Molecular Mechanisms of Biochemical Regulation: Neutron and X-ray Scattering Studies. This project will develop and use novel neutron and x-ray scattering methods to study the molecular mechanisms by which nature regulates biochemical processes. Healthy function requires cells to tightly control and coordinate a myriad of molecular activities. My research focuses on a set of interdependent molecular networks inside cells whose behavior is controlled by the so-called 'second messengers' that tr ....Molecular Mechanisms of Biochemical Regulation: Neutron and X-ray Scattering Studies. This project will develop and use novel neutron and x-ray scattering methods to study the molecular mechanisms by which nature regulates biochemical processes. Healthy function requires cells to tightly control and coordinate a myriad of molecular activities. My research focuses on a set of interdependent molecular networks inside cells whose behavior is controlled by the so-called 'second messengers' that translate external signals into the right cellular responses. The proposed experiments will provide a unique structural framework by which we can understand how these signals are transmitted. Such knowledge is an important foundation for advances in biomedical research and biotechnology applications.Read moreRead less
Molecular mechanisms of two-component signal transduction in bacteria. The focus of this research is on the protein complexes that transmit signals in bacteria to elicit the desired responses to environmental stimuli. Like many dynamic processes in cells, signaling requires proteins that are flexible and hence resistant to high-resolution structural analysis using crystallography. We will make use of new research infrastructure at the Australian synchrotron and OPAL research reactor to overcom ....Molecular mechanisms of two-component signal transduction in bacteria. The focus of this research is on the protein complexes that transmit signals in bacteria to elicit the desired responses to environmental stimuli. Like many dynamic processes in cells, signaling requires proteins that are flexible and hence resistant to high-resolution structural analysis using crystallography. We will make use of new research infrastructure at the Australian synchrotron and OPAL research reactor to overcome the challenges of flexibility in these systems. The proteins we will study are not found in humans, and hence our research will provide important structural data on potential targets for the design of novel antibiotics to fight bacterial infection.Read moreRead less
New approaches to functional and structural genomics. Genome sequencing has revealed complete sets of macromolecules that make up our cells. We now need to learn how these macromolecules work together in a coordinated fashion. The proposed research will lead to the discovery of new biological molecules, interactions and processes essential for the function of cells, identify new therapeutic targets and strategies to combat disease, identify new concepts in bio- and nanotechnology, and train new ....New approaches to functional and structural genomics. Genome sequencing has revealed complete sets of macromolecules that make up our cells. We now need to learn how these macromolecules work together in a coordinated fashion. The proposed research will lead to the discovery of new biological molecules, interactions and processes essential for the function of cells, identify new therapeutic targets and strategies to combat disease, identify new concepts in bio- and nanotechnology, and train new interdisciplinary researchers. It will underpin the National Research Priorities (Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries, and Promoting and Maintaining Good Health) and help Australia capitalise on a plethora of opportunities for future economic and health benefits.Read moreRead less
Nuclear Trafficking of Apolipoprotein-E. Apolipoprotein-E (apoE) regulates specific age-related neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. The role of apoE in these disorders is unclear. This project will benefit our community by providing the basic cell biology knowledge required to understand disease mechanisms and ultimately provide avenues for better treatments. Aspects of the project will focus on the modification of apoE by carbohydrates and the interaction of apoE with cellular carboh ....Nuclear Trafficking of Apolipoprotein-E. Apolipoprotein-E (apoE) regulates specific age-related neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. The role of apoE in these disorders is unclear. This project will benefit our community by providing the basic cell biology knowledge required to understand disease mechanisms and ultimately provide avenues for better treatments. Aspects of the project will focus on the modification of apoE by carbohydrates and the interaction of apoE with cellular carbohydrate-containing structures. The importance of carbohydrates in the regulation of cellular and protein function is increasingly recognised and forms a foundation for the rapidly expanding discipline of glycobiology. This project will strengthen Australia's glycobiology research capacity.Read moreRead less
Polymer nanoobjects functionalized by polymer brushes: preparation, organization and integration in devices. The proposed project targets the collaboration between two leading research teams. The University of Marburg is leading in the area of the preparation of nanoobjects, while the research team at CAMD (UNSW) focuses on the preparation of well-controlled polymer structures via RAFT polymerisation. The combined strength of both groups seeks to improve the properties of nanodevices by the atta ....Polymer nanoobjects functionalized by polymer brushes: preparation, organization and integration in devices. The proposed project targets the collaboration between two leading research teams. The University of Marburg is leading in the area of the preparation of nanoobjects, while the research team at CAMD (UNSW) focuses on the preparation of well-controlled polymer structures via RAFT polymerisation. The combined strength of both groups seeks to improve the properties of nanodevices by the attachment of well-defined polymer layers. We expect therefore an optimum scientific output with both groups focusing on their research potency next to being able to access new knowledge. The visit to the German research group enables the Australian researchers access to a leading team in nanotechnology.Read moreRead less
