Principal Investigators

    Frances Separovic

    Institution

    The University of Melbourne

    Contact information of lead PI

    Country

    Australia

    Title of project or programme

    Atomic details of antimicrobial peptides at work in live cells

    Source of funding information

    Australian Research Council

    Total sum awarded (Euro)

    € 330,000

    Start date of award

    01/01/2014

    Total duration of award in years

    3.0

    The project/programme is most relevant to:

    Alzheimer's disease & other dementias

    Keywords

    Research Abstract

    Membrane-active peptides, such as antimicrobial and amyloid (Ab) peptides, play an important role in disease. With the growth of antibiotic resistance and increase in Alzheimer’s disease, which is epitomised by plaques of Ab, new drugs are required. Although Ab is toxic in neuronal cell cultures and disrupts cell membranes, the mechanism is unknown. Antimicrobial peptides that target bacterial membranes have evolved as a defence mechanism against infection and, since membranes show little genetic adaptation, could be drug candidates. Model membranes will be developed to elucidate the mechanism of action and key molecular features that determine affinity for membrane lipids of an antimicrobial peptide and full length Ab peptides.

    Lay Summary

    Further information available at:

Types: Investments > €500k
Member States: Australia
Diseases: Alzheimer's disease & other dementias
Years: 2016
Database Categories: N/A
Database Tags: N/A

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