Development of ozone-induced dissociation for lipidomics workflows. An Australian invention (ozone induced dissociation) will be developed in collaboration with a major instrument manufacturer. This project will provide Australian researchers with unique capabilities to investigate the role of lipids (fats) in human disease and will place them at the forefront of lipid research internationally.
New laser and mass spectrometry-based tools for comprehensive structural elucidation of lipids and their biomolecular interactions. Lipid-related disorders such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease are reaching epidemic proportions. We propose the development of specialised instrumentation to identify and quantify lipids (fats) in tissue and culture samples thus providing Australian scientists with unique capabilities to investigate the mechanisms of disease.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE120100059
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$220,000.00
Summary
Multiplexed capabilities for surface analysis and imaging by mass spectrometry. This facility will support research aimed at developing rapid and reliable analytical methods for the detection of chemicals directly from biological and man-made materials. The mass spectroscopy methods used at the facility will reveal molecular-level changes in systems ranging from the lens of the human eye to Colorbond steel® and have applications in the detection of chemical and biological hazards.
Developing next-generation mass spectrometry imaging with isomer resolution. Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) is a rapidly emerging technology for mapping molecular distributions within biological samples. This project will bring together market-leading MSI instrumentation from the industry partner Waters Corporation with unique technologies developed at QUT and UOW to develop an integrated MSI-platform capable of achieving high mass- and spatial-resolution, as well as discrimination of lipid iso ....Developing next-generation mass spectrometry imaging with isomer resolution. Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) is a rapidly emerging technology for mapping molecular distributions within biological samples. This project will bring together market-leading MSI instrumentation from the industry partner Waters Corporation with unique technologies developed at QUT and UOW to develop an integrated MSI-platform capable of achieving high mass- and spatial-resolution, as well as discrimination of lipid isomers. Resolution of lipid isomers using this instrumentation will afford researchers a first glimpse of isomer-resolved images that will be used to visualise tissue-specific changes resulting from underlying chemical, physical or metabolic processes; changes that are currently invisible to contemporary imaging technologies.Read moreRead less
Pluses and minuses of lipid mass spectrometry. This project aims to investigate the structural diversity of lipids. Lipids are among the most structurally diverse of all the biomolecules and thus deciphering their many functions requires bio-analytical technologies capable of uniquely identifying and quantifying individual molecules in a milieu of many thousands of analogues. Mass spectrometry is the pre-eminent technique for contemporary lipid analysis but is challenged by the preference of cer ....Pluses and minuses of lipid mass spectrometry. This project aims to investigate the structural diversity of lipids. Lipids are among the most structurally diverse of all the biomolecules and thus deciphering their many functions requires bio-analytical technologies capable of uniquely identifying and quantifying individual molecules in a milieu of many thousands of analogues. Mass spectrometry is the pre-eminent technique for contemporary lipid analysis but is challenged by the preference of certain lipids to ionise with a polarity that affords sensitive detection but does not permit detailed structure elucidation. This project will develop advanced instrumentation capable of on-demand polarity switching of ionised lipids such that the detection and interrogation of molecular structure can take place in the optimal charge state.Read moreRead less
Developing next generation technologies for unmasking the lipidome. Recent discoveries suggest that the number and structural variety of lipids in nature may be far greater than previously imagined. This complexity arises from the presence of structurally similar, but functionally distinct, lipid isomers that are not readily distinguished using current lipidomics technologies. This project aims to develop unique instrumentation that combines ion mobility and mass spectrometry to enable the rapid ....Developing next generation technologies for unmasking the lipidome. Recent discoveries suggest that the number and structural variety of lipids in nature may be far greater than previously imagined. This complexity arises from the presence of structurally similar, but functionally distinct, lipid isomers that are not readily distinguished using current lipidomics technologies. This project aims to develop unique instrumentation that combines ion mobility and mass spectrometry to enable the rapid separation, identification and quantification of isomeric lipids. These next generation technologies will be deployed in the hope of unmasking the molecular diversity within the lipidomes of two important mammalian cell types, thus providing fundamental new insights into the structure and function of lipids within living systems.Read moreRead less
