Thioamide ligations: new technologies for peptide and protein synthesis. This project aims to develop novel amide-bond forming reactions for the chemical synthesis of peptides and proteins. New peptide ligation strategies, including an asparagine-based ligation and a residue-independent ligation will be developed that exploit the recent discovery of silver-promoted coupling reactions of thioamides. A novel late-stage, chemo-selective assembly of N-glycosylated asparagine residues in peptides and ....Thioamide ligations: new technologies for peptide and protein synthesis. This project aims to develop novel amide-bond forming reactions for the chemical synthesis of peptides and proteins. New peptide ligation strategies, including an asparagine-based ligation and a residue-independent ligation will be developed that exploit the recent discovery of silver-promoted coupling reactions of thioamides. A novel late-stage, chemo-selective assembly of N-glycosylated asparagine residues in peptides and proteins will also be developed. The outcomes of this research will lead to breakthroughs in synthetic methodologies for the assembly and functionalisation of peptides and proteins, thereby enabling access to a range of homogeneous, post translationally modified proteins though total chemical synthesis. These research outcomes will expand Australia's research capability and global competitiveness in the field of biotechnology, delivering significant benefits to the third largest manufacturing sector in Australia.Read moreRead less
Structure and function of predatory and defensive venoms in cone snails. This project aims to investigate newly-discovered cone snail venoms to accelerate the search for novel bioactive peptides. It was recently discovered that cone snails can rapidly and reversibly switch between distinct venoms in response to predatory or defensive stimuli, implying that defensive and predatory venoms have evolved under separate selection pressures. The project plans to obtain separate predatory and defensive ....Structure and function of predatory and defensive venoms in cone snails. This project aims to investigate newly-discovered cone snail venoms to accelerate the search for novel bioactive peptides. It was recently discovered that cone snails can rapidly and reversibly switch between distinct venoms in response to predatory or defensive stimuli, implying that defensive and predatory venoms have evolved under separate selection pressures. The project plans to obtain separate predatory and defensive venoms and venom duct tissue from individual cone snails to compare and contrast the structure and function of conotoxins evolved for predation versus those evolved for defence, to elucidate the structure and function of these important classes of bioactive peptides.Read moreRead less
Engineering peptides into superglues selective for target proteins. This project aims to discover how to create long-acting peptides for future research tools, drugs, biosensors and diagnostics. Peptides are currently viewed by the general community as injectable performance-enhancing drugs which are difficult to detect because they don't last very long. However, peptides have many potential benefits that are difficult to obtain because of their short durations of action. This project aims to de ....Engineering peptides into superglues selective for target proteins. This project aims to discover how to create long-acting peptides for future research tools, drugs, biosensors and diagnostics. Peptides are currently viewed by the general community as injectable performance-enhancing drugs which are difficult to detect because they don't last very long. However, peptides have many potential benefits that are difficult to obtain because of their short durations of action. This project aims to develop ways of engineering peptide shapes into nanoscale superglues that stick more tightly but selectively to their target proteins, thereby extending their durations of action. Technology for engineering superglues would produce proof of concept and prototypes for future research tools, drugs, diagnostics and biosensors.Read moreRead less
Development and application of new peptide ligation methods for the synthesis and structure-function studies of glycoproteins. Novel synthetic technologies will be developed in this project to facilitate the preparation of glycoproteins, which are of widespread biological and therapeutic interest. These methods will enable the preparation of pure glycoproteins for detailed biochemical and functional studies eventually leading to therapeutic and diagnostic applications.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE160100218
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$840,000.00
Summary
A Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facility for Modern Molecular Analysis. A nuclear magnetic resonance facility for modern molecular analysis:
This project aims to network a new 500 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer and new consoles for existing instruments with an automated sample changer for a 600 MHz NMR spectrometer. This designed to increase the capacity of Queensland-based researchers to undertake state-of-the-art studies in chemistry, drug design, and materials science. The ne ....A Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facility for Modern Molecular Analysis. A nuclear magnetic resonance facility for modern molecular analysis:
