Discovery and characterisation of novel spider-venom peptides targeting the human sodium ion channel Nav1.7. Drugs that selectively block the human sodium ion channel Nav1.7 are likely to be powerful analgesics for treating a wide variety of pain conditions. However, it has proved difficult to obtain selective blockers of this channel. The aim of this project is to determine whether spider-venoms might provide a source of highly selective Nav1.7 blockers.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160100900
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$366,000.00
Summary
Smart aptamer-guided nanoexosome as a novel biotechnology platform. This project aims to develop guided novel nanomaterials as a new biotechnological platform for in vivo targeted delivery of Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) for gene editing. By systematically engineering the surface properties of natural nanovesicles known as exosomes, a novel nanotechnology platform should be established. The guided nano biotechnological platform should not only enable targete ....Smart aptamer-guided nanoexosome as a novel biotechnology platform. This project aims to develop guided novel nanomaterials as a new biotechnological platform for in vivo targeted delivery of Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) for gene editing. By systematically engineering the surface properties of natural nanovesicles known as exosomes, a novel nanotechnology platform should be established. The guided nano biotechnological platform should not only enable targeted in vivo precision gene editing via CRISPR but also specific delivery of gene editing machinery across the blood brain barrier for better exploration of fundamental biology of the brain.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160101281
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$300,036.00
Summary
Biomimetic lipidic self-assembly materials for protein encapsulation. This project intends to improve understanding of the interactions between proteins and lipidic materials to guide the development of new biomaterials. Proteins and peptides play an increasingly important role as drugs, vaccines and diagnostics. However, these fragile, often large, macromolecules come with challenges for drug delivery. Lipid-based materials are ideal matrices for encapsulation of functionally active proteins. T ....Biomimetic lipidic self-assembly materials for protein encapsulation. This project intends to improve understanding of the interactions between proteins and lipidic materials to guide the development of new biomaterials. Proteins and peptides play an increasingly important role as drugs, vaccines and diagnostics. However, these fragile, often large, macromolecules come with challenges for drug delivery. Lipid-based materials are ideal matrices for encapsulation of functionally active proteins. They also offer advantages as drug delivery vehicles including controlled release properties. The combination of strategies creates an ideal delivery system for protein therapeutics. The project aims to characterise the physicochemical interactions between the protein and the lipid matrix. This may guide the development of novel lipidic materials for the encapsulation and controlled release of protein therapeutics.Read moreRead less
Development of effective peptide-based drugs. There is huge interest in the development of bioactive peptides and proteins for the treatment of a wide range of diseases. The aim of this research project is to develop potent and effective peptide-based drugs that are able to resist the body's natural degradation pathways so that they can reach their biological target and act as effective drugs.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210100422
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$447,346.00
Summary
Using toxins to manipulate the gating of voltage-gated sodium channels. The project aims to investigate how sodium channel subtypes contribute to the excitability of sensory neurons by utilising venom-derived peptides that specifically target and alter the function of these channels. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of neuroscience using an interdisciplinary approach including synthetic peptide chemistry, pharmacology and electrophysiology. Expected outcomes of this pro ....Using toxins to manipulate the gating of voltage-gated sodium channels. The project aims to investigate how sodium channel subtypes contribute to the excitability of sensory neurons by utilising venom-derived peptides that specifically target and alter the function of these channels. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of neuroscience using an interdisciplinary approach including synthetic peptide chemistry, pharmacology and electrophysiology. Expected outcomes of this project include the development of new venom-based research tools and improved techniques for studying sodium channel function. This will provide significant benefits, including advancement of fundamental knowledge in physiology and the development of novel analgesics. Read moreRead less
A new platform technology for gene therapy . The project aims to make a landmark contribution to biological science by enabling programmed delivery of therapeutic payloads from biocompatible materials. It will employ a novel synthetic biology approach to form two distinct peptide-enabled molecular architectures in a single system. This is expected to deliver a platform technology that will allow successful programmed delivery of viral vectors. The project is likely to deliver significant societa ....A new platform technology for gene therapy . The project aims to make a landmark contribution to biological science by enabling programmed delivery of therapeutic payloads from biocompatible materials. It will employ a novel synthetic biology approach to form two distinct peptide-enabled molecular architectures in a single system. This is expected to deliver a platform technology that will allow successful programmed delivery of viral vectors. The project is likely to deliver significant societal benefit as a fundamental scientific platform, improving Australia's capacity and impact in the agriculture and the healthcare sectors. The platform technology has the potential to increase the quality of life for patients and their carers, while also produce fitter, healthier livestock.Read moreRead less
New Conus-derived alpha-conotoxin analgesics for the treatment of chronic pain: structure, mode of action, delivery and disposition. Current product deficiencies in the area of pain management are forcing the pharmaceutical industry to develop new strategies for achieving analgesia and reduce their dependence on traditional, addictive opiate-based products. Structural modification of cone snail derived peptides will provide exciting new leads for achieving effective analgesia.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE200100190
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$620,000.00
Summary
Electrophysiology Platform for Ion-channel Characterisation. Ion channels are ubiquitous pore-forming membrane proteins, with the human genome encoding >300 ion channels. The diverse roles of ion channels include action potential generation, control of ion flow across secretory and epithelial cells, and regulation of cell volume, motility and proliferation. Pharmacological modulators are powerful tools for probing ion channel function, but for most channels these tools are lacking. Thus, this p .... Electrophysiology Platform for Ion-channel Characterisation. Ion channels are ubiquitous pore-forming membrane proteins, with the human genome encoding >300 ion channels. The diverse roles of ion channels include action potential generation, control of ion flow across secretory and epithelial cells, and regulation of cell volume, motility and proliferation. Pharmacological modulators are powerful tools for probing ion channel function, but for most channels these tools are lacking. Thus, this project aims to develop the first comprehensive toolbox of ion channel modulators using an integrated in vitro/in vivo electrophysiology platform. These pharmacological tools will be made freely available to the Australian research community for probing the mechanism and physiological function of ion channels.Read moreRead less