Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100701
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$354,224.00
Summary
Towards real-time image processing in single-particle electron microscopy. This project aims to research real-time image processing of single-particle electron microscopy (SPEM) images and to study structural dynamics in both biology and materials science. SPEM is an essential tool to study the structure and dynamics of nanoscale molecules. However, the theoretical frameworks underpinning SPEM are in their early stages of development. This research is expected to enable the study of colloidal na ....Towards real-time image processing in single-particle electron microscopy. This project aims to research real-time image processing of single-particle electron microscopy (SPEM) images and to study structural dynamics in both biology and materials science. SPEM is an essential tool to study the structure and dynamics of nanoscale molecules. However, the theoretical frameworks underpinning SPEM are in their early stages of development. This research is expected to enable the study of colloidal nanoparticle structures in solution and reveal the protein rearrangements that underlie secretion of bacterial proteins in two different systems a number of different bacterial species require for viability and infection.Read moreRead less
The design of targetable epigenetic modifiers. The project aims to engineer enzymes as valuable tools for understanding gene expression mechanisms and potentially a technology for altering gene expression in plants, animals or humans in a targetable manner. The genetic information encoded in the DNA of all complex organisms has been shown to be augmented by decorations on both DNA and the histone proteins that package DNA. This so-called epigenetic information is important but not well understoo ....The design of targetable epigenetic modifiers. The project aims to engineer enzymes as valuable tools for understanding gene expression mechanisms and potentially a technology for altering gene expression in plants, animals or humans in a targetable manner. The genetic information encoded in the DNA of all complex organisms has been shown to be augmented by decorations on both DNA and the histone proteins that package DNA. This so-called epigenetic information is important but not well understood. The project plans to design highly specific and targetable enzymes that can interrogate and manipulate epigenetic information in living cells. Understanding the regulation of gene expression and controlling the expression of chosen genes may form a foundation for applications in agriculture, biology and medicine.Read moreRead less
Understanding chaperone function, one molecule at a time. This project aims to determine how molecular chaperones, a class of proteins represented in all phyla of life, work together to keep proteins folded and functional, particularly following cellular stress. This is important as proteins are involved in virtually all biological processes. This project will exploit innovative microscopy techniques to watch these molecular chaperones as they work. Expected outcomes of this project are the firs ....Understanding chaperone function, one molecule at a time. This project aims to determine how molecular chaperones, a class of proteins represented in all phyla of life, work together to keep proteins folded and functional, particularly following cellular stress. This is important as proteins are involved in virtually all biological processes. This project will exploit innovative microscopy techniques to watch these molecular chaperones as they work. Expected outcomes of this project are the first definitive description of how molecular chaperones interact to refold proteins, and the development of novel methods to study dynamic biological processes. This should provide significant benefits including enhanced collaboration and scientific capacity in Australia.Read moreRead less
A new chemotherapeutic target from Leishmania SPP. Understanding and inhibiting CYP61LD, a sterol C22 desaturase. Leishamniasis is a debilitating and often fatal disease that is caused by a parasite, Leishmania sp., which is increasing its range to include Australia. This project aims to explore possible chemotherapeutics for the disease which inhibit a particular and unique enzyme the organism uses to synthesise the sterols it requires to live.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE210100166
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$626,800.00
Summary
High-throughput camera system for biological cryo-electron microscopy. Visualising the structure of biological macromolecules such as proteins and other subcellular components is critical to understand the fundamentals of life. The integration of the Gatan K3 high-throughput camera system with one of the most advanced cryo-electron microscopy facilities in Australia and the Southern Hemisphere will transform the capacity of Australian researchers to study the world around us at the molecular det ....High-throughput camera system for biological cryo-electron microscopy. Visualising the structure of biological macromolecules such as proteins and other subcellular components is critical to understand the fundamentals of life. The integration of the Gatan K3 high-throughput camera system with one of the most advanced cryo-electron microscopy facilities in Australia and the Southern Hemisphere will transform the capacity of Australian researchers to study the world around us at the molecular detail needed to advance innovative research. The addition of this equipment to the University of Wollongong's research facility Molecular Horizons will result in a step change in the areas of bionanotechnology, advanced manufacturing, diagnostics, and many other areas at the interface of biology, chemistry and physics.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100783
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,000.00
Summary
