Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0882701
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$300,000.00
Summary
Establishment of a confocal/multiphoton microscope for imaging of living systems. This facility will allow us to study the dynamic changes in living systems, from the smallest unicellular organisms in the ocean through to the sophisticated neural networks of the living brain. Not only will this imaging facility allow us to understand how living systems work, we will also be able to explore the dynamic changes that underlie human disease and injury.
Realistic models of permeation in ion channels. Ion channels are formed by proteins in cell membranes and provide pathways for fast and controlled flow of selected ions. This activity generates action potentials in nerves and muscles that forms the basis of all movement, sensation and thought processes. Recent determination of the crystal structure of channel proteins has enabled construction of models that can relate channel function to its structure--necessary for understanding their operati ....Realistic models of permeation in ion channels. Ion channels are formed by proteins in cell membranes and provide pathways for fast and controlled flow of selected ions. This activity generates action potentials in nerves and muscles that forms the basis of all movement, sensation and thought processes. Recent determination of the crystal structure of channel proteins has enabled construction of models that can relate channel function to its structure--necessary for understanding their operation and seeking cures for diseases caused by their malfunction. This project aims to develop accurate ion-protein-water interactions for permeation models based on stochastic and molecular dynamics simulations using both classical and quantum mechanical methods.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354793
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
A Neural Network: Understanding Brain Function. This proposal focuses on the mechanisms that regulate brain function, particularly those underpinning the changes in circuitry (plasticity) caused by altered inputs. As such, its core goal is to create an interface between researchers in the neurosciences, computational modelling, robotics and cognitive sciences in order to facilitate optimum collaborative interactions, identify key research questions and promote training opportunities across a mul ....A Neural Network: Understanding Brain Function. This proposal focuses on the mechanisms that regulate brain function, particularly those underpinning the changes in circuitry (plasticity) caused by altered inputs. As such, its core goal is to create an interface between researchers in the neurosciences, computational modelling, robotics and cognitive sciences in order to facilitate optimum collaborative interactions, identify key research questions and promote training opportunities across a multidisciplinary spectrum. This will drive an integrated and accelerated program of discovery and technological development, enhancing Australia's leadership in this crucial field and helping to highlight new biotechnology opportunities and capture social and economic benefits for the nation. Read moreRead less
Hierarchical modeling of protein interactions. Protein interactions play a central role in function and structural organization of cells. Their elucidation is essential for a better understanding of many cellular processes from signal transduction to enzyme inhibition. The aim of this project is to utilize the unprecedented powers of current supercomputers in developing a hierarchical model of protein interactions. The method combines Brownian dynamics at large distances and long time scales ....Hierarchical modeling of protein interactions. Protein interactions play a central role in function and structural organization of cells. Their elucidation is essential for a better understanding of many cellular processes from signal transduction to enzyme inhibition. The aim of this project is to utilize the unprecedented powers of current supercomputers in developing a hierarchical model of protein interactions. The method combines Brownian dynamics at large distances and long time scales with molecular dynamics at small distances and shorter times. Applications to both membrane proteins (blocking of ion channels by toxins and drugs) and globular proteins (ligand binding to receptors and protein association) will be considered.Read moreRead less
Theoretical Studies on the KcsA Potassium Channel and the L-type Calcium Channel. All electrical activities in the brain are regulated by opening and closing of ion channels. Thus, understanding their mechanisms is a fundamental problem in biology. The project is aimed at developing a theoretical model of two important types of ion channels. Using a supercomputer, we will first deduce the shape of the microstructure formed by a protein wall. Then, using a computer simulation technique, we will c ....Theoretical Studies on the KcsA Potassium Channel and the L-type Calcium Channel. All electrical activities in the brain are regulated by opening and closing of ion channels. Thus, understanding their mechanisms is a fundamental problem in biology. The project is aimed at developing a theoretical model of two important types of ion channels. Using a supercomputer, we will first deduce the shape of the microstructure formed by a protein wall. Then, using a computer simulation technique, we will construct a set of physical models of biological ion channels, which will correctly replicate experimental observations. Such a theory will link the structure and function of an ion channel through the fundamental principles of physics.Read moreRead less
