Dopamine Neuron Ontogeny: Convergent Neurobiological Pathway For Risk Factors Of Schizophrenia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$337,214.00
Summary
Schizophrenia is associated with changes in dopamine (a signalling molecule in the brain). These changes are present prior to psychosis, suggesting they begin early in development. Our aims are to manipulate key factors in the development of brain dopamine systems to clarify their role in psychosis and schizophrenia. This work has the potential to identify early brain changes that lead to schizophrenia, which in turn may generate better diagnoses and outcomes for people with this disorder.
High Penetrance Deleterious Mutations In Blinding Glaucoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,345,055.00
Summary
This project aims to identify the genes most commonly mutated in individuals with advanced glaucoma. Identification of such genes will lead to improved understanding of glaucoma pathogenesis, a better ability to predict risk, and the identification of drug targets for novel therapies.
Delineating The Relationship Between Iron And Peroxisomal Disorders: The Role Of The Peroxisomal Enzyme GNPAT In Iron-Overload Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$700,767.00
Summary
Hereditary haemochromatosis is one of the most common genetic disorders in humans, affecting 1 in 200 Australians. We have identified a change in a peroxisomal gene which may affect iron levels in humans. The prevalence of this gene change in Australian haemochromatosis patients will be examined followed by a systematic analysis of how this protein controls iron levels in the body. Our goal is to identify and diagnose genetic changes which influence iron loading in haemochromatosis patients.
Dynamic modelling of biomolecular systems: Going beyond classical empirical force fields. The ability to accurately model the structural and functional aspects of biomolecular systems at an atomic level is of fundamental importance in the pharmaceutical and biotechnological industries. By developing new approaches for treating dispersion terms and transition metals we aim to improve our understanding of critical biomolecular systems such as how novel anti-cancer metal complexes interact with DNA ....Dynamic modelling of biomolecular systems: Going beyond classical empirical force fields. The ability to accurately model the structural and functional aspects of biomolecular systems at an atomic level is of fundamental importance in the pharmaceutical and biotechnological industries. By developing new approaches for treating dispersion terms and transition metals we aim to improve our understanding of critical biomolecular systems such as how novel anti-cancer metal complexes interact with DNA and block transcription and the role various transition metals such as Cu(II) and Zn(II) stabilize the conformations of peptides involved in Alzheimer's disease. In addition by greatly expanding the range of systems that can be modeled efficiently the work will have widespread benefits in academic research as well as for industry.Read moreRead less
Development of methodology for high throughput free energy calculations in drug design applications. The aim of the project is to develop a high throughput computational screening protocol for use in fragment-based drug design. The method will have universal applications to any plausible and available drug targets. The method will accelerate drug discovery on the targets associated with diabetes, obesity, dengue, skin cancer, etc., which are the primary disease focus of Australia. Australia as a ....Development of methodology for high throughput free energy calculations in drug design applications. The aim of the project is to develop a high throughput computational screening protocol for use in fragment-based drug design. The method will have universal applications to any plausible and available drug targets. The method will accelerate drug discovery on the targets associated with diabetes, obesity, dengue, skin cancer, etc., which are the primary disease focus of Australia. Australia as a whole and the University of Queensland in particular have invested heavily in various drug discovery programs, this will be of direct benefit to the ongoing research within Australia.Read moreRead less
New Methods in the Theory and Computational Modelling of Unimolecular and Complex-Forming Bimolecular Reactions. This project will develop new theory and computational methods for the prediction of chemical reaction rates with massively increased efficiency. Complex reactions occurring in combustion which are surprisingly common, but have previously been only poorly understood. The project will make possible the application of detailed statistical and quantum dynamical theories to such complex r ....New Methods in the Theory and Computational Modelling of Unimolecular and Complex-Forming Bimolecular Reactions. This project will develop new theory and computational methods for the prediction of chemical reaction rates with massively increased efficiency. Complex reactions occurring in combustion which are surprisingly common, but have previously been only poorly understood. The project will make possible the application of detailed statistical and quantum dynamical theories to such complex reactions in order to improve the quality of chemical data which is used for modelling atmospheric change and pollution.
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To identify and to understand highly reactive surfaces for solar hydrogen production. This project aims to develop advanced technology to produce hydrogen - carbon-free fuel - from water with sunlight as the only energy input. Using clean energy to replace fossil fuels can help address the issues of energy supply and reduce carbon emissions, which is critically important for a sustainable Australia.
A multi-scale approach for modelling coupled transport in heterogeneous and anisotropic porous media. Mathematical Sciences foster interdisciplinary collaboration and underpin fundamental understanding of significant national/international research priorities in science and technology. This world-class team will advance knowledge in modelling complex systems ensuring the competitiveness of Australian research in this important field. A key outcome is a multi-scale computational strategy that can ....A multi-scale approach for modelling coupled transport in heterogeneous and anisotropic porous media. Mathematical Sciences foster interdisciplinary collaboration and underpin fundamental understanding of significant national/international research priorities in science and technology. This world-class team will advance knowledge in modelling complex systems ensuring the competitiveness of Australian research in this important field. A key outcome is a multi-scale computational strategy that can be used by engineers in Australia and France to simulate transport phenomena in porous media, which have significant environmental impact. The research will lead to publications in scientific journals and communications at national/international conferences. Research training of postdocs and PhD students is another excellent outcome of the project.Read moreRead less
Function, Mechanism and Dynamics in Fluorescent Proteins: a Computational Investigation. The rich reservoir of chromoproteins and fluorescent proteins in the ecosystem of the Great Barrier Reef offers Australia a unique natural advantage for the development of a niche biotechnology industry based on fluorescent markers for cellular biology and biomedical imaging. This project provides a crucial component of the science that is necessary for developing such an industry: a molecular-level knowledg ....Function, Mechanism and Dynamics in Fluorescent Proteins: a Computational Investigation. The rich reservoir of chromoproteins and fluorescent proteins in the ecosystem of the Great Barrier Reef offers Australia a unique natural advantage for the development of a niche biotechnology industry based on fluorescent markers for cellular biology and biomedical imaging. This project provides a crucial component of the science that is necessary for developing such an industry: a molecular-level knowledge of how these proteins function and how we can manipulate and enhance their properties as imaging agents. It will achieve fundamental advances in biomolecular modelling techniques, train graduates with exceedingly valuable skill sets as well as deriving knowledge that aids the development of Australia's biotech industries.Read moreRead less