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.
Single Molecule Studies of Replisomal Function. It has recently become possible to watch the copying of DNA molecules with a specialized microscope in real time. This process requires assembly of a complex molecular machine on the DNA, followed by triggering of its function, and yields exquisitely detailed information about how the machine works. In this new collaboration between scientists in Australia and the U.S.A., we will assemble these machines on single DNA molecules, watch how they work ....Single Molecule Studies of Replisomal Function. It has recently become possible to watch the copying of DNA molecules with a specialized microscope in real time. This process requires assembly of a complex molecular machine on the DNA, followed by triggering of its function, and yields exquisitely detailed information about how the machine works. In this new collaboration between scientists in Australia and the U.S.A., we will assemble these machines on single DNA molecules, watch how they work and simultaneously measure the very small forces that the machines generate. This will give Australian scientists access to a new technology for studying molecular machines.Read moreRead less
Manipulating the self-assembly properties of fungal hydrophobin proteins for the design of novel biological polymers. Hydrophobin-based products will be novel biocompatible and biodegradable products with applications in the fields of medical implants, biosensors, detergents, coatings and pharmaceutical and industrial emulsions. They have the potential to directly improve the lives of all Australians and to be of benefit to the Australian economy and environment. This collaborative research pro ....Manipulating the self-assembly properties of fungal hydrophobin proteins for the design of novel biological polymers. Hydrophobin-based products will be novel biocompatible and biodegradable products with applications in the fields of medical implants, biosensors, detergents, coatings and pharmaceutical and industrial emulsions. They have the potential to directly improve the lives of all Australians and to be of benefit to the Australian economy and environment. This collaborative research project will enable Australian scientists to gain from working with a multinational company and to acquire skills in the rapidly expanding fields of structural and molecular biology. The University of Sydney will own any intellectual property arising from this work and will benefit from the commercialisation of hydrophobin-based products.Read moreRead less
Structure and dynamics of a multiprotein-mRNA complex involved in the regulation of gene expression. RNA/protein interactions are now recognised as a major control point in the regulation of gene-expression. Proteins such as HuR and the poly(C)-binding proteins (PCBPs) act to stabilise and transport specific messenger (m)RNAs, and thus determine their translation levels. In contrast to such an important function, very little is known about these protein/mRNA interactions at an atomic level. The ....Structure and dynamics of a multiprotein-mRNA complex involved in the regulation of gene expression. RNA/protein interactions are now recognised as a major control point in the regulation of gene-expression. Proteins such as HuR and the poly(C)-binding proteins (PCBPs) act to stabilise and transport specific messenger (m)RNAs, and thus determine their translation levels. In contrast to such an important function, very little is known about these protein/mRNA interactions at an atomic level. The current study will investigate the structural and biophysical properties of a recently discovered HuR/PCBP/mRNA complex implicated in the regulation of androgen receptor expression. This information has the potential to assist in the development of drugs to reduce AR expression in prostate cancer.Read moreRead less
Exploiting the self-assembly of hydrophobin proteins to engineer functional nanostructuring surfaces. There is an increasing world-wide demand for advanced nano-biomaterials with novel properties. We will use natural hydrophobin proteins to coat nanodevices and make them more compatible with biological systems. Hydrophobin coatings will be applicable to biosensors, medical devices, diagnostics and drug delivery systems. The research will lead to an understanding of the basic mechanisms of protei ....Exploiting the self-assembly of hydrophobin proteins to engineer functional nanostructuring surfaces. There is an increasing world-wide demand for advanced nano-biomaterials with novel properties. We will use natural hydrophobin proteins to coat nanodevices and make them more compatible with biological systems. Hydrophobin coatings will be applicable to biosensors, medical devices, diagnostics and drug delivery systems. The research will lead to an understanding of the basic mechanisms of protein self-assembly and will have application outcomes that contribute to Australia being an important player in the field of nanotechnology. This is critical for Australia's long term competitiveness and productivity in and beyond the 21st century.Read moreRead less
Polymer Globules: Beyond the Homopolymer Model. Polymers are long chainlike molecules which play a crucial role in many aspects of our lives. As plastics they represent the most versatile and ubiquitous of man-made materials. Moreover, all living things depend on polymers for the structure of their cells and for the inheritance and function through DNA and proteins. Despite their importance our understanding of polymers is rather limited. The research funded by this proposal will enable us to ....Polymer Globules: Beyond the Homopolymer Model. Polymers are long chainlike molecules which play a crucial role in many aspects of our lives. As plastics they represent the most versatile and ubiquitous of man-made materials. Moreover, all living things depend on polymers for the structure of their cells and for the inheritance and function through DNA and proteins. Despite their importance our understanding of polymers is rather limited. The research funded by this proposal will enable us to understand more complicated kinds of polymers. This will help uncover some fascinating physics and in the long term develop new materials and promote new advances in biology. Read moreRead less
