Regulating nutrient uptake in intracellular parasites. Parasites impose a major economic and medical burden on human societies. In order to grow and reproduce, parasites scavenge nutrients from their animal or human hosts. As they move within and between hosts they encounter different levels of nutrients; how they adapt to these differences is poorly understood. This project aims to investigate the mechanisms by which the model parasite Toxoplasma senses and responds to the nutrients in its envi ....Regulating nutrient uptake in intracellular parasites. Parasites impose a major economic and medical burden on human societies. In order to grow and reproduce, parasites scavenge nutrients from their animal or human hosts. As they move within and between hosts they encounter different levels of nutrients; how they adapt to these differences is poorly understood. This project aims to investigate the mechanisms by which the model parasite Toxoplasma senses and responds to the nutrients in its environment, thereby shedding light on how they adapt to the different environments that they inhabit and, in the longer term, informing novel treatment strategies that aim to limit the parasites’ nutrient supply.Read moreRead less
Chemical principles underpinning a spermostatic-microbiostatic agent capable of preventing pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted disease. This project explores the development of a method for simultaneously controlling fertility while preventing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. A novel aspect of the approach, that will dramatically influence product development, is that the active principles will only be generated on contact with seminal plasma.
Characterization of metabolic networks in a microbial pathogen. New methods are needed to understand complex cellular processes such as metabolism. This proposal will support the development of methods in metabolite profiling and flux analysis that provide a global view of metabolic networks in cells and complement other profiling approaches, such as proteomics and transcriptomics. The development of these approaches (collectively termed Systems Biology) is essential for maintaining Australia sc ....Characterization of metabolic networks in a microbial pathogen. New methods are needed to understand complex cellular processes such as metabolism. This proposal will support the development of methods in metabolite profiling and flux analysis that provide a global view of metabolic networks in cells and complement other profiling approaches, such as proteomics and transcriptomics. The development of these approaches (collectively termed Systems Biology) is essential for maintaining Australia science at the forefront of international efforts (National Research Priority 3; Breakthrough science). This project will also directly contribute to our understanding of metabolism of an important human pathogen and provide training to young Australian scientists.Read moreRead less