Exploring the immunomodulatory potential of Natural Killer T cells. Natural Killer T cells (NKT cells) are an innate-like population of T cells that recognise a range of lipid based antigens when bound to the antigen-presenting molecule, CD1d. Once activated, NKT cells rapidly secrete a variety of cytokines. This project, in partnership with Vaxine Pty Ltd, aims to gain a basic understanding of NKT recognition of lipids and NKT cell activation by lipids. The project aims to use a combination of ....Exploring the immunomodulatory potential of Natural Killer T cells. Natural Killer T cells (NKT cells) are an innate-like population of T cells that recognise a range of lipid based antigens when bound to the antigen-presenting molecule, CD1d. Once activated, NKT cells rapidly secrete a variety of cytokines. This project, in partnership with Vaxine Pty Ltd, aims to gain a basic understanding of NKT recognition of lipids and NKT cell activation by lipids. The project aims to use a combination of cellular immunology and structural biology to gain insight into NKT cell agonism.Read moreRead less
Ecology, morphology and the diversification of Australian lizards. This project aims to determine the factors driving the spectacular radiation of lizards in Australia. To date, most investigations of lizard anatomy have focused exclusively on external characteristics. This project will examine the underlying internal anatomy to investigate whether morphological innovation is associated with enhanced rates of ecological, life-history and species diversification. The project expects to shed light ....Ecology, morphology and the diversification of Australian lizards. This project aims to determine the factors driving the spectacular radiation of lizards in Australia. To date, most investigations of lizard anatomy have focused exclusively on external characteristics. This project will examine the underlying internal anatomy to investigate whether morphological innovation is associated with enhanced rates of ecological, life-history and species diversification. The project expects to shed light on the evolution of Australia’s most diverse vertebrate lineage, and provide comparative data with which to interpret the lizard fossil record in Australia, and the range declines and relative extinction risks of native lizard species.Read moreRead less
EFR3: Novel gatekeeper of cell proliferation. This interdisciplinary, cross-institutional project uses leading-edge mass spectrometry and the yeast genetic model to enhance knowledge of fundamental signalling mechanisms common to cell proliferation of eukaryotic cells. Building on extensive preliminary data that identifies novel energy-stress control points, this research will generate insights into critical and conserved features of nutrient stress control of cell proliferation that ensures cel ....EFR3: Novel gatekeeper of cell proliferation. This interdisciplinary, cross-institutional project uses leading-edge mass spectrometry and the yeast genetic model to enhance knowledge of fundamental signalling mechanisms common to cell proliferation of eukaryotic cells. Building on extensive preliminary data that identifies novel energy-stress control points, this research will generate insights into critical and conserved features of nutrient stress control of cell proliferation that ensures cell survival. This project advances basic and applied biology. Its outcomes will be relevant to several research areas and industries, specifically to the propagation of cell cultures that nowadays contributes to the production of a myriad of biotechnical and pharmaceutical commodities.
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How do cells survive nutrient stress? Insight into mechanisms. This project studies cell survival under nutrient stress in eukaryotes. Building on extensive preliminary data that identifies novel TOR (Target of Rapamycin) Complex 2 (TORC2) control points it expects to generate new knowledge of critical and conserved features of stress control of macroautophagy that ensures cell survival. It uses interdisciplinary and innovative approaches to validate and characterize nutrient-stress dependent si ....How do cells survive nutrient stress? Insight into mechanisms. This project studies cell survival under nutrient stress in eukaryotes. Building on extensive preliminary data that identifies novel TOR (Target of Rapamycin) Complex 2 (TORC2) control points it expects to generate new knowledge of critical and conserved features of stress control of macroautophagy that ensures cell survival. It uses interdisciplinary and innovative approaches to validate and characterize nutrient-stress dependent signaling. Expected outcomes include novel insights into environmental control of cell proliferation and forging cross institutional collaborations. This knowledge benefits basic and applied biology and is relevant to industries/projects utilizing living cells as nutrient supports cell survival and proliferation.Read moreRead less
From The Synchrotron To The Clinic: Translation Of A Novel Functional Lung Imaging Technology
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$891,834.00
Summary
Our team has recently developed a synchrotron technology with a startling capacity for dynamic functional imaging that can act as a sensitive regional indicator of lung disease. We will demonstrate that this technology can be translated from the synchrotron to the lab and eventually the clinic. We will provide proof of this concept by the application of this technology to emphysema, asthma, lung cancer, cystic fibrosis lung disease and neonatal resuscitation.
