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The colour of cellular aging: a deep probe of cellular processes. Understanding why we age and whether aging is preventable are profound research challenges, which must be first tackled at a cellular level. Building on our advances in non-invasive colour monitoring of cell function, this project aims to uncover intimate links between cellular processes and aging in cells that must survive for many decades such as oocytes and neurons. We will explore the tantalising possibility to rejuvenate such ....The colour of cellular aging: a deep probe of cellular processes. Understanding why we age and whether aging is preventable are profound research challenges, which must be first tackled at a cellular level. Building on our advances in non-invasive colour monitoring of cell function, this project aims to uncover intimate links between cellular processes and aging in cells that must survive for many decades such as oocytes and neurons. We will explore the tantalising possibility to rejuvenate such aged cells by interfering with molecular master switches of aging. A unique machine learning approach will be applied for finding the most effective interventions. The results will have broad impact beyond the science of aging, in the areas of female fertility, neurodegeneration and immunity.
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Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180100206
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$365,058.00
Summary
Intelligently linking nanoscience to neuroscience with glycan biology. This project aims to provide a comprehensive description of the unique cell-surface glycan expression on inflamed neurons, astrocytes, microglia and oligodendrocytes. This project will use glycan profiling data to engineer luminescent nanoparticles with superior neuroimaging qualities for cell type-specific in vivo targeting and drug delivery in the central nervous system. The project outcomes are expected to improve our fund ....Intelligently linking nanoscience to neuroscience with glycan biology. This project aims to provide a comprehensive description of the unique cell-surface glycan expression on inflamed neurons, astrocytes, microglia and oligodendrocytes. This project will use glycan profiling data to engineer luminescent nanoparticles with superior neuroimaging qualities for cell type-specific in vivo targeting and drug delivery in the central nervous system. The project outcomes are expected to improve our fundamental understanding of neurobiological cell-surfaces.Read moreRead less
Molecular mechanisms of novel bacterial copper defense proteins. This project aims to reveal molecular and cellular mechanisms used by bacteria to neutralise the destructive effects of copper. Copper is an essential trace element in living systems. It is toxic to bacteria and so plays a vital role in nutritional immunity. To counteract copper toxicity, bacteria have evolved defense mechanisms. The project will investigate a novel but poorly understood class of bacterial proteins, the suppressor ....Molecular mechanisms of novel bacterial copper defense proteins. This project aims to reveal molecular and cellular mechanisms used by bacteria to neutralise the destructive effects of copper. Copper is an essential trace element in living systems. It is toxic to bacteria and so plays a vital role in nutritional immunity. To counteract copper toxicity, bacteria have evolved defense mechanisms. The project will investigate a novel but poorly understood class of bacterial proteins, the suppressor of copper sensitivity proteins, that contribute to this key virulence trait. The expected outcomes will be fundamental new knowledge of metallo-protein diversity, bacterial virulence mechanisms, and membrane protein function with potential impact on health, environment, and biotechnology.Read moreRead less
Mapping networks governing cell state plasticity: how, where and when? Single cell organisms are the basic unit of life, yet, if they had not developed the ability to change cell states we would not exist today. Changing cell states lies at the core of almost every developmental and disease process in multicellular organisms. Building upon our fundamental discovery that stem cells and non-stem cells readily interconvert, we will now incorporate innovative cell systems and the development of our ....Mapping networks governing cell state plasticity: how, where and when? Single cell organisms are the basic unit of life, yet, if they had not developed the ability to change cell states we would not exist today. Changing cell states lies at the core of almost every developmental and disease process in multicellular organisms. Building upon our fundamental discovery that stem cells and non-stem cells readily interconvert, we will now incorporate innovative cell systems and the development of our new multi-layered systems biology strategy to elucidate the first comprehensive understanding of the cell biology that underlies cell state changes. These studies are a major step toward understanding the fundamentals of life. Read moreRead less
Elucidating the roles of steroid receptors in mitochondria. This project aims to elucidate the roles of newly discovered steroid receptors in the functions of mitochondria. The project will characterise their impact on cellular respiration, oxidative stress, and the induction of inflammation. By defining these processes in the healthy state and in response to common environmental challenges of infection and smoke exposure, the project will characterise the fundamental biology of entirely new pro ....Elucidating the roles of steroid receptors in mitochondria. This project aims to elucidate the roles of newly discovered steroid receptors in the functions of mitochondria. The project will characterise their impact on cellular respiration, oxidative stress, and the induction of inflammation. By defining these processes in the healthy state and in response to common environmental challenges of infection and smoke exposure, the project will characterise the fundamental biology of entirely new processes of how normal body hormones and administered steroids may function. This may eventually lead to new and more effective ways to control inflammation that will have significant benefits to mammalian health and improve health care and agriculture outcomes.Read moreRead less
