Macromolecular Self-Assembly of Amyloid Fibrils. The misfolding of proteins is a key issue in public health. Common diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease are associated with protein misfolding, and have a major impact on society. The use of proteins as therapeutic drugs is now common ( e.g. as vaccines, for immune disorders) but they can be rendered ineffective or harmful by protein misfolding. Through this project, we will enhance the fundamental understandin ....Macromolecular Self-Assembly of Amyloid Fibrils. The misfolding of proteins is a key issue in public health. Common diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease are associated with protein misfolding, and have a major impact on society. The use of proteins as therapeutic drugs is now common ( e.g. as vaccines, for immune disorders) but they can be rendered ineffective or harmful by protein misfolding. Through this project, we will enhance the fundamental understanding of the processes of protein assembly in solution, at solid surfaces, and under shear.
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Static and Dynamic Forces in Colloidal and Fluid Systems. Novel research based around the Atomic Force Microscope are pursued to make ultra-sensitive measurement of forces between emulsion droplets and probe the mechanical properties of long molecules such as DNA. These studies generate basic knowledge that provides insight about emulsion stability that are of importance from the food and pharmaceutical industries to manufacturing drilling mud for oil wells. The results also provide qualitativ ....Static and Dynamic Forces in Colloidal and Fluid Systems. Novel research based around the Atomic Force Microscope are pursued to make ultra-sensitive measurement of forces between emulsion droplets and probe the mechanical properties of long molecules such as DNA. These studies generate basic knowledge that provides insight about emulsion stability that are of importance from the food and pharmaceutical industries to manufacturing drilling mud for oil wells. The results also provide qualitative and predictive information about the mechanisms that determine the interaction involving large bio-molecules such as DNA and proteins. The instrumentation created along the way has the potential to be developed into special purpose ultra-sensitive devices and sensors.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0454249
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$157,004.00
Summary
Specialist Analysis Facility for the Development of New Nanotechnologies. Nanotechnology is a developing technology with a limited number of academic research groups working in this field. Advanced infrastructure is requested for the characterisation and analysis of novel polymers, nanomaterials and biomaterials. The specialist applications herein demand both characterisation and processing control at the nanoscopic level and will greatly enhance teaching and core research capability within Fl ....Specialist Analysis Facility for the Development of New Nanotechnologies. Nanotechnology is a developing technology with a limited number of academic research groups working in this field. Advanced infrastructure is requested for the characterisation and analysis of novel polymers, nanomaterials and biomaterials. The specialist applications herein demand both characterisation and processing control at the nanoscopic level and will greatly enhance teaching and core research capability within Flinders University and the University of South Australia. This equipment will allow the universities to carry out this research in a unique manner. Other researchers cannot offer the synergy of synthesis, processing and characterisation of nanomaterials and biomaterials as described in this project.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0560818
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$154,000.00
Summary
A Pico-Newton Scale Force Measurement Apparatus for Polymer Physics and Non-equilibrium Statistical Mechanics. We propose to build a state-of-the-art Optical Tweezers apparatus that measures small forces and torques on micron-sized objects located in 'optical traps'. Using a single laser beam and computer-generated holograms, we will create arrays of optical traps that move or 'dance', and alter the force/torque-imposing properties of each trap. This proposed research equipment will be used (1 ....A Pico-Newton Scale Force Measurement Apparatus for Polymer Physics and Non-equilibrium Statistical Mechanics. We propose to build a state-of-the-art Optical Tweezers apparatus that measures small forces and torques on micron-sized objects located in 'optical traps'. Using a single laser beam and computer-generated holograms, we will create arrays of optical traps that move or 'dance', and alter the force/torque-imposing properties of each trap. This proposed research equipment will be used (1) to study the physics of single synthetic polymer and naturally occuring biopolymer chains, (2) to quantify experimentally, and for the first time, newly predicted molecular-scale forces, and (3) to demonstrate new theories in non-equilibrium statistical mechanics that quantitatively describe the operation of nanomachines. Read moreRead less
High resolution single particle analysis of biological macromolecules. One of the great challenges of cell biology is to increase the rate of atomic resolution structure determination, particularly of membrane proteins and macromolecular assemblies. The current rate-limiting step is high quality crystal production. Our goal is to prove that protein structures can be determined to atomic resolution by single-particle analysis. 3D structures will be produced by computationally aligning high-resolu ....High resolution single particle analysis of biological macromolecules. One of the great challenges of cell biology is to increase the rate of atomic resolution structure determination, particularly of membrane proteins and macromolecular assemblies. The current rate-limiting step is high quality crystal production. Our goal is to prove that protein structures can be determined to atomic resolution by single-particle analysis. 3D structures will be produced by computationally aligning high-resolution electron microscope images of individual, randomly oriented molecules. The importance of this project is highlighted by the fact over 120,000 protein sequences are already databased, a number set to increase rapidly as new genome sequencing projects are completed.
