Alpha-2-Macroglobulin And The Transport And Uptake Of The Hormone, Hepcidin
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$533,541.00
Summary
Hepcidin is a peptide hormone that is a major regulator of iron metabolism. It has been suggested that hepcidin is free in the blood. However, we recently identified that hepcidin binds with alpha-2-macroglobulin (a2-M) in the plasma and this increases the efficacy of this peptide. The demonstration that a2-M plays a role in hepcidin biology will lead to a better understanding of hepcidin physiology, the development of methods for its measurement and improved treatment of iron related diseases.
The Role Of Gonadotropins In Regulating The Production Of Alzheimer's Beta Amyloid
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$400,278.00
Summary
Currently, about 160,000 Australians suffer from dementia; of which 50-70% are Alzheimer's disease (AD) cases. AD is characterised clinically by memory and personality changes and pathologically by deposition of amyloid. Of particular importance in the disease pathogenesis, is a small molecule called beta amyloid, of which the overproduction is thought to be central to the development of AD. Changes in the levels of the reproductive hormones, particularly low levels of oestrogen during menopause ....Currently, about 160,000 Australians suffer from dementia; of which 50-70% are Alzheimer's disease (AD) cases. AD is characterised clinically by memory and personality changes and pathologically by deposition of amyloid. Of particular importance in the disease pathogenesis, is a small molecule called beta amyloid, of which the overproduction is thought to be central to the development of AD. Changes in the levels of the reproductive hormones, particularly low levels of oestrogen during menopause or testosterone during andropuase, has been associated with the increased risk of developing AD and in altering the levels of beta amyloid. Furthermore, menopause and andropause are also characterised by changes in other reproductive hormones such as the gonadotropins. High levels of the gonadotropins have also been associated with the increased risk of developing AD. Therefore it is important to identify how these changes modify the risk of developing AD. This study examines the role of the gonadotropins in regulating beta amyloid levels in cell culture and in an animal model for AD. Furthermore, this study will assess, in the animal model, the use of gonadotropin lowering agents to reduce levels of beta amyloid. The results from this study will provide important data on how reproductive hormones regulate beta amyloid. Further insight into these mechanisms will provide therapeutic or preventative strategies for AD.Read moreRead less
The Role Of Capsid Protein Nucleolar Localisation In Chikungunya Virus: Implications For Vaccine Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$520,520.00
Summary
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a globally widespread mosquito-borne alphavirus capable of causing considerable human morbidity and mortality. With no CHIKV vaccine or antiviral available this proposal aims to develop a live attenuated CHIKV vaccine, rationally designed by investigating the host cell nucleolar trafficking of CHIKV capsid protein. This vaccine has the potential to provide cross-protection against additional arthritogenic alphaviruses endemic to Australia such as Ross River virus.
Industrial Transformation Training Centres - Grant ID: IC230100036
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,999,600.00
Summary
ARC Training Centre for Radiation Innovation. This Centre aims to train the next generation of transdisciplinary leaders to enable, grow and transform industries that utilise or are impacted by radiation. Rapid growth in the natural resources, health, space and national security sectors urgently requires a highly capable workforce with scientific and regulatory knowledge to develop new technologies and social licence needs to maximise benefits. Outcomes include new methods of radiopharmaceutical ....ARC Training Centre for Radiation Innovation. This Centre aims to train the next generation of transdisciplinary leaders to enable, grow and transform industries that utilise or are impacted by radiation. Rapid growth in the natural resources, health, space and national security sectors urgently requires a highly capable workforce with scientific and regulatory knowledge to develop new technologies and social licence needs to maximise benefits. Outcomes include new methods of radiopharmaceutical production, more resilient spacecraft and robust regulatory frameworks. Industries and communities will benefit from a future workforce prepared for safe adoption, development and delivery of emerging techniques and advanced radiation technologies, enhancing Australia’s prosperity and security.Read moreRead less
Molecular Pharmacology Of Chemokine Receptor Signalling In Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$371,770.00
Summary
Molecular pharmacology is the study of how hormones, neurotransmitters and pharmaceuticals interact with our cells through receptors, which transfer a signal across the cell membrane to change the function of that cell. Chemokine receptors are recognised to play a role in the development of many cancers. Understanding how these receptors work has enormous implications for improving our ability to develop better anti-cancer treatments with fewer side effects.
