Structural studies on the mitochondrial protein import machinery. Proteins transported across biological membranes are generally synthesized as precursors with signal sequences. These signal sequences are decoded by one of a number of membrane-specific protein transport machinery, but how this decoding occurs is largely unknown. This proposal aims to understand the structural basis of protein import into the mitochondrion, a poorly understood biological process. This study will enhance signif ....Structural studies on the mitochondrial protein import machinery. Proteins transported across biological membranes are generally synthesized as precursors with signal sequences. These signal sequences are decoded by one of a number of membrane-specific protein transport machinery, but how this decoding occurs is largely unknown. This proposal aims to understand the structural basis of protein import into the mitochondrion, a poorly understood biological process. This study will enhance significantly our understanding of mitochondrial biology, and will also have ramifications for other areas of protein transport.Read moreRead less
Regulation of the actin cytoskeleton by LIM kinase 2. Because the regulation of actin cytoskeleton is essential for many cellular processes including cell motility and the normal function of neurons, it is of great importance to understand its regulation. Elucidation of the molecular and biological mechanisms underlying the actin cytoskeleton including cell motility may enable the identification of novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of diseases such as cancer metastasis, Alzheimer disea ....Regulation of the actin cytoskeleton by LIM kinase 2. Because the regulation of actin cytoskeleton is essential for many cellular processes including cell motility and the normal function of neurons, it is of great importance to understand its regulation. Elucidation of the molecular and biological mechanisms underlying the actin cytoskeleton including cell motility may enable the identification of novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of diseases such as cancer metastasis, Alzheimer disease (AD) and/or Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in which the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton is affected.
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Analysis of the Role of Snapin in the Regulation of SNARE Complex Assembly. The aims of the proposed studies are to investigate the role played by a protein, snapin in the trafficking of membranes and cargo proteins between different compartments inside mammalian cells. Membrane trafficking is a fundamental cellular process that requires a family of related molecules termed SNARES. We have recently discovered that snapin interacts with certain members of the SNARE family, implying a critical rol ....Analysis of the Role of Snapin in the Regulation of SNARE Complex Assembly. The aims of the proposed studies are to investigate the role played by a protein, snapin in the trafficking of membranes and cargo proteins between different compartments inside mammalian cells. Membrane trafficking is a fundamental cellular process that requires a family of related molecules termed SNARES. We have recently discovered that snapin interacts with certain members of the SNARE family, implying a critical role in membrane trafficking. The proposed studies will provide important new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the function of both snapin and SNAREs, and membrane trafficking in general.Read moreRead less
The fate of single virus particles during infection. This project applies innovative imaging techniques to elucidate the logistics of cellular function. Establishing a cutting-edge technology platform will spawn discovery and research creativity in fundamental science, as well as applications in biomedical and biotechnology research disciplines. We will foster a highly skilled workforce, an essential asset for maintaining and enhancing Australia's reputation and capability as a leader in researc ....The fate of single virus particles during infection. This project applies innovative imaging techniques to elucidate the logistics of cellular function. Establishing a cutting-edge technology platform will spawn discovery and research creativity in fundamental science, as well as applications in biomedical and biotechnology research disciplines. We will foster a highly skilled workforce, an essential asset for maintaining and enhancing Australia's reputation and capability as a leader in research excellence.Read moreRead less
The role of human single-stranded binding protein (hSSB1) in DNA damage repair and tumorogenesis. Cancer is a leading cause of disease related death world wide, accounting for over 13% of all deaths in 2007. Approximately 38,000 people died in Australia from cancer in 2005. Cancer results from a single cell losing a vital part of its genetic information, this results in the cell losing its normal programming and initiates a process of rapid growth and multiplication. This research project aims t ....The role of human single-stranded binding protein (hSSB1) in DNA damage repair and tumorogenesis. Cancer is a leading cause of disease related death world wide, accounting for over 13% of all deaths in 2007. Approximately 38,000 people died in Australia from cancer in 2005. Cancer results from a single cell losing a vital part of its genetic information, this results in the cell losing its normal programming and initiates a process of rapid growth and multiplication. This research project aims to look at the mechanisms that exist to prevent this initial loss of genetic material within an individual cell. It further aims to translate theses discoveries into the clinic, providing new tools for diagnosis and prognosis of specific cancers and to establish links with major pharmaceutical companies to develop novel anticancer therapies.Read moreRead less