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Modifying and Improving Porous Sol-Gel Materials for Water Purification. XeroCoat is commercialising nanotechnology research out of UQ's Physics department. XeroCoat has received much local and international interest in its signature product 'XeroCoat'. The company is rapidly expanding and has established new research facilities with production facilities to be set-up. This will result in high technology, employment growth for Australia. Links with Flinders could see expansion into SA. The c ....Modifying and Improving Porous Sol-Gel Materials for Water Purification. XeroCoat is commercialising nanotechnology research out of UQ's Physics department. XeroCoat has received much local and international interest in its signature product 'XeroCoat'. The company is rapidly expanding and has established new research facilities with production facilities to be set-up. This will result in high technology, employment growth for Australia. Links with Flinders could see expansion into SA. The company operates in 'Sol-Gel' nanotechnology, which has huge global, academic and commercial interest. However in Australia this technology has only been serviced by Flinders, ANSTO and ANSTO's spin-out company Ceramisphere. The project will help to build a new Australian high tech industry in sol-gel nanotechnology.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0238096
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$100,000.00
Summary
Upgrade of Advanced Materials: Processing, Rheology and Thermal Analysis Facility. Material use is fundamental to all manufacturing operations. The proposed equipment extends the existing capability to explore and characterise the nanomaterials. The smart application of these techniques will significantly enhance manufacturing efficiency, and improve product quality and reliability. The unique national facility proposed in this application will cover primarily advanced material processing, ch ....Upgrade of Advanced Materials: Processing, Rheology and Thermal Analysis Facility. Material use is fundamental to all manufacturing operations. The proposed equipment extends the existing capability to explore and characterise the nanomaterials. The smart application of these techniques will significantly enhance manufacturing efficiency, and improve product quality and reliability. The unique national facility proposed in this application will cover primarily advanced material processing, characterisation and completes the analysis capability of what is Australia's foremost material, surface and thermal analysis laboratory. Many new materials require specific processing and analysis methods, which ultimately determines the materials performance. The fully integrated facility will foster substantial industrial collaboration through research activities of truly international standard.
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Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775650
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$170,000.00
Summary
Advanced multi-purpose analytical pyrolysis facility. Investment by the ARC, two WA universities, a government research agency, a CRC (and idirectly by a water utility) demonstrate the national need for this analytical facility and the broad commitment to maintain Australia's reputation in the field of analytical pyrolysis. An innovative laser micropyrolysis facility will be concurrently used with a recent commercially available unit to support research of present day and palaeo-environmental o ....Advanced multi-purpose analytical pyrolysis facility. Investment by the ARC, two WA universities, a government research agency, a CRC (and idirectly by a water utility) demonstrate the national need for this analytical facility and the broad commitment to maintain Australia's reputation in the field of analytical pyrolysis. An innovative laser micropyrolysis facility will be concurrently used with a recent commercially available unit to support research of present day and palaeo-environmental occurrences of OM, directly assisting an eclectic range of research activities including environmental protection and petroleum exploration. This facility will also aid the chemical fingerprinting of minute forensic evidence, ultimately helping to convict perpetrators of crime.
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Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989541
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,000,000.00
Summary
High Field Solid State and Multinuclear NMR Spectrometer for Structure/Function Analysis of Materials. Projects requiring the proposed infrastructure are aligned with two of the National Research Priorities. The research will lead to the development of novel materials, polymers and drugs, in particular nanoporous molecular frameworks, as well as reactive catalysts. The understanding of protein structure, disease and metabolic pathways which will be established using the proposed equipment will c ....High Field Solid State and Multinuclear NMR Spectrometer for Structure/Function Analysis of Materials. Projects requiring the proposed infrastructure are aligned with two of the National Research Priorities. The research will lead to the development of novel materials, polymers and drugs, in particular nanoporous molecular frameworks, as well as reactive catalysts. The understanding of protein structure, disease and metabolic pathways which will be established using the proposed equipment will contribute to the priority area 'Promoting and Maintaining Good Health'. In addition, the new equipment will extend capabilities and postgraduate training in chemistry, nanotechnology, and biomedicine (the priority area of 'Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries').Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0454209
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$126,326.00
Summary
A Glycobiology Facility for Glycoconjugate Analysis and Oligosaccharide Sequencing. The carbohydrate moiety of glycoconjugates plays an important role in their function and metabolism. Advances in glycan analytical and oligosaccharide sequencing techniques offer tremendous potential for the application of glycobiology to biotechnology, cell biology and medicine. This application aims to establish a Glycobiology Facility dedicated to glycoconjugate analysis and oligosaccharide sequencing. Funds a ....A Glycobiology Facility for Glycoconjugate Analysis and Oligosaccharide Sequencing. The carbohydrate moiety of glycoconjugates plays an important role in their function and metabolism. Advances in glycan analytical and oligosaccharide sequencing techniques offer tremendous potential for the application of glycobiology to biotechnology, cell biology and medicine. This application aims to establish a Glycobiology Facility dedicated to glycoconjugate analysis and oligosaccharide sequencing. Funds are requested for state of the art HPLC equipment, associated equipment and reagents for glycan purification/labelling, and a staff member, that are all essential to establish this technology in Australia. The Facility will support $25 million of existing research; approximately half of which is derived from ARC.Read moreRead less