Investigating The Cellular Response To Iron-Depletion: The Trilogy Of ASK1, Thioredoxin And Ribonucleotide Reductase
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$552,572.00
Summary
Iron is crucial for many essential biological processes. Recently, we demonstrated that iron-depletion can affects important signalling pathways (e.g., JNK and p38) that play important roles in growth arrest and apoptosis. This study is designed to investigate the cellular and molecular effects of iron depletion which currently remains unclear. The research is crucial for understanding: (1) the effects of iron deficiency and (2) for understanding the effects of iron chelators that are used for t ....Iron is crucial for many essential biological processes. Recently, we demonstrated that iron-depletion can affects important signalling pathways (e.g., JNK and p38) that play important roles in growth arrest and apoptosis. This study is designed to investigate the cellular and molecular effects of iron depletion which currently remains unclear. The research is crucial for understanding: (1) the effects of iron deficiency and (2) for understanding the effects of iron chelators that are used for treating various diseases.Read moreRead less
CCC method: new applications to electron scattering from atoms and molecules. Achievement of the stated aims will be of enormous benefit to industry
and laboratory research because at the present time no reliably accurate
models exist for the range of the required scattering parameters. The
modelling work will result in development of new software packages for
supercomputers and will provide training for research associates, PhD
and Honours students in an area where Australian theorists are ....CCC method: new applications to electron scattering from atoms and molecules. Achievement of the stated aims will be of enormous benefit to industry
and laboratory research because at the present time no reliably accurate
models exist for the range of the required scattering parameters. The
modelling work will result in development of new software packages for
supercomputers and will provide training for research associates, PhD
and Honours students in an area where Australian theorists are
preeminent.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0238631
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$200,000.00
Summary
Ultra High Resolution Electron Recycling Spectrometer. Electron collisions with atoms and molecules provide enormous versatility through the transfer of large amounts of angular momentum and the ability to excite dipole forbidden states. However a lack of energy resolution severely restricts the processes that can be studied.
We propose to construct a unique, ultra-high resolution, electron recycling spectrometer using a radical new design. State-of-the-art spectroscopic studies of ato ....Ultra High Resolution Electron Recycling Spectrometer. Electron collisions with atoms and molecules provide enormous versatility through the transfer of large amounts of angular momentum and the ability to excite dipole forbidden states. However a lack of energy resolution severely restricts the processes that can be studied.
We propose to construct a unique, ultra-high resolution, electron recycling spectrometer using a radical new design. State-of-the-art spectroscopic studies of atoms and molecules will be enabled, including the dynamics of near-threshold processes, the formation of transient states and the examination of processes such as rotational excitation and dissociative attachment in molecules - important in a number of gas-discharge based devices.
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A complete computational approach to electron-atom collisions. Our research contributes to multidisciplinary efforts to improve the efficiency and reduce the toxicity of lighting systems, which has far-reaching implications for environmental sustainability. It will also facilitate significant improvements in the accuracy of astrophysical and artificial plasma modelling, as well as providing insight into many processes fundamental to nanotechnology research. The research project will further enha ....A complete computational approach to electron-atom collisions. Our research contributes to multidisciplinary efforts to improve the efficiency and reduce the toxicity of lighting systems, which has far-reaching implications for environmental sustainability. It will also facilitate significant improvements in the accuracy of astrophysical and artificial plasma modelling, as well as providing insight into many processes fundamental to nanotechnology research. The research project will further enhance our reputation in an area where Australian theorists are preeminent, and the research training will produce PhD graduates with a high-level ability in numerical modelling using supercomputers. Such skills are essential in many defense, mining and technological applications of national priority.Read moreRead less
Electronic and atomic collision theory. Recently there has been rapid progress in the field of electronic and atomic collisions. Consequently, many new problems have emerged of interest to science and industry. The proposed collaboration will determine the most promising theoretical techniques for their solution. The problems include, for example, electron
collisions with noble gases, cesium and mercury, of interest to the laser, lighting and plasma processing industries. Time-dependent and tim ....Electronic and atomic collision theory. Recently there has been rapid progress in the field of electronic and atomic collisions. Consequently, many new problems have emerged of interest to science and industry. The proposed collaboration will determine the most promising theoretical techniques for their solution. The problems include, for example, electron
collisions with noble gases, cesium and mercury, of interest to the laser, lighting and plasma processing industries. Time-dependent and time independent, relativistic and non-relativistic approaches will be considered, thereby determining the direction of the field for the foreseeable future.Read moreRead less