Examination of the Calcium Signalling Dynamics Linked to Integrin Adhesion Utilising a Novel Micro-imaging System. This study aims at increasing our understanding of the fundamental cell processes that allow cells to adhere to surfaces. The proposed study will lead to a greater understanding of the calcium signalling mechanisms that are fundamental to diverse biological phenomena such as, tissue regeneration and repair, blood clotting, cancer metastasis, and neuronal cell function. From a preven ....Examination of the Calcium Signalling Dynamics Linked to Integrin Adhesion Utilising a Novel Micro-imaging System. This study aims at increasing our understanding of the fundamental cell processes that allow cells to adhere to surfaces. The proposed study will lead to a greater understanding of the calcium signalling mechanisms that are fundamental to diverse biological phenomena such as, tissue regeneration and repair, blood clotting, cancer metastasis, and neuronal cell function. From a preventative health perspective, the investigation of platelet calcium signalling will greatly accelerate the development of new pharmaceuticals to tackle acute and chronic cardiovascular diseases, such as stroke, heart attack and artherosclerosis. Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354588
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
Integrated Nanoscale Biosystems Network (INBN). The INBN will integrate high-priority research, already identified by the ARC, in materials nanoscience and engineering with nanoscale biology. The INBN will provide the means to consolidate world-class multidisciplinary Australian research groups in existing Centres of Excellence, including several Federation Fellows, into a nanobiotechnology focus. The significant outcomes of INBN are the critical mass of outstanding researchers in the nanobiosci ....Integrated Nanoscale Biosystems Network (INBN). The INBN will integrate high-priority research, already identified by the ARC, in materials nanoscience and engineering with nanoscale biology. The INBN will provide the means to consolidate world-class multidisciplinary Australian research groups in existing Centres of Excellence, including several Federation Fellows, into a nanobiotechnology focus. The significant outcomes of INBN are the critical mass of outstanding researchers in the nanobiosciences, facilitation of innovative research to produce novel intellectual property and provision of pathways into collaborative research with international scientists and industry, and the training and development of the next generation scientists for this emerging discipline.
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Understanding the molecular mechanism of force generation in the bacterial flagellar motor. The proposed research will advance the knowledge about how the bacterial flagellar motor works, enabling scientists to learn more about nature's blueprint of a nanoscale engine. It will address the fundamental question of how bacterial cells convert electrochemical energy into mechanical energy of rotation. At present, the smallest artificial electric motor is still on a micro-, rather than nanoscale. Nan ....Understanding the molecular mechanism of force generation in the bacterial flagellar motor. The proposed research will advance the knowledge about how the bacterial flagellar motor works, enabling scientists to learn more about nature's blueprint of a nanoscale engine. It will address the fundamental question of how bacterial cells convert electrochemical energy into mechanical energy of rotation. At present, the smallest artificial electric motor is still on a micro-, rather than nanoscale. Nanotechnology would therefore benefit from this work by basing their designs on the principles behind the mechanism of the bacterial motor. This research is also of interest for veterinary science, as motility by flagellar motor is a key virulence factor of common animal pathogens associated with, for example, listeriosis and gastroenteritis.Read moreRead less
Tail-anchored membrane proteins: prediction, targeting, assembly and function. Using computer-based searches of genome sequence data, we now have a complete list of tail-anchored membrane proteins in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. These include a number of essential proteins, such as SNAREs and TOM proteins responsible for building cellular membranes in all organisms, including man. Of the additional protein sequences discovered in the search, 8 represent proteins of known function while 19 ....Tail-anchored membrane proteins: prediction, targeting, assembly and function. Using computer-based searches of genome sequence data, we now have a complete list of tail-anchored membrane proteins in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. These include a number of essential proteins, such as SNAREs and TOM proteins responsible for building cellular membranes in all organisms, including man. Of the additional protein sequences discovered in the search, 8 represent proteins of known function while 19 are novel. We propose to study the subcellular location of these 19 novel proteins, and solve how they are targeted to and inserted in membranes. We will also investigate the function of the newly-discovered proteins.Read moreRead less
Assessing the physiological roles of ubiquitination in regulating neuronal ion channels, receptors and transporters. Significant alterations in the activity neuronal transporters and receptors occur during tissue injury and regeneration as well as in many neurodegenerative disease states. Modulation of the pathways that control these transporters is an emerging therapeutic target, however, the molecular basis of these control mechanisms remain poorly understood. The outcome of this project will ....Assessing the physiological roles of ubiquitination in regulating neuronal ion channels, receptors and transporters. Significant alterations in the activity neuronal transporters and receptors occur during tissue injury and regeneration as well as in many neurodegenerative disease states. Modulation of the pathways that control these transporters is an emerging therapeutic target, however, the molecular basis of these control mechanisms remain poorly understood. The outcome of this project will be a thorough characterisation of a novel regulatory paradigm in neurons that is likely to be crucial for neuronal development and regeneration, and will potentially provide novel therapeutic targets for various neuronal diseases.Read moreRead less
Cell biology of gastric acid secretion. This research will result in a better understanding of the membrane structures in cells. In turn, this information could be exploited to manipulate ion transport, uptake, secretion of biological molecules, signal transduction events and the delivery and uptake of drugs in a number of disease situations thus leading to more effective therapies.