Mapping dynamic lipid biochemistry with high spatial and molecular detail. Lipids are a complex and underappreciated family of molecules playing important roles in all of our tissues and cells. Yet, our fundamental knowledge of lipids is limited by current technology. This project aims to develop an innovative mass spectrometry imaging platform allowing lipid biochemistry to be visualised at a level of detail not before possible. This will push boundaries in molecular imaging technology and is e ....Mapping dynamic lipid biochemistry with high spatial and molecular detail. Lipids are a complex and underappreciated family of molecules playing important roles in all of our tissues and cells. Yet, our fundamental knowledge of lipids is limited by current technology. This project aims to develop an innovative mass spectrometry imaging platform allowing lipid biochemistry to be visualised at a level of detail not before possible. This will push boundaries in molecular imaging technology and is expected to provide new fundamental knowledge about the structure, function and distributions of lipids in tissues and cells. Significant benefits should include providing new tools to unravel the functions and modifications of lipids in biology, that can be extended to many other research and industrial applications. Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0560685
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$451,000.00
Summary
Scanning Probe Microscopy for Bioelectrochemistry. New methods to study the fundamental properties of biological samples, in particular proteins, are continuing to advance and impact on society. We will establish a leading edge facility for high-resolution imaging of biomolecules with redox functions. This will enable the continued development of new enzyme based diagnostic tests by understanding the dynamic nature of coupled electron and molecular interactions with redox enzymes in solution. Th ....Scanning Probe Microscopy for Bioelectrochemistry. New methods to study the fundamental properties of biological samples, in particular proteins, are continuing to advance and impact on society. We will establish a leading edge facility for high-resolution imaging of biomolecules with redox functions. This will enable the continued development of new enzyme based diagnostic tests by understanding the dynamic nature of coupled electron and molecular interactions with redox enzymes in solution. The bioelectrochemical imaging facility will be unique in Australia and establish an important cross-disciplinary approach within the international community.Read moreRead less
How electric fields can facilitate reversible protein binding to surfaces. The aim of this project is to develop the first biosensors that prevent nonspecific protein adsorption and allow reversible protein binding. The project expects to achieve this using a combination of novel surface chemistry and pulsed electric fields that dynamically change a sensing interface. The impact of electric fields on the binding of proteins to this interface will be followed using a novel single molecule fluores ....How electric fields can facilitate reversible protein binding to surfaces. The aim of this project is to develop the first biosensors that prevent nonspecific protein adsorption and allow reversible protein binding. The project expects to achieve this using a combination of novel surface chemistry and pulsed electric fields that dynamically change a sensing interface. The impact of electric fields on the binding of proteins to this interface will be followed using a novel single molecule fluorescence microscope previously developed that can locate the position of proteins with 2 nanometer resolution. The expected outcomes of this project is a class of biosensor that can continuously monitor protein biomarkers for wearable sensors that provide information on a user’s wellness and nutrition.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0346903
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$250,000.00
Summary
LC-MS system for Faculty of Sciences, U.N.E. LC-MS is a technique for investigating the composition of complex mixtures and identifying its components. This instrumentation will be utilised at UNE in a diverse range of analytical investigations to further the research aims of scientists in chemistry, biological sciences, archaeology, physics, environmental sciences, marine science as well as biological researchers in specialised units based at UNE. The extraordinarily versatile capacity of this ....LC-MS system for Faculty of Sciences, U.N.E. LC-MS is a technique for investigating the composition of complex mixtures and identifying its components. This instrumentation will be utilised at UNE in a diverse range of analytical investigations to further the research aims of scientists in chemistry, biological sciences, archaeology, physics, environmental sciences, marine science as well as biological researchers in specialised units based at UNE. The extraordinarily versatile capacity of this technique for analysis and identification of organic substances, from small molecules through to large proteins and complex plant and animal metabolites, will provide impetus for existing research and stimulus for new research directions.Read moreRead less