Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210101144
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$429,450.00
Summary
Understanding crosstalks between Natural Killer cells and Dendritic Cells. This project aims to investigate the interactions between two populations of immune cells: natural killer cells and dendritic cells. This proposal will advance basic knowledge in immunology by innovating in considering the heterogeneity and diversity of these two immune populations and combining interdisciplinary approaches using cutting-edge technologies. Expected outcomes from this proposal include the identification of ....Understanding crosstalks between Natural Killer cells and Dendritic Cells. This project aims to investigate the interactions between two populations of immune cells: natural killer cells and dendritic cells. This proposal will advance basic knowledge in immunology by innovating in considering the heterogeneity and diversity of these two immune populations and combining interdisciplinary approaches using cutting-edge technologies. Expected outcomes from this proposal include the identification of new immunoregulatory pathways, the development of new scientific theories, and enhancement of Australia’s research capacity through international collaborations and student training. This project will provide significant benefits such as the identification of biological targets for development of new biotechnologies. Read moreRead less
Click chemistry to reveal how neurons and glia shape perineuronal nets . The extracellular matrix (ECM) and its perineuronal nets (which are net-like structures with holes wrapped around neurons) are largely underexplored, despite representing a remarkable 20% of the brain’s total volume and having been suggested to be involved in many brain functions. Interestingly, digestion of the ECM improves learning and memory, but deficits return once the ECM has reformed. However, how this ECM remodellin ....Click chemistry to reveal how neurons and glia shape perineuronal nets . The extracellular matrix (ECM) and its perineuronal nets (which are net-like structures with holes wrapped around neurons) are largely underexplored, despite representing a remarkable 20% of the brain’s total volume and having been suggested to be involved in many brain functions. Interestingly, digestion of the ECM improves learning and memory, but deficits return once the ECM has reformed. However, how this ECM remodelling is organised at a cell-type level is not understood. Here we aim to close this knowledge gap, using cutting-edge technology including bioconjugation and ultrasound-mediated cargo delivery. Together, this project aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of this major brain compartment in neuronal function. Read moreRead less
The macrophage nucleus - its form and function during migration in vivo. As cells migrate through tissues, they encounter complex, 3-dimensional environments that provide cues to guide them and present obstacles in their path. This project focuses on macrophages, a large immune cell capable of both amoeboid and mesenchymal modes of migration. The nucleus is the largest organelle and its bulk and stiffness must be managed as migrating cells travel through constrictions. The project uses specialis ....The macrophage nucleus - its form and function during migration in vivo. As cells migrate through tissues, they encounter complex, 3-dimensional environments that provide cues to guide them and present obstacles in their path. This project focuses on macrophages, a large immune cell capable of both amoeboid and mesenchymal modes of migration. The nucleus is the largest organelle and its bulk and stiffness must be managed as migrating cells travel through constrictions. The project uses specialised high-end microscopy and genetic methods to examine how the nucleus of migrating zebrafish macrophages deforms, repositions and is restructured during migration in living tissues, and how this influences macrophage locomotion. The goal is to provide fundamental insights into the cell biology of macrophage migration.Read moreRead less
Understanding glycopolymer interactions with the extracellular matrix. This project aims to advance knowledge of the biochemical and biophysical structure of the endothelial glycocalyx, a dynamic cell surface extracellular matrix rich in proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans. It will be the first to explore how charged glycopolymers interact with this dynamic interface with the goal to develop a model of the glycocalyx lifecycle. This project is expected to enable the transfer of skills, knowledg ....Understanding glycopolymer interactions with the extracellular matrix. This project aims to advance knowledge of the biochemical and biophysical structure of the endothelial glycocalyx, a dynamic cell surface extracellular matrix rich in proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans. It will be the first to explore how charged glycopolymers interact with this dynamic interface with the goal to develop a model of the glycocalyx lifecycle. This project is expected to enable the transfer of skills, knowledge and ideas as well as advanced research and industrial training for young scientists. Knowledge derived from this project is expected to enable future innovation in molecules with tailored interactions with the glycocalyx with significant benefits for researchers, manufacturers and end users. Read moreRead less
