Drug targets in malaria parasites. Malaria is rampant throughout our Region and hinders the economies of our neighbours reducing regional prosperity and stability. Australian security and aid personnel deployed in the Region contract malaria infections and global warming could bring malaria-carrying mosquitoes south to Sydney. Australia is pre-eminent in malaria research, making lead discoveries in vaccine and drug development. However, we lack crucial resources to study the parasite in the mo ....Drug targets in malaria parasites. Malaria is rampant throughout our Region and hinders the economies of our neighbours reducing regional prosperity and stability. Australian security and aid personnel deployed in the Region contract malaria infections and global warming could bring malaria-carrying mosquitoes south to Sydney. Australia is pre-eminent in malaria research, making lead discoveries in vaccine and drug development. However, we lack crucial resources to study the parasite in the mosquito phase of its life cycle. The Federation Fellowship will create a malaria mosquito facility to redress this crucial gap in our capability. The Fellowship will double as foreign aid investment by enhancing our capacity to protect ourselves as well as supporting our neighbours.Read moreRead less
Nanobionics. There is no doubt that the realization of new bionic materials capable of functioning at the cellular through to the mechanical level will dramatically improve quality of life for many individuals. For example, the studies proposed here will impact directly on endothelial and muscle cell growth (important for implants such as stents) and nerve cell regeneration (important for peripheral nerve cell and spinal chord repair). The establishment of the research team proposed within the f ....Nanobionics. There is no doubt that the realization of new bionic materials capable of functioning at the cellular through to the mechanical level will dramatically improve quality of life for many individuals. For example, the studies proposed here will impact directly on endothelial and muscle cell growth (important for implants such as stents) and nerve cell regeneration (important for peripheral nerve cell and spinal chord repair). The establishment of the research team proposed within the framework of the ARC Centre of Excellence in Electromaterials Science builds on world class expertise and infrastructure. The end user network in place will ensure all opportunities are exploited to the full extent.Read moreRead less
Carbohydrates and Carbohydrate-Recognising Proteins as Drug Discovery Targets. The significance and roles of carbohydrates in many biological processes, in particular those processes associated with disease, is now well-recognised. These new directions have captured the attention and imagination of not only academic research groups across the world, but also pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and has restimulated their interest in the pursuit of carbohydrate-based drugs and drugs against ....Carbohydrates and Carbohydrate-Recognising Proteins as Drug Discovery Targets. The significance and roles of carbohydrates in many biological processes, in particular those processes associated with disease, is now well-recognised. These new directions have captured the attention and imagination of not only academic research groups across the world, but also pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and has restimulated their interest in the pursuit of carbohydrate-based drugs and drugs against carbohydrate-recognising proteins critical in disease processes. The current application seeks to use some of this information to faciliate the discovery of novel carbohydrate-based chemical entities as inhibitors of the spread of some cancers and diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms.Read moreRead less
The Role of Metals in the Biology of the Ageing Brain. Aims
1.To advance basic understanding of the interactions between cellular proteins and biologically important metals
2. To learn how these interactions change as the organism ages
3. To study the pathological results of aberrant metal biology using animal and cellular models of major age-dependent neurodegenerative disease.
In a rapidly ageing society, neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases will presen ....The Role of Metals in the Biology of the Ageing Brain. Aims
1.To advance basic understanding of the interactions between cellular proteins and biologically important metals
2. To learn how these interactions change as the organism ages
3. To study the pathological results of aberrant metal biology using animal and cellular models of major age-dependent neurodegenerative disease.
In a rapidly ageing society, neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases will present a medical and economic challenge demanding novel and powerful science. This research will lead both to deeper understanding of the basic mechanisms underlying such disorders and to tools for designing new and effective treatments.
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Structural and Biological Chemistry of Marine Natural Products. Australia's unique marine biodiversity provides a source of novel biologically active compounds with potential for development as pharmaceuticals. This program seeks to explore the structural and biological chemistry of novel marine compounds from marine invertebrates and to evaluate their potential benefit is training of scientists in organic and biological chemistry and advancement of drug-discovery from Australian biodiversity.
