Molecular Mechanisms of Biochemical Regulation: Neutron and X-ray Scattering Studies. This project will develop and use novel neutron and x-ray scattering methods to study the molecular mechanisms by which nature regulates biochemical processes. Healthy function requires cells to tightly control and coordinate a myriad of molecular activities. My research focuses on a set of interdependent molecular networks inside cells whose behavior is controlled by the so-called 'second messengers' that tr ....Molecular Mechanisms of Biochemical Regulation: Neutron and X-ray Scattering Studies. This project will develop and use novel neutron and x-ray scattering methods to study the molecular mechanisms by which nature regulates biochemical processes. Healthy function requires cells to tightly control and coordinate a myriad of molecular activities. My research focuses on a set of interdependent molecular networks inside cells whose behavior is controlled by the so-called 'second messengers' that translate external signals into the right cellular responses. The proposed experiments will provide a unique structural framework by which we can understand how these signals are transmitted. Such knowledge is an important foundation for advances in biomedical research and biotechnology applications.Read moreRead less
Molecular mechanisms of two-component signal transduction in bacteria. The focus of this research is on the protein complexes that transmit signals in bacteria to elicit the desired responses to environmental stimuli. Like many dynamic processes in cells, signaling requires proteins that are flexible and hence resistant to high-resolution structural analysis using crystallography. We will make use of new research infrastructure at the Australian synchrotron and OPAL research reactor to overcom ....Molecular mechanisms of two-component signal transduction in bacteria. The focus of this research is on the protein complexes that transmit signals in bacteria to elicit the desired responses to environmental stimuli. Like many dynamic processes in cells, signaling requires proteins that are flexible and hence resistant to high-resolution structural analysis using crystallography. We will make use of new research infrastructure at the Australian synchrotron and OPAL research reactor to overcome the challenges of flexibility in these systems. The proteins we will study are not found in humans, and hence our research will provide important structural data on potential targets for the design of novel antibiotics to fight bacterial infection.Read moreRead less
New approaches to functional and structural genomics. Genome sequencing has revealed complete sets of macromolecules that make up our cells. We now need to learn how these macromolecules work together in a coordinated fashion. The proposed research will lead to the discovery of new biological molecules, interactions and processes essential for the function of cells, identify new therapeutic targets and strategies to combat disease, identify new concepts in bio- and nanotechnology, and train new ....New approaches to functional and structural genomics. Genome sequencing has revealed complete sets of macromolecules that make up our cells. We now need to learn how these macromolecules work together in a coordinated fashion. The proposed research will lead to the discovery of new biological molecules, interactions and processes essential for the function of cells, identify new therapeutic targets and strategies to combat disease, identify new concepts in bio- and nanotechnology, and train new interdisciplinary researchers. It will underpin the National Research Priorities (Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries, and Promoting and Maintaining Good Health) and help Australia capitalise on a plethora of opportunities for future economic and health benefits.Read moreRead less
Structure and dynamics of a multiprotein-mRNA complex involved in the regulation of gene expression. RNA/protein interactions are now recognised as a major control point in the regulation of gene-expression. Proteins such as HuR and the poly(C)-binding proteins (PCBPs) act to stabilise and transport specific messenger (m)RNAs, and thus determine their translation levels. In contrast to such an important function, very little is known about these protein/mRNA interactions at an atomic level. The ....Structure and dynamics of a multiprotein-mRNA complex involved in the regulation of gene expression. RNA/protein interactions are now recognised as a major control point in the regulation of gene-expression. Proteins such as HuR and the poly(C)-binding proteins (PCBPs) act to stabilise and transport specific messenger (m)RNAs, and thus determine their translation levels. In contrast to such an important function, very little is known about these protein/mRNA interactions at an atomic level. The current study will investigate the structural and biophysical properties of a recently discovered HuR/PCBP/mRNA complex implicated in the regulation of androgen receptor expression. This information has the potential to assist in the development of drugs to reduce AR expression in prostate cancer.Read moreRead less
Exploiting the self-assembly of hydrophobin proteins to engineer functional nanostructuring surfaces. There is an increasing world-wide demand for advanced nano-biomaterials with novel properties. We will use natural hydrophobin proteins to coat nanodevices and make them more compatible with biological systems. Hydrophobin coatings will be applicable to biosensors, medical devices, diagnostics and drug delivery systems. The research will lead to an understanding of the basic mechanisms of protei ....Exploiting the self-assembly of hydrophobin proteins to engineer functional nanostructuring surfaces. There is an increasing world-wide demand for advanced nano-biomaterials with novel properties. We will use natural hydrophobin proteins to coat nanodevices and make them more compatible with biological systems. Hydrophobin coatings will be applicable to biosensors, medical devices, diagnostics and drug delivery systems. The research will lead to an understanding of the basic mechanisms of protein self-assembly and will have application outcomes that contribute to Australia being an important player in the field of nanotechnology. This is critical for Australia's long term competitiveness and productivity in and beyond the 21st century.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100096
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$450,000.00
Summary
