Mastering pyrimidine editing in RNA. Many plants and animals can alter their genetic information via RNA (ribonucleic acid) editing, a process that is often essential for the growth and development of the organism. This ability provides accurate control over gene expression and has great potential as a biotechnological tool in agriculture and medicine. RNA editing could be used to switch genes on or off in biotechnological production systems with an unprecedented degree of precision, or to corre ....Mastering pyrimidine editing in RNA. Many plants and animals can alter their genetic information via RNA (ribonucleic acid) editing, a process that is often essential for the growth and development of the organism. This ability provides accurate control over gene expression and has great potential as a biotechnological tool in agriculture and medicine. RNA editing could be used to switch genes on or off in biotechnological production systems with an unprecedented degree of precision, or to correct genetic diseases. This project aims to understand two RNA editing pathways in plants, one of which is found nowhere else and likely to involve a novel enzymatic mechanism. We will use the understanding gained to develop novel RNA processing tools usable in any living organism.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240101210
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,837.00
Summary
A liquid protein platform for dynamic bio-inspired reaction compartments. This project aims to investigate liquid protein as a novel material for biotechnology by producing protein droplets with a range of material and structural properties and assess the activity of internalised enzymes. The project will combine concepts from protein-based subcellular super-structure and enzyme protein structure and apply cutting-edge biochemistry methods to study how catalysis can be controlled and directed th ....A liquid protein platform for dynamic bio-inspired reaction compartments. This project aims to investigate liquid protein as a novel material for biotechnology by producing protein droplets with a range of material and structural properties and assess the activity of internalised enzymes. The project will combine concepts from protein-based subcellular super-structure and enzyme protein structure and apply cutting-edge biochemistry methods to study how catalysis can be controlled and directed through liquid protein design. Expected outcomes include a new platform for using protein droplets to engineer dynamic catalytic compartments, strong international and interdisciplinary collaborations, and a knowledge-base for building synthetic biology tools and technologies for future green chemistry-based industries.Read moreRead less
Engineering self-assembled intracellular biological condensates. Cells depend on proteins linking together to build cellular structure, but how weak interactions build stable structure is a mystery. New evidence suggests proteins come together and then change state, employing liquid-like behaviour that builds vital nanoscale structure, such as nuclear bodies called paraspeckles. This project will unlock the secrets of this mysterious behavior of proteins, using paraspeckles as a model. We will u ....Engineering self-assembled intracellular biological condensates. Cells depend on proteins linking together to build cellular structure, but how weak interactions build stable structure is a mystery. New evidence suggests proteins come together and then change state, employing liquid-like behaviour that builds vital nanoscale structure, such as nuclear bodies called paraspeckles. This project will unlock the secrets of this mysterious behavior of proteins, using paraspeckles as a model. We will use this information for nanotechnology application to build a synthetic paraspeckle inspired structure with bespoke function. Benefits will include new concepts in how vital cell structure is assembled and disassembled, and nanotechnology and synthetic biology tools to manipulate cellular processes.Read moreRead less
Engineering Fungal Nonribosomal Peptide Synthetases for Novel Alkaloids. This project aims to use protein-domain shuffling aided by structural biology to decode and engineer a class of modular megaenzymes, called nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs), in fungi. These are responsible for the biosynthesis of peptide-derived bioactive molecules, such as the antibiotic penicillin and the immunosuppressant cyclosporin. Expected outcomes of this project include a fungal NRPS engineering platform fo ....Engineering Fungal Nonribosomal Peptide Synthetases for Novel Alkaloids. This project aims to use protein-domain shuffling aided by structural biology to decode and engineer a class of modular megaenzymes, called nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs), in fungi. These are responsible for the biosynthesis of peptide-derived bioactive molecules, such as the antibiotic penicillin and the immunosuppressant cyclosporin. Expected outcomes of this project include a fungal NRPS engineering platform for generating new molecules with desirable biological activities that can be readily scaled up for sustainable bioproduction. This will provide significant benefits to Australia through the development of cutting-edge biotechnologies as well as the discovery of new pharmaceuticals, veterinary products and agrichemicals.Read moreRead less
ARC Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science. The ARC Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science (CIPPS) strives to build a critical understanding of peptides and proteins in order to unleash the potential of these biomolecules for human benefit. We will discover nature’s untapped reservoir of peptides and proteins, decode their structures and functions, and
develop enhanced synthetic technologies to address biology’s next grand challenge—the d ....ARC Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science. The ARC Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science (CIPPS) strives to build a critical understanding of peptides and proteins in order to unleash the potential of these biomolecules for human benefit. We will discover nature’s untapped reservoir of peptides and proteins, decode their structures and functions, and
