An Investigation of the Structure and Conformational Stability of a Membrane Associating Protein and its Petidic Ligands. The genome of the parasite most commonly responsible for fatal malaria will be completed this year. Structural elucidations of proteins identified from these genomic data will expedite the identification and classification of proteins synthesised by the parasite that might be developed as vaccines or as targets for anti-malarial therapeutics. In this work, recent developmen ....An Investigation of the Structure and Conformational Stability of a Membrane Associating Protein and its Petidic Ligands. The genome of the parasite most commonly responsible for fatal malaria will be completed this year. Structural elucidations of proteins identified from these genomic data will expedite the identification and classification of proteins synthesised by the parasite that might be developed as vaccines or as targets for anti-malarial therapeutics. In this work, recent developments in structural biology will be employed to obtain the structure of a vaccine candidate and to identify environmental factors that influence the stability of this structure. A novel approach will be taken to determine the conformation of ligands bound to such proteins, which will provide a basis for the development of therapeutics.Read moreRead less
Molecular machines that drive microbial pathogens. We will provide a comprehensive understanding of molecular machines situated at the surface of bacteria. This ground-breaking research will provide excellent outcomes in the training of research students and staff: this project entails frontier technology, and the transfer of technological capabilities not currently available in Australia. Our study on a non-pathogenic species of bacteria is timely too for National security: related species of b ....Molecular machines that drive microbial pathogens. We will provide a comprehensive understanding of molecular machines situated at the surface of bacteria. This ground-breaking research will provide excellent outcomes in the training of research students and staff: this project entails frontier technology, and the transfer of technological capabilities not currently available in Australia. Our study on a non-pathogenic species of bacteria is timely too for National security: related species of bacteria were amongst the first organisms trialed as biological weapons, and the pathogenic species remain rated as Class 3 organisms by the Centers for Disease Control.Read moreRead less
Ion transport in the malaria parasite and parasitised erythrocyte. This work will contribute to the national research effort in parasitology (an area in which the ARC has established a Research Network), as well as laying the groundwork for subsequent efforts (not part of this grant) to develop new antimalarial strategies. Although not yet endemic in Australia, malaria is a serious problem in the local region and, as the major developed nation in the region Australia has an obligation to make ....Ion transport in the malaria parasite and parasitised erythrocyte. This work will contribute to the national research effort in parasitology (an area in which the ARC has established a Research Network), as well as laying the groundwork for subsequent efforts (not part of this grant) to develop new antimalarial strategies. Although not yet endemic in Australia, malaria is a serious problem in the local region and, as the major developed nation in the region Australia has an obligation to make a significant contribution to research in this area. The work proposed here will contribute to Australia's meeting this obligation.Read moreRead less
Mitochondrial biogenesis: the evolution of molecular machines. Benefits from this research program fall into two discrete types. Firstly, excellent outcomes are provided for the training of postgraduate students and research staff. This project entails cutting edge technology, and the development of skills not common in Australia. Secondly, detailed knowledge will be gained of molecular machines and the way in which they may differ in human cells and in the cells of human cell parasites, with im ....Mitochondrial biogenesis: the evolution of molecular machines. Benefits from this research program fall into two discrete types. Firstly, excellent outcomes are provided for the training of postgraduate students and research staff. This project entails cutting edge technology, and the development of skills not common in Australia. Secondly, detailed knowledge will be gained of molecular machines and the way in which they may differ in human cells and in the cells of human cell parasites, with implications for the treatment of human disease.Read moreRead less
Amino acid transporters and the chloroquine resistance transporter of the intracellular malaria parasite. This work entails an ongoing collaboration between three independent research groups with highly complementary expertise and experience. It will make a significant contribution to the maintenance of Australia's scientific capabilities and training opportunities. The project will yield important insights into the biology of the causative agent of a major human disease, and the mechanism by ....Amino acid transporters and the chloroquine resistance transporter of the intracellular malaria parasite. This work entails an ongoing collaboration between three independent research groups with highly complementary expertise and experience. It will make a significant contribution to the maintenance of Australia's scientific capabilities and training opportunities. The project will yield important insights into the biology of the causative agent of a major human disease, and the mechanism by which the malaria parasite has developed resistance to antimalarial drugs. Although not yet endemic in Australia, malaria is a serious problem in the local region and this work will help Australia meet its obligations to carry out high-quality research that advances our knowledge in this area.
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Reducible complexity in the molecular machines of humans and bacteria. Firstly, we will provide detailed knowledge of the surface membrane proteins of an important class of bacteria, the alpha-proteobacteria. Secondly, excellent outcomes are provided for the training of postgraduate students and research staff: this project entails frontier technology, and the transfer of technological capabilities not currently available in Australia. Thirdly, our studies on non-pathogenic species of alpha-prot ....Reducible complexity in the molecular machines of humans and bacteria. Firstly, we will provide detailed knowledge of the surface membrane proteins of an important class of bacteria, the alpha-proteobacteria. Secondly, excellent outcomes are provided for the training of postgraduate students and research staff: this project entails frontier technology, and the transfer of technological capabilities not currently available in Australia. Thirdly, our studies on non-pathogenic species of alpha-proteobacteria is timely for National security: species of alpha-proteobacteria were amongst the first organisms trialled as biological weapons by the USA and the former Soviet Union, and these pathogenic species remain rated as Class 3 organisms by the Centers for Disease Control. Read moreRead less