The Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC) invites you to participate in a short survey about your
interaction with the ARDC and use of our national research infrastructure and services. The survey will take
approximately 5 minutes and is anonymous. It’s open to anyone who uses our digital research infrastructure
services including Reasearch Link Australia.
We will use the information you provide to improve the national research infrastructure and services we
deliver and to report on user satisfaction to the Australian Government’s National Collaborative Research
Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) program.
Please take a few minutes to provide your input. The survey closes COB Friday 29 May 2026.
Complete the 5 min survey now by clicking on the link below.
Structural Investigation Into The Regulation Of The Colony Stimulating Factor Receptor, C-FMS.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$287,321.00
Summary
The colony stimulating factor receptor, c-FMS is a member of a family of protein signalling molecules expressed on the cell surface that are implicated in the development of serious diseases in humans, such as inflammatory diseases and cancer. A number of important proteins bind to and regulate c-FMS in different ways. I intend to visualise these interactions to further understand how c-FMS activity is controlled by alternative means.
Discovery And Mechanisms Of Host Cell Factors In HIV Uncoating
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$635,098.00
Summary
HIV entry into the host cell involves release of its capsid, a protein shell protecting the viral genome. The capsid hijacks host proteins to cloak itself from cellular defenses while the cell has evolved sensors that can block viral infection. This proposal aims to discover proteins involved in this arms race between host and virus and decipher how they control capsid disassembly. This insight will help design new drugs against HIV infection and new ways to deliver genes for gene therapies.
I am a protein crystallographer determining the structures of medically important proteins such as proteases. I am also a bioinformatician leading the development of informatics systems for automated highthroughput crystallography, and bioinformatic analy
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE120100224
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$250,000.00
Summary
Multi-mode fluorescence microscope for visualising the dynamics of cellular processes at the single-molecule level. Fluorescence is the emission of light by a substance that has absorbed light of a different wavelength. This fluorescence microscopy facility will allow the visualisation of the dynamic processes that define life at the molecular level. This insight will help us understand cellular function and how it is impaired in various diseases including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders ....Multi-mode fluorescence microscope for visualising the dynamics of cellular processes at the single-molecule level. Fluorescence is the emission of light by a substance that has absorbed light of a different wavelength. This fluorescence microscopy facility will allow the visualisation of the dynamic processes that define life at the molecular level. This insight will help us understand cellular function and how it is impaired in various diseases including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.Read moreRead less
Biochemical Reconstitution Of The Ubiquitin Ligase Pathway Defective In Fanconi Anaemia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$562,742.00
Summary
Fanconi Anemia (FA) is characterised by loss of vital blood cells but also 700x risk of developing leukaemia and other cancers. FA is caused by an inherited defect in one of 15 different genes that provide a signal and repair mechanism protecting cells from cancer causing mutations. By reconstructing this signaling mechanism in the test tube we will determine how it contributes to cancer protection, and highlight potential strategies for treatment of FA and leukaemia in the general population.
