Synthesis and Functionalisation of Advanced Polymer Films and Particles. Scientific and technological advances at the frontiers of nano- and biotechnology are poised to revolutionise the scope of treatment and healthcare options. This project will involve the synthesis of engineered polymer building blocks with the capability for multifunctional and intelligent response. These smart polymers will then be assembled into responsive nanostructured materials for drug delivery and biosensing applica ....Synthesis and Functionalisation of Advanced Polymer Films and Particles. Scientific and technological advances at the frontiers of nano- and biotechnology are poised to revolutionise the scope of treatment and healthcare options. This project will involve the synthesis of engineered polymer building blocks with the capability for multifunctional and intelligent response. These smart polymers will then be assembled into responsive nanostructured materials for drug delivery and biosensing applications. These materials are expected to have health benefits for Australian citizens and will contribute to a world-leading nanobiotechnology industry. The project will also provide development opportunities for young scientists and will also foster multidisciplinary collaborations within both Australia and abroad.Read moreRead less
Design and Synthesis of Photoactive Peptides Based on Photosynthetic Reaction Centres. The aim of this proposal is to generate new and useful electron transfer components for biotechnological applications. We plan to design and synthesize artificial photoactive peptides inspired from natural photosynthetic reaction centres which capture the energy of light and convert it into usable forms of chemical energy. Our research will provide the ground work for the development of light-driven oxidation- ....Design and Synthesis of Photoactive Peptides Based on Photosynthetic Reaction Centres. The aim of this proposal is to generate new and useful electron transfer components for biotechnological applications. We plan to design and synthesize artificial photoactive peptides inspired from natural photosynthetic reaction centres which capture the energy of light and convert it into usable forms of chemical energy. Our research will provide the ground work for the development of light-driven oxidation-reduction catalysts that can be used in the production of clean fuels and chemical products.Read moreRead less
Protein-protein interactions in amyloid deposits. The aggregation of specific proteins to form insoluble amyloid fibrils is characteristic of several age-related diseases such as type-II diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. In vivo amyloid deposits also contain three prominent non-fibrillar protein components, namely serum amyloid P component, apolipoprotein E and alpha1-antichymotrypsin. These non-fibrillar amyloid components bind to a wide variety of amyloid fibrils, irresp ....Protein-protein interactions in amyloid deposits. The aggregation of specific proteins to form insoluble amyloid fibrils is characteristic of several age-related diseases such as type-II diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. In vivo amyloid deposits also contain three prominent non-fibrillar protein components, namely serum amyloid P component, apolipoprotein E and alpha1-antichymotrypsin. These non-fibrillar amyloid components bind to a wide variety of amyloid fibrils, irrespective of the nature of the protein constituent. This proposal is to identify the structural basis for this recognition process, the capacity of non-fibrillar components to cross-link amyloid fibrils to form networks and the influence of these interactions on amyloid fibril cytotoxicity.Read moreRead less
Structure and dynamics of a multiprotein-mRNA complex involved in the regulation of gene expression. RNA/protein interactions are now recognised as a major control point in the regulation of gene-expression. Proteins such as HuR and the poly(C)-binding proteins (PCBPs) act to stabilise and transport specific messenger (m)RNAs, and thus determine their translation levels. In contrast to such an important function, very little is known about these protein/mRNA interactions at an atomic level. The ....Structure and dynamics of a multiprotein-mRNA complex involved in the regulation of gene expression. RNA/protein interactions are now recognised as a major control point in the regulation of gene-expression. Proteins such as HuR and the poly(C)-binding proteins (PCBPs) act to stabilise and transport specific messenger (m)RNAs, and thus determine their translation levels. In contrast to such an important function, very little is known about these protein/mRNA interactions at an atomic level. The current study will investigate the structural and biophysical properties of a recently discovered HuR/PCBP/mRNA complex implicated in the regulation of androgen receptor expression. This information has the potential to assist in the development of drugs to reduce AR expression in prostate cancer.Read moreRead less
Exploiting the self-assembly of hydrophobin proteins to engineer functional nanostructuring surfaces. There is an increasing world-wide demand for advanced nano-biomaterials with novel properties. We will use natural hydrophobin proteins to coat nanodevices and make them more compatible with biological systems. Hydrophobin coatings will be applicable to biosensors, medical devices, diagnostics and drug delivery systems. The research will lead to an understanding of the basic mechanisms of protei ....Exploiting the self-assembly of hydrophobin proteins to engineer functional nanostructuring surfaces. There is an increasing world-wide demand for advanced nano-biomaterials with novel properties. We will use natural hydrophobin proteins to coat nanodevices and make them more compatible with biological systems. Hydrophobin coatings will be applicable to biosensors, medical devices, diagnostics and drug delivery systems. The research will lead to an understanding of the basic mechanisms of protein self-assembly and will have application outcomes that contribute to Australia being an important player in the field of nanotechnology. This is critical for Australia's long term competitiveness and productivity in and beyond the 21st century.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0560712
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$630,837.00
Summary
