A unified model of amino acid homeostasis. This project aims to develop a unified model of amino acid homeostasis in mammalian cells and apply it to brain cells. The model will be underpinned by a mathematical algorithm that allows predicting amino acid levels in the cytosol based on fundamental parameters such as transport and metabolism. This project should provide the significant benefit of enabling the prediction of essential functions such as cell growth and survival.
Investigation of novel mechanisms for the regulation of sperm-oocyte interactions. Through work with national and international collaborators, this project aims to provide unprecedented insights into how spermatozoa recognise and bind to an oocyte. The approach is based on strong preliminary data indicating that molecular chaperones play a key role in the functional remodelling of the spermatozoon by promoting the assembly of multimeric oocyte receptor complexes. Through the use of state-of-the ....Investigation of novel mechanisms for the regulation of sperm-oocyte interactions. Through work with national and international collaborators, this project aims to provide unprecedented insights into how spermatozoa recognise and bind to an oocyte. The approach is based on strong preliminary data indicating that molecular chaperones play a key role in the functional remodelling of the spermatozoon by promoting the assembly of multimeric oocyte receptor complexes. Through the use of state-of-the-art cell biology and proteomic technologies, the project aims to investigate how molecular chaperones orchestrate these changes and in doing so, improve understanding of the fertilisation cascade and open up new contraceptive strategies.Read moreRead less
Investigation of the mechanisms underlying successful placentation. The overall aim of this project is to provide novel insights into the basic cellular processes that underpin placental development and to improve our ability to manipulate mammalian reproduction, both human and animal. The placenta is critical for intrauterine development because it determines the level of nutrition, oxygenation and maternal tolerance to the developing foetus. The project intends to explore the role of prorenin ....Investigation of the mechanisms underlying successful placentation. The overall aim of this project is to provide novel insights into the basic cellular processes that underpin placental development and to improve our ability to manipulate mammalian reproduction, both human and animal. The placenta is critical for intrauterine development because it determines the level of nutrition, oxygenation and maternal tolerance to the developing foetus. The project intends to explore the role of prorenin and its receptor as a novel mechanism driving placentation. Applications for expected project outcomes may include improved breeding of threatened animal species and economically valuable domestic animals as well as improved health care and fertility control for domesticated pets and feral animals. Read moreRead less
Nano-scale organisation of cellular adhesions. Cell migration is a key aspect of many normal processes but also of diseases such as cancers. This project will use a novel fluorescence microscope that can see single proteins to identify how cell adhesions are formed, remodelled and disassembled. This knowledge will help to design better drugs against cancers and novel implantable materials.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE180100066
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$443,311.00
Summary
Electrophysiology facility for cell phenotyping and drug discovery. This project aims to establish a high-throughput, automated patch clamp facility to enable research at the forefront of cell phenotyping and drug discovery. Ion channels are membrane proteins that underlie cell function and are therefore important drug targets. The patch clamp technique is the most powerful tool available to functionally characterise cells and study the function of ion channels. The significant advance provided ....Electrophysiology facility for cell phenotyping and drug discovery. This project aims to establish a high-throughput, automated patch clamp facility to enable research at the forefront of cell phenotyping and drug discovery. Ion channels are membrane proteins that underlie cell function and are therefore important drug targets. The patch clamp technique is the most powerful tool available to functionally characterise cells and study the function of ion channels. The significant advance provided by the high-throughput, automated patch clamp system is that it allows up to 384 cells to be recorded simultaneously. This project expects to enhance capacity to automate and standardise the quality of recordings, substantially increase the rate of data production, and enable greater access to patch clamp technology.Read moreRead less
Tuning Molecular Translocaton by Close-Field Electroporation. This project aims to determine the underlying mechanisms by which DNA and other molecules are able to migrate across the cell membrane in response to highly localised electric fields. It has recently been shown that focusing of electric fields at the cellular level, using an array of small electrodes, results in unexpectedly high cell transfection efficiencies. It has been termed 'close-field electroporation'. Here it is proposed t ....Tuning Molecular Translocaton by Close-Field Electroporation. This project aims to determine the underlying mechanisms by which DNA and other molecules are able to migrate across the cell membrane in response to highly localised electric fields. It has recently been shown that focusing of electric fields at the cellular level, using an array of small electrodes, results in unexpectedly high cell transfection efficiencies. It has been termed 'close-field electroporation'. Here it is proposed to establish the properties of the electric fields around cells and cell membrane interactions with these fields that enable molecular translocation. This fundamental science could have broad implications in the domains of drug delivery, gene therapy and neural stimulation.Read moreRead less
Molecular interactions in cell membranes. Cell membranes are a complex composite of proteins and lipids and we have only a rough idea about how they perform their many functions. Together with Leica Microsystems, this project will develop a new microscope that can map the molecular interactions within the membrane revealing details that have never been seen before.
Defining systems that clear dangerous misfolded proteins from body fluids. The project intends to establish how the human body defends itself against protein-folding related disease and loss of quality of life. Exposure to everyday physical and chemical stresses can cause proteins to lose their normal shape and become misfolded. Misfolded proteins are causally involved in human ageing and serious diseases (for example, Alzheimer's disease). However, the body does have a protective system that cl ....Defining systems that clear dangerous misfolded proteins from body fluids. The project intends to establish how the human body defends itself against protein-folding related disease and loss of quality of life. Exposure to everyday physical and chemical stresses can cause proteins to lose their normal shape and become misfolded. Misfolded proteins are causally involved in human ageing and serious diseases (for example, Alzheimer's disease). However, the body does have a protective system that clears dangerous misfolded proteins from body fluids. Using cutting-edge approaches and a novel animal model, the project aims to establish how this system works. The outcomes are expected to improve understanding of the molecular processes affecting human ageing and disease and strengthen the framework needed to develop better strategies to combat these.Read moreRead less
Novel mechanisms of early growth response-1 activation through the epidermal growth factor receptor. This project will expand our knowledge of how cytokines and growth factors switch on signalling pathways from the cell surface to the nucleus. Unique antibodies will characterise regulatory routes, state-of-the-art microscopy will define dynamic patterns of receptor co-assembly, and in vivo studies will show receptor crosstalk in animal models.
DNA nanotechnology for controlled antigen presentation to T cells. The project aims to present individual antigens to T cells and to image T cell receptor signalling with single molecule microscopy. Combining DNA origami nanotechnology with single molecule imaging should reveal the sensitivity of T cell signalling. A DNA force sensor will determine whether mechanical forces contribute to antigen discrimination. The project will use the nanotechnology strategy to identify antigen-specific T cells ....DNA nanotechnology for controlled antigen presentation to T cells. The project aims to present individual antigens to T cells and to image T cell receptor signalling with single molecule microscopy. Combining DNA origami nanotechnology with single molecule imaging should reveal the sensitivity of T cell signalling. A DNA force sensor will determine whether mechanical forces contribute to antigen discrimination. The project will use the nanotechnology strategy to identify antigen-specific T cells in tissue. The project is expected to advance understanding of T cell biology, and contribute to DNA nanotechnology and super-resolution microscopy whilst providing fundamental insights into antigen recognition by T cells and ultimately derive clinically relevant practical applications.Read moreRead less