ARC Centre of Excellence - Coherent X-ray Science. The twenty first century is said to be the century of biology. And there is no doubt that the development of our understanding of biological system is continuing at a massive rate. However as our understanding deepens, we need to draw on the whole range of scientific disciplines to proceed. This Centre draws together a multidisciplinary team of world-leading scientists to address one the key questions in modern biology, the structure of a membra ....ARC Centre of Excellence - Coherent X-ray Science. The twenty first century is said to be the century of biology. And there is no doubt that the development of our understanding of biological system is continuing at a massive rate. However as our understanding deepens, we need to draw on the whole range of scientific disciplines to proceed. This Centre draws together a multidisciplinary team of world-leading scientists to address one the key questions in modern biology, the structure of a membrane protein. We will develop techniques based on the latest developments in theoretical physics & chemistry, imaging, biology and technology - including the new Australian Synchrotron - to create new approaches to structural biology.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0883036
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$400,000.00
Summary
Integrated Vibrational Spectroscopic Mapping for Archeological, Biological, Geological, Materials, and Medical Research. The expected benefits that will arise will include: green chemical processes with improved environmental and economic impacts; improved treatments and diagnoses of diseases; understanding of fundamental geological processes; identification of the earliest forms; studies of archaeological artefacts; evolution of life on Earth; the design of improved dental materials. Ultimatel ....Integrated Vibrational Spectroscopic Mapping for Archeological, Biological, Geological, Materials, and Medical Research. The expected benefits that will arise will include: green chemical processes with improved environmental and economic impacts; improved treatments and diagnoses of diseases; understanding of fundamental geological processes; identification of the earliest forms; studies of archaeological artefacts; evolution of life on Earth; the design of improved dental materials. Ultimately, this research will include economic and social benefits in; industrial processes; the mining industry; medicine; and dentistry. An understanding of the origin and early evolution of life on Earth also has many social implications.Read moreRead less
Engineered nanostructured materials via continuous polymer assembly for advanced bioapplications. The development of new and flexible processes is critical to the design and construction of advanced materials for future applications in nano- and biotechnology. This project will develop innovative and versatile "bottom-up" nanotechnology techniques to afford nanostructured materials with unprecedented properties. This project has the potential to revolutionise current approaches for forming surfa ....Engineered nanostructured materials via continuous polymer assembly for advanced bioapplications. The development of new and flexible processes is critical to the design and construction of advanced materials for future applications in nano- and biotechnology. This project will develop innovative and versatile "bottom-up" nanotechnology techniques to afford nanostructured materials with unprecedented properties. This project has the potential to revolutionise current approaches for forming surface coatings, films and advanced particles, leading to significant outcomes in diverse areas, including drug delivery, biomaterial implants and biocatalysis. The project will contribute to the development of a robust Australian nanotechnology industry, with the advanced materials developed expected to have health benefits for Australian citizens.Read moreRead less
Building Molecularly Engineered Polymer Nanomaterials. The development of new technologies at the interface between nano- and biotechnology promises to revolutionise healthcare and medicine. This research program will involve the design and synthesis of responsive and programmable polymers and their assembly to form next-generation, engineered materials. The nanomaterials prepared are expected to lead to the development of techniques that enable new types of minimally invasive diagnostics and th ....Building Molecularly Engineered Polymer Nanomaterials. The development of new technologies at the interface between nano- and biotechnology promises to revolutionise healthcare and medicine. This research program will involve the design and synthesis of responsive and programmable polymers and their assembly to form next-generation, engineered materials. The nanomaterials prepared are expected to lead to the development of techniques that enable new types of minimally invasive diagnostics and therapeutics as well as smaller devices. The interdisciplinary research program will cement Australia's position as a leading country in nanobiotechnology research and development.Read moreRead less
Engineering and Assembly of Bioinspired Nanostructured Materials. Scientific and technological advances at the frontiers of nano- and bio-technology are poised to revolutionise healthcare and medicine. This project will involve the design, synthesis and engineering of functional biopolymer building blocks. These 'smart' biopolymers will then be assembled into responsive, nanostructured materials for targeted drug delivery and biosensing applications. These materials are expected to ultimately ha ....Engineering and Assembly of Bioinspired Nanostructured Materials. Scientific and technological advances at the frontiers of nano- and bio-technology are poised to revolutionise healthcare and medicine. This project will involve the design, synthesis and engineering of functional biopolymer building blocks. These 'smart' biopolymers will then be assembled into responsive, nanostructured materials for targeted drug delivery and biosensing applications. These materials are expected to ultimately have health benefits for Australian citizens and contribute to the development of a robust Australian nanobiotechnology industry. The project will also provide excellent opportunities for the development of outstanding young scientists and will foster exciting, multidisciplinary collaborations.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0231228
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
Victorian Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy Facility. The aim of this proposal is to establish a state-of-the-art Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (ESEM) facility in the Melbourne region. ESEMs have considerable advantages over conventional instruments in that they allow imaging and analysis to be performed in gaseous or high pressure environments. This enables electron microscopy to be used for the detailed analysis of insulating, wet or out-gassing specimens in their natural ....Victorian Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy Facility. The aim of this proposal is to establish a state-of-the-art Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (ESEM) facility in the Melbourne region. ESEMs have considerable advantages over conventional instruments in that they allow imaging and analysis to be performed in gaseous or high pressure environments. This enables electron microscopy to be used for the detailed analysis of insulating, wet or out-gassing specimens in their natural state as well as the investigation, in real time, of dynamical processes such as crystallisation and corrosion. The new facility will support a wide range of multi-disciplinary research programs from four Universities and three CSIRO divisions.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354861
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$15,000.00
Summary
Network Australia International. "Network Australia International" will harness the expertise and knowledge of expatriate researchers and tap into their overseas networks. NAI will be a unique portal connecting and re-connecting Australian researchers overseas.
