Neurons isolated from embryonic stem cells as functional models for drug discovery. By using gene expression-based selection criteria embryonic stem cells can be driven to differentiate into specific neuronal lineages which show many of the morphological characteristics and immunocytochemical features of neurons in culture. There is, however, comparatively little evidence indicating that these stem cell-derived neurons actually behave as neurons. Our aim is to characterise and contrast four ne ....Neurons isolated from embryonic stem cells as functional models for drug discovery. By using gene expression-based selection criteria embryonic stem cells can be driven to differentiate into specific neuronal lineages which show many of the morphological characteristics and immunocytochemical features of neurons in culture. There is, however, comparatively little evidence indicating that these stem cell-derived neurons actually behave as neurons. Our aim is to characterise and contrast four neuronal cell cultures established with gene-based selection criteria. These cultures will be characterised by gene expression, immunocytochemistry, radiolabelled neurotransmitter release, electrophysiology and Ca2+ imaging studies. This study will highlight the functional effects of gene selection procedures upon stem cell-derived neurons.Read moreRead less
Metabolic Profiling of Human Embryonic Stem Cells. Stem cell therapies are becoming a commercial reality. Stem cell products have an estimated value of US$ 87 million this year and are predicted to be worth US$ 8.5 billion within a decade. Development of stem cell products will be an international research effort with many contributing to the final products. Research described here will augment this effort, strengthening Australia's contribution by developing novel intellectual property and appl ....Metabolic Profiling of Human Embryonic Stem Cells. Stem cell therapies are becoming a commercial reality. Stem cell products have an estimated value of US$ 87 million this year and are predicted to be worth US$ 8.5 billion within a decade. Development of stem cell products will be an international research effort with many contributing to the final products. Research described here will augment this effort, strengthening Australia's contribution by developing novel intellectual property and applications. The training of individuals skilled in stem cell research will add to Australia's pool of stem cell researchers. Individuals trained in this area will be paramount to maintaining Australia's research effort and in the application of these technologies into the Australian health sector.Read moreRead less
Isolation and characterization of genes regulating female reproductive organ development in plants. Genes that regulate female reproductive organ development are of immense value for Australia as tools for seed improvement. Those from our preliminary screen have convinced our industry partners that they can be agents for engineering of apomixis or creation of fertile seed without fertilisation. This will allow the capture of hybrid vigour in wheat and rice, for which commercial hybrid seed prod ....Isolation and characterization of genes regulating female reproductive organ development in plants. Genes that regulate female reproductive organ development are of immense value for Australia as tools for seed improvement. Those from our preliminary screen have convinced our industry partners that they can be agents for engineering of apomixis or creation of fertile seed without fertilisation. This will allow the capture of hybrid vigour in wheat and rice, for which commercial hybrid seed production is not currently available. In wheat alone, apomixis presents for Australia an economic value of more than Aus$ ½ billion per annum. Furthermore, controlled apomixis will accelerate breeding programs that will bring drought resistance and minimal fertiliser requiring varieties to the farmer.Read moreRead less
Control of meiosis and embryogenesis as a means to induce higher plants to reproduce asexually through seed. New plant meiosis-control genes will be isolated and characterised. These will be used, together with cell proliferation control genes characterised in the applicant's laboratory, to control gamete formation and embryo development in higher plants, and hence plant reproduction. This research will provide a platform for genetic fixation of hybrid vigour and repeat propagation of F1 hybrid ....Control of meiosis and embryogenesis as a means to induce higher plants to reproduce asexually through seed. New plant meiosis-control genes will be isolated and characterised. These will be used, together with cell proliferation control genes characterised in the applicant's laboratory, to control gamete formation and embryo development in higher plants, and hence plant reproduction. This research will provide a platform for genetic fixation of hybrid vigour and repeat propagation of F1 hybrid seed without attenuation of vigour. The technology will increase yield and profitability for Australian agriculture, and ensure access to technology that the industry partner will otherwise develop overseas. The technology benefits most major crops that are bred and grown to meet increasing demand for food and speciality products for pharmaceutical or industrial purposes.Read moreRead less
Identifying the specific structural features of metallothionein that regulate its ability to modulate astrogliosis. This project contributes directly to the Designated National Research Priority 2 and could potentially have a significant impact upon the broader Australian Community by identifying a novel and powerful therapeutic agent based upon metallothionein proteins with the ultimate aim of helping patients who have a brain injury or a neurodegenerative disease. It is important to note that ....Identifying the specific structural features of metallothionein that regulate its ability to modulate astrogliosis. This project contributes directly to the Designated National Research Priority 2 and could potentially have a significant impact upon the broader Australian Community by identifying a novel and powerful therapeutic agent based upon metallothionein proteins with the ultimate aim of helping patients who have a brain injury or a neurodegenerative disease. It is important to note that the partnership between UTAS and Bestenbalt LLC is a critical step in the development of these exciting research discoveries into commercially viable outcomes for the Australian Biotechnology Industry and the broader Australian community.Read moreRead less
