Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230101081
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$458,238.00
Summary
Developing CRISPR Prime Editing for highly efficient precise gene editing. This project will further develop a recent breakthrough in gene editing technology named CRISPR prime editing to improve its performance in generating specific genome modifications in cells and organisms. This project expects to generate new knowledge regarding optimal strategies for its deployment as well as create novel enhanced versions of the technology. This would significantly enhance our ability to perform precise ....Developing CRISPR Prime Editing for highly efficient precise gene editing. This project will further develop a recent breakthrough in gene editing technology named CRISPR prime editing to improve its performance in generating specific genome modifications in cells and organisms. This project expects to generate new knowledge regarding optimal strategies for its deployment as well as create novel enhanced versions of the technology. This would significantly enhance our ability to perform precise genome modification of organisms and lead to substantial benefits for a vast array of applications in fundamental and applied biology. Future applications will include generating mutations in cells and model organisms for basic research and creating genetically enhanced agricultural animals or plants.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160100608
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$359,000.00
Summary
Investigating the structural basis of human antibody stability. This project plans to use protein engineering and X-ray crystallography to investigate the effects of stabilising mutations on antigen binding and the antibody-antigen interaction. Monoclonal antibodies are high-affinity reagents that have transformed the study of biological processes. However, antibodies often display inherent instability, which limits applicability. Mutations have recently been identified that render human antibod ....Investigating the structural basis of human antibody stability. This project plans to use protein engineering and X-ray crystallography to investigate the effects of stabilising mutations on antigen binding and the antibody-antigen interaction. Monoclonal antibodies are high-affinity reagents that have transformed the study of biological processes. However, antibodies often display inherent instability, which limits applicability. Mutations have recently been identified that render human antibodies resistant to aggregation. Preliminary data indicates that stabilising mutations improves the biophysical properties of monoclonals without affecting the native antibody structure. The project aims to provide detailed insights into the molecular basis of antibody stability.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140100262
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$395,220.00
Summary
Artificial synthesis of bacteria's molecular syringe. The type III secretion system. The type III secretion system is an impressive protein superstructure consisting of hundreds of subunits that act cooperatively to specifically inject virulence factors directly into the cytoplasm of host cells. Its size and complexity make it a formidable challenge to understand at a molecular level with conventional methods. This project adopts a fundamentally new approach that will put Australian science in t ....Artificial synthesis of bacteria's molecular syringe. The type III secretion system. The type III secretion system is an impressive protein superstructure consisting of hundreds of subunits that act cooperatively to specifically inject virulence factors directly into the cytoplasm of host cells. Its size and complexity make it a formidable challenge to understand at a molecular level with conventional methods. This project adopts a fundamentally new approach that will put Australian science in the spotlight of a highly active research field. Artificial synthesis of bacteria's molecular syringe using DNA nanotechnology will revolutionise its study by providing unprecedented dexterity in its manipulation and, for the first time, allow the isolation of functional subcomplexes for high-resolution structural studies.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140101553
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$395,220.00
Summary
A flexible virus-like particle delivery platform for next-generation vaccines. Murine polyomavirus (MPyV) capsid proteins self-assemble into spherical protein shells approximately 45 nm in diameter. Such virus-like particles (VLPs) are of considerable interest as bionanotechnological tools. The unique flexibility provided by MPyV VLPs will be exploited by exploring the ability of the interior cavity to retain bioactive cargos while engineering novel functionality on the exterior surface by 'mix- ....A flexible virus-like particle delivery platform for next-generation vaccines. Murine polyomavirus (MPyV) capsid proteins self-assemble into spherical protein shells approximately 45 nm in diameter. Such virus-like particles (VLPs) are of considerable interest as bionanotechnological tools. The unique flexibility provided by MPyV VLPs will be exploited by exploring the ability of the interior cavity to retain bioactive cargos while engineering novel functionality on the exterior surface by 'mix-and-match' assembly of VLPs from modified components. As a proof of concept for next-generation vaccines that stimulate much needed, broadly protective responses against infectious diseases, model antigens will be delivered to specific immune cells using this nano-container.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230100684
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$433,654.00
Summary
Building a synthetic chemical synapse through harnessed stochasticity. At the molecular level, biology is noisy, and life has evolved a plethora of mechanisms to harness this noise for useful output. If we want to construct de novo living systems to learn more about biology and the origin of life, then we must not ignore noise. This project aims to apply a design philosophy that embraces randomness to construct an artificial chemical synapse. Expected outcomes include creating a blueprint for th ....Building a synthetic chemical synapse through harnessed stochasticity. At the molecular level, biology is noisy, and life has evolved a plethora of mechanisms to harness this noise for useful output. If we want to construct de novo living systems to learn more about biology and the origin of life, then we must not ignore noise. This project aims to apply a design philosophy that embraces randomness to construct an artificial chemical synapse. Expected outcomes include creating a blueprint for the next generation of more dynamic artificial cells, developing vital tools for the elucidation of principles in biophysics and systems biology, and deepening our understanding of how noisy molecular level events have downstream effects on macro-scale behaviours. Several international collaborations are involved.
