Structural And Functional Analysis Of A Cancer-linked Co-regulator Complex
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$555,892.00
Summary
We seek to understand the mechanisms by which genes are switched on and off throughout our lifetime. A number of multi-component protein machines are involved in this process but their make-up and mechanism of action is not understood. We will investigate the structure and function of one of these machines that has been strongly linked to cancer.
LMO2-containing Complexes In Leukemia And Blood Cell Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$803,652.00
Summary
Childhood T-cell leukemias have a poor prognosis for recovery. We are determining, with atomic level precision, how the proteins Lmo2 (also linked to prostate and other cancers) and Tal1, and their binding partners contribute to both normal blood cell development and T-cell leukemia. With this information we are developing reagents that can be used to disrupt disease-causing complexes, and which will lead towards the development of new, specific, therapeutics for leukemias and other cancers.
STRUCTURAL STUDIES OF KEY REGULATORY PROTEINS OF THE COMPLEMENT CASCADE
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$437,545.00
Summary
This work is expected to lead to the determination of the three-dimensional shape of important immune regulatory proteins using X-ray crystallography. In this method, protein crystals are grown and their atomic structure determined by placing them in a beam of X-rays. The crystals cause the X-rays to scatter in a pattern which is characteristic of the protein's three-dimensional shape. Knowledge gained from the proteins' shape provides important insights into their biological function and form t ....This work is expected to lead to the determination of the three-dimensional shape of important immune regulatory proteins using X-ray crystallography. In this method, protein crystals are grown and their atomic structure determined by placing them in a beam of X-rays. The crystals cause the X-rays to scatter in a pattern which is characteristic of the protein's three-dimensional shape. Knowledge gained from the proteins' shape provides important insights into their biological function and form the basis for the rational design of new drugs to combat diseases. In particular, we are interested in determining the 3-D shapes of important proteins that control immunity. Sometimes these proteins can function abnormally resulting in serious diseases such as autoimmune diseases, stroke, Alzheimer's disease, heart attack, haemorrhagic shock, sepsis, adult respiratory distress syndrome, asthma and organ transpant rejection. Thus the ability to provide new drugs has important clinical ramifications in the treatment of these diseases.Read moreRead less
Understanding And Controlling PAS Domain Interactions In Basic Helix-loop-helix Transcription Factors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$599,918.00
Summary
We want to understand how particular proteins control the activity of genes that are a crucial part of the body's ability to respond to environmental stresses, such as low oxygen, seizure and environmental pollutants. The knowledge gained will help decipher the events that result in correct function in the cell, and the misregulation that leads to toxic outcomes and disease states. We will search for new compounds with potential application as therapeutics for cancer, heart disease and stroke.