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How is molecular information passed between generations? This project aims to determine the mechanisms responsible for the inheritance of acquired traits. Sometimes the environment can have effects on the phenotype of not only the exposed individual, but also their children and grandchildren. While it is clear that this can occur, what is not clear is the mechanism by which this happens and the frequency at which it happens. This project will combine use of the model organism Caenorhabditis eleg ....How is molecular information passed between generations? This project aims to determine the mechanisms responsible for the inheritance of acquired traits. Sometimes the environment can have effects on the phenotype of not only the exposed individual, but also their children and grandchildren. While it is clear that this can occur, what is not clear is the mechanism by which this happens and the frequency at which it happens. This project will combine use of the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans with biochemistry and structural biology to determine what the molecular mechanism is by which this "transgenerational epigenetic inheritance" occurs.Read moreRead less
Molecular mechanisms of novel bacterial copper defense proteins. This project aims to reveal molecular and cellular mechanisms used by bacteria to neutralise the destructive effects of copper. Copper is an essential trace element in living systems. It is toxic to bacteria and so plays a vital role in nutritional immunity. To counteract copper toxicity, bacteria have evolved defense mechanisms. The project will investigate a novel but poorly understood class of bacterial proteins, the suppressor ....Molecular mechanisms of novel bacterial copper defense proteins. This project aims to reveal molecular and cellular mechanisms used by bacteria to neutralise the destructive effects of copper. Copper is an essential trace element in living systems. It is toxic to bacteria and so plays a vital role in nutritional immunity. To counteract copper toxicity, bacteria have evolved defense mechanisms. The project will investigate a novel but poorly understood class of bacterial proteins, the suppressor of copper sensitivity proteins, that contribute to this key virulence trait. The expected outcomes will be fundamental new knowledge of metallo-protein diversity, bacterial virulence mechanisms, and membrane protein function with potential impact on health, environment, and biotechnology.Read moreRead less
Electron transport catalysis in organohalide pollutant respiration. This project aims to understand the link between substrate specificity and gene sequence of dehalogenating enzymes in organohalide respiring bacteria (ORB) and the mechanism by which electrons are transferred to dehalogenating enzymes through protein-protein interactions. Organohalides were present in Earth's early history and now pollute the environment globally. Organohalide respiring bacteria (ORB) can degrade these pollutant ....Electron transport catalysis in organohalide pollutant respiration. This project aims to understand the link between substrate specificity and gene sequence of dehalogenating enzymes in organohalide respiring bacteria (ORB) and the mechanism by which electrons are transferred to dehalogenating enzymes through protein-protein interactions. Organohalides were present in Earth's early history and now pollute the environment globally. Organohalide respiring bacteria (ORB) can degrade these pollutants by using them as terminal electron acceptors in their respiratory metabolism. This represents one of the most ancient respiratory systems on Earth about which little is known. This project will add to our fundamental knowledge of microbial evolution and metabolic systems, and pave the way for next generation organohalide remediation technologies.Read moreRead less
How does the chromatin remodeller CHD4 regulate gene expression? The mechanisms that determine how genes are switched on and off in different tissues and at different times are in many ways still mysterious. It is well established that gene expression patterns in complex organisms are determined in part by the manner in which DNA is physically packaged. Our aim is to define new aspects of these mechanisms that revolve around molecular motors that regulate DNA packaging. This foundational knowled ....How does the chromatin remodeller CHD4 regulate gene expression? The mechanisms that determine how genes are switched on and off in different tissues and at different times are in many ways still mysterious. It is well established that gene expression patterns in complex organisms are determined in part by the manner in which DNA is physically packaged. Our aim is to define new aspects of these mechanisms that revolve around molecular motors that regulate DNA packaging. This foundational knowledge will deepen our understanding of gene regulation in all complex organisms and will inform future efforts to rationally modulate gene expression patterns in agriculture, research and other important areas.Read moreRead less
Resurrecting Ancient Proteins to Unlock New Catalytic Activity. This project aims to study the proteins that nature uses to make penicillin and related antibiotics, and their prehistoric ancestors. By doing so, the project expects to deepen understanding of these important processes, open up ways to make new antibiotics, and generate new knowledge about protein evolution. Intended outcomes include new biocatalysts based on the ancient ones, new antibiotic compounds active against resistant bacte ....Resurrecting Ancient Proteins to Unlock New Catalytic Activity. This project aims to study the proteins that nature uses to make penicillin and related antibiotics, and their prehistoric ancestors. By doing so, the project expects to deepen understanding of these important processes, open up ways to make new antibiotics, and generate new knowledge about protein evolution. Intended outcomes include new biocatalysts based on the ancient ones, new antibiotic compounds active against resistant bacteria, and a richer understanding of how these proteins have evolved over the last 4 billion years. This promises significant benefits in the form of new ways to address the challenge posed by antimicrobial resistance to antibiotics, which is a serious threat to the continued effectiveness of current antibiotics.Read moreRead less