Biochemical Analysis Of Akt 3-specific Signal Transduction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$349,375.00
Summary
The Akt family of enzymes consists of 3 protein kinases (Akt 1,2 and 3) and has been shown to regulate many normal cellular processes such as cell proliferation, growth, survival and motility, as well as the growth of new blood vessels. All these processes are critical for cancers to grow. However, few studies have distinguished the roles of the individual family members. Our preliminary data revealed Akt3 is far more active than the other two forms. Furthermore, using our unique Akt3 specific a ....The Akt family of enzymes consists of 3 protein kinases (Akt 1,2 and 3) and has been shown to regulate many normal cellular processes such as cell proliferation, growth, survival and motility, as well as the growth of new blood vessels. All these processes are critical for cancers to grow. However, few studies have distinguished the roles of the individual family members. Our preliminary data revealed Akt3 is far more active than the other two forms. Furthermore, using our unique Akt3 specific antibody, we find Akt 3 protein and activity levels are high in rapidly proliferating ovarian cancer cell lines and in primary ovarian tumours. The aim of this proposal is to characterise the mode and role of signalling via Akt3, including the identification of targeted substrates and signaling pathways and the outcomes of Akt3 driven signaling on cellular properties. These studies will provide important clues to understanding how this family member functions in both health and disease. Elucidation of the basis of Akt3 dependent signalling will open the possibility for the development of drugs that interfere with Akt3 function (for example in high Akt 3 expressing tumours like those of the ovary). In the long term, extension of our profiling studies to other tumour types will give a novel insight into the extent of Akt3 de-regulation as a key mediator of cancer formation.Read moreRead less
Regulation Of SRC-Family And Focal Adhesion Kinase Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$381,338.00
Summary
Cells in our bodies stick to one another and to the cementing material called extracellular matrix surrounding them. An ezyme called focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a major regulator of cell stickiness. It can catalyze the covalent attachment of a chemical group called phosphate to specific cellular protein. This proposal aims at studying how FAK is regulated by insulin stimulation and how FAK is regulated by a tumour suppressor called PTEN. Results of the study will shed light on how abberration ....Cells in our bodies stick to one another and to the cementing material called extracellular matrix surrounding them. An ezyme called focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a major regulator of cell stickiness. It can catalyze the covalent attachment of a chemical group called phosphate to specific cellular protein. This proposal aims at studying how FAK is regulated by insulin stimulation and how FAK is regulated by a tumour suppressor called PTEN. Results of the study will shed light on how abberrations in the regulation and PTEN contribute to the development of development defects, heart attack, and the spreading of cancer cells.Read moreRead less
Design And Development Of Small Molecules To Regulate Protease Activated Receptor Type 2
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$439,500.00
Summary
A new class of proteins have been discovered on the surface of cells. These are activated by enzymes known as proteases and are therefore called Protease Activated Receptors (PARs). PARs appear to be very important 'sensors' of proteases outside cells, becoming activated in response to very low concentrations of proteases. This suggest that proteases may exert some of their biological effects through these receptors, which are now implicated in a growing number of diseases (e.g. thrombosis, card ....A new class of proteins have been discovered on the surface of cells. These are activated by enzymes known as proteases and are therefore called Protease Activated Receptors (PARs). PARs appear to be very important 'sensors' of proteases outside cells, becoming activated in response to very low concentrations of proteases. This suggest that proteases may exert some of their biological effects through these receptors, which are now implicated in a growing number of diseases (e.g. thrombosis, cardiovascular disorders, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, pancreatitis, stomach and colon cancer, arthritis, and there may also be a role in wound healing). We are working towards dissecting the roles for one of these receptors (PAR2) in disease by developing small molecules for selective binding to this receptor. We will particularly distinguish between compounds that can activate (agonists) or deactivate (antagonists) the receptor. These experiments will involve computer-assisted compound design, structural comparisons between small molecules with activity and those without, and cellular studies designed to measure affinity, activation and deactivation of PAR2. The outcome will be a series of small molecules that bind tightly to the PAR2 receptor and have a well defined function (antagonist, agonist, partial agonist). While the above studies are in progress some peptides that are known to activate this receptor will be examined in rodent models of human disease (airways inflammation, pancreatitis, stomach and colon cancer, arthritis). Studies like this have been very revealing for us in the past (Nature 1999, 398, 156-160 A protective role for protease-activated receptors in the airways). Then the designed and developed compounds will also be examined for signs of therapeutic potential. The work will provide a better understanding of how this receptor works and a clearer picture of the role of this receptor in human disease.Read moreRead less
Multi-domain Regulation Of DNA Damage Response Kinases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$313,427.00
Summary
DNA damage plays a key role in the onset of cancer and the response to cancer therapies. Mutations in the Chk2 DNA damage response kinase are associated with increased cancer risk. We will study detailed mechanisms how phosphorylation of Chk2-like kinases contributes to normal copying of our DNA every time a cell divides, and how it regulates how Chk2 is activated. The studies will improve our understanding how cancer may originate and how cancer cells respond to chemo- or radiation therapy.