Developing innovative international research and providing a mechanism for involvement in international science programs
3. Advancing research capabilities between national and international ocean scientists with web-based data-exchange services and links to global databases
4. Facilitating the transfer of research skills to young investigators
5. Maximising multidisciplinary use of Australian ocean science capacity, particularly the National Facility Research Vessel and the RSV Aurora Australis
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Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775590
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$200,000.00
Summary
A single crystal X-ray diffractometer with CCD detector for structural analysis of small molecules. In recent years their have been major advances in the capacity of instrumentation to determine the crystal and molecular structure of chemical compounds and materials which in turn has resulted in a rapidly growing understanding of the relationship between the structure of molecules and their function in the design of new materials and as drugs for the treatment of disease and pain. This infrastr ....A single crystal X-ray diffractometer with CCD detector for structural analysis of small molecules. In recent years their have been major advances in the capacity of instrumentation to determine the crystal and molecular structure of chemical compounds and materials which in turn has resulted in a rapidly growing understanding of the relationship between the structure of molecules and their function in the design of new materials and as drugs for the treatment of disease and pain. This infrastructure also provides training of an international standard for undergraduate and post graduate students, thus building the skills capabilities of Australian scientists in the workforce.Read moreRead less