Drug targets in malaria parasites. Malaria is rampant throughout our Region and hinders the economies of our neighbours reducing regional prosperity and stability. Australian security and aid personnel deployed in the Region contract malaria infections and global warming could bring malaria-carrying mosquitoes south to Sydney. Australia is pre-eminent in malaria research, making lead discoveries in vaccine and drug development. However, we lack crucial resources to study the parasite in the mo ....Drug targets in malaria parasites. Malaria is rampant throughout our Region and hinders the economies of our neighbours reducing regional prosperity and stability. Australian security and aid personnel deployed in the Region contract malaria infections and global warming could bring malaria-carrying mosquitoes south to Sydney. Australia is pre-eminent in malaria research, making lead discoveries in vaccine and drug development. However, we lack crucial resources to study the parasite in the mosquito phase of its life cycle. The Federation Fellowship will create a malaria mosquito facility to redress this crucial gap in our capability. The Fellowship will double as foreign aid investment by enhancing our capacity to protect ourselves as well as supporting our neighbours.Read moreRead less
Identifying Novel Biosynthetic Pathways in Mycobacteria using DNA Microarray Technology. DNA microarrays are a powerful new bioinformatics-based technology and an ideal tool for characterising complex biosynthetic pathways since the expression of all genes in the bacterial genome can be monitored in a single experiment. In this project we aim to construct and use a DNA microarray to identify novel biosynthetic pathways in mycobacteria. Of particular interest are pathways used to create compone ....Identifying Novel Biosynthetic Pathways in Mycobacteria using DNA Microarray Technology. DNA microarrays are a powerful new bioinformatics-based technology and an ideal tool for characterising complex biosynthetic pathways since the expression of all genes in the bacterial genome can be monitored in a single experiment. In this project we aim to construct and use a DNA microarray to identify novel biosynthetic pathways in mycobacteria. Of particular interest are pathways used to create components of the highly complex and poorly characterised cell wall. Since this structure is unique in the bacterial world, we expect to identify and characterise pathways that are unique to mycobacteria.Read moreRead less
Oxidative stress-induced alterations of the host erythrocyte by the malaria parasite. The malaria parasite spends part of its lifecycle inside the red blood cells of its host. During this time, the parasite modifies many of the features of the red blood cell and subjects it to high levels of oxidative stress. We will use and develop a variety of fluorescence and microscopic techniques to understand the molecular basis of the alterations in the organization of membrane proteins in malaria parasit ....Oxidative stress-induced alterations of the host erythrocyte by the malaria parasite. The malaria parasite spends part of its lifecycle inside the red blood cells of its host. During this time, the parasite modifies many of the features of the red blood cell and subjects it to high levels of oxidative stress. We will use and develop a variety of fluorescence and microscopic techniques to understand the molecular basis of the alterations in the organization of membrane proteins in malaria parasite-infected red blood cells. We will examine the roles of oxidative stress and of parasite proteins in modulating the properties of the host cell membrane.Read moreRead less
MitoGenomics of Key Pathogens - An International Research Co-operative. The national/community benefits are: (1) to develop a long-term, high quality scientific and technological program contributing to national objectives, including the maintenance of a strong capability in basic research, the development of new scientific concepts and the enhancement of international collaborative links; (2) to strengthen the links between basic and applied research; (3) to develop excellence in research by pr ....MitoGenomics of Key Pathogens - An International Research Co-operative. The national/community benefits are: (1) to develop a long-term, high quality scientific and technological program contributing to national objectives, including the maintenance of a strong capability in basic research, the development of new scientific concepts and the enhancement of international collaborative links; (2) to strengthen the links between basic and applied research; (3) to develop excellence in research by promoting collaborative research, resulting in a more efficient use of resources in a national and international context; (4) to enhance the skills-base in biology and biotechnology; (5) to substantially increase global visibility through quality research, leading to an increased investment in Australian science.Read moreRead less
A high-through-put method for unlocking the mitochondrial genomes of significant pathogens. The national/community benefits of this research are: (1) to develop a long-term, high quality scientific and technological program contributing to national objectives, including the maintenance of a strong capability in basic research, the development of new scientific concepts and the enhancement of international collaborative links; (2) to strengthen the links between basic and applied research; (3) to ....A high-through-put method for unlocking the mitochondrial genomes of significant pathogens. The national/community benefits of this research are: (1) to develop a long-term, high quality scientific and technological program contributing to national objectives, including the maintenance of a strong capability in basic research, the development of new scientific concepts and the enhancement of international collaborative links; (2) to strengthen the links between basic and applied research; (3) to develop excellence in research by promoting collaborative research, resulting in a more efficient use of resources in a national and international context; (4) to enhance the skills-base in biology and biotechnology; and (5) to substantially increase global visibility through quality research, leading to an increased investment in Australian science.Read moreRead less
Host cell targets of bacterial virulence effectors. The research described in this proposal will result in a better understanding of the cell biology of host-pathogen interactions. We are in a unique position to analyze the importance of protein/protein interactions between bacterial virulence determinants and host cell proteins using a range of cell biology techniques to address the fundamental, molecular basis of the host-pathogen interaction. In addition we will construct a new genetic tool ....Host cell targets of bacterial virulence effectors. The research described in this proposal will result in a better understanding of the cell biology of host-pathogen interactions. We are in a unique position to analyze the importance of protein/protein interactions between bacterial virulence determinants and host cell proteins using a range of cell biology techniques to address the fundamental, molecular basis of the host-pathogen interaction. In addition we will construct a new genetic tool to identify novel bacterial virulence determinants. We anticipate that a greater knowledge of the factors that contribute to the host-pathogen interaction will provide new insights into the subversion of host cell processes by bacterial pathogens of animals, plants and humans.
