Biogenesis of red blood cell membrane modifications by the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Malaria is not only a major global health problem, but also affects countries neighbouring Australia like Indonesia, reducing the region's stability and prosperity. Environmental changes and increased mobility of people (aid and military personnel) make Australia itself more prone to malaria. The project will translate recent genomic data into functional insights using frontier technology to identi ....Biogenesis of red blood cell membrane modifications by the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Malaria is not only a major global health problem, but also affects countries neighbouring Australia like Indonesia, reducing the region's stability and prosperity. Environmental changes and increased mobility of people (aid and military personnel) make Australia itself more prone to malaria. The project will translate recent genomic data into functional insights using frontier technology to identify new intervention targets for Plasmodium falciparum infection. Developing novel targets is mandated by humanity, but also to safeguard Australia's region against the social and economic implications of this disease. An Australian developed intervention would increase the global visibility of its science, leading to increased investments.Read moreRead less
Taming the intruders: the domestication of Tigger transposable elements in mammals. It has become apparent that most of the DNA that makes us what we are is actually comprised of the remnants of invading parasitic DNA acquired over time. A continual battle exists between host which tries to silence or remove this DNA, and the parasite that tries to multiply and spread. We are currently investigating an intriguing aspect of this process that involves host genomes 'domesticating' parasitic DNA to ....Taming the intruders: the domestication of Tigger transposable elements in mammals. It has become apparent that most of the DNA that makes us what we are is actually comprised of the remnants of invading parasitic DNA acquired over time. A continual battle exists between host which tries to silence or remove this DNA, and the parasite that tries to multiply and spread. We are currently investigating an intriguing aspect of this process that involves host genomes 'domesticating' parasitic DNA to provide novel functions, thereby facilitating the evolution of specific characteristics within species.Read moreRead less
Functional Genomic Analysis of Exported DNAJ Molecules in the Malaria Parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Malaria is not only a global health problem, but also affects countries surrounding Australia like PNG and Indonesia, reducing the region's stability and prosperity. Environmental changes and increased mobility of people (eg. aid and security personnel) make Australia itself more prone to malaria. The project will translate recent genomic data into functional insights using frontier technology t ....Functional Genomic Analysis of Exported DNAJ Molecules in the Malaria Parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Malaria is not only a global health problem, but also affects countries surrounding Australia like PNG and Indonesia, reducing the region's stability and prosperity. Environmental changes and increased mobility of people (eg. aid and security personnel) make Australia itself more prone to malaria. The project will translate recent genomic data into functional insights using frontier technology to identify new intervention targets for P. falciparum infection. Developing novel targets is mandated by humanity, and also to safeguard Australia's region against the social and economical implication of this disease. An Australian developed intervention would increase the global visibility of its science, leading to increased investments.Read moreRead less
Development of Model Systems to Investigate Blood Hydrodynamic Parameters Affecting Blood Cell Function: An Interdisciplinary Approach. National benefit will come through this research contributing to a better understanding of blood flow biology and pathology, both of which are of particular relevance to the aging Australian population. This benefit is well aligned with the 2008 National research priority 2: Promoting and Maintaining Good Health; Priority Goal 3. Preventative Health. The synthes ....Development of Model Systems to Investigate Blood Hydrodynamic Parameters Affecting Blood Cell Function: An Interdisciplinary Approach. National benefit will come through this research contributing to a better understanding of blood flow biology and pathology, both of which are of particular relevance to the aging Australian population. This benefit is well aligned with the 2008 National research priority 2: Promoting and Maintaining Good Health; Priority Goal 3. Preventative Health. The synthesis of both extensive expertise in platelet/cardiovascular research and bioengineering/rheology should provide a substantial platform from which fundamental new discoveries in this niche area can be made. The development of novel platelet analysis tools arising from this work may also ultimately lead to new intellectual property and attract industry based funding.Read moreRead less
