Red Cell Polymorphisms and Malaria. Certain red blood cell disorders have been associated with innate protection against malaria infection. However many early studies were inconclusive. We intend to carry out a comprehensive study to investigate the effect of red blood cell differences on the invasion and/or growth of Plasmodium falciparum in vitro using improved techniques. Identification of red cell components involved in interaction with P.falciparum would give a better understanding of host ....Red Cell Polymorphisms and Malaria. Certain red blood cell disorders have been associated with innate protection against malaria infection. However many early studies were inconclusive. We intend to carry out a comprehensive study to investigate the effect of red blood cell differences on the invasion and/or growth of Plasmodium falciparum in vitro using improved techniques. Identification of red cell components involved in interaction with P.falciparum would give a better understanding of host parasite interactions which may in turn suggest novel approaches or pathways to persue. This may eventually lead to the development of novel therapeutics.
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Novel antimicrobial target discovery by an integrated approach. The project aims to uncover the molecular targets of BDM-I, a novel antimicrobial candidate discovered by the start-up Australian company BioDiem Ltd. BDM-I is active against many drug resistant bacterial and fungal microorganisms and it is currently in pre-clinical development. However, the lack of resistant phenotypes makes it difficult to identify BDM-I’s mechanism of action. The project plans to use an integrated approach that c ....Novel antimicrobial target discovery by an integrated approach. The project aims to uncover the molecular targets of BDM-I, a novel antimicrobial candidate discovered by the start-up Australian company BioDiem Ltd. BDM-I is active against many drug resistant bacterial and fungal microorganisms and it is currently in pre-clinical development. However, the lack of resistant phenotypes makes it difficult to identify BDM-I’s mechanism of action. The project plans to use an integrated approach that combines a novel technique of in silico screening with experimental validation. Project outcomes are anticipated to include the first computational method to integrate target and ligand similarity for proteome-scale target and off-target discovery, which will advance the global fight against drug-resistant microorganisms.Read moreRead less
New modulators of voltage-gated sodium channel subtypes from Australian Tarantula venoms. The venoms of Australian tarantula spiders provide a unique and untapped source of bioactive molecules. From a large stock of venom, and in collaboration with Australian pharmaceutical company Xenome, we will develop a comprehensive library of venom components suitable for drug screening. Potential national benefits from this work include a huge reduction in the healthcare bill deriving from a new treatmen ....New modulators of voltage-gated sodium channel subtypes from Australian Tarantula venoms. The venoms of Australian tarantula spiders provide a unique and untapped source of bioactive molecules. From a large stock of venom, and in collaboration with Australian pharmaceutical company Xenome, we will develop a comprehensive library of venom components suitable for drug screening. Potential national benefits from this work include a huge reduction in the healthcare bill deriving from a new treatment for pain, as well as substantial royalty returns from drugs sales. Discoveries from the program are also likely to lead to an enhancement in Australia's reputation in the neurosciences and to the development of new diagnostic research tools. The major community benefit will be a reduction in the suffering of chronic pain patients.Read moreRead less
Targeting virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by inhibiting oxidative protein folding. Our research will lead to the development of compounds with a novel anti-virulence/antibacterial mode of action for further drug development.
Saving Nemo: Reducing animal use in toxicity assessments of wastewater. Every day, Australians produce ~5 billion litres of wastewater, which contains a cocktail of chemicals. Industries that discharge wastewater are required to assess chemical risks to the receiving environments by conducting whole animal direct toxicity assessments (DTA), which are expensive and pose an ethical dilemma. Our preliminary research shows that new in vitro bioassays provide an ethical and cost effective alternative ....Saving Nemo: Reducing animal use in toxicity assessments of wastewater. Every day, Australians produce ~5 billion litres of wastewater, which contains a cocktail of chemicals. Industries that discharge wastewater are required to assess chemical risks to the receiving environments by conducting whole animal direct toxicity assessments (DTA), which are expensive and pose an ethical dilemma. Our preliminary research shows that new in vitro bioassays provide an ethical and cost effective alternative that could be incorporated into DTA programs if their ecological relevance can be demonstrated. This project will develop and validate a new and internationally significant suite of in vitro bioassays for incorporation into DTA programs, leading to more ethical, cost effective and improved environmental protection.Read moreRead less
Development of technologies to monitor multimolecular complexes. Development of technologies to monitor multimolecular complexes. This project aims to develop technologies to monitor how proteins and their interacting molecules (such as hormones) form multi-component complexes, and how these complexes function in the cell, including movement from the cell surface, into different cellular compartments and back up to the surface. These technologies are expected to enable monitoring in live cells i ....Development of technologies to monitor multimolecular complexes. Development of technologies to monitor multimolecular complexes. This project aims to develop technologies to monitor how proteins and their interacting molecules (such as hormones) form multi-component complexes, and how these complexes function in the cell, including movement from the cell surface, into different cellular compartments and back up to the surface. These technologies are expected to enable monitoring in live cells in real-time with high sensitivity. This project could have broad benefits for and affect study of all aspects of the life sciences at the cellular and molecular levels. How these protein complexes function in cells underpins much of our understanding of biology, and technological tools.Read moreRead less
Protein biosensors for detecting smoke exposure of grapes. Bush fires and controlled burns that take place in the vicinity of vineyards can lead to grape contamination with tasteless phenolic glucosides. Their hydrolysis during wine making leads to “smoke taint” – an unpleasant medicinal taste that can render wine undrinkable. We will apply a combination of organic synthesis, protein engineering and directed evolution to develop protein-based biosensors of phenolic glucosides. These biosensors w ....Protein biosensors for detecting smoke exposure of grapes. Bush fires and controlled burns that take place in the vicinity of vineyards can lead to grape contamination with tasteless phenolic glucosides. Their hydrolysis during wine making leads to “smoke taint” – an unpleasant medicinal taste that can render wine undrinkable. We will apply a combination of organic synthesis, protein engineering and directed evolution to develop protein-based biosensors of phenolic glucosides. These biosensors will be used to devise a simple portable colorimetric test that can be performed in the vineyard or the winery. The ability to rapidly determine the level of grape contamination with phenolic glucosides would give Australian wine growers and wine makers a powerful tool to mitigate the effects of bushfires.Read moreRead less
Gut Absorption of Constrained Peptides for Local and Systemic Targeting. Aims: This project aims to investigate how peptides are absorbed across the intestinal wall and distributed to organs and fluids in a rodent model by combining bio-analysis and pharmacokinetics with high-resolution microscopy and imaging.
Significance: This project expects to generate the most comprehensive survey to date of the pathways and mechanisms of peptide absorption, biodistribution and immune cell targeting, by ....Gut Absorption of Constrained Peptides for Local and Systemic Targeting. Aims: This project aims to investigate how peptides are absorbed across the intestinal wall and distributed to organs and fluids in a rodent model by combining bio-analysis and pharmacokinetics with high-resolution microscopy and imaging.
Significance: This project expects to generate the most comprehensive survey to date of the pathways and mechanisms of peptide absorption, biodistribution and immune cell targeting, by implementing innovative approaches.
Expected Outcomes: Expected outcomes include significant new knowledge and a new multi-disciplinary platform for measuring peptide absorption.
Benefits: This should provide significant benefits by informing the future design of peptides for supplements, therapeutics and carriers. Read moreRead less