The colour of cellular aging: a deep probe of cellular processes. Understanding why we age and whether aging is preventable are profound research challenges, which must be first tackled at a cellular level. Building on our advances in non-invasive colour monitoring of cell function, this project aims to uncover intimate links between cellular processes and aging in cells that must survive for many decades such as oocytes and neurons. We will explore the tantalising possibility to rejuvenate such ....The colour of cellular aging: a deep probe of cellular processes. Understanding why we age and whether aging is preventable are profound research challenges, which must be first tackled at a cellular level. Building on our advances in non-invasive colour monitoring of cell function, this project aims to uncover intimate links between cellular processes and aging in cells that must survive for many decades such as oocytes and neurons. We will explore the tantalising possibility to rejuvenate such aged cells by interfering with molecular master switches of aging. A unique machine learning approach will be applied for finding the most effective interventions. The results will have broad impact beyond the science of aging, in the areas of female fertility, neurodegeneration and immunity.
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Rejuvenating adult stem cells. This project aims to uncover intimate links between metabolic regulation and longevity in adult stem cells, the source of all cells in the body. Understanding why we age and whether ageing is preventable are research challenges which must be first attacked at a cellular level. This project will try to rejuvenate aged stem cells by interfering with a prospective molecular master switch of aging and also develop an approach to identify and select youthful stem cells. ....Rejuvenating adult stem cells. This project aims to uncover intimate links between metabolic regulation and longevity in adult stem cells, the source of all cells in the body. Understanding why we age and whether ageing is preventable are research challenges which must be first attacked at a cellular level. This project will try to rejuvenate aged stem cells by interfering with a prospective molecular master switch of aging and also develop an approach to identify and select youthful stem cells. The results are expected to be important beyond informing the science of ageing, in the areas of tissue engineering, wound healing, embryology and cancer.Read moreRead less
Uncovering the molecular mechanisms of potassium channel activity. The aim of this project is to determine the mechanisms of protein-mediated potassium ion transport across cell membranes. It will combine advanced simulations, structural biology and electrophysiology to describe the detailed molecular processes underscoring calcium-activated potassium channel conduction, gating and inactivation. The expected outcome is an improved description of how ion channels recognise and respond to physiolo ....Uncovering the molecular mechanisms of potassium channel activity. The aim of this project is to determine the mechanisms of protein-mediated potassium ion transport across cell membranes. It will combine advanced simulations, structural biology and electrophysiology to describe the detailed molecular processes underscoring calcium-activated potassium channel conduction, gating and inactivation. The expected outcome is an improved description of how ion channels recognise and respond to physiological stimuli to control electrical signalling the body. Our results will provide benefits in the form of basic understanding relevant to ion transport phenomena in biological systems, and atomic-level views of nervous system function to guide future directions in pharmacology.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE180100066
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$443,311.00
Summary
Electrophysiology facility for cell phenotyping and drug discovery. This project aims to establish a high-throughput, automated patch clamp facility to enable research at the forefront of cell phenotyping and drug discovery. Ion channels are membrane proteins that underlie cell function and are therefore important drug targets. The patch clamp technique is the most powerful tool available to functionally characterise cells and study the function of ion channels. The significant advance provided ....Electrophysiology facility for cell phenotyping and drug discovery. This project aims to establish a high-throughput, automated patch clamp facility to enable research at the forefront of cell phenotyping and drug discovery. Ion channels are membrane proteins that underlie cell function and are therefore important drug targets. The patch clamp technique is the most powerful tool available to functionally characterise cells and study the function of ion channels. The significant advance provided by the high-throughput, automated patch clamp system is that it allows up to 384 cells to be recorded simultaneously. This project expects to enhance capacity to automate and standardise the quality of recordings, substantially increase the rate of data production, and enable greater access to patch clamp technology.Read moreRead less
Functional proteomics of Giardia. This project will use the latest tools for dissecting and comparing genes and their protein products from one of the most common parasites infecting people, their pets, livestock and wildlife. This protozoan parasite Giardia is also of evolutionary and biological significance in terms of understanding the origin of higher animals from bacteria as well as fundamental questions about the parasitic way of life. Giardia proteins will be identified and characterised ....Functional proteomics of Giardia. This project will use the latest tools for dissecting and comparing genes and their protein products from one of the most common parasites infecting people, their pets, livestock and wildlife. This protozoan parasite Giardia is also of evolutionary and biological significance in terms of understanding the origin of higher animals from bacteria as well as fundamental questions about the parasitic way of life. Giardia proteins will be identified and characterised on the basis of their value in understanding disease processes and treatment, and by working with appropriate industry partners, proteins of commercial value will be exploited.Read moreRead less
Characterisation of plant cysteine proteases with therapeutic potential. This project aims to uncover how plant enzymes have effects on the immune system. This will allow the development of these enzymes as therapeutic agents for cancer and autoimmune conditions.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100036
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$470,000.00
Summary
A protein molecular interaction and localization facility. This proposal will address a major gap in our mass spectrometry capabilities and aid in our understanding of protein interactions and tissue distribution in areas such as neuroscience, microbiology, immunology, and botany, as well as enhance our understanding of fundamental gas phase chemistry of protein molecules. It brings together a highly successful multidisciplinary team of high-profile researchers with a track record of collaborati ....A protein molecular interaction and localization facility. This proposal will address a major gap in our mass spectrometry capabilities and aid in our understanding of protein interactions and tissue distribution in areas such as neuroscience, microbiology, immunology, and botany, as well as enhance our understanding of fundamental gas phase chemistry of protein molecules. It brings together a highly successful multidisciplinary team of high-profile researchers with a track record of collaboration and delivering outcomes from shared facilities. In addition to these key scientific outcomes this project will also facilitate the training of several new personnel in a skill area for which there is a critical shortage (mass spectrometry) and promote true cross-disciplinary skills.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE120100092
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$240,000.00
Summary
A high-throughput protein production and structure facility. Making proteins and studying their structures and properties is a key activity in biotechnology, drug design, food security and bio-nanotechnology. The Protein Production and Structure Facility will provide Western Australian researchers and their international partners with world-class resources to pursue this research for the benefit of all Australians.
Understanding the role of methionine oxidation in amyloid formation. Amyloid deposition is associated with many debilitating systemic and neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. This project aims to understand the effect of protein oxidation on the process of amyloid fibril formation. This knowledge will assist in the discovery of the triggers of these disorders and may identify methods of combating them.