Structures to Solve Conflicts of DNA Replication and RNA Transcription. This project aims to understand how new DNA is made so quickly and without mistakes in cells that are about to divide, in spite of competition from other processes happening at the same time on the DNA that should stop or interfere with it, such as the synthesis of RNA. The project expects to use the latest available methods to uncover what the microscopic natural machines that make DNA and RNA look like, and how they compet ....Structures to Solve Conflicts of DNA Replication and RNA Transcription. This project aims to understand how new DNA is made so quickly and without mistakes in cells that are about to divide, in spite of competition from other processes happening at the same time on the DNA that should stop or interfere with it, such as the synthesis of RNA. The project expects to use the latest available methods to uncover what the microscopic natural machines that make DNA and RNA look like, and how they compete with each other for access to DNA. Potential outcomes include the identification of processes that can be compromised by small molecules that may be developed into new antibiotics. This would be of great benefit - new antibiotics are urgently needed as one approach to countering the threat of antimicrobial resistance.Read moreRead less
Understanding chaperone function, one molecule at a time. This project aims to determine how molecular chaperones, a class of proteins represented in all phyla of life, work together to keep proteins folded and functional, particularly following cellular stress. This is important as proteins are involved in virtually all biological processes. This project will exploit innovative microscopy techniques to watch these molecular chaperones as they work. Expected outcomes of this project are the firs ....Understanding chaperone function, one molecule at a time. This project aims to determine how molecular chaperones, a class of proteins represented in all phyla of life, work together to keep proteins folded and functional, particularly following cellular stress. This is important as proteins are involved in virtually all biological processes. This project will exploit innovative microscopy techniques to watch these molecular chaperones as they work. Expected outcomes of this project are the first definitive description of how molecular chaperones interact to refold proteins, and the development of novel methods to study dynamic biological processes. This should provide significant benefits including enhanced collaboration and scientific capacity in Australia.Read moreRead less
High-throughput single-molecule directed evolution. DNA polymerases are essential enzymes in many biotechnological tools, including DNA sequencing and PCR tests. However, existing DNA polymerases have limitations, resulting in inaccuracies and inefficiencies. Existing methods to improve polymerases lack sensitivity to screen for subtle, yet pivotal traits. This project aims to overcome this limitation by developing a new single-molecule directed-evolution system to evolve better polymerases. Wit ....High-throughput single-molecule directed evolution. DNA polymerases are essential enzymes in many biotechnological tools, including DNA sequencing and PCR tests. However, existing DNA polymerases have limitations, resulting in inaccuracies and inefficiencies. Existing methods to improve polymerases lack sensitivity to screen for subtle, yet pivotal traits. This project aims to overcome this limitation by developing a new single-molecule directed-evolution system to evolve better polymerases. With this new technology we aim to identify DNA polymerases with improved performance that benefit biotechnological applications. Additionally, these single-molecule directed-evolution methods will benefit the wider scientific community and lay the foundation for further advances in directed evolution.Read moreRead less
Roadblocks in DNA replication. This project aims to develop the technology to visualise and understand the molecular processes responsible for the faithful copying of cellular DNA in the presence of roadblocks caused by chemical pressures and competing intracellular events. Understanding this process is important as DNA replication is responsible for copying the DNA genetic blueprint of cells and is crucial to all life on earth. This project will have as key outcomes the development of novel mol ....Roadblocks in DNA replication. This project aims to develop the technology to visualise and understand the molecular processes responsible for the faithful copying of cellular DNA in the presence of roadblocks caused by chemical pressures and competing intracellular events. Understanding this process is important as DNA replication is responsible for copying the DNA genetic blueprint of cells and is crucial to all life on earth. This project will have as key outcomes the development of novel molecular visualisation technology and the first molecular description of the dynamic processes used by the DNA-replication machinery to navigate roadblocks. These outcomes should provide significant benefits including enhanced collaboration and scientific capacity in Australia.Read moreRead less
Viral capsids as high-efficiency nanoreactors. This project aims to develop state-of-the-art single-molecule imaging to visualise DNA synthesis inside authentic retroviral capsids in real time. The project expects to generate new knowledge in the fields of virology, synthetic biology, and nanotechnology by utilising cutting-edge fluorescent labelling reagents and microscopy technology. Expected outcomes include a comprehensive description of retrovirus reverse transcription, development of innov ....Viral capsids as high-efficiency nanoreactors. This project aims to develop state-of-the-art single-molecule imaging to visualise DNA synthesis inside authentic retroviral capsids in real time. The project expects to generate new knowledge in the fields of virology, synthetic biology, and nanotechnology by utilising cutting-edge fluorescent labelling reagents and microscopy technology. Expected outcomes include a comprehensive description of retrovirus reverse transcription, development of innovative biophysical techniques for the study of viruses, and an understanding of the engineering principles at play in natural nano-reactors. This project anticipates contributing advanced capabilities in bionanotechnology, benefiting therapeutic, biotechnology and synthetic biology applications.Read moreRead less