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A humanised sensory neuron high-throughput screening platform . Sensory neurons are responsible for converting external stimuli such as touch or temperature into graded electrical signals that allow us to interact with the world around us. However, unlike other cell types, sensory neurons cannot proliferate and thus must be removed from human cadavers, or animals, in order to study their pharmacology and function. This limits our ability to understand neuronal signalling pathways. This project a ....A humanised sensory neuron high-throughput screening platform . Sensory neurons are responsible for converting external stimuli such as touch or temperature into graded electrical signals that allow us to interact with the world around us. However, unlike other cell types, sensory neurons cannot proliferate and thus must be removed from human cadavers, or animals, in order to study their pharmacology and function. This limits our ability to understand neuronal signalling pathways. This project aims to use sensory neurons derived from human stem cells to develop and optimise assays that can be used to study the pharmacology and function of human sensory neurons in vitro. This enhances access to critical model systems and technology platforms and removes the need for isolation of cells from cadavers. Read moreRead less
Universal transcriptome editing technologies. Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is life’s most essential molecule – as no living cell or virus can function without it. Although RNA plays many critical roles in cells, from information transfer and regulation of gene expression to scaffolding macromolecular structures and catalysis, the current approaches to manipulate RNA for technological purposes are limited in many respects. This project brings together the scientists who were the first to discover a uni ....Universal transcriptome editing technologies. Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is life’s most essential molecule – as no living cell or virus can function without it. Although RNA plays many critical roles in cells, from information transfer and regulation of gene expression to scaffolding macromolecular structures and catalysis, the current approaches to manipulate RNA for technological purposes are limited in many respects. This project brings together the scientists who were the first to discover a universal code for recognition of RNA by proteins and one of the world’s leading RNA-focused biotechnology companies, Locana Biosciences, with the goal of providing robust and versatile tools to target RNA in diverse organisms.Read moreRead less
Ancestral enzyme engineering for designer fat products. Consumers are increasingly turning to plant-based alternatives of meat and dairy products due to concerns about health, animal welfare and sustainability. Taste, nutritional profile, protein content and limited variety are barriers that continue to challenge food manufacturers. This project aims to develop a process for the fermentation of specialty food oils and fats from agriculture production waste, that can deliver the flavour and nutri ....Ancestral enzyme engineering for designer fat products. Consumers are increasingly turning to plant-based alternatives of meat and dairy products due to concerns about health, animal welfare and sustainability. Taste, nutritional profile, protein content and limited variety are barriers that continue to challenge food manufacturers. This project aims to develop a process for the fermentation of specialty food oils and fats from agriculture production waste, that can deliver the flavour and nutritional benefits of meat and dairy products when added to plant-based alternatives. The outcomes should valorise existing agriculture and food waste, converting waste materials into valuable food ingredients.Read moreRead less
Understanding platinum dissolution in biomedical stimulating electrodes. Platinum is the main material used in electrodes for neurostimulators like the cochlear implant. Platinum electrodes can experience dissolution during implantation, which can impact on their function. The mechanisms governing this dissolution process are complex and still not fully understood. This research aims to understand the chemical, electrical and biological factors that impact on platinum dissolution in electrodes. ....Understanding platinum dissolution in biomedical stimulating electrodes. Platinum is the main material used in electrodes for neurostimulators like the cochlear implant. Platinum electrodes can experience dissolution during implantation, which can impact on their function. The mechanisms governing this dissolution process are complex and still not fully understood. This research aims to understand the chemical, electrical and biological factors that impact on platinum dissolution in electrodes. It will also develop new 3D models to simulate conditions in the human body for more rapid testing of electrodes. The new knowledge generated will improve the accuracy of predictions of platinum dissolution, develop new approaches for minimising dissolution, and contribute to reducing need for animal experimentation.Read moreRead less
Protein biosensors for detecting smoke exposure of grapes. Bush fires and controlled burns that take place in the vicinity of vineyards can lead to grape contamination with tasteless phenolic glucosides. Their hydrolysis during wine making leads to “smoke taint” – an unpleasant medicinal taste that can render wine undrinkable. We will apply a combination of organic synthesis, protein engineering and directed evolution to develop protein-based biosensors of phenolic glucosides. These biosensors w ....Protein biosensors for detecting smoke exposure of grapes. Bush fires and controlled burns that take place in the vicinity of vineyards can lead to grape contamination with tasteless phenolic glucosides. Their hydrolysis during wine making leads to “smoke taint” – an unpleasant medicinal taste that can render wine undrinkable. We will apply a combination of organic synthesis, protein engineering and directed evolution to develop protein-based biosensors of phenolic glucosides. These biosensors will be used to devise a simple portable colorimetric test that can be performed in the vineyard or the winery. The ability to rapidly determine the level of grape contamination with phenolic glucosides would give Australian wine growers and wine makers a powerful tool to mitigate the effects of bushfires.Read moreRead less
