A Structural Understanding Of Class B G Protein-coupled Receptor Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,289,570.00
Summary
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of cell surface proteins that enable communication from external signals to the inside of cells of the body. Class B GPCRs are a therapeutically important subclass of these receptors and they play crucial roles in bone and energy homeostasis, cardiovascular control and immune response. This grant will uncover fundamental knowledge on how these receptors work, and will enhance future development of therapeutics.
Signaling Pathways To Enhance Potency Of AMPK-targeting Drugs
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$661,966.00
Summary
Sedentary lifestyles and consumption of high energy foods has led to epidemics of obesity-related metabolic diseases that place enormous financial and medical burden on the Australian economy. An attractive drug target to treat these diseases is AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) which functions as both a cellular fuel gauge and co-ordinator of whole-body metabolism. Our goal is to improve AMPK drug potency by identifying novel processes that sensitize AMPK to drugs.
Novel collision experiments with metastable neon atoms in an atom trap. The aim of this project is to investigate collisions involving atoms in long lived excited states (metastable states). The project will utilise a magneto-optical trap to investigate electron-atom collisions as well as interatomic collisions for ultra-cold atoms. The outcomes of such investigations extend scientific knowledge of these important processes as a well as provide data for testing fundamental scattering theories. T ....Novel collision experiments with metastable neon atoms in an atom trap. The aim of this project is to investigate collisions involving atoms in long lived excited states (metastable states). The project will utilise a magneto-optical trap to investigate electron-atom collisions as well as interatomic collisions for ultra-cold atoms. The outcomes of such investigations extend scientific knowledge of these important processes as a well as provide data for testing fundamental scattering theories. This scientific knowledge may lead to further technological advances such as more efficient light sources or a metastable-atom laser that could be used for the production of nano-scale electric circuits.Read moreRead less
A Fibroin-based Prosthetic Bruch's Membrane For The Treatment Of Age-related Macular Degeneration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$538,080.00
Summary
Our aim is to develop a new therapy for the treatment of patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness in our ageing population. The novelty of our therapy resides in using a protein derived from silk fibers (fibroin), to rebuild a healthy barrier between the outermost layer of the retina and adjacent blood vessels. We expect that the findings from this study will eventually lead to better outcomes for patients with AMD.
Structural And Functional Analysis Of A Cancer-linked Co-regulator Complex
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$729,571.00
Summary
We seek to understand the mechanisms by which genes are switched on and off throughout our lifetime. A number of multi-component protein machines are involved in this process but their make-up and mechanism of action is not understood. We will investigate the structure and function of one of these machines that has been strongly linked to cancer.
Dynamics and correlations of many-body systems. The proposed program will greatly enhance Australian science through linking innovative
theoretical techniques with the successful ongoing Australian experimental program in atom
lasers, atom chip interferometry and ultra-cold fermions. Pioneering theoretical methods in
quantum phase-space are internationally recognized, and will be extended into new areas relevant
to Australia. These have fundamental significance to fields ranging from nanotec ....Dynamics and correlations of many-body systems. The proposed program will greatly enhance Australian science through linking innovative
theoretical techniques with the successful ongoing Australian experimental program in atom
lasers, atom chip interferometry and ultra-cold fermions. Pioneering theoretical methods in
quantum phase-space are internationally recognized, and will be extended into new areas relevant
to Australia. These have fundamental significance to fields ranging from nanotechnology to
astrophysics, as well as providing a route to improved atomic clocks and other instruments.
Combining these theoretical and computational methods from the physical sciences with biology
and genetics will provide future cross-disciplinary benefits to Australian biomedical science.Read moreRead less
Benefit Of 2D-strain Surveillance In Improving Cardiovascular Outcomes In Cancer Patients Undergoing Cardiotoxic Chemotherapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,391,979.00
Summary
Cancer survivors are susceptible to heart failure (HF) caused by heart muscle damage from chemotherapy. The current testing for this problem is based on a measure that cannot identify minor changes of cardiac function. Cardiac strain is a sensitive new marker of cardiac function which is predictive of overt dysfunction & HF. This study seeks to identify whether strain can be used to assign treatments that lead to improved cardiac function and are eventually associated with a reduction in HF.
A Photonic Interconnect for Trapped Ion Quantum Computing. Computer networks are the foundation of our digital economy. Quantum computing offer revolutionary solutions to current limitations by taking advantage of quantum physics. Methods for factoring large numbers or searching unordered databases run with significantly fewer operations on quantum computers. Quantum encryption offers completely secure communication. There have been small-scale demonstrations of these technologies, and clear roa ....A Photonic Interconnect for Trapped Ion Quantum Computing. Computer networks are the foundation of our digital economy. Quantum computing offer revolutionary solutions to current limitations by taking advantage of quantum physics. Methods for factoring large numbers or searching unordered databases run with significantly fewer operations on quantum computers. Quantum encryption offers completely secure communication. There have been small-scale demonstrations of these technologies, and clear roadmaps exist for large-scale implementations. We will advance the state of the art by interconnecting light based quantum communication and trapped ion quantum computing together with phase Fresnel lenses, a micro-fabricated optic similar to a computer generated holographic plate.Read moreRead less
Attosecond physics with ultra cold metastable neon. This research will generate new knowledge about how atoms behave when they are placed in strong optical fields. One of the phenomena which can be observed in these systems is the production of extreme ultraviolet radiation. This radiation has potential applications in areas as diverse as precision spectroscopy and structural biology. The research will use the recently ARC funded, state-of-the-art short pulse laser facility, ultra-cold atom trap ....Attosecond physics with ultra cold metastable neon. This research will generate new knowledge about how atoms behave when they are placed in strong optical fields. One of the phenomena which can be observed in these systems is the production of extreme ultraviolet radiation. This radiation has potential applications in areas as diverse as precision spectroscopy and structural biology. The research will use the recently ARC funded, state-of-the-art short pulse laser facility, ultra-cold atom trap technology and will provide excellent research training opportunities for higher degree students. The outcomes of the research project will enable Australian researchers to make significant contributions to the exciting field of attosecond science which is still in its infancy.
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Low-energy electron transport in soft-condensed biological matter. To obtain optimal accuracy and selectivity of ionising radiation based technologies requires an understanding and quantification of the underpinning fundamental physical processes. This project will focus on developing accurate theoretical models of low-energy electron transport in biological matter which account for new physical mechanisms.