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
The Bcl-2 family of proteins is crucial for apoptosis (a form of programmed cell death) regulation. They target the mitochondrial outer membrane where they interact to determine cell fate. We will evaluate the membrane interactions of the Bcl-2 proteins in complementary biophysical and cellular experiments to redefine our understanding of the mechanism of apoptosis and provide new avenues for the development of compounds to selectively modulate diseases in which apoptosis is unregulated.
Next-generation Smart Wound Dressings For Real-time, Non-invasive Monitoring Of Infection And Neovascularisation In Burns
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$899,877.00
Summary
Real-time assessment of infection and wound progression in burns is critical to reduce complications and improve long-term recovery. We propose a smart dressing that can assess a wound without needing to remove the dressing. It consists of a biocompatible silk membrane enriched with nanodiamonds and pH-sensitive fluorophores to detect infection, and allow optical assessment of blood vessel regrowth. This project will prototype and validate the smart dressing in preparation for human trials.
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
Mechanism Of Bacterial Resistance To Antimicrobial Peptides
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$675,585.00
Summary
Bacterial resistance to antibiotics continues to emerge and intensify. While antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a promising alternative to current antibiotics, bacteria have also evolved resistance mechanisms to them through changes in their cell membrane. This application will apply a range of analytical and biophysical tools to understand how bacteria change their cell walls in response to AMPs. The results will allow us to design new combination therapies to treat bacterial infections.
Amyloid Precursor Protein Signalosome: Directing Abeta Production In Alzheimer's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$681,459.00
Summary
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia and is the fourth biggest killer in developed countries. Amyloid precursor protein plays a central role in the development of the disease, through the generation of a toxic peptide called Abeta. In this project we will decipher the fine molecular details of what the protein looks like and how various molecules known to bind to it affect Abeta production. This knowledge is expected to lead to novel therapies to treat the disease.