Modulating Immune Responses By Targeting Dendritic Cells Using Dendritic Cell Specific Markers.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$197,750.00
Summary
The ability to modulate immune responses would have major health benefits. Dendritic cells (DC) are key regulators of the immune system. Different types of DC possess different cell surface molecules and have differing regulatory functions. We have identified four novel DC surface molecules that can be used to target different types of DC. We aim to use antibodies against these molecules to either enhance the effectiveness of vaccines or to suppress autoimmune diseases.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180100418
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$365,058.00
Summary
Novel chemical tools to study cathepsin X activation. This project aims to develop new chemical tools that can measure the specific activation of cathepsin X in cells, tissues, and live animals, as well as specific inhibitors for cathepsin X. The cysteine protease cathepsin X mediates basic biological functions that are essential for life, including cell communication, phagocytosis, immune maturation and neuritogenesis. The outcomes should benefit the wider research community. They could have lo ....Novel chemical tools to study cathepsin X activation. This project aims to develop new chemical tools that can measure the specific activation of cathepsin X in cells, tissues, and live animals, as well as specific inhibitors for cathepsin X. The cysteine protease cathepsin X mediates basic biological functions that are essential for life, including cell communication, phagocytosis, immune maturation and neuritogenesis. The outcomes should benefit the wider research community. They could have long-term implications for health and disease, and deliver economic benefits through commercialisation of the novel tools.Read moreRead less
The Role Of Cell Adhesion Molecules In Regulation Of Axon Advance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$426,006.00
Summary
All cells contain on their surface a class of molecules, cell adhesion molecules, that enable them to adhere to other cells in tissues. Cell adhesion molecules have long been known to be involved in the guidance of axons to their targets during development. However the molecular mechanisms by which these molecules act are largely unknown. We propose to use the powerful genetic tools available in the fruitfly to dissect the mechanisms by which two cell adhesion molecules promote axon growth.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100058
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,000.00
Summary
Molecular reporters for measuring proteostasis capacity in cells. This project aims to develop fluorescent dyes to report on the change in unfolded protein load, which reflects the proteostasis status in real time in cells under stress conditions. Proteostasis is a housekeeping process cells undertake to maintain the proper folding and functions of proteins. Perturbation of proteostasis has been linked to neurodegenerative diseases, but chemical probes cannot measure the proteostasis capacity in ....Molecular reporters for measuring proteostasis capacity in cells. This project aims to develop fluorescent dyes to report on the change in unfolded protein load, which reflects the proteostasis status in real time in cells under stress conditions. Proteostasis is a housekeeping process cells undertake to maintain the proper folding and functions of proteins. Perturbation of proteostasis has been linked to neurodegenerative diseases, but chemical probes cannot measure the proteostasis capacity in cells. Intended outcomes include a mechanistic understanding of the relationship between protein misfolding, aggregation and proteostasis. This is expected to ultimately benefit the diagnosis of protein folding diseases, including dementia, and improve the quality of life.Read moreRead less
Discovery and development of novel insulin sensitising compounds for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is one of the major health problems facing Australia today, and current treatments are proving inadequate to combat this disease. We previously discovered a new drug with potential for development for the treatment of diabetes. In this project, we will identify how this drug works to combat diabetes in cell and animal models, and use novel chemistry approaches to modify the drug to imp ....Discovery and development of novel insulin sensitising compounds for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is one of the major health problems facing Australia today, and current treatments are proving inadequate to combat this disease. We previously discovered a new drug with potential for development for the treatment of diabetes. In this project, we will identify how this drug works to combat diabetes in cell and animal models, and use novel chemistry approaches to modify the drug to improve its properties and reduce potential side-effects. The outcomes of this project will be understanding of a new biological process that contributes to the development of diabetes, and the discovery and characterisation of new chemical compounds that could be developed as drugs to treat diabetes.Read moreRead less
Allosteric and Bitopic Ligands Acting at G Protein-Coupled Receptors. This project seeks to gain a more detailed understanding of the mechanisms of the function of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) using novel chemical tools. GPCRs are the largest group of cell surface signalling proteins and are responsible for the regulation of numerous vital physiological functions. They are the target of over 30 per cent of currently used pharmaceuticals. Despite their importance, much remains to be learne ....Allosteric and Bitopic Ligands Acting at G Protein-Coupled Receptors. This project seeks to gain a more detailed understanding of the mechanisms of the function of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) using novel chemical tools. GPCRs are the largest group of cell surface signalling proteins and are responsible for the regulation of numerous vital physiological functions. They are the target of over 30 per cent of currently used pharmaceuticals. Despite their importance, much remains to be learned about the regulation of GPCRs by small molecules. This project aims to address this gap by focusing on novel regions on these proteins, termed allosteric sites, to explore novel modes of GPCR regulation which may offer the potential of identifying pathway selective agents.Read moreRead less
Dissecting a major sulfur cycling pathway: sulfoglycolysis. This project will elucidate the molecular details of sulfoglycolysis, a group of metabolic pathways through which the sulfur-containing sugar sulfoquinovose is catabolized. The project will employ an integrated metabolomic, chemical, biochemical and structural approach to dissect how various sulfoglycolytic organisms degrade sulfoquinovose. This project will deliver a deeper understanding of this major biochemical pathway and develop ne ....Dissecting a major sulfur cycling pathway: sulfoglycolysis. This project will elucidate the molecular details of sulfoglycolysis, a group of metabolic pathways through which the sulfur-containing sugar sulfoquinovose is catabolized. The project will employ an integrated metabolomic, chemical, biochemical and structural approach to dissect how various sulfoglycolytic organisms degrade sulfoquinovose. This project will deliver a deeper understanding of this major biochemical pathway and develop new chemical and metabolic approaches to manipulate sulfur cycling in the environment. Benefits will include biotechnology applications of newly discovered proteins, and sustainable approaches to reduce our dependence on agricultural fertilisers.Read moreRead less
Transplantation of pancreatic islets is the only cure for type 1 diabetes (T1D). Unfortunately, many of the transplanted islet cells die quickly due to an inadequate supply of blood. Herein, we investigate a novel cell surface protein for its role in islet and blood vessel survival and function. Furthermore, we use nanotechnology to provide said protein to the islet cells during transplantation for increased survival and function. Ultimately, this work may cure more patients with diabetes.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0347970
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$186,000.00
Summary
Integrated Bio-nano-fabrication Facility. The project proposes the upgrade of a joint facility for the probing, fabrication and operation of hybrid bio-nano-devices. The facility will enhance the proposers' capabilities in the area of the fundamental and prototype-type research on biomolecular/cellular devices. The ultimate goal of these projects is to thrust Australian science in the era when the essential functions of cells can be replicated and controlled on devices that are smaller than livi ....Integrated Bio-nano-fabrication Facility. The project proposes the upgrade of a joint facility for the probing, fabrication and operation of hybrid bio-nano-devices. The facility will enhance the proposers' capabilities in the area of the fundamental and prototype-type research on biomolecular/cellular devices. The ultimate goal of these projects is to thrust Australian science in the era when the essential functions of cells can be replicated and controlled on devices that are smaller than living cells. The proposed facility has a modular structure consisting of additional nano-positioning, confocal microscope and zeta potential modules built on the existent laser tweezers/scissors, picoliter pipette and Atomic Force Microscope modules.Read moreRead less
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