Interfacial interactions with hydrogel biomaterials. The interactions between cells of the body and the surfaces of medical implants are controlled largely by the molecules that are adsorbed on the surface. The aim of this project is to evaluate the effect of modifying hydrogel biomaterials on the interactions of the molecules with the hydrogel. This, in turn, allows us to determine the factors affecting the control of the cell's response. The significance of this work is in the improved ability ....Interfacial interactions with hydrogel biomaterials. The interactions between cells of the body and the surfaces of medical implants are controlled largely by the molecules that are adsorbed on the surface. The aim of this project is to evaluate the effect of modifying hydrogel biomaterials on the interactions of the molecules with the hydrogel. This, in turn, allows us to determine the factors affecting the control of the cell's response. The significance of this work is in the improved ability to control cellular responses to implants. Such improved response will result in better health outcomes for patients, and outcomes in the form of papers and intellectual property.
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Visualising below the tip of the proteome iceberg. Proteomics attempts to understand human biology by examining the protein components of cells and tissues. Unfortunately, currently available technology only allows approximately 10% of the complexity of these cells and tissues to be concurrently investigated. This project will the physical, chemical and functional properties of protein classes for enrichment, as well as improve technologies for protein visualization, identification and character ....Visualising below the tip of the proteome iceberg. Proteomics attempts to understand human biology by examining the protein components of cells and tissues. Unfortunately, currently available technology only allows approximately 10% of the complexity of these cells and tissues to be concurrently investigated. This project will the physical, chemical and functional properties of protein classes for enrichment, as well as improve technologies for protein visualization, identification and characterization. These approaches will allow the scientific community to further mine beneath the surface of the proteomics 'iceberg'.Read moreRead less
Evolution of maternal effects: a life-history perspective. The community benefits from the present project are two-fold. Firstly, it strengthens Australia's competititve position in evolutionary biology research, and its applications in conservation and medicine. The projects focus on long-term consequences of early developmental conditions is considered to be a priority in both medical and evolutionary research. Secondly, understanding variation in phenotypic traits in relation to environmental ....Evolution of maternal effects: a life-history perspective. The community benefits from the present project are two-fold. Firstly, it strengthens Australia's competititve position in evolutionary biology research, and its applications in conservation and medicine. The projects focus on long-term consequences of early developmental conditions is considered to be a priority in both medical and evolutionary research. Secondly, understanding variation in phenotypic traits in relation to environmental factors, such as prenatal stress, is important for designing conservation and animal breeding programs to minimize the risk of population decline and to ensure uncompromised husbandry conditions to avoid animal suffering. Read moreRead less
Cholesterol-dependent control of plasma membrane lipid rafts. Lipid rafts are recently discovered micro-domains in the plasma membrane that are highly enriched in cholesterol, giving these domains a unique lipid structure. Because of their distinct structure specific proteins partition into these domains so that lipid rafts act as message transduction centres in a variety of cell functions. It is hypothesised that cholesterol is the link between the distinct biophysical parameters of lipid rafts ....Cholesterol-dependent control of plasma membrane lipid rafts. Lipid rafts are recently discovered micro-domains in the plasma membrane that are highly enriched in cholesterol, giving these domains a unique lipid structure. Because of their distinct structure specific proteins partition into these domains so that lipid rafts act as message transduction centres in a variety of cell functions. It is hypothesised that cholesterol is the link between the distinct biophysical parameters of lipid rafts and their function. The aim of this proposal is to understand how cellular cholesterol levels contribute to raft structure and function, thus elevating cholesterol to a regulatory element for lipid raft and their function.Read moreRead less
Development of novel fluorescent proteins from marine organisms for in vivo fluorescence imaging technologies and cancer research. The Australian Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is a national treasure and the development of fluorescent proteins (FPs) from reef organisms for in vivo imaging and biotechnology will enhance the appreciation of this resource. Nowadays, imaging of biochemical processes in living cells is essential for knowing the roles of various genes and proteins in health and diseases. Th ....Development of novel fluorescent proteins from marine organisms for in vivo fluorescence imaging technologies and cancer research. The Australian Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is a national treasure and the development of fluorescent proteins (FPs) from reef organisms for in vivo imaging and biotechnology will enhance the appreciation of this resource. Nowadays, imaging of biochemical processes in living cells is essential for knowing the roles of various genes and proteins in health and diseases. The global market for fluorescence-based products is estimated in billions of dollars p.a. The discovery of natural FPs from GBR with superior molecular, biophysical and optical characteristics to those of commercially available FPs offers a unique opportunity to develop advanced tools to study cellular processes and develop diagnostic assays for diseases such as cancer.Read moreRead less
