Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0561173
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$207,189.00
Summary
High throughput proteomics - Thermo Finnigan ProteomeX LCQ Integrated Proteomics Workstation. As research in the biological sciences moves into post-genomics era, so attention has focused on the development of technologies capable of characterizing the molecular complexity inherent in the proteome. Recent technical innovations in this field have resulted in the advancement of mass spectrometers that are capable of exemplifying unknown proteins with great efficiency. These new technologies are ....High throughput proteomics - Thermo Finnigan ProteomeX LCQ Integrated Proteomics Workstation. As research in the biological sciences moves into post-genomics era, so attention has focused on the development of technologies capable of characterizing the molecular complexity inherent in the proteome. Recent technical innovations in this field have resulted in the advancement of mass spectrometers that are capable of exemplifying unknown proteins with great efficiency. These new technologies are central to any institution committed to the development of a competitive research nexus in biological sciences. The purpose of this application is to upgrade the mass spectrometry facility at the University of Newcastle such that it is able to provide cutting edge support to the extensive scientific community within the Hunter region.Read moreRead less
A unified model of amino acid homeostasis. This project aims to develop a unified model of amino acid homeostasis in mammalian cells and apply it to brain cells. The model will be underpinned by a mathematical algorithm that allows predicting amino acid levels in the cytosol based on fundamental parameters such as transport and metabolism. This project should provide the significant benefit of enabling the prediction of essential functions such as cell growth and survival.
Control of developmental switches by importin 5. Aims: This project will study a key molecular switch called IPO5, a protein that is required for cells and organs to form and function normally, and it will reveal how it works.
Significance: These experiments will provide the first complete description of how this molecular switch controls the behaviour of a cell across its lifespan. IPO5 is highly conserved, so these studies will be relevant to a wide range of animals.
Expected Outcomes: This k ....Control of developmental switches by importin 5. Aims: This project will study a key molecular switch called IPO5, a protein that is required for cells and organs to form and function normally, and it will reveal how it works.
Significance: These experiments will provide the first complete description of how this molecular switch controls the behaviour of a cell across its lifespan. IPO5 is highly conserved, so these studies will be relevant to a wide range of animals.
Expected Outcomes: This knowledge will reveal how IPO5 controls formation of sperm by revealing what other proteins it binds to and how this affects cell signaling and responses to the environment.
Benefits: This will provide information about potential interventions to control fertility or to repair abnormal cells.
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Cellular signals controlling oocyte activation. This research will significantly advance our understanding of the basic biological processes that underpin the fertility rate of all mammals and are key to the immediate and future health and well-being of Australian landscape and society. Understanding the processes that maintain healthy quiescent oocytes over many years before activation and subsequent growth will enable development of methods of increasing productivity in domestic animals and en ....Cellular signals controlling oocyte activation. This research will significantly advance our understanding of the basic biological processes that underpin the fertility rate of all mammals and are key to the immediate and future health and well-being of Australian landscape and society. Understanding the processes that maintain healthy quiescent oocytes over many years before activation and subsequent growth will enable development of methods of increasing productivity in domestic animals and enhancing fertility in endangered species. Knowledge of these cellular mechanisms will underpin biotechnology platforms necessary for novel methods of feral animal population control thus contributing at multiple levels to an economically sustainable Australia.Read moreRead less
Selective secretion: a novel mechanism of protein trafficking and its role in Phytophthora pathogenicity. Agriculturally important crops and over 3,000 Australian native plants are susceptible to diseases caused by Phytophthora, fungus-like pathogens that live in the soil. Economic losses exceed $200m pa and natural ecosystems are being destroyed on a vast scale. Phytophthora control depends upon a limited number of chemical inhibitors to which resistance has already emerged. New control stra ....Selective secretion: a novel mechanism of protein trafficking and its role in Phytophthora pathogenicity. Agriculturally important crops and over 3,000 Australian native plants are susceptible to diseases caused by Phytophthora, fungus-like pathogens that live in the soil. Economic losses exceed $200m pa and natural ecosystems are being destroyed on a vast scale. Phytophthora control depends upon a limited number of chemical inhibitors to which resistance has already emerged. New control strategies are urgently needed. This research will investigate a novel mechanism for release of infection material recently discovered in Phytophthora cells, and will increase our understanding of how Phytophthora infects host plants, providing vital information required for the development of new, environmentally-safe inhibitors. Read moreRead less
Structure and function of heterodimeric amino acid transporters. Recently a new family of amino acid transporters has been identified, the members of which are involved in the delivery of amino acids between cells and tissues. All members display a rather unusual structure in that they require two subunits to be functional. The main aim of this study is to investigate the interaction between large and small subunits. The study will give insight how membrane proteins form complexes in the membran ....Structure and function of heterodimeric amino acid transporters. Recently a new family of amino acid transporters has been identified, the members of which are involved in the delivery of amino acids between cells and tissues. All members display a rather unusual structure in that they require two subunits to be functional. The main aim of this study is to investigate the interaction between large and small subunits. The study will give insight how membrane proteins form complexes in the membrane and how these interactions affect the function of a complex membrane protein.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0883032
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,300,000.00
Summary
800 MHz NMR spectrometer for biomolecular structure-function analysis. An understanding of how organisms function at the molecular level is central to developing the ability to fight many diseases in a rational way. This equipment will provide the capability for many different laboratories around NSW and the ACT to advance our knowledge at this fundamental level, primarily by examining the structures and functions of biomolecules such as proteins.
