Modelling and characterisation of radiation beams used in radiotherapy. The purpose of this project is to use computer modelling of radiation fields in radiotherapy to investigate and improve their precision. It is expected that this will result in improved outcomes and fewer side-effects for radiotherapy patients.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging: Decoding the palimpsest. This project aims to model the dynamics of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to image new physiology and attain higher resolution. This will enable new aspects of brain dynamics to be imaged, achieving higher resolution and improving interpretation. This project is expected to improve the use and power of fMRI, unlock new avenues for probing brain function and save experimental costs. This will have many uses in neuroscie ....Functional magnetic resonance imaging: Decoding the palimpsest. This project aims to model the dynamics of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to image new physiology and attain higher resolution. This will enable new aspects of brain dynamics to be imaged, achieving higher resolution and improving interpretation. This project is expected to improve the use and power of fMRI, unlock new avenues for probing brain function and save experimental costs. This will have many uses in neuroscience, brain imaging technology and fMRI analysis software.Read moreRead less
From structures to systems: A hierachical approach to understanding sub-cellular components. This program will dramatically extend the range of biomolecular systems that can be modelled with near atomistic precision. It will provide a better understanding of the structure and function of proteins involved in the regulation of membrane fusion and fission as well as shedding light on the assembly of large-scale protein-protein and protein-membrane complexes in general. The work will help place Au ....From structures to systems: A hierachical approach to understanding sub-cellular components. This program will dramatically extend the range of biomolecular systems that can be modelled with near atomistic precision. It will provide a better understanding of the structure and function of proteins involved in the regulation of membrane fusion and fission as well as shedding light on the assembly of large-scale protein-protein and protein-membrane complexes in general. The work will help place Australia at the forefront of developing simulation techniques in biomolecular systems, which are widely used within the chemical and pharmaceutical industries for modelling processes ranging from protein-drug interactions to the phase behaviour of lipids and surfactants. Read moreRead less
Increasing the Efficiency of Biomolecular Simulations. This program will extend the range of biomolecular systems that can be modelled with near atomistic precision. It will provide a better understanding of the structure and function of proteins involved in the regulation of membrane fusion and fission as well as shedding light on the assembly of large-scale protein-protein and protein-membrane complexes in general. The work will help place Australia at the forefront of developing simulation t ....Increasing the Efficiency of Biomolecular Simulations. This program will extend the range of biomolecular systems that can be modelled with near atomistic precision. It will provide a better understanding of the structure and function of proteins involved in the regulation of membrane fusion and fission as well as shedding light on the assembly of large-scale protein-protein and protein-membrane complexes in general. The work will help place Australia at the forefront of developing simulation techniques in biomolecular systems, which are widely used within the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. It will also provide opportunities for the training and development of young Australian researchers with top European laboratories. Read moreRead less
Advanced optical tweezers technologies for biophysical measurements. While much is understood about the fundamental unit of life, the living cell, such as their behaviour and their biochemistry and genetics, the interface between these two is only poorly known. We will use optical tweezers, which can trap and move microscopic objects without physical contact, to measure forces on the molecular and cellular scale to study the mechanical properties of cells and biomolecules, including molecular mo ....Advanced optical tweezers technologies for biophysical measurements. While much is understood about the fundamental unit of life, the living cell, such as their behaviour and their biochemistry and genetics, the interface between these two is only poorly known. We will use optical tweezers, which can trap and move microscopic objects without physical contact, to measure forces on the molecular and cellular scale to study the mechanical properties of cells and biomolecules, including molecular motors, which are Nature's own nanomachines, advanced our knowledge of the fundamental machinery of life.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR120200004
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$30,000,000.00
Summary
Australian Synchrotron Access Program. The Australian Synchrotron epitomises scientific research excellence in Australian and New Zealand. Its impact spans nearly every research sector. This proposal brings together over 30 Australian universities working together to ensure that world-class peer-reviewed science continues to be performed at the Australian Synchrotron.
