Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775660
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
A National Biomedical Electron Paramagnetic Resonance and Molecular Imaging Centre. Multifrequency continuous wave and pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and molecular imaging instrumentation will provide forefront technologies in identifying, characterising, quantifying, visualising and manipulating fundamental chemical and biologically relevant processes involving free radicals, metalloproteins and metal ions. This technology is crucial in validating these functional processes ....A National Biomedical Electron Paramagnetic Resonance and Molecular Imaging Centre. Multifrequency continuous wave and pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and molecular imaging instrumentation will provide forefront technologies in identifying, characterising, quantifying, visualising and manipulating fundamental chemical and biologically relevant processes involving free radicals, metalloproteins and metal ions. This technology is crucial in validating these functional processes at the cellular and tissue level and for providing invaluable and unique biomedical information under physiological conditions. This synergistic and highly integrative approach will make available new techniques for identifying major disease mechanisms such as cardiovascular disease with a potential to improve and maintain health. Read moreRead less
Electric field induced surface attachment and detachment of proteins. Microarrays are revolutionising the diagnosis of disease by enabling large amounts of data on genetics and protein expression to be obtained from one sample. Biosensors for diseases and toxins rely on the same mechanism, namely attachment of biological macromolecules to a surface. We propose a new method for controlling the attachment by micromachining an electrode system to apply an electric field to chosen sites. Ultimately ....Electric field induced surface attachment and detachment of proteins. Microarrays are revolutionising the diagnosis of disease by enabling large amounts of data on genetics and protein expression to be obtained from one sample. Biosensors for diseases and toxins rely on the same mechanism, namely attachment of biological macromolecules to a surface. We propose a new method for controlling the attachment by micromachining an electrode system to apply an electric field to chosen sites. Ultimately microelectronic engineering methods will be used. This will give control over the attachment process with potential benefits of orienting attaching molecules, minimising non-specific attachment and enriching diagnostics by enabling interrogation of the force of attachment.Read moreRead less
Verification of a theoretical model of the dynamical genesis of brain electrical activity. The physiological basis for the rhythmic scalp electrical activity known as the alpha rhythm has remained elusive despite being first recorded over eighty years ago. However, one of the applicants (DTJL) has developed a novel theory of the electroencephalogram (EEG) that theoretically articulates the necessary physiological conditions required for the genesis of this activity that is subject to rigorous e ....Verification of a theoretical model of the dynamical genesis of brain electrical activity. The physiological basis for the rhythmic scalp electrical activity known as the alpha rhythm has remained elusive despite being first recorded over eighty years ago. However, one of the applicants (DTJL) has developed a novel theory of the electroencephalogram (EEG) that theoretically articulates the necessary physiological conditions required for the genesis of this activity that is subject to rigorous experimental test. Empirical verification of this theory will pave the way to elucidating the functional importance of large scale brain electrical activity in neural information processing as well as enabling the rational use of the EEG for drug design and diagnosis.Read moreRead less
Creation of functional surfaces for biodevices and aerospace applications. Polymers are poised to become the materials of choice for a host of applications because of their lightness, strength, ease of forming and biocompatibility. The major challenge lies in optimising their surfaces for each application. For biodevices in particular, the surfaces must support a range of complex and specific interactions. This project will create new polymer surface modifications through innovations in plasma s ....Creation of functional surfaces for biodevices and aerospace applications. Polymers are poised to become the materials of choice for a host of applications because of their lightness, strength, ease of forming and biocompatibility. The major challenge lies in optimising their surfaces for each application. For biodevices in particular, the surfaces must support a range of complex and specific interactions. This project will create new polymer surface modifications through innovations in plasma science and technology. The outcomes will be new surfaces for diagnostic arrays in medicine, biosensors and durable polymer surfaces for low earth orbit.Read moreRead less
