The hidden secondary metabolite biosynthetic potential of fungi. This proposal aims to develop synthetic biology tools to allow rapid access to the hidden metabolites encoded in fungal genomes and discover how they interact with plant and animal hosts. Genome sequencing reveals that fungi harbour vast hidden potential for biosynthesis of bioactive small molecules. The lack of tools to efficiently access this hidden potential has hindered the ability to develop this uncharted chemical diversity f ....The hidden secondary metabolite biosynthetic potential of fungi. This proposal aims to develop synthetic biology tools to allow rapid access to the hidden metabolites encoded in fungal genomes and discover how they interact with plant and animal hosts. Genome sequencing reveals that fungi harbour vast hidden potential for biosynthesis of bioactive small molecules. The lack of tools to efficiently access this hidden potential has hindered the ability to develop this uncharted chemical diversity for pharmaceutics and agriculture, and understand their biological roles in pathogens. Expected outcomes include sources of bioactive molecules and better management of fungal diseases in crops and humans.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE130100136
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$340,000.00
Summary
Mobile weather radar system for advanced environmental monitoring and modelling. High spatial and temporal resolution weather radar data on wind and precipitation will translate to significant environmental model advances. Australian researchers will undertake model validation studies on precipitation, dust storm, and flood prediction under a wider range of environmental conditions and in greater detail than currently possible.
Diagnosing river health using invertebrate traits and DNA barcodes. Diagnosing river health using invertebrate traits and DNA barcodes. This project aims to develop indices that link change in invertebrate communities to specific environmental stressors, and combine these indices with innovative, low cost molecular approaches to species identification to rapidly identify the causes of decline. River health assessment methods, usually based on aquatic invertebrates, identify if rivers are impaire ....Diagnosing river health using invertebrate traits and DNA barcodes. Diagnosing river health using invertebrate traits and DNA barcodes. This project aims to develop indices that link change in invertebrate communities to specific environmental stressors, and combine these indices with innovative, low cost molecular approaches to species identification to rapidly identify the causes of decline. River health assessment methods, usually based on aquatic invertebrates, identify if rivers are impaired but must be developed to identify the causes of decline. The intended outcomes are improved sustainable water resource management within and among states, and improved natural resource policy development.Read moreRead less
Determinant Spreading And The Role Of The MHC Class II Region In Systemic And Organ-specific Autoimmunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$140,570.00
Summary
Autoimmune diseases are among the most important group of disorders affecting the adult population. In these diseases the immune system damages organs and tissues producing widespread pathology (systemic autoimmunity such as Lupus erythematosus) or localised disease (organ-specific autoimmunity such as insulin dependent diabetes). We understand very little about how and why the immune system attacks the body's own tissues. This study examines how antibodies and T lymphocytes are formed against c ....Autoimmune diseases are among the most important group of disorders affecting the adult population. In these diseases the immune system damages organs and tissues producing widespread pathology (systemic autoimmunity such as Lupus erythematosus) or localised disease (organ-specific autoimmunity such as insulin dependent diabetes). We understand very little about how and why the immune system attacks the body's own tissues. This study examines how antibodies and T lymphocytes are formed against components located inside cells of the body. The study involves genetically modifying mice by introducing key human genes which influence the development of autoimmunity. In this way the role of these human genes can be examined experimentally without having to work exclusively on patients. We also hope that these mice might be important in creating new models of celiac disease and insulin dependent diabetes. The proposed experiments should tell us how these genes contribute to the development of autoimmune disease. This understanding could be relevant devising treatments and interventions to prevent autoimmune diseases.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Training Centres - Grant ID: IC210100040
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,997,903.00
Summary
ARC Training Centre for Facilitated Advancement of Australia's Bioactives (FAAB). The Centre for Facilitated Advancement of Australia's Bioactives (FAAB) will transform the rapidly growing bioactive ingredients sector. It will apply advanced analytical methods to molecular characterisation of bioactive products derived from foods, food-waste, and cell-based biotechnologies. FAAB will determine modes of action for bioactives with potential lifestyle and nutritional benefits allowing for evidence- ....ARC Training Centre for Facilitated Advancement of Australia's Bioactives (FAAB). The Centre for Facilitated Advancement of Australia's Bioactives (FAAB) will transform the rapidly growing bioactive ingredients sector. It will apply advanced analytical methods to molecular characterisation of bioactive products derived from foods, food-waste, and cell-based biotechnologies. FAAB will determine modes of action for bioactives with potential lifestyle and nutritional benefits allowing for evidence-informed decision-making, and regulatory framework development. FAAB graduates will lead and deliver future national self-reliance to the Australian bioactives sector, increasing diversification and international competitiveness and development of regulation in a growing market. Read moreRead less
Stabilisation of Titania Pigment Slurries During Processing. This project aims to improve the stabilisation properties of titania pigment slurries during production. Current polyphosphate dispersants used by Tiwest are unstable under processing conditions. Tailored, robust dispersing reagents will therefore be investigated in order to provide improved stabilisation of pigments during processing. Enhanced understanding of the dispersing reagents interaction with the titania pigment surface and th ....Stabilisation of Titania Pigment Slurries During Processing. This project aims to improve the stabilisation properties of titania pigment slurries during production. Current polyphosphate dispersants used by Tiwest are unstable under processing conditions. Tailored, robust dispersing reagents will therefore be investigated in order to provide improved stabilisation of pigments during processing. Enhanced understanding of the dispersing reagents interaction with the titania pigment surface and the subsequent stability of the pigment will allow advances in processing and consequently improved final products. The potential growth in market share, by improved product performance, is in excess of $50M pa.Read moreRead less
Rational design of new drug candidates for the treatment of Trypanosoma cruzi infection. There is a serious shortage of safe and effective drugs to treat Chagas disease which is caused by a parasitic infection. This project aims to design and identify new drug candidates by defining the disposition profile within the body which is necessary to achieve a therapeutic effect.
