Developing next-generation mass spectrometry imaging with isomer resolution. Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) is a rapidly emerging technology for mapping molecular distributions within biological samples. This project will bring together market-leading MSI instrumentation from the industry partner Waters Corporation with unique technologies developed at QUT and UOW to develop an integrated MSI-platform capable of achieving high mass- and spatial-resolution, as well as discrimination of lipid iso ....Developing next-generation mass spectrometry imaging with isomer resolution. Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) is a rapidly emerging technology for mapping molecular distributions within biological samples. This project will bring together market-leading MSI instrumentation from the industry partner Waters Corporation with unique technologies developed at QUT and UOW to develop an integrated MSI-platform capable of achieving high mass- and spatial-resolution, as well as discrimination of lipid isomers. Resolution of lipid isomers using this instrumentation will afford researchers a first glimpse of isomer-resolved images that will be used to visualise tissue-specific changes resulting from underlying chemical, physical or metabolic processes; changes that are currently invisible to contemporary imaging technologies.Read moreRead less
Identification of novel biomarkers in tears for prostate cancer diagnosis and prognosis. The purpose of this study is to identify novel biomarkers in the tears of patients with CaP. The use of the several techniques will increase the chance of success and enable us to find more diagnostic markers. If successful, the identified proteins may be used to diagnose and determine the stage of cancer. This will help guide clinicians in choosing the best treatment methods for an individual patient. The m ....Identification of novel biomarkers in tears for prostate cancer diagnosis and prognosis. The purpose of this study is to identify novel biomarkers in the tears of patients with CaP. The use of the several techniques will increase the chance of success and enable us to find more diagnostic markers. If successful, the identified proteins may be used to diagnose and determine the stage of cancer. This will help guide clinicians in choosing the best treatment methods for an individual patient. The markers may also be used to monitor the disease progress and the effects of treatment. The results from this study may improve the prognosis of CaP patients.Read moreRead less
Novel antimicrobial target discovery by an integrated approach. The project aims to uncover the molecular targets of BDM-I, a novel antimicrobial candidate discovered by the start-up Australian company BioDiem Ltd. BDM-I is active against many drug resistant bacterial and fungal microorganisms and it is currently in pre-clinical development. However, the lack of resistant phenotypes makes it difficult to identify BDM-I’s mechanism of action. The project plans to use an integrated approach that c ....Novel antimicrobial target discovery by an integrated approach. The project aims to uncover the molecular targets of BDM-I, a novel antimicrobial candidate discovered by the start-up Australian company BioDiem Ltd. BDM-I is active against many drug resistant bacterial and fungal microorganisms and it is currently in pre-clinical development. However, the lack of resistant phenotypes makes it difficult to identify BDM-I’s mechanism of action. The project plans to use an integrated approach that combines a novel technique of in silico screening with experimental validation. Project outcomes are anticipated to include the first computational method to integrate target and ligand similarity for proteome-scale target and off-target discovery, which will advance the global fight against drug-resistant microorganisms.Read moreRead less
Proteomics Analysis of Interactions Between Chaperonin 10 and Cell Surface Proteins. Specific interactions at the cell surface may induce downstream biological responses. In the case of chaperonin 10, Cpn10, interaction at the cell surface results in immunomodulation of the inflammatory response. Cell surface proteins that interact with Cpn10 have not been identified. This project will use chemical crosslinking and proteomic techniques to identify cell surface proteins that interact with Cpn10 a ....Proteomics Analysis of Interactions Between Chaperonin 10 and Cell Surface Proteins. Specific interactions at the cell surface may induce downstream biological responses. In the case of chaperonin 10, Cpn10, interaction at the cell surface results in immunomodulation of the inflammatory response. Cell surface proteins that interact with Cpn10 have not been identified. This project will use chemical crosslinking and proteomic techniques to identify cell surface proteins that interact with Cpn10 and structural features of Cpn10 involved in these interactions. These findings will providde leads for the development of immunomodulatory therapeutics based on Cpn10 interactions. Analytical technologies will be developed that are applicable to other interacting protein systems.Read moreRead less
Identification of nutritional bioactives in tropical fruit. Information on the nutritional properties of tropical fruits is currently limited to chemical analysis of vitamins, minerals and fibre. This project aims to identify additional nutritional components within tropical fruits by assessing activities against a range of cell-based assays. Selected assays will represent cellular processes relating to e.g. lipid metabolism, cancer prevention, and antioxidant effects. Assay-based fractionation ....Identification of nutritional bioactives in tropical fruit. Information on the nutritional properties of tropical fruits is currently limited to chemical analysis of vitamins, minerals and fibre. This project aims to identify additional nutritional components within tropical fruits by assessing activities against a range of cell-based assays. Selected assays will represent cellular processes relating to e.g. lipid metabolism, cancer prevention, and antioxidant effects. Assay-based fractionation approaches will be used to identify molecular bioactives acting either alone or synergistically with other components. Results will be used in public health and/or marketing communication, and will provide targets for breeding and varietal selection programmes.Read moreRead less
Venomics: Molecular and functional analysis of Australian snake venoms for development of human therapeutics. Australian snake venoms are lethal cocktails with potent effects on mammalian physiological processes, designed to immobilize and kill prey animals. Major targets of venom components are the nervous and blood coagulation systems but there is reason to believe that venoms have many other as yet unrecognized effects on mammalian systems. The project will combine techniques of modern mole ....Venomics: Molecular and functional analysis of Australian snake venoms for development of human therapeutics. Australian snake venoms are lethal cocktails with potent effects on mammalian physiological processes, designed to immobilize and kill prey animals. Major targets of venom components are the nervous and blood coagulation systems but there is reason to believe that venoms have many other as yet unrecognized effects on mammalian systems. The project will combine techniques of modern molecular biology (particularly transcriptomics and proteomics) with functional and structural analysis of purified venom components. Venoms from approximately 20 Australian snakes will be studied to reveal lead compounds for improved human pharmaceuticals against common disorders such as high blood pressure, bleeding and stroke.Read moreRead less
Nutritional properties of mango fruits: linking plant genomics to cellular bioactivities. Mango fruits are prized for their sensorial properties, but little information is available on potential nutritional benefits. By using a broad-based bioactivity screen, followed up with specific bio-activity assays, molecular components within mango fruits that have the potential to deliver nutritional health benefits will be identified. This information will be used both to provide information on the prop ....Nutritional properties of mango fruits: linking plant genomics to cellular bioactivities. Mango fruits are prized for their sensorial properties, but little information is available on potential nutritional benefits. By using a broad-based bioactivity screen, followed up with specific bio-activity assays, molecular components within mango fruits that have the potential to deliver nutritional health benefits will be identified. This information will be used both to provide information on the properties of current mango varieties and to develop breeding tools for enhancing nutritional properties in future varieties.Read moreRead less
Single molecule spectroscopy-guided design of thermostable industrial enzymes. The production and engineering of proteins are key methodologies in life sciences. The current project aims to develop new approaches to accelerate the production and analysis of proteins and to apply them to discover improved proteins for use as feedstock supplements.