Probing The Cellular Functions Of The Translation Factor P97
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$370,307.00
Summary
The protein p97 takes part in the synthesis of cellular proteins from messenger RNA, a central step in gene expression. We will characterise p97 function as cells progress through their cycle of growth and division, and during responses to stress. Cellular stress is important in many diseases, such as viral infection, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, or complications during major surgery. Knowledge of p97 function may help us to better understand and treat these diseases.
Macrophages are a key component of the immune system; thier functions include killing of pathogens as well as cancerous cells. Macrophage lineage cells are derived from stem cells within the bone marrow and thier differentiation, proliferation and survival is mediated by a particular growth factor termed colony stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1). The understanding of how macrophage lineage cells develop will help us to treat many diseases including certain cancers (such as leukemia), arthritis and inf ....Macrophages are a key component of the immune system; thier functions include killing of pathogens as well as cancerous cells. Macrophage lineage cells are derived from stem cells within the bone marrow and thier differentiation, proliferation and survival is mediated by a particular growth factor termed colony stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1). The understanding of how macrophage lineage cells develop will help us to treat many diseases including certain cancers (such as leukemia), arthritis and inflammation, and disorders of the immune system. The action of CSF-1 is mediated by the CSF-1 receptor (CSF-1R) which, when activated, controls gene regulation. In this proposal we will study CSF-1R activation and identify the genes regulated by CSF-1 with a view to characterize genes critical for macrophage development. These genes may provide potential targets for new pharmacological agents.Read moreRead less
Does a novel class of small RNA molecules control self-incompatibility in solanaceous plants? Self-incompatibility is a simple and genetically defined cell recognition system that prevents inbreeding in many plant species. Flowers of self-incompatible plants can distinguish self pollen from foreign pollen, and allow only foreign pollen to fertilise their egg cells. This proposal will investigate the possibility that the part of the genetic self-incompatibility locus controlling recognition of ....Does a novel class of small RNA molecules control self-incompatibility in solanaceous plants? Self-incompatibility is a simple and genetically defined cell recognition system that prevents inbreeding in many plant species. Flowers of self-incompatible plants can distinguish self pollen from foreign pollen, and allow only foreign pollen to fertilise their egg cells. This proposal will investigate the possibility that the part of the genetic self-incompatibility locus controlling recognition of pollen is a novel type of gene that encodes a small RNA molecule but no protein. Knowledge gained by studying the self-incompatibility genes will help us to understand how plant cells recognise each other, and may allow us to manipulate seed (and hence crop) production.Read moreRead less
The Role of High-Frequency Antigenic Variation in The Pathogenesis of Mycoplasma infection. The main goal of the proposed project is to understand the molecular mechanisms of phase/antigenic variation and its effects on mycoplasma pathogenesis. In this context I will use the well-characterised Mycoplasma synoviae haemagglutinin, MSPA, to establish the role of its phase-variable expression in the type and extent of M. synoviae disease. Additionally, the relationship between MSPA phase variation a ....The Role of High-Frequency Antigenic Variation in The Pathogenesis of Mycoplasma infection. The main goal of the proposed project is to understand the molecular mechanisms of phase/antigenic variation and its effects on mycoplasma pathogenesis. In this context I will use the well-characterised Mycoplasma synoviae haemagglutinin, MSPA, to establish the role of its phase-variable expression in the type and extent of M. synoviae disease. Additionally, the relationship between MSPA phase variation and gene rearrangements in the MSPB-encoding gene will be elucidated. The results will contribute to our understanding of the pathogenesis of bacterial disease and of the evolution of pathogenic mechanisms in bacterial pathogens.Read moreRead less
Comprehensive transcriptional mapping of emergent division-linked cell fate decisions. This project proposal will lead to a better understanding of the molecular mechanics that drive certain cellular behaviors. To do this, we will use a frontier technology, RNA sequencing, which we think has the potential to revolutionise Australian science and make Australia an even more attractive place for young researchers. The community at large benefits from novel technologies as they create new opportunit ....Comprehensive transcriptional mapping of emergent division-linked cell fate decisions. This project proposal will lead to a better understanding of the molecular mechanics that drive certain cellular behaviors. To do this, we will use a frontier technology, RNA sequencing, which we think has the potential to revolutionise Australian science and make Australia an even more attractive place for young researchers. The community at large benefits from novel technologies as they create new opportunities for university research and attract young minds to the challenges of maths and science.Read moreRead less
A genetic analysis of the role of an atypical hexokinase in gene regulation. This project addresses a question which is relevant to all living things-how do changes in the environment of a cell bring about a change in gene expression? The aim of this project is to investigate the role of hexokinases in gene regulation by studying the Aspergillus nidulans xprF gene, which encodes an an unusual hexokinase. Hexokinases are thought to be the glucose sensors in plants, animals and fungi, and play a ....A genetic analysis of the role of an atypical hexokinase in gene regulation. This project addresses a question which is relevant to all living things-how do changes in the environment of a cell bring about a change in gene expression? The aim of this project is to investigate the role of hexokinases in gene regulation by studying the Aspergillus nidulans xprF gene, which encodes an an unusual hexokinase. Hexokinases are thought to be the glucose sensors in plants, animals and fungi, and play a role in the development of diabetes in humans. In plants, sugars affect many processes including growth, flowering, photosynthesis, nitrogen metabolism, starch synthesis, pigmentation and response to pathogens.Read moreRead less
