Development of an ultrasensitive assay for human prion proteins. The aim of this work is to enable the detection of prion proteins in human blood and other tissues. The assay system to be developed will detect much lower levels of these disease-causing proteins than is possible at present; it will be more rapid and will measure prion protein levels more accurately than existing assays. The outcome of the work is expected to facilitate the production and certification of prion-free blood and bl ....Development of an ultrasensitive assay for human prion proteins. The aim of this work is to enable the detection of prion proteins in human blood and other tissues. The assay system to be developed will detect much lower levels of these disease-causing proteins than is possible at present; it will be more rapid and will measure prion protein levels more accurately than existing assays. The outcome of the work is expected to facilitate the production and certification of prion-free blood and blood products. Prions cause Bovine Spongiform Encaphalopathy and Creutzfeld Jacob Disease and attempts to control of these diseases would be greatly abetted by an optimal test for the disease-causing agent.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0561169
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$188,000.00
Summary
Facility for multidimensional fractionation of complex biological mixtures. Acquisition of multidimensional fractionation equipment will allow researchers to separate proteins from complex mixtures, and to compare whole protein profiles of multiple samples. This will permit correlation of specific protein changes associated with infection or disease, a major focus of post-genomic programs of research. The equipment will also provide identification of the key differentiating proteins using mini ....Facility for multidimensional fractionation of complex biological mixtures. Acquisition of multidimensional fractionation equipment will allow researchers to separate proteins from complex mixtures, and to compare whole protein profiles of multiple samples. This will permit correlation of specific protein changes associated with infection or disease, a major focus of post-genomic programs of research. The equipment will also provide identification of the key differentiating proteins using minimal material. Numerous world-class projects and researchers will be able to move more rapidly and reliably from crude cell extracts to identifiable markers, and maintain their competitive positions the recognition of key targets in drug design, disease diagnosis and vaccine development.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0346876
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,584,000.00
Summary
800 MHz NMR Spectrometer for Molecular Structure-Function Analyses. An 800 MHz high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer equipped with a triple-resonance cryoprobe is required to support the research of 5 universities in the NSW/ACT area. The high magnetic field of the spectrometer is necessary for the study of proteins, protein-ligand complexes and other biomolecular systems of molecular weight >30,000. Projects previously inaccessible due to sensitivity, solubility or resol ....800 MHz NMR Spectrometer for Molecular Structure-Function Analyses. An 800 MHz high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer equipped with a triple-resonance cryoprobe is required to support the research of 5 universities in the NSW/ACT area. The high magnetic field of the spectrometer is necessary for the study of proteins, protein-ligand complexes and other biomolecular systems of molecular weight >30,000. Projects previously inaccessible due to sensitivity, solubility or resolution problems will become tractable. The increased turn-around times afforded by the high sensitivity of the cryo-enabled spectrometer make it possible to provide access for Australian institutions that would not otherwise have access to comparable equipment.Read moreRead less
Protein chips for the high-throughput study of immune complexes by mass spectrometry. Mass spectrometry is a core enabling technology for proteomics with proteins identified by molecular weight, mass maps and sequencing within the confines of a mass spectrometer. We have found conditions under which it is possible to preserve and detect protein complexes by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry that has promising implications for the high-throughput screening of p ....Protein chips for the high-throughput study of immune complexes by mass spectrometry. Mass spectrometry is a core enabling technology for proteomics with proteins identified by molecular weight, mass maps and sequencing within the confines of a mass spectrometer. We have found conditions under which it is possible to preserve and detect protein complexes by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry that has promising implications for the high-throughput screening of protein-protein interactions. Technologies pioneered by the applicant will be advanced to achieve the high-throughput analysis of antibody complexes with native gel recovered protein antigens across emerging strains of the influenza virus by means of miniature protein chips.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989105
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$495,000.00
Summary
An Advanced Mass Spectrometry Facility for Applications in Proteomics and Organic Chemistry. Biomolecular research and research training, in which proteomics is core, has become a critical component of post-industrial development in the Hunter region. Development of a cutting edge proteomics facility will benefit a research community comprising over 50 researchers and 150 undergraduate students significantly enhancing their research productivity and translation of outcomes in areas of national i ....An Advanced Mass Spectrometry Facility for Applications in Proteomics and Organic Chemistry. Biomolecular research and research training, in which proteomics is core, has become a critical component of post-industrial development in the Hunter region. Development of a cutting edge proteomics facility will benefit a research community comprising over 50 researchers and 150 undergraduate students significantly enhancing their research productivity and translation of outcomes in areas of national importance. These include understanding the impact of the environment on plant and animal development, pest animal control, development of new biotechnology tools, new drugs and new methods for the detection of narcotics and explosives.Read moreRead less
