Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989105
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$495,000.00
Summary
An Advanced Mass Spectrometry Facility for Applications in Proteomics and Organic Chemistry. Biomolecular research and research training, in which proteomics is core, has become a critical component of post-industrial development in the Hunter region. Development of a cutting edge proteomics facility will benefit a research community comprising over 50 researchers and 150 undergraduate students significantly enhancing their research productivity and translation of outcomes in areas of national i ....An Advanced Mass Spectrometry Facility for Applications in Proteomics and Organic Chemistry. Biomolecular research and research training, in which proteomics is core, has become a critical component of post-industrial development in the Hunter region. Development of a cutting edge proteomics facility will benefit a research community comprising over 50 researchers and 150 undergraduate students significantly enhancing their research productivity and translation of outcomes in areas of national importance. These include understanding the impact of the environment on plant and animal development, pest animal control, development of new biotechnology tools, new drugs and new methods for the detection of narcotics and explosives.Read moreRead less
Understanding mechanistic and systemic regulation of protein prenyltransferases. The proposed research will expand our understanding of lipid-conjugating enzymes that are critical for a multitude of normal cellular functions. We seek to reveal the basic workings of cells and help to explain the development and complexity of signalling networks in eukaryotic evolution. The findings will enable us to explore and exploit the catalytic properties of these lipid-related enzymes for applications in bi ....Understanding mechanistic and systemic regulation of protein prenyltransferases. The proposed research will expand our understanding of lipid-conjugating enzymes that are critical for a multitude of normal cellular functions. We seek to reveal the basic workings of cells and help to explain the development and complexity of signalling networks in eukaryotic evolution. The findings will enable us to explore and exploit the catalytic properties of these lipid-related enzymes for applications in biotechnology. The ultimate aim is to create novel technologies for protein production, modification and analysis that will accelerate the pace of discovery in protein research, basic cell and organism biology, diagnostics, biotechnology and drug discovery. Read moreRead less
Dissociation of a Tetrameric Enzyme with Interface-Targeted Peptides. With antibiotic resistance on the rise, there is an urgent need to develop new antibiotics and an equally urgent need to characterise new antibiotic targets. One such target is dihydrodipicolinate synthase (DHDPS) which catalyses the critical step in lysine and cell wall biosynthesis in bacteria. This proposal aims to generate new drugs targeting DHDPS for effective and rapid treatment of bacterial infections, including gastro ....Dissociation of a Tetrameric Enzyme with Interface-Targeted Peptides. With antibiotic resistance on the rise, there is an urgent need to develop new antibiotics and an equally urgent need to characterise new antibiotic targets. One such target is dihydrodipicolinate synthase (DHDPS) which catalyses the critical step in lysine and cell wall biosynthesis in bacteria. This proposal aims to generate new drugs targeting DHDPS for effective and rapid treatment of bacterial infections, including gastroenteritis. Recent statistics show that over 5 million Australians suffer from gastroenteritis each year and hospitalisation for this infection is nearly seven times higher for indigenous than non-indigenous children. Accordingly, this research has the potential to assure a healthier future for millions of Australians.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354892
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$40,000.00
Summary
The Australian Protease Network. Proteases are pivotal enzymes during birth, life, ageing and death of all organisms. Proteases regulate most physiological processes by controlling protein activation, synthesis and turnover and are essential for replication and spread of viruses, bacteria and parasites that cause infectious diseases. Blockbuster drugs and diagnostics already target a few proteases. Australians have made innovative contributions individually to understanding and regulating these ....The Australian Protease Network. Proteases are pivotal enzymes during birth, life, ageing and death of all organisms. Proteases regulate most physiological processes by controlling protein activation, synthesis and turnover and are essential for replication and spread of viruses, bacteria and parasites that cause infectious diseases. Blockbuster drugs and diagnostics already target a few proteases. Australians have made innovative contributions individually to understanding and regulating these enzymes. However this initiative aims to network their efforts by value-adding to the current protease research through promoting national and international collaborations to improve our understanding of biology, and encourage exploitation of proteases/inhibitors/receptors for pharmaceutical and industrial applications.Read moreRead less
Molecular Interactions in the Eubacterial Replisome: A Paradigm for Study of Dynamic Macromolecular Machines. Many pathogenic bacteria have developed resistance to antibiotics in common use, and new drugs are urgently required to kill them. Copying of their chromosomes before they divide into two new cells is essential for bacteria to live, so DNA synthesis is a good process to target for development of new antibiotics. This project will use state-of-the-art equipment available in several labora ....Molecular Interactions in the Eubacterial Replisome: A Paradigm for Study of Dynamic Macromolecular Machines. Many pathogenic bacteria have developed resistance to antibiotics in common use, and new drugs are urgently required to kill them. Copying of their chromosomes before they divide into two new cells is essential for bacteria to live, so DNA synthesis is a good process to target for development of new antibiotics. This project will use state-of-the-art equipment available in several laboratories in Australia and overseas to develop new understanding of how the molecular machine that copies DNA works. This k nowledge could lead to new drugs, and will give us new information about how cellular machines function.Read moreRead less
