A tale of two genomes: integrating mitochondrial biogenesis into the cell cycle and metabolic control. The human genome is cordoned into two distinct compartments in our cells. Most genes are in the nucleus, while a distinct set of genes are held within our mitochondria. Using yeast as a model organism, this project will provide a holistic view of how expression of the two genomes is coordinated.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120100794
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Revealing dynamic mechanisms controlling pluripotency in mammalian stem cells and embryos. Every cell of our mature bodies originates from 'pluripotent' cells present in the early mammalian embryo. These cells can be captured and grown in plastic dishes. The project will use imaging methods to reveal how gene regulatory molecules control pluripotent cells in the embryo and in culture.
Nuclear transport in stress. This project aims to provide key new insights into cell resistance to stress centred on subcellular transport in stress. Environmental stress in its various forms results in the breakdown of cellular functions such as conventional transport into and out of the host cell nucleus. This project will examine a nuclear transporter that has the ability to remain active in stress. Results will establish a platform for stress biology research by the evaluation of nuclear tra ....Nuclear transport in stress. This project aims to provide key new insights into cell resistance to stress centred on subcellular transport in stress. Environmental stress in its various forms results in the breakdown of cellular functions such as conventional transport into and out of the host cell nucleus. This project will examine a nuclear transporter that has the ability to remain active in stress. Results will establish a platform for stress biology research by the evaluation of nuclear transport in stress in cellular and in-vivo models, and its impact on cell fate. These outcomes will have broad-reaching benefits for enacting climate change responses as well as enhancing Australia’s international collaborative network and providing research training opportunities.Read moreRead less
Understanding how cells regulate self eating during starvation and stress. This project aims to investigate how autophagosomes are built during autophagy by using advanced multi-modal imaging and unique gene-edited human cell lines. This project expects to generate new knowledge on how a family of evolutionary conserved proteins regulate autophagosome formation during starvation and stress conditions. Expected outcomes include the development of frontier imaging technologies that can be subseque ....Understanding how cells regulate self eating during starvation and stress. This project aims to investigate how autophagosomes are built during autophagy by using advanced multi-modal imaging and unique gene-edited human cell lines. This project expects to generate new knowledge on how a family of evolutionary conserved proteins regulate autophagosome formation during starvation and stress conditions. Expected outcomes include the development of frontier imaging technologies that can be subsequently utilised for the advancement of any field of cell biology. This should provide significant benefits by placing Australia at the forefront of cell biology technologies and increasing our understanding of how plant and human cells can protect themselves during starvation and stress.
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Characterisation of membrane protein ubiquitination by MARCH ligases. The goal of the project is to understand how a family of enzymes called MARCHs regulate expression and localisation of immunoregulatory receptors within cells by post-translational addition of a small protein tag called Ubiquitin. The aims are to decipher the ubiquitination patterns produced by the MARCHs; identify the E2 ligases used by the MARCHs to produce distinct Ub codes; and apply a new proteomic pipeline to identify no ....Characterisation of membrane protein ubiquitination by MARCH ligases. The goal of the project is to understand how a family of enzymes called MARCHs regulate expression and localisation of immunoregulatory receptors within cells by post-translational addition of a small protein tag called Ubiquitin. The aims are to decipher the ubiquitination patterns produced by the MARCHs; identify the E2 ligases used by the MARCHs to produce distinct Ub codes; and apply a new proteomic pipeline to identify novel representative MARCH substrates in mice deficient in six different MARCHs. It is anticipated the project will reveal novel insights into a fundamental cell biological process of major significance for regulation of protein expression and trafficking in cells of the immune system.Read moreRead less
Membrane trafficking and endosome to trans-Golgi network retrograde pathways. This project will study newly discovered and essential transport highways in cells, which connect the secretory and internalisation pathways. This research will enhance understandings of how molecules are transported along specific highways in cells. By training students, the project will contribute to the expertise of cell biology in Australia.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE180100202
