Tuneable “Nano-Shearing”: An Innovative Mechanism for the Accurate and Specific Capture of Cells and Molecules. Recent investigations have discovered a tuneable electro-hydrodynamic force which drives lateral fluid motion within a few nanometers of an electrode surface. Because the magnitude of this fluid shear force can be tuned externally (for example, via the application of an AC electric field), it provides a new capability to physically displace weakly (non-specifically) bound cellular and ....Tuneable “Nano-Shearing”: An Innovative Mechanism for the Accurate and Specific Capture of Cells and Molecules. Recent investigations have discovered a tuneable electro-hydrodynamic force which drives lateral fluid motion within a few nanometers of an electrode surface. Because the magnitude of this fluid shear force can be tuned externally (for example, via the application of an AC electric field), it provides a new capability to physically displace weakly (non-specifically) bound cellular and molecular analytes. By performing research to further understand and develop this tuneable effect, this project aims to build and test a new platform technology to enable highly efficient capture and specific detection of low concentration pathogenic molecules and circulating tumour cells (CTCs).Read moreRead less
Development of an ultrasensitive assay for human prion proteins. The aim of this work is to enable the detection of prion proteins in human blood and other tissues. The assay system to be developed will detect much lower levels of these disease-causing proteins than is possible at present; it will be more rapid and will measure prion protein levels more accurately than existing assays. The outcome of the work is expected to facilitate the production and certification of prion-free blood and bl ....Development of an ultrasensitive assay for human prion proteins. The aim of this work is to enable the detection of prion proteins in human blood and other tissues. The assay system to be developed will detect much lower levels of these disease-causing proteins than is possible at present; it will be more rapid and will measure prion protein levels more accurately than existing assays. The outcome of the work is expected to facilitate the production and certification of prion-free blood and blood products. Prions cause Bovine Spongiform Encaphalopathy and Creutzfeld Jacob Disease and attempts to control of these diseases would be greatly abetted by an optimal test for the disease-causing agent.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0346876
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,584,000.00
Summary
800 MHz NMR Spectrometer for Molecular Structure-Function Analyses. An 800 MHz high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer equipped with a triple-resonance cryoprobe is required to support the research of 5 universities in the NSW/ACT area. The high magnetic field of the spectrometer is necessary for the study of proteins, protein-ligand complexes and other biomolecular systems of molecular weight >30,000. Projects previously inaccessible due to sensitivity, solubility or resol ....800 MHz NMR Spectrometer for Molecular Structure-Function Analyses. An 800 MHz high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer equipped with a triple-resonance cryoprobe is required to support the research of 5 universities in the NSW/ACT area. The high magnetic field of the spectrometer is necessary for the study of proteins, protein-ligand complexes and other biomolecular systems of molecular weight >30,000. Projects previously inaccessible due to sensitivity, solubility or resolution problems will become tractable. The increased turn-around times afforded by the high sensitivity of the cryo-enabled spectrometer make it possible to provide access for Australian institutions that would not otherwise have access to comparable equipment.Read moreRead less
Proteomics of the Influenza Virus for In-field Surveillance. The influenza virus continues to pose a serious health risk to Australians and remains a leading cause of death. The molecular characterisation of emerging strains of the virus lies at the heart of current surveillance procedures vital to vaccine preparation and the development of new anti-viral drugs. This research will advance a world-first proteomics surveillance of the virus developed in this laboratory that will enable it to be ch ....Proteomics of the Influenza Virus for In-field Surveillance. The influenza virus continues to pose a serious health risk to Australians and remains a leading cause of death. The molecular characterisation of emerging strains of the virus lies at the heart of current surveillance procedures vital to vaccine preparation and the development of new anti-viral drugs. This research will advance a world-first proteomics surveillance of the virus developed in this laboratory that will enable it to be characterised in-field at the site(s) of infection outbreaks. This rapid response is vital, particularly in the event of a pandemic or a deliberate release of the virus in a bioterrorist attack.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0237784
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$707,000.00
Summary
Hyphenated Separations/Mass Spectrometry Technology for Protein and Natural Product Characterisation. This proposal consolidates the 3 institutions' collaboration on the ACROSS (Australian Centre for Research on Separation Science) initiative, providing fundamental technology for chemical structural analysis of complex samples involving high resolution protein and natural product characterisation. Requested equipment supports complete characterisation of important novel target molecules. GCxGC-T ....Hyphenated Separations/Mass Spectrometry Technology for Protein and Natural Product Characterisation. This proposal consolidates the 3 institutions' collaboration on the ACROSS (Australian Centre for Research on Separation Science) initiative, providing fundamental technology for chemical structural analysis of complex samples involving high resolution protein and natural product characterisation. Requested equipment supports complete characterisation of important novel target molecules. GCxGC-TOFMS technology will validate our newly patented multidimensional separation techniques. Q-TOF-TOFMS technology, novel patented protein prefractionation approaches, and sample handling with high resolution characterisation / identification of new target proteins allows advanced proteomics developments. Proteomics depends critically upon sophisticated MS techniques. These technologies will: ·enhance the capabilities and expertise in these sciences in the SE Australian area; ·ensure the ACROSS initiative achieves internationally competitive research capabilities; ·provide commercial endpoints in fields associated with analysis of proteins, essential oils and other natural (bio)substances.Read moreRead less