Living Free Radical Polymerization for Nano Technology Applications. The proposed linkage project centres on a series of core projects from both the Australian and German collaborators. These core projects range from the synthesis of multifunctional nano- and micro-sphere particles, block copolymer systems used as efficient vehicles for drug delivery purposes to polymer brushes for nano-wires. The collaborating teams will carry out joint research tasks in the above mentioned fields via the excha ....Living Free Radical Polymerization for Nano Technology Applications. The proposed linkage project centres on a series of core projects from both the Australian and German collaborators. These core projects range from the synthesis of multifunctional nano- and micro-sphere particles, block copolymer systems used as efficient vehicles for drug delivery purposes to polymer brushes for nano-wires. The collaborating teams will carry out joint research tasks in the above mentioned fields via the exchange of the CIs and PhD students. The project is planned for a duration of three years to ensure an in-depth approach to the proposed projects.Read moreRead less
Synthesis and Performance of Novel Polymer Resists for 193 nm Immersion Lithography. The semiconductor industry is one of the largest world-wide, with annual revenue of $217B and employing over 1.5M people around the world. This project provides a unique opportunity for development within Australia of significant expertise in the field of polymers for short-wavelength lithography. The materials to be developed are expected to provide the basis of future genertions of microchips. In addition the ....Synthesis and Performance of Novel Polymer Resists for 193 nm Immersion Lithography. The semiconductor industry is one of the largest world-wide, with annual revenue of $217B and employing over 1.5M people around the world. This project provides a unique opportunity for development within Australia of significant expertise in the field of polymers for short-wavelength lithography. The materials to be developed are expected to provide the basis of future genertions of microchips. In addition the materials have applications in other technologies which are manufactured in Australia, for example in spectactle lenses and optical fibres. A major outcome of this project will be establishment of Australia as a world-leader in this rapidly expanding field.Read moreRead less
Development of Novel Detergents for Green Solvent Systems and Their Self-Assembly into Nanostructures. Successful outcomes from this collaborative project will lead to the development of new commercially viable green solvent systems for the chemical industry, e.g. dry cleaning. This has the potential to impact the community on the economic and environmental level, by significantly reducing the costs of current green solvent systems, resulting in greater likelihood of conventional toxic solvent ....Development of Novel Detergents for Green Solvent Systems and Their Self-Assembly into Nanostructures. Successful outcomes from this collaborative project will lead to the development of new commercially viable green solvent systems for the chemical industry, e.g. dry cleaning. This has the potential to impact the community on the economic and environmental level, by significantly reducing the costs of current green solvent systems, resulting in greater likelihood of conventional toxic solvents being replaced. The project will also expand the training of junior and early career scientists by allowing them to work in overseas laboratories.Read moreRead less
New Polymers for Cellulose-based Bioplastics. We will design new cellulose derivatives by combining carefully engineered synthetic polymers to cellulose. We will explore the fundamental science underpinning the manufacture of these bioplastics, and apply the concept to the design of two new materials, with (super)hydrophobic and antibacterial properties. These materials have the potential to replace synthetic plastics, which comprise one of the major outputs of the chemical industry worldwide. P ....New Polymers for Cellulose-based Bioplastics. We will design new cellulose derivatives by combining carefully engineered synthetic polymers to cellulose. We will explore the fundamental science underpinning the manufacture of these bioplastics, and apply the concept to the design of two new materials, with (super)hydrophobic and antibacterial properties. These materials have the potential to replace synthetic plastics, which comprise one of the major outputs of the chemical industry worldwide. Plastic is present everywhere in human life, but its manufacture and disposal have a strong negative impact on the environment; the new materials manufactured in this project are viable alternatives to plastics, and are sustainable from a production and disposal point of view.Read moreRead less
Polymers for Novel Surfactants. The aim of the proposed research is to develop novel surface-active polymers with complex architectures and more efficient strategies for the synthesis of surface-active polymers in general. We will exploit the polymerization characteristics of the novel catalytic chain transfer and radical addition-fragmentation transfer polymerization techniques to achieve polymerization control that has been virtually impossible hitherto. The proposed research will thus make ....Polymers for Novel Surfactants. The aim of the proposed research is to develop novel surface-active polymers with complex architectures and more efficient strategies for the synthesis of surface-active polymers in general. We will exploit the polymerization characteristics of the novel catalytic chain transfer and radical addition-fragmentation transfer polymerization techniques to achieve polymerization control that has been virtually impossible hitherto. The proposed research will thus make accessible a wide range of novel surface-active polymers that have been impossible to synthesise to date, and which we expect to be more efficient and hence leads to greener technologies.
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