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$255,120.00
Summary
Three-dimensional cryo correlative light and electron microscopy facility. This project aims to establish a three-dimensional (3D) cryo-correlative light and electron microscopy facility. The facility will integrate light microscopy with high resolution cryo-electron tomography and 3D slice-and-view focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy. The open access facility should create new capabilities for Australian researchers to tag biological events and structures with fluorescence markers and ....Three-dimensional cryo correlative light and electron microscopy facility. This project aims to establish a three-dimensional (3D) cryo-correlative light and electron microscopy facility. The facility will integrate light microscopy with high resolution cryo-electron tomography and 3D slice-and-view focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy. The open access facility should create new capabilities for Australian researchers to tag biological events and structures with fluorescence markers and image them using the currently highest resolution 3D imaging techniques for biological matter. The facility expects to reveal fundamental insights into cell and structural biology, and help drive innovation in agriculture, pharmaceutics, and biomaterials.Read moreRead less
Phosphoinositide regulation of lysosome reformation during autophagy. This project aims to investigate a new critical step in the autophagy pathway, autophagic lysosome reformation, a fundamental, evolutionarily conserved mechanism for cellular homeostasis. By combining gene function studies with advanced cellular imaging techniques, this project will investigate the dynamic membrane changes that drive this lysosome recycling pathway and how it is regulated by a hierarchical succession of specif ....Phosphoinositide regulation of lysosome reformation during autophagy. This project aims to investigate a new critical step in the autophagy pathway, autophagic lysosome reformation, a fundamental, evolutionarily conserved mechanism for cellular homeostasis. By combining gene function studies with advanced cellular imaging techniques, this project will investigate the dynamic membrane changes that drive this lysosome recycling pathway and how it is regulated by a hierarchical succession of specific enzymes. The expected outcome will be to re-define the archetypical autophagy pathway and characterise novel mechanisms by which it is controlled. This project will reveal new fundamental biological processes, and act as a framework for developing new imaging modalities and tools for studying autophagy.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100575
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,000.00
Summary
Pathogen detection in mammals. This project aims to study the role of a host molecule in immune protection. Multicellular organisms need to recognise pathogens to initiate immune protection. To do this, pathogen-specific molecules are presented to the immune system causing activation. Recently a mode of pathogen recognition was discovered in mammals. As microbes synthesise essential vitamins, they release tell-tale metabolite by-products, which a host molecule called MR1 captures and presents to ....Pathogen detection in mammals. This project aims to study the role of a host molecule in immune protection. Multicellular organisms need to recognise pathogens to initiate immune protection. To do this, pathogen-specific molecules are presented to the immune system causing activation. Recently a mode of pathogen recognition was discovered in mammals. As microbes synthesise essential vitamins, they release tell-tale metabolite by-products, which a host molecule called MR1 captures and presents to white blood cells. However, it is not understood how MR1 accomplishes this, the cellular machinery required, or how the metabolites are guided to MR1. Understanding this process is expected to explain microbial pathogen recognition.Read moreRead less
A mechanism for pathogen detection highly conserved in mammals. This project aims to delineate biochemically how mammals fight pathogens by alerting their immune system to Vitamin B compounds produced by certain bacteria and fungi. The protein MR1 binds the compounds and displays them on the cell surface, activating pathogen-fighting MAIT cells. The MR1-MAIT cell axis is highly conserved in mammals and is thought to defend the host. This project expects to lead to new products to improve veterin ....A mechanism for pathogen detection highly conserved in mammals. This project aims to delineate biochemically how mammals fight pathogens by alerting their immune system to Vitamin B compounds produced by certain bacteria and fungi. The protein MR1 binds the compounds and displays them on the cell surface, activating pathogen-fighting MAIT cells. The MR1-MAIT cell axis is highly conserved in mammals and is thought to defend the host. This project expects to lead to new products to improve veterinary and human health services with new technology developed throughout the project and high-level training which will increase the competitiveness of the strategic biotechnology sector in Australia.Read moreRead less