My research is aimed at understanding how the structure and dynamics of proteins dictates their function. I use X-ray crystallography to determine the shapes of proteins. Proteins are not static, however - they move in complicated ways, and often their motion is critical to their function (molecular motors, for example). It is very difficult to 'watch' this movement in the lab, so I use computer simulation to try to understand how proteins move.
Structural Characterisation Of Long Non-Coding RNA Bound Histone Modification Complexes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,891.00
Summary
Cancer is a disease associated with genetic and epigenetic changes of DNA. Epigenetics involves external changes to the DNA, switching processes “on” and “off”, to regulate gene expression. This project aims to provide powerful insight into key processes involved in epigenetic-based carcinogenesis, and thereby lay the foundation for producing novel cancer diagnostic markers and molecular based therapies.
Investigating The Interaction Of Precursor Inner Membrane Proteins With Translocase Components
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$585,274.00
Summary
Proteins are synthesised on ribosomes located in the cellular plasm, and then moved to their site of action by specialised transport systems. Import of proteins to the mitochondria involves translocase pores, which come equipped with receptors and chaperones. We are investigating the targeting and transfer of newly synthesised proteins of the MCF carrier family from the ribosomal machinery to the inner mitochondrial membrane, focusing on interaction with chaperones in the intermembrane space.
Oligomers Of The Alzheimer's Amyloid-? Peptide: Structure, Mechanism Of Toxicity And Small Molecule Interactions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$356,324.00
Summary
Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating neurodegenerative disease that currently affects 240 000 Australians. The protein called amyloid-? is found in deposits in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. The toxic form of this protein is thought to be small aggregated particles called ‘oligomers’. This work aims to investigate the structure of these particles, the reason why they are toxic, as well as their interaction with the neuroprotective compound EGCG, which is found in green tea.