Structure-based inhibitor design of VAP-1/SSAO for the treatment of respiratory dirsorders and other major inflammatory diseases. Inflammatory diseases, such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis, are widespread and often poorly treated in Australia and elsewhere. Inhibitors of the recently studied VAP-1/SSAO protein are predicted to effectively treat the inflammation symptoms of one or more of these diseases. A structure-based approach to discover these new medicines should pro ....Structure-based inhibitor design of VAP-1/SSAO for the treatment of respiratory dirsorders and other major inflammatory diseases. Inflammatory diseases, such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis, are widespread and often poorly treated in Australia and elsewhere. Inhibitors of the recently studied VAP-1/SSAO protein are predicted to effectively treat the inflammation symptoms of one or more of these diseases. A structure-based approach to discover these new medicines should provide a means to identify patentable compounds, with high potency, efficacy and safety. If this approach is successful, an Australian pharmaceutical company will be one of the first to the market with this new medicine to treat these chronic diseases.Read moreRead less
Characterisation of plant cysteine proteases with therapeutic potential. This project aims to uncover how plant enzymes have effects on the immune system. This will allow the development of these enzymes as therapeutic agents for cancer and autoimmune conditions.
In vitro expression of macrocyclic peptides. This project aims to develop a novel strategy for the production of polypeptides with unnatural chemical groups using a sense codon reassignment approach. Novel peptides could be used in a range of pharmaceutical applications. Peptides made of 20 natural amino acids cover only a very small fraction of the available chemical and functional space. While a peptide’s functionality can be extended with unnatural amino acids, the methods for their site-sele ....In vitro expression of macrocyclic peptides. This project aims to develop a novel strategy for the production of polypeptides with unnatural chemical groups using a sense codon reassignment approach. Novel peptides could be used in a range of pharmaceutical applications. Peptides made of 20 natural amino acids cover only a very small fraction of the available chemical and functional space. While a peptide’s functionality can be extended with unnatural amino acids, the methods for their site-selective incorporation are inefficient. The project’s strategy relies on the depletion of selected tRNAs from an in vitro protein translation system and their replacement with synthetic tRNAs, charged with unnatural amino acids. It is expected that the developed technology could be used to rapidly generate and screen highly diversified macrocyclic peptide libraries.Read moreRead less
Feeding and digestion in tropical rock lobster phyllosoma larvae and its applications for culture. Provision of larval culture diets that provide optimal nutrition in a suitable presentation format is the major challenge for developing a rock lobster aquaculture industry. Tropical rock lobsters are likely contenders due to their faster growth rates and shorter larval phase than temperate species. This project will assess the ingestive and digestive capabilities of larvae during development, thro ....Feeding and digestion in tropical rock lobster phyllosoma larvae and its applications for culture. Provision of larval culture diets that provide optimal nutrition in a suitable presentation format is the major challenge for developing a rock lobster aquaculture industry. Tropical rock lobsters are likely contenders due to their faster growth rates and shorter larval phase than temperate species. This project will assess the ingestive and digestive capabilities of larvae during development, through an examination of mouthpart and gut structure and their types and concentration of digestive enzymes. Information will be used to formulate and test improved diets of appropriate size, texture and nutritional composition and will be the first comprehensive analysis of preferred larval diets on the basis of their biological and physiological characteristics.Read moreRead less
Enantioselective nitrilases from filamentous fungi. The optical characteristics (chirality) of chemical precursors are important for many fine chemicals. Chiral intermediates are in high demand by the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries for the preparation of bulk drug intermediates and agricultural products. Nitriles are attractive starting points but their conversion to corresponding amides and carboxylic acids generates significant wastes. Their hydrolysis can be performed under mil ....Enantioselective nitrilases from filamentous fungi. The optical characteristics (chirality) of chemical precursors are important for many fine chemicals. Chiral intermediates are in high demand by the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries for the preparation of bulk drug intermediates and agricultural products. Nitriles are attractive starting points but their conversion to corresponding amides and carboxylic acids generates significant wastes. Their hydrolysis can be performed under mild conditions by enzymes termed nitrilases. We will work on fungal nitrilases as they present a globally attractive, yet untapped commercial target. The outcome for Applimex will be a suite of biocatalysts specific for the production of key intermediates for drug and agrochemical syntheses.Read moreRead less
Chemical inhibition: a new approach to investigate the role of a key protease, CtHtrA, from Chlamydia trachomatis. Infertility in women frequently results from infection with Chlamydia trachomatis. This project will develop an inhibitor compound against a important protein from this bacteria. This will establish a new scientific approach to study Chlamydia trachomatis. This project will also contribute to the development of new treatments for infertility.