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Disulfide catalysis and protein folding in bacterial virulence. The molecular mechanisms that underpin disulfide bond formation have had a major impact on our understanding of protein folding and function. This project will make a major contribution to fundamental areas of disulfide catalysis pathways in bacterial pathogens and thus help maintain a strong international profile for Australian research in this field. The work will lead to training of research scientists and students in techniques ....Disulfide catalysis and protein folding in bacterial virulence. The molecular mechanisms that underpin disulfide bond formation have had a major impact on our understanding of protein folding and function. This project will make a major contribution to fundamental areas of disulfide catalysis pathways in bacterial pathogens and thus help maintain a strong international profile for Australian research in this field. The work will lead to training of research scientists and students in techniques that include molecular genetics, protein biochemistry and structural biology. Our findings may impact future directions for vaccine research on pathogens that cause life threatening infections in humans and therefore lead to improved health and reduced health care expenditure.Read moreRead less
Using integrated frontier and smart technologies to identify new drug targets for parasites causing major diseases in humans and animals. The national/community benefits are (1) enhanced focus on animal and human health biotechnology through the development of anti-parasite compounds and/or vaccines; (2) improved and sustainable control of important parasites with decreased risk of induction of drug resistance; (3) increased profitability of agricultural animal production; (4) consolidation of a ....Using integrated frontier and smart technologies to identify new drug targets for parasites causing major diseases in humans and animals. The national/community benefits are (1) enhanced focus on animal and human health biotechnology through the development of anti-parasite compounds and/or vaccines; (2) improved and sustainable control of important parasites with decreased risk of induction of drug resistance; (3) increased profitability of agricultural animal production; (4) consolidation of a technology platform for further applications in genomics and post-genomics of pathogens of global significance and construction of a pipeline for the validation of drug targets; (5) capturing the benefits from fundamental research and strengthening links between fundamental and applied research; (6) increasing the quality and quantity of scientifically skilled people in biotechnology.Read moreRead less
Automated, smart genomic data integration for the exploration of developmentally regulated molecules in parasites of major socioeconomic importance. The national/community benefits are (1) enhanced focus on animal and human health biotechnology through the development of safe anti-parasite compounds/vaccines; (2) improved and sustainable control of key parasites with decreased risk of induction of drug resistance; (3) increased profitability of agricultural animal production; (4) consolidation o ....Automated, smart genomic data integration for the exploration of developmentally regulated molecules in parasites of major socioeconomic importance. The national/community benefits are (1) enhanced focus on animal and human health biotechnology through the development of safe anti-parasite compounds/vaccines; (2) improved and sustainable control of key parasites with decreased risk of induction of drug resistance; (3) increased profitability of agricultural animal production; (4) consolidation of a technology platform for further applications in genomics and post-genomics of pathogens of global significance and construction of a pipeline for the validation of drug targets; (5) capturing the benefits from fundamental research and strengthening links between fundamental and applied research; (6) increasing the quality and quantity of scientifically skilled people in biotechnology.Read moreRead less
Molecular machines that drive microbial pathogens. We will provide a comprehensive understanding of molecular machines situated at the surface of bacteria. This ground-breaking research will provide excellent outcomes in the training of research students and staff: this project entails frontier technology, and the transfer of technological capabilities not currently available in Australia. Our study on a non-pathogenic species of bacteria is timely too for National security: related species of b ....Molecular machines that drive microbial pathogens. We will provide a comprehensive understanding of molecular machines situated at the surface of bacteria. This ground-breaking research will provide excellent outcomes in the training of research students and staff: this project entails frontier technology, and the transfer of technological capabilities not currently available in Australia. Our study on a non-pathogenic species of bacteria is timely too for National security: related species of bacteria were amongst the first organisms trialed as biological weapons, and the pathogenic species remain rated as Class 3 organisms by the Centers for Disease Control.Read moreRead less