Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE160100097
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$675,000.00
Summary
An Automated Protein Nano-Crystallisation Facility. An automated protein nano-crystallisation facility:
The project aims to establish a high throughput protein nanocrystallisation and imaging facility for protein crystallography. Protein crystallography is an important field of biological research, however there are many proteins, such as integral membrane proteins and transient molecular complexes that are more challenging to crystallise. The facility aims to use state-of-the-art imaging and c ....An Automated Protein Nano-Crystallisation Facility. An automated protein nano-crystallisation facility:
The project aims to establish a high throughput protein nanocrystallisation and imaging facility for protein crystallography. Protein crystallography is an important field of biological research, however there are many proteins, such as integral membrane proteins and transient molecular complexes that are more challenging to crystallise. The facility aims to use state-of-the-art imaging and crystallisation techniques, including second order nonlinear imaging of chiral crystals (SONICC) imaging and lipid cubic phase approaches, to enable structural studies to be undertaken on challenging proteins. This information is often used for the rational development of therapeutics. The facility would support cutting-edge biological research In Australia.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.
Moonlighting from sugar to metal. This project intends to use integrated genetics, biochemistry and omics to decipher the roles of the highly conserved OST3 proteins, which have been implicated in the disparate functions of regulating protein glycosylation and transporting magnesium. The project plans to detail the role of OST3 proteins in regulating mammalian glycosylation and reconstruct the vertebrate co-evolutionary trajectory of OST3 protein–substrate interactions. It also aims to identify ....Moonlighting from sugar to metal. This project intends to use integrated genetics, biochemistry and omics to decipher the roles of the highly conserved OST3 proteins, which have been implicated in the disparate functions of regulating protein glycosylation and transporting magnesium. The project plans to detail the role of OST3 proteins in regulating mammalian glycosylation and reconstruct the vertebrate co-evolutionary trajectory of OST3 protein–substrate interactions. It also aims to identify and characterise the regulation, mechanisms and metabolic consequences of OST3 protein-mediated magnesium transport. These outcomes may provide insights into eukaryotic biology, and allow advances in engineered systems for glycoprotein production and modulating cellular metabolism with potential research and therapeutic utility.Read moreRead less
Elucidating the roles of steroid receptors in mitochondria. This project aims to elucidate the roles of newly discovered steroid receptors in the functions of mitochondria. The project will characterise their impact on cellular respiration, oxidative stress, and the induction of inflammation. By defining these processes in the healthy state and in response to common environmental challenges of infection and smoke exposure, the project will characterise the fundamental biology of entirely new pro ....Elucidating the roles of steroid receptors in mitochondria. This project aims to elucidate the roles of newly discovered steroid receptors in the functions of mitochondria. The project will characterise their impact on cellular respiration, oxidative stress, and the induction of inflammation. By defining these processes in the healthy state and in response to common environmental challenges of infection and smoke exposure, the project will characterise the fundamental biology of entirely new processes of how normal body hormones and administered steroids may function. This may eventually lead to new and more effective ways to control inflammation that will have significant benefits to mammalian health and improve health care and agriculture outcomes.Read moreRead less
Molecular mechanisms regulating Ca2+ channels formed by Orai and STIM proteins. Store-operated calcium channels play a central role in the functions of all animal cells. They participate in generating the cellular responses to hormones, antigens, growth factors and other physiological stimuli. The aims of this project are to elucidate cellular mechanisms that regulate interaction between the molecular components of store-operated calcium channel, Orai and STIM. Using techniques of electrophysiol ....Molecular mechanisms regulating Ca2+ channels formed by Orai and STIM proteins. Store-operated calcium channels play a central role in the functions of all animal cells. They participate in generating the cellular responses to hormones, antigens, growth factors and other physiological stimuli. The aims of this project are to elucidate cellular mechanisms that regulate interaction between the molecular components of store-operated calcium channel, Orai and STIM. Using techniques of electrophysiology and molecular biology we expect to answer a fundamental question how STIM and Orai proteins interact to form functional store-operated calcium channels, and how the expression of STIM and Orai is regulated.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220100830
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$464,928.00
Summary
Elucidating the genesis of MAIT cell-mediated immunity. T cells develop in the thymus and proceed to survey our body probing molecules that signal if anything is abnormal. A specialised subset of T cells, mucosal associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are crucial in detecting microbial molecules and infection, yet their numbers vary widely between individuals. A key problem is that the factors controlling their development and function are poorly understood. This proposal aims to decode this critic ....Elucidating the genesis of MAIT cell-mediated immunity. T cells develop in the thymus and proceed to survey our body probing molecules that signal if anything is abnormal. A specialised subset of T cells, mucosal associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are crucial in detecting microbial molecules and infection, yet their numbers vary widely between individuals. A key problem is that the factors controlling their development and function are poorly understood. This proposal aims to decode this critical issue in MAIT cell biology, using innovative tools to investigate the molecular basis underpinning their development in the thymus. This work will provide vital, fundamental discoveries into how MAIT cells are produced and regulated, as we ultimately wish to harness MAIT cells to improve human health. Read moreRead less
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
Investigating the molecular basis of T-cell receptor cross-reactivity. This project will explore the basis of unexpected immune reactions whereby the immune system mistakes one molecular structure for another, a phenomenon known as cross-reactivity. This project will examine how often this is due to molecular mimicry, potentially explaining why immune T cells sometimes react inappropriately to different agents.
Membrane proteins in innate immunity. The application of smarter and faster methods for understanding membrane proteins, targets of most drugs, is vital to a knowledge-based economy and a healthy society. The long-term benefits will include fundamental new knowledge on immunity, and implementation of new approaches that streamline costs and efforts of challenging, high-impact research.
Structure and function of human zinc transporter membrane proteins. The aim of this project is to create fundamental new knowledge on how important mammalian membrane proteins operate. Membrane proteins are key drug targets and are significantly under-represented in structural databases. The project plans to combine innovative membrane protein screening technology with gene expression, structural biology, biophysics and cell biology. The project outcomes may elucidate specific molecular mechanis ....Structure and function of human zinc transporter membrane proteins. The aim of this project is to create fundamental new knowledge on how important mammalian membrane proteins operate. Membrane proteins are key drug targets and are significantly under-represented in structural databases. The project plans to combine innovative membrane protein screening technology with gene expression, structural biology, biophysics and cell biology. The project outcomes may elucidate specific molecular mechanisms underpinning the essential biological process of zinc homeostasis.Read moreRead less