A mass spectrometer for biomarker research
Chief investigator: Molloy
Grant details
Provided by: Cancer Institute NSW
Beyond proteomics: structure and function of protein modifications
Chief investigators: Packer, Robinson, Baxter, Tam, North, Götz, Graham, Firth, Diefenbach, Bryan, Murray, Henderson, Byrne, Chircop, Reddel, Braithwaite, Itzstein, McCluskey, Molloy, Baker, Goodchild, Haynes, Baker, Coorssen
Summary
The perception is that analysis of protein modifications is too difficult. The reality is that high- resolution mass spectrometers can now facilitate the analysis of these modifications. We are requesting the purchase of two purpose-specific instruments to be placed in two separate locations that already have recognised specific expertise in the difficult areas of glycosylation and phosphorylation analysis. The state-of-the-art instruments have increased sensitivity and mass accuracy compared to currently available technologies and will enable the analysis of the function of these regulatory modifications on proteins to be explored in numerous high quality projects with top biological researchers.
Grant details
Provided by: Australian Research Council
Glycoproteomics analytical infrastructure
Chief investigators: Baker, Packer, Robinson, Clarke, Daly, Wilkins, Verrills, Kavellaris, Braithwaite, Ashman, Sim
Summary
The aim is to establish an expert glycoproteomics analytical infrastructure and expertise at Macquarie University for cancer researchers. The grant has a charter to collaborate with cancer research groups in NSW on the specialised analysis of the glycosylation of proteins and their function in cancer.
The sugars on glycoproteins have long been implicated in all forms of cancer, in particular in the metastatic potential of tumour cells. The limiting factor in understanding the role of these molecules has been the difficulty in analysis because of their branched complex structures. These exhibit great macro- and micro-heterogeneity in their synthesis and attachment to membrane proteins.
Grant details
Provided by: Cancer Institute NSW
Real-time PCR instrument
Chief investigators: Tetu, Paulsen, Raftos, Gillings, Nevalainen, Stow, Roberts, Grinyer, Hassan, Holley
Grant details
Provided by: Macquarie University research infrastructure block grant
Sugars in the real world
Chief investigators: Packer, Molloy
Summary
Cells isolated from different tissues and maintained in cell culture provide a laboratory-friendly way to study cellular molecular activity, the results of which often become the basis of biological discoveries. However, selective pressures on cells kept in culture alter functions and may make them unreliable models. We compare the protein glycosylation pathway in established colon cancer cells grown in cell culture, with biopsied colon cancer tissue. We then mimic, in the cultured cells, the ‘rea’ changes occurring in this pathway, to understand the regulation of glycosylation of cell membrane proteins in disease.
Grant details
Provided by: Australian Research Council Discovery Projects
Systems biology: New generation DNA sequencing to functional analysis
Chief investigators: Paulsen, Bergquist
Summary
We have access to the Ramaciotti Centre purchase of a next generation DNA sequencer, and an electrical impedance spectrometer, to provide the cutting-edge technologies required for genomics and transcriptomics.
The important new developments in gene discovery and functional genomics or transcriptomics are coming from the faster and cheaper DNA sequencing provided through next generation platforms.
Grant details
Provided by: Australian Research Council
Upgrading ion trap instrumentation
Chief investigators: Haynes, Packer, Molloy, Nevalainen, Willows
Grant details
Provided by: Australian Research Council