How does clusterin protect cells from stresses? We recently discovered that clusterin: (i) is the only known secreted (ie extracellular) mammalian chaperone and (ii) can protect proteins and cells from stresses.These breakthrough advances provide the first unifying biological function for this protein - in whole organisms, clusterine is likely to protect tissues and organs form biologyical stresses. The work proposed will provide quantum advances in our understanding of the molecular basis by wh ....How does clusterin protect cells from stresses? We recently discovered that clusterin: (i) is the only known secreted (ie extracellular) mammalian chaperone and (ii) can protect proteins and cells from stresses.These breakthrough advances provide the first unifying biological function for this protein - in whole organisms, clusterine is likely to protect tissues and organs form biologyical stresses. The work proposed will provide quantum advances in our understanding of the molecular basis by which clusterin effects its protective actions. We expect to demonstrate that clusterin protects cells form stresses by exerting its chaperone action at or near the cell surface and to identify specific regions and structural features of the clusterine molecule important in its chaperone action.Read moreRead less
Proteomic analysis of subcellular changes during apoptosis. This project aims to use a novel proteomic approach to examine mechanisms of apoptosis at the level of the plasma membrane, mitochondrion, nucleus and cytosol, screening protein extracts of cell organelles by the new technique of SELDI-TOF mass spectrometry in which proteins are adsorbed onto activated chips. This will provide protein mass profiles characteristic of various stages of apoptosis, and will allow identification of proteins ....Proteomic analysis of subcellular changes during apoptosis. This project aims to use a novel proteomic approach to examine mechanisms of apoptosis at the level of the plasma membrane, mitochondrion, nucleus and cytosol, screening protein extracts of cell organelles by the new technique of SELDI-TOF mass spectrometry in which proteins are adsorbed onto activated chips. This will provide protein mass profiles characteristic of various stages of apoptosis, and will allow identification of proteins of interest by conventional proteomic methods. The establishment of SELDI-MS as a viable tool for cell proteomics would open new opportunities to understand a broad range of cellular functions at the level of protein expression.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354622
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$20,000.00
Summary
Genes and Environment in Development. Interactions between the early environment and the genetic regulatory program of the early embryo have major consequences for the development of individuals. The aim of this Network is to harness the resources of leading researchers from the previously distinct disciplines of developmental biology and developmental physiology to better understand developmental regulatory networks and how environmental factors impinge on them. The formation of such a Network ....Genes and Environment in Development. Interactions between the early environment and the genetic regulatory program of the early embryo have major consequences for the development of individuals. The aim of this Network is to harness the resources of leading researchers from the previously distinct disciplines of developmental biology and developmental physiology to better understand developmental regulatory networks and how environmental factors impinge on them. The formation of such a Network is unique, timely and strategic in that it will generate new insights into the mechanisms by which events in early life determine the risk of adverse outcomes in perinatal and adult life.Read moreRead less
ARC/NHMRC Research Network in Genes and Environment in Development. Interactions between the early environment and the genetic regulatory program of the developing organism have major consequences for the lifetime health of individuals. The primary objective of the Network in Genes and Environment in Development is to harness the resources of leading researchers from the currently distinct disciplines of developmental biology and developmental physiology to define key developmental regulatory ne ....ARC/NHMRC Research Network in Genes and Environment in Development. Interactions between the early environment and the genetic regulatory program of the developing organism have major consequences for the lifetime health of individuals. The primary objective of the Network in Genes and Environment in Development is to harness the resources of leading researchers from the currently distinct disciplines of developmental biology and developmental physiology to define key developmental regulatory networks and to address how environmental factors impinge on these regulatory networks. The formation of this National Research Network is unique, timely and strategic. It will generate new insights into the mechanisms by which events in early life determine the risk of adverse outcomes in perinatal and adult life.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100130
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$850,000.00
Summary
Systems biology: New generation DNA sequencing to functional analysis. The technique of DNA sequencing (or 'reading' the lines of the four repeating letters that make up the genetic code) illustrates how technological developments have become the main drivers in exploring the roles of genetic factors across a spectrum of research activities. Funding provided through this ARC grant will allow the purchase of the latest DNA sequencing platform, the Illumina Solexa, as well as equipment that will b ....Systems biology: New generation DNA sequencing to functional analysis. The technique of DNA sequencing (or 'reading' the lines of the four repeating letters that make up the genetic code) illustrates how technological developments have become the main drivers in exploring the roles of genetic factors across a spectrum of research activities. Funding provided through this ARC grant will allow the purchase of the latest DNA sequencing platform, the Illumina Solexa, as well as equipment that will be used to understand the biological function of the DNA sequencing results that are obtained. The equipment will allow Australian researchers to compete on an equal footing with the international leaders in understanding the roles played by genes in plants, microorganisms, animals and humans.Read moreRead less