Application of direct protein transduction of Stem Cell Factors to reprogram mouse and human somatic cells into pluripotent stem cells. This project aims to generate embryonic stem cell-like cells from human somatic cells, using direct protein transduction of defined factors, rather than through retroviral delivery. This will bring stem cell application closer to a therapeutic setting. The cells produced will be free from genetic modification and will yield products for patient-specific cell-ba ....Application of direct protein transduction of Stem Cell Factors to reprogram mouse and human somatic cells into pluripotent stem cells. This project aims to generate embryonic stem cell-like cells from human somatic cells, using direct protein transduction of defined factors, rather than through retroviral delivery. This will bring stem cell application closer to a therapeutic setting. The cells produced will be free from genetic modification and will yield products for patient-specific cell-based therapies that will be accepted by recipients without the need for immunosuppressant therapy. This development is expected to revolutionize the current approach to treating disease and injury, and is likely to result in the generation of highly marketable potent cell reprogramming therapeutics.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775529
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$300,000.00
Summary
Structural elucidation by chemical degradation mass spectrometry using a linear ion trap with electron transfer dissociation. The mass spectrometric instrumentation that we plan to acquire represents a true breakthrough in technology, and will be the first of its kind in operation in Australia. The instrument to be purchased will improve the ability of a wide cross section of researchers to characterize compounds important in fields as varied as medical research, agricultural biotechnology, and ....Structural elucidation by chemical degradation mass spectrometry using a linear ion trap with electron transfer dissociation. The mass spectrometric instrumentation that we plan to acquire represents a true breakthrough in technology, and will be the first of its kind in operation in Australia. The instrument to be purchased will improve the ability of a wide cross section of researchers to characterize compounds important in fields as varied as medical research, agricultural biotechnology, and natural product characterization. All types of chemical research, from fundamental to applied, will benefit from access to this system, which has clearly positive implications with regard to societal impact. Implementing this type of frontier technology is an essential step in maintaining the world class capabilities of the Australian research community.Read moreRead less
New peptides to probe protein kinase functions. We are building on our expertise in biochemistry, molecular biology and biotechnology, to develop and exploit new technologies that enable the discovery and characterisation of new peptides that probe protein kinase functions. An important application of work will be in the development of new leads for drug design, as highlighted by the success of some protein kinase inhibitors as drugs. The immediate benefits of our research will come with enhance ....New peptides to probe protein kinase functions. We are building on our expertise in biochemistry, molecular biology and biotechnology, to develop and exploit new technologies that enable the discovery and characterisation of new peptides that probe protein kinase functions. An important application of work will be in the development of new leads for drug design, as highlighted by the success of some protein kinase inhibitors as drugs. The immediate benefits of our research will come with enhanced interactions in the international academic and biotechnology arenas and with the training of post-graduate and post-doctoral staff. This research training will greatly enrich Australian biotechnology expertise.Read moreRead less
Ultrahigh resolution crystallography and ultrafast laser spectroscopy to uncover the evolution and mechanisms of a unique algal light harvesting system. The results of our research will provide the first comprehensive understanding of a biological light harvesting system at high temporal, energetic and spatial resolution. This will allow us to understand how nature has evolved highly efficient strategies for trapping light. The benefits of this work include spawning ideas as to how to improve ....Ultrahigh resolution crystallography and ultrafast laser spectroscopy to uncover the evolution and mechanisms of a unique algal light harvesting system. The results of our research will provide the first comprehensive understanding of a biological light harvesting system at high temporal, energetic and spatial resolution. This will allow us to understand how nature has evolved highly efficient strategies for trapping light. The benefits of this work include spawning ideas as to how to improve current technologies for enhancing optoelectronic devices and solar collectors. Protein systems are by nature nanotechnology. The understanding gained through probing a natural nanosystem will enhance our understanding of how human designed nanophotonic systems will behave. Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0882855
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$900,000.00
Summary
