Retroviral Expression Cloning Using An Arrayed Full Length CDNA Gene Set
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,841,500.00
Summary
The sequencing of the human genome has revealed the blueprint for life, but the identities and-or functions of the majority of genes remain unknown. Here we propose to establish a radically modified retroviral expression cloning system that will, in principle, allow identification of all genes that confer a particular dominant phenotype. To do this we will establish an arrayed retroviral library of sequence-verified genes covering the entire human transcriptome. This technology will be used to i ....The sequencing of the human genome has revealed the blueprint for life, but the identities and-or functions of the majority of genes remain unknown. Here we propose to establish a radically modified retroviral expression cloning system that will, in principle, allow identification of all genes that confer a particular dominant phenotype. To do this we will establish an arrayed retroviral library of sequence-verified genes covering the entire human transcriptome. This technology will be used to identify genes involved in a wide range of medically-important biological processes.Read moreRead less
Viral And Cellular Factors Affecting Early Steps In HIV Reverse Transcription
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$465,750.00
Summary
One of the key events in the life cycle of HIV is the conversion of viral RNA into a double stranded DNA intermediate. This process, called reverse transcription, is carried out by the viral enzyme reverse transcriptase (RT) in conjunction with other viral and cellular factors. While HIV RT has been extensively studied and RT inhibitors have been used in anti-retroviral therapy for HIV patients, other viral and cellular factors essential for efficient HIV reverse transcription have not been prop ....One of the key events in the life cycle of HIV is the conversion of viral RNA into a double stranded DNA intermediate. This process, called reverse transcription, is carried out by the viral enzyme reverse transcriptase (RT) in conjunction with other viral and cellular factors. While HIV RT has been extensively studied and RT inhibitors have been used in anti-retroviral therapy for HIV patients, other viral and cellular factors essential for efficient HIV reverse transcription have not been properly investigated and may represent a new class of anti-HIV targets.This project, based on our long standing (>10 years) research interest and experience, aims at identification of the viral and cellular factors particularly involved in the early steps of HIV reverse transcription.We have obtained preliminary data which lead to hypotheses regarding what kind of viral and cellular factors might be involved and their possible modes of action. Experiments have been designed to specifically prove or disprove these hypotheses. Thus this project will help us achieve a more comprehensive understanding on how HIV uses other viral and cellular factors, in addition to RT, to accomplish one of the mandatory stage of its growth (reverse transcription); and identify viral and cellular factors which can be further explored as new targets for anti-retroviral therapy. This is particularly important, as HIV resistance to current drug therapy has emerged as one serious issue facing HIV patients, and the HIV care communities.Read moreRead less
Gene therapy is a novel form of medical treatment in which healthy genes are used to replace defective genes in cells. It is sobering to realise that in the next few years the whole human DNA sequence will be known. Consequently the already large list of genes which are known to cause disease will be greatly expanded through the application of molecular genetics. Surprisingly, however, treatments based on the correction of disease genes in the cells of a patient are not keeping up with expectati ....Gene therapy is a novel form of medical treatment in which healthy genes are used to replace defective genes in cells. It is sobering to realise that in the next few years the whole human DNA sequence will be known. Consequently the already large list of genes which are known to cause disease will be greatly expanded through the application of molecular genetics. Surprisingly, however, treatments based on the correction of disease genes in the cells of a patient are not keeping up with expectations. In attempting to achieve clinically relevant results, viruses (masters of forcing infected cells to do their bidding) have been harnessed to deliver healthy genes into diseased cells. The problem has been that the modified, safe viruses used clinically have not been efficient at achieving sustained production of healthy genes in sufficient numbers of cells. In the studies described , we will attack this problem using a number of different, but complementary approaches. Our main focus will be to facilitate efficient virus entry of appropriate target cells. We have recently been successful in cloning the receptors for two important viruses which can enter human cells. Identification of these receptors gives us clues to methods of improving virus entry. Now that we know the identity of these receptors, we can create tools to define the type of cells that these viruses can readily target.Read moreRead less
Understanding migrant information literacy: a qualitative study. This project plans to establish an information literacy framework to inform the design and delivery of information to Australia's migrant communities. Migration is the major component of population growth in Australia. Between 1996 and 2013, Australia’s overseas-born population grew by 51 per cent to 6.4 million people. To participate in and contribute to Australia and its social, economic and cultural life, migrants must be able t ....Understanding migrant information literacy: a qualitative study. This project plans to establish an information literacy framework to inform the design and delivery of information to Australia's migrant communities. Migration is the major component of population growth in Australia. Between 1996 and 2013, Australia’s overseas-born population grew by 51 per cent to 6.4 million people. To participate in and contribute to Australia and its social, economic and cultural life, migrants must be able to make informed choices. Access to information that is timely, accurate, relevant and tailored to their specific needs is essential for all Australian migrants. This project intends to contribute to an empirically-derived evidence base for migrant information literacy in Australia.Read moreRead less
Building the basis for evidence-based library and information practice: a qualitative study. This project will help Australia's libraries to contribute in a more powerful way to national productivity. It will establish an empirical basis for evidence-based library and information practice that will help library and information professionals make tough decisions in an environment where there is competition for limited resources.