Improving Muscular Dystrophy By Targeting The ADAMTS5 Metalloproteinase
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$658,571.00
Summary
Muscular dystrophy is a devastating childhood disorder. There is no cure and no effective therapy to stop the disease progressing to early death. Our pilot data show that muscular dystrophy in a mouse model is dramatically improved when the Adamts5 gene is inactivated. ADAMTS5 is an enzyme that remodels the extracellular matrix around cells. This suggests that inhibiting ADAMTS5 may be a new way to treat muscular dystrophy. We will test this idea in mice with muscular dystrophy
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE180100090
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,136,244.00
Summary
Xe-plasma dual beam for advanced future materials. This project aims to establish a state of the art Xe-Plasma dual-beam facility providing characterisation and fabrication capabilities to Australia’s research community. The project will use two beams - one Xe, the other electrons - to mill the surface of bulk materials which are subsequently analysed by electron or ion beam techniques to determine atomic-scale microstructure(s) and compositions. Anticipated outcomes are advanced materials engin ....Xe-plasma dual beam for advanced future materials. This project aims to establish a state of the art Xe-Plasma dual-beam facility providing characterisation and fabrication capabilities to Australia’s research community. The project will use two beams - one Xe, the other electrons - to mill the surface of bulk materials which are subsequently analysed by electron or ion beam techniques to determine atomic-scale microstructure(s) and compositions. Anticipated outcomes are advanced materials engineering and new knowledge about ancient and future materials. This is expected to provide significant advances across a variety of fields including material science, engineering and geology and enhance trans-disciplinary collaborations.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100121
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,000,000.00
Summary
An analytical transmission electron microscope for the investigation of functional materials, earth processes and novel condensed matter. Sustainablity depends on the delivery of clean energy, pristine water and air, and the manufacture of consumer products with small environmental footprints. Modelling long-term impacts requires an understanding of the hydro-geological cycles. The technologies are well known—efficient electronics, fuel cells, lightweight composites, and so on—but delivery is ....An analytical transmission electron microscope for the investigation of functional materials, earth processes and novel condensed matter. Sustainablity depends on the delivery of clean energy, pristine water and air, and the manufacture of consumer products with small environmental footprints. Modelling long-term impacts requires an understanding of the hydro-geological cycles. The technologies are well known—efficient electronics, fuel cells, lightweight composites, and so on—but delivery is not straightforward. It is clear, however, that novel materials manipulated at fine scales will be key. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) guides the development of sustainable technologies. The new TEM facility at ANU will accelerate current studies, by enhancing the materials research portfolio, and extending national and international collaborations in materials, geological and earth sciences.Read moreRead less
Directed Molecular Evolution Of G Protein-coupled Receptors For Stable And Functional Expression In Escherichia Coli
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$383,479.00
Summary
Approximately half of all prescription drugs on the market act on G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). The mechanisms underlying GPCR function are mainly unknown due to a lack of structural information. No solved structures exist for any of the estimated 800 human GPCRs, making it difficult to design new drugs. By applying advanced protein engineering techniques I aim to produce human GPCRs in bacteria to ultimately acquire structural information, which will enable novel drug development.
Assembly And Function Of Two Interacting Oncogenic Scaffolds
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$705,585.00
Summary
Aberrant signaling by the protein kinase superfamily is a known driving force for many cancers and inflammatory diseases. Recently, a subset of kinase-like proteins, termed pseudokinases, have emerged as crucial regulators of kinase signalling pathways. This proposal focuses on elucidating the scaffolding function and assembly of two pseudokinases, termed SgK223 and SgK269, which display oncogenic properties and aims to understand how their signalling abilities are subverted in a disease state.
Design And Engineering Of Adnectins For Diagnosis And Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$803,152.00
Summary
This project aims to engineer a naturally-occurring human protein, called an adnectin, to produce molecules that are able to bind specific targets in the human body, and as such may be used in the diagnosis and therapy of a range of diseases.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD), is the most common form of dementia, accounting for between 50-70% of all cases. There is general agreement that current treatments for AD/dementia are inadequate so new treatment strategies are desperately needed. I am addressing these challenges by developing new technologies to generate next generation treatments for AD.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE180100150
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$595,280.00
Summary
Advanced multifunctional photoelectron spectroscopy platform. This project aims to establish a new integrated facility that will allow researchers to characterise the surface structure and electronic properties of materials, which is essential for a complete understanding of their functionality. The development of the next generation of electronic, optical, and biomedical devices requires new materials with properties optimised for the particular application. This facility, to be housed in state ....Advanced multifunctional photoelectron spectroscopy platform. This project aims to establish a new integrated facility that will allow researchers to characterise the surface structure and electronic properties of materials, which is essential for a complete understanding of their functionality. The development of the next generation of electronic, optical, and biomedical devices requires new materials with properties optimised for the particular application. This facility, to be housed in state-of-the-art laboratories and managed as an open access resource, will meet the needs of a large number of innovative projects and enable advances in many fields including electronics, nanotechnology, solar energy, biotechnology and advanced materials.Read moreRead less
The Role Of Copper In Ubiquitin-dependent Protein Degradation In Alzheimer's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$588,622.00
Summary
Ubiquitin’s are small proteins that tag other proteins in a process known as “Ubiquitination”. Often this is to target them for degradation once they are no longer needed i.e. to take out the rubbish. This process is disrupted in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which may contribute to the disease. This project aims to find out if copper, an essential metal for life, is required for this process. Drugs that are designed to deliver copper to brain cells have been effective in small AD clinical trials.