Nano-scale organisation of cellular adhesions. Cell migration is a key aspect of many normal processes but also of diseases such as cancers. This project will use a novel fluorescence microscope that can see single proteins to identify how cell adhesions are formed, remodelled and disassembled. This knowledge will help to design better drugs against cancers and novel implantable materials.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130100251
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Biophysical mechanisms regulating early T cell signalling events. T cell activation in response to foreign pathogens or cancer cells requires a complex set of protein interactions which must be controlled in space and time. This project will use new microscopy methods with single-molecule sensitivity to determine how the cell membrane and protein clustering regulate these interactions.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160100282
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$377,500.00
Summary
Mechanotransduction within the Immune Synapse. This project plans to use advanced microscopy to study the forces involved in T-cell activation which lead to an immune response. T-cells readily detect the presence of even a single antigenic peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) and discriminate among thousands of endogenous pMHC via T-cell receptors (TCRs) on the surface of antigen-presenting cells. The mechanisms underlying this phenomenal sensitivity have remained elusive, but more re ....Mechanotransduction within the Immune Synapse. This project plans to use advanced microscopy to study the forces involved in T-cell activation which lead to an immune response. T-cells readily detect the presence of even a single antigenic peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) and discriminate among thousands of endogenous pMHC via T-cell receptors (TCRs) on the surface of antigen-presenting cells. The mechanisms underlying this phenomenal sensitivity have remained elusive, but more recent studies suggest mechanical forces to be instrumental. To investigate their role, the project plans to introduce force sensors into the immune synapse. Understanding the molecular mechanisms could provide new approaches to improving adoptive immunotherapy and to generating new hypotheses for drug development and targeting.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE140100149
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$300,000.00
Summary
CyTOF platform for the Advanced Cytometry Facility: overcoming fluorescence spectral barriers to truly multiparametric cytometry by mass spectrometry. Cytometry by time-of-flight mass spectrometry platform for the Advanced Cytometry Facility: overcoming fluorescence spectral barriers to truly multiparametric cytometry by mass spectrometry: This project will provide a flow cytometer capable of analysing single cells by time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Antibody labels for cell components will ena ....CyTOF platform for the Advanced Cytometry Facility: overcoming fluorescence spectral barriers to truly multiparametric cytometry by mass spectrometry. Cytometry by time-of-flight mass spectrometry platform for the Advanced Cytometry Facility: overcoming fluorescence spectral barriers to truly multiparametric cytometry by mass spectrometry: This project will provide a flow cytometer capable of analysing single cells by time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Antibody labels for cell components will enable measurement of up to 100 parameters/cell. Developing analytical and modelling algorithms like Spanning tree Progression of Density normalised Events (SPADE), this project will aim to map the relationships of various unelucidated cell lineages, via functional pathway connections. New pathways thus revealed will enable elaboration and use of novel specific molecules in perturbational analyses to confirm and further enhance the understanding of these highly intricate, basic relationships. This will provide unparalleled insight, both into early development of stem cells and mechanisms of maintenance of homeostasis in differentiated cells.Read moreRead less