Investigation of the mechanisms underlying successful placentation. The overall aim of this project is to provide novel insights into the basic cellular processes that underpin placental development and to improve our ability to manipulate mammalian reproduction, both human and animal. The placenta is critical for intrauterine development because it determines the level of nutrition, oxygenation and maternal tolerance to the developing foetus. The project intends to explore the role of prorenin ....Investigation of the mechanisms underlying successful placentation. The overall aim of this project is to provide novel insights into the basic cellular processes that underpin placental development and to improve our ability to manipulate mammalian reproduction, both human and animal. The placenta is critical for intrauterine development because it determines the level of nutrition, oxygenation and maternal tolerance to the developing foetus. The project intends to explore the role of prorenin and its receptor as a novel mechanism driving placentation. Applications for expected project outcomes may include improved breeding of threatened animal species and economically valuable domestic animals as well as improved health care and fertility control for domesticated pets and feral animals. Read moreRead less
Understanding how mitochondria divide. This project aims to investigate the molecular mechanism by which mitochondria divide. Mitochondria are the powerhouse within our cells, and they grow and divide in our cells to ensure that they are transferred to daughter cells and also so that older mitochondria can be turned over. The project plans to build on the discovery of mitochondrial membrane proteins that are involved in fission. The results of the project could provide fundamental new knowledge ....Understanding how mitochondria divide. This project aims to investigate the molecular mechanism by which mitochondria divide. Mitochondria are the powerhouse within our cells, and they grow and divide in our cells to ensure that they are transferred to daughter cells and also so that older mitochondria can be turned over. The project plans to build on the discovery of mitochondrial membrane proteins that are involved in fission. The results of the project could provide fundamental new knowledge into how the mitochondrial division machine assembles and how mitochondrial fate is determined.Read moreRead less
Molecular mechanisms of cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate (AMP) induced apoptosis. Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate (cAMP) is an important cellular chemical necessary for cell growth. However, de-regulated cAMP production in response to altered physiology can result in cellular death or apoptosis. This is attributed to the development of certain human diseases and this project aims to understand the molecular mechanism behind this process.
Investigation of the biology of insulin-like growth factor 1 and its derivatives for the development of new therapeutics. This project will investigate the biology of insulin-like growth factor 1, a key molecule in growth, development and, in particular, the wound healing process. Its success will lead to improved treatments for non-healing (chronic) wounds and, potentially, new anti-cancer treatments.
Machine learning for organelle selection & feature detection in live cells. This project aims to addresses a roadblock in cell imaging and analysis by creating new mathematical and machine learning techniques for large datasets. Using advanced imaging and these analytic tools this project aims to define newly-discovered macropinosomes - cell structures with seminal roles in immunobiology. Outcomes will include a suite of computational tools that can be applied across bioscience to fully reveal a ....Machine learning for organelle selection & feature detection in live cells. This project aims to addresses a roadblock in cell imaging and analysis by creating new mathematical and machine learning techniques for large datasets. Using advanced imaging and these analytic tools this project aims to define newly-discovered macropinosomes - cell structures with seminal roles in immunobiology. Outcomes will include a suite of computational tools that can be applied across bioscience to fully reveal and quantify information contained within microscopic imaging and high impact knowledge for immunity. Innovative approaches will benefit the nation by capacity building in interdisciplinary technology.Read moreRead less
Dissecting the mitochondrial pathway of apoptotic cell death. This research aims to identify each step in cell death regulation by the Bcl-2 family of proteins. Each step is a potential target for drugs that may help cancer cells die, or that may help normal cells such as heart and brain cells recover from damage.
Multiscale Analysis Of Plasma Membrane Microdomains In Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$863,413.00
Summary
The cell surface encloses the cell in a protective barrier but it must also respond to signals coming from outside the cell. To accomplish this, the cell surface is made up of numerous regions each with a specialised role. This proposal aims to examine how lipids and proteins work together to make these specialised regions and aims to understand what goes wrong in diseases such as muscular dystrophy.
A unified model of amino acid homeostasis. This project aims to develop a unified model of amino acid homeostasis in mammalian cells and apply it to brain cells. The model will be underpinned by a mathematical algorithm that allows predicting amino acid levels in the cytosol based on fundamental parameters such as transport and metabolism. This project should provide the significant benefit of enabling the prediction of essential functions such as cell growth and survival.
The Implications Of Focal Adhesion Organization On Signal Transduction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$565,614.00
Summary
The areas of a cell's attachment to their surroundings are known as focal adhesion. Apart from linking the inside and outside of a cell, focal adhesions act as a communication centre transmitting incoming and outgoing signals. How focal adhesions themselves are organized is currently not known. We propose to adhere cells to model surfaces to control the protein and membrane structure of focal adhesions and measure how focal adhesion structure affects cell communication.
Regulation of glutamate receptor dynamics in mammalian central neurons. This proposal aims to understand the molecular mechanisms of neuronal communication and how neurons modify their synaptic strength. Although these processes are essential for normal brain function, the precise underlying mechanisms are still not well understood. This project will combine biochemical, molecular and cell biological assays, as well as electrophysiological measurements, to provide mechanistic insights into the m ....Regulation of glutamate receptor dynamics in mammalian central neurons. This proposal aims to understand the molecular mechanisms of neuronal communication and how neurons modify their synaptic strength. Although these processes are essential for normal brain function, the precise underlying mechanisms are still not well understood. This project will combine biochemical, molecular and cell biological assays, as well as electrophysiological measurements, to provide mechanistic insights into the molecular processes that control glutamate receptor trafficking in the postsynaptic compartment. This will elucidate how neural plasticity is generated and maintained, information that is critical for our understanding of sensory processing, learning and memory throughout life.Read moreRead less