Proteomics of the Influenza Virus for In-field Surveillance. The influenza virus continues to pose a serious health risk to Australians and remains a leading cause of death. The molecular characterisation of emerging strains of the virus lies at the heart of current surveillance procedures vital to vaccine preparation and the development of new anti-viral drugs. This research will advance a world-first proteomics surveillance of the virus developed in this laboratory that will enable it to be ch ....Proteomics of the Influenza Virus for In-field Surveillance. The influenza virus continues to pose a serious health risk to Australians and remains a leading cause of death. The molecular characterisation of emerging strains of the virus lies at the heart of current surveillance procedures vital to vaccine preparation and the development of new anti-viral drugs. This research will advance a world-first proteomics surveillance of the virus developed in this laboratory that will enable it to be characterised in-field at the site(s) of infection outbreaks. This rapid response is vital, particularly in the event of a pandemic or a deliberate release of the virus in a bioterrorist attack.Read moreRead less
Identification of novel biomarkers in tears for prostate cancer diagnosis and prognosis. The purpose of this study is to identify novel biomarkers in the tears of patients with CaP. The use of the several techniques will increase the chance of success and enable us to find more diagnostic markers. If successful, the identified proteins may be used to diagnose and determine the stage of cancer. This will help guide clinicians in choosing the best treatment methods for an individual patient. The m ....Identification of novel biomarkers in tears for prostate cancer diagnosis and prognosis. The purpose of this study is to identify novel biomarkers in the tears of patients with CaP. The use of the several techniques will increase the chance of success and enable us to find more diagnostic markers. If successful, the identified proteins may be used to diagnose and determine the stage of cancer. This will help guide clinicians in choosing the best treatment methods for an individual patient. The markers may also be used to monitor the disease progress and the effects of treatment. The results from this study may improve the prognosis of CaP patients.Read moreRead less
Identification of novel biomarkers for diabetic retinopathy in tears. There are around 134,000 people with diabetic retinopathy in Australia. The disease affects patients' physical and mental state and economical and social cost is enormous. This research aims to find new biomarkers for the disease which may lead to better treatment and management. Patient's quality of life may be significantly improved by early diagnosis and treatment and the burden to the community reduced. This project also g ....Identification of novel biomarkers for diabetic retinopathy in tears. There are around 134,000 people with diabetic retinopathy in Australia. The disease affects patients' physical and mental state and economical and social cost is enormous. This research aims to find new biomarkers for the disease which may lead to better treatment and management. Patient's quality of life may be significantly improved by early diagnosis and treatment and the burden to the community reduced. This project also gives industrial partners the opportunity to develop new products to diagnose and monitor the disease.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989077
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$225,600.00
Summary
Regional Facility for Real Time Analysis of Molecular Interactions. The ARC Facility for the Analysis of Biomacromolecular Interactions at the University of Wollongong and ANU serves many research groups working at the interface of chemistry and biology with the ultimate aim of drug target identification and drug development. New state-of-the-art instrumentation will enhance their capabilities and enable new activities. Specifically, the new instruments will facilitate characterization of macrom ....Regional Facility for Real Time Analysis of Molecular Interactions. The ARC Facility for the Analysis of Biomacromolecular Interactions at the University of Wollongong and ANU serves many research groups working at the interface of chemistry and biology with the ultimate aim of drug target identification and drug development. New state-of-the-art instrumentation will enhance their capabilities and enable new activities. Specifically, the new instruments will facilitate characterization of macromolecular complexes and enable rapid and precise study in real time of the rates at which molecules interact, under many different experimental conditions. It will strengthen existing collaborations among the partner institutions and provide essential infrastructure for drug development projects.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220100311
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$383,982.00
Summary
Shining nanoparticles for single microRNA detection in microfluidics. This project aims to extensively study the interface between nanoparticles and nucleic acids. It sets out to produce a novel ultrasensitive high-performance biosensing platform that will combine luminescent nanoparticles with microfluidics in a digital assay. This portable platform will detect biological fingerprints, or microRNAs, at a single-molecule level, delivering unprecedented levels of sensitivity and specificity. The ....Shining nanoparticles for single microRNA detection in microfluidics. This project aims to extensively study the interface between nanoparticles and nucleic acids. It sets out to produce a novel ultrasensitive high-performance biosensing platform that will combine luminescent nanoparticles with microfluidics in a digital assay. This portable platform will detect biological fingerprints, or microRNAs, at a single-molecule level, delivering unprecedented levels of sensitivity and specificity. The multiplexed platform has the potential to benefit the biomedical research of microRNAs and opens up a genuine commercialisation potential for portable biosensing of nucleic acids.Read moreRead less