Formation, structure and chemistry of non-covalent complexes of biomolecules via mass spectrometry. The studies proposed address fundamental issues which are essential to developments in biotechnology and related industries and of implication for human health and disease, with special attention to mechanisms of Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage, for example through Ultraviolet (UV) A and B. This has a special resonance for our sunburnt nation. The work, using world class Australian Research Cou ....Formation, structure and chemistry of non-covalent complexes of biomolecules via mass spectrometry. The studies proposed address fundamental issues which are essential to developments in biotechnology and related industries and of implication for human health and disease, with special attention to mechanisms of Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage, for example through Ultraviolet (UV) A and B. This has a special resonance for our sunburnt nation. The work, using world class Australian Research Council funded instrumentation, will carry out breakthrough science, exploiting and enhancing existing national strength in biological science with a strong interdisciplinary element. This project will also maintain and enhance Australia's international research profile through its novelty and new overseas collaborations. The project will equip talented young scientists with a spectrum of skills.Read moreRead less
Gas phase studies of the interactions of electrons with peptide ions: structure assignment and fundamentals. Electron-induced reactions are fundamental to a wide range of processes that underlie many areas of science and technology, ranging from planetary atmospheres, industrial plasmas to living tissues. Since ionizing radiation is believed to be a major cause of damage to living cells, understanding electron interactions with biological molecules is essential to predict the consequences of ex ....Gas phase studies of the interactions of electrons with peptide ions: structure assignment and fundamentals. Electron-induced reactions are fundamental to a wide range of processes that underlie many areas of science and technology, ranging from planetary atmospheres, industrial plasmas to living tissues. Since ionizing radiation is believed to be a major cause of damage to living cells, understanding electron interactions with biological molecules is essential to predict the consequences of exposure. Structure determination of biomolecules is at the heart of identifying, diagnosing and potentially developing treatments for diseases, and thus another important reason for studying these interactions is the potential to develop new mass spectrometry based analytical methods.Read moreRead less
Gas Phase Reactivity of Charged Peptide and DNA Radicals: Fundamentals and Applications. Radicals derived from the "molecules of life", proteins and DNA, play both beneficial (e.g. enzyme catalysis) and deleterious roles (e.g. protein and DNA damage associated with disease). Two electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry approaches have been discovered to generate charged radicals of related models systems (e.g. peptides and nucleobases). The gas phase chemistry of these species is a largely unch ....Gas Phase Reactivity of Charged Peptide and DNA Radicals: Fundamentals and Applications. Radicals derived from the "molecules of life", proteins and DNA, play both beneficial (e.g. enzyme catalysis) and deleterious roles (e.g. protein and DNA damage associated with disease). Two electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry approaches have been discovered to generate charged radicals of related models systems (e.g. peptides and nucleobases). The gas phase chemistry of these species is a largely unchartered area! We will examine the fundamental chemistry (unimolecular and bimolecular reactions) of these systems and build upon some exciting preliminary results which suggest potential applications (e.g. as a proteomics tool to sequence and distinguish between leucine and isoleucine residues in peptides).Read moreRead less