Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE180100157
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,000.00
Summary
Confocal and single molecule microscopes for systems microscopy. This project aims to establish Australia’s first system microscopy facility with dedicated live-cell confocal and single-molecule fluorescence microscopes. In systems microscopy, the imaging workflow is automated so that large and unbiased data sets of the spatiotemporal organisation of molecules and cells can be generated. Combined with statistical and bioinformatics analyses, image-derived data provides system-wide information th ....Confocal and single molecule microscopes for systems microscopy. This project aims to establish Australia’s first system microscopy facility with dedicated live-cell confocal and single-molecule fluorescence microscopes. In systems microscopy, the imaging workflow is automated so that large and unbiased data sets of the spatiotemporal organisation of molecules and cells can be generated. Combined with statistical and bioinformatics analyses, image-derived data provides system-wide information that is not easily obtainable with other approaches. The project will enable Australian researchers to image and analyse the full complexity of biological systems, potentially transforming cell biology, drug development and understanding the molecular basis of disease. It will also demonstrate how the capacity of microscopy facilities can be enhanced and bias in imaging data reduced by automating data acquisition and mining of image-based data.Read moreRead less
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.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0237729
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$735,000.00
Summary
A proteomics facility for Queensland researchers. The successful completion of sequencing of the genomes of many organisms, including man, has thrown emphasis back on the identification of proteins involved in the complex events that sustain cellular life. Our aim is to set up a world-class facility for proteomics research which will allow a large cohort of scientists at several institutions to identify individual proteins in vanishingly small samples of very complex mixtures. This facility wi ....A proteomics facility for Queensland researchers. The successful completion of sequencing of the genomes of many organisms, including man, has thrown emphasis back on the identification of proteins involved in the complex events that sustain cellular life. Our aim is to set up a world-class facility for proteomics research which will allow a large cohort of scientists at several institutions to identify individual proteins in vanishingly small samples of very complex mixtures. This facility will enable investigation of the control of gene expression, the intricate organisation of proteins within cells, and proteins which are potential drug targets. This equipment is an essential resource for Queensland research groups.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0454052
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$733,595.00
Summary
Tandem Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionisation Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectrometer and Robots for High Throughput Proteomics Analysis. This proposal seeks to establish the capacity to perform high-energy tandem mass spectrometry on a high throughput basis, through purchase and coordinated operation of a Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionisation - Time of Flight / Time of Flight - Mass Spectrometer and ancillary equipment, to enhance the proteomics expertise, infrastructure and research plans ....Tandem Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionisation Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectrometer and Robots for High Throughput Proteomics Analysis. This proposal seeks to establish the capacity to perform high-energy tandem mass spectrometry on a high throughput basis, through purchase and coordinated operation of a Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionisation - Time of Flight / Time of Flight - Mass Spectrometer and ancillary equipment, to enhance the proteomics expertise, infrastructure and research plans of a network of institutions from Queensland and New South Wales and their collaborators. Access to such instrumentation is critical to high level achievement in proteomics, a key platform technology for National Research Priorities relating to Frontier Technologies. No comparable instrument currently exists in Australia.Read moreRead less
Examination Of The Molecular Pharmacology Of Anthracyclines Induced Via Their Interaction With Iron
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$618,401.00
Summary
Anthracyclines are highly effective anti-cancer drugs, but their use is limited by toxic effects on the heart. This is thought to be due to these drugs directly binding iron (Fe). Indeed, we showed that anthracyclines induced marked changes in the way heart cells utilise Fe (DR1-3, 38; Mol. Pharmacol. 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005). We were the first to show that anthracyclines prevent Fe release from the criticial Fe storage protein ferritin. This prevents the use of Fe for vital processes eg. DNA and ....Anthracyclines are highly effective anti-cancer drugs, but their use is limited by toxic effects on the heart. This is thought to be due to these drugs directly binding iron (Fe). Indeed, we showed that anthracyclines induced marked changes in the way heart cells utilise Fe (DR1-3, 38; Mol. Pharmacol. 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005). We were the first to show that anthracyclines prevent Fe release from the criticial Fe storage protein ferritin. This prevents the use of Fe for vital processes eg. DNA and haem synthesis. Hence, this effect probably contributes to the cytotoxic activity of anthracyclines on the heart. We showed that novel drugs developed in my lab that bind Fe called chelators show high activity in animals (DR4) and prevent anthracycline-mediated Fe accumulation in ferritin. Importantly, Fe chelators have been shown to inhibit anthracycline-mediated cardiotoxicity. Indeed, the clinically used cardioprotective agent, ICRF-187, is actually an Fe chelator (5, DR6). However, ICRF-187 is not totally successful in terms of its cardioprotective effects and can cause myelosuppression (5, DR6). While the clinically used chelator, desferrioxamine (DFO), can prevent anthracycline-mediated cardiotoxicity, its poor membrane permeability limits its effectiveness. Our chelators are highly permeable and overcome the disadvantages of DFO (DR4). Thus, they are vital to examine for preventing anthracycline-mediated cardiotoxicity. In this proposal we will examine the changes in Fe metabolism induced by anthracyclines and test the hypothesis that novel Fe chelators may prevent the cardiotoxicity of these agents. We also aim to be the first to assess if preparation of anthracyclines which cannot bind iron prevents their cardiotoxicity. This will be done by preparing metal complexes of these drugs which prevent Fe-binding eg. anthracycline-zinc complexes. These studies are important for the development of less cardiotoxic forms of these very useful anti-tumour agents.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE170100021
