Biological probes for understanding mammalian cellular transport mechanisms. Cellular components are moved around within cells by molecular motors. This fundamental transport mechanism depends on a network of tracks. Blocks in this cellular transport can result in a number of mammalian diseases, particularly within nerve cells. This project will increase our understanding of the mechanisms of cellular transport and, in particular, how molecular motors engage their cargo. This is essential ground ....Biological probes for understanding mammalian cellular transport mechanisms. Cellular components are moved around within cells by molecular motors. This fundamental transport mechanism depends on a network of tracks. Blocks in this cellular transport can result in a number of mammalian diseases, particularly within nerve cells. This project will increase our understanding of the mechanisms of cellular transport and, in particular, how molecular motors engage their cargo. This is essential groundwork for the development of drugs that target this transport mechanism.Read moreRead less
Unravelling transthyretin amyloid, bounding ahead using wallabies. Each protein in our body has a unique shape that enables it to function correctly. For unknown reasons, some proteins can change their shape, aggregate with other proteins and stick to the outside of cells of major organs or nerves. This prevents those cells from working properly and results in disease. Transthyretin is a protein that changes shape and aggregates in the heart of most people over the age of 70. The disease is call ....Unravelling transthyretin amyloid, bounding ahead using wallabies. Each protein in our body has a unique shape that enables it to function correctly. For unknown reasons, some proteins can change their shape, aggregate with other proteins and stick to the outside of cells of major organs or nerves. This prevents those cells from working properly and results in disease. Transthyretin is a protein that changes shape and aggregates in the heart of most people over the age of 70. The disease is called Senile Systemic Amyloidosis (SSA). It is not known how or why this happens. There is no cure or therapy. This project will use transthyretins from human and wallaby to explore a possible cause of SSA. If our hypothesis is correct, we will propose preventative actions to reduce the incidence of SSA in the future.Read moreRead less
The effects of alpha-2-macroglobulin on amyloid formation and toxicity. The expected outcomes will provide major advances in understanding how the abundant human blood protein alpha-2-macroglobulin influences the formation of protein aggregates that underpin a number of serious diseases (e.g. Alzheimer's disease). The linkages involved are of the highest calibre and will give the Fellowship holder a unique opportunity for training in environments that are truly internationally leading-edge. Fur ....The effects of alpha-2-macroglobulin on amyloid formation and toxicity. The expected outcomes will provide major advances in understanding how the abundant human blood protein alpha-2-macroglobulin influences the formation of protein aggregates that underpin a number of serious diseases (e.g. Alzheimer's disease). The linkages involved are of the highest calibre and will give the Fellowship holder a unique opportunity for training in environments that are truly internationally leading-edge. Furthermore, the very high novelty and broad significance of this work indicate that it will produce high-impact publications which will tangibly assist Australia being recognized as a major contributor to international research outcomes of the highest quality.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
Coordinating energy metabolism to enhance exercise capacity. Diet and exercise contribute to health and ageing productively whereas high caloric diets and sedentary life styles are deleterious. The enzyme AMPK regulates energy metabolism in response to diet and exercise and by studying it we expect to learn why diet and exercise are beneficial at the molecular level. This may allow the development of nutritional, exercise and drug strategies to enhance exercise capacity and well being during ....Coordinating energy metabolism to enhance exercise capacity. Diet and exercise contribute to health and ageing productively whereas high caloric diets and sedentary life styles are deleterious. The enzyme AMPK regulates energy metabolism in response to diet and exercise and by studying it we expect to learn why diet and exercise are beneficial at the molecular level. This may allow the development of nutritional, exercise and drug strategies to enhance exercise capacity and well being during ageing as well as suppress age onset diseases that include obesity diabetes cardiovascular disease hypertension and neurodegeneration.Read moreRead less
Systems therapeutics for metabolism: AMPK isoform specific drugs. Living cells have to maintain a steady balance between energy production and consumption in order to function properly. A key regulator of energy balance is an enzyme known as 5' AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which regulates the burning and storage of fuels such as fat and sugars, in response to changes in energy demand. This project will provide a major advancement in our understanding of the regulation of AMPK at the mo ....Systems therapeutics for metabolism: AMPK isoform specific drugs. Living cells have to maintain a steady balance between energy production and consumption in order to function properly. A key regulator of energy balance is an enzyme known as 5' AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which regulates the burning and storage of fuels such as fat and sugars, in response to changes in energy demand. This project will provide a major advancement in our understanding of the regulation of AMPK at the molecular level, and lay the foundations for the development of more effective drugs to treat energy balance disorders such as obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, this proposal will contribute to enriching Australia's international profile and competitiveness in this important area of research.Read moreRead less
