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Mechanism of glutamate transport from experimental and simulation studies. Glutamate transporters play key roles in shaping the electrical signaling in the brain. Under conditions of stress or after a stroke, glutamate transporter function is impaired, which can lead to excessive levels of glutamate, cell death and impaired brain function. The project will help to decipher the operation of glutamate transporters at a molecular level and provide greater understanding of how glutamate levels are c ....Mechanism of glutamate transport from experimental and simulation studies. Glutamate transporters play key roles in shaping the electrical signaling in the brain. Under conditions of stress or after a stroke, glutamate transporter function is impaired, which can lead to excessive levels of glutamate, cell death and impaired brain function. The project will help to decipher the operation of glutamate transporters at a molecular level and provide greater understanding of how glutamate levels are controlled, which is vital for developing better treatments for neurological disorders such as stroke. The project will also provide research training in experimental/computational molecular biology, which is a rapidly growing field underpinning the biotechnological and pharmaceutical industries. Read moreRead less
Realistic models of permeation in ion channels. Ion channels are formed by proteins in cell membranes and provide pathways for fast and controlled flow of selected ions. This activity generates action potentials in nerves and muscles that forms the basis of all movement, sensation and thought processes. Recent determination of the crystal structure of channel proteins has enabled construction of models that can relate channel function to its structure--necessary for understanding their operati ....Realistic models of permeation in ion channels. Ion channels are formed by proteins in cell membranes and provide pathways for fast and controlled flow of selected ions. This activity generates action potentials in nerves and muscles that forms the basis of all movement, sensation and thought processes. Recent determination of the crystal structure of channel proteins has enabled construction of models that can relate channel function to its structure--necessary for understanding their operation and seeking cures for diseases caused by their malfunction. This project aims to develop accurate ion-protein-water interactions for permeation models based on stochastic and molecular dynamics simulations using both classical and quantum mechanical methods.Read moreRead less
Quantum mechanical and dynamical investigation of ion channels. Many genetic diseases result from mutations in the genes that transcribe the channel proteins. Ion channels are also primary targets for development of therapeutic drugs for many ailments. Development of proper simulation tools is essential for a molecular-level understanding of their operation, which will be very helpful in finding treatments for genetic diseases as well as new drugs that target ion channels. Another aim of the p ....Quantum mechanical and dynamical investigation of ion channels. Many genetic diseases result from mutations in the genes that transcribe the channel proteins. Ion channels are also primary targets for development of therapeutic drugs for many ailments. Development of proper simulation tools is essential for a molecular-level understanding of their operation, which will be very helpful in finding treatments for genetic diseases as well as new drugs that target ion channels. Another aim of the project is to provide research training in computational biology. Research in this area is rapidly growing elsewhere but it has been rather neglected in Australia, and there is a shortage of researchers with such skills at present.Read moreRead less
Communication and information storage mechanisms in complex dynamical brain networks. Recordings of electrical activity in the brain often cycle repetitively. The aim of this research is to explain how these brain rhythms assist the brain to coordinate simultaneous activity in several regions. Australian socioeconomic benefits include: (i) contributions to the knowledge base of theoretical neuroscience, enhancing Australia's reputation for cutting-edge research; (ii) strengthening of internation ....Communication and information storage mechanisms in complex dynamical brain networks. Recordings of electrical activity in the brain often cycle repetitively. The aim of this research is to explain how these brain rhythms assist the brain to coordinate simultaneous activity in several regions. Australian socioeconomic benefits include: (i) contributions to the knowledge base of theoretical neuroscience, enhancing Australia's reputation for cutting-edge research; (ii) strengthening of international collaborations with Europe and Japan; (iii) outcomes will ultimately impact on improved medical bionics and future interfaces between brain activity and machines or computers; and (iv) commercialization and technology transfer opportunities, via the transfer of results to biologically inspired engineering.Read moreRead less
Hierarchical modeling of protein interactions. Protein interactions play a central role in function and structural organization of cells. Their elucidation is essential for a better understanding of many cellular processes from signal transduction to enzyme inhibition. The aim of this project is to utilize the unprecedented powers of current supercomputers in developing a hierarchical model of protein interactions. The method combines Brownian dynamics at large distances and long time scales ....Hierarchical modeling of protein interactions. Protein interactions play a central role in function and structural organization of cells. Their elucidation is essential for a better understanding of many cellular processes from signal transduction to enzyme inhibition. The aim of this project is to utilize the unprecedented powers of current supercomputers in developing a hierarchical model of protein interactions. The method combines Brownian dynamics at large distances and long time scales with molecular dynamics at small distances and shorter times. Applications to both membrane proteins (blocking of ion channels by toxins and drugs) and globular proteins (ligand binding to receptors and protein association) will be considered.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100010