Unleashing the Hidden Chemical Diversity in Australian Fungi. This project aims to exploit an exclusive genomic resource consisting of >150 unique Australian filamentous fungi that has been built in a university-industry collaboration for genomic-guided biodiscovery. The genome sequence of these fungi revealed extensive hidden genetic instructions for production of novel biologically active molecules. The project will apply cutting-edge synthetic biology and chemical tools to tap into the hidden ....Unleashing the Hidden Chemical Diversity in Australian Fungi. This project aims to exploit an exclusive genomic resource consisting of >150 unique Australian filamentous fungi that has been built in a university-industry collaboration for genomic-guided biodiscovery. The genome sequence of these fungi revealed extensive hidden genetic instructions for production of novel biologically active molecules. The project will apply cutting-edge synthetic biology and chemical tools to tap into the hidden genomic potential of these Australian fungi. Expected outcomes of this project include new fine chemicals and lead molecules with desirable bioactivies. This will provide significant benefits to Australia's economy through the discovery of new pharmaceuticals, veterinary products and agrichemicals.Read moreRead less
A novel platform for the biosynthesis of commercially valuable saxitoxins. Saxitoxins are potent microbial toxins, which pose a significant threat to food and water quality. Highly pure saxitoxins are required for environmental monitoring and studies of cell physiology. Certain analogues have also shown promise as long-lasting and non-addictive pain blockers. However, the procurement of these compounds from natural sources is convoluted and unsustainable. This project aims to use the latest synt ....A novel platform for the biosynthesis of commercially valuable saxitoxins. Saxitoxins are potent microbial toxins, which pose a significant threat to food and water quality. Highly pure saxitoxins are required for environmental monitoring and studies of cell physiology. Certain analogues have also shown promise as long-lasting and non-addictive pain blockers. However, the procurement of these compounds from natural sources is convoluted and unsustainable. This project aims to use the latest synthetic biology techniques to characterise, modify and express saxitoxin biosynthesis pathways, thereby providing a sustainable source of toxin analogues of value to industry and research. This novel 'green technology' will benefit the environment, human health and the Australian economy.Read moreRead less
Engineering new tools to aid structure determination of membrane proteins. This project aims to address the inherent instability of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which are cell-surface proteins that are a major drug targets. The instability of GPCRs has resulted in a lack of atomic-level structural information that has hindered structure-based drug discovery efforts. This project expects to develop tools to improve GPCR stability and streamline the structure determination process. Project ....Engineering new tools to aid structure determination of membrane proteins. This project aims to address the inherent instability of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which are cell-surface proteins that are a major drug targets. The instability of GPCRs has resulted in a lack of atomic-level structural information that has hindered structure-based drug discovery efforts. This project expects to develop tools to improve GPCR stability and streamline the structure determination process. Project outcomes are intended to lead to significant advances in membrane protein structure determination and will have a substantial impact on future research in the pharmaceutical industry.Read moreRead less
Developing macrophage-based technologies for tissue regeneration. Different tissues show distinct regenerative capacities with an organism and across the phylogeny. What underlies this diversity in regenerative ability at cellular and molecular level is far from clear. Building on foundational discoveries in zebrafish, this study seeks to determine if this capacity could, in part, be explained through the properties of a component of the innate immune system, the macrophage, which preliminary da ....Developing macrophage-based technologies for tissue regeneration. Different tissues show distinct regenerative capacities with an organism and across the phylogeny. What underlies this diversity in regenerative ability at cellular and molecular level is far from clear. Building on foundational discoveries in zebrafish, this study seeks to determine if this capacity could, in part, be explained through the properties of a component of the innate immune system, the macrophage, which preliminary data shows generates a transient pro-regenerative muscle stem cell niche in zebrafish. This study will determine if macrophage subtypes acts to coordinate regeneration in other tissues and systems and if a programable pro-regenerative cell can be made in vitro that stimulate regeneration in different settings.Read moreRead less
Characterising the transport and delivery of oligonucleotides . Short RNA and DNA molecules represent a class of macromolecules that have great potential, but to facilitate their trafficking across cellular and membrane barriers into specific sites of action is challenging. This project aims to develop and apply novel imaging approaches to track them in cells and tissues. Expected outcomes include better understanding of the trafficking across cellular and membrane barriers, and improved imaging ....Characterising the transport and delivery of oligonucleotides . Short RNA and DNA molecules represent a class of macromolecules that have great potential, but to facilitate their trafficking across cellular and membrane barriers into specific sites of action is challenging. This project aims to develop and apply novel imaging approaches to track them in cells and tissues. Expected outcomes include better understanding of the trafficking across cellular and membrane barriers, and improved imaging tools that could be used to further study the molecular mechanisms of accumulation, metabolism and trafficking of these molecules. This project should provide new strategies to target these molecules to specific cells and tissues, which have significant social and economic benefits to the Australian community.Read moreRead less