The key objectives of the Network are to:
* identify Australian researchers overseas, especially Young Investigators;
* perform a capability audit on their knowledge, expertise and networks;
* identify potential synergies betw ....Network Australia International. "Network Australia International" will harness the expertise and knowledge of expatriate researchers and tap into their overseas networks. NAI will be a unique portal connecting and re-connecting Australian researchers overseas.
The key objectives of the Network are to:
* identify Australian researchers overseas, especially Young Investigators;
* perform a capability audit on their knowledge, expertise and networks;
* identify potential synergies between Australian and overseas researchers, related to National Research Priorities;
* coordinate collaborative research;
* provide opportunities for Australian postdoctoral fellows overseas;
* communicate and enhance opportunities for permanent and recurring visits by Australian expatriates, and develop new initiatives.
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Membrane structure and lipid interactions of the pore-forming toxin Equinatoxin II by NMR. The structure of Equinatoxin II, a pore-forming protein, will be determined in model cell membranes using solid-state NMR spectroscopy. The relationship of molecular structure to bioactivity and the nature of the pore-forming mechanism of this toxin will be determined. The results will aid in understanding how toxins lyse cells and could lead to the design of improved antibiotic peptides. Currently the st ....Membrane structure and lipid interactions of the pore-forming toxin Equinatoxin II by NMR. The structure of Equinatoxin II, a pore-forming protein, will be determined in model cell membranes using solid-state NMR spectroscopy. The relationship of molecular structure to bioactivity and the nature of the pore-forming mechanism of this toxin will be determined. The results will aid in understanding how toxins lyse cells and could lead to the design of improved antibiotic peptides. Currently the structure of membrane proteins are difficult to determine and the newly developed techniques used for the structural determination of this membrane-associated protein will be suitable for studying other membrane proteins and receptors of pharmaceutical importance.Read moreRead less
Rational Design of Pegylated Dendrimer Nanostructures for Site Specific Drug Delivery. This project will provide technological advances with significant benefits in terms of improved drug treatment, and therefore health outcomes for Australia. The project builds on areas of research strength in Australia (nanotechnology and biotechnology/biomaterials) and will add considerably to the expanding Australian expertise-base in dendrimer technology (in which it is a world leader). The interdisciplinar ....Rational Design of Pegylated Dendrimer Nanostructures for Site Specific Drug Delivery. This project will provide technological advances with significant benefits in terms of improved drug treatment, and therefore health outcomes for Australia. The project builds on areas of research strength in Australia (nanotechnology and biotechnology/biomaterials) and will add considerably to the expanding Australian expertise-base in dendrimer technology (in which it is a world leader). The interdisciplinary nature of this project will also result in a unique training program for the researchers included in this grant. Such experience is in great demand, particularly in Australia where the burgeoning start-up discovery industry is critically short of personnel with skills in drug delivery.Read moreRead less
Chemistry of the Transport of Nutrient Copper in Biological Cells. Nutrient trace metals such as copper are needed for enzymes by living organisms but are toxic in excess. Defects in copper metabolism cause Menkes and Wilson diseases in humans and there are direct connections to neurodegenerative diseases (eg, Alzheimer, Parkinson, Creutzfeldt-Jakob, motor neuron diseases). It is crucial to understand how healthy cells control toxic but essential copper so that enlightened intervention is possib ....Chemistry of the Transport of Nutrient Copper in Biological Cells. Nutrient trace metals such as copper are needed for enzymes by living organisms but are toxic in excess. Defects in copper metabolism cause Menkes and Wilson diseases in humans and there are direct connections to neurodegenerative diseases (eg, Alzheimer, Parkinson, Creutzfeldt-Jakob, motor neuron diseases). It is crucial to understand how healthy cells control toxic but essential copper so that enlightened intervention is possible when disturbances of copper metabolism become pathological. The chemistry of key molecules will be studied to reveal their essential properties and thereby to understand the molecular basis of the copper-linked diseases.Read moreRead less