Biochemistry of tropoelastin and elastin. Elastin is the main protein responsible for the elasticity of vertebrate tissues. The Weiss Lab makes large quantities of full-length tropoelastin, which is crosslinked to make elastin. We want to examine the biochemistry of tropoelastin, learn how its domains participate in elastin structure and assembly, and explore cellular responses to our synthetic elastin biomaterial. Remarkably little is known of this biochemistry because elastin is a highly cross ....Biochemistry of tropoelastin and elastin. Elastin is the main protein responsible for the elasticity of vertebrate tissues. The Weiss Lab makes large quantities of full-length tropoelastin, which is crosslinked to make elastin. We want to examine the biochemistry of tropoelastin, learn how its domains participate in elastin structure and assembly, and explore cellular responses to our synthetic elastin biomaterial. Remarkably little is known of this biochemistry because elastin is a highly cross-linked and substantially insoluble macroscopic network of tropoelastin multimers. Our availability of tropoelastin and synthetic elastin now makes these studies possible.Read moreRead less
Biochemistry of tropoelastin and elastin: the molecular architecture of elastic fibre assembly. Elastin destruction drives the progression of emphysema, a major component of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease which is a major cause of death. Loss of elastin leads to profound blockage of arteries. If we are to treat these problems we need to know how to make and repair elastin. This research will enable us to discover how elastin is constructed and define its interacting partners. We will lear ....Biochemistry of tropoelastin and elastin: the molecular architecture of elastic fibre assembly. Elastin destruction drives the progression of emphysema, a major component of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease which is a major cause of death. Loss of elastin leads to profound blockage of arteries. If we are to treat these problems we need to know how to make and repair elastin. This research will enable us to discover how elastin is constructed and define its interacting partners. We will learn how to make tissue components found in parts of the body that expand and contract such as the arteries, lung and skin. We will learn about the molecular mechanisms of elastin assembly and cell interactions, which gives us the core molecular toolkit to repair elastin tissue.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0883032
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,300,000.00
Summary
800 MHz NMR spectrometer for biomolecular structure-function analysis. An understanding of how organisms function at the molecular level is central to developing the ability to fight many diseases in a rational way. This equipment will provide the capability for many different laboratories around NSW and the ACT to advance our knowledge at this fundamental level, primarily by examining the structures and functions of biomolecules such as proteins.
The atlas of trace metals in the mouse brain: a new tool for neuroscientists. This project will produce the first atlas of trace metals in the mouse brain: a set of 'maps' of a type of brain often used to study diseases affecting the human brain. This online resource will show neuroscientists unprecedented 3D detail of the distribution in the brain of trace metals, which are implicated in such diseases as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
Novel mass spectrometry methods to assess cellular oxidative stress. This project will provide fundamental understanding to the biology of cell stress that may lead to novel approaches for treating age-related diseases. It has the potential to have a significant economic and social impact nationally and internationally and provide Australian scientists with new technologies to study challenging issues in biology.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100150
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
Beyond Proteomics: structure and function of protein modifications. The world's leading cancer therapeutics have come from the protein phosphorylation field, and glycomics has led to drugs that combat the flu and that stimulate red blood cell production in cancer patients. Thus there is a bright future for discovery of new medicines based on new knowledge in this area. Protein modifications are key to the understanding of disease mechanisms and for searching for new disease markers and new the ....Beyond Proteomics: structure and function of protein modifications. The world's leading cancer therapeutics have come from the protein phosphorylation field, and glycomics has led to drugs that combat the flu and that stimulate red blood cell production in cancer patients. Thus there is a bright future for discovery of new medicines based on new knowledge in this area. Protein modifications are key to the understanding of disease mechanisms and for searching for new disease markers and new therapeutics. In the hands of local experts the instruments will enable identification of these modifications and provide improved understanding of biology, increase the national competitiveness of Australia's scientists, and provide advanced technology training to the next generation of scientists.Read moreRead less
The effects of alpha-2-macroglobulin on amyloid formation and toxicity. The expected outcomes will provide major advances in understanding how the abundant human blood protein alpha-2-macroglobulin influences the formation of protein aggregates that underpin a number of serious diseases (e.g. Alzheimer's disease). The linkages involved are of the highest calibre and will give the Fellowship holder a unique opportunity for training in environments that are truly internationally leading-edge. Fur ....The effects of alpha-2-macroglobulin on amyloid formation and toxicity. The expected outcomes will provide major advances in understanding how the abundant human blood protein alpha-2-macroglobulin influences the formation of protein aggregates that underpin a number of serious diseases (e.g. Alzheimer's disease). The linkages involved are of the highest calibre and will give the Fellowship holder a unique opportunity for training in environments that are truly internationally leading-edge. Furthermore, the very high novelty and broad significance of this work indicate that it will produce high-impact publications which will tangibly assist Australia being recognized as a major contributor to international research outcomes of the highest quality.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989078
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$400,000.00
Summary
Unique, state-of-the-art lipidomics infrastructure. The new technologies provided through this grant will significantly enhance our understanding of lipids and their role in normal cell biology and disease. These new insights will be vital in improving our understanding of lipid-related disorders such obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease and helping to improve their treatment and prevention.
New methods to complete the lipidomics puzzle: revealing the structural diversity of lipids by mass spectrometry. Lipid-related disorders such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease are reaching epidemic proportions in the western world. The integration of innovative techniques will provide Australia with unique capabilities to investigate these diseases and place Australia at the forefront of lipid research internationally.
Biophysical characterization of protein interactions within a transcription factor network. Gene expression is regulated in part by interactions between pairs and groups of proteins known as transcription factors and co-regulators. These proteins assemble into complexes at gene promoters and enhancers and thereby control the expression of that gene. Little is known at the molecular level of how these complexes form and how different interactions cooperate or compete with each other. In this prop ....Biophysical characterization of protein interactions within a transcription factor network. Gene expression is regulated in part by interactions between pairs and groups of proteins known as transcription factors and co-regulators. These proteins assemble into complexes at gene promoters and enhancers and thereby control the expression of that gene. Little is known at the molecular level of how these complexes form and how different interactions cooperate or compete with each other. In this proposal we aim to define a complex between two transcriptional regulators (HOP and SRF) involved in cardiac development and to begin to define other interactions that make up a transcriptional network essential for development of a normal heart.Read moreRead less