Novel sources of nitric oxide (NO) in cells: Implications for an endocrine role for NO. Communication between cells is essential for coordinating and controlling a healthy body. A key regulator and cell-communicating molecule is the gas, nitric oxide. Although nitric oxide is a simple substance we still do not fully understand all aspects of its cellular functions. It is assumed that nitric oxide is synthesised in the body and, after release, is rapidly metabolized and eliminated. Reductions in ....Novel sources of nitric oxide (NO) in cells: Implications for an endocrine role for NO. Communication between cells is essential for coordinating and controlling a healthy body. A key regulator and cell-communicating molecule is the gas, nitric oxide. Although nitric oxide is a simple substance we still do not fully understand all aspects of its cellular functions. It is assumed that nitric oxide is synthesised in the body and, after release, is rapidly metabolized and eliminated. Reductions in the levels of nitric oxide in the body are associated with several diseases states and states of dysfunction including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and also impotence. Professor Triggle's study seeks to characterize how tissues may store nitric oxide, thus prolonging the life of nitric oxide, and how such stores are released. Read moreRead less
Hydrogel systems for effective encapsulation of functional pancreatic islet cells. This proposal addresses the problem of maintaining viability and function of cells encapsulated within an immuno-isolation barrier material. The research will develop biosynthetic materials that are able to meet design criteria for an effective biomaterial for this application. The major benefits to Australia will be in improved health outcomes by providing safer, more efficacious materials, economic growth develo ....Hydrogel systems for effective encapsulation of functional pancreatic islet cells. This proposal addresses the problem of maintaining viability and function of cells encapsulated within an immuno-isolation barrier material. The research will develop biosynthetic materials that are able to meet design criteria for an effective biomaterial for this application. The major benefits to Australia will be in improved health outcomes by providing safer, more efficacious materials, economic growth development of the Australian Medical Device industry and in high level training of researchers in this field.Read moreRead less
Molecular basis of G protein receptor-effector coupling in epithelial cells. Hundreds of extracellular stimuli act on specific receptors in the plasma membrane of cells resulting in an increase in intracellular calcium which acts as a second messenger to alter cell behaviour. There are, however, many receptors acting through a number of closely related proteins involving tightly regulated interactions which remain poorly understood. This project uses novel techniques to elucidate the molecular b ....Molecular basis of G protein receptor-effector coupling in epithelial cells. Hundreds of extracellular stimuli act on specific receptors in the plasma membrane of cells resulting in an increase in intracellular calcium which acts as a second messenger to alter cell behaviour. There are, however, many receptors acting through a number of closely related proteins involving tightly regulated interactions which remain poorly understood. This project uses novel techniques to elucidate the molecular basis for these interactions by identifying the roles individual proteins play in this complex process.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989920
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$750,000.00
Summary
Microbial and Cellular Imaging and Analysis Facility. The Microbial and Cellular Imaging and Analysis Facility will rapidly establish itself as one of Australia's premier science facilities. It will provide the capacity to investigate the structure and molecular dynamics of viruses and microbial, human, animal and plant cells with unprecedented high resolution in both pure and applied research settings, guided by Australia's leading experts in many research strengths. This facility addresses a c ....Microbial and Cellular Imaging and Analysis Facility. The Microbial and Cellular Imaging and Analysis Facility will rapidly establish itself as one of Australia's premier science facilities. It will provide the capacity to investigate the structure and molecular dynamics of viruses and microbial, human, animal and plant cells with unprecedented high resolution in both pure and applied research settings, guided by Australia's leading experts in many research strengths. This facility addresses a current unmet need for scientists in this country and will provide cutting-edge technologies to Australian researchers so they can better detect, understand, and treat human, animal and plant diseases and the environmental impact of climate change.Read moreRead less
Shaping the heart in early development - new insights into cellular modelling processes. Heart health is an important contributor to quality of life and longevity. This research will provide new insights into the way hormonal influences early in development shape a healthy heart. The project builds on the application of recently patented, sophisticated cell imaging techniques. Research students and trainees recruited to this project will benefit from their involvement with this leading edge tech ....Shaping the heart in early development - new insights into cellular modelling processes. Heart health is an important contributor to quality of life and longevity. This research will provide new insights into the way hormonal influences early in development shape a healthy heart. The project builds on the application of recently patented, sophisticated cell imaging techniques. Research students and trainees recruited to this project will benefit from their involvement with this leading edge technology. These studies are important in providing a basis for developing optimal management strategies for congenital heart conditions and preterm infants. Improved knowledge of the cardiac effects of fetal and neonatal exposure to steroids (to assist with lung maturation in prematurity or to control maternal asthma) will be gained.Read moreRead less