develop enhanced synthetic technologies to address biology’s next grand challenge—the design of peptides and proteins for targeted scientific, agricultural, biotechnology, animal health and pharmaceutical applications. CIPPS will assemble leading researchers from diverse disciplines to create a sustainable national entity that will drive new Australian industries and train next generation researchers.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE210100124
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$538,590.00
Summary
An Advanced Ultrafast Laser Spectroscopy Facility in Queensland. The project aims to establish a world-class ultrafast laser spectroscopy facility to investigate how molecules interact with visible or ultraviolet light. Light-matter interactions are key to energy generation in nature through photosynthesis as well as everyday technologies including optical communications and displays. This project expects to generate new knowledge in on how light interacts with matter at the molecular level. Exp ....An Advanced Ultrafast Laser Spectroscopy Facility in Queensland. The project aims to establish a world-class ultrafast laser spectroscopy facility to investigate how molecules interact with visible or ultraviolet light. Light-matter interactions are key to energy generation in nature through photosynthesis as well as everyday technologies including optical communications and displays. This project expects to generate new knowledge in on how light interacts with matter at the molecular level. Expected outcomes of the ultrafast spectroscopic measurements will be understanding the fate of light absorbed by or generated in different materials. Application of the knowledge gained will enable the design of materials for more efficient technologies such as solar cells, lighting, and sensors.Read moreRead less
Fill it, Squeeze it, Crush it: Extreme Gas Uptake in Microporous Materials . Porous materials have the potential to be used as exceptional carbon capture materials, as well as for trapping and releasing other useful gases, such as those used in medical applications. They work, because they contain small holes where these gases can be trapped. Unfortunately, finding gas inside these holes experimentally is incredibly difficult, making it challenging to make better porous materials. In this pro ....Fill it, Squeeze it, Crush it: Extreme Gas Uptake in Microporous Materials . Porous materials have the potential to be used as exceptional carbon capture materials, as well as for trapping and releasing other useful gases, such as those used in medical applications. They work, because they contain small holes where these gases can be trapped. Unfortunately, finding gas inside these holes experimentally is incredibly difficult, making it challenging to make better porous materials. In this project, I will use extreme pressures to saturate these holes with gas molecules, allowing us to ‘see’ them. Not only will this mean that better porous materials can be designed and made, but will provide a unique approach to storing and trapping gases to be used in a variety of applications, from the energy to medical sectors.Read moreRead less
Nanoscale Dynamics and Structure of SAILs at Electrodes. This project will produce new, high performance, surface active ionic liquids. Surface active ionic liquids are pure salts in which one of the ions is based on a surfactant molecule. Surface active ionic liquids are much more effective than conventional electrolytes for some applications, but only at elevated temperature; at low temperature, ion dynamics are too slow. We will use cutting edge techniques to probe ion dynamics in surface act ....Nanoscale Dynamics and Structure of SAILs at Electrodes. This project will produce new, high performance, surface active ionic liquids. Surface active ionic liquids are pure salts in which one of the ions is based on a surfactant molecule. Surface active ionic liquids are much more effective than conventional electrolytes for some applications, but only at elevated temperature; at low temperature, ion dynamics are too slow. We will use cutting edge techniques to probe ion dynamics in surface active ionic liquids in the bulk and at electrode surfaces, and use this to elucidate rules for the rational design of new surface active ionic liquids with fast dynamics at low temperature, towards their use at room temperature in diverse areas; this project will target capacitors and gas sensors. Read moreRead less
Mid-Career Industry Fellowships - Grant ID: IM230100042
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$980,358.00
Summary
Unlocking the full reproductive potential for hybrid wheat breeding. Globally, wheat is cultivated as an inbred self-fertile crop with yield gains stagnating over the last decades. This contrasts with unabated yield gains and yield stability achieved for rice and corn through hybrid breeding and cross-pollination. Wheat hybrids hold potential for a 10-22% yield boost, but commercial deployment is restricted due to high seed production costs, a result of wheat’s floral architecture and poor outcr ....Unlocking the full reproductive potential for hybrid wheat breeding. Globally, wheat is cultivated as an inbred self-fertile crop with yield gains stagnating over the last decades. This contrasts with unabated yield gains and yield stability achieved for rice and corn through hybrid breeding and cross-pollination. Wheat hybrids hold potential for a 10-22% yield boost, but commercial deployment is restricted due to high seed production costs, a result of wheat’s floral architecture and poor outcrossing characteristics. This project aims to reduce costs by improving wheat’s female receptivity to airborne pollen, a major bottleneck to commercial realization of hybrids globally. Higher and more stable yields from wheat hybrids will ensure food security in the face of climate uncertainty and growing population.Read moreRead less