Molecular control of apoptosis and protein homeostasis. A million cells are produced every second by cell division. At the same time a million cells commit suicide by a process called apoptosis. When cells fail to die when they should they can develop into cancers. In heart attacks, stroke and neurodegenerative diseases, many cells appear to activate their self destruct mechanism to die unnecessarily. Drugs that can cause cancer cells to kill themselves, or drugs that prevent cells dying when th ....Molecular control of apoptosis and protein homeostasis. A million cells are produced every second by cell division. At the same time a million cells commit suicide by a process called apoptosis. When cells fail to die when they should they can develop into cancers. In heart attacks, stroke and neurodegenerative diseases, many cells appear to activate their self destruct mechanism to die unnecessarily. Drugs that can cause cancer cells to kill themselves, or drugs that prevent cells dying when they shouldn't, would make a major impact on many important diseases. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of cell death is the first step towards developing these drugs.Read moreRead less
Genes to phenotype: Exploiting the marsupial model. This research will exploit one of Australia's finest natural resources, its marsupial fauna. The features of marsupial reproduction and development provide a unique opportunity to answer fundamental biological questions. This research will show how the minor differences in key developmental genes that have arisen in their 100 million year isolation give rise to the characteristic differences in developmental timing and reproduction between mar ....Genes to phenotype: Exploiting the marsupial model. This research will exploit one of Australia's finest natural resources, its marsupial fauna. The features of marsupial reproduction and development provide a unique opportunity to answer fundamental biological questions. This research will show how the minor differences in key developmental genes that have arisen in their 100 million year isolation give rise to the characteristic differences in developmental timing and reproduction between marsupials and other mammals. The focus on reproduction and development will also provide invaluable knowledge to underpin efforts to conserve our endangered species and to control those that are overabundant.Read moreRead less
Membrane Attack Complex / Perforin like proteins in Defence, Attack and Developmental Biology. This proposal will result in a major advancement of knowledge, for example, in our understanding of the emerging links between immunity and development as well as the role and mechanism of function of the pore forming family of MACPF proteins in host defence, attack, embryo development and diseases such as cancer. These data will be crucial for developing approaches to control unwanted MACPF function, ....Membrane Attack Complex / Perforin like proteins in Defence, Attack and Developmental Biology. This proposal will result in a major advancement of knowledge, for example, in our understanding of the emerging links between immunity and development as well as the role and mechanism of function of the pore forming family of MACPF proteins in host defence, attack, embryo development and diseases such as cancer. These data will be crucial for developing approaches to control unwanted MACPF function, for example in disease such as diabetes or transplant rejection. Furthermore, a detailed understanding of how MACPF proteins assemble into rings and punch holes in membranes will facilitate the development of these proteins as technological tools.Read moreRead less
An investigation into Infection, Immunity & Rational Drug Design. The human population is constantly under threat of microbial attack. The survival of our species reflects a delicate balance between infection and immunity. Whether an individual mounts an effective immune response or succumbs to microbial infection is critically dependent on host proteins interacting effectively with microbial antigens, versus microbes developing sophisticated strategies of invasion and immune evasion. This pr ....An investigation into Infection, Immunity & Rational Drug Design. The human population is constantly under threat of microbial attack. The survival of our species reflects a delicate balance between infection and immunity. Whether an individual mounts an effective immune response or succumbs to microbial infection is critically dependent on host proteins interacting effectively with microbial antigens, versus microbes developing sophisticated strategies of invasion and immune evasion. This proposal will provide fundamental advancement of knowledge in the areas of infection and immunity. The information gleaned from this research will lead to the rational development of therapeutics. Consequently, the research will potentially have an enormous global impact in the area of biomedical health.Read moreRead less
Drug targets in malaria parasites. Malaria is rampant throughout our Region and hinders the economies of our neighbours reducing regional prosperity and stability. Australian security and aid personnel deployed in the Region contract malaria infections and global warming could bring malaria-carrying mosquitoes south to Sydney. Australia is pre-eminent in malaria research, making lead discoveries in vaccine and drug development. However, we lack crucial resources to study the parasite in the mo ....Drug targets in malaria parasites. Malaria is rampant throughout our Region and hinders the economies of our neighbours reducing regional prosperity and stability. Australian security and aid personnel deployed in the Region contract malaria infections and global warming could bring malaria-carrying mosquitoes south to Sydney. Australia is pre-eminent in malaria research, making lead discoveries in vaccine and drug development. However, we lack crucial resources to study the parasite in the mosquito phase of its life cycle. The Federation Fellowship will create a malaria mosquito facility to redress this crucial gap in our capability. The Fellowship will double as foreign aid investment by enhancing our capacity to protect ourselves as well as supporting our neighbours.Read moreRead less
Molecular machines that drive microbial pathogens. We will provide a comprehensive understanding of molecular machines situated at the surface of bacteria. This ground-breaking research will provide excellent outcomes in the training of research students and staff: this project entails frontier technology, and the transfer of technological capabilities not currently available in Australia. Our study on a non-pathogenic species of bacteria is timely too for National security: related species of b ....Molecular machines that drive microbial pathogens. We will provide a comprehensive understanding of molecular machines situated at the surface of bacteria. This ground-breaking research will provide excellent outcomes in the training of research students and staff: this project entails frontier technology, and the transfer of technological capabilities not currently available in Australia. Our study on a non-pathogenic species of bacteria is timely too for National security: related species of bacteria were amongst the first organisms trialed as biological weapons, and the pathogenic species remain rated as Class 3 organisms by the Centers for Disease Control.Read moreRead less
The Role of Metals in the Biology of the Ageing Brain. Aims
1.To advance basic understanding of the interactions between cellular proteins and biologically important metals
2. To learn how these interactions change as the organism ages
3. To study the pathological results of aberrant metal biology using animal and cellular models of major age-dependent neurodegenerative disease.
In a rapidly ageing society, neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases will presen ....The Role of Metals in the Biology of the Ageing Brain. Aims
1.To advance basic understanding of the interactions between cellular proteins and biologically important metals
2. To learn how these interactions change as the organism ages
3. To study the pathological results of aberrant metal biology using animal and cellular models of major age-dependent neurodegenerative disease.
In a rapidly ageing society, neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases will present a medical and economic challenge demanding novel and powerful science. This research will lead both to deeper understanding of the basic mechanisms underlying such disorders and to tools for designing new and effective treatments.
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In vivo imaging of the immune system in self tolerance and infectious disease. This proposal will introduce sophisticated imaging technology into our cutting-edge research program. Our approach will permit high resolution imaging of the immune response within an intact animal; currently not possible in Australia at the present time. The unique combination of technology and biological resources will significantly advance knowledge in key areas of basic immunology research. It will provide local ....In vivo imaging of the immune system in self tolerance and infectious disease. This proposal will introduce sophisticated imaging technology into our cutting-edge research program. Our approach will permit high resolution imaging of the immune response within an intact animal; currently not possible in Australia at the present time. The unique combination of technology and biological resources will significantly advance knowledge in key areas of basic immunology research. It will provide local researchers insights into how the body responds to infectious disease and immune-related disorders and be directly applicable to vaccine design. The facility and related research program will undoubtedly attract a team of top-level national and international scientists and students keen to work with this advanced technology.Read moreRead less