A unique soft matter high-performance scanning probe microscopy (HP-SPM) facility. Soft matter research touches every aspect of our lives as it covers materials from the range of plastics found in cars, television sets and other mass-manufactured products, to new medical materials for tissue engineering and sensors. The proposed facility will enable Australia's leading scientists in this area to understand better how soft matter, including both biological and new advanced soft materials, behave ....A unique soft matter high-performance scanning probe microscopy (HP-SPM) facility. Soft matter research touches every aspect of our lives as it covers materials from the range of plastics found in cars, television sets and other mass-manufactured products, to new medical materials for tissue engineering and sensors. The proposed facility will enable Australia's leading scientists in this area to understand better how soft matter, including both biological and new advanced soft materials, behaves on the nano-scale level. This will put Australian researchers and engineers in a leading position for developing new treatments against cancer and other diseases, as well as harnessing the power of biology for application in areas such as waste treatment and energy production.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100142
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
An integrated liquid chromatography mass spectrometry nuclear magnetic resonance (LC-MS-NMR) facility for applications in proteomics and organic chemistry. This application completes the requested liquid chromatography mass spectrometry nuclear magnetic resonance (LCMS-NMR) facility and will allow the training of over 150 researchers, significantly enhancing their research productivity and translation of outcomes in areas of national importance. New breakthroughs in drug development, smart mate ....An integrated liquid chromatography mass spectrometry nuclear magnetic resonance (LC-MS-NMR) facility for applications in proteomics and organic chemistry. This application completes the requested liquid chromatography mass spectrometry nuclear magnetic resonance (LCMS-NMR) facility and will allow the training of over 150 researchers, significantly enhancing their research productivity and translation of outcomes in areas of national importance. New breakthroughs in drug development, smart materials, organic electronic materials and biomedical research require routine access to cutting edge technology. The LCMS-NMR augments the capabilities of our research teams at the forefront of these efforts. These include understanding the impact of the environment on plant and animal development, pest animal control, development of new biotechnology tools, new drugs and new methods for the detection of narcotics and explosives.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0560712
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$630,837.00
Summary
State-of-the-art biophysical tools for the characterisation of molecular interactions. In the current era of 'the genome' there is more demand than ever before for the characterisation of the gene products - the oligonucleotides and proteins that carry out the important functions in the cell. The current proposal is to acquire a suite of instrumentation to characterise the kinetics, thermodynamics and overall affinities of interactions between biological macromolecules and their physiological bi ....State-of-the-art biophysical tools for the characterisation of molecular interactions. In the current era of 'the genome' there is more demand than ever before for the characterisation of the gene products - the oligonucleotides and proteins that carry out the important functions in the cell. The current proposal is to acquire a suite of instrumentation to characterise the kinetics, thermodynamics and overall affinities of interactions between biological macromolecules and their physiological binding partners or with novel ligands. This will reveal the role of the macromolecules of interest in the cell, and potentially lead to the discovery of drug molecules which could interfere with molecular interactions underlying disease.Read moreRead less
Manipulating the self-assembly properties of fungal hydrophobin proteins for the design of novel biological polymers. Hydrophobin-based products will be novel biocompatible and biodegradable products with applications in the fields of medical implants, biosensors, detergents, coatings and pharmaceutical and industrial emulsions. They have the potential to directly improve the lives of all Australians and to be of benefit to the Australian economy and environment. This collaborative research pro ....Manipulating the self-assembly properties of fungal hydrophobin proteins for the design of novel biological polymers. Hydrophobin-based products will be novel biocompatible and biodegradable products with applications in the fields of medical implants, biosensors, detergents, coatings and pharmaceutical and industrial emulsions. They have the potential to directly improve the lives of all Australians and to be of benefit to the Australian economy and environment. This collaborative research project will enable Australian scientists to gain from working with a multinational company and to acquire skills in the rapidly expanding fields of structural and molecular biology. The University of Sydney will own any intellectual property arising from this work and will benefit from the commercialisation of hydrophobin-based products.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0561169
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$188,000.00
Summary
Facility for multidimensional fractionation of complex biological mixtures. Acquisition of multidimensional fractionation equipment will allow researchers to separate proteins from complex mixtures, and to compare whole protein profiles of multiple samples. This will permit correlation of specific protein changes associated with infection or disease, a major focus of post-genomic programs of research. The equipment will also provide identification of the key differentiating proteins using mini ....Facility for multidimensional fractionation of complex biological mixtures. Acquisition of multidimensional fractionation equipment will allow researchers to separate proteins from complex mixtures, and to compare whole protein profiles of multiple samples. This will permit correlation of specific protein changes associated with infection or disease, a major focus of post-genomic programs of research. The equipment will also provide identification of the key differentiating proteins using minimal material. Numerous world-class projects and researchers will be able to move more rapidly and reliably from crude cell extracts to identifiable markers, and maintain their competitive positions the recognition of key targets in drug design, disease diagnosis and vaccine development.Read moreRead less