Hydrogen Abstraction in Chemical, Biochemical and Polymerization Processes. Hydrogen-abstraction reactions are of vital importance in the chemical, biochemical and polymerization processes that occur in everyday life. The objective of the proposed research is to improve our understanding of such reactions. State-of-the-art quantum chemistry calculations will be used to examine a broad range of hydrogen-abstraction reactions, and to obtain accurate information about the factors that influence suc ....Hydrogen Abstraction in Chemical, Biochemical and Polymerization Processes. Hydrogen-abstraction reactions are of vital importance in the chemical, biochemical and polymerization processes that occur in everyday life. The objective of the proposed research is to improve our understanding of such reactions. State-of-the-art quantum chemistry calculations will be used to examine a broad range of hydrogen-abstraction reactions, and to obtain accurate information about the factors that influence such reactions. Building on this work, more detailed case studies will be performed in two important areas: the hydrogen-abstraction steps in biochemical reactions mediated by coenzyme B12, and chain-transfer processes in conventional and controlled free-radical polymerization.Read moreRead less
Synthesis and Functionalisation of Advanced Polymer Films and Particles. Scientific and technological advances at the frontiers of nano- and biotechnology are poised to revolutionise the scope of treatment and healthcare options. This project will involve the synthesis of engineered polymer building blocks with the capability for multifunctional and intelligent response. These smart polymers will then be assembled into responsive nanostructured materials for drug delivery and biosensing applica ....Synthesis and Functionalisation of Advanced Polymer Films and Particles. Scientific and technological advances at the frontiers of nano- and biotechnology are poised to revolutionise the scope of treatment and healthcare options. This project will involve the synthesis of engineered polymer building blocks with the capability for multifunctional and intelligent response. These smart polymers will then be assembled into responsive nanostructured materials for drug delivery and biosensing applications. These materials are expected to have health benefits for Australian citizens and will contribute to a world-leading nanobiotechnology industry. The project will also provide development opportunities for young scientists and will also foster multidisciplinary collaborations within both Australia and abroad.Read moreRead less
Macromolecular Condensates: From Globules to Toroids and Beyond. Polymers are long-chain molecules which are vital for all living things. Examples include proteins and DNA which carries all of the information needed for life. In the cell and in the laboratory these polymers are often found in a compact folded state. Current polymer science is good at describing very flexible polymers, but fails to describe most biological polymers which have backbones that are difficult to bend. Our aim is to ....Macromolecular Condensates: From Globules to Toroids and Beyond. Polymers are long-chain molecules which are vital for all living things. Examples include proteins and DNA which carries all of the information needed for life. In the cell and in the laboratory these polymers are often found in a compact folded state. Current polymer science is good at describing very flexible polymers, but fails to describe most biological polymers which have backbones that are difficult to bend. Our aim is to describe the folded or globular state for many kinds of biological polymers and thus improve our understanding of the role of polymers in living things.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100207
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
A biomolecular small angle X-ray scattering facility. The biomolecular small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) facility will support a broad range of research activities that will significantly benefit basic and applied biological and biomedical research as well as the field of biomolecular engineering. Specific areas of investigation will include enzyme action, viral protein assembly, gene regulation, immunity and fertility. The instrumentation will complement the current research tools of Australi ....A biomolecular small angle X-ray scattering facility. The biomolecular small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) facility will support a broad range of research activities that will significantly benefit basic and applied biological and biomedical research as well as the field of biomolecular engineering. Specific areas of investigation will include enzyme action, viral protein assembly, gene regulation, immunity and fertility. The instrumentation will complement the current research tools of Australian biomedical scientists, as well as stimulate new collaborative partnerships and opportunities for researchers studying biological macromolecules. In this way Australia will benefit though direct research outcomes and through training of future scientists in state-of-the-art technologies.Read moreRead less
Theoretical and computational approaches to accurately predict the structures of a unique family of circular and knotted proteins. The primary outcome will be a fundamental new knowledge on cyclotide structures and a new protein engineering method to design stabilised proteins. Because cyclotides have significantly higher stabilities than conventional proteins, they have a range of pharmaceutical and agricultural applications. Both fields of use have the potential for very great economic and soc ....Theoretical and computational approaches to accurately predict the structures of a unique family of circular and knotted proteins. The primary outcome will be a fundamental new knowledge on cyclotide structures and a new protein engineering method to design stabilised proteins. Because cyclotides have significantly higher stabilities than conventional proteins, they have a range of pharmaceutical and agricultural applications. Both fields of use have the potential for very great economic and social benefits for Australia. From a pharmaceutical perspective our computing development will greatly facilitate the design of stabilised peptide-based drugs using the cyclotide framework. Such drugs have potential sales of several billion dollars per annum and the royalty returns from successful commercialisation of IP can be substantial.Read moreRead less