Structural basis of paramyxovirus host cell entry. This project aims to investigate interactions between paramyxoviruses and host cell receptors and the mechanisms underlying fusion activation at a molecular level. Paramyxoviruses include economically important human and animal pathogens. Two viral proteins are key to infection: an attachment protein for the interaction with host receptors, and a fusion protein for fusion of viral and cellular membranes. The project is anticipated to discover ge ....Structural basis of paramyxovirus host cell entry. This project aims to investigate interactions between paramyxoviruses and host cell receptors and the mechanisms underlying fusion activation at a molecular level. Paramyxoviruses include economically important human and animal pathogens. Two viral proteins are key to infection: an attachment protein for the interaction with host receptors, and a fusion protein for fusion of viral and cellular membranes. The project is anticipated to discover general principles of how paramyxoviruses infect host cells, which should advance fundamental understanding of viral infection strategies and may identify strategies for rational design of inhibitors targeting host-cell entry of multiple paramyxoviruses.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL150100106
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,951,945.00
Summary
Bio-metrology and modelling of a complex system: the malaria parasite. Bio-metrology and modelling of a complex system: the malaria parasite: This fellowship project aims to develop a cross-disciplinary program to measure, model and manipulate a complex cellular system — sexual differentiation of the human malaria parasite. Combining life and physical sciences with powerful imaging techniques, the project seeks to develop quantitative biochemical, biophysical and modelling techniques to probe a ....Bio-metrology and modelling of a complex system: the malaria parasite. Bio-metrology and modelling of a complex system: the malaria parasite: This fellowship project aims to develop a cross-disciplinary program to measure, model and manipulate a complex cellular system — sexual differentiation of the human malaria parasite. Combining life and physical sciences with powerful imaging techniques, the project seeks to develop quantitative biochemical, biophysical and modelling techniques to probe a complex system in a way previously not possible. It expects to integrate and correlate thousands of measurements of the dynamic processes inside cells and use these datasets to generate rigorous and sophisticated mathematical models that can predict drivers of commitment for transformation of the parasite to a sexual phase in preparation for transmission to mosquitoes. This holistic approach hopes to deliver new biotechnology and biomedical outcomes, including new ways to combat disease in livestock and humans.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL140100027
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,898,150.00
Summary
Under the hood: single-molecule studies of multi-protein machines. Under the hood: single-molecule studies of multi-protein machines. Living cells are filled with complex protein machines that are responsible for the molecular processes supporting life. This project is aimed towards the development of physical tools that enable the study of these protein complexes at the level of single molecules. This project aims to study the protein machinery responsible for DNA replication, the process of du ....Under the hood: single-molecule studies of multi-protein machines. Under the hood: single-molecule studies of multi-protein machines. Living cells are filled with complex protein machines that are responsible for the molecular processes supporting life. This project is aimed towards the development of physical tools that enable the study of these protein complexes at the level of single molecules. This project aims to study the protein machinery responsible for DNA replication, the process of duplicating genomic information before cell division. By making real-time single-molecule movies of the replication process, this project aims to unravel the molecular mechanisms of this important process and provide the knowledge required to understand disease mechanisms and catalyse drug development.Read moreRead less
Molecular basis of nucleotide signalling by TIR domain containing proteins. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) dependent signalling pathways play important roles in neurodegenerative diseases and bacterial defence systems, and are therefore potential targets for the development of new therapeutics and biotechnology tools. This project aims to increase our understanding of the biology of a novel class of enzymes involved in NAD+ signalling across the domains of life. The project is expected ....Molecular basis of nucleotide signalling by TIR domain containing proteins. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) dependent signalling pathways play important roles in neurodegenerative diseases and bacterial defence systems, and are therefore potential targets for the development of new therapeutics and biotechnology tools. This project aims to increase our understanding of the biology of a novel class of enzymes involved in NAD+ signalling across the domains of life. The project is expected to unravel general principles of nucleotide-based signalling, and the expected outcomes will include new molecular mechanisms relevant to cell-death and pathogen defence in mammalian and bacterial systems, which should provide significant benefit for a range of applications in human biology and biotechnology.Read moreRead less
Roadblocks in DNA replication. This project aims to develop the technology to visualise and understand the molecular processes responsible for the faithful copying of cellular DNA in the presence of roadblocks caused by chemical pressures and competing intracellular events. Understanding this process is important as DNA replication is responsible for copying the DNA genetic blueprint of cells and is crucial to all life on earth. This project will have as key outcomes the development of novel mol ....Roadblocks in DNA replication. This project aims to develop the technology to visualise and understand the molecular processes responsible for the faithful copying of cellular DNA in the presence of roadblocks caused by chemical pressures and competing intracellular events. Understanding this process is important as DNA replication is responsible for copying the DNA genetic blueprint of cells and is crucial to all life on earth. This project will have as key outcomes the development of novel molecular visualisation technology and the first molecular description of the dynamic processes used by the DNA-replication machinery to navigate roadblocks. These outcomes should provide significant benefits including enhanced collaboration and scientific capacity in Australia.Read moreRead less