Undermining fungal defences by targeting their functional amyloid armour. This project will determine how a protective protein coating forms on the surface of fungal spores and infectious structures. This coating is comprised of amyloid protein fibrils and is used by fungi to improve efficiency of infection and to avoid detection by the host plant or animal. We have discovered novel small molecules that prevent the fibrils from forming. This project will use these molecules to reveal the details ....Undermining fungal defences by targeting their functional amyloid armour. This project will determine how a protective protein coating forms on the surface of fungal spores and infectious structures. This coating is comprised of amyloid protein fibrils and is used by fungi to improve efficiency of infection and to avoid detection by the host plant or animal. We have discovered novel small molecules that prevent the fibrils from forming. This project will use these molecules to reveal the details of the fibril assembly mechanism and find the best way to undermine this fungal defence system. This knowledge will enable the development of potent small molecule inhibitors to treat fungal infections that blight crops and harm animals, and the production of new layered biomaterials for nanotechnology applications.Read moreRead less
The effect of methylation and phosphorylation on ribosome function. This project aims to discover how cells regulate ribosome function and selectivity, by modifying their ribosomal proteins. This affects protein synthesis, a process which is central to the growth of all living things. Expected outcomes include new knowledge on the regulation of protein synthesis, improved techniques for the study of this process and an enhanced capacity for international collaboration. New avenues for the artifi ....The effect of methylation and phosphorylation on ribosome function. This project aims to discover how cells regulate ribosome function and selectivity, by modifying their ribosomal proteins. This affects protein synthesis, a process which is central to the growth of all living things. Expected outcomes include new knowledge on the regulation of protein synthesis, improved techniques for the study of this process and an enhanced capacity for international collaboration. New avenues for the artificial regulation of the ribosome may also emerge, relevant to synthetic biology and the engineering of industrial yeasts. The project should provide significant new findings for the research community, generate research citations and contribute to a highly skilled workforce by the training of staff and students.Read moreRead less
Navigating flux control through a branched metabolic pathway. This project aims to uncover control points and programmes in the mevalonate pathway, an important cellular metabolic pathway that produces cholesterol and isoprenoids. Knowledge of its regulation is largely restricted to just one enzyme (HMGCR). This project will determine how regulation of the later sterol-producing segment affects the early isoprenoid-segment of the mevalonate pathway; investigate how the two alternate routes to ch ....Navigating flux control through a branched metabolic pathway. This project aims to uncover control points and programmes in the mevalonate pathway, an important cellular metabolic pathway that produces cholesterol and isoprenoids. Knowledge of its regulation is largely restricted to just one enzyme (HMGCR). This project will determine how regulation of the later sterol-producing segment affects the early isoprenoid-segment of the mevalonate pathway; investigate how the two alternate routes to cholesterol synthesis operate and are regulated; and explore a co-ordinated and possibly co-operative transcriptional program. This project is expected to provide valuable knowledge of how cells control these critical lipids, which will ultimately inform better ways to treat diseases of cholesterol excess and defects in this pathway.Read moreRead less
ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology. The ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology (CoESB) will provide the technical innovation critical for Australia to develop a vibrant bioeconomy building on the nation’s strengths in agriculture. For thousands of years we have used microbes to create bread, wine, cheese. Now, our Centre will pioneer new approaches to the design of synthetic microbes, enabling the development of custom-designed microbial communities, synthetic organelles and ne ....ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology. The ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology (CoESB) will provide the technical innovation critical for Australia to develop a vibrant bioeconomy building on the nation’s strengths in agriculture. For thousands of years we have used microbes to create bread, wine, cheese. Now, our Centre will pioneer new approaches to the design of synthetic microbes, enabling the development of custom-designed microbial communities, synthetic organelles and new to nature biological pathways and enzymes. CoESB will combine engineering with molecular biology to design and construct novel biological systems that can convert biomass from agriculture or waste streams to biofuel, bioplastics and other high-value chemicals.Read moreRead less
A scalable, synthetic retina: signal processing in droplet systems with DNA. This project aims to design DNA-based nanotechnology for processing optical signals in synthetic biological systems. The intended outcome of this project is to develop a system for signal transduction in artificial bilayers using new DNA nanostructures. The anticipated goal of the project is to deliver: 1) light-based control of membrane protein insertion into artificial bilayers; 2) novel DNA-based pores that can trans ....A scalable, synthetic retina: signal processing in droplet systems with DNA. This project aims to design DNA-based nanotechnology for processing optical signals in synthetic biological systems. The intended outcome of this project is to develop a system for signal transduction in artificial bilayers using new DNA nanostructures. The anticipated goal of the project is to deliver: 1) light-based control of membrane protein insertion into artificial bilayers; 2) novel DNA-based pores that can transduce signals across membranes; 3) signal processing using multi-compartment biological components composed. Together, this technology allows us to use light and external signals to control biochemical pathways in synthetic systems.Read moreRead less