Engineering peptides into superglues selective for target proteins. This project aims to discover how to create long-acting peptides for future research tools, drugs, biosensors and diagnostics. Peptides are currently viewed by the general community as injectable performance-enhancing drugs which are difficult to detect because they don't last very long. However, peptides have many potential benefits that are difficult to obtain because of their short durations of action. This project aims to de ....Engineering peptides into superglues selective for target proteins. This project aims to discover how to create long-acting peptides for future research tools, drugs, biosensors and diagnostics. Peptides are currently viewed by the general community as injectable performance-enhancing drugs which are difficult to detect because they don't last very long. However, peptides have many potential benefits that are difficult to obtain because of their short durations of action. This project aims to develop ways of engineering peptide shapes into nanoscale superglues that stick more tightly but selectively to their target proteins, thereby extending their durations of action. Technology for engineering superglues would produce proof of concept and prototypes for future research tools, drugs, diagnostics and biosensors.Read moreRead less
Australian Sea Anemone Venoms: Bioprospecting & Evolution. Australian sea anemones are a highly promising and largely unexplored source of peptides and proteins with potential therapeutic and diagnostic applications. This project aims to evaluate this potential by undertaking transcriptomic analyses of a number species of anemones from Australian waters and identifying peptides and proteins in their venoms by mass spectrometry. It will also demonstrate the value of transcriptomics in informing t ....Australian Sea Anemone Venoms: Bioprospecting & Evolution. Australian sea anemones are a highly promising and largely unexplored source of peptides and proteins with potential therapeutic and diagnostic applications. This project aims to evaluate this potential by undertaking transcriptomic analyses of a number species of anemones from Australian waters and identifying peptides and proteins in their venoms by mass spectrometry. It will also demonstrate the value of transcriptomics in informing taxonomic classification of anemones. In addition this project will assess toxin diversity within and between species based on nematocyst function from specific tissue sources and provide a clearer understanding of the evolution of venoms in Australian Actiniaria.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150101481
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$373,000.00
Summary
Aquatic invasion of venomous snakes. Animal venoms target multiple physiological pathways to rapidly disrupt homeostasis and cause paralysis and death of prey animals. Physiological protein-encoding genes are recruited into the envenoming function, which then evolve to be highly effective on their molecular targets. The expansion of venom complexity due to the predator-prey chemical 'arms race' has given rise to a plethora of toxin types. While examples of venoms that have become subsequently st ....Aquatic invasion of venomous snakes. Animal venoms target multiple physiological pathways to rapidly disrupt homeostasis and cause paralysis and death of prey animals. Physiological protein-encoding genes are recruited into the envenoming function, which then evolve to be highly effective on their molecular targets. The expansion of venom complexity due to the predator-prey chemical 'arms race' has given rise to a plethora of toxin types. While examples of venoms that have become subsequently streamlined and/or simplified in response to a change in environment and/or specialisation of diet are plenty, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. This project aims to unravel how animal venoms become streamlined and uncover the underexplored vast pharmacopeia of aquatic venoms.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE170100192
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$450,000.00
Summary
Deep Protein Sequencing, Structure and Quantification Facility. This project aims to establish state-of-the-art complementary mass spectrometers to help research into molecular structure and interactions, post-translational modifications, compound stability and availability within complex biological samples. The facility’s complementary mass spectrometers combine high specificity with high sensitivity and ultrafast scanning, and are expected to rapidly discover, identify and characterise biomole ....Deep Protein Sequencing, Structure and Quantification Facility. This project aims to establish state-of-the-art complementary mass spectrometers to help research into molecular structure and interactions, post-translational modifications, compound stability and availability within complex biological samples. The facility’s complementary mass spectrometers combine high specificity with high sensitivity and ultrafast scanning, and are expected to rapidly discover, identify and characterise biomolecules including peptides, proteins and small molecules. The discovery of unknown compounds is expected to improve fundamental understanding of molecular structure and function, provide opportunities for new bio-industries in health and the environment, and generate commercial opportunities through spin-off companies, patents and licensing.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE120100015
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$630,000.00
Summary
High-resolution and high-throughput Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) facility. This facility will provide researchers at James Cook University and The University of Queensland with a nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscope with a cryogenically cooled probe which will enable the structures of novel biomolecules from spiders, hookworms, plants and synthetic drugs to be revealed. These studies have the potential to lead to new drugs for cancer, pain, inflammatory and tropical diseases.
