Imaging the action of antimicrobial peptides in living cells. The purpose of this project to use a special magnifying glass to watch molecules invading and killing cells. The outcome will be to identify the mechanism of cell killing to help in the future design of better antibiotics.
Deciphering the cellular defences against aggregating proteins in human disease. Cells have inbuilt defences for coping with proteins that bend into abnormal sticky shapes that form toxic clusters. In many diseases, including Huntington's, the clusters severely damage nerve cells. This project will identify the genes and mechanisms cells use to protect themselves from toxic clusters, which could provide new therapeutic targets.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE180100202
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$255,120.00
Summary
Three-dimensional cryo correlative light and electron microscopy facility. This project aims to establish a three-dimensional (3D) cryo-correlative light and electron microscopy facility. The facility will integrate light microscopy with high resolution cryo-electron tomography and 3D slice-and-view focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy. The open access facility should create new capabilities for Australian researchers to tag biological events and structures with fluorescence markers and ....Three-dimensional cryo correlative light and electron microscopy facility. This project aims to establish a three-dimensional (3D) cryo-correlative light and electron microscopy facility. The facility will integrate light microscopy with high resolution cryo-electron tomography and 3D slice-and-view focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy. The open access facility should create new capabilities for Australian researchers to tag biological events and structures with fluorescence markers and image them using the currently highest resolution 3D imaging techniques for biological matter. The facility expects to reveal fundamental insights into cell and structural biology, and help drive innovation in agriculture, pharmaceutics, and biomaterials.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120102263
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Export of effector proteins by P. falciparum to the infected red blood cell. Infection by the malaria parasite has lethal consequences for humans. The parasite exports hundreds of proteins via a translocon to commandeer the red blood cell. This project aims to determine the function of one of the major translocon components and determine if it is a viable target for anti-malarial drug development.
Composition, assembly and functions of the pellicle of apicomplexan parasites: a structure pivotal to disease transmission and progression. Apicomplexan parasites are successful agents of disease (e.g. malaria) due to their superb ability to quickly invade host cells and generate many more parasites. This project will study the dedicated structures beneath the parasite cell covering that are responsible for these abilities to help refine strategies for combating apicomplexan diseases.
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
SNARE-mediated perforin and cytokine release in natural killer cells. Cytotoxic cells release toxic granules and cytokine messengers to kill pathogen infected and cancerous cells and to mount immune responses. This project will investigate different SNARE molecules that regulate the secretion of perforin from granules and cytokines from other carriers, assisting in the understanding of complex but essential cellular pathways.
A tale of two genomes: integrating mitochondrial biogenesis into the cell cycle and metabolic control. The human genome is cordoned into two distinct compartments in our cells. Most genes are in the nucleus, while a distinct set of genes are held within our mitochondria. Using yeast as a model organism, this project will provide a holistic view of how expression of the two genomes is coordinated.
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL130100038
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,796,748.00
Summary
Molecular machines and bacterial cell biology. This project will deliver a detailed understanding and visual rendering of molecular machines at work on the surface of bacteria. This ground-breaking research provides unique training opportunities for research students and staff: with projects driving frontier technology, and the transfer of new technological capabilities to Australia.
Formation of the Chlamydial Inclusion Requires Host Trafficking Pathways. Using cellular and biochemical approaches this project aims to examine the membrane trafficking pathways hijacked by the pathogen Chlamydia and to define the key components of these pathways. Chlamydia are obligate intracellular pathogens responsible for a range of human and animal diseases. In order to survive within the host cell, the pathogen hijacks the host's membrane trafficking pathways to engineer an intracellular ....Formation of the Chlamydial Inclusion Requires Host Trafficking Pathways. Using cellular and biochemical approaches this project aims to examine the membrane trafficking pathways hijacked by the pathogen Chlamydia and to define the key components of these pathways. Chlamydia are obligate intracellular pathogens responsible for a range of human and animal diseases. In order to survive within the host cell, the pathogen hijacks the host's membrane trafficking pathways to engineer an intracellular niche called an inclusion. In addition to providing a permissive environment, this strategy also shields the pathogen from the host's immune system.Read moreRead less