Furthermore, this work will utilise and develop state-of-the-art technologies, contributing to national competiti ....Cell biology of gastric acid secretion. This research will result in a better understanding of the membrane structures in cells. In turn, this information could be exploited to manipulate ion transport, uptake, secretion of biological molecules, signal transduction events and the delivery and uptake of drugs in a number of disease situations thus leading to more effective therapies.
Furthermore, this work will utilise and develop state-of-the-art technologies, contributing to national competitiveness in this area. A number of students and postdoctoral fellows will be trained as a consequence of working on this project
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Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0668294
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$110,000.00
Summary
Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry Facility for Nitrogen and Water Analysis in Plants. Continual improvement to agricultural plant production is key to maintaining future sustainable growth in Australian agriculture. Our respective research teams are focussed on improving how plants utilise both nitrogen and water. Many questions remain with respect to where, how and when plants use and or access these important nutrients. The proposed facility will enable plant scientists to begin in-depth anal ....Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry Facility for Nitrogen and Water Analysis in Plants. Continual improvement to agricultural plant production is key to maintaining future sustainable growth in Australian agriculture. Our respective research teams are focussed on improving how plants utilise both nitrogen and water. Many questions remain with respect to where, how and when plants use and or access these important nutrients. The proposed facility will enable plant scientists to begin in-depth analysis of both nitrogen transport mechanisms and the ability to model root development and water allocation in crop species. This research will ultimately lead to improved knowledge on how plants respond to their environment and where modifications can be made to generate sustainable crops suited to Australian agriculture.Read moreRead less
The functional organisation of the trans-Golgi network: From cultured cells to physiological systems. This research will result in a better understanding of the secretory pathway of all eukaryotic cells, a process of broad biological and biomedical significance. It will impact on cell biology in the broadest sense, from membrane biogenesis to lipid domain organization, as well as membrane transport, protein structure and protein targeting. Furthermore, this work will utilize and develop fronti ....The functional organisation of the trans-Golgi network: From cultured cells to physiological systems. This research will result in a better understanding of the secretory pathway of all eukaryotic cells, a process of broad biological and biomedical significance. It will impact on cell biology in the broadest sense, from membrane biogenesis to lipid domain organization, as well as membrane transport, protein structure and protein targeting. Furthermore, this work will utilize and develop frontier technologies of live cell imaging and RNA interference as a genetic tool to investigate functions of a protein family. By training post-graduate students and post-doctoral staff, it will contribute to the expertise of cell biology in Australia. International collaborations will enhance connections between Australia and overseas research.Read moreRead less
Structural neurobiology - developing a new capability in Australia to treat mental illness. Mental illness encompasses a multitude of devastating conditions that present a major burden to the Australian economy. In this project powerful tools for determining the three-dimensional shapes and functions of proteins will be utilised to gain new knowledge about the molecular bases of various mental illnesses. The project will involve extensive use of the Australian Synchrotron Facility that is due to ....Structural neurobiology - developing a new capability in Australia to treat mental illness. Mental illness encompasses a multitude of devastating conditions that present a major burden to the Australian economy. In this project powerful tools for determining the three-dimensional shapes and functions of proteins will be utilised to gain new knowledge about the molecular bases of various mental illnesses. The project will involve extensive use of the Australian Synchrotron Facility that is due to open in 2007. This knowledge gained from the project will be used to develop new therapeutic drugs to ameliorate or combat mental diseases in partnership with the Australian Biotechnology Industry.Read moreRead less
Transporting proteins to and within mitochondria. Mitochondria are found in all of our cells and are essential for life. They act like a nuclear power plant, providing the bulk of energy - but they can also kill the cell if the mitochondrial wall (membrane) is opened. Mitochondria contain about 1000 different proteins to function properly but almost all of them are made outside the compartment and must squeeze in through narrow membrane channels. This project will provide new insights into how p ....Transporting proteins to and within mitochondria. Mitochondria are found in all of our cells and are essential for life. They act like a nuclear power plant, providing the bulk of energy - but they can also kill the cell if the mitochondrial wall (membrane) is opened. Mitochondria contain about 1000 different proteins to function properly but almost all of them are made outside the compartment and must squeeze in through narrow membrane channels. This project will provide new insights into how proteins get into mitochondria and what factors help in this process. Besides providing new information about a process that is essential for life, the project will train students in molecular cellular biology techniques and will help foster strong international collaborations.Read moreRead less