Why is the photosynthetic CO2-fixing enzyme, Rubisco, so inefficient? Dissection of the catalytic chemistry by computational simulation and experimental testing. Fixation of CO2 by the enzyme Rubisco during photosynthesis produces organic compounds which feed all life. Despite this critical role, Rubisco catalyses its reaction sluggishly and, worse, discriminates poorly between CO2 and O2, leading to useless products. Our combined expertise equips us to analyse Rubisco's mechanism using quantum- ....Why is the photosynthetic CO2-fixing enzyme, Rubisco, so inefficient? Dissection of the catalytic chemistry by computational simulation and experimental testing. Fixation of CO2 by the enzyme Rubisco during photosynthesis produces organic compounds which feed all life. Despite this critical role, Rubisco catalyses its reaction sluggishly and, worse, discriminates poorly between CO2 and O2, leading to useless products. Our combined expertise equips us to analyse Rubisco's mechanism using quantum-chemical methods and then test predictions experimentally. We will capitalise on our previous successful studies of Rubisco by addressing emergent issues which are the keys to understanding catalytic efficiency and CO2/O2 selectivity: the roles of a carbamylated lysine; the way CO2 addition is rendered irreversible; and the spin inversion inherent in O2 addition.Read moreRead less
Evolving enzymes to harness the clean energy reserves of nature. We want to improve enzymes that are used by nature to harness huge amounts of energy - the energy present in glucose, one of the most abundant materials in the biosphere. The enzymes will be evolved to efficiently produce biological power in a practically useable form rather than for the growth of the organisms from which they originated. We will use this energy to drive the synthesis of chemicals of practical value, truly green ch ....Evolving enzymes to harness the clean energy reserves of nature. We want to improve enzymes that are used by nature to harness huge amounts of energy - the energy present in glucose, one of the most abundant materials in the biosphere. The enzymes will be evolved to efficiently produce biological power in a practically useable form rather than for the growth of the organisms from which they originated. We will use this energy to drive the synthesis of chemicals of practical value, truly green chemistry. We also seek to answer questions such as: how do proteins evolve, how do enzymes work and how can biochemical pathways be optimised for industrial processes? This information will be of fundamental benefit for the use of enzymes in green chemistry, providing cleaner ways to produce important chemicals. Read moreRead less
Structural and Mechanistic Studies of the Oxygen Evolving Centre in Photosystem II. Hydrogen fuel production from electricity and water sources, such as sea water, represents the ultimate goal for the research described here. This is part of an overall scheme, called "Artificial Photosynthesis", to generate clean renewable energy. The present project is an important step in this ambitious program and directly addresses a key hurdle which must be overcome to make artificial photosynthesis feasibl ....Structural and Mechanistic Studies of the Oxygen Evolving Centre in Photosystem II. Hydrogen fuel production from electricity and water sources, such as sea water, represents the ultimate goal for the research described here. This is part of an overall scheme, called "Artificial Photosynthesis", to generate clean renewable energy. The present project is an important step in this ambitious program and directly addresses a key hurdle which must be overcome to make artificial photosynthesis feasible. This hurdle is the efficient electrical conversion of water into hydrogen and oxygen, a two part process of which the latter is the most chemically difficult. The project aims to 'steal nature's secrets', by deciphering and then technologically mimicking the highly efficient means by which plants carry out these processes.Read moreRead less
Bio-Physical Studies of the Oxygen Evolving Complex in Photosystem II. Hydrogen fuel production from electricity and water sources, such as sea water, represents the ultimate goal for the research described here. This is part of an overall scheme, called "Artificial Photosynthesis", to generate clean renewable energy. The present project is an important step in this ambitious program and directly addresses a key hurdle which must be overcome to make artificial photosynthesis feasible. This hurdl ....Bio-Physical Studies of the Oxygen Evolving Complex in Photosystem II. Hydrogen fuel production from electricity and water sources, such as sea water, represents the ultimate goal for the research described here. This is part of an overall scheme, called "Artificial Photosynthesis", to generate clean renewable energy. The present project is an important step in this ambitious program and directly addresses a key hurdle which must be overcome to make artificial photosynthesis feasible. This hurdle is the efficient electrical conversion of water into hydrogen and oxygen, a two part process of which the latter is the most chemically difficult. The project aims to 'steal nature's secrets', by deciphering and then technologically mimicking the highly efficient means by which plants carry out these processes.Read moreRead less
Developing an Essential Research Platform for the Molecular Engineering of Photosystem II. Sunlight reaching the earth is used by plants and algae to drive photosynthesis and to store chemical energy. Possibly the most fundamental contribution photosynthesis makes to earth is to generate gaseous oxygen, the result of solar driven water-splitting chemistry. However, the mechanism behind water-splitting is not exactly known. In this proposal we will construct a new model cyanobacteria host to stu ....Developing an Essential Research Platform for the Molecular Engineering of Photosystem II. Sunlight reaching the earth is used by plants and algae to drive photosynthesis and to store chemical energy. Possibly the most fundamental contribution photosynthesis makes to earth is to generate gaseous oxygen, the result of solar driven water-splitting chemistry. However, the mechanism behind water-splitting is not exactly known. In this proposal we will construct a new model cyanobacteria host to study water splitting. The host organism will be genetically modified to enable mechanistic questions of water oxidation to be tested and will provide new and pure forms of isolated protein. This model organism will provide team of international researchers with a remarkable tool new to study photosynthesis.Read moreRead less