This project aims to network a new 500 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer and new consoles for existing instruments with an automated sample changer for a 600 MHz NMR spectrometer. This designed to increase the capacity of Queensland-based researchers to undertake state-of-the-art studies in chemistry, drug design, and materials science. The new knowledge from these studies may lead to the development of new drugs, new crop protection agents and new photovoltaic materials. Read moreRead less
Functional studies of tyrosine sulfation using synthetic sulfoproteins. This project aims to address a lack of knowledge about how post-translational sulfation of tyrosine residues influences protein function. The project will develop a synthetic platform for the rapid and efficient generation of libraries of site-selectively sulfated proteins. The new methods will be used to study bioactive sulfated proteins secreted by ticks that dampen the inflammatory response and prevent blood from clotting ....Functional studies of tyrosine sulfation using synthetic sulfoproteins. This project aims to address a lack of knowledge about how post-translational sulfation of tyrosine residues influences protein function. The project will develop a synthetic platform for the rapid and efficient generation of libraries of site-selectively sulfated proteins. The new methods will be used to study bioactive sulfated proteins secreted by ticks that dampen the inflammatory response and prevent blood from clotting. Underpinned by the ability to access synthetic sulfoproteins, expected outcomes include a detailed understanding of how tyrosine sulfation can modulate function and stability of antibodies and proteins with anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory activities. Significant benefits of the project will include breakthrough technologies for the preparation of homogeneously modified proteins, which will strengthen Australia’s growing biotechnology sector.Read moreRead less
New methods for the chemical synthesis of a library of glycopeptide-based tri-component cancer vaccines. A novel method for the synthesis of tumour-associated glycopeptides will be developed in this research as well as the preparation of a library of glycopeptide-based cancer vaccines. These vaccines will be tested in immunological studies with a view to elucidating new immune-based therapies for the treatment of cancer.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160101281
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$300,036.00
Summary
Biomimetic lipidic self-assembly materials for protein encapsulation. This project intends to improve understanding of the interactions between proteins and lipidic materials to guide the development of new biomaterials. Proteins and peptides play an increasingly important role as drugs, vaccines and diagnostics. However, these fragile, often large, macromolecules come with challenges for drug delivery. Lipid-based materials are ideal matrices for encapsulation of functionally active proteins. T ....Biomimetic lipidic self-assembly materials for protein encapsulation. This project intends to improve understanding of the interactions between proteins and lipidic materials to guide the development of new biomaterials. Proteins and peptides play an increasingly important role as drugs, vaccines and diagnostics. However, these fragile, often large, macromolecules come with challenges for drug delivery. Lipid-based materials are ideal matrices for encapsulation of functionally active proteins. They also offer advantages as drug delivery vehicles including controlled release properties. The combination of strategies creates an ideal delivery system for protein therapeutics. The project aims to characterise the physicochemical interactions between the protein and the lipid matrix. This may guide the development of novel lipidic materials for the encapsulation and controlled release of protein therapeutics.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140101632
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$395,220.00
Summary
Development of Innovative Chemical Tools for Studying Glycosyltransferases . This project aims to develop chemical probes capable of selectively binding and inhibiting two classes of carbohydrate processing enzymes known as O-linked beta-N-acetylglucosamine transferase and sialyltransferases. These enzymes are overexpressed in various cancers and play critical roles in cancer progression. Probes will be developed to analyse the activities of these enzymes in cancer cells.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE120100045
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$300,000.00
Summary
Integrated facility for confocal imaging and single molecule fluorescence analysis. This facility will provide a microscope system for confocal imaging and single molecule fluorescence analysis. The facility will provide all the imaging requirements of a large group of researchers. It will provide them with the ability to measure interactions between single molecules. This will make possible many important advances across diverse areas ranging from climate change to serious diseases like Alzhei ....Integrated facility for confocal imaging and single molecule fluorescence analysis. This facility will provide a microscope system for confocal imaging and single molecule fluorescence analysis. The facility will provide all the imaging requirements of a large group of researchers. It will provide them with the ability to measure interactions between single molecules. This will make possible many important advances across diverse areas ranging from climate change to serious diseases like Alzheimer’s disease.Read moreRead less