Force-from-lipids biophysical principle underlying mechanotransduction. The major aim of this project is to determine evolutionary conserved physical principles of mechanotransduction in living cells through structure and function studies of PIEZO mechanoreceptor channels playing a crucial role in senses such as touch and pain in animals and humans. Mutations in these channels can cause numerous genetic disorders, including hereditary anaemias and joint contractures. Since they have been shown t ....Force-from-lipids biophysical principle underlying mechanotransduction. The major aim of this project is to determine evolutionary conserved physical principles of mechanotransduction in living cells through structure and function studies of PIEZO mechanoreceptor channels playing a crucial role in senses such as touch and pain in animals and humans. Mutations in these channels can cause numerous genetic disorders, including hereditary anaemias and joint contractures. Since they have been shown to respond to mechanical stimuli in the same manner as mechanoreceptor channels of organisms from bacteria to humans the intended outcome of this project is to uncover the unifying principles of mechanotransduction anchored in the laws of physics and chemistry that have guided the force-dependent design of all life forms.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0561229
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$518,427.00
Summary
Establishment of a Multiphoton Microscope Imaging Platform for Live Cell and Tissue, and Optical Imaging. This proposal seeks to establish a multidisciplinary multiphoton imaging laboratory, expanding the imaging capabilities of a Core Regional Imaging Facility. This Facility supports researchers across all Monash campuses and hospital-based research Schools, as well as outside research groups in the Victorian region. Furthermore, this equipment will support significant fiber optic research at V ....Establishment of a Multiphoton Microscope Imaging Platform for Live Cell and Tissue, and Optical Imaging. This proposal seeks to establish a multidisciplinary multiphoton imaging laboratory, expanding the imaging capabilities of a Core Regional Imaging Facility. This Facility supports researchers across all Monash campuses and hospital-based research Schools, as well as outside research groups in the Victorian region. Furthermore, this equipment will support significant fiber optic research at Victoria University for the development of communication and endoscopic technology. The instrument design will allow multiple use of the lightsource and choice of specific imaging devices (microscopes) to ensure that applications in biocellular imaging, intravital microscopy and fiber optic design and imaging are individually optimised.Read moreRead less
Directed evolution used to probe protein structure and function; new enzymes for bio-remediation and industry. The aim of the research is to generate new and useful enzymes for bio-remediation and other practical applications. For example, we are evolving enzymes to better degrade organophosphate pesticides that are environmental pollutants. Apart from producing useful enzymes, the proposed research aims at gaining a better understanding of how enzymes work and how they evolve. We intend to dete ....Directed evolution used to probe protein structure and function; new enzymes for bio-remediation and industry. The aim of the research is to generate new and useful enzymes for bio-remediation and other practical applications. For example, we are evolving enzymes to better degrade organophosphate pesticides that are environmental pollutants. Apart from producing useful enzymes, the proposed research aims at gaining a better understanding of how enzymes work and how they evolve. We intend to determine the structure of many related enzymes that have been evolved to have enhanced activities. This data will be used to analyze the intricate relationship between sequence, structure and enzyme activity.Read moreRead less