Examination of the Calcium Signalling Dynamics Linked to Integrin Adhesion Utilising a Novel Micro-imaging System. This study aims at increasing our understanding of the fundamental cell processes that allow cells to adhere to surfaces. The proposed study will lead to a greater understanding of the calcium signalling mechanisms that are fundamental to diverse biological phenomena such as, tissue regeneration and repair, blood clotting, cancer metastasis, and neuronal cell function. From a preven ....Examination of the Calcium Signalling Dynamics Linked to Integrin Adhesion Utilising a Novel Micro-imaging System. This study aims at increasing our understanding of the fundamental cell processes that allow cells to adhere to surfaces. The proposed study will lead to a greater understanding of the calcium signalling mechanisms that are fundamental to diverse biological phenomena such as, tissue regeneration and repair, blood clotting, cancer metastasis, and neuronal cell function. From a preventative health perspective, the investigation of platelet calcium signalling will greatly accelerate the development of new pharmaceuticals to tackle acute and chronic cardiovascular diseases, such as stroke, heart attack and artherosclerosis. Read moreRead less
Detecting stress-induced changes to subcellular copper pools in brain cells. Copper (Cu) plays essential roles in the functioning of brain cells, but the regulation and activity of this metal is poorly understood. This project aims to map sub-cellular Cu pools in brain cells, with particular emphasis on the effects of cellular stresses on these pools. These studies are expected to contribute important new methods for the study of Cu biology, and could provide valuable information about how Cu ho ....Detecting stress-induced changes to subcellular copper pools in brain cells. Copper (Cu) plays essential roles in the functioning of brain cells, but the regulation and activity of this metal is poorly understood. This project aims to map sub-cellular Cu pools in brain cells, with particular emphasis on the effects of cellular stresses on these pools. These studies are expected to contribute important new methods for the study of Cu biology, and could provide valuable information about how Cu homeostasis is maintained or perturbed under various stresses. In the future, this work is expected to form the basis of studies of brain Cu pools in neurodegenerative diseases.Read moreRead less
Control of developmental switches by importin 5. Aims: This project will study a key molecular switch called IPO5, a protein that is required for cells and organs to form and function normally, and it will reveal how it works.
Significance: These experiments will provide the first complete description of how this molecular switch controls the behaviour of a cell across its lifespan. IPO5 is highly conserved, so these studies will be relevant to a wide range of animals.
Expected Outcomes: This k ....Control of developmental switches by importin 5. Aims: This project will study a key molecular switch called IPO5, a protein that is required for cells and organs to form and function normally, and it will reveal how it works.
Significance: These experiments will provide the first complete description of how this molecular switch controls the behaviour of a cell across its lifespan. IPO5 is highly conserved, so these studies will be relevant to a wide range of animals.
Expected Outcomes: This knowledge will reveal how IPO5 controls formation of sperm by revealing what other proteins it binds to and how this affects cell signaling and responses to the environment.
Benefits: This will provide information about potential interventions to control fertility or to repair abnormal cells.
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Discovering mechanisms of primary embryonic tissue migration through live cell imaging and novel genetic approaches. The studies proposed here will provide concepts and knowledge about the molecular basis of cell migration that will impact on diverse aspects of human health, such as the causes and nature of tumour metastasis and our understanding of the developmental basis of birth defects. In addition, understanding cell migration mechanisms will allow us to better predict or control the behav ....Discovering mechanisms of primary embryonic tissue migration through live cell imaging and novel genetic approaches. The studies proposed here will provide concepts and knowledge about the molecular basis of cell migration that will impact on diverse aspects of human health, such as the causes and nature of tumour metastasis and our understanding of the developmental basis of birth defects. In addition, understanding cell migration mechanisms will allow us to better predict or control the behaviour of therapeutic stem cells introduced into the body.Read moreRead less
Composition, assembly and functions of the pellicle of apicomplexan parasites: a structure pivotal to disease transmission and progression. Apicomplexan parasites are successful agents of disease (e.g. malaria) due to their superb ability to quickly invade host cells and generate many more parasites. This project will study the dedicated structures beneath the parasite cell covering that are responsible for these abilities to help refine strategies for combating apicomplexan diseases.
Biogenesis of the relict plastid of Apicomplexan parasites: the role of a dynamin-related protein in apicoplast division. The Apicomplexa are a group of intracellular parasites that cause several important diseases. Most Apicomplexa contain an organelle called the apicoplast that is indispensable for their survival and that can only form through the division of pre-existing apicoplasts. This project will examine the molecular mechanisms of how this process occurs.