Functionally characterizing mammalian microRNAs and mRNA interactions controlling cell division. This project addresses some of the most burning issues in molecular biology and genetic research, and the results will be widely applicable to a broad range of fields, including biotechnology, animal breeding, agricultural production, genetic engineering, medical science, and computational biology. By understanding the regulatory potential of microRNA molecules, we will understand more about species ....Functionally characterizing mammalian microRNAs and mRNA interactions controlling cell division. This project addresses some of the most burning issues in molecular biology and genetic research, and the results will be widely applicable to a broad range of fields, including biotechnology, animal breeding, agricultural production, genetic engineering, medical science, and computational biology. By understanding the regulatory potential of microRNA molecules, we will understand more about species diversity, regulatory networks, and plant and animal development. The early adoption of multi-gigabase next-generation sequencing technology in Australia provides rare and exciting opportunity to lead the world in genome-scale research, and to ensure that Australia has the necessary skill base to remain internationally competitive in this field.Read moreRead less
Catalytic Electron Transfer in Photosystem II of Plants and Bacteria. Large scale hydrogen production from electricity and abundant water sources, such as sea water, represents the ultimate goal for the research described here. This is part of an overall scheme, called "Artificial Photosynthesis", to generate clean renewable energy. Although the present project is but one step in this ambitious program, it directly addresses a key hurdle which must be overcome to make the project feasible. This ....Catalytic Electron Transfer in Photosystem II of Plants and Bacteria. Large scale hydrogen production from electricity and abundant water sources, such as sea water, represents the ultimate goal for the research described here. This is part of an overall scheme, called "Artificial Photosynthesis", to generate clean renewable energy. Although the present project is but one step in this ambitious program, it directly addresses a key hurdle which must be overcome to make the project feasible. This is the efficient electrical conversion of water into hydrogen and oxygen, a two part process of which the latter is the most chemically difficult. The project aims to 'steal nature's secrets', by deciphering and then technologically mimicking the highly efficient means by which plants carry out these processes.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0347727
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$400,000.00
Summary
Computational infrastructure for high-throughput genome bioinformatics. We propose a high-performance computing and web facility for genome bioinformatics. It will provide a common software development environment in support of molecular biosciences, systems biology and complex systems modelling at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience at University of Queensland, and at Queensland University of Technology. The platform will support Australia's first genome-scale bioinformatics research website ....Computational infrastructure for high-throughput genome bioinformatics. We propose a high-performance computing and web facility for genome bioinformatics. It will provide a common software development environment in support of molecular biosciences, systems biology and complex systems modelling at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience at University of Queensland, and at Queensland University of Technology. The platform will support Australia's first genome-scale bioinformatics research website, with unique software and mirrors of the IBM Biological Pattern Discovery, UC San Diego MEME/MetaMEME/MAST, and NGI comparative genomics websites. Australian/NZ researchers will access the facility at no cost for high-throughput use of unique software, website mirrors and other important tools for genome bioinformatics.Read moreRead less
Manipulation of transcription factors that control plant architecture. This project will provide fundamental knowledge about how plant body plans are constructed and elaborated. In particular this proposal could influence agriculture in two manners. First, we will examine the ability to control infestations of parasitic plants in the field using the expression of small RNA molecules and second, we will determine whether manipulation of expression of specific transcription factors can alter the ....Manipulation of transcription factors that control plant architecture. This project will provide fundamental knowledge about how plant body plans are constructed and elaborated. In particular this proposal could influence agriculture in two manners. First, we will examine the ability to control infestations of parasitic plants in the field using the expression of small RNA molecules and second, we will determine whether manipulation of expression of specific transcription factors can alter the characteristics of secondary growth plants.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989408
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$150,000.00
Summary
A multiple-ion membrane inlet mass spectrometer. There is a compelling need for a modern isotope-ratio mass spectrometer to facilitate a range of innovative studies of chemical and biochemical processes. Mass spectrometers operated with a thin permeable membrane over a vacuum inlet allow small gas molecules to be continuously monitored inside specific gas or liquid phase sample chambers. The proposed instrumentation will enable simultaneous and highly sensitive measurement of 10 different isot ....A multiple-ion membrane inlet mass spectrometer. There is a compelling need for a modern isotope-ratio mass spectrometer to facilitate a range of innovative studies of chemical and biochemical processes. Mass spectrometers operated with a thin permeable membrane over a vacuum inlet allow small gas molecules to be continuously monitored inside specific gas or liquid phase sample chambers. The proposed instrumentation will enable simultaneous and highly sensitive measurement of 10 different isotopic species and the capability for detection of hydrogen. This equipment will provide the many researchers and students with opportunities to determine isotopic signatures of isolated chemical reactions through to complex biochemical systems of whole living cells.Read moreRead less