Artificial Self-Replication of Peptide Nanocapsules. Replication is key to the operation of biology, but how molecular replicators arose spontaneously on early Earth remains an open question. The ability of molecules to self-replicate must have come before the development of the highly evolved enzymes that biology currently employs. The aim of this Future Fellowship is to develop a peptide nanocapsule capable of replicating itself nonenzymatically by self-templated ligation, thus offering a plat ....Artificial Self-Replication of Peptide Nanocapsules. Replication is key to the operation of biology, but how molecular replicators arose spontaneously on early Earth remains an open question. The ability of molecules to self-replicate must have come before the development of the highly evolved enzymes that biology currently employs. The aim of this Future Fellowship is to develop a peptide nanocapsule capable of replicating itself nonenzymatically by self-templated ligation, thus offering a platform that possesses the traits needed for Darwinian evolution to emerge. By obtaining a better understanding of the design and function of self-replicating systems, this project is expected to transform our understanding of some of the key chemical principles needed for life's emergence.Read moreRead less
Understanding prokaryotic small proteins from context. Prokaryotic small proteins are increasingly recognised to play important biological roles but have been largely overlooked due to the lack of adequate tools to study them. This project aims to develop new methods to identify and predict the functions of small proteins from microbial communities by studying sequence patterns in their genomes. These predicted functions will be confirmed in the laboratory, leading to a catalogue of newly charac ....Understanding prokaryotic small proteins from context. Prokaryotic small proteins are increasingly recognised to play important biological roles but have been largely overlooked due to the lack of adequate tools to study them. This project aims to develop new methods to identify and predict the functions of small proteins from microbial communities by studying sequence patterns in their genomes. These predicted functions will be confirmed in the laboratory, leading to a catalogue of newly characterised small proteins from a diverse range of habitats and geographies. By creating new ways to study the role of small proteins in the global microbiome, we will provide the foundational knowledge required to leverage these proteins for use in biotechnology. Read moreRead less
Time to shine for constrained peptides as next-generation pharmaceuticals. Current methods for the screening and generation of peptide and protein drugs are laborious, expensive and often incompatible with the biological systems used in pharmaceutical industries. Leveraging recent advancements in chemistry and molecular biology, this project aims to improve the design, synthesis and screening of peptide-based pharmaceuticals. Key research outcomes are innovative biocompatible chemical transforma ....Time to shine for constrained peptides as next-generation pharmaceuticals. Current methods for the screening and generation of peptide and protein drugs are laborious, expensive and often incompatible with the biological systems used in pharmaceutical industries. Leveraging recent advancements in chemistry and molecular biology, this project aims to improve the design, synthesis and screening of peptide-based pharmaceuticals. Key research outcomes are innovative biocompatible chemical transformations for the screening of large peptide libraries, to unleash the revolutionary potential of constrained peptides in drug development. Expected benefits are reliable and cost-effective technologies for the rapid production of biologically active molecules for future targeted use in human and agricultural pharmaceuticals.Read moreRead less
Molecular probe development for high specificity and spatiotemporal control. This project aims at developing next-generation molecular probes with enhanced specificity and spatiotemporal control for the study of proteins and neuropeptide signalling. It addresses recognised knowledge gaps and technical bottlenecks in neuropeptide and memory research. Expected outcomes include a deeper molecular understanding of long-term memory formation and the role of neuropeptides in this process, as well as i ....Molecular probe development for high specificity and spatiotemporal control. This project aims at developing next-generation molecular probes with enhanced specificity and spatiotemporal control for the study of proteins and neuropeptide signalling. It addresses recognised knowledge gaps and technical bottlenecks in neuropeptide and memory research. Expected outcomes include a deeper molecular understanding of long-term memory formation and the role of neuropeptides in this process, as well as innovative chemistry strategies and novel molecular probes to advance fundamental research across the chemical and biological sciences. Anticipated benefits include technological innovations of relevance to Australia’s biotechnology sector and enhanced capacity for cross-disciplinary collaboration.Read moreRead less
Tools for manipulating neuronal activity for behavioural studies. This project aims to develop optogenetic tools neuroscientists can use to better understand brain circuitry and the functional effects of specific neurons on behaviour. Linking the activity of individual neurons in the brain to specific behaviours is a major challenge in neuroscience. Optogenetics achieve this by using light to control the activity of neurons. This has advanced understanding of behaviour and neurocircuitry. This p ....Tools for manipulating neuronal activity for behavioural studies. This project aims to develop optogenetic tools neuroscientists can use to better understand brain circuitry and the functional effects of specific neurons on behaviour. Linking the activity of individual neurons in the brain to specific behaviours is a major challenge in neuroscience. Optogenetics achieve this by using light to control the activity of neurons. This has advanced understanding of behaviour and neurocircuitry. This project is expected to increase understanding of brain function at the cellular and system levels, and advance Australia’s multidisciplinary research capacity in neuroscience, cognitive sciences and nanobiotechnology to ultimately treat neurological disorders.Read moreRead less
Peptides and Proteins for Fighting Pests and Protecting the Environment. This project aims to use peptides and proteins to fight pests and protect the environment, which is significant because current practices have unintended harmful effects and are unsustainable. Achieving these aims must first involve scientific development of ecofriendly lead molecules. This project will develop platform technologies for the design of bioactive peptides or proteins based on molecules used naturally for highl ....Peptides and Proteins for Fighting Pests and Protecting the Environment. This project aims to use peptides and proteins to fight pests and protect the environment, which is significant because current practices have unintended harmful effects and are unsustainable. Achieving these aims must first involve scientific development of ecofriendly lead molecules. This project will develop platform technologies for the design of bioactive peptides or proteins based on molecules used naturally for highly selective functions in communication and defence. Expected outcomes include novel peptide and protein leads and improved strategies for developing them, which will lead to new and safer ways of protecting biodiversity and food security that are expected to reduce our environmental footprint and bring economic benefits.Read moreRead less