Revealing molecular detail of DNA triplexes to underpin antigene technology. Variations from the classic DNA double helix structure are proposed to play key roles in a range of cellular processes, particularly gene regulation. However, the biological function and therapeutic potential of these unusual DNA structures are poorly explored, since the fundamental molecular details which govern their formation and interactions with cellular machinery are not well described. This project aims to develo ....Revealing molecular detail of DNA triplexes to underpin antigene technology. Variations from the classic DNA double helix structure are proposed to play key roles in a range of cellular processes, particularly gene regulation. However, the biological function and therapeutic potential of these unusual DNA structures are poorly explored, since the fundamental molecular details which govern their formation and interactions with cellular machinery are not well described. This project aims to develop innovative methods to investigate, and importantly modulate, DNA and RNA triple helix assembly, specificity and molecular interactions. Resulting insights will underpin novel approaches to gene regulation, principally in the context of designing new antibacterial agents to address the antibacterial resistance problem.Read moreRead less
ARC Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science. The ARC Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science (CIPPS) strives to build a critical understanding of peptides and proteins in order to unleash the potential of these biomolecules for human benefit. We will discover nature’s untapped reservoir of peptides and proteins, decode their structures and functions, and
develop enhanced synthetic technologies to address biology’s next grand challenge—the d ....ARC Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science. The ARC Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science (CIPPS) strives to build a critical understanding of peptides and proteins in order to unleash the potential of these biomolecules for human benefit. We will discover nature’s untapped reservoir of peptides and proteins, decode their structures and functions, and
develop enhanced synthetic technologies to address biology’s next grand challenge—the design of peptides and proteins for targeted scientific, agricultural, biotechnology, animal health and pharmaceutical applications. CIPPS will assemble leading researchers from diverse disciplines to create a sustainable national entity that will drive new Australian industries and train next generation researchers.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
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE200100029
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$700,000.00
Summary
High Resolution PET-CT for Small Animal Molecular and Anatomical Imaging. This project will integrate a next generation small animal PET-CT instrument into the Sydney Imaging multi-modality imaging ecosystem. PET-CT enables the investigation of molecular function and anatomical structure in complex living organisms. This platform will enable research as diverse as the development and in-vivo characterisation of new chemical probes and nanoparticles that bind to specific protein targets in the bo ....High Resolution PET-CT for Small Animal Molecular and Anatomical Imaging. This project will integrate a next generation small animal PET-CT instrument into the Sydney Imaging multi-modality imaging ecosystem. PET-CT enables the investigation of molecular function and anatomical structure in complex living organisms. This platform will enable research as diverse as the development and in-vivo characterisation of new chemical probes and nanoparticles that bind to specific protein targets in the body, investigating mechanisms of brain plasticity in predictive learning, understanding the molecular pathways involved in neurodegeneration and cancer, developing novel methods for multi-modal image analysis, and developing and validating new radiation detectors for the next generation of imaging technology.Read moreRead less
The RGG/RG motif as an RNA chaperone: advancing CRISPR-Cas RNA technology. This project investigates the way in which protein molecules interact effectively with RNA molecules and also aims to enhance the CRISPR-Cas13a system for RNA detection. Innovative approaches will be used to test the role of a particular protein motif, called the RGG/RG motif, in remodelling RNA structure and enhancing the Cas13a protein. This knowledge is expected to shift our understanding of protein-RNA interactions th ....The RGG/RG motif as an RNA chaperone: advancing CRISPR-Cas RNA technology. This project investigates the way in which protein molecules interact effectively with RNA molecules and also aims to enhance the CRISPR-Cas13a system for RNA detection. Innovative approaches will be used to test the role of a particular protein motif, called the RGG/RG motif, in remodelling RNA structure and enhancing the Cas13a protein. This knowledge is expected to shift our understanding of protein-RNA interactions that are fundamental to almost every aspect of cell biology. The project is intended to benefit Australia through contributing to fundamental knowledge in the field, facilitating the development of new CRISPR-Cas biotechnologies for RNA detection and through the training of young researchers in frontier technologies. Read moreRead less
Integrating quantum hyperpolarisation in nuclear magnetic resonance systems. This project aims to integrate quantum hyperpolarisation technology into state-of-the-art nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) systems, potentially boosting the signal by several orders of magnitude. Understanding the structure and function of membrane bound peptides and proteins in cells in their native environments is critical in drug development. However, studying these biomolecules by conventional NMR under ambient cond ....Integrating quantum hyperpolarisation in nuclear magnetic resonance systems. This project aims to integrate quantum hyperpolarisation technology into state-of-the-art nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) systems, potentially boosting the signal by several orders of magnitude. Understanding the structure and function of membrane bound peptides and proteins in cells in their native environments is critical in drug development. However, studying these biomolecules by conventional NMR under ambient conditions is challenging due to sensitivity limitations. The technology developed by this project will be a significant step forward in NMR and the new science enabled may have far reaching consequences for the study of peptides and proteins of live cells for the development of new drugs and anti-biotics, with direct societal benefits and flow-on economic benefits.Read moreRead less
Aquatic chemo-modulators: a novel source for potent molecular probes. This project aims to investigate peptides that modulate prey behaviour. Chemical signalling constitutes much of the language of life underwater. Certain cone snails evolved a hunting strategy, where they release potent peptides to modulate fish behaviour through yet unknown mechanisms. The snail then expands its mouth and eats the fish without resistance. This project will investigate the mechanisms at play using transcriptomi ....Aquatic chemo-modulators: a novel source for potent molecular probes. This project aims to investigate peptides that modulate prey behaviour. Chemical signalling constitutes much of the language of life underwater. Certain cone snails evolved a hunting strategy, where they release potent peptides to modulate fish behaviour through yet unknown mechanisms. The snail then expands its mouth and eats the fish without resistance. This project will investigate the mechanisms at play using transcriptomics, proteomics, peptide synthesis, behavioural pharmacology and nuclear magnetic resonance. This will advance the knowledge of aquatic chemo-modulators on a functional, structural and evolutionary level, and provide a source of molecular probes with unique pharmacology and applications in human physiology, developmental biology and aquacultures.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE210100130
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,000,000.00
Summary
New Biomolecular Capabilities for the Melbourne Magnetic Resonance Facility. The project aims to integrate new instrumentation, which does not currently exist in Australia, into the Melbourne Biomolecular Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) facility. This will introduce new capabilities to the Australian NMR community to characterise important biological molecular interactions at low concentrations. This project expects to support existing areas of research strength with new approaches across inter ....New Biomolecular Capabilities for the Melbourne Magnetic Resonance Facility. The project aims to integrate new instrumentation, which does not currently exist in Australia, into the Melbourne Biomolecular Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) facility. This will introduce new capabilities to the Australian NMR community to characterise important biological molecular interactions at low concentrations. This project expects to support existing areas of research strength with new approaches across interdisciplinary research programs in biochemistry, structural biology, medicinal and natural product chemistry. Expected outcomes from a range of research with a variety of partners will underpin new, potentially commercially valuable, applications across the chemical, pharmaceutical, agricultural or manufacturing industries.Read moreRead less