Extracting energy from air: mechanism of a bacterial hydrogenase. The atmosphere has recently been shown to be a key source of energy for diverse soil bacteria. Bacteria use complex enzymes, namely Huc-type hydrogenases, to harvest atmospheric hydrogen directly from air to support growth and survival. However, little is known about how Huc functions within and outside cells. By synergising expertise in microbiology, biochemistry, and chemistry, we will resolve the mechanism, assembly, and integr ....Extracting energy from air: mechanism of a bacterial hydrogenase. The atmosphere has recently been shown to be a key source of energy for diverse soil bacteria. Bacteria use complex enzymes, namely Huc-type hydrogenases, to harvest atmospheric hydrogen directly from air to support growth and survival. However, little is known about how Huc functions within and outside cells. By synergising expertise in microbiology, biochemistry, and chemistry, we will resolve the mechanism, assembly, and integration of Huc, including the basis of its remarkably high affinity and oxygen insensitivity compared to previously studied hydrogenases. This project will enable biotechnological applications, as the first study of an enzyme that extracts energy from air, and has broad ecological and biogeochemical implications.Read moreRead less
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
Living on air: how do bacteria scavenge atmospheric trace gases? This project aims to determine the molecular and cellular basis of atmospheric trace gas oxidation by bacteria. Bacteria have a remarkable ability to adapt to resource limitation and environmental change by entering dormant states. Our research has shown they survive in this state by using atmospheric hydrogen and carbon monoxide as energy sources. This interdisciplinary project will determine how bacteria achieve this by elucidati ....Living on air: how do bacteria scavenge atmospheric trace gases? This project aims to determine the molecular and cellular basis of atmospheric trace gas oxidation by bacteria. Bacteria have a remarkable ability to adapt to resource limitation and environmental change by entering dormant states. Our research has shown they survive in this state by using atmospheric hydrogen and carbon monoxide as energy sources. This interdisciplinary project will determine how bacteria achieve this by elucidating the regulation, mechanism, and integration of the three uncharacterised enzymes that mediate this process. Outcomes and benefits include understanding of the processes that facilitate bacterial persistence, regulate atmospheric composition, and in turn support resilience of natural ecosystems.Read moreRead less
Augmenting the activity of glyoxalase-1 to increase dicarbonyl clearance . Reactive intermediates generated during our metabolism contribute to ageing. Glyoxalase-1 is a key defence enzyme against these toxic intermediates and therefore ageing itself. This project aims to investigate novel pathways how the expression and activity of glyoxalase-1 are regulated. This interdisciplinary project expects to generate new understanding by combining relevant cell and animal models, protein chemistry, epi ....Augmenting the activity of glyoxalase-1 to increase dicarbonyl clearance . Reactive intermediates generated during our metabolism contribute to ageing. Glyoxalase-1 is a key defence enzyme against these toxic intermediates and therefore ageing itself. This project aims to investigate novel pathways how the expression and activity of glyoxalase-1 are regulated. This interdisciplinary project expects to generate new understanding by combining relevant cell and animal models, protein chemistry, epigenetics and structural biology. It is expected that this work will improve understanding of this fundamental biological defence. This will allow us to identify the potential means to enhance the capacity of glyoxalase-1 to the future benefit of biological ageing.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
Regulation of autophagy dependent cell and tissue deletion. This project aims to elucidate novel mechanisms that regulate autophagy-depdendent cell death during animal development. It will combine the power of Drosophila genetics with multidisciplinary approaches, such as proteomics, bioinformatics and cell biology. Given the conserved nature of autophagy the oucomes will provide highly topical and exciting new knowledge of broad biological significance. The project will help establishing inter ....Regulation of autophagy dependent cell and tissue deletion. This project aims to elucidate novel mechanisms that regulate autophagy-depdendent cell death during animal development. It will combine the power of Drosophila genetics with multidisciplinary approaches, such as proteomics, bioinformatics and cell biology. Given the conserved nature of autophagy the oucomes will provide highly topical and exciting new knowledge of broad biological significance. The project will help establishing international collaborations, enhancing Australia’s competitiveness and reputation in an important area of research, and provide training of HDR students in skills across a range of areas. In the long-term the research findings may translate into improved agriculture, food production and human health outcomes.Read moreRead less