Many Ys in monotremes: multiple sex chromosomes and sex determination in platypus and echidna. Platypus and Echidna are Australian icons, even featuring on our coins. Their unusual biology and ancient relationship to humans make them unique for understanding the mammalian genome, as demonstrated by our recent discovery of ten sex chromosomes in platypus that link mammal and bird sex. Still little is known about their genome, embryo development and how sex is determined. We will identify new gene ....Many Ys in monotremes: multiple sex chromosomes and sex determination in platypus and echidna. Platypus and Echidna are Australian icons, even featuring on our coins. Their unusual biology and ancient relationship to humans make them unique for understanding the mammalian genome, as demonstrated by our recent discovery of ten sex chromosomes in platypus that link mammal and bird sex. Still little is known about their genome, embryo development and how sex is determined. We will identify new genes on all ten sex chromosomes and investigate how they determine sex. The set up of an Australian Monotreme Resource Centre will be crucial for this research and attract worldwide high profile collaborations. We will answer important general questions in monotreme biology and contribute to our understanding of sexual abnormalities in humans.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989084
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$275,000.00
Summary
Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy for Live Cell Imaging. The University of Newcastle has invested heavily in its biological and life sciences to create a research nexus focusing on national research priorities in biotechnology and environmental protection. The Live Cell Imaging platform will be utilized by scientists researching such strategically important areas including developmental biology, intracellular signalling cascades, cell cycle dynamics, plant development and microbiology. Moreover ....Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy for Live Cell Imaging. The University of Newcastle has invested heavily in its biological and life sciences to create a research nexus focusing on national research priorities in biotechnology and environmental protection. The Live Cell Imaging platform will be utilized by scientists researching such strategically important areas including developmental biology, intracellular signalling cascades, cell cycle dynamics, plant development and microbiology. Moreover, this component of the University's research portfolio plays a major role in the postgraduate training of young Australian scientists who will, in turn, fuel future developments in both the life sciences and biotechnology industries.Read moreRead less
Structure and function of heterodimeric amino acid transporters. Recently a new family of amino acid transporters has been identified, the members of which are involved in the delivery of amino acids between cells and tissues. All members display a rather unusual structure in that they require two subunits to be functional. The main aim of this study is to investigate the interaction between large and small subunits. The study will give insight how membrane proteins form complexes in the membran ....Structure and function of heterodimeric amino acid transporters. Recently a new family of amino acid transporters has been identified, the members of which are involved in the delivery of amino acids between cells and tissues. All members display a rather unusual structure in that they require two subunits to be functional. The main aim of this study is to investigate the interaction between large and small subunits. The study will give insight how membrane proteins form complexes in the membrane and how these interactions affect the function of a complex membrane protein.Read moreRead less
Taming the intruders: the domestication of Tigger transposable elements in mammals. It has become apparent that most of the DNA that makes us what we are is actually comprised of the remnants of invading parasitic DNA acquired over time. A continual battle exists between host which tries to silence or remove this DNA, and the parasite that tries to multiply and spread. We are currently investigating an intriguing aspect of this process that involves host genomes 'domesticating' parasitic DNA to ....Taming the intruders: the domestication of Tigger transposable elements in mammals. It has become apparent that most of the DNA that makes us what we are is actually comprised of the remnants of invading parasitic DNA acquired over time. A continual battle exists between host which tries to silence or remove this DNA, and the parasite that tries to multiply and spread. We are currently investigating an intriguing aspect of this process that involves host genomes 'domesticating' parasitic DNA to provide novel functions, thereby facilitating the evolution of specific characteristics within species.Read moreRead less
Proteome Analysis of Plant Response Pathways to Microbial Signals in the Model Legume, Medicago truncatula. This project will investigate plant responses to soil microbes in the model legume, Medicago truncatula, to provide fundamental information needed to design crops with improved abilities to interact beneficially with soil microbes. Plant development and performance are significantly influenced by soil microbes, but it is largely unknown how the information contained in microbial signalling ....Proteome Analysis of Plant Response Pathways to Microbial Signals in the Model Legume, Medicago truncatula. This project will investigate plant responses to soil microbes in the model legume, Medicago truncatula, to provide fundamental information needed to design crops with improved abilities to interact beneficially with soil microbes. Plant development and performance are significantly influenced by soil microbes, but it is largely unknown how the information contained in microbial signalling molecules is relayed to plants. Proteome analysis and immunocytochemistry will be combined to identify and localise differentially expressed proteins in roots treated with specific microbial signal molecules. Annotated Proteome databases will be generated to strengthen and complement an international project on M. truncatula genome analysis.Read moreRead less