Generation and exploitation of novel fermentation products in the synthesis of biologically active organic compounds with therapeutic potential. Collections of new micro-organisms and their metabolites suitable for use in the synthesis of potential therapeutic agents will be established. The combined application of molecular biological, microbiological and chemical synthesis techniques in a concerted manner in the one location will lead to major new opportunities for Australian industry.
Biotechnology applications in the veterinary pharmaceutical industry: Pharmacological manipulation of ovarian function in domestic animals. The purpose of this research is to develop a humane, simple, safe, effective means of sterilizing female domestic animals without the need for surgical intervention. This novel experimental strategy is to target the supply of dormant eggs in the ovaries of female mammals. Every female mammal is born with a finite supply of eggs in the ovarian cortex. These c ....Biotechnology applications in the veterinary pharmaceutical industry: Pharmacological manipulation of ovarian function in domestic animals. The purpose of this research is to develop a humane, simple, safe, effective means of sterilizing female domestic animals without the need for surgical intervention. This novel experimental strategy is to target the supply of dormant eggs in the ovaries of female mammals. Every female mammal is born with a finite supply of eggs in the ovarian cortex. These cells cannot divide and so when this store is exhausted, reproduction ceases. Our strategy is to develop pharmaceutical reagents that will destroy this dormant egg population, thereby rendering the animals instantaneously and irreversibly infertile.Read moreRead less
Molecular Interactions of Chemical Agents with Ion-Channel Proteins. With a minimal number of functional units (proteins) viruses are able to replicate. All of these proteins are possible antiviral targets. In this project we wil1 focus on a short protein called Vpu found in membranes of the HIV-1 virus and aim to analyse the interaction of potential pore blocking compounds. It is essential to know exactly where they sit and how the overall structure of Vpu is affected. For this enterprise we wi ....Molecular Interactions of Chemical Agents with Ion-Channel Proteins. With a minimal number of functional units (proteins) viruses are able to replicate. All of these proteins are possible antiviral targets. In this project we wil1 focus on a short protein called Vpu found in membranes of the HIV-1 virus and aim to analyse the interaction of potential pore blocking compounds. It is essential to know exactly where they sit and how the overall structure of Vpu is affected. For this enterprise we will use nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. This information will serve as a springboard for future investigations of virus membrane proteins.
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Industrial Transformation Training Centres - Grant ID: IC180100021
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,163,359.00
Summary
ARC Training Centre for the Development of Tools for Fragment Based Design. The ARC Training Centre for the Development of Tools for Fragment Based Design aims to inspire the next generation of drug discovery research leaders. It plans to provide direct experience with industry partners, training and master classes in early stage drug-discovery from industry experts. The Centre is expected to accelerate research translation and industry engagement by providing an efficient strategy for the scree ....ARC Training Centre for the Development of Tools for Fragment Based Design. The ARC Training Centre for the Development of Tools for Fragment Based Design aims to inspire the next generation of drug discovery research leaders. It plans to provide direct experience with industry partners, training and master classes in early stage drug-discovery from industry experts. The Centre is expected to accelerate research translation and industry engagement by providing an efficient strategy for the screening of a biological target and early medicinal chemistry for optimisation. The expected outcome of the Centre is to equip the trainees with the skills to make key contributions to the sustainability and growth of the sector and to provide significant capacity to address global challenges for 21st century pharmaceutical innovation.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH220100017
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,808,669.00
Summary
ARC Research Hub for Advanced Manufacture of Targeted Radiopharmaceuticals. Radiopharmaceuticals are emerging as next generation medical technologies for addressing complex health challenges, and their manufacture offers significant economic benefit to Australia. The ARC Research Hub for Advanced Manufacture of Targeted Radiopharmaceuticals (AMTAR) aims to establish a manufacturing platform for new medical technologies combining innovations in biotechnology and pharmaceutical science. The progra ....ARC Research Hub for Advanced Manufacture of Targeted Radiopharmaceuticals. Radiopharmaceuticals are emerging as next generation medical technologies for addressing complex health challenges, and their manufacture offers significant economic benefit to Australia. The ARC Research Hub for Advanced Manufacture of Targeted Radiopharmaceuticals (AMTAR) aims to establish a manufacturing platform for new medical technologies combining innovations in biotechnology and pharmaceutical science. The program addresses industry-led challenges for translation of biologics as molecular radiopharmaceuticals, building capacity in biomanufacturing, radiobiology and radiochemistry. The program establishes a dedicated manufacturing pipeline, future-proofing production and securing supply chain of next generation medical technologies.Read moreRead less
