Discovering The Function And Structure Of RIO Kinases – Toward New Nematocides
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$545,477.00
Summary
This project is focused on: high quality fundamental molecular science, contributing to national objectives, including the development of novel and innovative scientific concepts and international collaborations; consolidating links between basic and applied research; enhancing the skills-base in molecular biology and global visibility of Australian science.
Artificial Synthesis Of The Type III Secretion System Translocon. A New Approach To Vaccine Design
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$668,742.00
Summary
Today hospitals are plagued with bacterial infections that do not respond to antibiotics. The problem exists because although antibiotics are effective at killing bacteria, this paradoxically also helps the drug-resistant bacteria thrive. We will pioneer a completely new approach to vaccine design that allows us to construct a vaccine that protects us from bacterial infection without killing the bacteria. The vaccine should therefore be far less susceptible to drug resistance.
Characterization And Inhibition Of Higher-order Assembly Signalling In Toll-like Receptor Pathways
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$711,995.00
Summary
The innate immune system is the first line of defence against pathogens. Inhibitors of innate immune pathways can be developed into therapeutic agents against a number of disorders including chronic inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. We have discovered a new mechanisms of signaling by a set of key molecules in these pathways, through formation of large assemblies. We will characterize these assemblies and uncover ways to inhibit their formation.
To understand how Hendra virus multiplies in infected cells, we will investigate the structure of its replicative machinery. This will provide the basis for rational drug design increasing Australia’s preparedness against the emergence of Hendra-like viruses.
An Interdisciplinary Approach Towards Antiviral Therapy Discovery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,000,000.00
Summary
Viruses cause significant life-threatening diseases and our armament against viral infections is extremely limited. When coupled with resistance development, humanity is at the mercy of existing and emerging life-threatening viruses. This project will provide new insight into how clinically- significant viruses that cause flu, croup and hand foot and mouth disease attack human cells, as well as discover new drug candidates that combat these viruses.
Structural Studies Of The Molecular Machinery Regulating Cell Death
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$638,517.00
Summary
Our bodies use a process called Programmed Cell Death to remove unwanted or dangerous cells. This work aims to understand the machinery that regulates this process at the molecular level. These insights will inform the development of drugs aimed at either initiating cell death when required, for example in cancer, or at inhibiting it when excessive cell death causes disease.
Investigation Of Two GPCRs Implicated In Tumour Progression: PAR1 And LGR5
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$404,689.00
Summary
G-protein-coupled-receptors (GPCRs) belong to a large and diverse family of membrane proteins. Due to their number, diversity and critical roles in signaling, GPCRs offer extraordinary opportunities for development of novel drugs. However, our rudimentary understanding of their mechanism of activation and subsequent signaling do not support rational drug design. This project focuses on two receptors, PAR-1 and LGR5, to gain insights into the activation mechanisms and signalling of GPCRs.
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL170100019
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,606,250.00
Summary
Proteins in motion - new tools for biotechnology. This project aims to assess the function of proteins by monitoring their motions using new nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy techniques. As snapshots of 3D protein structures have been determined by crystallography, the new tools are designed to analyse functionally important motions in solution. A facility for ultrafast (> 100 kHz) magic angle spinning NMR spectroscopy of proteins in the semi-solid state will bring cutting-edge know- ....Proteins in motion - new tools for biotechnology. This project aims to assess the function of proteins by monitoring their motions using new nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy techniques. As snapshots of 3D protein structures have been determined by crystallography, the new tools are designed to analyse functionally important motions in solution. A facility for ultrafast (> 100 kHz) magic angle spinning NMR spectroscopy of proteins in the semi-solid state will bring cutting-edge know-how to Australia and allow the interrogation of 3D structure and dynamics in selected protein regions. The expected outcomes of the project will have immediate benefits for the rational engineering of biocatalysts and in the design of lead compounds in drug development.Read moreRead less