Biosynthesis and functions of two phytotoxins in Septoria nodorum blotch. This project aims to investigate how a fungal plant pathogen makes and uses small bioactive molecules to facilitate infection. It will characterise the function of the genes and enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of a light-activated phytotoxic molecule and a potential anti-plant defence molecule found in the pathogenic wheat fungus Parastagonospora nodorum, and investigate their contribution to disease development. Expe ....Biosynthesis and functions of two phytotoxins in Septoria nodorum blotch. This project aims to investigate how a fungal plant pathogen makes and uses small bioactive molecules to facilitate infection. It will characterise the function of the genes and enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of a light-activated phytotoxic molecule and a potential anti-plant defence molecule found in the pathogenic wheat fungus Parastagonospora nodorum, and investigate their contribution to disease development. Expected outcomes include better understanding of plant-microbe interactions, disease management strategies, technologies for identifying biosynthetic pathways in other fungi, and enzyme technology for synthesising molecules. This could lead to new herbicides, biopesticides and drugs.Read moreRead less
Understanding the Chemical Processes Involved in the Metabolism of Peptide Hormones. Peptide hormones regulate normal physiological activity in humans, and their over-production causes diseases such as cancer. The aims of this project are: to delineate the chemical processes through which these hormones are produced; to develop inhibitors of enzymes involved in hormone production, and agonists and antagonists of receptors through which the hormones act; and to study the ability of the inhibitors ....Understanding the Chemical Processes Involved in the Metabolism of Peptide Hormones. Peptide hormones regulate normal physiological activity in humans, and their over-production causes diseases such as cancer. The aims of this project are: to delineate the chemical processes through which these hormones are produced; to develop inhibitors of enzymes involved in hormone production, and agonists and antagonists of receptors through which the hormones act; and to study the ability of the inhibitors, agonists and antagonists to override and bypass the chemical control mechanisms through which hormone levels are usually maintained at homeostasis. The research is expected to lead to a better fundamental understanding of hormone metabolism, and to underpin the basis for the development of new disease therapies.Read moreRead less
Facilitating drug synthesis, development and detection: the enzymatic synthesis of beta-glucuronides. This project will develop new catalysts to aid the development of pharmaceuticals and help fight the war against drugs.
New Protocols for the Chemical Synthesis of Biologically Relevant Systems. Enzyme- and metal-catalysed processes will be developed and exploited for the purpose of establishing concise syntheses of biologically active and otherwise inaccessible natural products and their analogues. The range of structures to be targeted is structurally diverse and these have the potential to act as agrochemicals and/or as therapeutic agents for the treatment of a range of disease states in mammals including bact ....New Protocols for the Chemical Synthesis of Biologically Relevant Systems. Enzyme- and metal-catalysed processes will be developed and exploited for the purpose of establishing concise syntheses of biologically active and otherwise inaccessible natural products and their analogues. The range of structures to be targeted is structurally diverse and these have the potential to act as agrochemicals and/or as therapeutic agents for the treatment of a range of disease states in mammals including bacterial and viral infections, neuro-degenerative conditions and impaired cognitive function. Anti-angiogenic compounds that control otherwise unregulated cellular growth may also arise from these studies. The generation of new, homochiral metabolites for use in chemoenzymatic synthesis should also emerge from this project.Read moreRead less
Harnessing strain for chemical synthesis: The cyclopropane angle. This project aims to develop new reaction pathways of cyclopropanes, the smallest and most strained monocyclic ring systems, but which are also stable and easily prepared. Cyclopropanes have unique capacities to serve as highly effective building blocks in the synthesis of a wide range of otherwise difficult to access and biologically active molecular frameworks. This project will use cyclopropanes to rapidly assemble biologically ....Harnessing strain for chemical synthesis: The cyclopropane angle. This project aims to develop new reaction pathways of cyclopropanes, the smallest and most strained monocyclic ring systems, but which are also stable and easily prepared. Cyclopropanes have unique capacities to serve as highly effective building blocks in the synthesis of a wide range of otherwise difficult to access and biologically active molecular frameworks. This project will use cyclopropanes to rapidly assemble biologically active systems, especially pharmaceutically or agrochemically valuable natural products and relevant analogues.Read moreRead less
Development of potent and specific modulators of the human sodium channel Nav1.7. There are few effective drugs available for the treatment of chronic pain. This team recently discovered that spider venoms are a rich source of inhibitors of Nav1.7, a new target for anti-pain drugs. The goal of this project is to develop potent blockers of Nav1.7 that can be used to critically assess the role of this ion channel in mediating pain.
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Australian Sponge Metabolites. The development of concise and flexible syntheses of Australian marine natural products and analogues of ecological/therapeutic significance will emerge. Such activities will lead to the identification and evaluation of molecular entities of value in managing marine environments and help to enhance chemical synthesis capacity in Australia.