Light-responsive nanomaterials as nanomedicines: new approaches to treating macular degeneration, cancer and other critical unmet therapeutic needs. Nanotechnology is enabling new medicines for the treatment of important diseases such as cancer and macular degeneration. This project will investigate novel nanomaterials for the development of new highly effective medicines that can be controlled after administration, leading to reduced side effects and increased convenience for patients.
Antigen Selection In The MHC-restricted Cellular Immune Response
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$175,570.00
Summary
The body's white cells eliminate microorganisms through the actions of immune lymphocytes and other cells which conspire to kill and neutralise these unwanted guests. When microorganisms hide inside the cells of the body they are still detected by a set of T lymphocytes which have specific receptors for scrutinising the surface of cells for any changes which might signal an intracellular infection. The immune system is ever vigilant in its search for signs of infection which are generally appare ....The body's white cells eliminate microorganisms through the actions of immune lymphocytes and other cells which conspire to kill and neutralise these unwanted guests. When microorganisms hide inside the cells of the body they are still detected by a set of T lymphocytes which have specific receptors for scrutinising the surface of cells for any changes which might signal an intracellular infection. The immune system is ever vigilant in its search for signs of infection which are generally apparent when molecules called antigens are released by microorganisms and captured by the body's cells. This activates lymphocytes resulting in an immune response capable of eliminating the microorganisms. Scrutiny of the body's cells by lymphocytes occurs continuously even when there is no infection present in the body. Following infection of a cell, microbial antigens reveal the infection by their appearance on the cell surface where they are detected by the immune system's lymphocytes. This occurs through a mechanism called antigen presentation. During antigen presentation the proteins inside the cell, including those of any invading microorganism, are first degraded into shorter molecules called peptides. This event is called antigen processing. A fraction of the peptides created by antigen processing are captured by specialised receptors present on all cells. These receptors are called HLA or histocompatibility molecules. This project examines the molecular events which mediate the capture of peptide antigens by HLA molecules. The main focus is on those peptide antigens which elicit killer T cell responses by the immune system. A knowledge of how these peptides are selected for presentation and how they are captured and carried to the cell surface is fundamental to understanding immune responses to microorganisms, tumours, allergens, transplants and self tissues as in autoimmunity. Therefore the study is of great general relevance.Read moreRead less
Re-uniting marsupials and eutherians by embryonic micromanipulation. The unique responsibility for transmitting life from generation to generation normally depends on the gametes. This project will use new reproductive technologies to investigate the properties of the oocyte in reprogramming somatic cell nuclei, and will use the nuclei of both marsupial and eutherian somatic cells to test this. We will also use both marsupial and eutherian genes to insert into the oocyte to create the first tra ....Re-uniting marsupials and eutherians by embryonic micromanipulation. The unique responsibility for transmitting life from generation to generation normally depends on the gametes. This project will use new reproductive technologies to investigate the properties of the oocyte in reprogramming somatic cell nuclei, and will use the nuclei of both marsupial and eutherian somatic cells to test this. We will also use both marsupial and eutherian genes to insert into the oocyte to create the first transgenic marsupials. We will also investigate the ability of spermatozoa from species of increasing genetic distance to ferttilise marsupial eggs using intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).Read moreRead less