Explaining the differences in affinity and of carbohydrate binding of the glycogen-sensing enzyme, AMP-protein activated kinase (AMPK). This project will provide fundamental molecular knowledge of how a complex enzyme, AMPK is controlled by the major sugar molecule, glycogen. Our research will increase our understanding of its role in metabolic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes and obesity.
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.
Determination of lung morphology from X-ray phase contrast radiographs. Current methods of imaging the lung rely heavily on low contrast images obtained with chest radiography or computed tomography. This research will develop new X-ray phase contrast imaging techniques capable of providing a tenfold contrast increase over conventional chest radiography at a fraction of the X-ray dose of computed tomography. Methods of extracting quantitative information on lung morphology and pathology from pha ....Determination of lung morphology from X-ray phase contrast radiographs. Current methods of imaging the lung rely heavily on low contrast images obtained with chest radiography or computed tomography. This research will develop new X-ray phase contrast imaging techniques capable of providing a tenfold contrast increase over conventional chest radiography at a fraction of the X-ray dose of computed tomography. Methods of extracting quantitative information on lung morphology and pathology from phase contrast chest radiographs will be developed during this research. Eventual outcomes are likely to lead to improved methods of detecting lung disease and injury for both biomedical and clinical studies.Read moreRead less
"Painting" the 3D proteome: folding, conformation and interactions. The project aims to develop a "residue painting approach", employing novel chemical biology reagents and advanced quantitative proteomics, to monitor changes in protein folding, conformations and interactions in cells, in response to stimuli. Proteins direct almost all functions required to sustain life. The project expects to map the dynamic 3D-structures of thousands of proteins that inform the networks they are in, and of the ...."Painting" the 3D proteome: folding, conformation and interactions. The project aims to develop a "residue painting approach", employing novel chemical biology reagents and advanced quantitative proteomics, to monitor changes in protein folding, conformations and interactions in cells, in response to stimuli. Proteins direct almost all functions required to sustain life. The project expects to map the dynamic 3D-structures of thousands of proteins that inform the networks they are in, and of the conformations they adopt. Expected outcomes include the development of novel biotechnology tools for protein structure and function analysis, the illumination of important cell biology pathways underpinning molecular responses to stimuli and stress, and the training of our next generation of scientists.Read moreRead less
High-Fidelity Modelling for Robotic-Assisted Minimally Invasive Needle Insertion. This project will develop robotic-assisted needle insertion and greatly improve minimally invasive surgery. It will also enhance the establishment of intellectual property for Australian medicine and produce important benefits to the healthcare sector. The proposed symbiotic integration of the systems will advance modelling technologies, and further create new capabilities for a wide range of science and engineerin ....High-Fidelity Modelling for Robotic-Assisted Minimally Invasive Needle Insertion. This project will develop robotic-assisted needle insertion and greatly improve minimally invasive surgery. It will also enhance the establishment of intellectual property for Australian medicine and produce important benefits to the healthcare sector. The proposed symbiotic integration of the systems will advance modelling technologies, and further create new capabilities for a wide range of science and engineering applications. The established methodologies and systems will also provide great potential benefits in many other areas, including microbiology, life sciences and bio/nano-technology. The project's outcomes will further consolidate Australia's position in innovative technologies and international research and development.Read moreRead less
A study into post-translational modifications on adaptive immunity. Using proteomics, structural biology and cellular immunology, this project aims to provide a greater understanding of the impact of PTMs on the immune system. The immune system combats pathogens by mounting T-cell responses against foreign antigens present in infected cells. However, T-cells activated by self-antigens that are inadvertently presented by healthy cells can cause aberrant T-cell reactivity and disease. Post-transla ....A study into post-translational modifications on adaptive immunity. Using proteomics, structural biology and cellular immunology, this project aims to provide a greater understanding of the impact of PTMs on the immune system. The immune system combats pathogens by mounting T-cell responses against foreign antigens present in infected cells. However, T-cells activated by self-antigens that are inadvertently presented by healthy cells can cause aberrant T-cell reactivity and disease. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) are common in the host's proteins, but surprisingly little is known about their effect on T-cell immunity.Read moreRead less
The early structural assembly of high-density lipoproteins. This project aims to study the interaction between proteins and lipids, a fundamental aspect of cellular processes in all organisms. Lipid binding by apoA-I forms high-density lipoproteins (HDL) in the bloodstream, which removes cholesterol from the body. This project will define the types of lipids that bind first to the apolipoprotein (apo) A-I and the structural mechanisms of this process. The conformation of lipid binding proteins o ....The early structural assembly of high-density lipoproteins. This project aims to study the interaction between proteins and lipids, a fundamental aspect of cellular processes in all organisms. Lipid binding by apoA-I forms high-density lipoproteins (HDL) in the bloodstream, which removes cholesterol from the body. This project will define the types of lipids that bind first to the apolipoprotein (apo) A-I and the structural mechanisms of this process. The conformation of lipid binding proteins often changes during lipid binding. However, the structural mechanisms and conformational rearrangements are poorly understood. This project expects to understand the function of HDL and the structural mechanisms of lipid binding proteins in general. The results will have far-reaching applications in biology, human health, and biotechnology, including food and biopharmaceutical processing.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
Identification of the basic elements of Plasmodium transcription. This Discovery Project falls under the NRP for safeguarding Australia. Australian troops stationed in malaria endemic areas face the threat of infection and require medical attention upon return.Any research on malaria will expand our knowledge on prevention and treatment. Australia near malariaendemic locations such as Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.These countries do not have the means to support effective basic research into ....Identification of the basic elements of Plasmodium transcription. This Discovery Project falls under the NRP for safeguarding Australia. Australian troops stationed in malaria endemic areas face the threat of infection and require medical attention upon return.Any research on malaria will expand our knowledge on prevention and treatment. Australia near malariaendemic locations such as Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.These countries do not have the means to support effective basic research into the disease and wealthier countries such as Australia have the responsibility to fill this void.Furthermore, the aims of this Discovery Project are unique within the Australian malaria research community and the results fully complement other studies on transcription regulation of antigenic genes. Read moreRead less
An investigation into T cell immunity towards metabolites. This project aims to investigate how the immune system responds to small molecule metabolites, an emerging area in the life sciences about which little is known. The project aims to combine innovative mass spectrometry, structural and biochemical approaches to learn how metabolites are presented to specific T lymphocytes by an antigen presenting molecule called MR1. Outcomes are expected to transform the current understanding of the mol ....An investigation into T cell immunity towards metabolites. This project aims to investigate how the immune system responds to small molecule metabolites, an emerging area in the life sciences about which little is known. The project aims to combine innovative mass spectrometry, structural and biochemical approaches to learn how metabolites are presented to specific T lymphocytes by an antigen presenting molecule called MR1. Outcomes are expected to transform the current understanding of the molecular basis underpinning metabolite-mediated immunity. Significant benefits are anticipated to include fundamental new knowledge about immunity that may ultimately be used by the biotechnology industry.Read moreRead less