The Application of Chemical Force Microscopy for Monitoring DNA Hybridization: A New Sensing Concept Capable of Detecting Single Molecules. This proposal outlines a method of monitoring DNA sequences with such high sensitivity that a single molecule may be detected. Such sensitivity is achieved using an atomic force microscope (AFM) to measure surface forces. Modifying an AFM tip with a single strand of DNA allows the complementary strand (the target) to be recognized via hybridization to form ....The Application of Chemical Force Microscopy for Monitoring DNA Hybridization: A New Sensing Concept Capable of Detecting Single Molecules. This proposal outlines a method of monitoring DNA sequences with such high sensitivity that a single molecule may be detected. Such sensitivity is achieved using an atomic force microscope (AFM) to measure surface forces. Modifying an AFM tip with a single strand of DNA allows the complementary strand (the target) to be recognized via hybridization to form the double helix. The occurrence of hybridization is determined by differences in surface force measurements compared with when only the single strand of DNA is present. In this way DNA samples can be analyzed without amplification; a major advance for DNA diagnostics.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0668403
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$570,000.00
Summary
Enhanced micro-Raman and Fluorescence spectroscopy and imaging facility for biosystems and materials. The state-of-the-art spectroscopic and fluorescence imaging equipment will provide cutting-edge capabilities for fundamental and applied research with the potential to impact on improved health outcomes, pharmaceutics, biotechnology and nanomaterials research. Chemical probes based on molecular vibrations and fluorescence will allow changes in biomolecular composition within cells and tissues to ....Enhanced micro-Raman and Fluorescence spectroscopy and imaging facility for biosystems and materials. The state-of-the-art spectroscopic and fluorescence imaging equipment will provide cutting-edge capabilities for fundamental and applied research with the potential to impact on improved health outcomes, pharmaceutics, biotechnology and nanomaterials research. Chemical probes based on molecular vibrations and fluorescence will allow changes in biomolecular composition within cells and tissues to be mapped/imaged down to nanometre spatial resolution. This will provide new techniques for the diagnosis of diseases, e.g. cancer, the rapid identification of pathogens, the understanding and design of new drugs, and a range of biotechnology, nanomaterials and nanotechnology applications.Read moreRead less
Gas Phase Dynamics of a Biological Molecular Machine: Fundamentals, Stoichiometries and Stabilities. Over the last twenty years advanced molecular measurement techniques have enabled the characterization of individual biological molecules (proteins and DNA) within different types of cells and diseased tissues. This project uses a new technique that literally "weighs" groups of proteins and/or DNA to help us understand how such large molecules fit together and function within cells (sometimes ref ....Gas Phase Dynamics of a Biological Molecular Machine: Fundamentals, Stoichiometries and Stabilities. Over the last twenty years advanced molecular measurement techniques have enabled the characterization of individual biological molecules (proteins and DNA) within different types of cells and diseased tissues. This project uses a new technique that literally "weighs" groups of proteins and/or DNA to help us understand how such large molecules fit together and function within cells (sometimes referred to as molecular machinery). More detailed knowledge of processes such as those involved in copying DNA when new cells are produced will, in the long term, improve our understanding and treatment of conditions or diseases that result from errors in molecular machinery. Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180100194
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$374,200.00
Summary
Quantitative three-dimensional imaging of membrane proteins. This project aims to address the challenge of in-situ quantification of membrane proteins through the emerging field of antibody-imaging mass spectrometry. The project will develop new protocols for quantitative three-dimensional imaging that aim to negate histological artifacts created by freeze-thaw and cryo-sectioning. Membrane proteins are involved in numerous cellular functions and this project expects to increase our knowledge o ....Quantitative three-dimensional imaging of membrane proteins. This project aims to address the challenge of in-situ quantification of membrane proteins through the emerging field of antibody-imaging mass spectrometry. The project will develop new protocols for quantitative three-dimensional imaging that aim to negate histological artifacts created by freeze-thaw and cryo-sectioning. Membrane proteins are involved in numerous cellular functions and this project expects to increase our knowledge of these fundamental biological processes by providing new insights into the study of these essential biomolecules. Tracking protein heterogeneity in three-dimensions will provide significant benefits to our understanding of systems biology and will benefit numerous area, including the pharmaceutical industry.Read moreRead less
A Gas Phase Study of Macromolecular Biological Complexes. Following the completion of the human genome project, increased attention has focussed on the elucidation of structure and function of biopolymers in cells. The project aims to use electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (a rapidly developing analytical technique) to detail the processes governing the formation of macromolecular complexes (DNA-protein and DNA-metal-protein) in the gas phase. We aim to explore the relevance of gas pha ....A Gas Phase Study of Macromolecular Biological Complexes. Following the completion of the human genome project, increased attention has focussed on the elucidation of structure and function of biopolymers in cells. The project aims to use electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (a rapidly developing analytical technique) to detail the processes governing the formation of macromolecular complexes (DNA-protein and DNA-metal-protein) in the gas phase. We aim to explore the relevance of gas phase studies of these large macromolecular complexes to interactions between biopolymers in solution and cells. Ultimately, this will aid in the development of improved therapeutics tha t act on DNA and/or DNA-binding proteins and provide new information on biological processes such as replicaton.Read moreRead less