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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Differential roles of gene family members in development of a cell lineage. This project aims to investigate how a family of genes influence cells in the testis to become mature sperm. Testicular cells regulate gene activity via the Snail family of proteins during sperm development, and interruption of their activities reduces fertility in mice and fruit flies. The project aims to use genetic, cell biological and biochemical studies in Drosophila and mice to compare different Snail family protei ....Differential roles of gene family members in development of a cell lineage. This project aims to investigate how a family of genes influence cells in the testis to become mature sperm. Testicular cells regulate gene activity via the Snail family of proteins during sperm development, and interruption of their activities reduces fertility in mice and fruit flies. The project aims to use genetic, cell biological and biochemical studies in Drosophila and mice to compare different Snail family proteins in spermatogenesis. The outcomes will define the different roles of highly similar proteins from the same family in differentiation of a single cell lineage. This is important in generating functional tissues using in vitro laboratory approaches or understanding how normal development and developmental disorders arise.Read moreRead less
Chemical principles underpinning a spermostatic-microbiostatic agent capable of preventing pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted disease. This project explores the development of a method for simultaneously controlling fertility while preventing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. A novel aspect of the approach, that will dramatically influence product development, is that the active principles will only be generated on contact with seminal plasma.
Molecular control of embryonic diapause. Many species can halt growth of the early embryo (diapause). This project will use novel animal models and new proteomics techniques to clarify what signals from the uterus control diapause of the embryo. This may uncover new mechanisms for cell regulation that will be relevant to the biology of stem cells, cancer and reproductive technologies.
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
The control of meiosis in mammalian oocytes. This study will elucidate how the egg undergoes its final steps in preparation for fertilisation and early development. This will produce greater knowledge about how eggs develop, which may reveal new approaches to modulating reproductive capacity.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0883078
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$356,000.00
Summary
Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry Steroid Analysis Facility. This first of a new generation of ultra-sensitive analytical mass spectrometers for small molecules will be established as a national assay facility allowing all Australian researchers open access to a new dimension of highly accurate and simultaneous measurements of multiple bodily chemicals such as steroids, vitamins and hormones. It is crucial to developing new knowledge in basic, developmental and pathological cell bio ....Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry Steroid Analysis Facility. This first of a new generation of ultra-sensitive analytical mass spectrometers for small molecules will be established as a national assay facility allowing all Australian researchers open access to a new dimension of highly accurate and simultaneous measurements of multiple bodily chemicals such as steroids, vitamins and hormones. It is crucial to developing new knowledge in basic, developmental and pathological cell biology and for underpinning commercial developments of new molecular targets for therapeutic drugs for many diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disease and reproductive disorders. This facility is pivotal to maintaining international competitiveness in many areas of biological research in national priority areas.Read moreRead less
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
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0454170
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$187,341.00
Summary
Biacore3000-Expansion of Proteomics Facility. The sequencing of the human genome has led to redirection of effort towards the rapid characterisation of the products of genes, proteins. This project will establish state of the art facilities for protein identification and characterisation in the Hunter Region. The investigators are representative of several major research programs and are unified by their specific expertise in the fundamental molecular mechanisms underlying the control of cellula ....Biacore3000-Expansion of Proteomics Facility. The sequencing of the human genome has led to redirection of effort towards the rapid characterisation of the products of genes, proteins. This project will establish state of the art facilities for protein identification and characterisation in the Hunter Region. The investigators are representative of several major research programs and are unified by their specific expertise in the fundamental molecular mechanisms underlying the control of cellular processes in plants, animals and humans. Understanding these mechanisms will provide the basis for improved management of the environment and pathological conditions through identifying molecular targets for diagnosis, genetic manipulation or drug design.Read moreRead less
Elucidation of the signalling pathways during fertilization in mammals. This grant sets out to understand how the union of the sperm and egg at fertilization generates a viable embryo: this is a fundamental event in biology. We aim to understand the basic signalling pathways from the sperm which allow the egg to become an embryo and are known to influence embryo quality. They are therefore important in our understanding of what constitutes a healthy early start to life. Australia also has econom ....Elucidation of the signalling pathways during fertilization in mammals. This grant sets out to understand how the union of the sperm and egg at fertilization generates a viable embryo: this is a fundamental event in biology. We aim to understand the basic signalling pathways from the sperm which allow the egg to become an embryo and are known to influence embryo quality. They are therefore important in our understanding of what constitutes a healthy early start to life. Australia also has economic interests in understanding the reproductive process in aiding breeding programs for commercially important livestock and endangered species and contraception programs for pest populations. Read moreRead less