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$720,000.00
Summary
A 5-D Correlative Imaging Platform: Combining the strengths of light and electron microscopy. This will be Australia's first dedicated five-dimensional multiphoton-microscopy platform, allowing observation of dynamic structures across different length and time scales under controlled temperatures, followed by high-resolution electron microscopy studies on the same samples. This platform will provide a unique characterisation tool to Australia's top-flight investigators, and so contribute to the ....A 5-D Correlative Imaging Platform: Combining the strengths of light and electron microscopy. This will be Australia's first dedicated five-dimensional multiphoton-microscopy platform, allowing observation of dynamic structures across different length and time scales under controlled temperatures, followed by high-resolution electron microscopy studies on the same samples. This platform will provide a unique characterisation tool to Australia's top-flight investigators, and so contribute to the nation's research priorities. It will enable: fundamental studies of cancer, neural diseases and immune disorders; the development of frontier technologies, such as smart nanomaterials, biosensors and targeted drug delivery; and applied research to help plants and soils adapt to climate variability, and to increase sustainable use of water.Read moreRead less
Studying cell mechanics with a biophotonics-based tool. This study will help to promote and maintain good health. There is a connection between diseases such as arthritis and osteoporosis and cell mechanics. Our study will provide insight into cell mechanics, thereby helping to understand the pathophysiology of these diseases. The study is relevant to tissue engineering. There is ongoing research on mechanical conditioning of tissue substitutes. Understanding cell mechanics will help to optimise ....Studying cell mechanics with a biophotonics-based tool. This study will help to promote and maintain good health. There is a connection between diseases such as arthritis and osteoporosis and cell mechanics. Our study will provide insight into cell mechanics, thereby helping to understand the pathophysiology of these diseases. The study is relevant to tissue engineering. There is ongoing research on mechanical conditioning of tissue substitutes. Understanding cell mechanics will help to optimise conditioning protocols, thereby improving the properties of engineered tissue.
During this study we will develop optical tools that have applications in the life sciences, in the development of advanced materials and in nanotechnology. Our project will promote Australian research in these fields.Read moreRead less
Mobility of water in cartilage as a probe of molecular structure and function. Clinical diagnosis of early-stage osteoarthritis is difficult, and most patients are not diagnosed until a substantial degradation of cartilage has occurred as a result of the disease. This research will study the interaction between different components of articular cartilage and investigate, how this interaction can be exploited for the development of reliable and non-invasive techniques of cartilage imaging. Mobili ....Mobility of water in cartilage as a probe of molecular structure and function. Clinical diagnosis of early-stage osteoarthritis is difficult, and most patients are not diagnosed until a substantial degradation of cartilage has occurred as a result of the disease. This research will study the interaction between different components of articular cartilage and investigate, how this interaction can be exploited for the development of reliable and non-invasive techniques of cartilage imaging. Mobility of water molecules is a potent indicator of the microscopic structure of the cartilage scaffold. We will use this fundamental biophysical relationship to measure the internal architecture of collagen fibres; observe the changes effected by mechanical load; and distinguish between healthy and osteoarthritic cartilage.
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Photoactive Semiconducting Biopolymers. The basic aims of this project are to elucidate, manipulate, and utilise the unique chemical and physical properties of a class of biopolymers called the melanins. These materials are the only known solid state semiconducting biopolymers, and are non-toxic, biocompatible, and biodegradable. Their use as active components in biomimetic soft electonic, optoelectronic or photovoltaic devices, has not hitherto been demonstrated. It is anticipated that the k ....Photoactive Semiconducting Biopolymers. The basic aims of this project are to elucidate, manipulate, and utilise the unique chemical and physical properties of a class of biopolymers called the melanins. These materials are the only known solid state semiconducting biopolymers, and are non-toxic, biocompatible, and biodegradable. Their use as active components in biomimetic soft electonic, optoelectronic or photovoltaic devices, has not hitherto been demonstrated. It is anticipated that the key outcomes from the project will be a demonstration of biopolymer-based photoelectrochemical and solid-state p-i-n solar cells, and an improved understanding of the physics and chemistry of these important biological macromolecules.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0567380
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$111,380.00
Summary
International data exchange for global gravitational wave astronomy. The aim is to develop software tools to efficiently combine and share large gravitational wave datasets from around the world, leveraging existing data grid and replication technologies (Globus and LDR). This will greatly improve the access of Australian scientists to gravitational wave data, thereby facilitating gravitational wave science in this country.