Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0561041
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$347,358.00
Summary
A New Generation Biosensor and Fluorescence Facility for Proteomics. The complete DNA sequence (the genome) is now known for many organisms and advances are being made to identify the complement of messenger RNA (the transcriptome) and the resultant collection of proteins (the proteome). The genome is largely fixed while the transcriptome and proteome differ between cell types in an organism and constantly vary to adapt the cell to changing conditions. The mediators of these variations are prote ....A New Generation Biosensor and Fluorescence Facility for Proteomics. The complete DNA sequence (the genome) is now known for many organisms and advances are being made to identify the complement of messenger RNA (the transcriptome) and the resultant collection of proteins (the proteome). The genome is largely fixed while the transcriptome and proteome differ between cell types in an organism and constantly vary to adapt the cell to changing conditions. The mediators of these variations are proteins, interacting with each other and with signal molecules. The next frontier in molecular biology is to identify and quantify these protein interactions. Our two institutions have a very large cohort of biologists whose research on proteins would be greatly facilitated by the Biacore 3000 and the ISS K2.Read moreRead less
Proteomics of the Influenza Virus for In-field Surveillance. The influenza virus continues to pose a serious health risk to Australians and remains a leading cause of death. The molecular characterisation of emerging strains of the virus lies at the heart of current surveillance procedures vital to vaccine preparation and the development of new anti-viral drugs. This research will advance a world-first proteomics surveillance of the virus developed in this laboratory that will enable it to be ch ....Proteomics of the Influenza Virus for In-field Surveillance. The influenza virus continues to pose a serious health risk to Australians and remains a leading cause of death. The molecular characterisation of emerging strains of the virus lies at the heart of current surveillance procedures vital to vaccine preparation and the development of new anti-viral drugs. This research will advance a world-first proteomics surveillance of the virus developed in this laboratory that will enable it to be characterised in-field at the site(s) of infection outbreaks. This rapid response is vital, particularly in the event of a pandemic or a deliberate release of the virus in a bioterrorist attack.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0236167
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$580,000.00
Summary
The Sydney Combinatorial Research Facility. The proposal is to establish a multidisciplinary inter-institutional research facility for solution-phase combinatorial chemistry synthesis and analysis, and medium to high throughput biological evaluation of lead compounds through fluorescence detection methods. This will be the first and only multi-user facility of its type in Sydney. It will provide through its synthetic node at NSW and Macquarie Universities and biological screening node at Univers ....The Sydney Combinatorial Research Facility. The proposal is to establish a multidisciplinary inter-institutional research facility for solution-phase combinatorial chemistry synthesis and analysis, and medium to high throughput biological evaluation of lead compounds through fluorescence detection methods. This will be the first and only multi-user facility of its type in Sydney. It will provide through its synthetic node at NSW and Macquarie Universities and biological screening node at University of Sydney an essential resource that will enable modern combinatorial techniques to be applied to chemical and drug-lead development studies in the region.Read moreRead less
The fate of dietary selenium in vivo; a direct approach to linking chemical form with biological activity. Dietary selenium supplementation has great potential as a preventative treatment for a range of human health conditions, including cancer, that widely affect the Australian population. However, the adverse effects of such treatments are not fully recognised. This project will increase our knowledge of how selenium compounds are stored and utilised in the body and relate the information to c ....The fate of dietary selenium in vivo; a direct approach to linking chemical form with biological activity. Dietary selenium supplementation has great potential as a preventative treatment for a range of human health conditions, including cancer, that widely affect the Australian population. However, the adverse effects of such treatments are not fully recognised. This project will increase our knowledge of how selenium compounds are stored and utilised in the body and relate the information to clinical observations regarding dietary intake of selenium and other compounds. The new understanding generated will delineate the conditions for safe intake, so that the beneficial effects associated with selenium supplementation may be harnessed more effectively.Read moreRead less
Gas Phase Dynamics of a Biological Molecular Machine: Fundamentals, Stoichiometries and Stabilities. Over the last twenty years advanced molecular measurement techniques have enabled the characterization of individual biological molecules (proteins and DNA) within different types of cells and diseased tissues. This project uses a new technique that literally "weighs" groups of proteins and/or DNA to help us understand how such large molecules fit together and function within cells (sometimes ref ....Gas Phase Dynamics of a Biological Molecular Machine: Fundamentals, Stoichiometries and Stabilities. Over the last twenty years advanced molecular measurement techniques have enabled the characterization of individual biological molecules (proteins and DNA) within different types of cells and diseased tissues. This project uses a new technique that literally "weighs" groups of proteins and/or DNA to help us understand how such large molecules fit together and function within cells (sometimes referred to as molecular machinery). More detailed knowledge of processes such as those involved in copying DNA when new cells are produced will, in the long term, improve our understanding and treatment of conditions or diseases that result from errors in molecular machinery. Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775529
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$300,000.00
Summary
