Linking chemical synthesis with protein discovery to reveal key biological pathways. The project aims to pioneer a chemical biology technology to deliver a much better understanding of key molecules that regulate diseases such as cancer. For decades phorbol esters have been prominent molecules for controlling cell switches in complex diseases but our knowledge is incomplete because of the limited natural abundance of these molecules.
Dissecting catalysis and inhibition of a unique endo-acting mannose-processing glycosidase. Defects in the attachment of carbohydrates to proteins are a hallmark of diseases such as cancer and viral infection. This project will dissect the molecular details of the bond-making and breaking steps that occur during the synthesis of glycoproteins assisting in the development of innovative new drugs.
Nanoparticles to combat cellular dysfunction. This project aims to design, synthesise and characterise nanoparticles that can mediate the adverse effects of reactive oxygen species. The project expects to develop nanoparticles with tailored chemical functionality to modulate the concentration of reactive oxygen species and develop a platform technology for addressing conditions where reactive species are overproduced. The project will research how nanoparticles’ physicochemical properties affect ....Nanoparticles to combat cellular dysfunction. This project aims to design, synthesise and characterise nanoparticles that can mediate the adverse effects of reactive oxygen species. The project expects to develop nanoparticles with tailored chemical functionality to modulate the concentration of reactive oxygen species and develop a platform technology for addressing conditions where reactive species are overproduced. The project will research how nanoparticles’ physicochemical properties affect their activity, and how they affect cellular function, tissue morphology and particle transport in a biological milieu. The project is expected to benefit the advanced manufacturing, veterinary and medical sectors and could lead to new chemotherapeutics.Read moreRead less
Electrophile induced domino reaction sequences with ion-pair chiral induction. In this project, new catalysts and procedures will be developed to improve our capacity to access and modify the structure and properties of complex molecules. These methods will be used to gain access to a number of bioactive natural products in order to better evaluate and develop their therapeutic potential.
ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology. The CoE in Convergent Bio-Nano Science &Technology comprises a multi-disciplinary team focused on research aiming to understand and control the interface of materials with biological systems. The Centre will exploit knowledge of the bio-nano interface to design materials that transport and deliver vaccines, drugs and gene therapy agents, and to design new diagnostic agents and devices. Nanomedicines are on the cusp of revol ....ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology. The CoE in Convergent Bio-Nano Science &Technology comprises a multi-disciplinary team focused on research aiming to understand and control the interface of materials with biological systems. The Centre will exploit knowledge of the bio-nano interface to design materials that transport and deliver vaccines, drugs and gene therapy agents, and to design new diagnostic agents and devices. Nanomedicines are on the cusp of revolutionizing diagnosis and therapy in many diseases. The CoE will be the focus of bio-nano research activity in Australia, uniting universities, research agencies, institutes and companies. The expected outcomes are better diagnostic and therapeutic tools designed via an enhanced understanding of the bio-nano-interface.Read moreRead less
New methods for the chemical synthesis of a library of glycopeptide-based tri-component cancer vaccines. A novel method for the synthesis of tumour-associated glycopeptides will be developed in this research as well as the preparation of a library of glycopeptide-based cancer vaccines. These vaccines will be tested in immunological studies with a view to elucidating new immune-based therapies for the treatment of cancer.
Total Synthesis of Myxobacteria Metabolites and Analogues. This project will investigate the total chemical synthesis of complex myxobacteria metabolites. In addition, the synthesis of new analogues of some of these natural products will also be investigated. The project endeavours to develop new methods for chemical synthesis and also to produce new therapeutic products which may possess greater efficacy and superior biological activities than the natural compounds. Most significantly, this pro ....Total Synthesis of Myxobacteria Metabolites and Analogues. This project will investigate the total chemical synthesis of complex myxobacteria metabolites. In addition, the synthesis of new analogues of some of these natural products will also be investigated. The project endeavours to develop new methods for chemical synthesis and also to produce new therapeutic products which may possess greater efficacy and superior biological activities than the natural compounds. Most significantly, this project will deliver natural and new compounds for analysis of anti-cancer activity. The rewards of the development of new synthetic methods are enormous for the community and in the education of our scientists.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140101632
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$395,220.00
Summary
Development of Innovative Chemical Tools for Studying Glycosyltransferases . This project aims to develop chemical probes capable of selectively binding and inhibiting two classes of carbohydrate processing enzymes known as O-linked beta-N-acetylglucosamine transferase and sialyltransferases. These enzymes are overexpressed in various cancers and play critical roles in cancer progression. Probes will be developed to analyse the activities of these enzymes in cancer cells.
Breaking it down: Dissecting the mechanism and exploring new inhibition strategies for polysaccharide cleaving enzymes. Mannose, a common carbohydrate building block, is present in a wide variety of complex polysaccharides including energy storage polymers and glycans attached to proteins. The enzymes that degrade these mannose-rich polymers, termed mannosidases, are important in biofuel production and human health and disease. This project will study a range of mannosidases to chemically and st ....Breaking it down: Dissecting the mechanism and exploring new inhibition strategies for polysaccharide cleaving enzymes. Mannose, a common carbohydrate building block, is present in a wide variety of complex polysaccharides including energy storage polymers and glycans attached to proteins. The enzymes that degrade these mannose-rich polymers, termed mannosidases, are important in biofuel production and human health and disease. This project will study a range of mannosidases to chemically and structurally define their mechanisms and establish strategies to allow intervention in mannosidase-specific disease processes. This work will inform strategies to engineer new enzymes for future biotechnology and industrial applications including sustainable chemical manufacturing, and underpin the development of innovative drugs for treating fungal infections and cancer.Read moreRead less
Multifunctional and Multimodal Theranostics: Manipulating Material Properties for Advanced Diagnostics. The utilisation of polymers in nanomedicine requires a bottom-up approach, where the fundamental chemistry is well-established and understood before it enables an application. This project develops branched polymers as new nanomaterials for theranostics; imaging modalities that “switch-on” when miRNA is released will quantify how much nanomaterial gets to a specific site, while a built-in sens ....Multifunctional and Multimodal Theranostics: Manipulating Material Properties for Advanced Diagnostics. The utilisation of polymers in nanomedicine requires a bottom-up approach, where the fundamental chemistry is well-established and understood before it enables an application. This project develops branched polymers as new nanomaterials for theranostics; imaging modalities that “switch-on” when miRNA is released will quantify how much nanomaterial gets to a specific site, while a built-in sensor based on physical changes in the nanomaterial will measure the onset and progression of necrosis. The aim is to develop a fundamental understanding of how polymer architecture and functionality can be utilised to drive device performance, providing a platform to probe new technology and methodologies for development of next generation theranostics.Read moreRead less