Biocompatible Ionic Liquids - Preserving Bioactive Structure and Function. A family of liquids recently discovered at Monash University has an ability to preserve bioactive molecules that represents a breakthrough in biotechnology. These new biocompatible ionic liquids will be investigated for applications in the treatment of diseases such as haemophilia. The ability of these liquids to stabilise a wide range of enzymes also opens up the potential of their use in a range of biosensors such as b ....Biocompatible Ionic Liquids - Preserving Bioactive Structure and Function. A family of liquids recently discovered at Monash University has an ability to preserve bioactive molecules that represents a breakthrough in biotechnology. These new biocompatible ionic liquids will be investigated for applications in the treatment of diseases such as haemophilia. The ability of these liquids to stabilise a wide range of enzymes also opens up the potential of their use in a range of biosensors such as blood glucose monitors for diabetes management. In collaborations with research groups worldwide, these materials will also be applied to the preservation of bioactivity in applications including cryopreservation of endangered species such as coral and in medical therapeutics. Read moreRead less
Constructing an embryo. This project investigates the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying temporal and spatial organisation in the eutherian preimplantation embryo. It will examine: the relative roles of cell cycle and circadian clocks in developmental timing; the molecular mechanism by which intercellular adhesion patterns influence spatial organisation; the extent to which marsupials use similar timing and spatial localisation mechanisms to eutherians; the impact of in-vitro manipulat ....Constructing an embryo. This project investigates the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying temporal and spatial organisation in the eutherian preimplantation embryo. It will examine: the relative roles of cell cycle and circadian clocks in developmental timing; the molecular mechanism by which intercellular adhesion patterns influence spatial organisation; the extent to which marsupials use similar timing and spatial localisation mechanisms to eutherians; the impact of in-vitro manipulations over the first 5 days of mouse pregnancy on embryonic temporal and spatial organisation.Read moreRead less
Chemical Mimics Of Bioactive Protein Surfaces. Frontier chemical technology will be developed and applied to construction of new compounds that mimic unstable fragments of bioactive protein surfaces. New materials can contribute to National Research Priorities by presenting new ways of impacting on infection, diseases of the aged, and preventative medicine (drugs, vaccines, diagnostics). The technology and materials will advance basic science at the chemistry-biology interface; permit new applic ....Chemical Mimics Of Bioactive Protein Surfaces. Frontier chemical technology will be developed and applied to construction of new compounds that mimic unstable fragments of bioactive protein surfaces. New materials can contribute to National Research Priorities by presenting new ways of impacting on infection, diseases of the aged, and preventative medicine (drugs, vaccines, diagnostics). The technology and materials will advance basic science at the chemistry-biology interface; permit new applications in medicine, science and industry; present new economic opportunities for building and strengthening Australian companies; attract and train outstanding young people in interdisciplinary science; and enhance the international reputation of Australian science and technology.Read moreRead less
Embryo genomics for engineering change. The proposed research program will contribute to areas that are critically important for Australia, such as agriculture, animal biodiversity, biomedicine, human health and biosafety. By addressing the high economic losses due to early embryonic mortality in farm animals, results from this research will enhance the competitiveness of Australian agriculture and biomedical research. The establishment of a world class research Centre for Animal Biotechnology a ....Embryo genomics for engineering change. The proposed research program will contribute to areas that are critically important for Australia, such as agriculture, animal biodiversity, biomedicine, human health and biosafety. By addressing the high economic losses due to early embryonic mortality in farm animals, results from this research will enhance the competitiveness of Australian agriculture and biomedical research. The establishment of a world class research Centre for Animal Biotechnology at the University of Adelaide will create a major addition to the national research base. The Centre will develop technology platforms to support various groups across the entire Australian scientific community.Read moreRead less
Genes to phenotype: Exploiting the marsupial model. This research will exploit one of Australia's finest natural resources, its marsupial fauna. The features of marsupial reproduction and development provide a unique opportunity to answer fundamental biological questions. This research will show how the minor differences in key developmental genes that have arisen in their 100 million year isolation give rise to the characteristic differences in developmental timing and reproduction between mar ....Genes to phenotype: Exploiting the marsupial model. This research will exploit one of Australia's finest natural resources, its marsupial fauna. The features of marsupial reproduction and development provide a unique opportunity to answer fundamental biological questions. This research will show how the minor differences in key developmental genes that have arisen in their 100 million year isolation give rise to the characteristic differences in developmental timing and reproduction between marsupials and other mammals. The focus on reproduction and development will also provide invaluable knowledge to underpin efforts to conserve our endangered species and to control those that are overabundant.Read moreRead less