How cholesterol optimises ion pump function in animal membranes. This project aims to determine how cholesterol optimises ion pump function in animal membranes and to identify the major effects of cholesterol and its derivatives on membranes’ physical properties. All animal cells need high levels of cholesterol in the plasma membrane for survival. Insufficient cholesterol biosynthesis leads to severe birth defects. The need for cholesterol is likely linked to its acceleration of sodium pump acti ....How cholesterol optimises ion pump function in animal membranes. This project aims to determine how cholesterol optimises ion pump function in animal membranes and to identify the major effects of cholesterol and its derivatives on membranes’ physical properties. All animal cells need high levels of cholesterol in the plasma membrane for survival. Insufficient cholesterol biosynthesis leads to severe birth defects. The need for cholesterol is likely linked to its acceleration of sodium pump activity, essential to physiological processes including cell division, nerve, muscle and kidney activity. An expected benefit of the project is knowledge on the molecular origin of diseases associated with inhibition of cholesterol production, and a more complete understanding of the crucial role played by cholesterol via its effect on ion pumping towards the healthy functioning of vital organs, particularly in heart muscle and nerves.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE120100181
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$650,000.00
Summary
Strengthening merit-based access and support at the new National Computing Infrastructure petascale supercomputing facility. World-leading high-performance computing is fundamental to Australia's international research success. This facility will provide access to the new National Computational Infrastructure facility by world-leading researchers from six research universities, and sustain ground-breaking work in an increasingly competitive environment.