EFR3: Novel gatekeeper of cell proliferation. This interdisciplinary, cross-institutional project uses leading-edge mass spectrometry and the yeast genetic model to enhance knowledge of fundamental signalling mechanisms common to cell proliferation of eukaryotic cells. Building on extensive preliminary data that identifies novel energy-stress control points, this research will generate insights into critical and conserved features of nutrient stress control of cell proliferation that ensures cel ....EFR3: Novel gatekeeper of cell proliferation. This interdisciplinary, cross-institutional project uses leading-edge mass spectrometry and the yeast genetic model to enhance knowledge of fundamental signalling mechanisms common to cell proliferation of eukaryotic cells. Building on extensive preliminary data that identifies novel energy-stress control points, this research will generate insights into critical and conserved features of nutrient stress control of cell proliferation that ensures cell survival. This project advances basic and applied biology. Its outcomes will be relevant to several research areas and industries, specifically to the propagation of cell cultures that nowadays contributes to the production of a myriad of biotechnical and pharmaceutical commodities.
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Organically-Capped Copper Nanowires for Soft Electronic Skin Sensors. Soft skin-like electronics can enable applications that are impossible to achieve with today's rigid circuit board technologies. However, it is difficult to realise such future soft electronics with traditional materials and conventional manufacturing methodologies. This project aims to synthesise novel organically-capped copper nanowires as electronic inks (e-inks) for developing cost-effective, soft, stretchable conductor (e ....Organically-Capped Copper Nanowires for Soft Electronic Skin Sensors. Soft skin-like electronics can enable applications that are impossible to achieve with today's rigid circuit board technologies. However, it is difficult to realise such future soft electronics with traditional materials and conventional manufacturing methodologies. This project aims to synthesise novel organically-capped copper nanowires as electronic inks (e-inks) for developing cost-effective, soft, stretchable conductor (e-skin) sensors, which are wearable for monitoring blood pulses, body motions and hand gestures in real-time and in situ. This is expected to advance our knowledge in nanotechnology and generate patentable technologies in soft e-skin sensors, and to bring significant scientific and economic gains to Australia.Read moreRead less
How do cells survive nutrient stress? Insight into mechanisms. This project studies cell survival under nutrient stress in eukaryotes. Building on extensive preliminary data that identifies novel TOR (Target of Rapamycin) Complex 2 (TORC2) control points it expects to generate new knowledge of critical and conserved features of stress control of macroautophagy that ensures cell survival. It uses interdisciplinary and innovative approaches to validate and characterize nutrient-stress dependent si ....How do cells survive nutrient stress? Insight into mechanisms. This project studies cell survival under nutrient stress in eukaryotes. Building on extensive preliminary data that identifies novel TOR (Target of Rapamycin) Complex 2 (TORC2) control points it expects to generate new knowledge of critical and conserved features of stress control of macroautophagy that ensures cell survival. It uses interdisciplinary and innovative approaches to validate and characterize nutrient-stress dependent signaling. Expected outcomes include novel insights into environmental control of cell proliferation and forging cross institutional collaborations. This knowledge benefits basic and applied biology and is relevant to industries/projects utilizing living cells as nutrient supports cell survival and proliferation.Read moreRead less
Development of functional dendrimer-like inorganic nanomaterials with hierarchical pores for biological applications. This project aims to engineer a series of brand new dendrimer-like mesoporous silica nanoparticles with hierarchical pore structure and favourable surface functionality as nanocarriers to construct a smart delivery system. Unique materials structure and surface functionalisation design can endow the system with advanced characteristics of the co-loading of different therapeutic a ....Development of functional dendrimer-like inorganic nanomaterials with hierarchical pores for biological applications. This project aims to engineer a series of brand new dendrimer-like mesoporous silica nanoparticles with hierarchical pore structure and favourable surface functionality as nanocarriers to construct a smart delivery system. Unique materials structure and surface functionalisation design can endow the system with advanced characteristics of the co-loading of different therapeutic agents and the highly efficient target delivery that are not readily obtainable using other organic or inorganic materials. The proposed delivery systems are of great importance for improving the therapeutic efficiency of complex diseases, and in general, for expanding human’s life span.Read moreRead less
