Ultrasensitive electrochemical biosensors. This project aims to develop novel proteins that can convert biochemical cues into electronic signals. Using protein engineering, this project will produce redox protein-based OFF switches. The project expects that the use of the OFF-switches (as opposed to ON switches) will simplify biosensor design and create a new class of sensory architectures. Integration of OFF-switch-based biosensors with an enzymatic signal amplification circuit is expected to y ....Ultrasensitive electrochemical biosensors. This project aims to develop novel proteins that can convert biochemical cues into electronic signals. Using protein engineering, this project will produce redox protein-based OFF switches. The project expects that the use of the OFF-switches (as opposed to ON switches) will simplify biosensor design and create a new class of sensory architectures. Integration of OFF-switch-based biosensors with an enzymatic signal amplification circuit is expected to yield ultrasensitive sensory systems with near-real-time response. The project will address a need for new technologies that enable collection of physiological and environmental information rapidly, and at low cost outside of the specialised laboratories.Read moreRead less
Autocyclases: A new class of self-cyclising proteins. The biotechnology sector is emerging as an important economic strength in Australia. While the improved efficacy and selectivity of biomolecules has seen them emerge as alternatives to existing chemicals in health and agriculture, the stability of biomolecules remains a major limiting factor. A general strategy for improving protein stability is by joining the ends of the peptide chain in a cyclisation reaction. While a wide range of cyclic p ....Autocyclases: A new class of self-cyclising proteins. The biotechnology sector is emerging as an important economic strength in Australia. While the improved efficacy and selectivity of biomolecules has seen them emerge as alternatives to existing chemicals in health and agriculture, the stability of biomolecules remains a major limiting factor. A general strategy for improving protein stability is by joining the ends of the peptide chain in a cyclisation reaction. While a wide range of cyclic peptides and proteins are being developed in Australia and around the world, the cyclisation reaction presents a significant challenge. In this proposal we detail a novel method for protein cyclisation as a general, low-cost and green production method for making a diverse range of biomolecules. Read moreRead less
Genetic code expansion of a eukaryotic in vitro translation system. The genetic code programs biosynthesis of polypeptides with efficiency vastly superior to chemical engineering. As the chemical diversity of natural amino acids in proteins is limited, finding ways to include “unnatural” amino acids can supercharge biology with a range of new protein activities. While the genetic code can be expanded to make space for unnatural amino acids, the rarity of free codons and reliance on prokaryotic ....Genetic code expansion of a eukaryotic in vitro translation system. The genetic code programs biosynthesis of polypeptides with efficiency vastly superior to chemical engineering. As the chemical diversity of natural amino acids in proteins is limited, finding ways to include “unnatural” amino acids can supercharge biology with a range of new protein activities. While the genetic code can be expanded to make space for unnatural amino acids, the rarity of free codons and reliance on prokaryotic organisms limit the applicability of this approach. We will develop a new higher-organism cell-free protein production system that can incorporate multiple unnatural amino acids into defined points of proteins. This, enabling and broadly applicable technology, will be tested by constructing opioid biosensors.Read moreRead less