State-of-the-art biophysical tools for the characterisation of molecular interactions. In the current era of 'the genome' there is more demand than ever before for the characterisation of the gene products - the oligonucleotides and proteins that carry out the important functions in the cell. The current proposal is to acquire a suite of instrumentation to characterise the kinetics, thermodynamics and overall affinities of interactions between biological macromolecules and their physiological bi ....State-of-the-art biophysical tools for the characterisation of molecular interactions. In the current era of 'the genome' there is more demand than ever before for the characterisation of the gene products - the oligonucleotides and proteins that carry out the important functions in the cell. The current proposal is to acquire a suite of instrumentation to characterise the kinetics, thermodynamics and overall affinities of interactions between biological macromolecules and their physiological binding partners or with novel ligands. This will reveal the role of the macromolecules of interest in the cell, and potentially lead to the discovery of drug molecules which could interfere with molecular interactions underlying disease.Read moreRead less
Manipulating the self-assembly properties of fungal hydrophobin proteins for the design of novel biological polymers. Hydrophobin-based products will be novel biocompatible and biodegradable products with applications in the fields of medical implants, biosensors, detergents, coatings and pharmaceutical and industrial emulsions. They have the potential to directly improve the lives of all Australians and to be of benefit to the Australian economy and environment. This collaborative research pro ....Manipulating the self-assembly properties of fungal hydrophobin proteins for the design of novel biological polymers. Hydrophobin-based products will be novel biocompatible and biodegradable products with applications in the fields of medical implants, biosensors, detergents, coatings and pharmaceutical and industrial emulsions. They have the potential to directly improve the lives of all Australians and to be of benefit to the Australian economy and environment. This collaborative research project will enable Australian scientists to gain from working with a multinational company and to acquire skills in the rapidly expanding fields of structural and molecular biology. The University of Sydney will own any intellectual property arising from this work and will benefit from the commercialisation of hydrophobin-based products.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0561169
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$188,000.00
Summary
Facility for multidimensional fractionation of complex biological mixtures. Acquisition of multidimensional fractionation equipment will allow researchers to separate proteins from complex mixtures, and to compare whole protein profiles of multiple samples. This will permit correlation of specific protein changes associated with infection or disease, a major focus of post-genomic programs of research. The equipment will also provide identification of the key differentiating proteins using mini ....Facility for multidimensional fractionation of complex biological mixtures. Acquisition of multidimensional fractionation equipment will allow researchers to separate proteins from complex mixtures, and to compare whole protein profiles of multiple samples. This will permit correlation of specific protein changes associated with infection or disease, a major focus of post-genomic programs of research. The equipment will also provide identification of the key differentiating proteins using minimal material. Numerous world-class projects and researchers will be able to move more rapidly and reliably from crude cell extracts to identifiable markers, and maintain their competitive positions the recognition of key targets in drug design, disease diagnosis and vaccine development.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0346892
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$689,000.00
Summary
Protein Over-Expression/Purification and Macromolecular Structure Determination by X-Ray Diffraction. This proposal seeks funds for state-of-the-art facilities for protein over-expression and macromolecular X-ray diffraction. This will build upon recent initiatives within the collaborating institutions in the field of Structural Biology. It will enable research groups in Perth to pursue the large-scale production of important proteins and to conduct high-resolution structural studies using X-ray ....Protein Over-Expression/Purification and Macromolecular Structure Determination by X-Ray Diffraction. This proposal seeks funds for state-of-the-art facilities for protein over-expression and macromolecular X-ray diffraction. This will build upon recent initiatives within the collaborating institutions in the field of Structural Biology. It will enable research groups in Perth to pursue the large-scale production of important proteins and to conduct high-resolution structural studies using X-ray crystallographic techniques. This technology, which is one of the most important tools in modern biology, provides unique insights into the chemical mechanisms of biological macromolecules and will significantly enhance a great breadth of biological research in Western Australia.Read moreRead less
Protein-mRNA interactions and their role in post-transcriptional regulation. The research outcomes will be of fundamental importance in the field of gene regulation, and as such will result in publications in high-profile international journals and continue to contribute to Australia's outstanding international reputation in biological research. Students and research associates that have the opportunity to work on this project will be trained in the use of state-of-the art technologies in bioche ....Protein-mRNA interactions and their role in post-transcriptional regulation. The research outcomes will be of fundamental importance in the field of gene regulation, and as such will result in publications in high-profile international journals and continue to contribute to Australia's outstanding international reputation in biological research. Students and research associates that have the opportunity to work on this project will be trained in the use of state-of-the art technologies in biochemistry, scientific rigour and presentation skills and thus contribute to the quality of our national workforce. Furthermore, applications that arise from this work will contribute to Australia's intellectual property and future development of biotechnological industry.Read moreRead less