Phloem unloading of sucrose: cloning, functional characterisation and regulation of novel membrane transporters. Sucrose is the principal form in which plant biomass, produced in photosynthetic leaves, is transported to non-photosynthetic organs for growth and storage. Sucrose transport proteins play pivotal roles in facilitating sucrose transport around plants. Hence activities of sucrose transporters directly impact on plant growth rates and crop yields. Our aim is to isolate hitherto unkno ....Phloem unloading of sucrose: cloning, functional characterisation and regulation of novel membrane transporters. Sucrose is the principal form in which plant biomass, produced in photosynthetic leaves, is transported to non-photosynthetic organs for growth and storage. Sucrose transport proteins play pivotal roles in facilitating sucrose transport around plants. Hence activities of sucrose transporters directly impact on plant growth rates and crop yields. Our aim is to isolate hitherto unknown membrane proteins that move sucrose at high rates between cells and discover their transport properties. Expected outcomes are to better understand mechanisms and regulation of sucrose transport and hence provide novel opportunities to enhance crop yield. The project will foster a productive international collaboration.Read moreRead less
Molecular microscopy: protein and membrane dynamics in resting and activated T cells. The aim of this research, to understand the molecular organization and dynamics of the plasma membrane that underlie the signal transduction events, is at the very heart of understanding cell communication. T cell recognition and activation initiates an adaptive immune response to invading pathogens and structurally altered proteins that can be found in cancers. By providing functional insights into the molecul ....Molecular microscopy: protein and membrane dynamics in resting and activated T cells. The aim of this research, to understand the molecular organization and dynamics of the plasma membrane that underlie the signal transduction events, is at the very heart of understanding cell communication. T cell recognition and activation initiates an adaptive immune response to invading pathogens and structurally altered proteins that can be found in cancers. By providing functional insights into the molecular mechanism of T cell activation, we will not only provide fundamental knowledge of receptor signalling but also specific details of T cell receptort triggering that may lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies to control T cell activation.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0882295
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$225,000.00
Summary
X-ray crystallography resource for membrane proteins and large macromolecular complexes. Structural biology is the underpinning of biotechnology, biopharmaceuticals and rational therapeutic design. The most successful technique for determining the structures of proteins and large macromolecular complexes is x-ray crystallography. This proposal will set up a network of state of the art resources in the Sydney region to capitalise on expertise in these areas. The facilities will foster basic re ....X-ray crystallography resource for membrane proteins and large macromolecular complexes. Structural biology is the underpinning of biotechnology, biopharmaceuticals and rational therapeutic design. The most successful technique for determining the structures of proteins and large macromolecular complexes is x-ray crystallography. This proposal will set up a network of state of the art resources in the Sydney region to capitalise on expertise in these areas. The facilities will foster basic research and collaborations with industry, which will enhance Australia's profile and commercialisation of research. The facility will enhance the usage of the Australian synchrotron, producing flagship projects on the edge of technical possibilities.Read moreRead less
A unified model of amino acid homeostasis. This project aims to develop a unified model of amino acid homeostasis in mammalian cells and apply it to brain cells. The model will be underpinned by a mathematical algorithm that allows predicting amino acid levels in the cytosol based on fundamental parameters such as transport and metabolism. This project should provide the significant benefit of enabling the prediction of essential functions such as cell growth and survival.
Molecular interactions in cell membranes. Cell membranes are a complex composite of proteins and lipids and we have only a rough idea about how they perform their many functions. Together with Leica Microsystems, this project will develop a new microscope that can map the molecular interactions within the membrane revealing details that have never been seen before.
A rational approach to a high-resolution structure of the multidrug transporter EmrE. Membrane proteins form only 0.3% of the available protein structures in the protein data bank (PDB), yet 30% of the proteins in the human genome and 50% of human drug targets are membrane proteins. Multidrug transporters are membrane proteins responsible for antibiotic resistance in humans. A high-resolution structure of a multidrug resistance protein, together with comprehensive biochemical characterization, w ....A rational approach to a high-resolution structure of the multidrug transporter EmrE. Membrane proteins form only 0.3% of the available protein structures in the protein data bank (PDB), yet 30% of the proteins in the human genome and 50% of human drug targets are membrane proteins. Multidrug transporters are membrane proteins responsible for antibiotic resistance in humans. A high-resolution structure of a multidrug resistance protein, together with comprehensive biochemical characterization, would enable a detailed understanding of how these protein functions. Potentially it could also aid in the development of specific inhibitors that would prevent EmrE (and perhaps other similar proteins) from carry out its harmful mission. Read moreRead less
A molecular structure-function investigation of major membrane channels involved in olfactory transduction. Olfactory receptor neurons are extraordinarily-sensitive sensors for detecting minute concentrations of odorant molecules. This project aims to extend our previous studies of these specialised mammalian olfactory cells by using state-of-the art technologies: electrophysiology (patch-clamp) and molecular biology (site-directed-mutagenesis), to investigate how the molecular structure of the ....A molecular structure-function investigation of major membrane channels involved in olfactory transduction. Olfactory receptor neurons are extraordinarily-sensitive sensors for detecting minute concentrations of odorant molecules. This project aims to extend our previous studies of these specialised mammalian olfactory cells by using state-of-the art technologies: electrophysiology (patch-clamp) and molecular biology (site-directed-mutagenesis), to investigate how the molecular structure of their ion channels (selective protein pores) and receptors contribute to the odorant-induced generation of electrical activity, which mediates our sense of smell (olfaction). The project has specific relevance for understanding olfaction, as well as relevance for other sensory systems and other ion channels.Read moreRead less
Phage display derived antibody fragments for membrane protein research. Membrane proteins are key components of all living organisms and represent more than 50 per cent of all drug targets. This project will redefine the way membrane proteins are studied and will be highly beneficial to basic research, human disease and the biotechnology industry.
Elucidating the molecular mechanisms of dual function transporter/channels. This project aims to understand how a membrane protein that transports chemical messengers in the brain functions and how it is influenced by the membrane in which it is embedded. Cells from all life forms have a lipid membrane that separates them from their external environment. These membranes contain proteins that control the movements of molecules into and out of cells and are vital for a plethora of physiological pr ....Elucidating the molecular mechanisms of dual function transporter/channels. This project aims to understand how a membrane protein that transports chemical messengers in the brain functions and how it is influenced by the membrane in which it is embedded. Cells from all life forms have a lipid membrane that separates them from their external environment. These membranes contain proteins that control the movements of molecules into and out of cells and are vital for a plethora of physiological processes including cell-to-cell communication. The outcomes of this study will include new knowledge of this process and chemical modifiers of this transport protein. This project will benefit structural biology and biophysics training and may lead to the development of novel compounds that can be used to explore function. Read moreRead less
Novel mechanisms of early growth response-1 activation through the epidermal growth factor receptor. This project will expand our knowledge of how cytokines and growth factors switch on signalling pathways from the cell surface to the nucleus. Unique antibodies will characterise regulatory routes, state-of-the-art microscopy will define dynamic patterns of receptor co-assembly, and in vivo studies will show receptor crosstalk in animal models.