Malarial parasite surface proteins: structure and interactions of key merozoite antigens. Malaria remains one the most lethal infectious diseases in the world today, being directly responsible for around 2 million deaths annually, many in children under 5 years of age. Related parasitic diseases affect livestock in malaria-endemic regions and more broadly. There is an urgent need for an improved understanding of how these parasites invade target red blood cells. Knowing the structures of key pro ....Malarial parasite surface proteins: structure and interactions of key merozoite antigens. Malaria remains one the most lethal infectious diseases in the world today, being directly responsible for around 2 million deaths annually, many in children under 5 years of age. Related parasitic diseases affect livestock in malaria-endemic regions and more broadly. There is an urgent need for an improved understanding of how these parasites invade target red blood cells. Knowing the structures of key proteins on the parasite cell surface will provide a deeper understanding of host-parasite interactions, as well as a basis for the design of vaccines or drugs that interfere with parasite invasion of host red blood cells. Read moreRead less
The cell biology of the albumin-FcRn receptor recycling system. The aim of this project is to define the cell biology of the albumin-FcRn (neonatal Fc receptor) recycling system. FcRn is a recycling membrane receptor that selectively protects serum proteins from intracellular degradation and prolongs their half-life. We will identify the key cell types involved in this recycling pathway, identify intracellular sites of ligand and FcRn interaction, assess the contribution of the haematopoietic sy ....The cell biology of the albumin-FcRn receptor recycling system. The aim of this project is to define the cell biology of the albumin-FcRn (neonatal Fc receptor) recycling system. FcRn is a recycling membrane receptor that selectively protects serum proteins from intracellular degradation and prolongs their half-life. We will identify the key cell types involved in this recycling pathway, identify intracellular sites of ligand and FcRn interaction, assess the contribution of the haematopoietic system and determine ligand half-life in mice. Findings generated will reveal the basic biology of an important physiological receptor, and enable the exploitation of FcRn-receptor interactions for design of recombinant albumin fusion-based therapies.Read moreRead less
Development of Insulin-like peptide 5 (INSL5) peptide analogues as novel therapeutics. Insulin-like peptide 5 (INSL5) is a naturally-occurring hormone in the body that likely plays a role in the control of appetite. This project aims to develop new molecules based on INSL5 that could be suitable for use as drugs to treat various appetite-related disorders, such as obesity (where patients eat too much) or anorexia (where patients eat too little).
Structural And Functional Characterisation Of The Oncogene P-Rex1
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$623,447.00
Summary
The spread of cancer to other parts of the body (metastasis) is a major cause of mortality. The characterisation of proteins that regulate metastasis is therefore a priority. P-Rex1 plays a crucial role in promoting metastasis in breast and other cancers. We will determine the structural basis of P-Rex1 activity, and investigate how its dysregulation promotes aberrant cell growth. This study will provide the knowledge to build future drug development programs targeting P-Rex1 in cancer.
The Role Of Presenilin In Metal Homeostasis And Alzheimers Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$86,335.00
Summary
Presenilin, a protein involved in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), may regulate copper and zinc levels. Copper and zinc are essential nutrients however a deficiency or excess can cause disease. Promising metal-altering AD drugs, are in various stages of clinical trial. I aim to characterize the interaction of Presenilin and metals using both mouse and cultured human cell models that are deficient in Presenilin. Understanding this interaction should lead to better drug design and treatment of AD.
Understanding How Bcl-2 Proteins Form The Apoptotic Pores That Kill Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$893,614.00
Summary
Programmed cell death termed apoptosis is a process our bodies use to remove cells that are a threat to our health, e.g. cancer cells. The proteins that regulate cell death are attractive targets for therapeutics that have become resistant to this defence mechanism. This study will reveal how proteins from the Bcl-2 family regulate cell death at the molecular level. Understanding this process will inform the development of drugs aimed at regulating cell death in cancer and other diseases.
What Is The Molecular Mechanism Underlying Cell Death By Necroptosis?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$653,742.00
Summary
Recently, we and others have demonstrated that part of the MLKL protein is able to kill cells. This process is known to cause a number of pathologies, including those arising from stroke. Blocking this type of cell death has thus emerged as an attractive therapeutic strategy. However, precisely how MLKL kills cells remains unclear and controversial. In this project, we will resolve these controversies with the goal of an increased fundamental understanding to aid drug discovery.
The Effective Treatment of Hot Dip Galvanizing Effluent Streams. Hot Dip galvanizing effluent represents a significant environmental hazard. This wastewater is currently trucked offsite and treated by contractors to precipitate a heavy metal sludge that is disposed of through landfill. Industrial Galvanisers, as the largest hot dip galvanizing company within Australia, are keen to eliminate this hazard. We will consider the use of an innovative membrane based process for this purpose; to recover ....The Effective Treatment of Hot Dip Galvanizing Effluent Streams. Hot Dip galvanizing effluent represents a significant environmental hazard. This wastewater is currently trucked offsite and treated by contractors to precipitate a heavy metal sludge that is disposed of through landfill. Industrial Galvanisers, as the largest hot dip galvanizing company within Australia, are keen to eliminate this hazard. We will consider the use of an innovative membrane based process for this purpose; to recover valuable zinc and iron compounds from the effluent and allow the water to be re-utilised. If successful, this project will lead to a pilot plant wastewater treatment plant being constructed at an Industrial Galvanizers site.Read moreRead less
The Treatment Of Galvanizing Wastewater: Delivering An Environmentally And Economically Sustainable Approach. This project will investigate a process to treat wastewater from industrial galvanizing sites around Australia. When implemented, the process will substantially reduce the consumption of acid and fresh water at these sites. Further, the process will recover the zinc content of the wastewater in a saleable form and can also generate ferric chloride for sale as a water treatment chemical. ....The Treatment Of Galvanizing Wastewater: Delivering An Environmentally And Economically Sustainable Approach. This project will investigate a process to treat wastewater from industrial galvanizing sites around Australia. When implemented, the process will substantially reduce the consumption of acid and fresh water at these sites. Further, the process will recover the zinc content of the wastewater in a saleable form and can also generate ferric chloride for sale as a water treatment chemical. The quantity of heavy metals disposed to landfill will also be dramatically reduced. Scientific knowledge of multicomponent liquid-liquid equilibria will be of value to a wider range of solvent extraction processes including zinc and copper metal refining.Read moreRead less
Regulation Of Neural Progenitor Cell Self-renewal By The RNA-binding Protein ZFP36L1 During Development And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$345,401.00
Summary
The timely differentiation of neural stem cells is critical during development, and the unrestrained proliferation of neural stem cells in the adult can lead to deadly brain cancers such as glioma. At present our understanding of the key molecules that regulate neural stem cell behaviour during these processes remains limited. In this proposal we will investigate the molecular determinants underpinning neural stem cell biology, both within the developing brain, and within glioma.