Mitochondrial targeting by a new class of gadolinium agents. This research project will lead to the development of new molecular agents containing the element gadolinium which can selectively accumulate within cell mitochondria, with a long-term application in cutting-edge therapies involving X-rays or neutrons. The lanthanoid element gadolinium offers many unique opportunities for medicinal chemistry and this project will generate new knowledge in bioinorganic chemistry and synchrotron science. ....Mitochondrial targeting by a new class of gadolinium agents. This research project will lead to the development of new molecular agents containing the element gadolinium which can selectively accumulate within cell mitochondria, with a long-term application in cutting-edge therapies involving X-rays or neutrons. The lanthanoid element gadolinium offers many unique opportunities for medicinal chemistry and this project will generate new knowledge in bioinorganic chemistry and synchrotron science. The expected outcomes of this research will address many of the unresolved questions regarding mitochondrially-targeted gadolinium complexes, the first such agents specifically designed for potential long-term application in binary therapies and imaging.Read moreRead less
New frontiers in the therapeutic application of gadolinium. This research involves the design and development of new anticancer agents that will dramatically expand the clinical efficacy of a promising treatment for highly aggressive tumours. The innovative nature of this research will also contribute to Australia's science knowledge base and provide excellent training in the area of drug discovery.
Group 13 Mixed Halide-Hydride and Rare Earth Complexes - New Selective Chiral Hydridic or Low Valent Reducing Agents. This project will make a landmark contribution to two areas of metallohydride chemistry. Both studies will utilise and develop metals that have traditionally been mined and exported from these shores while concurrently imported as value added products at vastly inflated cost. This research will identify knock-on applications in order to stem this financial bias. The new paths to ....Group 13 Mixed Halide-Hydride and Rare Earth Complexes - New Selective Chiral Hydridic or Low Valent Reducing Agents. This project will make a landmark contribution to two areas of metallohydride chemistry. Both studies will utilise and develop metals that have traditionally been mined and exported from these shores while concurrently imported as value added products at vastly inflated cost. This research will identify knock-on applications in order to stem this financial bias. The new paths to rare earth (= Ln) hydrides will have broad industrial appeal, particularly for new materials, where, like similar group 13 materials, they may be used in the deposition of Ln films or even as precursors to superconducting solids. It is anticipated industrial collaboration will ensue. Australia will be promoted as a developer and innovator of frontier technologies.Read moreRead less
Enhancing single-molecule magnets. This project aims to design, synthesise and investigate single-molecule magnets that can function at higher temperatures for use in quantum computing and molecular spintronics. Materials science increasingly benefit from molecular approaches, and lanthanoid-based single-molecule magnets could achieve otherwise inaccessible technological developments such as the development of molecular materials for quantum computing and molecular spintronics. Advances in funda ....Enhancing single-molecule magnets. This project aims to design, synthesise and investigate single-molecule magnets that can function at higher temperatures for use in quantum computing and molecular spintronics. Materials science increasingly benefit from molecular approaches, and lanthanoid-based single-molecule magnets could achieve otherwise inaccessible technological developments such as the development of molecular materials for quantum computing and molecular spintronics. Advances in fundamental chemistry are anticipated, and this project is expected to benefit Australia's participation in related high-end technology industries.Read moreRead less
Charge-Controlled Materials for Separations of Important Resources. This project aims to develop new porous materials that are capable of greater molecular discrimination than current technologies. This project expects to advance understanding of fundamental structure-activity relationships in these materials, and synthetic targets will be geared towards materials for industrially or environmentally important chemical separations associated with metal extraction. Expected outcomes of this projec ....Charge-Controlled Materials for Separations of Important Resources. This project aims to develop new porous materials that are capable of greater molecular discrimination than current technologies. This project expects to advance understanding of fundamental structure-activity relationships in these materials, and synthetic targets will be geared towards materials for industrially or environmentally important chemical separations associated with metal extraction. Expected outcomes of this project include new insights on the underlying chemistry for tailoring crystalline microporous materials towards select applications. This should provide significant benefits, such as future low-energy and efficient technologies for industrially important separation processes with reduced financial and environmental costs.Read moreRead less
Expanding the molecular tool set for structural studies of proteins and their complexes. Many applications in medical science and drug development depend on our ability to determine the 3D structures of proteins, protein assemblies and protein-ligand complexes. This project will develop novel lanthanide-binding tags and crosslinking agents that can be coupled to unnatural amino acids introduced into proteins with advanced protein chemistry techniques. These new tools will facilitate the collecti ....Expanding the molecular tool set for structural studies of proteins and their complexes. Many applications in medical science and drug development depend on our ability to determine the 3D structures of proteins, protein assemblies and protein-ligand complexes. This project will develop novel lanthanide-binding tags and crosslinking agents that can be coupled to unnatural amino acids introduced into proteins with advanced protein chemistry techniques. These new tools will facilitate the collection of structure restraints by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and mass spectrometry, which are needed to generate accurate models of proteins and their complexes with other molecules. Major beneficial outcome will include an increase in the number of protein targets amenable to rational drug design and improved methods for generating new drug leads.Read moreRead less
Defining The Mechanism Of Assembly Of Herpes Simplex Virus In The Neuronal Growth Cone And Its Subsequent Exit To Epithelial Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$774,624.00
Summary
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) causes dormant infection of nerve cell bodies near the spine. It periodically reactivates to be transported along nerves to the skin where it causes oral, genital or neonatal herpes and mediates HIV superinfection. HSV assembles into its final form in the terminal part of the axon just prior to crossing into skin. Elucidating the mechanism of HSV assembly and exit will facilitate new strategies for antiviral agents and immune treatment for HSV and similar viruses.
The Mechanism Of HSV-1 Transport In Sensory Axons And Its Unique Assembly At The Axon Terminus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$670,284.00
Summary
Herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2 cause common diseases such as genital herpes and, occasionally, neonatal deaths and encephalitis and predisposes to HIV infection. New antiviral strategies are required for resistant viruses for control. These aims will be facilitated by understanding how HSV is transported down nerves and across into skin. In this study, we will define how a key viral protein plays a major role in assembly of the virus at the tip of the nerve before it enters skin.