Identifying the specific structural features of metallothionein that regulate its ability to modulate astrogliosis. This project contributes directly to the Designated National Research Priority 2 and could potentially have a significant impact upon the broader Australian Community by identifying a novel and powerful therapeutic agent based upon metallothionein proteins with the ultimate aim of helping patients who have a brain injury or a neurodegenerative disease. It is important to note that ....Identifying the specific structural features of metallothionein that regulate its ability to modulate astrogliosis. This project contributes directly to the Designated National Research Priority 2 and could potentially have a significant impact upon the broader Australian Community by identifying a novel and powerful therapeutic agent based upon metallothionein proteins with the ultimate aim of helping patients who have a brain injury or a neurodegenerative disease. It is important to note that the partnership between UTAS and Bestenbalt LLC is a critical step in the development of these exciting research discoveries into commercially viable outcomes for the Australian Biotechnology Industry and the broader Australian community.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0668413
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$723,000.00
Summary
The Nanoscale Characterisation Centre WA Analytical Biological Transmission Electron Microscope Facility. A new regional analytical biological TEM (BioTEM) will provide critical support to acclaimed medical and biological groups researching nationally significant age-related health, agricultural and environmental questions. The BioTEM, for example, will allow a unique opportunity to detect metal uptake and accumulation in bone-forming cells. This research will provide insight into metal induce ....The Nanoscale Characterisation Centre WA Analytical Biological Transmission Electron Microscope Facility. A new regional analytical biological TEM (BioTEM) will provide critical support to acclaimed medical and biological groups researching nationally significant age-related health, agricultural and environmental questions. The BioTEM, for example, will allow a unique opportunity to detect metal uptake and accumulation in bone-forming cells. This research will provide insight into metal induced afflictions, such as nasal ulcer, lung cancer, contact dermatitis and hypersensitivity reactions like asthma. The BioTEM will also be used to study how plants take up nutrients and how they use these compounds for growth, development and reproduction. Successes in this research will transfer to the important development of salt-tolerant plant species.Read moreRead less
Identification of novel biomarkers for diabetic retinopathy in tears. There are around 134,000 people with diabetic retinopathy in Australia. The disease affects patients' physical and mental state and economical and social cost is enormous. This research aims to find new biomarkers for the disease which may lead to better treatment and management. Patient's quality of life may be significantly improved by early diagnosis and treatment and the burden to the community reduced. This project also g ....Identification of novel biomarkers for diabetic retinopathy in tears. There are around 134,000 people with diabetic retinopathy in Australia. The disease affects patients' physical and mental state and economical and social cost is enormous. This research aims to find new biomarkers for the disease which may lead to better treatment and management. Patient's quality of life may be significantly improved by early diagnosis and treatment and the burden to the community reduced. This project also gives industrial partners the opportunity to develop new products to diagnose and monitor the disease.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354800
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
Brain and Behaviour Network. The Brain and Behaviour Network is concerned with understanding the underlying mechanisms which determine how we behave. It encompasses many disciplines including anthropology, education, ethology, neurology, neuroscience, philosophy and psychology. The Network will bring these disciplines together to create a forum to discuss and integrate the knowledge into a framework for understanding the mechanisms of behaviour and to stimulate cross-disciplinary research. The f ....Brain and Behaviour Network. The Brain and Behaviour Network is concerned with understanding the underlying mechanisms which determine how we behave. It encompasses many disciplines including anthropology, education, ethology, neurology, neuroscience, philosophy and psychology. The Network will bring these disciplines together to create a forum to discuss and integrate the knowledge into a framework for understanding the mechanisms of behaviour and to stimulate cross-disciplinary research. The framework of knowledge will lead to a greater understanding of how we behave and will improve knowledge in areas which have a major behavioural component, such as in human development and education, psychological well-being, psychiatric problems and ageing.Read moreRead less