Protein Kinase Regulatory Switches: Decision-Making in the Nucleus. This project plans to examine new regulatory mechanisms for an important signalling enzyme in the cell nucleus. It aims to define how this enzyme enters the nucleus, to characterise new modifications that affect its actions, and to establish how a conserved nuclear protein may provide an unexpected regulatory platform to send nucleus-initiated signals back to the cell cytoplasm. This reverse signalling is a novel mechanism for i ....Protein Kinase Regulatory Switches: Decision-Making in the Nucleus. This project plans to examine new regulatory mechanisms for an important signalling enzyme in the cell nucleus. It aims to define how this enzyme enters the nucleus, to characterise new modifications that affect its actions, and to establish how a conserved nuclear protein may provide an unexpected regulatory platform to send nucleus-initiated signals back to the cell cytoplasm. This reverse signalling is a novel mechanism for integrating nuclear actions that has the potential to create a signal transduction circuit triggered by environmental or genetic factors. This information is crucial in defining the molecular logic of signalling events that may be ultimately targeted to control cell growth, differentiation and survival.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120100434
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Estrogen-mediated regulation of gene expression via transcriptional and translational control: complementary, synergistic or opposing responses? Hormones dictate cellular behaviour by activating pre-programmed responses. The sex hormone estrogen affects cell fate by regulating the gene expression, but it is unknown to which extent this response occurs via activation of genes or control of already transcribed gene. The project will investigate how the cell integrates the complex estrogen signals.
The Hippo signalling pathway in dividing and non-dividing cells. This project aims to understand how the Drosophila Hippo pathway performs two very different jobs in the same organ, that is control cell proliferation and differentiation. The redeployment of cellular machinery to do different jobs is very common and efficient, but the mechanism by which this occurs is poorly understood. Using new techniques, this project aims to provide new knowledge to several fields including organ growth contr ....The Hippo signalling pathway in dividing and non-dividing cells. This project aims to understand how the Drosophila Hippo pathway performs two very different jobs in the same organ, that is control cell proliferation and differentiation. The redeployment of cellular machinery to do different jobs is very common and efficient, but the mechanism by which this occurs is poorly understood. Using new techniques, this project aims to provide new knowledge to several fields including organ growth control, cell fate specification, cellular signalling and eye vision. These discoveries are likely to enhance international collaborations and stimulate new research.Read moreRead less
Transcription factor nuclear residency as a driver of gene expression. Persistently active proteins can stay in the nucleus to drive cell growth and prevent cell death. This project will define how one specific active protein can remain in the nucleus and regulate gene expression through the action of unique ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecules. The results will enable persistent gene activation to be manipulated in cancer.
Programmed cell death signalling in innate immunity. This proposal aims to address the under-explored potential for programmed cell death to promote innate immune cell signalling, which is a critical and fundamental biological process. It aims to generate new knowledge in the areas of cell death and innate signalling using innovative interdisciplinary approaches and discover new molecules that impact innate inflammatory responses. The expected outcomes of this project are to enhance our basic un ....Programmed cell death signalling in innate immunity. This proposal aims to address the under-explored potential for programmed cell death to promote innate immune cell signalling, which is a critical and fundamental biological process. It aims to generate new knowledge in the areas of cell death and innate signalling using innovative interdisciplinary approaches and discover new molecules that impact innate inflammatory responses. The expected outcomes of this project are to enhance our basic understanding of cell death, and build interdisciplinary collaborations. This work should provide significant benefit to the economy and health of Australians, as it is expected to identify molecules that will be of interest to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.Read moreRead less
Regulation Of Ca2+/calmodulin Dependent Protein Kinase Kinase-2 By Phosphorylation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$570,334.00
Summary
This project will study the regulation of an enzyme called CaMKK2, which plays a pivotal role in controlling a number of important biological functions including brain development, regulation of appetite, energy metabolism and blood pressure. Understanding how this enzyme is regulated may open new avenues for treating Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease.
The dramatic increase in obesity and age-related metabolic disorders demonstrates the importance of gaining a better understanding of how cells and organisms regulate their energy stores. This project will identify novel molecular mechanisms that control the enzyme CaMKK2, which is a key regulator of whole-body energy metabolism. This will provide new opportunities to inform more effective strategies to tackle metabolic diseases, and improve health in an increasingly ageing population.
How protein tyrosine phosphatases select their substrates. Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) are enzymes that control the response of cells to divergent environmental stimuli. This project will determine how individual PTPs exert selective effects on cellular communication networks to coordinate organismal development, growth and survival.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE180100157
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,000.00
Summary
Confocal and single molecule microscopes for systems microscopy. This project aims to establish Australia’s first system microscopy facility with dedicated live-cell confocal and single-molecule fluorescence microscopes. In systems microscopy, the imaging workflow is automated so that large and unbiased data sets of the spatiotemporal organisation of molecules and cells can be generated. Combined with statistical and bioinformatics analyses, image-derived data provides system-wide information th ....Confocal and single molecule microscopes for systems microscopy. This project aims to establish Australia’s first system microscopy facility with dedicated live-cell confocal and single-molecule fluorescence microscopes. In systems microscopy, the imaging workflow is automated so that large and unbiased data sets of the spatiotemporal organisation of molecules and cells can be generated. Combined with statistical and bioinformatics analyses, image-derived data provides system-wide information that is not easily obtainable with other approaches. The project will enable Australian researchers to image and analyse the full complexity of biological systems, potentially transforming cell biology, drug development and understanding the molecular basis of disease. It will also demonstrate how the capacity of microscopy facilities can be enhanced and bias in imaging data reduced by automating data acquisition and mining of image-based data.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms controlling enteroendocrine hormone secretion in human duodenum. This project aims to gain a deeper understanding of nutrient sensing pathways present in enteroendocrine cells within the human intestine. These cells control digestive function, blood glucose levels and food intake and are thus critical to digestion. This project will endeavour to be the first to assess the biology of human enteroendocrine cells and will use innovative approaches to deeply assess function from the level ....Mechanisms controlling enteroendocrine hormone secretion in human duodenum. This project aims to gain a deeper understanding of nutrient sensing pathways present in enteroendocrine cells within the human intestine. These cells control digestive function, blood glucose levels and food intake and are thus critical to digestion. This project will endeavour to be the first to assess the biology of human enteroendocrine cells and will use innovative approaches to deeply assess function from the level of the individual to isolated enteroendocrine cells.Read moreRead less