Extracting energy from air: mechanism of a bacterial hydrogenase. The atmosphere has recently been shown to be a key source of energy for diverse soil bacteria. Bacteria use complex enzymes, namely Huc-type hydrogenases, to harvest atmospheric hydrogen directly from air to support growth and survival. However, little is known about how Huc functions within and outside cells. By synergising expertise in microbiology, biochemistry, and chemistry, we will resolve the mechanism, assembly, and integr ....Extracting energy from air: mechanism of a bacterial hydrogenase. The atmosphere has recently been shown to be a key source of energy for diverse soil bacteria. Bacteria use complex enzymes, namely Huc-type hydrogenases, to harvest atmospheric hydrogen directly from air to support growth and survival. However, little is known about how Huc functions within and outside cells. By synergising expertise in microbiology, biochemistry, and chemistry, we will resolve the mechanism, assembly, and integration of Huc, including the basis of its remarkably high affinity and oxygen insensitivity compared to previously studied hydrogenases. This project will enable biotechnological applications, as the first study of an enzyme that extracts energy from air, and has broad ecological and biogeochemical implications.Read moreRead less
Living on air: how do bacteria scavenge atmospheric trace gases? This project aims to determine the molecular and cellular basis of atmospheric trace gas oxidation by bacteria. Bacteria have a remarkable ability to adapt to resource limitation and environmental change by entering dormant states. Our research has shown they survive in this state by using atmospheric hydrogen and carbon monoxide as energy sources. This interdisciplinary project will determine how bacteria achieve this by elucidati ....Living on air: how do bacteria scavenge atmospheric trace gases? This project aims to determine the molecular and cellular basis of atmospheric trace gas oxidation by bacteria. Bacteria have a remarkable ability to adapt to resource limitation and environmental change by entering dormant states. Our research has shown they survive in this state by using atmospheric hydrogen and carbon monoxide as energy sources. This interdisciplinary project will determine how bacteria achieve this by elucidating the regulation, mechanism, and integration of the three uncharacterised enzymes that mediate this process. Outcomes and benefits include understanding of the processes that facilitate bacterial persistence, regulate atmospheric composition, and in turn support resilience of natural ecosystems.Read moreRead less
Molecular mechanisms of novel bacterial copper defense proteins. This project aims to reveal molecular and cellular mechanisms used by bacteria to neutralise the destructive effects of copper. Copper is an essential trace element in living systems. It is toxic to bacteria and so plays a vital role in nutritional immunity. To counteract copper toxicity, bacteria have evolved defense mechanisms. The project will investigate a novel but poorly understood class of bacterial proteins, the suppressor ....Molecular mechanisms of novel bacterial copper defense proteins. This project aims to reveal molecular and cellular mechanisms used by bacteria to neutralise the destructive effects of copper. Copper is an essential trace element in living systems. It is toxic to bacteria and so plays a vital role in nutritional immunity. To counteract copper toxicity, bacteria have evolved defense mechanisms. The project will investigate a novel but poorly understood class of bacterial proteins, the suppressor of copper sensitivity proteins, that contribute to this key virulence trait. The expected outcomes will be fundamental new knowledge of metallo-protein diversity, bacterial virulence mechanisms, and membrane protein function with potential impact on health, environment, and biotechnology.Read moreRead less
Structures to Solve Conflicts of DNA Replication and RNA Transcription. This project aims to understand how new DNA is made so quickly and without mistakes in cells that are about to divide, in spite of competition from other processes happening at the same time on the DNA that should stop or interfere with it, such as the synthesis of RNA. The project expects to use the latest available methods to uncover what the microscopic natural machines that make DNA and RNA look like, and how they compet ....Structures to Solve Conflicts of DNA Replication and RNA Transcription. This project aims to understand how new DNA is made so quickly and without mistakes in cells that are about to divide, in spite of competition from other processes happening at the same time on the DNA that should stop or interfere with it, such as the synthesis of RNA. The project expects to use the latest available methods to uncover what the microscopic natural machines that make DNA and RNA look like, and how they compete with each other for access to DNA. Potential outcomes include the identification of processes that can be compromised by small molecules that may be developed into new antibiotics. This would be of great benefit - new antibiotics are urgently needed as one approach to countering the threat of antimicrobial resistance.Read moreRead less
Electron transport catalysis in organohalide pollutant respiration. This project aims to understand the link between substrate specificity and gene sequence of dehalogenating enzymes in organohalide respiring bacteria (ORB) and the mechanism by which electrons are transferred to dehalogenating enzymes through protein-protein interactions. Organohalides were present in Earth's early history and now pollute the environment globally. Organohalide respiring bacteria (ORB) can degrade these pollutant ....Electron transport catalysis in organohalide pollutant respiration. This project aims to understand the link between substrate specificity and gene sequence of dehalogenating enzymes in organohalide respiring bacteria (ORB) and the mechanism by which electrons are transferred to dehalogenating enzymes through protein-protein interactions. Organohalides were present in Earth's early history and now pollute the environment globally. Organohalide respiring bacteria (ORB) can degrade these pollutants by using them as terminal electron acceptors in their respiratory metabolism. This represents one of the most ancient respiratory systems on Earth about which little is known. This project will add to our fundamental knowledge of microbial evolution and metabolic systems, and pave the way for next generation organohalide remediation technologies.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190100806