The biosynthesis of structural proteins in parasites. The socio-economic impact of parasitic diseases, in Australia and throughout the world, is enormous- they kill 2-3 million people per year and cost livestock industries billions of dollars per annum. Some are serious food and waterborne threats, such as the coccidia, because they are transmitted from person-to-person via the faecal-oral route, or via ingestion of contaminated water or food, or through the ingestion of cysts in raw or underco ....The biosynthesis of structural proteins in parasites. The socio-economic impact of parasitic diseases, in Australia and throughout the world, is enormous- they kill 2-3 million people per year and cost livestock industries billions of dollars per annum. Some are serious food and waterborne threats, such as the coccidia, because they are transmitted from person-to-person via the faecal-oral route, or via ingestion of contaminated water or food, or through the ingestion of cysts in raw or undercooked meat. They cause diarrhoea, which in some cases, can be life-threatening. We will understand how the coccidia protect themselves as they move from host to host and, through that understanding, develop new ways to control them and eliminate the suffering caused by parasitic diseases.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Training Centres - Grant ID: IC170100016
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,123,492.00
Summary
ARC Training Centre for Personalised Therapeutics Technologies. The ARC Training Centre for Personalised Therapeutics Technologies aims to create and develop the skills and technology to benefit from the transformative impacts that cell/organ-on-a-chip technology will have on the medtech/pharma industries. By combining microfluidics-based/real-time technologies with personalised medicine the Training Centre will provide industry growth opportunities through improved screening of potential therap ....ARC Training Centre for Personalised Therapeutics Technologies. The ARC Training Centre for Personalised Therapeutics Technologies aims to create and develop the skills and technology to benefit from the transformative impacts that cell/organ-on-a-chip technology will have on the medtech/pharma industries. By combining microfluidics-based/real-time technologies with personalised medicine the Training Centre will provide industry growth opportunities through improved screening of potential therapeutics. The use of an individual patient’s cellular and molecular research findings will ultimately enable personalised diagnostic and therapeutic decisions.Read moreRead less
A genomic and phenomic investigation of a mitochondrial glutathione transferase. The aim of this study is to understand of the genomics, structure and function of glutathione transferase Kappa (GSTK), a novel GST found in mitochondria. The investigations will achieve several outcomes. (1)an understanding of the organisation of GSTK gene(s) in humans and mice; (2) determination of the role of GSTK in mitochondria, by investigating the phenotype of knockout mice; (3) determination of the crysta ....A genomic and phenomic investigation of a mitochondrial glutathione transferase. The aim of this study is to understand of the genomics, structure and function of glutathione transferase Kappa (GSTK), a novel GST found in mitochondria. The investigations will achieve several outcomes. (1)an understanding of the organisation of GSTK gene(s) in humans and mice; (2) determination of the role of GSTK in mitochondria, by investigating the phenotype of knockout mice; (3) determination of the crystal structure of human GSTK; (4) An understanding of GSTK's substrate specificity, reaction kinetics and structure/function relationships. Since GSTK is confined to mitochondria, and may not be related to other GSTs, we may also identify novel functionsRead moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL170100019
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,606,250.00
Summary
Proteins in motion - new tools for biotechnology. This project aims to assess the function of proteins by monitoring their motions using new nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy techniques. As snapshots of 3D protein structures have been determined by crystallography, the new tools are designed to analyse functionally important motions in solution. A facility for ultrafast (> 100 kHz) magic angle spinning NMR spectroscopy of proteins in the semi-solid state will bring cutting-edge know- ....Proteins in motion - new tools for biotechnology. This project aims to assess the function of proteins by monitoring their motions using new nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy techniques. As snapshots of 3D protein structures have been determined by crystallography, the new tools are designed to analyse functionally important motions in solution. A facility for ultrafast (> 100 kHz) magic angle spinning NMR spectroscopy of proteins in the semi-solid state will bring cutting-edge know-how to Australia and allow the interrogation of 3D structure and dynamics in selected protein regions. The expected outcomes of the project will have immediate benefits for the rational engineering of biocatalysts and in the design of lead compounds in drug development.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170101438
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
Application of boronate ester-appended scaffolds in drug-discovery. This project aims to improve carbohydrate synthesis. Glycochemistry is an increasingly important chemical science that combines organic synthesis with biology. This project will develop methodologies that incorporate boronate ester residues onto selected carbons of monosaccharides and transform them to obtain hitherto inaccessible scaffolds for drug discovery. This strategy can be used in the controlled assembly of other biologi ....Application of boronate ester-appended scaffolds in drug-discovery. This project aims to improve carbohydrate synthesis. Glycochemistry is an increasingly important chemical science that combines organic synthesis with biology. This project will develop methodologies that incorporate boronate ester residues onto selected carbons of monosaccharides and transform them to obtain hitherto inaccessible scaffolds for drug discovery. This strategy can be used in the controlled assembly of other biologically important compounds, including azacycles, oxacycles and inositols. The methods for the controlled diversification of carbohydrates are expected to be broadly applicable to scientific endeavours ranging from glycobiology to medicine. Successful execution will provide new drug-discovery tools and ensure Australia secures a competitive position in this rapidly expanding discipline.Read moreRead less