Viral capsids as high-efficiency nanoreactors. This project aims to develop state-of-the-art single-molecule imaging to visualise DNA synthesis inside authentic retroviral capsids in real time. The project expects to generate new knowledge in the fields of virology, synthetic biology, and nanotechnology by utilising cutting-edge fluorescent labelling reagents and microscopy technology. Expected outcomes include a comprehensive description of retrovirus reverse transcription, development of innov ....Viral capsids as high-efficiency nanoreactors. This project aims to develop state-of-the-art single-molecule imaging to visualise DNA synthesis inside authentic retroviral capsids in real time. The project expects to generate new knowledge in the fields of virology, synthetic biology, and nanotechnology by utilising cutting-edge fluorescent labelling reagents and microscopy technology. Expected outcomes include a comprehensive description of retrovirus reverse transcription, development of innovative biophysical techniques for the study of viruses, and an understanding of the engineering principles at play in natural nano-reactors. This project anticipates contributing advanced capabilities in bionanotechnology, benefiting therapeutic, biotechnology and synthetic biology applications.Read moreRead less
Electron transport catalysis in organohalide pollutant respiration. This project aims to understand the link between substrate specificity and gene sequence of dehalogenating enzymes in organohalide respiring bacteria (ORB) and the mechanism by which electrons are transferred to dehalogenating enzymes through protein-protein interactions. Organohalides were present in Earth's early history and now pollute the environment globally. Organohalide respiring bacteria (ORB) can degrade these pollutant ....Electron transport catalysis in organohalide pollutant respiration. This project aims to understand the link between substrate specificity and gene sequence of dehalogenating enzymes in organohalide respiring bacteria (ORB) and the mechanism by which electrons are transferred to dehalogenating enzymes through protein-protein interactions. Organohalides were present in Earth's early history and now pollute the environment globally. Organohalide respiring bacteria (ORB) can degrade these pollutants by using them as terminal electron acceptors in their respiratory metabolism. This represents one of the most ancient respiratory systems on Earth about which little is known. This project will add to our fundamental knowledge of microbial evolution and metabolic systems, and pave the way for next generation organohalide remediation technologies.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0214135
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$492,000.00
Summary
High performance protein crystallography. This proposal will provide state of the art high performance facilities for protein crystallography, bringing together the major structural biology groups in NSW and the ACT. A renewed focus on protein crystal structures will stimulate new interpretation and utilization of the vast amount of data that has come from genomics, especially the sequencing of the human genome. The proposed facility will generate new research collaborations between the partn ....High performance protein crystallography. This proposal will provide state of the art high performance facilities for protein crystallography, bringing together the major structural biology groups in NSW and the ACT. A renewed focus on protein crystal structures will stimulate new interpretation and utilization of the vast amount of data that has come from genomics, especially the sequencing of the human genome. The proposed facility will generate new research collaborations between the partner institutions which will result in advances in basic life sciences, biotechnology and biopharmaceuticals. The facility will complement regional initiatives in functional genomics, bioinformatics, proteomics and high-field NMR spectroscopy.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0882295
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$225,000.00
Summary
X-ray crystallography resource for membrane proteins and large macromolecular complexes. Structural biology is the underpinning of biotechnology, biopharmaceuticals and rational therapeutic design. The most successful technique for determining the structures of proteins and large macromolecular complexes is x-ray crystallography. This proposal will set up a network of state of the art resources in the Sydney region to capitalise on expertise in these areas. The facilities will foster basic re ....X-ray crystallography resource for membrane proteins and large macromolecular complexes. Structural biology is the underpinning of biotechnology, biopharmaceuticals and rational therapeutic design. The most successful technique for determining the structures of proteins and large macromolecular complexes is x-ray crystallography. This proposal will set up a network of state of the art resources in the Sydney region to capitalise on expertise in these areas. The facilities will foster basic research and collaborations with industry, which will enhance Australia's profile and commercialisation of research. The facility will enhance the usage of the Australian synchrotron, producing flagship projects on the edge of technical possibilities.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0561041
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$347,358.00
Summary
A New Generation Biosensor and Fluorescence Facility for Proteomics. The complete DNA sequence (the genome) is now known for many organisms and advances are being made to identify the complement of messenger RNA (the transcriptome) and the resultant collection of proteins (the proteome). The genome is largely fixed while the transcriptome and proteome differ between cell types in an organism and constantly vary to adapt the cell to changing conditions. The mediators of these variations are prote ....A New Generation Biosensor and Fluorescence Facility for Proteomics. The complete DNA sequence (the genome) is now known for many organisms and advances are being made to identify the complement of messenger RNA (the transcriptome) and the resultant collection of proteins (the proteome). The genome is largely fixed while the transcriptome and proteome differ between cell types in an organism and constantly vary to adapt the cell to changing conditions. The mediators of these variations are proteins, interacting with each other and with signal molecules. The next frontier in molecular biology is to identify and quantify these protein interactions. Our two institutions have a very large cohort of biologists whose research on proteins would be greatly facilitated by the Biacore 3000 and the ISS K2.Read moreRead less
