Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Acting head: Associate Professor B N Preston
Address: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton 3168.
Telephone: (03) 9905 3790

• + Autoimmune diseases The molecular biology and immunology of autoimmune diseases, particularly insulin dependent diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and primary biliary cirrhosis. Molecular cloning and expression of autoantigens. Determination of subcellular localization of target autoantigens in cells and tissues. Examination of the effects of environmental agents on autoantigen expression. Use of phage display to identify mimotopes reactive with autoantibodies. Development of tests for early diagnosis and monitoring treatment.
• + Bioenergetics The bioenergetic mechanism of respiratory enzymes such as NADH dehydrogenase. Mechanism of action of respiratory inhibitors used as drugs or agrichemicals. Mitochondrial dysfunction in neurological diseases. Metabolic initiation of diabetes mellitus. Structural prediction and spectroscopy of membrane cytochromes.
• + Centre for Bioprocess Technology Analytical and process aspects of biotechnology and biopharmaceutical developments. Separation science and novel adsorbent development. Peptide molecular design and analogue synthesis. Development of computer software for biomolecular simulations and purification process optimisation. Peptide and protein analysis, purification and characterisation. Synthesis of combinatorial peptide and non-peptide libraries for drug candidate discovery. Conformational, spectroscopic and functional aspects of structure-function determination. Protein-receptor and protein-ligand interactions. Surface modification of polymeric and ceramic materials. Molecular biological applications in cancer research and diagnosis. Development of peptide-based constructs as vaccine candidates for viral diseases. Growth factors and related proteins important in the control of reproduction, blood vessel development and cancers of the gonads and prostate.
• + Connective tissue Physico-chemical behaviour of the extracellular components in connective tissues with reference to complex macromolecular interactions and the pathology of arthritis. Roles of polysaccharides in binding interactions with proteins in the extracellular matrix. Biosynthesis, structure and function of proteoglycans.
• + Cyclosporins/immunophilins and apoptosis Biosynthesis and mechanisms of action of cyclosporins, immunophilins and peptidyl-prolyl-cis/trans isomerases. Plasma membrane NADH-oxidoreductase. Apoptosis. Mechanism of action of the anticancer drug Didemnin B. Analysis of the involvement of protein kinases/phosphatases and peptidyl-prolyl-cis/trans isomerases in the formation of long-term memory (in association with the Department of Psychology).
• + Extracellular matrix/kidney Biochemistry and biophysics of basement membranes and capillary walls. Extracellular matrix structure and function in the glomerular capillary wall. Mechanisms of proteinuria in kidney disease including diabetes. Collagen and proteoglycan metabolism and regulation. Biotechnology of filtration devices.
• + Hyaluronan metabolism Cellular and genetic control of hyaluronan synthesis. Investigation of congenital overproduction of hyaluronan in a newborn infant and in a canine model. Isolation of cDNA clones and the gene for hyaluronan synthase in both species. Development of probes for the study of congenital hyaluronosis and numerous pathological states in which secondary hyaluronosis is an important feature.
• + Interferons Mechanism of action, particularly signal transduction pathways controlling cell growth and the cell cycle. Cellular basis for sensitivity/resistance of melanomas to interferons. Interferons and Epstein Barr virus immortalisation of B-lymphocytes. Identification of interferon-regulated genes involved in establishing the growth-inhibitory or anti-viral states in cells. Cancer immunotherapy and gene therapy based on interferons.
• + Mammalian mitochondria Role of mitochondria in human ageing and disease. The contribution of mitochondrial DNA mutation to impaired organelle function. Use of photosensitisers to induce reactive oxygen species to study mitochondrial disorders and in relation to photodynamic therapy of cancer. Role of mitochondria in calcium homeostasis and in cell death. Use of green fluorescent protein to study events in mitochondria.
• + Molecular parasitology Molecular biochemistry of parasites and the development of vaccines and diagnostic tests. Analysis of immune responses to parasites. Use of DNA vaccine technology for parasites (malaria, Fasciola). Cytokine expression and use of cytokines as adjuvants. PCR diagnosis of malaria. Mechanisms of resistance to Fasciola in sheep. Function of proteases in parasite infection and fecundity.
• + Neutrophils The biology of polymorphonuclear neutrophils in inflammatory joint disease. The role of calgranulins A, B & C in the activation and function of neutrophils and their involvement in sulphite formation. The role of inorganic sulphite in inflammation and autoimmunity.
• + Obesity and diabetes Aetiology and diagnosis of obesity and diabetes. Development of novel therapeutic agents of biological origin for the treatment of metabolic disorders. Nutritional management in the prevention of obesity and diabetic complications (in association with the Department of Medicine).
• + Peptide and protein structure The molecular basis of peptide and protein interactions with biological and chemical surfaces. Analysis of protein-folding pathways. Peptide-lipid interactions. Mechanism of peptide and protein retention in high performance liquid chromatography. Spectroscopic analysis of peptide-protein conformation. Capillary electrophoresis. Molecular modelling of peptide/protein structures in solution and bound to lipid surfaces.
• + Proteases The role of proteases in health and disease. Mechanistic studies on the interactions of proteases (particularly thrombin) with substrates, inhibitors and receptors. Protein engineering and protein structure. Molecular forces involved in the interaction of proteins. Enzyme kinetics. Development of novel inhibitors of proteases, particularly for use as antithrombotic agents.
• + Yeast Application of recombinant DNA technology to gene expression and protein engineering in relation to protein structure and assembly of protein complexes. The molecular genetics, biosynthesis and assembly of membrane-associated mitochondrial ATP synthase. Biosynthesis of the mitochondrial organelle. Relocation of genes between organelles. Imaging of mitochondrial events with green fluorescent protein.