High-resolution imaging of live cells and tissue. Understanding the machinery of life and developing technologies that support life's processes requires biological and physical scientists and engineers to monitor molecular events in living systems. The aim is to take advantage of very recent developments in light microscopy to enable the non-invasive imaging of live cells and tissue at a previously unreachable level of detail. The instruments will form the nucleus of a new imaging facility. Sign ....High-resolution imaging of live cells and tissue. Understanding the machinery of life and developing technologies that support life's processes requires biological and physical scientists and engineers to monitor molecular events in living systems. The aim is to take advantage of very recent developments in light microscopy to enable the non-invasive imaging of live cells and tissue at a previously unreachable level of detail. The instruments will form the nucleus of a new imaging facility. Significant advances in research areas including vascular research, cancer, immunology, cell and molecular biology, functional genomics, biotechnology, nanotechnology and material engineering will be of major benefit both nationally and globally.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0561042
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$852,705.00
Summary
Establishing a high-throughput Protein Production Unit. We seek to establish a world class high-throughput (H-T) protein production unit, the first of its kind in Australia. Throughout the unit robotic technology will be used to build and test protein expression systems as well as drive large scale protein production. The product of the unit will be high quality, pure protein, effective expression systems and world class research. The unit will act as a centre for research into H-T protein ex ....Establishing a high-throughput Protein Production Unit. We seek to establish a world class high-throughput (H-T) protein production unit, the first of its kind in Australia. Throughout the unit robotic technology will be used to build and test protein expression systems as well as drive large scale protein production. The product of the unit will be high quality, pure protein, effective expression systems and world class research. The unit will act as a centre for research into H-T protein expression technology, will underpin the finest biological research, provide the basis for large "structural genomic" type approaches to biological problems and provide a wealth of projects for the Australian synchrotron.Read moreRead less
Rational structure-based drug design of protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Protein tyrosine kinases (PTK) are a large, pivotal family of signalling molecules implicated in diseases such as cancer and immune-related disorders, that cause significant morbidity and mortality within the population. This research proposal aims to develop PTK-specific small molecule inhibitors to combat such diseases. Cytopia's drug discovery capability, coupled with the X-ray crystallographic expertise within Monas ....Rational structure-based drug design of protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Protein tyrosine kinases (PTK) are a large, pivotal family of signalling molecules implicated in diseases such as cancer and immune-related disorders, that cause significant morbidity and mortality within the population. This research proposal aims to develop PTK-specific small molecule inhibitors to combat such diseases. Cytopia's drug discovery capability, coupled with the X-ray crystallographic expertise within Monash University, will permit a rational, structure-based drug discovery platform to be established. The ultimate goal of this innovative and mutlidisciplinary approach, namely a portfolio of phase I therapeutics, will be of substantial benefit in the medical health area.Read moreRead less
Ultrasensitive electrochemical biosensors. This project aims to develop novel proteins that can convert biochemical cues into electronic signals. Using protein engineering, this project will produce redox protein-based OFF switches. The project expects that the use of the OFF-switches (as opposed to ON switches) will simplify biosensor design and create a new class of sensory architectures. Integration of OFF-switch-based biosensors with an enzymatic signal amplification circuit is expected to y ....Ultrasensitive electrochemical biosensors. This project aims to develop novel proteins that can convert biochemical cues into electronic signals. Using protein engineering, this project will produce redox protein-based OFF switches. The project expects that the use of the OFF-switches (as opposed to ON switches) will simplify biosensor design and create a new class of sensory architectures. Integration of OFF-switch-based biosensors with an enzymatic signal amplification circuit is expected to yield ultrasensitive sensory systems with near-real-time response. The project will address a need for new technologies that enable collection of physiological and environmental information rapidly, and at low cost outside of the specialised laboratories.Read moreRead less
Rational structure-based drug design of protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors. This research project is focussed on understanding the physiological roles of a group of enzymes within the cell, as well as developing therapeutics to combat significant diseases. It will achieve this by developing compounds to enzymes that are implicated in the disease process. The research project represents a continuation of a collaboration between academic researchers at Monash University, and an Australian biotec ....Rational structure-based drug design of protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors. This research project is focussed on understanding the physiological roles of a group of enzymes within the cell, as well as developing therapeutics to combat significant diseases. It will achieve this by developing compounds to enzymes that are implicated in the disease process. The research project represents a continuation of a collaboration between academic researchers at Monash University, and an Australian biotechnology company, Cytopia Ltd.Read moreRead less