Understanding the molecular mechanisms regulating neuronal fusion. Neurons are tightly connected individual cells that communicate through chemical and electrical signals, and this project aims to discover the key molecules that allow these cells to remain as individual units without fusing with each other. The nervous system, unlike other tissues, is made of discrete individual cells, connected by chemical and electrical synapses but not by cytoplasmic continuity. However, how this is achieved ....Understanding the molecular mechanisms regulating neuronal fusion. Neurons are tightly connected individual cells that communicate through chemical and electrical signals, and this project aims to discover the key molecules that allow these cells to remain as individual units without fusing with each other. The nervous system, unlike other tissues, is made of discrete individual cells, connected by chemical and electrical synapses but not by cytoplasmic continuity. However, how this is achieved and how neurons maintain their individuality during development, remodelling and ageing is unknown. The project aims to address this gap using a genetic approach and the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as an experimental system. The results may provide insights into how the nervous system develops and functions.Read moreRead less
Tailoring cellulose properties by manipulating cellulose synthase. Cellulose, a highly abundant polymer produced by plants, has many existing uses in Australian fibre and polymer industries and potential uses as, for example, an abundant feedstuff for biomass conversion into ethanol and other high value products. The optimal properties for different applications vary so that, for example, high crystallinity cellulose gives strong fibres whereas low crystallinity cellulose dissolves in gentler so ....Tailoring cellulose properties by manipulating cellulose synthase. Cellulose, a highly abundant polymer produced by plants, has many existing uses in Australian fibre and polymer industries and potential uses as, for example, an abundant feedstuff for biomass conversion into ethanol and other high value products. The optimal properties for different applications vary so that, for example, high crystallinity cellulose gives strong fibres whereas low crystallinity cellulose dissolves in gentler solvents on the way to producing cellulose-based polymers. By exploring ways to adjust the properties of celluloses for use in different applications, we can deliver potential benefits to primary producers, industries and the environment.
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Control of actin assembly by cell-cell adhesion: molecular effectors and higher order function. Functional cooperation between the actin cytoskeleton and cadherin cell-cell adhesion molecules plays critical roles during development and morphogenesis. This proposal builds on my lab's recent discovery that E-cadherin interacts with and regulates the Arp2/3 actin nucleator complex, a central determinant of actin assembly in cells. We will explore key implications of this finding, concentrating on d ....Control of actin assembly by cell-cell adhesion: molecular effectors and higher order function. Functional cooperation between the actin cytoskeleton and cadherin cell-cell adhesion molecules plays critical roles during development and morphogenesis. This proposal builds on my lab's recent discovery that E-cadherin interacts with and regulates the Arp2/3 actin nucleator complex, a central determinant of actin assembly in cells. We will explore key implications of this finding, concentrating on defining the molecular mechanisms that regulate Arp2/3 and actin assembly in cadherin-based adhesion. Our work combines molecular characterization of regulatory mechanisms and proteomic searches for new regulators, with tests of the higher-order function of this novel process in cell adhesion and recognition.Read moreRead less
Balancing cadherin-actin cooperation: the key regulatory role of Ena/VASP proteins. This project analyses a fundamental mechanism of how cells work together in tissues. Understanding the fundamental mechanisms of how cells work will provide important basic scientific information to enrich the scientific expertise in Australia and its part in the international community, generate insights relevant for understanding human disease and physical degeneration, and support the training of young scienti ....Balancing cadherin-actin cooperation: the key regulatory role of Ena/VASP proteins. This project analyses a fundamental mechanism of how cells work together in tissues. Understanding the fundamental mechanisms of how cells work will provide important basic scientific information to enrich the scientific expertise in Australia and its part in the international community, generate insights relevant for understanding human disease and physical degeneration, and support the training of young scientists in Australia.Read moreRead less
Imaging the generation and recall of protective antiviral immune responses in vivo. Our understanding of the in vivo dynamics of cellular immune responses to infectious diseases is poor. This project will utilise advanced intravital imaging combined with novel tools to dissect the cellular events involved in the generation and recall of T cell responses to localised virus infection, combined with a detailed functional analysis of the lymphoid organ stroma. Such fundamental information will contr ....Imaging the generation and recall of protective antiviral immune responses in vivo. Our understanding of the in vivo dynamics of cellular immune responses to infectious diseases is poor. This project will utilise advanced intravital imaging combined with novel tools to dissect the cellular events involved in the generation and recall of T cell responses to localised virus infection, combined with a detailed functional analysis of the lymphoid organ stroma. Such fundamental information will contribute to the development of new generation vaccines and therapies to protect against tissue-specific infectious diseases, cancers and autoimmune diseases.Read moreRead less
A microscopical examination of curdlan production by an Agrobacterium sp. We will investigate the secretion of the insoluble polysaccharide curdlan, a (1,3)-beta-glucan, from the surfaces of Agrobacterium cells and the assembly of the individual polysaccharide chains into microfibrils. Using state-of-the-art techniques in time lapse and electron microscopy we will compare the images of wild type curdlan-producing cells with those of mutants impaired in the production of curdlan. The outputs will ....A microscopical examination of curdlan production by an Agrobacterium sp. We will investigate the secretion of the insoluble polysaccharide curdlan, a (1,3)-beta-glucan, from the surfaces of Agrobacterium cells and the assembly of the individual polysaccharide chains into microfibrils. Using state-of-the-art techniques in time lapse and electron microscopy we will compare the images of wild type curdlan-producing cells with those of mutants impaired in the production of curdlan. The outputs will be information on the mechanics of curdlan production that will complement that emerging from our molecular biological and biochemical studies. These will have implications for understanding bacterial polysaccharide production in general and may have a commercial outcome in enhanced curdlan production.Read moreRead less
Detection and elimination of resting spores of Olpidium vectoring lettuce big-vein disease in lettuce seedling nursery production. This project will devise nucleic acid and serology methods for detection of Olpidium brassicae, vector of lettuce big-vein disease (LBVD), during various phases of lettuce seedling production in nursery environments. It will be the first study to develop sustainable and environmentally responsible nursery best-practice protocols for integrated management of O. brass ....Detection and elimination of resting spores of Olpidium vectoring lettuce big-vein disease in lettuce seedling nursery production. This project will devise nucleic acid and serology methods for detection of Olpidium brassicae, vector of lettuce big-vein disease (LBVD), during various phases of lettuce seedling production in nursery environments. It will be the first study to develop sustainable and environmentally responsible nursery best-practice protocols for integrated management of O. brassicae in routine seedling production and for management within the lettuce industry. These protocols will ensure that the spread of LBVD from contaminated lettuce nurseries to farms is prevented. It will also be a unique study of the establishment of a disease in new land with different soils and agricultural practices.Read moreRead less
Biomolecular surface interactions with smart biomaterials. Current materials used for medical implants are often recognised by the body as foreign materials causing implant rejection or encapsulation. Research into the interactions between biological molecules and chemically and topographically modified materials will aid in the development of new materials and devices that optimise the body's response to the implanted material. The new materials and surfaces developed from this research will pr ....Biomolecular surface interactions with smart biomaterials. Current materials used for medical implants are often recognised by the body as foreign materials causing implant rejection or encapsulation. Research into the interactions between biological molecules and chemically and topographically modified materials will aid in the development of new materials and devices that optimise the body's response to the implanted material. The new materials and surfaces developed from this research will provide longer lasting implants and reduce the need for repeated operations. This will improve the quality of life for implant recipients and reduce health care costs.Read moreRead less