Structural And Functional Studies Of The Human IL-3 Receptor
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$307,946.00
Summary
This proposal will study a protein hormone that is implicated in blood cell cancers and inflammatory diseases and for which current treatments are inadequate. We will determine how the hormone receptor becomes activated, identify and characterise new agents that block this activation. This information will help in the development of new and highly specific drugs for use in certain cancers in inflammatory diseases.
Structural Characterisation Of Long Non-Coding RNA Bound Histone Modification Complexes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,891.00
Summary
Cancer is a disease associated with genetic and epigenetic changes of DNA. Epigenetics involves external changes to the DNA, switching processes “on” and “off”, to regulate gene expression. This project aims to provide powerful insight into key processes involved in epigenetic-based carcinogenesis, and thereby lay the foundation for producing novel cancer diagnostic markers and molecular based therapies.
Oligomers Of The Alzheimer's Amyloid-? Peptide: Structure, Mechanism Of Toxicity And Small Molecule Interactions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$356,324.00
Summary
Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating neurodegenerative disease that currently affects 240 000 Australians. The protein called amyloid-? is found in deposits in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. The toxic form of this protein is thought to be small aggregated particles called ‘oligomers’. This work aims to investigate the structure of these particles, the reason why they are toxic, as well as their interaction with the neuroprotective compound EGCG, which is found in green tea.
Proteins Involved In HIV Infection And Host Defense
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$323,244.00
Summary
I am a biochemist focused on answering the question: why is it that humans are susceptible to HIV infection, while certain monkeys are resistant? It is known that these monkeys have evolved proteins which can target and destroy the virus, but the equivalent human proteins don’t work against HIV. I intend to compare the monkey and human proteins to understand how the monkeys destroy the virus and why the human protein is defective. These studies will inform the next generation of HIV treatment.
Directed Molecular Evolution Of G Protein-coupled Receptors For Stable And Functional Expression In Escherichia Coli
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$383,479.00
Summary
Approximately half of all prescription drugs on the market act on G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). The mechanisms underlying GPCR function are mainly unknown due to a lack of structural information. No solved structures exist for any of the estimated 800 human GPCRs, making it difficult to design new drugs. By applying advanced protein engineering techniques I aim to produce human GPCRs in bacteria to ultimately acquire structural information, which will enable novel drug development.
Pharmacological Investigation Of The Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor (GLP-1R)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$367,948.00
Summary
Family B G protein-coupled receptors represent key therapeutic targets for many conditions, including metabolic, bone, growth and neuronal disorders. However, poor mechanistic understanding of this receptor family impacts on their clinical value. Consequently, this research is aimed at gaining a more comprehensive understanding of the structure and function of the family B glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor through use of new and novel pharmacological techniques.