Development of a novel high yield cell-free protein expression system. Recombinant proteins are used as vaccines, drugs, and research tools, as well as food and detergent additives, comprising a A$100 billion international market. Their production requires laborious, expensive, and time-consuming construction of transgenic organisms or cells. Alternatively, recombinant proteins can be produced in extracts prepared from cells or organisms. The aim of this proposal is to develop a new technology t ....Development of a novel high yield cell-free protein expression system. Recombinant proteins are used as vaccines, drugs, and research tools, as well as food and detergent additives, comprising a A$100 billion international market. Their production requires laborious, expensive, and time-consuming construction of transgenic organisms or cells. Alternatively, recombinant proteins can be produced in extracts prepared from cells or organisms. The aim of this proposal is to develop a new technology that will make cell-free production of recombinant proteins rapid, cheap, and scalable. This will advance Australia’s intellectual leadership in the area of biotechnology and will bring numerous economic benefits by accelerating pharmaceutical development. Read moreRead less
Identification of novel biomarkers in tears for prostate cancer diagnosis and prognosis. The purpose of this study is to identify novel biomarkers in the tears of patients with CaP. The use of the several techniques will increase the chance of success and enable us to find more diagnostic markers. If successful, the identified proteins may be used to diagnose and determine the stage of cancer. This will help guide clinicians in choosing the best treatment methods for an individual patient. The m ....Identification of novel biomarkers in tears for prostate cancer diagnosis and prognosis. The purpose of this study is to identify novel biomarkers in the tears of patients with CaP. The use of the several techniques will increase the chance of success and enable us to find more diagnostic markers. If successful, the identified proteins may be used to diagnose and determine the stage of cancer. This will help guide clinicians in choosing the best treatment methods for an individual patient. The markers may also be used to monitor the disease progress and the effects of treatment. The results from this study may improve the prognosis of CaP patients.Read moreRead less
Development of novel fluorescent proteins from marine organisms for in vivo fluorescence imaging technologies and cancer research. The Australian Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is a national treasure and the development of fluorescent proteins (FPs) from reef organisms for in vivo imaging and biotechnology will enhance the appreciation of this resource. Nowadays, imaging of biochemical processes in living cells is essential for knowing the roles of various genes and proteins in health and diseases. Th ....Development of novel fluorescent proteins from marine organisms for in vivo fluorescence imaging technologies and cancer research. The Australian Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is a national treasure and the development of fluorescent proteins (FPs) from reef organisms for in vivo imaging and biotechnology will enhance the appreciation of this resource. Nowadays, imaging of biochemical processes in living cells is essential for knowing the roles of various genes and proteins in health and diseases. The global market for fluorescence-based products is estimated in billions of dollars p.a. The discovery of natural FPs from GBR with superior molecular, biophysical and optical characteristics to those of commercially available FPs offers a unique opportunity to develop advanced tools to study cellular processes and develop diagnostic assays for diseases such as cancer.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0668479
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$265,000.00
Summary
Advanced Imaging Flow Cytometry Facility for NSW. The scientific advances that will be possible with the acquisition of this novel, cutting-edge instrument will enhance the research outputs of all investigators using it. Projects where the investigation of single cells is used to elucidate the basic life processes of eukaryotic cells across all species of animals, including the investigation of both normal and abnormal function, will be immeasurably enhanced by both the qualitative and quantitat ....Advanced Imaging Flow Cytometry Facility for NSW. The scientific advances that will be possible with the acquisition of this novel, cutting-edge instrument will enhance the research outputs of all investigators using it. Projects where the investigation of single cells is used to elucidate the basic life processes of eukaryotic cells across all species of animals, including the investigation of both normal and abnormal function, will be immeasurably enhanced by both the qualitative and quantitative statistical information about these processes that is generated by this instrument. This in turn will inform new approaches to improve and maintain the health of the human and animal community.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100010
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$720,000.00
Summary
A 5-D Correlative Imaging Platform: Combining the strengths of light and electron microscopy. This will be Australia's first dedicated five-dimensional multiphoton-microscopy platform, allowing observation of dynamic structures across different length and time scales under controlled temperatures, followed by high-resolution electron microscopy studies on the same samples. This platform will provide a unique characterisation tool to Australia's top-flight investigators, and so contribute to the ....A 5-D Correlative Imaging Platform: Combining the strengths of light and electron microscopy. This will be Australia's first dedicated five-dimensional multiphoton-microscopy platform, allowing observation of dynamic structures across different length and time scales under controlled temperatures, followed by high-resolution electron microscopy studies on the same samples. This platform will provide a unique characterisation tool to Australia's top-flight investigators, and so contribute to the nation's research priorities. It will enable: fundamental studies of cancer, neural diseases and immune disorders; the development of frontier technologies, such as smart nanomaterials, biosensors and targeted drug delivery; and applied research to help plants and soils adapt to climate variability, and to increase sustainable use of water.Read moreRead less