Understanding the mechanisms of peptide cyclisation. This project aims to identify, study, engineer and apply a new class of biocatalysts (called asparaginyl endopeptidase enzymes) as versatile tools for manufacturing of advanced therapeutics and bio-insecticides. The expected outcomes include fundamental new knowledge on the mechanism of action of these catalysts, an expanded toolbox for precision engineering of biomolecules and new strategies for production of high-value pharmaceuticals and cr ....Understanding the mechanisms of peptide cyclisation. This project aims to identify, study, engineer and apply a new class of biocatalysts (called asparaginyl endopeptidase enzymes) as versatile tools for manufacturing of advanced therapeutics and bio-insecticides. The expected outcomes include fundamental new knowledge on the mechanism of action of these catalysts, an expanded toolbox for precision engineering of biomolecules and new strategies for production of high-value pharmaceuticals and crop protecting agents. The project is significant because it will contribute to high value biotechnology and agricultural industries in Australia, with the potential for economic, environmental, training and societal benefits.Read moreRead less
Re-purposing shelved 'antibiotics' in the search for new herbicides. This project aims to identify target-specific herbicidal compounds that inhibit amino acid biosynthesis pathways to tackle herbicide resistance. This project expects to validate a novel herbicide discovery strategy by exploiting the similarity between bacterial and plant enzymes in these pathways to re-purpose failed 'antibiotics'. Expected outcomes include advances in our knowledge of the structure, function and inhibition of ....Re-purposing shelved 'antibiotics' in the search for new herbicides. This project aims to identify target-specific herbicidal compounds that inhibit amino acid biosynthesis pathways to tackle herbicide resistance. This project expects to validate a novel herbicide discovery strategy by exploiting the similarity between bacterial and plant enzymes in these pathways to re-purpose failed 'antibiotics'. Expected outcomes include advances in our knowledge of the structure, function and inhibition of novel herbicide targets, and the identification of compounds with herbicidal activity. This should lay the foundations for long-term benefits related to improving the quantity and quality of Australia’s crops to ensure our food security.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180100418
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$365,058.00
Summary
Novel chemical tools to study cathepsin X activation. This project aims to develop new chemical tools that can measure the specific activation of cathepsin X in cells, tissues, and live animals, as well as specific inhibitors for cathepsin X. The cysteine protease cathepsin X mediates basic biological functions that are essential for life, including cell communication, phagocytosis, immune maturation and neuritogenesis. The outcomes should benefit the wider research community. They could have lo ....Novel chemical tools to study cathepsin X activation. This project aims to develop new chemical tools that can measure the specific activation of cathepsin X in cells, tissues, and live animals, as well as specific inhibitors for cathepsin X. The cysteine protease cathepsin X mediates basic biological functions that are essential for life, including cell communication, phagocytosis, immune maturation and neuritogenesis. The outcomes should benefit the wider research community. They could have long-term implications for health and disease, and deliver economic benefits through commercialisation of the novel tools.Read moreRead less
Unravelling cell wall polysaccharide biosynthesis in pathogenic zygomycetes. This project aims to define mechanisms that control cell wall composition and stability in Rhizopus oryzae, a zygomycete fungus responsible for life-threatening human infections. The biochemical properties and function of vital enzymes involved in a newly discovered cell wall polysaccharide biosynthetic pathway will be determined using innovative approaches at the interface of biochemistry, microbiology, cell biology an ....Unravelling cell wall polysaccharide biosynthesis in pathogenic zygomycetes. This project aims to define mechanisms that control cell wall composition and stability in Rhizopus oryzae, a zygomycete fungus responsible for life-threatening human infections. The biochemical properties and function of vital enzymes involved in a newly discovered cell wall polysaccharide biosynthetic pathway will be determined using innovative approaches at the interface of biochemistry, microbiology, cell biology and structural biology. Expected outcomes include new knowledge on the enzymes that synthesise major fucose-based carbohydrates, to guide the future development of novel strategies for antifungal therapies. The data will also be applicable to animal protection from related zygomycete pathogens.
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