Many drugs modulate the function of proteins imbedded in cell membranes. Extensive research has been undertaken to better understand drug interactions with these proteins to improve drug therapies, but there has been relatively little progress in understanding the role of the cell membrane. This project will investigate how the cell membrane influences protein function and then use this information to develop novel drugs for the treatment of neurological disorders.
Understanding Sphingolipid Mediators Of Insulin Resistance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$643,447.00
Summary
Sphingolipids are a class of lipid metabolites that have a variety of functions within cells. It has been known for some time that an accumulation of excess lipid, including certain sphingolipids, can adversely impact insulin action and glucose metabolism in cells. In this project we will a combination of strategies to test the hypothesis that the sphingolipid profile can be manipulated to have favourable effects on metabolism.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0668534
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$770,000.00
Summary
High resolution bioanalytical Fourier transform mass spectrometer combined with liquid chromatograph. This project extends a network of advanced technology for bioanalysis that enables discoveries in biotechnology, molecular medicine and biochemistry. The proposed equipment includes the most powerful mass spectrometer (MS) currently available for bioanalysis to complement an existing network of instruments at four universities in Sydney. These include 3 of 4 nodes of the Australian Proteome Anal ....High resolution bioanalytical Fourier transform mass spectrometer combined with liquid chromatograph. This project extends a network of advanced technology for bioanalysis that enables discoveries in biotechnology, molecular medicine and biochemistry. The proposed equipment includes the most powerful mass spectrometer (MS) currently available for bioanalysis to complement an existing network of instruments at four universities in Sydney. These include 3 of 4 nodes of the Australian Proteome Analysis Facility (APAF). The new technology is a missing link in bioanalytical capability where other instruments are not sufficiently sensitive. The instrument will be managed by MS specialists at the Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Facility at UNSW (www.bmsf.unsw.edu.au) where access by and training of users is well established.Read moreRead less
Characterization of erythroid differentiation related factor (EDRF): a novel a-globin binding protein. Hemoglobin, a four-subunit protein comprising two alpha and two beta polypeptide chains, is the essential oxygen transporter found in all mammals. Problems with the synthesis of hemoglobin can give rise to a range of common and serious human disorders, including thalassaemia and anemia. We have discovered a protein, EDRF, that appears to interact directly with alpha-globin (but not beta-globin) ....Characterization of erythroid differentiation related factor (EDRF): a novel a-globin binding protein. Hemoglobin, a four-subunit protein comprising two alpha and two beta polypeptide chains, is the essential oxygen transporter found in all mammals. Problems with the synthesis of hemoglobin can give rise to a range of common and serious human disorders, including thalassaemia and anemia. We have discovered a protein, EDRF, that appears to interact directly with alpha-globin (but not beta-globin) and to play a role in the regulation of hemoglobin production. We now seek to understand the nature of this interaction at a molecular level and mechanistic level.Read moreRead less
Dairy Milk Phospholipids in the Prevention of Atherosclerosis. The present project is expected to provide novel information pertaining to the separation of phospholipid (PL) fractions from buttermilk. In addition, it will generate scientific/medical knowledge concerning the use of dietary PL preparations in the prevention of arterial atherosclerosis. Together, this innovative research will help support the commercial development of PL separation from buttermilk. It will also lay the ground-wo ....Dairy Milk Phospholipids in the Prevention of Atherosclerosis. The present project is expected to provide novel information pertaining to the separation of phospholipid (PL) fractions from buttermilk. In addition, it will generate scientific/medical knowledge concerning the use of dietary PL preparations in the prevention of arterial atherosclerosis. Together, this innovative research will help support the commercial development of PL separation from buttermilk. It will also lay the ground-work for additional studies into the therapeutic benefit of dietary PLs and the commercialization of milk PL as a nutraceutical or functional food. The present project thus has significant academic, commercial and therapeutic value of potential benefit to all Australians.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
Biophysical characterization of protein interactions within a transcription factor network. Gene expression is regulated in part by interactions between pairs and groups of proteins known as transcription factors and co-regulators. These proteins assemble into complexes at gene promoters and enhancers and thereby control the expression of that gene. Little is known at the molecular level of how these complexes form and how different interactions cooperate or compete with each other. In this prop ....Biophysical characterization of protein interactions within a transcription factor network. Gene expression is regulated in part by interactions between pairs and groups of proteins known as transcription factors and co-regulators. These proteins assemble into complexes at gene promoters and enhancers and thereby control the expression of that gene. Little is known at the molecular level of how these complexes form and how different interactions cooperate or compete with each other. In this proposal we aim to define a complex between two transcriptional regulators (HOP and SRF) involved in cardiac development and to begin to define other interactions that make up a transcriptional network essential for development of a normal heart.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