Fluid mechanics and physiology of blockages in vascular systems. Vascular disease is a major health problem both in Australia and worldwide. In particular, cardiovascular disease is a major killer of adult Australians. Engineers and mathematicians working with biologists will gain a greater understanding of vascular diseases, a major health problem, including cardiovascular disease, which is one of the biggest killers worldwide, as well as tackling renal circulation problems, which are a signifi ....Fluid mechanics and physiology of blockages in vascular systems. Vascular disease is a major health problem both in Australia and worldwide. In particular, cardiovascular disease is a major killer of adult Australians. Engineers and mathematicians working with biologists will gain a greater understanding of vascular diseases, a major health problem, including cardiovascular disease, which is one of the biggest killers worldwide, as well as tackling renal circulation problems, which are a significant problem and may contribute to hypertension. Detailed measurement and prediction will be undertaken of the mechanical loading and response of cells to their microenvironment, an important first step to controlling pathological responses which lead to a variety of autoimmune problems.Read moreRead less
Establishing evidence for the functional properties of a whole grain in weight management. The successful development of functional foods relies on communicating proven effects. This project aims to prove that the food containing the satiety properties of a whole grain (OG) may help in weight management. We will conduct basic research investigating the link between consumption of OG-containing foods and the regulatory mechanisms of satiety, and test whether the satiety properties can be used to ....Establishing evidence for the functional properties of a whole grain in weight management. The successful development of functional foods relies on communicating proven effects. This project aims to prove that the food containing the satiety properties of a whole grain (OG) may help in weight management. We will conduct basic research investigating the link between consumption of OG-containing foods and the regulatory mechanisms of satiety, and test whether the satiety properties can be used to prevent, reduce and correct body weight gain in the early, middle and late stages of obesity. We will then apply this understanding in a human trial of mildly and long term overweight subjects, to aid the formulation of statements on the potential health benefits from consuming OG.Read moreRead less
Single minded 1 in neuron development and satiety signalling. An understanding of how Single minded 1 (SIM1) regulates target genes may allow new pharmaceutical approaches to be designed to combat obesity. As Sim1 belongs to a family of closely related gene regulatory proteins which function in early development and homeostasis, deciphering the molecular control mechanisms of Sim1 may help understand how the related factors function in processes such as angiogenesis, response to low oxygen stres ....Single minded 1 in neuron development and satiety signalling. An understanding of how Single minded 1 (SIM1) regulates target genes may allow new pharmaceutical approaches to be designed to combat obesity. As Sim1 belongs to a family of closely related gene regulatory proteins which function in early development and homeostasis, deciphering the molecular control mechanisms of Sim1 may help understand how the related factors function in processes such as angiogenesis, response to low oxygen stress, invasion of environmental pollutants and autism spectrum diseases. The ability to manipulate these factors would be of great benefit in treating a range of disorders, but a thorough molecular understanding of these factors needs be obtained prior to attempting design of pharmaceuticals.Read moreRead less
The function of menin in mammalian development. This project aims to determine the role of a ubiquitous transcriptional co-regulator, menin, in mammalian development. Mice that lack menin through targeted deletion of the gene die during embryogenesis, but the cause is unknown, although is likely to be due to the abnormal expression of genes usually regulated by this factor. We will determine which genes are inappropriately expressed and responsible for the accompanying developmental defects. Thi ....The function of menin in mammalian development. This project aims to determine the role of a ubiquitous transcriptional co-regulator, menin, in mammalian development. Mice that lack menin through targeted deletion of the gene die during embryogenesis, but the cause is unknown, although is likely to be due to the abnormal expression of genes usually regulated by this factor. We will determine which genes are inappropriately expressed and responsible for the accompanying developmental defects. This knowledge will help us understand the process of development in mammals, including birth defects in humans.Read moreRead less
Genome wide screening for gene products that regulate the celluar dynamics of lipid droplets. Obesity is a pandemic that if not stopped, will lead to huge social and economic problems in Australia. In essence, the hallmark of human obesity is the accumulation of cellular lipid droplets. This research will benefit Australia by providing a fundamental understanding of how lipid droplets are formed. This will have immediate international impact at the scientific level and will also provide novel ta ....Genome wide screening for gene products that regulate the celluar dynamics of lipid droplets. Obesity is a pandemic that if not stopped, will lead to huge social and economic problems in Australia. In essence, the hallmark of human obesity is the accumulation of cellular lipid droplets. This research will benefit Australia by providing a fundamental understanding of how lipid droplets are formed. This will have immediate international impact at the scientific level and will also provide novel targets and strategies for treating obesity. The proposed study will also benefit Australian agriculture by providing strategies to improve oil production from plant seeds. Read moreRead less