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,168,000.00
Summary
Australian Metabolic Phenotyping Centre (AMPC). This project aims to establish a centre for targeted and exploratory metabolic phenotyping. Metabolic phenotyping quantitatively measures the precursors, intermediates and products of metabolism interacting within a biological system. This project will use high-resolution spectrometry and spectroscopy to generate comprehensive, multi-parameter metabolite data sets for biological samples at the population level, at unprecedented throughput and low c ....Australian Metabolic Phenotyping Centre (AMPC). This project aims to establish a centre for targeted and exploratory metabolic phenotyping. Metabolic phenotyping quantitatively measures the precursors, intermediates and products of metabolism interacting within a biological system. This project will use high-resolution spectrometry and spectroscopy to generate comprehensive, multi-parameter metabolite data sets for biological samples at the population level, at unprecedented throughput and low cost, to address biological and biomedical research needs. This project is expected to make Australian scientists globally competitive in the life sciences including biological, clinical and biomedical, plant and crop sciences, analytical chemistry, toxicology, agriculture, wildlife conservation and sports science, and to drive advances in the data sciences for systems biology.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR1101002
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$21,000,000.00
Summary
Stem Cells Australia. Despite progress in stem cell research, scientists do not understand how stem cells “decide” what to become. Stem Cells Australia will draw upon strengths within Australia’s premier stem cell research universities and institutes. This collaboration between leading bioengineering, nanotechnology, stem cell and advanced molecular analysis experts, will fast-track efforts to deliver a fundamental understanding of the mechanisms of stem cell regulation and differentiation, and ....Stem Cells Australia. Despite progress in stem cell research, scientists do not understand how stem cells “decide” what to become. Stem Cells Australia will draw upon strengths within Australia’s premier stem cell research universities and institutes. This collaboration between leading bioengineering, nanotechnology, stem cell and advanced molecular analysis experts, will fast-track efforts to deliver a fundamental understanding of the mechanisms of stem cell regulation and differentiation, and the ability to control and influence this process. Stem Cells Australia will deliver new methods for stem cell propagation and manipulation, new translational technologies for therapeutic applications, and will prepare Australia’s future stem cell scientific leaders.Read moreRead less
Microenvironments which support extramedullary hematopoiesis. Tissue regeneration is a breakthrough technology absolutely dependent on knowledge of the stem cells and stromal cells which support differentiation and tissue development. This project investigates the stromal cell types in spleen which can regenerate blood-forming cells in an ectopic tissue site or artificial matrix.
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354908
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
The Insect-Plant Chemical Ecology Network (IPCEN). We bring together plant molecular biology, entomology and analytical chemistry to transform three leading fields of Australian research into an advanced science with far reaching capabilities in innovative research and applied outcomes. Expertise studying the biochemical pathways that produce specific plant compounds and expertise in insect recognition and response to these chemicals will be brought together. This will lead to new research outco ....The Insect-Plant Chemical Ecology Network (IPCEN). We bring together plant molecular biology, entomology and analytical chemistry to transform three leading fields of Australian research into an advanced science with far reaching capabilities in innovative research and applied outcomes. Expertise studying the biochemical pathways that produce specific plant compounds and expertise in insect recognition and response to these chemicals will be brought together. This will lead to new research outcomes and solutions to problems in agriculture, horticulture, forestry and protection of Australia's native flora. Researchers are struggling to create these links, constrained by disciplinary boundaries and geographical isolation. Key industries and researchers already support this proposal.Read moreRead less
Gain from pain: new tools from venomous animals for exploring pain pathways. This project aims to explore animal venoms for new pain-causing toxins, to determine their structure and mechanism of action. Many venomous animals use their venom defensively and envenomation is frequently associated with rapid and often excruciating pain. In most cases the molecular mechanisms by which they achieve this is unknown. Using biochemical, pharmacological and biophysical techniques, this project expects to ....Gain from pain: new tools from venomous animals for exploring pain pathways. This project aims to explore animal venoms for new pain-causing toxins, to determine their structure and mechanism of action. Many venomous animals use their venom defensively and envenomation is frequently associated with rapid and often excruciating pain. In most cases the molecular mechanisms by which they achieve this is unknown. Using biochemical, pharmacological and biophysical techniques, this project expects to uncover toxins that employ new mechanisms of pain signalling, leading to new insights into pain physiology.Read moreRead less