Structural elucidation by chemical degradation mass spectrometry using a linear ion trap with electron transfer dissociation. The mass spectrometric instrumentation that we plan to acquire represents a true breakthrough in technology, and will be the first of its kind in operation in Australia. The instrument to be purchased will improve the ability of a wide cross section of researchers to characterize compounds important in fields as varied as medical research, agricultural biotechnology, and ....Structural elucidation by chemical degradation mass spectrometry using a linear ion trap with electron transfer dissociation. The mass spectrometric instrumentation that we plan to acquire represents a true breakthrough in technology, and will be the first of its kind in operation in Australia. The instrument to be purchased will improve the ability of a wide cross section of researchers to characterize compounds important in fields as varied as medical research, agricultural biotechnology, and natural product characterization. All types of chemical research, from fundamental to applied, will benefit from access to this system, which has clearly positive implications with regard to societal impact. Implementing this type of frontier technology is an essential step in maintaining the world class capabilities of the Australian research community.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989336
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$560,000.00
Summary
The South Australian Facility for Small and Large Molecule X-Ray Diffraction Structure Determination. The precise three dimensional arrangement of atoms within molecular and macromolecular structures defines their function. Thus, the discovery, development and application of biological compounds, catalysts, nanodevices and pharmaceuticals require X-ray diffraction structure determination. These endeavours underpin the conversion of academic research into real benefits for the community and are ....The South Australian Facility for Small and Large Molecule X-Ray Diffraction Structure Determination. The precise three dimensional arrangement of atoms within molecular and macromolecular structures defines their function. Thus, the discovery, development and application of biological compounds, catalysts, nanodevices and pharmaceuticals require X-ray diffraction structure determination. These endeavours underpin the conversion of academic research into real benefits for the community and are critical for the competitiveness of Australian industry, national productivity and economic growth. This application seeks to provide a facility for multidisciplinary scientific development that will enhance academic-industrial collaboration. This will position SA research community for scientific breakthroughs that benefit the Australian community.Read moreRead less
O-GlcNAc-phosphorylation: a novel post-translational modification regulating vesicle recycling. We will determine a biological role for our discovery of a hybrid protein modification (both carbohydrate and phosphate) on a brain protein that is involved in nerve cell communication. If this modification is more widespread, then we will have discovered a new level of cellular regulation. This discovery is likely to have a broad benefit. It will advance the understanding of carbohydrate and phosphat ....O-GlcNAc-phosphorylation: a novel post-translational modification regulating vesicle recycling. We will determine a biological role for our discovery of a hybrid protein modification (both carbohydrate and phosphate) on a brain protein that is involved in nerve cell communication. If this modification is more widespread, then we will have discovered a new level of cellular regulation. This discovery is likely to have a broad benefit. It will advance the understanding of carbohydrate and phosphate modified proteins. For example, there may be consequences for the model of hyperphosphorylated and carbohydrate modified proteins involved in neurodegeneration. There will also be a targeted benefit. An improved understanding of the mechanism of neurotransmission will benefit in designing compounds to fight diseases of neurotransmission.Read moreRead less
A Gas Phase Study of Macromolecular Biological Complexes. Following the completion of the human genome project, increased attention has focussed on the elucidation of structure and function of biopolymers in cells. The project aims to use electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (a rapidly developing analytical technique) to detail the processes governing the formation of macromolecular complexes (DNA-protein and DNA-metal-protein) in the gas phase. We aim to explore the relevance of gas pha ....A Gas Phase Study of Macromolecular Biological Complexes. Following the completion of the human genome project, increased attention has focussed on the elucidation of structure and function of biopolymers in cells. The project aims to use electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (a rapidly developing analytical technique) to detail the processes governing the formation of macromolecular complexes (DNA-protein and DNA-metal-protein) in the gas phase. We aim to explore the relevance of gas phase studies of these large macromolecular complexes to interactions between biopolymers in solution and cells. Ultimately, this will aid in the development of improved therapeutics tha t act on DNA and/or DNA-binding proteins and provide new information on biological processes such as replicaton.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms and consequences of oxidation of glycosaminoglycans, proteins and proteoglycans by myeloperoxidase-derived oxidants. Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) is responsible for the death of 40% of the population of developed, and developing, countries including Australia. Rupture of the fibrous cap of atherosclerotic lesions is responsible for most sudden deaths from heart disease and stokes, but is a poorly understood process. Evidence has been presented for a role for oxidation r ....Mechanisms and consequences of oxidation of glycosaminoglycans, proteins and proteoglycans by myeloperoxidase-derived oxidants. Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) is responsible for the death of 40% of the population of developed, and developing, countries including Australia. Rupture of the fibrous cap of atherosclerotic lesions is responsible for most sudden deaths from heart disease and stokes, but is a poorly understood process. Evidence has been presented for a role for oxidation reactions in weakening the structure of lesions and making them prone to rupture. Little is known about the fundamental chemistry of such damage; this will be addressed in the proposed program. The data obtained will underpin the development of new preventative and protective strategies to minimise lesion rupture and deaths from this major disease.Read moreRead less