An X-ray crystallographic investigation into co-receptors on T-lymphocytes. T lymphocytes are an indispensable cellular component of the immune system. The normal process of T cell selection in the thymus, and the ability of mature T cells to respond to foreign antigens are governed by receptor recognition and co-receptor mediated events. The co-receptors encompass a wide spectrum of structurally diverse proteins that are involved in adhesion, co-ligation and signal transduction. This proposa ....An X-ray crystallographic investigation into co-receptors on T-lymphocytes. T lymphocytes are an indispensable cellular component of the immune system. The normal process of T cell selection in the thymus, and the ability of mature T cells to respond to foreign antigens are governed by receptor recognition and co-receptor mediated events. The co-receptors encompass a wide spectrum of structurally diverse proteins that are involved in adhesion, co-ligation and signal transduction. This proposal aims to investigate, using X-ray crystallography as the primary research tool, co- receptors located on T-lymphocytes. This work will gain fundamental insights into co-receptor function.Read moreRead less
A Structural Investigation Into Events Within The Immunological Synapse. The proposed research program, using laboratory-based and synchrotron-based radiation, will provide significant fundamental insight into the processes that control infection. Investigating processes central to immunity is important, as it will further our understanding of these critically-important events. Such knowledge will increase Australia's international research standing, as well as having the potential to generat ....A Structural Investigation Into Events Within The Immunological Synapse. The proposed research program, using laboratory-based and synchrotron-based radiation, will provide significant fundamental insight into the processes that control infection. Investigating processes central to immunity is important, as it will further our understanding of these critically-important events. Such knowledge will increase Australia's international research standing, as well as having the potential to generate novel therapies, such as immunosuppressants.Read moreRead less
A Structural Investigation Into The T-cell Response To Epstein Barr Virus Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$549,000.00
Summary
X-ray crystallography is an essential tool for solving the three-dimensional structure of proteins. Proteins control the biological processes within the cell and it is the precise shape of proteins that determines how they function. Depending on the particular sequence of the amino acids, the so-called building unit of the proteins, the protein molecule bends and forms a distinct, complex shape. This specific three-dimensional shape allows the protein to undertake its specific function, such as ....X-ray crystallography is an essential tool for solving the three-dimensional structure of proteins. Proteins control the biological processes within the cell and it is the precise shape of proteins that determines how they function. Depending on the particular sequence of the amino acids, the so-called building unit of the proteins, the protein molecule bends and forms a distinct, complex shape. This specific three-dimensional shape allows the protein to undertake its specific function, such as binding to other proteins, acting as an enzyme or interacting with nucleic acids. To determine how a protein acts, it is vital to know the precise three-dimensional shape at the atomic level. This proposal is concerned with understanding the precise shape of proteins that control the immune response to Epstein Barr Virus. Epstein Barr Virus is an ubiquitous human pathogen that has being linked to a number of cancers. This work will further our understanding of the immune response to Epstein Barr Virus.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE160100097
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$675,000.00
Summary
An Automated Protein Nano-Crystallisation Facility. An automated protein nano-crystallisation facility:
The project aims to establish a high throughput protein nanocrystallisation and imaging facility for protein crystallography. Protein crystallography is an important field of biological research, however there are many proteins, such as integral membrane proteins and transient molecular complexes that are more challenging to crystallise. The facility aims to use state-of-the-art imaging and c ....An Automated Protein Nano-Crystallisation Facility. An automated protein nano-crystallisation facility:
The project aims to establish a high throughput protein nanocrystallisation and imaging facility for protein crystallography. Protein crystallography is an important field of biological research, however there are many proteins, such as integral membrane proteins and transient molecular complexes that are more challenging to crystallise. The facility aims to use state-of-the-art imaging and crystallisation techniques, including second order nonlinear imaging of chiral crystals (SONICC) imaging and lipid cubic phase approaches, to enable structural studies to be undertaken on challenging proteins. This information is often used for the rational development of therapeutics. The facility would support cutting-edge biological research In Australia.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775673
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,200,000.00
Summary