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,854.00
Summary
Towards herbicide cocktails with a new mode of action to avert resistance. This project aims to target herbicide resistant weeds which represent one of the largest threats to Australian and global food security. Targeting of unexplored pathways in plants to develop a novel herbicide strategy is expected to be achieved, and will include the structural and functional characterisation of key enzymes in these pathways. This project is expected to provide significant benefits for effective weed manag ....Towards herbicide cocktails with a new mode of action to avert resistance. This project aims to target herbicide resistant weeds which represent one of the largest threats to Australian and global food security. Targeting of unexplored pathways in plants to develop a novel herbicide strategy is expected to be achieved, and will include the structural and functional characterisation of key enzymes in these pathways. This project is expected to provide significant benefits for effective weed management to sustain Australia’s agricultural industry through enhanced food production from increased crop yields, whilst ensuring food security. These outcomes, coupled with decades of over-reliance on current herbicides, means there has never been a greater need for new and effective herbicides.Read moreRead less
EnzOnomy - an enzyme-based production pipeline for the bioeconomy. The sustainable production of high value chemicals (e.g. fuels, foods) from renewable materials is a cornerstone for the emerging global bioeconomy. We aim to harness the potential of protein engineering to develop a technology (EnzOnomy) to convert renewable raw material (e.g. sugar) into platform chemicals (e.g. isobutanol, a building block for jet fuels, fibers, plastics and antioxidants). Our multi-disciplinary and well estab ....EnzOnomy - an enzyme-based production pipeline for the bioeconomy. The sustainable production of high value chemicals (e.g. fuels, foods) from renewable materials is a cornerstone for the emerging global bioeconomy. We aim to harness the potential of protein engineering to develop a technology (EnzOnomy) to convert renewable raw material (e.g. sugar) into platform chemicals (e.g. isobutanol, a building block for jet fuels, fibers, plastics and antioxidants). Our multi-disciplinary and well established international team will link scientific progress to markets to enhance potential commercial impact in the bioeconomy. The project thus provides great benefit for our nation as it embeds Australia in technologies and global networks that will cement its leading position to safe-guard the future of our planet.
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Understanding the mechanisms of peptide cyclisation. This project aims to identify, study, engineer and apply a new class of biocatalysts (called asparaginyl endopeptidase enzymes) as versatile tools for manufacturing of advanced therapeutics and bio-insecticides. The expected outcomes include fundamental new knowledge on the mechanism of action of these catalysts, an expanded toolbox for precision engineering of biomolecules and new strategies for production of high-value pharmaceuticals and cr ....Understanding the mechanisms of peptide cyclisation. This project aims to identify, study, engineer and apply a new class of biocatalysts (called asparaginyl endopeptidase enzymes) as versatile tools for manufacturing of advanced therapeutics and bio-insecticides. The expected outcomes include fundamental new knowledge on the mechanism of action of these catalysts, an expanded toolbox for precision engineering of biomolecules and new strategies for production of high-value pharmaceuticals and crop protecting agents. The project is significant because it will contribute to high value biotechnology and agricultural industries in Australia, with the potential for economic, environmental, training and societal benefits.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180100418
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$365,058.00
Summary
Novel chemical tools to study cathepsin X activation. This project aims to develop new chemical tools that can measure the specific activation of cathepsin X in cells, tissues, and live animals, as well as specific inhibitors for cathepsin X. The cysteine protease cathepsin X mediates basic biological functions that are essential for life, including cell communication, phagocytosis, immune maturation and neuritogenesis. The outcomes should benefit the wider research community. They could have lo ....Novel chemical tools to study cathepsin X activation. This project aims to develop new chemical tools that can measure the specific activation of cathepsin X in cells, tissues, and live animals, as well as specific inhibitors for cathepsin X. The cysteine protease cathepsin X mediates basic biological functions that are essential for life, including cell communication, phagocytosis, immune maturation and neuritogenesis. The outcomes should benefit the wider research community. They could have long-term implications for health and disease, and deliver economic benefits through commercialisation of the novel tools.Read moreRead less
Roadblocks in DNA replication. This project aims to develop the technology to visualise and understand the molecular processes responsible for the faithful copying of cellular DNA in the presence of roadblocks caused by chemical pressures and competing intracellular events. Understanding this process is important as DNA replication is responsible for copying the DNA genetic blueprint of cells and is crucial to all life on earth. This project will have as key outcomes the development of novel mol ....Roadblocks in DNA replication. This project aims to develop the technology to visualise and understand the molecular processes responsible for the faithful copying of cellular DNA in the presence of roadblocks caused by chemical pressures and competing intracellular events. Understanding this process is important as DNA replication is responsible for copying the DNA genetic blueprint of cells and is crucial to all life on earth. This project will have as key outcomes the development of novel molecular visualisation technology and the first molecular description of the dynamic processes used by the DNA-replication machinery to navigate roadblocks. These outcomes should provide significant benefits including enhanced collaboration and scientific capacity in Australia.Read moreRead less