Cellular Responses to Adversity: Oxidative Stress and Protection Against Oxidative Damage. A deficiency in the protein haem oxygenase-1 causes severe biological consequences in animals and humans. These include decreased reproduction, retarded development, the inability of the body to handle iron, chronic inflammation and increased susceptibility to age-associated diseases. This study will determine how a deficiency of the protein alters cells at the level of genes, proteins and protein function ....Cellular Responses to Adversity: Oxidative Stress and Protection Against Oxidative Damage. A deficiency in the protein haem oxygenase-1 causes severe biological consequences in animals and humans. These include decreased reproduction, retarded development, the inability of the body to handle iron, chronic inflammation and increased susceptibility to age-associated diseases. This study will determine how a deficiency of the protein alters cells at the level of genes, proteins and protein functions. By doing so, the project will illuminate how haem oxygenase-1 alters cell functions in a beneficial way. This information will eventually assist in preventing the serious disorders associated with deficiency of haem oxygenase-1. It will also provide the basis for novel treatments to slow down age-associated diseases.Read moreRead less
Hierarchical Phosphorylation of Tyrosine Hydroxylase is Dependent on the Activation Sequence of Signaling Pathways. Protein phosphorylation is a fundamental process in biology. It controls protein expression and function in all cells. Hierarchical phosphorylation is defined as the phosphorylation of a protein at one site leading to an altered phosphorylation at another site on the same protein and an altered biological outcome. We have discovered that the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase undergoes a ....Hierarchical Phosphorylation of Tyrosine Hydroxylase is Dependent on the Activation Sequence of Signaling Pathways. Protein phosphorylation is a fundamental process in biology. It controls protein expression and function in all cells. Hierarchical phosphorylation is defined as the phosphorylation of a protein at one site leading to an altered phosphorylation at another site on the same protein and an altered biological outcome. We have discovered that the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase undergoes a form of hierarchical phosphorylation not previously reported. Here we examine hierarchical phosphorylation in rat and human tyrosine hydroxylase and its functional consequence in intact cells. The approaches and methods developed will also be applicable to investigation of hierarchical phosphorylation in other proteins.Read moreRead less
Links between DNA replication and chromosome end maintenance. This project aims to increase knowledge of the way in which cells maintain their genomes, including the ends of their chromosomes, to enable their own survival. The ends of chromosomes (telomeres) are essential for survival and proliferation of the cells of most organisms. This project aims to determine the molecular details of a recently discovered link between telomere maintenance and the way cells maintain the integrity of their ge ....Links between DNA replication and chromosome end maintenance. This project aims to increase knowledge of the way in which cells maintain their genomes, including the ends of their chromosomes, to enable their own survival. The ends of chromosomes (telomeres) are essential for survival and proliferation of the cells of most organisms. This project aims to determine the molecular details of a recently discovered link between telomere maintenance and the way cells maintain the integrity of their genome. This is likely to lead to increased understanding of the fundamental biological process of genome maintenance, representing a significant scientific advance. The project expects to have far-reaching implications for biotechnology applications that require the survival of cells.Read moreRead less
New Proteins from the Mobile Genome: Structure-Led Discovery. The project will provide full descriptions of proteins with the capacity to become mobilised, as well as providing a source of completely novel genes with commercial potential. The proteins and enzymes discovered, and the metabolic processes with which they are identified, will have applications in a wide range of Australian industries: agriculture, forestry, pollution control and pharmaceutical design. This work therefore offers op ....New Proteins from the Mobile Genome: Structure-Led Discovery. The project will provide full descriptions of proteins with the capacity to become mobilised, as well as providing a source of completely novel genes with commercial potential. The proteins and enzymes discovered, and the metabolic processes with which they are identified, will have applications in a wide range of Australian industries: agriculture, forestry, pollution control and pharmaceutical design. This work therefore offers opportunities for many future directions in biotechnology, an area of growing strength in Australia. Read moreRead less
The role of the protease inhibitor Serpinb9 in antigen cross-presentation by dendritic cells. This project will provide fundamental new insights into antigen cross-presentation, a crucial facet of the immune system's response to viral infection or neoplastic cells. It will also provide a basis for future studies into mechanisms of immune tolerance and enhance our understanding of autoimmune disease.