A new chemotherapeutic target from Leishmania SPP. Understanding and inhibiting CYP61LD, a sterol C22 desaturase. Leishamniasis is a debilitating and often fatal disease that is caused by a parasite, Leishmania sp., which is increasing its range to include Australia. This project aims to explore possible chemotherapeutics for the disease which inhibit a particular and unique enzyme the organism uses to synthesise the sterols it requires to live.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE210100166
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$626,800.00
Summary
High-throughput camera system for biological cryo-electron microscopy. Visualising the structure of biological macromolecules such as proteins and other subcellular components is critical to understand the fundamentals of life. The integration of the Gatan K3 high-throughput camera system with one of the most advanced cryo-electron microscopy facilities in Australia and the Southern Hemisphere will transform the capacity of Australian researchers to study the world around us at the molecular det ....High-throughput camera system for biological cryo-electron microscopy. Visualising the structure of biological macromolecules such as proteins and other subcellular components is critical to understand the fundamentals of life. The integration of the Gatan K3 high-throughput camera system with one of the most advanced cryo-electron microscopy facilities in Australia and the Southern Hemisphere will transform the capacity of Australian researchers to study the world around us at the molecular detail needed to advance innovative research. The addition of this equipment to the University of Wollongong's research facility Molecular Horizons will result in a step change in the areas of bionanotechnology, advanced manufacturing, diagnostics, and many other areas at the interface of biology, chemistry and physics.Read moreRead less
Uncovering New Mechanisms of Metabolite-Sensing and Signaling. This project aims to understand how cells sense changes in metabolic activity, to ensure energy demands are matched with nutrient supply. Our proposal will fill critical gaps in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying metabolic sensing. This will generate new knowledge with far reaching potential for Australian industries that rely on the propagation and utilization of living organisms, including agriculture, biotech ....Uncovering New Mechanisms of Metabolite-Sensing and Signaling. This project aims to understand how cells sense changes in metabolic activity, to ensure energy demands are matched with nutrient supply. Our proposal will fill critical gaps in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying metabolic sensing. This will generate new knowledge with far reaching potential for Australian industries that rely on the propagation and utilization of living organisms, including agriculture, biotechnology and brewing, as well as knowledge relevant to sporting performance and the metabolic dimensions of ageing. This project will support advanced training of early career researchers and PhD students, which will expand Australian research capabilities and contribute to a producing a highly skilled workforce.Read moreRead less
Understanding sub-cellular systems at the atomic level. By extending the range of biomolecular systems that can be modelled computationally at the atomic level the project will enable important biomedical processes such as how bacterial toxins penetrate cell membranes and how protein hormones transmit signals into cells to be understood in unprecedented detail.
Development and validation of virtual epithelial cancer models using an integrated modelling and experimental three-dimensional approach. The mathematical and experimental modelling of the human prostate and ovary applying quantitative bioengineering concepts will lead to virtual cancer models. This project aims to validate these multi-scale models to delineate biological and pathological avenues in healthy and disease tissue and improve prevention and treatment of prostate and ovarian cancer.
Uncovering the molecular mechanisms of potassium channel activity. The aim of this project is to determine the mechanisms of protein-mediated potassium ion transport across cell membranes. It will combine advanced simulations, structural biology and electrophysiology to describe the detailed molecular processes underscoring calcium-activated potassium channel conduction, gating and inactivation. The expected outcome is an improved description of how ion channels recognise and respond to physiolo ....Uncovering the molecular mechanisms of potassium channel activity. The aim of this project is to determine the mechanisms of protein-mediated potassium ion transport across cell membranes. It will combine advanced simulations, structural biology and electrophysiology to describe the detailed molecular processes underscoring calcium-activated potassium channel conduction, gating and inactivation. The expected outcome is an improved description of how ion channels recognise and respond to physiological stimuli to control electrical signalling the body. Our results will provide benefits in the form of basic understanding relevant to ion transport phenomena in biological systems, and atomic-level views of nervous system function to guide future directions in pharmacology.Read moreRead less
Methods for Protein Structure Analysis by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance. This highly interdisciplinary project aims to establish new tools to analyse the structure and motions of proteins that are otherwise difficult to study. A combination of advanced biochemistry, modern magnetic spectroscopy methods, and high-performance computing techniques will be applied to study proteins at physiological concentrations and in complex environments. New techniques will be developed and tested on proteins ....Methods for Protein Structure Analysis by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance. This highly interdisciplinary project aims to establish new tools to analyse the structure and motions of proteins that are otherwise difficult to study. A combination of advanced biochemistry, modern magnetic spectroscopy methods, and high-performance computing techniques will be applied to study proteins at physiological concentrations and in complex environments. New techniques will be developed and tested on proteins of high biochemical or biomedical importance, and the approach will be applied to established drug targets.Read moreRead less
Mechanism of AMPK activation by drugs and metabolites. This project aims to identify the molecular basis of activation mechanisms in the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), an enzyme that regulates burning and storage of fuels such as fat and sugars, autophagy and controls appetite and energy expenditure. This project expects to provide insights into how energy metabolism and physiological functions are linked.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100783
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,000.00
Summary
Structural basis of paramyxovirus host cell entry. This project aims to investigate interactions between paramyxoviruses and host cell receptors and the mechanisms underlying fusion activation at a molecular level. Paramyxoviruses include economically important human and animal pathogens. Two viral proteins are key to infection: an attachment protein for the interaction with host receptors, and a fusion protein for fusion of viral and cellular membranes. The project is anticipated to discover ge ....Structural basis of paramyxovirus host cell entry. This project aims to investigate interactions between paramyxoviruses and host cell receptors and the mechanisms underlying fusion activation at a molecular level. Paramyxoviruses include economically important human and animal pathogens. Two viral proteins are key to infection: an attachment protein for the interaction with host receptors, and a fusion protein for fusion of viral and cellular membranes. The project is anticipated to discover general principles of how paramyxoviruses infect host cells, which should advance fundamental understanding of viral infection strategies and may identify strategies for rational design of inhibitors targeting host-cell entry of multiple paramyxoviruses.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150100784
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$373,254.00
Summary
Molecular probe development for the oxytocin and vasopressin receptors. The oxytocin and vasopressin receptors are part of a 600 million year old signalling system that is widely distributed in the kingdom of life. It is involved in many fundamental physiological functions, however we still lack a complete toolbox of selective probes to delineate the individual receptor subtypes. This project aims to introduce a novel and innovative strategy that uses state-of-the art discovery techniques to ide ....Molecular probe development for the oxytocin and vasopressin receptors. The oxytocin and vasopressin receptors are part of a 600 million year old signalling system that is widely distributed in the kingdom of life. It is involved in many fundamental physiological functions, however we still lack a complete toolbox of selective probes to delineate the individual receptor subtypes. This project aims to introduce a novel and innovative strategy that uses state-of-the art discovery techniques to identify selective ligands in nature. Leads will be developed into molecular probes to facilitate in-depth studies of this system. This strategy is applicable to other systems and the outcomes will contribute to a significant advancement of knowledge in chemical biology.Read moreRead less