Toxins from Down Under: Novel tools to understand and modulate ion channels. Venoms are complex secretions containing biologically active components that have evolved over millions of years to specifically target the nervous systems of predators and prey. Two novel classes of toxins from snake and plant venoms that act on voltage-gated sodium channels, key proteins that regulate neuronal excitability, were recently identified by the research team. The project aims to develop and apply state-of-t ....Toxins from Down Under: Novel tools to understand and modulate ion channels. Venoms are complex secretions containing biologically active components that have evolved over millions of years to specifically target the nervous systems of predators and prey. Two novel classes of toxins from snake and plant venoms that act on voltage-gated sodium channels, key proteins that regulate neuronal excitability, were recently identified by the research team. The project aims to develop and apply state-of-the-art chemical, structural and biological techniques to unravel the molecular mechanisms through which these novel toxin classes act at their targets. Insights gained from this project will help identify and develop novel channel-modulating molecules that may have applications as neuroscience tools, diagnostics or drugs.Read moreRead less
The potential of membranes – peptide engineering to modulate ion channels. This project aims to develop a platform technology to identify new and selective sodium channel inhibitors based on ultra-stable venom peptides that can interact with and cross membranes. Sodium channels are involved in almost all aspects of human physiology. The ability to selectively inhibit individual sodium channel subtypes and to understand what drives peptides' ability to cross membranes would be a major achievement ....The potential of membranes – peptide engineering to modulate ion channels. This project aims to develop a platform technology to identify new and selective sodium channel inhibitors based on ultra-stable venom peptides that can interact with and cross membranes. Sodium channels are involved in almost all aspects of human physiology. The ability to selectively inhibit individual sodium channel subtypes and to understand what drives peptides' ability to cross membranes would be a major achievement and lead to new neuroscience research tools and technologies. This project’s proposed technology could be translated into new knowledge relevant to the biotechnology industry.Read moreRead less
Membrane-active Antibiotics Against Multi-drug Resistant Gram Negative Bacteria
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$942,299.00
Summary
We are now threatened by bacteria that are resistant to ALL antibiotics. However, there is a new paradigm: antibiotics inspired by nature that attack the membrane of bacteria. This project will re-engineer peptides from lugworms, horseshoe crabs, scorpions and spiders that are part of nature’s ancient defence against bacteria, to identify new antibiotics to combat infections in humans.
Innovations in peptide-based drug design. This project will aim to develop new types of drugs that fill a gap between existing small molecule drugs, which are relatively inexpensive and stable, but often have side-effects, and biologics which are very expensive and require injection. Our new generation of peptide-based drugs promise to be applicable to diseases that are not treatable by current drugs.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE160100218
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$840,000.00
Summary
A Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facility for Modern Molecular Analysis. A nuclear magnetic resonance facility for modern molecular analysis:
This project aims to network a new 500 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer and new consoles for existing instruments with an automated sample changer for a 600 MHz NMR spectrometer. This designed to increase the capacity of Queensland-based researchers to undertake state-of-the-art studies in chemistry, drug design, and materials science. The ne ....A Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facility for Modern Molecular Analysis. A nuclear magnetic resonance facility for modern molecular analysis:
This project aims to network a new 500 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer and new consoles for existing instruments with an automated sample changer for a 600 MHz NMR spectrometer. This designed to increase the capacity of Queensland-based researchers to undertake state-of-the-art studies in chemistry, drug design, and materials science. The new knowledge from these studies may lead to the development of new drugs, new crop protection agents and new photovoltaic materials. Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120103152
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Development of next generation drugs against Helicobacter pylori. Gastric cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the world and infection by Helicobacter pylori bacteria is the main cause of this disease. The aim of this project is to develop new approaches to treat Helicobacter pylori infection that will give superior results and lower side effects than available therapies.
Developing a multicomponent platform for targeted gene delivery. Gene delivery systems are important tools in biological research and offer many exciting future prospects. Delivering gene material is very difficult in practice: rapid deterioration, poor cell uptake, and reaching the right tissue and cell types are major obstacles. Ways to overcome each barrier individually have been suggested in existing research but these components have not yet been combined in a single solution, which this pr ....Developing a multicomponent platform for targeted gene delivery. Gene delivery systems are important tools in biological research and offer many exciting future prospects. Delivering gene material is very difficult in practice: rapid deterioration, poor cell uptake, and reaching the right tissue and cell types are major obstacles. Ways to overcome each barrier individually have been suggested in existing research but these components have not yet been combined in a single solution, which this project will tackle. This proposal aims to create a technology to stabilise and deliver active gene material to target cells. The gene delivery tool developed in this project will advance biological research greatly with many potential future applications.Read moreRead less
New methods for the chemical synthesis of a library of glycopeptide-based tri-component cancer vaccines. A novel method for the synthesis of tumour-associated glycopeptides will be developed in this research as well as the preparation of a library of glycopeptide-based cancer vaccines. These vaccines will be tested in immunological studies with a view to elucidating new immune-based therapies for the treatment of cancer.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140101632
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$395,220.00
Summary
Development of Innovative Chemical Tools for Studying Glycosyltransferases . This project aims to develop chemical probes capable of selectively binding and inhibiting two classes of carbohydrate processing enzymes known as O-linked beta-N-acetylglucosamine transferase and sialyltransferases. These enzymes are overexpressed in various cancers and play critical roles in cancer progression. Probes will be developed to analyse the activities of these enzymes in cancer cells.