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Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150100091
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$341,000.00
Summary
Traffic on DNA: interplay between RNA polymerases and DNA-bound proteins. The DNA inside the cell is not just a repository of information, but is an active player in how that information is used. Proteins bind to defined locations on the DNA to control which genes are active, and genes are expressed by RNA polymerases that track along the DNA. Collisions between RNA polymerases and DNA-bound proteins can remove the proteins or block the polymerase. How can these essential processes safely coexis ....Traffic on DNA: interplay between RNA polymerases and DNA-bound proteins. The DNA inside the cell is not just a repository of information, but is an active player in how that information is used. Proteins bind to defined locations on the DNA to control which genes are active, and genes are expressed by RNA polymerases that track along the DNA. Collisions between RNA polymerases and DNA-bound proteins can remove the proteins or block the polymerase. How can these essential processes safely coexist on the DNA? The project aims to integrate systematic experiments using well-defined genetic components and mathematical modelling to understand the 'design' features of DNA and proteins that minimise these traffic problems. A better understanding could inform new strategies for manipulation of gene expression.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130101350
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$373,038.00
Summary
A synthetic biology approach for mining the secondary metabolomes of fungal phytopathogens. Synthetic biology approaches will be employed to identify the secondary metabolites produced by the two important wheat pathogens, Stagonospora nodorum and Mycosphaerella graminicola. This will lead to the discovery of novel chemicals and facilitate our understanding of the roles of secondary metabolites in wheat diseases.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210100323
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$431,000.00
Summary
Synthetic biology to engineer novel disease resistance in cereal crops. This project aims to engineer disease resistance in crops to dangerous fungal pathogens. The strategy is to exploit our knowledge of the plant immune system using structural biology and directed evolution of natural resistance genes, improving their ability to recognise and respond to fungal attack. Fungal pathogens cause some of the most harmful crop diseases in Australia and worldwide. The rapid evolution of fungi overcome ....Synthetic biology to engineer novel disease resistance in cereal crops. This project aims to engineer disease resistance in crops to dangerous fungal pathogens. The strategy is to exploit our knowledge of the plant immune system using structural biology and directed evolution of natural resistance genes, improving their ability to recognise and respond to fungal attack. Fungal pathogens cause some of the most harmful crop diseases in Australia and worldwide. The rapid evolution of fungi overcomes natural plant resistance and management of these diseases is a major challenge to agriculture. Expected outcomes of the project include engineered wheat plants with more effective disease resistance, reducing fungicide usage. This project intends to accelerate crop breeding and contribute to world food security.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230100377
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$423,659.00
Summary
Facilitating control of Queensland fruit fly and other insect pests. This project aims to address the need for a Queensland fruit fly male-only sterile release strain for the national Sterile Insect Technique program to control this devastating Australian horticulture pest. By combining two molecular technologies in a new strain that responds to temperature cues to trigger development of only male flies, this project expects to produce twice as many sterile males for release to mate with wild fe ....Facilitating control of Queensland fruit fly and other insect pests. This project aims to address the need for a Queensland fruit fly male-only sterile release strain for the national Sterile Insect Technique program to control this devastating Australian horticulture pest. By combining two molecular technologies in a new strain that responds to temperature cues to trigger development of only male flies, this project expects to produce twice as many sterile males for release to mate with wild females in fruit fly outbreak areas, preventing production of the next generation. Expected outcomes include significant reduction in production costs and increased efficiency of the national sterile release program, facilitating control of this damaging pest to protect Australia's billion dollar horticultural industry.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130100517
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Development of hybrid carbon nanotube yarn and processing methods to create 3D smart materials and devices. The project aims to create 'intelligent' textiles by developing novel electroactive yarns and demonstrating scaled up processing through adapted knitting, weaving and braiding techniques. By tailoring their structure these unique carbon nanotubes can be made to act as sensors or artificial muscles.