Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0668534
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$770,000.00
Summary
High resolution bioanalytical Fourier transform mass spectrometer combined with liquid chromatograph. This project extends a network of advanced technology for bioanalysis that enables discoveries in biotechnology, molecular medicine and biochemistry. The proposed equipment includes the most powerful mass spectrometer (MS) currently available for bioanalysis to complement an existing network of instruments at four universities in Sydney. These include 3 of 4 nodes of the Australian Proteome Anal ....High resolution bioanalytical Fourier transform mass spectrometer combined with liquid chromatograph. This project extends a network of advanced technology for bioanalysis that enables discoveries in biotechnology, molecular medicine and biochemistry. The proposed equipment includes the most powerful mass spectrometer (MS) currently available for bioanalysis to complement an existing network of instruments at four universities in Sydney. These include 3 of 4 nodes of the Australian Proteome Analysis Facility (APAF). The new technology is a missing link in bioanalytical capability where other instruments are not sufficiently sensitive. The instrument will be managed by MS specialists at the Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Facility at UNSW (www.bmsf.unsw.edu.au) where access by and training of users is well established.Read moreRead less
Dairy Milk Phospholipids in the Prevention of Atherosclerosis. The present project is expected to provide novel information pertaining to the separation of phospholipid (PL) fractions from buttermilk. In addition, it will generate scientific/medical knowledge concerning the use of dietary PL preparations in the prevention of arterial atherosclerosis. Together, this innovative research will help support the commercial development of PL separation from buttermilk. It will also lay the ground-wo ....Dairy Milk Phospholipids in the Prevention of Atherosclerosis. The present project is expected to provide novel information pertaining to the separation of phospholipid (PL) fractions from buttermilk. In addition, it will generate scientific/medical knowledge concerning the use of dietary PL preparations in the prevention of arterial atherosclerosis. Together, this innovative research will help support the commercial development of PL separation from buttermilk. It will also lay the ground-work for additional studies into the therapeutic benefit of dietary PLs and the commercialization of milk PL as a nutraceutical or functional food. The present project thus has significant academic, commercial and therapeutic value of potential benefit to all Australians.Read moreRead less
Understanding the mechanisms that regulate the human signal recognition particle cycle. The precise cellular localisation of proteins is a fundamental process in cell biology required for survival. The aim of this project is to understand the mechanisms by which the human signal recognition particle delivers newly translated proteins to their cognate cellular location.
The regulation of gene expression by post-translational modification of transcription factors. Different cells in the body express different subsets of our genes, and it is not well understood how cells know which genes to switch on and which to switch off in a given situation. We will investigate the way in which chemical tags are put onto and removed from the molecules that control gene expression in order to direct their function.
Novel target of amiloride analogues - picornaviral RNA polymerase. Picornaviruses cause a range of diseases such as poliomyelitis, meningitis, myocarditis, hepatitis A, neonatal sepsis and common cold. No antiviral treatment is available for these infections. Nearly 50% of antiviral drugs used in medicine are viral polymerase inhibitors; however picornaviral RNA polymerase has been largely overlooked as a drug target. We have discovered a group of compounds that inhibit picornaviral RNA polymera ....Novel target of amiloride analogues - picornaviral RNA polymerase. Picornaviruses cause a range of diseases such as poliomyelitis, meningitis, myocarditis, hepatitis A, neonatal sepsis and common cold. No antiviral treatment is available for these infections. Nearly 50% of antiviral drugs used in medicine are viral polymerase inhibitors; however picornaviral RNA polymerase has been largely overlooked as a drug target. We have discovered a group of compounds that inhibit picornaviral RNA polymerase. This project aims to define the inhibition mechanism and to evaluate a potential use of these compounds for antiviral drug development.Read moreRead less
Improved methods for quantitation of acute phase proteins in biological samples. Using monoclonal antibodies and fluorescence polarisation, we aim to develop improved quantitative analytical methods that are superior to the current clinical assays. The initial targets will be C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid precursor protein (SAP), but the technology should be readily adaptable to other serum proteins. Better assays for CRP and SAP will greatly facilitate improved clinical management ....Improved methods for quantitation of acute phase proteins in biological samples. Using monoclonal antibodies and fluorescence polarisation, we aim to develop improved quantitative analytical methods that are superior to the current clinical assays. The initial targets will be C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid precursor protein (SAP), but the technology should be readily adaptable to other serum proteins. Better assays for CRP and SAP will greatly facilitate improved clinical management of those at risk of heart attack, the single biggest contributor to healthcare costs in Australia. We further aim to adapt this technology to enable "point-of-care" assays that would help medical practitioners, especially in rural areas, to make informed diagnoses immediately.Read moreRead less
Long Chain Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Heart Health in Humans. The primary aims of the project is to assess the effect of DHA rich tuna oil on cholesterol carrying lipoproteins and to determine a quicker method in assessing someone's omega-3 status. The expected outcomes include the determination of: 1) the most appropriate blood sample and a rapid test and for evaluating the omega-3 status; 2) the minimum dose of tuna oil required which will not only improve a person's omega-3 statu ....Long Chain Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Heart Health in Humans. The primary aims of the project is to assess the effect of DHA rich tuna oil on cholesterol carrying lipoproteins and to determine a quicker method in assessing someone's omega-3 status. The expected outcomes include the determination of: 1) the most appropriate blood sample and a rapid test and for evaluating the omega-3 status; 2) the minimum dose of tuna oil required which will not only improve a person's omega-3 status but also improve their plasma lipid profile and hence reduce their overall risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD); and 3) the use of the Omega-3 Index by medical practitioners. The significance is the increased knowledge of the health benefits of DHA rich tuna oil and that a new CVD risk marker will be generally accepted.Read moreRead less
Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-2: a newly discovered enzyme with a key role in kidney function. We have discovered an enzyme, IDO2, that metabolises the amino acid tryptophan. The enzyme is found in kidney tubule cells and we propose that IDO2 activity regulates sodium reabsorption by the renal tubular cells. Regulation of sodium balance is important for determining blood pressure in health and disease.
DNA end resection: from basic mechanisms to genome editing. The project aims to understand processes underlying genome editing, a bioengineering process that introduces specific mutations into genomic DNA. Homologous recombination and nonhomologous end-joining pathways play a crucial role in repairing broken DNA strands, which are a toxic form of DNA damage. The proteins that function in the repair process have been recently identified, but it remains unclear how they function on a mechanistic l ....DNA end resection: from basic mechanisms to genome editing. The project aims to understand processes underlying genome editing, a bioengineering process that introduces specific mutations into genomic DNA. Homologous recombination and nonhomologous end-joining pathways play a crucial role in repairing broken DNA strands, which are a toxic form of DNA damage. The proteins that function in the repair process have been recently identified, but it remains unclear how they function on a mechanistic level and how either of the two main pathways is selected. The project aims to define how the activity of a key control protein, Sae2 (Sporulation in the Absence of Spo Eleven), is regulated by posttranslational modifications, and how this activates homologous recombination. The project plans to first use Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast as a model and then to extend research into the human system in an attempt to improve the efficiency of genome editing. Read moreRead less