Application of direct protein transduction of Stem Cell Factors to reprogram mouse and human somatic cells into pluripotent stem cells. This project aims to generate embryonic stem cell-like cells from human somatic cells, using direct protein transduction of defined factors, rather than through retroviral delivery. This will bring stem cell application closer to a therapeutic setting. The cells produced will be free from genetic modification and will yield products for patient-specific cell-ba ....Application of direct protein transduction of Stem Cell Factors to reprogram mouse and human somatic cells into pluripotent stem cells. This project aims to generate embryonic stem cell-like cells from human somatic cells, using direct protein transduction of defined factors, rather than through retroviral delivery. This will bring stem cell application closer to a therapeutic setting. The cells produced will be free from genetic modification and will yield products for patient-specific cell-based therapies that will be accepted by recipients without the need for immunosuppressant therapy. This development is expected to revolutionize the current approach to treating disease and injury, and is likely to result in the generation of highly marketable potent cell reprogramming therapeutics.Read moreRead less
Selective enrichment of proteins using micro-Gradiflow technology and characterisation of proteins using LC-MS/MS. This project describes crucial areas for the technology development of protein enrichment and fractionation. While current techniques are powerful, the usefulness to identify and characterise proteins of low abundance from massively complex samples in the presence of abundant proteins is limited and requires up to mililitre volumes. We intend to develop the micro-Gradiflow technolog ....Selective enrichment of proteins using micro-Gradiflow technology and characterisation of proteins using LC-MS/MS. This project describes crucial areas for the technology development of protein enrichment and fractionation. While current techniques are powerful, the usefulness to identify and characterise proteins of low abundance from massively complex samples in the presence of abundant proteins is limited and requires up to mililitre volumes. We intend to develop the micro-Gradiflow technology in association with Gradipore as a means of protein fractionation using microlitre volumes of sample. This technology will be applicable to all areas of proteomic research and in particular to the study of cell differentiation. The outcome for Australian industry, our competitiveness both industrial and scientific, and the potential for economic advancement is tremendous.Read moreRead less
The role of redox balance and reactive oxygen species in beer stability using an integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis. A better understanding of yeast redox balance will enable it to be used to predict fermentation outcomes and to link raw materials and processes to the quality of the final product. These data will produce economies in the brewing industry by the introduction of quality control regimes for raw materials and can be extrapolated to the wine industry. This will prov ....The role of redox balance and reactive oxygen species in beer stability using an integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis. A better understanding of yeast redox balance will enable it to be used to predict fermentation outcomes and to link raw materials and processes to the quality of the final product. These data will produce economies in the brewing industry by the introduction of quality control regimes for raw materials and can be extrapolated to the wine industry. This will provide real economic advantage to Carlton and United Breweries which is an Australian company that has an international profile within a highly competitive industry.Read moreRead less
Application of functional genomics to study early fermentation parameters and flavour development in industrial fermentations. The aim of this research is to use genome-wide analyses to identify yeast genes involved in flavour compound production in order to manipulate the flavour profiles of industrial fermentations. This will identify those metabolic pathways and cellular processes that are important in the maintenance of flavour production during fermentation and give extensive insight into t ....Application of functional genomics to study early fermentation parameters and flavour development in industrial fermentations. The aim of this research is to use genome-wide analyses to identify yeast genes involved in flavour compound production in order to manipulate the flavour profiles of industrial fermentations. This will identify those metabolic pathways and cellular processes that are important in the maintenance of flavour production during fermentation and give extensive insight into the way metabolism changes during the fermentation process. Flavour is a major component of the product of fermented beverages and its development and maintenance in the finished product is of primary concern to the brewing and wine industries. This research will lead to a more competitive Australian-owned company with a major stake in the beer and wine industry.Read moreRead less
The role of the Ttyh1 protein in cell activation. We have cloned TTYH1, a human homologue of the Drosophila melanogaster tweety gene. The mouse gene has also been identified. The predicted structure of the protein is a membrane protein with 5 transmembrane domains. We have also expressed a GFP-tagged fusion protein in mouse fibroblasts. Confocal microscopy indicates that this protein is likely to be a novel adhesion molecule, with a cellular distribution characteristic of molecules such as integ ....The role of the Ttyh1 protein in cell activation. We have cloned TTYH1, a human homologue of the Drosophila melanogaster tweety gene. The mouse gene has also been identified. The predicted structure of the protein is a membrane protein with 5 transmembrane domains. We have also expressed a GFP-tagged fusion protein in mouse fibroblasts. Confocal microscopy indicates that this protein is likely to be a novel adhesion molecule, with a cellular distribution characteristic of molecules such as integrins. We aim to determine the function of Ttyh1, its interacting intra- and extra-cellular proteins and to assess its candidature as a molecule of importance in cell migration and adhesion.Read moreRead less