Membrane structure and lipid interactions of the pore-forming toxin Equinatoxin II by NMR. The structure of Equinatoxin II, a pore-forming protein, will be determined in model cell membranes using solid-state NMR spectroscopy. The relationship of molecular structure to bioactivity and the nature of the pore-forming mechanism of this toxin will be determined. The results will aid in understanding how toxins lyse cells and could lead to the design of improved antibiotic peptides. Currently the st ....Membrane structure and lipid interactions of the pore-forming toxin Equinatoxin II by NMR. The structure of Equinatoxin II, a pore-forming protein, will be determined in model cell membranes using solid-state NMR spectroscopy. The relationship of molecular structure to bioactivity and the nature of the pore-forming mechanism of this toxin will be determined. The results will aid in understanding how toxins lyse cells and could lead to the design of improved antibiotic peptides. Currently the structure of membrane proteins are difficult to determine and the newly developed techniques used for the structural determination of this membrane-associated protein will be suitable for studying other membrane proteins and receptors of pharmaceutical importance.Read moreRead less
Functional Dissection of the Bacterial Replisome. We now have the complete sequences of genes in humans and many other organisms, but we know much less about how the protein products of the genes communicate with each other to create and grow cells. Australia has recently invested heavily in state-of-the-art instruments that can be used to tackle these problems. This project will involve close interaction of four laboratories to use new instruments to determine how a large assembly of proteins i ....Functional Dissection of the Bacterial Replisome. We now have the complete sequences of genes in humans and many other organisms, but we know much less about how the protein products of the genes communicate with each other to create and grow cells. Australia has recently invested heavily in state-of-the-art instruments that can be used to tackle these problems. This project will involve close interaction of four laboratories to use new instruments to determine how a large assembly of proteins interact in a biological machine that makes DNA. This process occurs in similar ways in all organisms, and is essential for life. Understanding how DNA is made will help scientists to develop new antibacterial drugs, and learn how to make practical use of molecular machines that imitate biology.Read moreRead less
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
High-average-power all-solid-state lasers based on new crystalline Raman materials. We have recently made significant advances in development of all-solid-state intracavity Raman lasers generating multiwatt average powers in the near infrared and (by frequency doubling) visible spectrum, with important applications in biomedicine and remote sensing. A new generation of Raman crystals, especially tungstates, offer superior optical, mechanical and thermal properties, promising high Raman gains and ....High-average-power all-solid-state lasers based on new crystalline Raman materials. We have recently made significant advances in development of all-solid-state intracavity Raman lasers generating multiwatt average powers in the near infrared and (by frequency doubling) visible spectrum, with important applications in biomedicine and remote sensing. A new generation of Raman crystals, especially tungstates, offer superior optical, mechanical and thermal properties, promising high Raman gains and choice of Stokes frequency shift. The project will investigate a range of key issues for these materials including control of the Stokes wavelength, associated polarisation control, and pump-resonator configurations giving maximum Raman laser power and efficiency. The project will lead to state-of-the-art source technology with outstanding prospects for commercialisation and practical application.Read moreRead less
Understanding the molecular mechanism of force generation in the bacterial flagellar motor. The proposed research will advance the knowledge about how the bacterial flagellar motor works, enabling scientists to learn more about nature's blueprint of a nanoscale engine. It will address the fundamental question of how bacterial cells convert electrochemical energy into mechanical energy of rotation. At present, the smallest artificial electric motor is still on a micro-, rather than nanoscale. Nan ....Understanding the molecular mechanism of force generation in the bacterial flagellar motor. The proposed research will advance the knowledge about how the bacterial flagellar motor works, enabling scientists to learn more about nature's blueprint of a nanoscale engine. It will address the fundamental question of how bacterial cells convert electrochemical energy into mechanical energy of rotation. At present, the smallest artificial electric motor is still on a micro-, rather than nanoscale. Nanotechnology would therefore benefit from this work by basing their designs on the principles behind the mechanism of the bacterial motor. This research is also of interest for veterinary science, as motility by flagellar motor is a key virulence factor of common animal pathogens associated with, for example, listeriosis and gastroenteritis.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0882382
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$245,000.00
Summary