A high throughput protein crystallization & imaging facility. Protein crystallography is an important field of research that enables us to understand the precise shape of proteins. The precise shape of a protein determines the function of a protein. This information is essential in understanding the physiological role of a protein and may be used for the development of therapeutics, where approrpiate. We aim to develop a high-throughput robotics system that will enable us to determine the sh ....A high throughput protein crystallization & imaging facility. Protein crystallography is an important field of research that enables us to understand the precise shape of proteins. The precise shape of a protein determines the function of a protein. This information is essential in understanding the physiological role of a protein and may be used for the development of therapeutics, where approrpiate. We aim to develop a high-throughput robotics system that will enable us to determine the shape of many proteins more rapidly, thereby greatly accelerating the pace of biomedical research.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0668413
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$723,000.00
Summary
The Nanoscale Characterisation Centre WA Analytical Biological Transmission Electron Microscope Facility. A new regional analytical biological TEM (BioTEM) will provide critical support to acclaimed medical and biological groups researching nationally significant age-related health, agricultural and environmental questions. The BioTEM, for example, will allow a unique opportunity to detect metal uptake and accumulation in bone-forming cells. This research will provide insight into metal induce ....The Nanoscale Characterisation Centre WA Analytical Biological Transmission Electron Microscope Facility. A new regional analytical biological TEM (BioTEM) will provide critical support to acclaimed medical and biological groups researching nationally significant age-related health, agricultural and environmental questions. The BioTEM, for example, will allow a unique opportunity to detect metal uptake and accumulation in bone-forming cells. This research will provide insight into metal induced afflictions, such as nasal ulcer, lung cancer, contact dermatitis and hypersensitivity reactions like asthma. The BioTEM will also be used to study how plants take up nutrients and how they use these compounds for growth, development and reproduction. Successes in this research will transfer to the important development of salt-tolerant plant species.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0882913
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$300,000.00
Summary
Mass spectrometry facility for the quantitation and analysis of post-translationally modified peptides. This proposal will address a gap in our mass spectrometry capabilities and aid in our understanding of the cellular immune response and investigate the chemical diversity of the targets of immunity. This proposal has broad implications in the basic immunology of antigen presentation, in biomarker discovery as well as in the design of new vaccines in infectious disease and cancer and the develo ....Mass spectrometry facility for the quantitation and analysis of post-translationally modified peptides. This proposal will address a gap in our mass spectrometry capabilities and aid in our understanding of the cellular immune response and investigate the chemical diversity of the targets of immunity. This proposal has broad implications in the basic immunology of antigen presentation, in biomarker discovery as well as in the design of new vaccines in infectious disease and cancer and the development of therapies for autoimmune diseases. In addition to these key scientific outcomes this project will also facilitate the training of several new personnel in a skill area for which there is a critical shortage (mass spectrometry) and promote cross-disciplinary skills (immunology, biochemistry, proteomics).Read moreRead less
The Identification Of Thoracic Targets For Prevention And Intervention In Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$316,449.00
Summary
The persistence of breathing problems from infancy to later life is a complication of premature birth with lifelong consequences. Breathing problems often occur together with lung disease, but prematurity can also affect heart and blood vessel development, and weakness of the main breathing muscle. We will find out how much the heart, lungs and diaphragm contribute to breathing problems in babies; helping us to better predict, diagnose and treat severe breathing problems in babies born preterm.
Investigating the molecular basis of T-cell receptor cross-reactivity. This project will explore the basis of unexpected immune reactions whereby the immune system mistakes one molecular structure for another, a phenomenon known as cross-reactivity. This project will examine how often this is due to molecular mimicry, potentially explaining why immune T cells sometimes react inappropriately to different agents.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE210100001
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$875,000.00
Summary
A 3-photon imaging system for deep live imaging. This project aims to establish Australia’s first 3-photon microscope system with adaptive optics for deep intravital imaging. This advanced imaging system will enable researchers to investigate the biology of cells and tissue structures in a wide range of organs and engineered tissues, to a degree not possible with existing technology. This project will capitalise on advanced laser, microscope and adaptive optics technologies with the expected out ....A 3-photon imaging system for deep live imaging. This project aims to establish Australia’s first 3-photon microscope system with adaptive optics for deep intravital imaging. This advanced imaging system will enable researchers to investigate the biology of cells and tissue structures in a wide range of organs and engineered tissues, to a degree not possible with existing technology. This project will capitalise on advanced laser, microscope and adaptive optics technologies with the expected outcomes to include the generation of new knowledge of major biological systems, including the immune system and the nervous system. This will provide significant benefits to fundamental interdisciplinary research into immunology, infectious disease, neuroscience, mechanobiology and engineering.Read moreRead less