Genetic modification and lyophilisation of microorganisms for the generation of bacteriological internal quality controls. The development of internal quality control micro-organisms in precise numbers is necessary for the evolution of standard methodology in microbiology, which until now, remains obsolete, because it relies on inaccurate methods to produce quantitative and qualitative results. The research described here is largely based on molecular techniques to genetically tag micro-organism ....Genetic modification and lyophilisation of microorganisms for the generation of bacteriological internal quality controls. The development of internal quality control micro-organisms in precise numbers is necessary for the evolution of standard methodology in microbiology, which until now, remains obsolete, because it relies on inaccurate methods to produce quantitative and qualitative results. The research described here is largely based on molecular techniques to genetically tag micro-organisms with fluorescent proteins and pigment producing enzymes, and on the manipulation of growth and storage conditions to maximize the survival of micro-organisms during lyophilisation. Successful completion and application of the proposed project through existing patents owned by BTF, will revolutionise the way microbiological tests are performed worldwide.Read moreRead less
Development of Insulin-like peptide 5 (INSL5) peptide analogues as novel therapeutics. Insulin-like peptide 5 (INSL5) is a naturally-occurring hormone in the body that likely plays a role in the control of appetite. This project aims to develop new molecules based on INSL5 that could be suitable for use as drugs to treat various appetite-related disorders, such as obesity (where patients eat too much) or anorexia (where patients eat too little).
Environmental metagenomics, metaproteomics and novel bioactives from microbial communities in Antarctic lakes. This program will derive an integrated understanding of microbial ecology which is essential for determining ways of preserving the health of the World's ecosystems. Through this, Australia will remain a world leader in Antarctic biology, strengthening Australia's reputation in technologically innovative scientific programs of global significance, training local scientists in cutting ed ....Environmental metagenomics, metaproteomics and novel bioactives from microbial communities in Antarctic lakes. This program will derive an integrated understanding of microbial ecology which is essential for determining ways of preserving the health of the World's ecosystems. Through this, Australia will remain a world leader in Antarctic biology, strengthening Australia's reputation in technologically innovative scientific programs of global significance, training local scientists in cutting edge genomic biology and fostering the interests of the international community in sciences ranging from microbial ecology to bioprospecting. Novel biodegradable enzymes will be developed to replace harsh chemicals providing environmentally friendly, cheaper and more effective agents for use in medical, biotechnological, industrial and biodefense applications.Read moreRead less
Gene identification and functional characterization for metabolism-based herbicide resistance in Lolium rigidum. Evolution of multiple herbicide resistance is widespread in Lolium rigidum in Australia. This resistance is very often endowed by enhanced rates of herbicide metabolism (metabolic resistance) involving cytochrome P450. This project aims to identify, clone and characterise important herbicide-metabolising P450 and other genes from multiple herbicide-resistant L. rigidum biotypes, and d ....Gene identification and functional characterization for metabolism-based herbicide resistance in Lolium rigidum. Evolution of multiple herbicide resistance is widespread in Lolium rigidum in Australia. This resistance is very often endowed by enhanced rates of herbicide metabolism (metabolic resistance) involving cytochrome P450. This project aims to identify, clone and characterise important herbicide-metabolising P450 and other genes from multiple herbicide-resistant L. rigidum biotypes, and develop transcriptional and biochemical markers for metabolic resistance diagnosis. Herbicide-metabolising gene discovery, characterisation and marker development will greatly extend the currently limited knowledge and understanding of metabolic resistance and help achieve sustainable weed management.Read moreRead less