Biophysical Characterisation Facility. The protein analysis facility will have substantial benefits for basic science and biotechnology. It will create capacity for South Australian researchers to study proteins at the biophysical level. The facility will support research projects within the designated national research priority areas of 'Frontier technologies for building and transforming Australian industries' and 'Promoting and maintaining good health
Ultrahigh resolution crystallography and ultrafast laser spectroscopy to uncover the evolution and mechanisms of a unique algal light harvesting system. The results of our research will provide the first comprehensive understanding of a biological light harvesting system at high temporal, energetic and spatial resolution. This will allow us to understand how nature has evolved highly efficient strategies for trapping light. The benefits of this work include spawning ideas as to how to improve ....Ultrahigh resolution crystallography and ultrafast laser spectroscopy to uncover the evolution and mechanisms of a unique algal light harvesting system. The results of our research will provide the first comprehensive understanding of a biological light harvesting system at high temporal, energetic and spatial resolution. This will allow us to understand how nature has evolved highly efficient strategies for trapping light. The benefits of this work include spawning ideas as to how to improve current technologies for enhancing optoelectronic devices and solar collectors. Protein systems are by nature nanotechnology. The understanding gained through probing a natural nanosystem will enhance our understanding of how human designed nanophotonic systems will behave. Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100010
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$720,000.00
Summary
A 5-D Correlative Imaging Platform: Combining the strengths of light and electron microscopy. This will be Australia's first dedicated five-dimensional multiphoton-microscopy platform, allowing observation of dynamic structures across different length and time scales under controlled temperatures, followed by high-resolution electron microscopy studies on the same samples. This platform will provide a unique characterisation tool to Australia's top-flight investigators, and so contribute to the ....A 5-D Correlative Imaging Platform: Combining the strengths of light and electron microscopy. This will be Australia's first dedicated five-dimensional multiphoton-microscopy platform, allowing observation of dynamic structures across different length and time scales under controlled temperatures, followed by high-resolution electron microscopy studies on the same samples. This platform will provide a unique characterisation tool to Australia's top-flight investigators, and so contribute to the nation's research priorities. It will enable: fundamental studies of cancer, neural diseases and immune disorders; the development of frontier technologies, such as smart nanomaterials, biosensors and targeted drug delivery; and applied research to help plants and soils adapt to climate variability, and to increase sustainable use of water.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775708
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$289,680.00
Summary
X-ray Diffraction Microscope. The results of the research will substantially expand Australia's knowledge base in the area of diffraction, imaging and structural biology. It will build up our expertise in x-ray optics and synchrotron technology, and will open up a new approach to x-ray imaging and structure determination.
This will revolutionize our understanding of cellular and sub-cellular organisation with implications for the treatment of disease while the ability to determine structures ....X-ray Diffraction Microscope. The results of the research will substantially expand Australia's knowledge base in the area of diffraction, imaging and structural biology. It will build up our expertise in x-ray optics and synchrotron technology, and will open up a new approach to x-ray imaging and structure determination.
This will revolutionize our understanding of cellular and sub-cellular organisation with implications for the treatment of disease while the ability to determine structures of membrane proteins will open the door to fresh opportunities in rational drug design and biotechnology that will promote innovation in this industry, and the likely foundation of new start-up companies.Read moreRead less
Novel Motion Correction Technologies for Simultaneous Positron Emission Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging. The recent development of the world's first prototype combined MR-PET scanner for human use has prompted immense interest. MR-PET is likely to revolutionize clinical diagnosis and basic research, by providing exquisite structural images co-registered with simultaneous functional PET images. We will exploit the as yet unexplored potential for motion information derived from the MR sy ....Novel Motion Correction Technologies for Simultaneous Positron Emission Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging. The recent development of the world's first prototype combined MR-PET scanner for human use has prompted immense interest. MR-PET is likely to revolutionize clinical diagnosis and basic research, by providing exquisite structural images co-registered with simultaneous functional PET images. We will exploit the as yet unexplored potential for motion information derived from the MR system to be used to correct the simultaneously acquired PET data for patient motion. This research is an excellent opportunity for Australian researchers to make important contributions to an emerging technology with high economic potential, and will strengthen Australia's international position in engineering and biomedical systems development.Read moreRead less