Topology Optimisation for Three-dimensional Periodic Nanophotonic Structures. Three-dimensional dielectric and/or metallic nanophotonic structures are of critical importance to a wide variety of applications ranging from sensing and biomedicine to imaging and information technology. This project aims to establish effective and efficient topology optimisation algorithms for the designs of nanophotonic structures with specific functional properties. The expected outcome will be a new methodology a ....Topology Optimisation for Three-dimensional Periodic Nanophotonic Structures. Three-dimensional dielectric and/or metallic nanophotonic structures are of critical importance to a wide variety of applications ranging from sensing and biomedicine to imaging and information technology. This project aims to establish effective and efficient topology optimisation algorithms for the designs of nanophotonic structures with specific functional properties. The expected outcome will be a new methodology and an advanced design tool for scientists and engineers to create novel nanophotonic structures to improve capabilities in devices such as waveguides, sensors, optical computer chips, superlenses and so on.Read moreRead less
Complement evasion strategies of malaria parasites. Pathogens have evolved to protect themselves from deleterious effects of host immune attack. Malaria is one of the most widespread parasitic diseases, yet evasion strategies employed by these parasites are unknown. This project will aim to understand how malaria parasites exploit the innate immune system for successful human infection.
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.
Structural and functional characterisation of compounds that inhibit the malarial aminopeptidases. Malaria is the world's most prevalent parasitic disease. Due to the rapid spread of drug resistant parasites there is a need to develop new antimalarial drugs. In this proposal we will characterise new targets and novel methods of inhibition that will form the basis of a new mechanism for antimalarial drugs.
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
The function and misfunction of serum apolipoproteins: lipid binding and protein misfolding. The interaction between proteins and lipids is a fundamental aspect of cellular processes in all organisms. Lipid binding proteins must be structurally dynamic to perform their function, which predisposes them to misfolding and aggregation. This project aims to assess the structural mechanisms of lipid binding by apolipoproteins, and how these proteins balance this function with their propensity to misfo ....The function and misfunction of serum apolipoproteins: lipid binding and protein misfolding. The interaction between proteins and lipids is a fundamental aspect of cellular processes in all organisms. Lipid binding proteins must be structurally dynamic to perform their function, which predisposes them to misfolding and aggregation. This project aims to assess the structural mechanisms of lipid binding by apolipoproteins, and how these proteins balance this function with their propensity to misfold. It will focus on apolipoprotein (apo)A-I as a model serum apolipoprotein that binds lipids and mediates lipid transport in circulation. This project also aims to provide an important new understanding of protein-lipid interactions, the structural mechanisms of apolipoproteins, and the process of misfolding in a diverse range of proteins.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
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150101243
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$371,000.00
Summary
The molecular mechanisms of dual nucleic acid specificities of SFPQ. Dynamic interactions between proteins and nucleic acids are a fundamental process in gene regulation, where aberrant regulation leads to lethality or various diseases. This project aims to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of DNA-RNA interplay with a multifunctional nuclear protein, splicing factor proline/glutamine-rich (SFPQ) in gene regulation at the molecular level by characterising the interactions between SFPQ and nucle ....The molecular mechanisms of dual nucleic acid specificities of SFPQ. Dynamic interactions between proteins and nucleic acids are a fundamental process in gene regulation, where aberrant regulation leads to lethality or various diseases. This project aims to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of DNA-RNA interplay with a multifunctional nuclear protein, splicing factor proline/glutamine-rich (SFPQ) in gene regulation at the molecular level by characterising the interactions between SFPQ and nucleic acids. The results will provide a fundamental understanding of the molecular mechanisms of dual nucleic acid specificities of nuclear proteins in gene regulation, for which no structural information is currently available.Read moreRead less