Engineering nanomaterial interactions with the cell surface. This Fellowship aims to advance understanding of the endothelial cell surface, a key tissue barrier, and its interactions with nanomaterials. Enabled by cross-disciplinary collaboration, it expects to develop knowledge in matrix biology of the cell surface and materials as well as new methods to analyse their interactions. This is expected to unravel causal relationships between nanomaterial features and interactions at the cell surfac ....Engineering nanomaterial interactions with the cell surface. This Fellowship aims to advance understanding of the endothelial cell surface, a key tissue barrier, and its interactions with nanomaterials. Enabled by cross-disciplinary collaboration, it expects to develop knowledge in matrix biology of the cell surface and materials as well as new methods to analyse their interactions. This is expected to unravel causal relationships between nanomaterial features and interactions at the cell surface which will be integrated to engineer optimised materials. This will address the current and critical challenges of nanomaterial technologies in the efficient and targeted interactions with cells with long-term benefits for the consumer, biotechnology and healthcare sectors.Read moreRead less
Microtubule structure in nervous system repair. This Project aims to investigate the role of structural and functional cellular components known as microtubules in nervous system regeneration. This Project aims to use innovative approaches in confocal and electron microscopy, genetics, and cell biology, with the expectation of generating new knowledge into nervous system repair. Expected outcomes of this Project include a comprehensive description of how microtubules are rearranged following ner ....Microtubule structure in nervous system repair. This Project aims to investigate the role of structural and functional cellular components known as microtubules in nervous system regeneration. This Project aims to use innovative approaches in confocal and electron microscopy, genetics, and cell biology, with the expectation of generating new knowledge into nervous system repair. Expected outcomes of this Project include a comprehensive description of how microtubules are rearranged following nervous system injury and the importance of microtubule modifying proteins in promoting regeneration. This should provide significant benefits in our understanding of the cellular mechanisms behind nervous system repair, and offer new approaches for promoting regeneration after injury.Read moreRead less
Migration-Dependent Signalling in Macrophages . The project aims to investigate a mechanism of communication used by immune cells to guide each other towards sites of damage. The project will characterise newly revealed cell signalling membrane trails left behind by migrating cells, utilising biochemistry, innovative imaging and microscopy and a transparent zebrafish model to view cell migration through living tissues. Expected outcomes include new fundamental knowledge in the area of immune cel ....Migration-Dependent Signalling in Macrophages . The project aims to investigate a mechanism of communication used by immune cells to guide each other towards sites of damage. The project will characterise newly revealed cell signalling membrane trails left behind by migrating cells, utilising biochemistry, innovative imaging and microscopy and a transparent zebrafish model to view cell migration through living tissues. Expected outcomes include new fundamental knowledge in the area of immune cell migration with relevance to the basic biology of inflammation, repair and regeneration and new innovations for cell imaging. Significant benefits are expected to arise from this new knowledge and from advanced skills training and improved national capabilities in bio-imaging and analysis.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210100604
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$436,600.00
Summary
How do cells sense and react to mechanical forces? There is accumulating evidence that mechanical forces exerted on tissues and cells strongly influences their behaviour. My research aims to understand how cells sense and respond to forces experienced throughout life. Using a combination of three-dimensional cell and tissue culture methods, I will investigate how compressive forces change the biochemistry of cells and their functionality. This work is aimed at generating fundamental knowledge to ....How do cells sense and react to mechanical forces? There is accumulating evidence that mechanical forces exerted on tissues and cells strongly influences their behaviour. My research aims to understand how cells sense and respond to forces experienced throughout life. Using a combination of three-dimensional cell and tissue culture methods, I will investigate how compressive forces change the biochemistry of cells and their functionality. This work is aimed at generating fundamental knowledge to improve our comprehension of how cells respond to force. The expected outcome is a greater understanding of mechanical and biochemical relationships between cells and the environment, to inform fields of tissue engineering of culture scaffolds to better mimic natural cell-tissue settings.Read moreRead less