Gas Phase Studies to Catalyze a Better Understanding of Metal Reactivity. The proposed research will increase knowledge of fundamental questions related to the mechanisms of catalysis and metal ion reactivity. The insights gained will be an important addition to the knowledge base of our culture, both nationally and in the wider international context. We note that research into the behaviour and design of catalysts is a burgeoning field which reflects the great importance of this area in the int ....Gas Phase Studies to Catalyze a Better Understanding of Metal Reactivity. The proposed research will increase knowledge of fundamental questions related to the mechanisms of catalysis and metal ion reactivity. The insights gained will be an important addition to the knowledge base of our culture, both nationally and in the wider international context. We note that research into the behaviour and design of catalysts is a burgeoning field which reflects the great importance of this area in the international scientific community. Our proposal will add to fundamental knowledge and may also result in practical applications. More importantly, we will train and equip talented young people with a spectrum of skills which will make them well placed to meet the demand for highly skilled professional scientists.Read moreRead less
Studies of metal compounds containing carbon chains - approaches to novel materials. There is an increasing need to design functional devices on the molecular scale ("nanotechnology"). We are developing the chemistry of compounds which contain chains of up to 12 carbon atoms to allow electronic communication between metal centres attached to each end. This projects seeks to extend this work, to discover new and more effective compounds, and to develop the associated chemistry to provide synthese ....Studies of metal compounds containing carbon chains - approaches to novel materials. There is an increasing need to design functional devices on the molecular scale ("nanotechnology"). We are developing the chemistry of compounds which contain chains of up to 12 carbon atoms to allow electronic communication between metal centres attached to each end. This projects seeks to extend this work, to discover new and more effective compounds, and to develop the associated chemistry to provide syntheses of novel compounds of potential use in the fine chemicals industry. Extensive collaboration with French colleagues exists and will continue.Read moreRead less
All-carbon molecules in metal complexes - novel materials and intermediates. An important requirement for the future is new materials with unusual properties that can be controlled. The need for ever smaller electronic devices requires knowledge about appropriate properties (particularly electronic) of molecules designed to model devices such as wires, switches, etc. This work seeks to design, measure and evaluate such molecules, which are based on chains of carbon atoms linking metal centres ....All-carbon molecules in metal complexes - novel materials and intermediates. An important requirement for the future is new materials with unusual properties that can be controlled. The need for ever smaller electronic devices requires knowledge about appropriate properties (particularly electronic) of molecules designed to model devices such as wires, switches, etc. This work seeks to design, measure and evaluate such molecules, which are based on chains of carbon atoms linking metal centres which can gain or lose electrons readily. As the electronic structure changes, so do the physical (photo, solid-state) and chemical properties (reactivity). Improved understanding of these features will benefit development of advanced technology and new materials.Read moreRead less
Targeting MicroRNA-driven Mesenchymal To Epithelial Transition To Suppress Prostate Cancer Metastasis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$741,831.00
Summary
Prostate cancer kills ~3,000 men per year in Australia. The development of metastasis is the major cause of prostate cancer-associated death and has limited treatment options. In this study, we will characterise the role of a group of molecules, termed microRNAs, in prostate cancer metastasis. We will also test whether targeting microRNAs using novel drugs termed antagomiRs is an effective strategy to inhibit metastasis and thereby improve prostate cancer mortality.
MicroRNAs are small molecules that modulate the expression of most genes and so affect nearly every biological process and pathology although, they were only discovered in humans less than 10 years ago. The bottleneck in discovering the functions of miRNAs is in identifying their molecular targets, the majority of which remain unknown. We aim to comprehensively identify direct target genes of epithelial-specific microRNAs and to confirm a number of them by gene target validation approaches.
Role Of The MiR-200 Target Quaking In Alternative Splicing During EMT And Cancer Progression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$443,160.00
Summary
The spread of cancer to other organs involves cancer cells changing to a more aggressive state and is a major cause of cancer related death. MicroRNAs are a class of genes that control whether cancer cells become more aggressive by regulating other genes. In this project we will examine the function of a new microRNA target which controls the cancer cell aggression. The outcome will be a better understanding of how cancers spread and the identification of new therapeutic targets.
Characterising Novel Alternative Splicing Networks That Promote Tumour Cell Plasticity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$609,329.00
Summary
During cancer progression, tumour cells can change their properties and become more aggressive and resistant to therapies. We have identified an important regulator of this tumour cell transition, called “Quaking”, which causes widespread changes in gene splicing. We aim to investigate how "Quaking" causes changes in gene splicing and what the effects of these splicing changes are in tumour cells.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100197
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$200,000.00
Summary
National magnetochemical facility. New magnetic materials of the molecular or biological types are quite different to traditional metal oxide magnets widely used, for example, in recording devices. They are very important from the perspective of understanding fundamental properties at low temperatures, in high magnetic fields, or when irradiated by light, but they are also showing promise in a range of applications, such as memory devices and smart cards and in the new area of spintronics and m ....National magnetochemical facility. New magnetic materials of the molecular or biological types are quite different to traditional metal oxide magnets widely used, for example, in recording devices. They are very important from the perspective of understanding fundamental properties at low temperatures, in high magnetic fields, or when irradiated by light, but they are also showing promise in a range of applications, such as memory devices and smart cards and in the new area of spintronics and molecular computers. The magnetochemical projects described here, that require the new equipment being sought, are fundamental in nature but will provide the underpinning of future nanomagnetic materials.Read moreRead less
Anion Binding and Sensing With Self-Assembled Metallo-Supramolecular Assemblies. Anions are of particular significance in several areas relating to the day-to-day lives of Australians; for example as contaminants in waterways and nuclear waste streams, as indicators of chemical weapons, and as antagonists in biological systems. The proposed research programme will investigate a relatively unexplored approach to binding and sensing anions. This will further research in the area of supramolecular ....Anion Binding and Sensing With Self-Assembled Metallo-Supramolecular Assemblies. Anions are of particular significance in several areas relating to the day-to-day lives of Australians; for example as contaminants in waterways and nuclear waste streams, as indicators of chemical weapons, and as antagonists in biological systems. The proposed research programme will investigate a relatively unexplored approach to binding and sensing anions. This will further research in the area of supramolecular chemistry, providing additional research expertise in this rapidly progressing area of the chemical sciences. In terms of Breakthrough science the targeted assemblies will shed further light on self-assembly processes involving ligands with different domains, placing Australian research at the forefront of such investigations.Read moreRead less
Internally decorated discrete Metallo-supramolecular Assemblies and infinite Metal-Organic Frameworks as molecular containers. In the macroscopic world, containers are used to hold, provide physical protection, or create a modified environment for their contents. This project will result in the synthesis of novel molecular container materials that provide decorated internal surfaces capable of selectively binding chemical species. In addition to the breakthrough scientific benefits of establish ....Internally decorated discrete Metallo-supramolecular Assemblies and infinite Metal-Organic Frameworks as molecular containers. In the macroscopic world, containers are used to hold, provide physical protection, or create a modified environment for their contents. This project will result in the synthesis of novel molecular container materials that provide decorated internal surfaces capable of selectively binding chemical species. In addition to the breakthrough scientific benefits of establishing the fundamentals of these systems, the binding of chemicals, which are environmental contaminants, will provide the grounding for applications that will contribute to the national priority of 'Frontier technologies'. Furthermore, this research will lead to the training of the next generation of Australian scientists by quality international researchers.Read moreRead less