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The structures and functions of organelles in cells depend on each other but have not been systematically explored. We established stable knockout cell lines of peroxisomal, Golgi and endoplasmic reticulum genes identified in a whole-genome CRISPR knockout screen for inducers of mitochondrial biogenesis stress, showing that defects in peroxisome, Golgi and endoplasmic reticulum metabolism disrupt mitochondrial structure and function.
The presence of membrane-bound organelles with specific functions is one of the main hallmarks of eukaryotic cells. Organelle membranes are composed of specific lipids that govern their function and interorganelle communication. Discoveries in cell biology using imaging and omic technologies have revealed the mechanisms that drive membrane remodeling, organelle contact sites, and metabolite exchange.
The ability to balance conflicting functional demands is critical for ensuring organismal survival. The transcription and repair of the mitochondrial genome requires separate enzymatic activities that can sterically compete, suggesting a life-long trade-off between these two processes.
RNA-binding proteins and mitochondrial ribosomes have been found to be linchpins of mitochondrial gene expression in health and disease. The expanding repertoire of proteins that bind and regulate the mitochondrial transcriptome has necessitated the development of new tools and methods to examine their molecular functions.
Mitochondrial diseases are devastating disorders for which there are no cures or effective treatments. Our project will focus on the prevention of mitochondrial diseases and discovery of effective cures.
Uses personalised approaches to healthcare, aiming to tailor prevention and treatment strategies based on genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. This theme strives to make healthcare more targeted and effective for each child's unique needs.
Five The Kids Research Institute Australia researchers and a popular Institute-led science festival for kids have been named as finalists in the 2024 Premier’s Science Awards.
Base editing technologies enable programmable single-nucleotide changes in target DNA without double-stranded DNA breaks. Adenine base editors (ABEs) allow precise conversion of adenine to guanine. However, limited availability of optimized deaminases as well as their variable efficiencies across different target sequences can limit the ability of ABEs to achieve effective adenine editing.
Expression of the compact mitochondrial genome is regulated by nuclear encoded, mitochondrially localized RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). RBPs regulate the lifecycles of mitochondrial RNAs from transcription to degradation by mediating RNA processing, maturation, stability and translation. The Fas-activated serine/threonine kinase (FASTK) family of RBPs has been shown to regulate and fine-tune discrete aspects of mitochondrial gene expression.
To assess parental awareness of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the level of acceptance of future RSV prevention strategies. A cross-sectional online survey was implemented targeting "future" and "current" parents of children aged ≤5 years in Australia.