Tree-mediated methane fluxes: A new frontier in the global carbon cycle. Methane is an extremely potent greenhouse gas. Recent evidence suggests that tree-mediated fluxes may be a significant, but overlooked source of methane to the atmosphere. This project aims to quantify the magnitude and drivers of tree-mediated methane fluxes from Australia’s dominant forest types. Innovatively, we will be using a novel combination of empirical field based measurements, gas tracer experiments, microbial ana ....Tree-mediated methane fluxes: A new frontier in the global carbon cycle. Methane is an extremely potent greenhouse gas. Recent evidence suggests that tree-mediated fluxes may be a significant, but overlooked source of methane to the atmosphere. This project aims to quantify the magnitude and drivers of tree-mediated methane fluxes from Australia’s dominant forest types. Innovatively, we will be using a novel combination of empirical field based measurements, gas tracer experiments, microbial analysis and modelling methods. Expected outcomes are a mechanistic understanding of tree-mediated methane fluxes, helping to constrain regional, national and global methane budgets. The results of this study will help inform publicly funded greenhouse gas abatement strategies, ensuring a maximal return on investment.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms controlling enteroendocrine hormone secretion in human duodenum. This project aims to gain a deeper understanding of nutrient sensing pathways present in enteroendocrine cells within the human intestine. These cells control digestive function, blood glucose levels and food intake and are thus critical to digestion. This project will endeavour to be the first to assess the biology of human enteroendocrine cells and will use innovative approaches to deeply assess function from the level ....Mechanisms controlling enteroendocrine hormone secretion in human duodenum. This project aims to gain a deeper understanding of nutrient sensing pathways present in enteroendocrine cells within the human intestine. These cells control digestive function, blood glucose levels and food intake and are thus critical to digestion. This project will endeavour to be the first to assess the biology of human enteroendocrine cells and will use innovative approaches to deeply assess function from the level of the individual to isolated enteroendocrine cells.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0561229
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$518,427.00
Summary
Establishment of a Multiphoton Microscope Imaging Platform for Live Cell and Tissue, and Optical Imaging. This proposal seeks to establish a multidisciplinary multiphoton imaging laboratory, expanding the imaging capabilities of a Core Regional Imaging Facility. This Facility supports researchers across all Monash campuses and hospital-based research Schools, as well as outside research groups in the Victorian region. Furthermore, this equipment will support significant fiber optic research at V ....Establishment of a Multiphoton Microscope Imaging Platform for Live Cell and Tissue, and Optical Imaging. This proposal seeks to establish a multidisciplinary multiphoton imaging laboratory, expanding the imaging capabilities of a Core Regional Imaging Facility. This Facility supports researchers across all Monash campuses and hospital-based research Schools, as well as outside research groups in the Victorian region. Furthermore, this equipment will support significant fiber optic research at Victoria University for the development of communication and endoscopic technology. The instrument design will allow multiple use of the lightsource and choice of specific imaging devices (microscopes) to ensure that applications in biocellular imaging, intravital microscopy and fiber optic design and imaging are individually optimised.Read moreRead less
New mechanisms regulating the biogenesis of extracellular vesicles. Extracellular vesicles are small packages that contain active components derived from the cell of origin. These vesicles, released by most cell types, are critical for communication between cells. However, the processes of their formation and release remain poorly understood. This project aims to explore how ubiquitination, a type of protein modification system, controls the production of extracellular vesicles. Using a strong c ....New mechanisms regulating the biogenesis of extracellular vesicles. Extracellular vesicles are small packages that contain active components derived from the cell of origin. These vesicles, released by most cell types, are critical for communication between cells. However, the processes of their formation and release remain poorly understood. This project aims to explore how ubiquitination, a type of protein modification system, controls the production of extracellular vesicles. Using a strong collaborative team and highly innovative approaches, the project will generate new knowledge to inform how cells communicate. Expected outcomes include knowledge of broad significance to cell biology, that can be leveraged to develop extracellular vesicles as tools for various biotechnology applications in the future.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0347607
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$306,000.00
Summary
FishWorks - collaborative infrastructure for zebrafish research. Zebrafish have emerged as a powerful and cost-effective animal model for studying development, biology, and disease. FishWorks represents a large-scale co-operative initiative to develop state-of-the-art zebrafish housing, manipulation, genomics and screening infrastructure in Australia. This will both support and further enhance a core group of high quality researchers to engage in cutting-edge research in areas of acknowledged ex ....FishWorks - collaborative infrastructure for zebrafish research. Zebrafish have emerged as a powerful and cost-effective animal model for studying development, biology, and disease. FishWorks represents a large-scale co-operative initiative to develop state-of-the-art zebrafish housing, manipulation, genomics and screening infrastructure in Australia. This will both support and further enhance a core group of high quality researchers to engage in cutting-edge research in areas of acknowledged expertise as well as priority within their respective institutions. In addition, it will facilitate wide-ranging collaborative arrangements to further develop and exploit this research area.Read moreRead less