Molecular toxinology of Australia's lesser known venomous snakes. This proposal represents a tremendous opportunity for biodiscovery from venomous snakes. This will be achieved through the researchers' unique approach of investigating previously unmapped venom systems for divergent, bioactive proteins. An understanding of venomous animal protein evolution great potential in drug discovery and other commercial applications. This project will provide Australian graduate and post-graduate stude ....Molecular toxinology of Australia's lesser known venomous snakes. This proposal represents a tremendous opportunity for biodiscovery from venomous snakes. This will be achieved through the researchers' unique approach of investigating previously unmapped venom systems for divergent, bioactive proteins. An understanding of venomous animal protein evolution great potential in drug discovery and other commercial applications. This project will provide Australian graduate and post-graduate students with finely tuned skills in cutting edge methodological techniques and a fluent understanding of molecular evolution, preparing them to be internationally competitive scientists.Read moreRead less
The atlas of trace metals in the mouse brain: a new tool for neuroscientists. This project will produce the first atlas of trace metals in the mouse brain: a set of 'maps' of a type of brain often used to study diseases affecting the human brain. This online resource will show neuroscientists unprecedented 3D detail of the distribution in the brain of trace metals, which are implicated in such diseases as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
Metabolic Profiling of Human Embryonic Stem Cells. Stem cell therapies are becoming a commercial reality. Stem cell products have an estimated value of US$ 87 million this year and are predicted to be worth US$ 8.5 billion within a decade. Development of stem cell products will be an international research effort with many contributing to the final products. Research described here will augment this effort, strengthening Australia's contribution by developing novel intellectual property and appl ....Metabolic Profiling of Human Embryonic Stem Cells. Stem cell therapies are becoming a commercial reality. Stem cell products have an estimated value of US$ 87 million this year and are predicted to be worth US$ 8.5 billion within a decade. Development of stem cell products will be an international research effort with many contributing to the final products. Research described here will augment this effort, strengthening Australia's contribution by developing novel intellectual property and applications. The training of individuals skilled in stem cell research will add to Australia's pool of stem cell researchers. Individuals trained in this area will be paramount to maintaining Australia's research effort and in the application of these technologies into the Australian health sector.Read moreRead less
Isolation and analysis of novel caspases. Apoptosis is an evolutionarily conserved cellular process which must be tightly controlled for normal development and to avoid disease. Rapid progress has been made recently in the elucidation of apoptotic pathways, but many important components are likely still unknown. The caspases constitute the effector arm of apoptotic signalling pathways and some members play important roles in cytokine maturation. We aim to identify novel caspases using an innovat ....Isolation and analysis of novel caspases. Apoptosis is an evolutionarily conserved cellular process which must be tightly controlled for normal development and to avoid disease. Rapid progress has been made recently in the elucidation of apoptotic pathways, but many important components are likely still unknown. The caspases constitute the effector arm of apoptotic signalling pathways and some members play important roles in cytokine maturation. We aim to identify novel caspases using an innovative technique, and to characterise their function and regulation. Molecules identified in this project may be candidate targets for therapies which modulate apoptosis for treatment or prevention of disease, or diagnostic reagent development.Read moreRead less
Nuclear transport in stress. This project aims to provide key new insights into cell resistance to stress centred on subcellular transport in stress. Environmental stress in its various forms results in the breakdown of cellular functions such as conventional transport into and out of the host cell nucleus. This project will examine a nuclear transporter that has the ability to remain active in stress. Results will establish a platform for stress biology research by the evaluation of nuclear tra ....Nuclear transport in stress. This project aims to provide key new insights into cell resistance to stress centred on subcellular transport in stress. Environmental stress in its various forms results in the breakdown of cellular functions such as conventional transport into and out of the host cell nucleus. This project will examine a nuclear transporter that has the ability to remain active in stress. Results will establish a platform for stress biology research by the evaluation of nuclear transport in stress in cellular and in-vivo models, and its impact on cell fate. These outcomes will have broad-reaching benefits for enacting climate change responses as well as enhancing Australia’s international collaborative network and providing research training opportunities.Read moreRead less
New models of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation disorders. Mitochondrial disease can affect both children and adults and is often fatal. This project will study mitochondrial function in cell types of the heart and brain to better understand how they generate energy in these tissues. This will provide new insights into mitochondrial metabolism and how defects in this process cause mitochondrial disease.
Novel modes of signalling of serotonin 5-HT2c receptors. This project focuses on a special family of receptor proteins that mediate the actions of the neurochemical, serotonin (5HT), in the human brain. These serotonin receptors are major targets for antidepressant and antipsychotic medications, and also play a role in anxiety, migraine and control of appetite. Despite the important role of serotonin receptors in health and disease, the mechanism of action of many drugs acting on these receptors ....Novel modes of signalling of serotonin 5-HT2c receptors. This project focuses on a special family of receptor proteins that mediate the actions of the neurochemical, serotonin (5HT), in the human brain. These serotonin receptors are major targets for antidepressant and antipsychotic medications, and also play a role in anxiety, migraine and control of appetite. Despite the important role of serotonin receptors in health and disease, the mechanism of action of many drugs acting on these receptors remains unknown. Our project will specifically investigate novel molecular mechanisms associated with serotonin receptor activity that may prove vital in understanding mechanisms of psychiatric illnesses, and how many psychiatric medicines actually work.Read moreRead less
Cellular and molecular mechanisms for gut homeostasis in mammals. Certain molecules are responsible for gut homeostasis. This project aims to develop new tools to manipulate the cellular and molecular pathways around these molecules, which should provide benefit for human and animal health. This project will test whether the basis of many health conditions is disrupted gut homeostasis, through changes in diet and our gut bacteria.