Adaptive Evolution of BRCA1 in Ancestral Mammals. This project investigates adaptive evolution of BRCA1 in the early radiation of mammals. We will test the hypothesis that the evolution of mammary glands and X chromosome inactivation has resulted in modification of the BRCA1 protein sequence as it aquired new roles in these processes. We will also investigate the importance of these changes inducing compensatory changes in other parts of the protein.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0883032
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,300,000.00
Summary
800 MHz NMR spectrometer for biomolecular structure-function analysis. An understanding of how organisms function at the molecular level is central to developing the ability to fight many diseases in a rational way. This equipment will provide the capability for many different laboratories around NSW and the ACT to advance our knowledge at this fundamental level, primarily by examining the structures and functions of biomolecules such as proteins.
Bioreactors for manufacture of human platelets. Blood cell transfusion is a critical part of medicine that is supported by volunteer donors. Unfortunately, the demand for blood cells for transfusion far outstrips supply and therefore new strategies are required for manufacture of blood cells. This project will lead to the development of technology for manufacture of human platelets from stem cells. The systems devised will be applicable to a broad range of other blood cell types.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0561173
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$207,189.00
Summary
High throughput proteomics - Thermo Finnigan ProteomeX LCQ Integrated Proteomics Workstation. As research in the biological sciences moves into post-genomics era, so attention has focused on the development of technologies capable of characterizing the molecular complexity inherent in the proteome. Recent technical innovations in this field have resulted in the advancement of mass spectrometers that are capable of exemplifying unknown proteins with great efficiency. These new technologies are ....High throughput proteomics - Thermo Finnigan ProteomeX LCQ Integrated Proteomics Workstation. As research in the biological sciences moves into post-genomics era, so attention has focused on the development of technologies capable of characterizing the molecular complexity inherent in the proteome. Recent technical innovations in this field have resulted in the advancement of mass spectrometers that are capable of exemplifying unknown proteins with great efficiency. These new technologies are central to any institution committed to the development of a competitive research nexus in biological sciences. The purpose of this application is to upgrade the mass spectrometry facility at the University of Newcastle such that it is able to provide cutting edge support to the extensive scientific community within the Hunter region.Read moreRead less
Devil Facial Tumour Disease: Cytogenetic Clues to Transmission and Development. Devil Facial Tumour Disease is a fatal cancer that is decimating Tasmanian devils. Preliminary work suggests that tumours from different animals have identical sets of highly abnormal chromosomes, including a giant marker chromosome. We will use DNA probes to 'paint' abnormal tumour chromosomes to discover markers for diagnosis, and identify genes contributing to tumour development and immune suppression. Most import ....Devil Facial Tumour Disease: Cytogenetic Clues to Transmission and Development. Devil Facial Tumour Disease is a fatal cancer that is decimating Tasmanian devils. Preliminary work suggests that tumours from different animals have identical sets of highly abnormal chromosomes, including a giant marker chromosome. We will use DNA probes to 'paint' abnormal tumour chromosomes to discover markers for diagnosis, and identify genes contributing to tumour development and immune suppression. Most importantly, we will test our hypothesis that tumours all arose from a single ancestral cancer cell that is transmitted between animals. A cellular transmission has frightening implications for spread of disease, but will allow us to develop appropriate therapeutic strategies to save a unique Australian marsupial from extinction.Read moreRead less
New methods to improve regional isotope therapy of liver tumours in cancer patients. The most common cause of death in cancer patients is secondary tumours in vital organs. Successful treatment of liver tumours with regional isotope therapy now offers improved survival rates. This project will research novel radiolabelled nanoparticles and advanced computer imaging algorithms to improve regional isotope therapy of liver tumours. It will provide better methods of objective assessment and manageme ....New methods to improve regional isotope therapy of liver tumours in cancer patients. The most common cause of death in cancer patients is secondary tumours in vital organs. Successful treatment of liver tumours with regional isotope therapy now offers improved survival rates. This project will research novel radiolabelled nanoparticles and advanced computer imaging algorithms to improve regional isotope therapy of liver tumours. It will provide better methods of objective assessment and management that can reduce risk and improve patient survival.Read moreRead less
Protein degradation in mammals. One mechanism by which the regulation of protein turnover occurs is the balance between the activity of enzymes responsible for the ubiquitination and deubiquitination of target proteins. The majority of targets of this second family of enzymes are unknown. This project proposes a method for the identification of the targets of two specific mammalian deubiquitinating enzymes in order to understand their function and to begin to explore this new research field. ....Protein degradation in mammals. One mechanism by which the regulation of protein turnover occurs is the balance between the activity of enzymes responsible for the ubiquitination and deubiquitination of target proteins. The majority of targets of this second family of enzymes are unknown. This project proposes a method for the identification of the targets of two specific mammalian deubiquitinating enzymes in order to understand their function and to begin to explore this new research field. Knowledge about this new aspect of protein degradation could provide a powerful tool to test the effect of the stabilisation or removal of specific proteins in the cell and also to develop new technologies in protein production.Read moreRead less
New functions for bioactive flavonoids in plants and mammals. We have discovered natural products with biological activity in plants and mammals. These molecules affect plant shape and development and the process of mammalian blood vessel formation. We seek to understand how these molecules work. More understanding is required before one can begin to utilise these molecules for possible beneficial agriculture or human health outcomes. Plant shape influences such things as yield or more drought-r ....New functions for bioactive flavonoids in plants and mammals. We have discovered natural products with biological activity in plants and mammals. These molecules affect plant shape and development and the process of mammalian blood vessel formation. We seek to understand how these molecules work. More understanding is required before one can begin to utilise these molecules for possible beneficial agriculture or human health outcomes. Plant shape influences such things as yield or more drought-resilient root systems. Importantly, we have discovered specific molecules that either promote or inhibit blood vessel formation. A better understanding of how these molecules work could lead to novel treatments for cancer or cardiovascular disease.Read moreRead less
Mimetics and small chemical compounds for hemopoietic stem cell mobilisation. This project will result in the design and synthesis of new chemical compounds that could be used clinically to help collect blood stem cells for bone marrow transplantation. For patients this will mean more effective and less painful ways to collect stem cells and better transplant outcomes. There is a large, ongoing international market for this type of drug and likelihood of significant financial benefit.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0453832
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$550,910.00
Summary
New directions in biomolecular mass spectrometry. The combined UoW/ANU mass spectrometry facility supports a range of research projects in high priority areas including proteomics, mechanisms of aging, anticancer drugs and pathogenicity. The facility has several key deficiencies: 1) the ability to study very high molecular weight biomolecular complexes, 2) the ability to study ion-molecule interactions that have implications in mechanisms of chemistry in nature, and 3) researchers at ANU lack es ....New directions in biomolecular mass spectrometry. The combined UoW/ANU mass spectrometry facility supports a range of research projects in high priority areas including proteomics, mechanisms of aging, anticancer drugs and pathogenicity. The facility has several key deficiencies: 1) the ability to study very high molecular weight biomolecular complexes, 2) the ability to study ion-molecule interactions that have implications in mechanisms of chemistry in nature, and 3) researchers at ANU lack essential walk-up access to high sensitivity protein sequence analysis (MS/MS). The placement of resources that address these deficiencies in one geographical region and collaboration between these institutions will produce a research interaction unique in Australia.Read moreRead less