Ribonucleic acid (RNA)-binding proteins regulate protein targeting and organelle biosynthesis. We will investigate a new paradigm in biology: the coordination of protein expression in space and time. Detailed knowledge will be gained about proteins that perform important roles in ensuring the proliferative potential of cells an essential aspect of stem cell biology, regenerative medicine and development of cancer. The study combines skills in several aspects of genetics, biochemistry and molecul ....Ribonucleic acid (RNA)-binding proteins regulate protein targeting and organelle biosynthesis. We will investigate a new paradigm in biology: the coordination of protein expression in space and time. Detailed knowledge will be gained about proteins that perform important roles in ensuring the proliferative potential of cells an essential aspect of stem cell biology, regenerative medicine and development of cancer. The study combines skills in several aspects of genetics, biochemistry and molecular cell biology and will therefore provide excellent training opportunities for PhD students and postdoctoral fellows in an internationally highly competitive field of research.Read moreRead less
The functional organisation of the trans-Golgi network: From cultured cells to physiological systems. This research will result in a better understanding of the secretory pathway of all eukaryotic cells, a process of broad biological and biomedical significance. It will impact on cell biology in the broadest sense, from membrane biogenesis to lipid domain organization, as well as membrane transport, protein structure and protein targeting. Furthermore, this work will utilize and develop fronti ....The functional organisation of the trans-Golgi network: From cultured cells to physiological systems. This research will result in a better understanding of the secretory pathway of all eukaryotic cells, a process of broad biological and biomedical significance. It will impact on cell biology in the broadest sense, from membrane biogenesis to lipid domain organization, as well as membrane transport, protein structure and protein targeting. Furthermore, this work will utilize and develop frontier technologies of live cell imaging and RNA interference as a genetic tool to investigate functions of a protein family. By training post-graduate students and post-doctoral staff, it will contribute to the expertise of cell biology in Australia. International collaborations will enhance connections between Australia and overseas research.Read moreRead less
Molecular microscopy: protein and membrane dynamics in resting and activated T cells. The aim of this research, to understand the molecular organization and dynamics of the plasma membrane that underlie the signal transduction events, is at the very heart of understanding cell communication. T cell recognition and activation initiates an adaptive immune response to invading pathogens and structurally altered proteins that can be found in cancers. By providing functional insights into the molecul ....Molecular microscopy: protein and membrane dynamics in resting and activated T cells. The aim of this research, to understand the molecular organization and dynamics of the plasma membrane that underlie the signal transduction events, is at the very heart of understanding cell communication. T cell recognition and activation initiates an adaptive immune response to invading pathogens and structurally altered proteins that can be found in cancers. By providing functional insights into the molecular mechanism of T cell activation, we will not only provide fundamental knowledge of receptor signalling but also specific details of T cell receptort triggering that may lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies to control T cell activation.Read moreRead less
The structure and function of the trans-Golgi network: role of golgins and G proteins. This research will provide a better understanding of the secretory pathway of all eukaryotic cells, a process of broad biological and biomedical significance. It will also contribute to a better understanding of how a cell works, including how cell membranes are organization, how the transport processes of the cell are regulated and how proteins are targeted to their intracellular destination. Further, this ....The structure and function of the trans-Golgi network: role of golgins and G proteins. This research will provide a better understanding of the secretory pathway of all eukaryotic cells, a process of broad biological and biomedical significance. It will also contribute to a better understanding of how a cell works, including how cell membranes are organization, how the transport processes of the cell are regulated and how proteins are targeted to their intracellular destination. Further, this work will utilize the frontier technology of RNA interference as a genetic tool to investigate functions of genes. By training post-graduate students and post-doctoral staff, it will contribute to the expertise of cell biology in Australia. International collaborations will enhance connections with overseas researchers.Read moreRead less