New approaches for screening cereal germplasm for enhanced microbial pathogen resistance and desirable grain texture. The trait of grain hardness (texture) is of significance to the Australian infrastructure, as exports of hard wheat contribute over 5 billion dollars per year on average to the national economy and hard wheats are also important for domestic usage. The genes responsible for grain texture also impart resistance to bacterial and fungal pathogens which can cause extensive damage. ....New approaches for screening cereal germplasm for enhanced microbial pathogen resistance and desirable grain texture. The trait of grain hardness (texture) is of significance to the Australian infrastructure, as exports of hard wheat contribute over 5 billion dollars per year on average to the national economy and hard wheats are also important for domestic usage. The genes responsible for grain texture also impart resistance to bacterial and fungal pathogens which can cause extensive damage. However, the Australian gene pool has very limited genetic diversity in grain textures and thus possibly in pathogen resistance. The project will work out the science behind these two traits and identify lines with new variants of textures and pathogen resistances, thus greatly benefiting the national infrastructure and local primary industries.Read moreRead less
STUDIES OF NF-E4, A NOVEL FETAL/ERYTHROID SPECIFIC FACTOR INVOLVED IN FETAL GLOBIN GENE REGULATION
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$753,810.00
Summary
Sickle cell anemia and thalassemia are the commonest genetic disorders worldwide. Those affected suffer devastating clinical sequelae and mortality in the first twenty years of life remains high. A cure for these diseases is dependent on the replacement of the affected or absent hemoglobin protein chains with normally functioning hemoglobins. This is evident in rare patients who co-inherit a natural mutation which elevates fetal hemoglobin (HbF), as these patients have a dramatically ameliorated ....Sickle cell anemia and thalassemia are the commonest genetic disorders worldwide. Those affected suffer devastating clinical sequelae and mortality in the first twenty years of life remains high. A cure for these diseases is dependent on the replacement of the affected or absent hemoglobin protein chains with normally functioning hemoglobins. This is evident in rare patients who co-inherit a natural mutation which elevates fetal hemoglobin (HbF), as these patients have a dramatically ameliorated clinical course. Therefore, treatment strategies which could reactivate fetal globin gene expression after birth should be explored for these diseases. To achieve this goal we must further our understanding of the normal mechanisms of developmental regulation of globin gene expression. To this end we have recently identified a novel gene which is critical for fetal globin expression. The studies we propose here will further define the function of this gene and assess its potential for gene therapy for sickle cell disease and thalassemia.Read moreRead less
Regulation of Cellulose Biosynthesis in Commercially Important Cereal Crop Species. The long term strategic research alliance with DuPont Pioneer will lead to the development of breakthrough science in emerging technologies that are relevant: a) to agricultural production, b) to human health and c) to renewable bio-fuel production from crop residues. The alliance will attract significant international investment in Australian research and foster an intellectual environment for world-class resear ....Regulation of Cellulose Biosynthesis in Commercially Important Cereal Crop Species. The long term strategic research alliance with DuPont Pioneer will lead to the development of breakthrough science in emerging technologies that are relevant: a) to agricultural production, b) to human health and c) to renewable bio-fuel production from crop residues. The alliance will attract significant international investment in Australian research and foster an intellectual environment for world-class research training of postgraduate students and postdoctoral scientists, in both a higher education and an industry context.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0454052
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$733,595.00
Summary
Tandem Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionisation Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectrometer and Robots for High Throughput Proteomics Analysis. This proposal seeks to establish the capacity to perform high-energy tandem mass spectrometry on a high throughput basis, through purchase and coordinated operation of a Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionisation - Time of Flight / Time of Flight - Mass Spectrometer and ancillary equipment, to enhance the proteomics expertise, infrastructure and research plans ....Tandem Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionisation Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectrometer and Robots for High Throughput Proteomics Analysis. This proposal seeks to establish the capacity to perform high-energy tandem mass spectrometry on a high throughput basis, through purchase and coordinated operation of a Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionisation - Time of Flight / Time of Flight - Mass Spectrometer and ancillary equipment, to enhance the proteomics expertise, infrastructure and research plans of a network of institutions from Queensland and New South Wales and their collaborators. Access to such instrumentation is critical to high level achievement in proteomics, a key platform technology for National Research Priorities relating to Frontier Technologies. No comparable instrument currently exists in Australia.Read moreRead less