Understanding aerobic respiration: Models for the catalytic centre in proton-pumping heme-copper oxidases. This project tackles ?head on? a key challenge in contemporary biological inorganic chemistry, understanding how at the atomic level aerobic life uses oxygen. All life we see is aerobic, and thus the conceptual advances from this research will progress understanding of our world and ourselves? an important cultural goal. Advancing knowledge of such fundamental processes sits firmly in the a ....Understanding aerobic respiration: Models for the catalytic centre in proton-pumping heme-copper oxidases. This project tackles ?head on? a key challenge in contemporary biological inorganic chemistry, understanding how at the atomic level aerobic life uses oxygen. All life we see is aerobic, and thus the conceptual advances from this research will progress understanding of our world and ourselves? an important cultural goal. Advancing knowledge of such fundamental processes sits firmly in the area of the Research Priority Goal: Breakthrough Science. Postgraduate research students will be trained in sophisticated state-of-the-art theoretical and synthetic chemical methodologies. The project will enhance Australia's research capability in biological (inorganic) chemistry and promote Australia's standing in the International research community.Read moreRead less
Biomolecular activity modulated by interaction with nanostructures. Nanotechnological methods are able to reliably fabricate artificial nanostructures with dimensions similar to those of large biomolecules (a few to tens of nanometers). This study focuses on the interaction of artificial nanostructures with biomolecules such as proteins and DNA, and will enable scientists to better understand biomolecular recognition and binding events, which are central to all biological processes. The underst ....Biomolecular activity modulated by interaction with nanostructures. Nanotechnological methods are able to reliably fabricate artificial nanostructures with dimensions similar to those of large biomolecules (a few to tens of nanometers). This study focuses on the interaction of artificial nanostructures with biomolecules such as proteins and DNA, and will enable scientists to better understand biomolecular recognition and binding events, which are central to all biological processes. The understanding gained can then be used to design biomimetic surfaces for use in health monitoring and medical diagnostic devices with improved sensitivity, robustness and portability, thereby providing significant benefits to the health sector.Read moreRead less
A rational approach to a high-resolution structure of the multidrug transporter EmrE. Membrane proteins form only 0.3% of the available protein structures in the protein data bank (PDB), yet 30% of the proteins in the human genome and 50% of human drug targets are membrane proteins. Multidrug transporters are membrane proteins responsible for antibiotic resistance in humans. A high-resolution structure of a multidrug resistance protein, together with comprehensive biochemical characterization, w ....A rational approach to a high-resolution structure of the multidrug transporter EmrE. Membrane proteins form only 0.3% of the available protein structures in the protein data bank (PDB), yet 30% of the proteins in the human genome and 50% of human drug targets are membrane proteins. Multidrug transporters are membrane proteins responsible for antibiotic resistance in humans. A high-resolution structure of a multidrug resistance protein, together with comprehensive biochemical characterization, would enable a detailed understanding of how these protein functions. Potentially it could also aid in the development of specific inhibitors that would prevent EmrE (and perhaps other similar proteins) from carry out its harmful mission. Read moreRead less
Advanced Nanostructured Biointerfaces for Cell Capture. The expected outcomes of this interdisciplinary project, which apply the most recent advances in nanotechnology and biophysics to cancer research, will enhance Australia's capacity in Frontier Technology and build strength in Nanobiotechnology. They will bring competitive advantages to the Australian biotechnology and biomedical community for further developments and applications in the multi-billion dollar field of biodiagnostics. These in ....Advanced Nanostructured Biointerfaces for Cell Capture. The expected outcomes of this interdisciplinary project, which apply the most recent advances in nanotechnology and biophysics to cancer research, will enhance Australia's capacity in Frontier Technology and build strength in Nanobiotechnology. They will bring competitive advantages to the Australian biotechnology and biomedical community for further developments and applications in the multi-billion dollar field of biodiagnostics. These innovative biodiagnostic strategies will potentially achieve a significant step in the direction of the once elusive goal of early detection and improved understanding of cancer.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0344441
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$390,000.00
Summary
New Generation Metalloenzyme Magnetic Circular Dichroism Spectrometer Systems. Funding is sought to enhance the existing collaborations between UQ, ANU, Sydney and other universities in the study of metal-centred molecules of biological interest through the construction of advanced magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectrometers. These facilities will be the best instruments of their kind, and will enable researchers at Australian institutions to enhance the quality of their research and remain ....New Generation Metalloenzyme Magnetic Circular Dichroism Spectrometer Systems. Funding is sought to enhance the existing collaborations between UQ, ANU, Sydney and other universities in the study of metal-centred molecules of biological interest through the construction of advanced magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectrometers. These facilities will be the best instruments of their kind, and will enable researchers at Australian institutions to enhance the quality of their research and remain internationally competitive through the application of modern MCD spectroscopic techniques to the study of metal-centred biomolecules. These facilities will drive a number of programs in the area of metalloenzyme and photosystem II research.Read moreRead less