Cracking post-translational modification codes in high molecular definition. This project aims to markedly improve the analysis of post-translational modifications (PTM) via intact protein mass spectrometry. Differences in the PTM forms of a protein (modforms) can be crucial in many physiological and metabolic processes. However, current conventional methods cannot accurately separate nor fully assign most protein modforms. A recent discovery has resulted in the ability to separate whole protein ....Cracking post-translational modification codes in high molecular definition. This project aims to markedly improve the analysis of post-translational modifications (PTM) via intact protein mass spectrometry. Differences in the PTM forms of a protein (modforms) can be crucial in many physiological and metabolic processes. However, current conventional methods cannot accurately separate nor fully assign most protein modforms. A recent discovery has resulted in the ability to separate whole protein ions that have the same mass, charge, and collision cross section, but subtly different charge sites. This project aims to leverage this breakthrough by developing novel approaches for separating intact protein modforms and mapping PTM sites. This is expected to be important for future biological discovery.Read moreRead less
Mapping dynamic lipid biochemistry with high spatial and molecular detail. Lipids are a complex and underappreciated family of molecules playing important roles in all of our tissues and cells. Yet, our fundamental knowledge of lipids is limited by current technology. This project aims to develop an innovative mass spectrometry imaging platform allowing lipid biochemistry to be visualised at a level of detail not before possible. This will push boundaries in molecular imaging technology and is e ....Mapping dynamic lipid biochemistry with high spatial and molecular detail. Lipids are a complex and underappreciated family of molecules playing important roles in all of our tissues and cells. Yet, our fundamental knowledge of lipids is limited by current technology. This project aims to develop an innovative mass spectrometry imaging platform allowing lipid biochemistry to be visualised at a level of detail not before possible. This will push boundaries in molecular imaging technology and is expected to provide new fundamental knowledge about the structure, function and distributions of lipids in tissues and cells. Significant benefits should include providing new tools to unravel the functions and modifications of lipids in biology, that can be extended to many other research and industrial applications. Read moreRead less
Carbon flux and its regulation in metabolic networks. Allocation of photo-assimilates throughout metabolic networks are central to a plants ability to cope with changes in its environment. This project will combine the use of quantitative molecular, chemical and imaging techniques to characterise the flux of resources and its regulation through metabolic networks of Australian native and crop plants.
Intelligent nanoparticles: Interactive tools to decode brain activity. This project aims to use nanoparticles and integrated nanoparticle devices to unravel causal relationships between molecular events and high-level brain activity. These devices, capable of real-time sensing and adaptive responses, could expose previously unmeasurable cellular events and establish their physiological effects. This is expected to reveal the complex dynamics in the living brain and advance neuroscience and analy ....Intelligent nanoparticles: Interactive tools to decode brain activity. This project aims to use nanoparticles and integrated nanoparticle devices to unravel causal relationships between molecular events and high-level brain activity. These devices, capable of real-time sensing and adaptive responses, could expose previously unmeasurable cellular events and establish their physiological effects. This is expected to reveal the complex dynamics in the living brain and advance neuroscience and analytical chemistry.Read moreRead less
Integrated Nanoplatform for Multiomics Analysis of Cell-to-Cell Interaction. This project aims to develop an integrated nanoplatform for analysis of exosomes produced by host-pathogen interaction at the single cell level. This will be accomplished by engineering an innovative device involving plasmonic nanoparticles to probe exosomes molecular profiles over time. The intended outcome is a generic and robust platform for detailed molecular analysis of the consequences of cell-to-cell interactions ....Integrated Nanoplatform for Multiomics Analysis of Cell-to-Cell Interaction. This project aims to develop an integrated nanoplatform for analysis of exosomes produced by host-pathogen interaction at the single cell level. This will be accomplished by engineering an innovative device involving plasmonic nanoparticles to probe exosomes molecular profiles over time. The intended outcome is a generic and robust platform for detailed molecular analysis of the consequences of cell-to-cell interactions. Single cell scale will greatly improve detection accuracy for heterogeneous cell populations. Benefits will include new knowledge of cell-to-cell communication and intellectual property in manufacturing, which will foster collaborations across institutions and Australian industry by providing new technological solutions.Read moreRead less
Characterisation of a powerful molecular motor, the FtsK DNA translocase. The FtsK protein is a fast and powerful molecular motor, a pump that can, and does, move an entire bacterial chromosome. This project will uncover the detail of the mechanism used by this motor to convert the cell's chemical energy source Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) into movement of DNA; revealing the molecular detail of a fast and powerful motor.
Single-molecule optofluidics: streamlining high-throughput engineering and analysis of proteins and protein assemblies. This project aims at creating novel technologies for high-throughput engineering and analysis of proteins with single-molecule sensitivity. The platform will considerably accelerate the generation of protein-based diagnostics, new vaccines and therapeutics; it will foster collaborations with industry putting Australia at the forefront of protein research.
Cellular mechanisms linking smoking and cardiovascular disease. Everyone develops fatty streaks in their arteries. Why some streaks remain benign, and others progress to clinically-relevant lesions is not completely understood. This project will assess novel cellular mechanisms involved in plaque development, to enable the more effective design of new therapeutic strategies to treat heart disease.