The mechanochemical basis of cell polarity. This project aims to study how epithelial cells initiate polarisation, a major question in biology that conventional biochemical, cell biological and genetic approaches have not answered. This project will investigate the mechanochemical basis of symmetry breaking in the cellular cortex, a thin layer of actomyosin filaments underneath the plasma membrane, and how this forms signalling zones. Understanding polarity is expected to improve epithelia manip ....The mechanochemical basis of cell polarity. This project aims to study how epithelial cells initiate polarisation, a major question in biology that conventional biochemical, cell biological and genetic approaches have not answered. This project will investigate the mechanochemical basis of symmetry breaking in the cellular cortex, a thin layer of actomyosin filaments underneath the plasma membrane, and how this forms signalling zones. Understanding polarity is expected to improve epithelia manipulation in disciplines from tissue engineering to regenerative biology and reveal how epithelial architecture and physiology are generated.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775613
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$467,000.00
Summary
Automated Patch Clamp System. Ion channels are membrane proteins that underlie cell function and are therefore important drug targets. The patch clamp technique is the most powerful tool available to study the function of single ion channels. The recent automation of this technology represents a quantum leap in our ability to perform high throughput screening of novel natural and synthetic compounds as drug leads. This will lead to an urgently needed increase in capacity, increasing the volume o ....Automated Patch Clamp System. Ion channels are membrane proteins that underlie cell function and are therefore important drug targets. The patch clamp technique is the most powerful tool available to study the function of single ion channels. The recent automation of this technology represents a quantum leap in our ability to perform high throughput screening of novel natural and synthetic compounds as drug leads. This will lead to an urgently needed increase in capacity, increasing the volume of research and its outcomes, which will benefit the Australian pharmaceutical industry and biosciences research community.
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The role of mechanosensitive (MS) ion channels in magnetoreception. The magnetic field of the Earth has for long been known to influence the behaviour and orientation of a variety of organisms. Experimental study of the magnetic sense has however, been impaired by the lack of a plausible cellular and/or molecular mechanism providing meaningful explanation for detection of magnetic fields by living organisms. Recently, mechanosensitive (MS) ion channels have been implied to play a role in magneto ....The role of mechanosensitive (MS) ion channels in magnetoreception. The magnetic field of the Earth has for long been known to influence the behaviour and orientation of a variety of organisms. Experimental study of the magnetic sense has however, been impaired by the lack of a plausible cellular and/or molecular mechanism providing meaningful explanation for detection of magnetic fields by living organisms. Recently, mechanosensitive (MS) ion channels have been implied to play a role in magnetoreception. Based on our preliminary investigations, which suggest that the activity of bacterial MS channels may be affected by magnetic fields, we propose to study effects of magnetic fields on MS ion channels in Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Magnetospirillum magnetotacticum. The project promises also to contribute towards better understanding of adverse effects of electromagnetic radiation on human health and towards understanding the mechanisms behind remote magnetic-nanoparticle mediated activation of MS ion channels.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775660
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
A National Biomedical Electron Paramagnetic Resonance and Molecular Imaging Centre. Multifrequency continuous wave and pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and molecular imaging instrumentation will provide forefront technologies in identifying, characterising, quantifying, visualising and manipulating fundamental chemical and biologically relevant processes involving free radicals, metalloproteins and metal ions. This technology is crucial in validating these functional processes ....A National Biomedical Electron Paramagnetic Resonance and Molecular Imaging Centre. Multifrequency continuous wave and pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and molecular imaging instrumentation will provide forefront technologies in identifying, characterising, quantifying, visualising and manipulating fundamental chemical and biologically relevant processes involving free radicals, metalloproteins and metal ions. This technology is crucial in validating these functional processes at the cellular and tissue level and for providing invaluable and unique biomedical information under physiological conditions. This synergistic and highly integrative approach will make available new techniques for identifying major disease mechanisms such as cardiovascular disease with a potential to improve and maintain health. Read moreRead less