Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0454170
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$187,341.00
Summary
Biacore3000-Expansion of Proteomics Facility. The sequencing of the human genome has led to redirection of effort towards the rapid characterisation of the products of genes, proteins. This project will establish state of the art facilities for protein identification and characterisation in the Hunter Region. The investigators are representative of several major research programs and are unified by their specific expertise in the fundamental molecular mechanisms underlying the control of cellula ....Biacore3000-Expansion of Proteomics Facility. The sequencing of the human genome has led to redirection of effort towards the rapid characterisation of the products of genes, proteins. This project will establish state of the art facilities for protein identification and characterisation in the Hunter Region. The investigators are representative of several major research programs and are unified by their specific expertise in the fundamental molecular mechanisms underlying the control of cellular processes in plants, animals and humans. Understanding these mechanisms will provide the basis for improved management of the environment and pathological conditions through identifying molecular targets for diagnosis, genetic manipulation or drug design.Read moreRead less
Molecular mechanisms of cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate (AMP) induced apoptosis. Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate (cAMP) is an important cellular chemical necessary for cell growth. However, de-regulated cAMP production in response to altered physiology can result in cellular death or apoptosis. This is attributed to the development of certain human diseases and this project aims to understand the molecular mechanism behind this process.
Elucidating the regulation of cell death by random mutagenesis of key apoptotic proteins. All organisms need to remove damaged or excessive cells. This cell death process is called apoptosis. Defects in apoptosis result in numerous diseases including cancer, and neurodegenerative and immune disorders. Determining how this process is regulated is of crucial importance for therapeutic intervention. We will utilise a powerful strategy to mutate proteins required for apoptosis so that they no longer ....Elucidating the regulation of cell death by random mutagenesis of key apoptotic proteins. All organisms need to remove damaged or excessive cells. This cell death process is called apoptosis. Defects in apoptosis result in numerous diseases including cancer, and neurodegenerative and immune disorders. Determining how this process is regulated is of crucial importance for therapeutic intervention. We will utilise a powerful strategy to mutate proteins required for apoptosis so that they no longer work, which will allow the identification of protein regions essential for cell death activity . This will lead to identification of potential drug targets to control apoptosis. Elucidating the mechanism of cell death will lead to the development of novel and improved therapies for diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disease.Read moreRead less
Determining the molecular regulation of blood vessel development and angiogenesis. Abnormal blood vessel growth is associated with diseases including cancer, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and chronic inflammation. This project focuses on understanding normal blood vessel growth in order to gather clues to help discover ways of preventing abnormal blood vessel growth during disease.
Investigation of the biology of insulin-like growth factor 1 and its derivatives for the development of new therapeutics. This project will investigate the biology of insulin-like growth factor 1, a key molecule in growth, development and, in particular, the wound healing process. Its success will lead to improved treatments for non-healing (chronic) wounds and, potentially, new anti-cancer treatments.
Molecular control of apoptosis and protein homeostasis. A million cells are produced every second by cell division. At the same time a million cells commit suicide by a process called apoptosis. When cells fail to die when they should they can develop into cancers. In heart attacks, stroke and neurodegenerative diseases, many cells appear to activate their self destruct mechanism to die unnecessarily. Drugs that can cause cancer cells to kill themselves, or drugs that prevent cells dying when th ....Molecular control of apoptosis and protein homeostasis. A million cells are produced every second by cell division. At the same time a million cells commit suicide by a process called apoptosis. When cells fail to die when they should they can develop into cancers. In heart attacks, stroke and neurodegenerative diseases, many cells appear to activate their self destruct mechanism to die unnecessarily. Drugs that can cause cancer cells to kill themselves, or drugs that prevent cells dying when they shouldn't, would make a major impact on many important diseases. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of cell death is the first step towards developing these drugs.Read moreRead less
Determination of the mechanisms of immune system regulation of inflammation by the human protein, chaperonin 10. The aim of this project is to determine the mechanisms by which a human protein, chaperonin 10 (Cpn10), regulates the immune system and suppresses inflammation. When cells of the human immune system are challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (a product of bacterial infection), the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF is released. Cpn10 has been shown to suppress production of TNF on chall ....Determination of the mechanisms of immune system regulation of inflammation by the human protein, chaperonin 10. The aim of this project is to determine the mechanisms by which a human protein, chaperonin 10 (Cpn10), regulates the immune system and suppresses inflammation. When cells of the human immune system are challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (a product of bacterial infection), the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF is released. Cpn10 has been shown to suppress production of TNF on challenge of cells with LPS, while increasing the levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Investigating the role of Cpn10 in modulating inflammation will contribute to the understanding and treatment of diseases associated with inflammation, including multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.Read moreRead less
Novel vitamin E analogues disrupt autocrine signalling and angiogenesis: Mechanistic studies and relevance to cancer management. Breast and mesothelioma cancers present a severe problem in Australia and many patients succumb due to lack of appropriate treatment. We believe that vitamin E analogues, selective drugs efficient against cancer cells, hold a promise as future drugs against these two pathologies. Vitamin E analogues act by several mechanisms, including toxic effect on the cancer cells ....Novel vitamin E analogues disrupt autocrine signalling and angiogenesis: Mechanistic studies and relevance to cancer management. Breast and mesothelioma cancers present a severe problem in Australia and many patients succumb due to lack of appropriate treatment. We believe that vitamin E analogues, selective drugs efficient against cancer cells, hold a promise as future drugs against these two pathologies. Vitamin E analogues act by several mechanisms, including toxic effect on the cancer cells and also on cells that are necessary for efficient progression of tumours, such as cells of the malignant blood vessels. Results of this project will be used to prepare clinical testing of these highly promising drugs.Read moreRead less
Developing efficient cancer therapies by targeting of vitamin E analogues to mitochondria. We propose a new strategy of developing efficient anti-cancer agents. Results of this project will lead to establishing highly proising anti-cancer drugs and will open new approaches for the design of novel agents that efficiently kill cancer cells.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130100117
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Allosteric fingerprinting of G protein-coupled receptor monomers and oligomers. Allosteric modulation describes interactions between distinct, but conformationally linked, binding sites. Research will develop enabling technology using the unique profile, or 'fingerprint', of allosteric modulation at interacting and non-interacting G protein-coupled receptors to probe for receptor complexes within healthy and diseased tissue.