Chemical probes to dissect the cell cycle of globally important parasites . This project aims to develop new reagents, called chemical probes, to visualise key biological events in globally important pathogens. We will use innovative chemistry to modify the building blocks of DNA and provide researchers with essential tools to 'see' DNA synthesis in order to study growth and replication of pathogens in combination with microscopy. This project expects to support a major technical advance that wi ....Chemical probes to dissect the cell cycle of globally important parasites . This project aims to develop new reagents, called chemical probes, to visualise key biological events in globally important pathogens. We will use innovative chemistry to modify the building blocks of DNA and provide researchers with essential tools to 'see' DNA synthesis in order to study growth and replication of pathogens in combination with microscopy. This project expects to support a major technical advance that will address important gaps in our understanding of many pathogens (e.g. those that cause malaria and tuberculosis), at both the cellular and molecular levels. This should provide significant benefits by enabling researchers worldwide to identify new intervention opportunities that target unique aspects of pathogen biology.Read moreRead less
Nicotinic receptor structure and function probed with conotoxins. Nicotinic receptors are intrinsic membrane proteins that play a role in communication in excitable cells, particularly in the nervous system. The primary goals of this project are to define the structural and functional determinants of nicotinic-conotoxin interactions at a molecular level, and develop new selective probes that advance neurophysiological research. The diversity and distribution of nicotinic receptor subtypes being ....Nicotinic receptor structure and function probed with conotoxins. Nicotinic receptors are intrinsic membrane proteins that play a role in communication in excitable cells, particularly in the nervous system. The primary goals of this project are to define the structural and functional determinants of nicotinic-conotoxin interactions at a molecular level, and develop new selective probes that advance neurophysiological research. The diversity and distribution of nicotinic receptor subtypes being uncovered through molecular biology and selective conotoxin probes presents an exciting opportunity for the discovery of new therapeutic agents.Read moreRead less
Carbohydrate language changes in vertebrate-pathogen co-evolution. This project aims to understand protein glycosylation’s role in host-pathogen relationships and cross-species transmission. Species specific sugars extensively modify cell surface and body fluid proteins. These glycans build a universal language that cells use and pathogens abuse. This project will use glycomics and glycoproteomics to uncover how pathogens learned to speak and interpret glyco-languages between different species. ....Carbohydrate language changes in vertebrate-pathogen co-evolution. This project aims to understand protein glycosylation’s role in host-pathogen relationships and cross-species transmission. Species specific sugars extensively modify cell surface and body fluid proteins. These glycans build a universal language that cells use and pathogens abuse. This project will use glycomics and glycoproteomics to uncover how pathogens learned to speak and interpret glyco-languages between different species. This project is expected to develop a glycan dictionary which could reveal host-pathogen co-evolution and glycosylation evolution in the Chordata phylum and counteract zoonoses threats.Read moreRead less
Expanding access to modified proteins via a novel semi-synthetic platform. This project aims to address a critical knowledge gap in understanding how post-translational modifications modulate the structure and activity of proteins. By developing an innovative semi-synthetic platform to produce pure proteins inaccessible by existing methods, the project will reveal how natural protein modifications influence structure and function. Expected outcomes include the delivery of breakthrough technologi ....Expanding access to modified proteins via a novel semi-synthetic platform. This project aims to address a critical knowledge gap in understanding how post-translational modifications modulate the structure and activity of proteins. By developing an innovative semi-synthetic platform to produce pure proteins inaccessible by existing methods, the project will reveal how natural protein modifications influence structure and function. Expected outcomes include the delivery of breakthrough technologies for accessing modified proteins for a range of applications in academia and industry, as well as the generation of new knowledge in the fields of chemistry and biology. The project will lead to the training of interdisciplinary early career researchers and has the potential to benefit Australia’s biotechnology sector.Read moreRead less
Growing a sustainable new molecular resource. This project will provide access to a unique and unexplored Australian molecular resource pre-programmed by evolution for therapeutic potential. These discoveries will enable important biomedical research and advance the development of new improved drugs that treat a diverse array of human diseases and illness.