New mechanisms regulating the biogenesis of extracellular vesicles. Extracellular vesicles are small packages that contain active components derived from the cell of origin. These vesicles, released by most cell types, are critical for communication between cells. However, the processes of their formation and release remain poorly understood. This project aims to explore how ubiquitination, a type of protein modification system, controls the production of extracellular vesicles. Using a strong c ....New mechanisms regulating the biogenesis of extracellular vesicles. Extracellular vesicles are small packages that contain active components derived from the cell of origin. These vesicles, released by most cell types, are critical for communication between cells. However, the processes of their formation and release remain poorly understood. This project aims to explore how ubiquitination, a type of protein modification system, controls the production of extracellular vesicles. Using a strong collaborative team and highly innovative approaches, the project will generate new knowledge to inform how cells communicate. Expected outcomes include knowledge of broad significance to cell biology, that can be leveraged to develop extracellular vesicles as tools for various biotechnology applications in the future.Read moreRead less
Elucidating the mechanisms of mitochondrial DNA escape. The human body is powered by mitochondria, microscopic components of living cells that make the energy they need to function. Mitochondrial damage is linked to a wide spectrum of human diseases, from devastating syndromic illnesses to neurodegeneration and autoimmunity. This project is focused on 1) how stresses such as cancer therapy or infection cause mitochondrial damage, and 2) understanding the biological processes that are triggered i ....Elucidating the mechanisms of mitochondrial DNA escape. The human body is powered by mitochondria, microscopic components of living cells that make the energy they need to function. Mitochondrial damage is linked to a wide spectrum of human diseases, from devastating syndromic illnesses to neurodegeneration and autoimmunity. This project is focused on 1) how stresses such as cancer therapy or infection cause mitochondrial damage, and 2) understanding the biological processes that are triggered inside the cell as it tries to recover. It will give a much greater understanding of mitochondrial damage at the microscopic level, and has the potential to unlock new avenues of investigation into the causes of inflammatory and immune disorders.Read moreRead less
Self-assembling nanoporous graphene with dialable pore sizes for green energy production. The biggest barrier to the Sun being our main energy source is it is not always available. This can be overcome by having an economical means of storing solar energy as it is produced. This project will demonstrate such a technology by using nanoporous graphene to support artificial photosynthesis to produce fuel from water and carbon dioxide using sunlight.
On-Chip Detection and Molecular Fingerprinting of Emerging Toxicants. The project aims to address key questions about the development and integration of advanced materials and functional molecules into cutting-edge analytical tools for screening emerging environmental pollutants. This is expected to generate fundamental and applied knowledge in analytical chemistry, using an interdisciplinary approach to engineer materials with precisely tailored properties for ultra-sensitive and selective dete ....On-Chip Detection and Molecular Fingerprinting of Emerging Toxicants. The project aims to address key questions about the development and integration of advanced materials and functional molecules into cutting-edge analytical tools for screening emerging environmental pollutants. This is expected to generate fundamental and applied knowledge in analytical chemistry, using an interdisciplinary approach to engineer materials with precisely tailored properties for ultra-sensitive and selective detection of extremely persistent toxicants in water. Anticipated outcomes are optical materials and functional molecules, integrated into lab-on-a-chip platforms with advanced features for real-life environmental applications – with significant benefits for addressing major environmental and health treats to our society.Read moreRead less
Bioinspired photo–iontronic membranes for smart neuron-mimicking systems. The project aims to address key fundamental questions about the development of bioinspired artificial nanochannels that can precisely mimic current signals and functionalities in neurons. This is expected to generate fundamental and applied knowledge in bioengineered photo–iontronic systems, harnessing a multidisciplinary approach to engineer materials with precisely tailored properties at the nanoscale for unprecedented d ....Bioinspired photo–iontronic membranes for smart neuron-mimicking systems. The project aims to address key fundamental questions about the development of bioinspired artificial nanochannels that can precisely mimic current signals and functionalities in neurons. This is expected to generate fundamental and applied knowledge in bioengineered photo–iontronic systems, harnessing a multidisciplinary approach to engineer materials with precisely tailored properties at the nanoscale for unprecedented dynamic control over ionic current through responsive, adaptable neuron-mimicking nanopores. Anticipated outcomes are advanced materials, integrated into smart architectures to overcome the limitations of solid-state systems for the next generation of integrated circuits, bio-interfacial sensors, and energy generators.Read moreRead less
Investigation of the fundamental roles of class Ib MHC (major histocompatibility complex) molecules in immunity. The proposed research program, using laboratory-based and synchrotron-based radiation, will provide insight into the roles of a poorly understood class of immune molecules. This will improve our understanding of the regulation of immunity, and the knowledge gained will increase Australia's international research profile.