Annual Report 2013 LA TROBE INSTITUTE FOR MOLECULAR SCIENCE latrobe.edu.au/lims Contents A snapshot of our achievements 2 Director report 5 Mission 7 Income and expenditure 8 Governance 9 Teaching report 10 Outreach report 11 Department reports 12 Staff 16 Research profiles 18 Seminar program 44 Publications 47 External funding 55 Annual Report 2013 1 A snapshot of our achievements Determined the Identified that hybrid structure of Antigen 43, proteasomes in dendritic Developed new technology a key virulence factor cells help to increase that uses modified shark for uropathogenic the presentation of viral single domain antibodies E. coli bacteria Identified innate defence peptides in influenza for therapeutic interventions molecules that are potent viral infection against cancer and fibrosis killers of cancer cells Employed independent excitation of luminophores using electrochemistry to develop multiplex detection and colour tuning in light‑emitting devices Used molecular modelling of insulin binding to its receptor to provide insights on the design of new insulin analogues Defined genetic markers for Discovered a novel genetic surveillance of drug resistance lesion causing developmental in the organism that causes defects in erythropoiesis and river blindness in Africa organogenesis of the kidney, lung, skeleton, gut and skin 2 La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science Developed methods for Discovered that blocking double gene knockouts IFN signalling promotes cancer by a targeted approach spread while switching IFN to investigate defects signalling back on is a potent in mitochondria Developed an immunocapture metastasis suppressor energy generation method for isolating exosomes which play a role in colon cancer biology Demonstrated that a disease forming mutation in mitochondrial protein complex assembly causes paraganglioma 2 In the search for Identification of the chemotherapeutic agents molecular pathway leading Identified mutations that are not themselves to cardiomyocyte death responsible for epigenetic mutagenic, discovered that and heart failure processes in mice, which Identified a plant defensin T‑cell death agonists were have led to the discovery that kills Candida albicans, mutagenic, BH3‑mimetic of genes involved in the most common fungal drugs were not regulation of transcription infection in humans Annual Report 2013 3 La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (LIMS) 4 La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science DIRECTOR REPORT Director report 2013 was a very special year for the members LIMS is more than a new building. In the last of LIMS as we moved into a new six‑storey year, builders have been working on phase 2 of building. LIMS1 is part of a larger complex the project, finishing the refurbishment of the designed to facilitate collaboration between four ‑storey building that connects the LIMS1 leading scientists, and includes thirty‑four building. This building has been named LIMS2 research and support laboratories and 3,000 and will provide the Genetics department with square metres of teaching facilities for facilities comparable to those in LIMS1. undergraduate science students. A splendid During the planning of the LIMS project, opening ceremony on the morning of 10 the University decided to commission an February 2013 was followed by a symposium indigenous sculpture installation to grace the in the afternoon, where we heard leading steps in front of the LIMS1 building. A national molecular scientists representing the three competition was won by indigenous artist, NICK HOOGENRAAD disciplines which occupy the building: Reko Rennie, who created the stunning Murri Director, LIMS § Professor Ulrich Hartl, Max Planck Totems which is featured on the cover of this Head, School of Molecular Sciences Institute for Biochemistry, Germany report. In keeping with this theme, the LIMS1 § Professor So Iwata, Imperial College, building features outstanding indigenous works London, UK from the University art collection. § Professor Emma Whitelaw, Genetics, LIMS The research output by members of LIMS § Professor Mike Ryan, Biochemistry, LIMS has increased substantially in the last year, with the added contributions of LIMS fellows § Dr Megan Maher, Biochemistry, LIMS appointed in 2012–2013. Dr Belinda Parker, an § Dr Brian Smith, Chemistry, LIMS expert in breast cancer metastasis from the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, joined us as These opening events were attended a LIMS fellow. Belinda was successful in her by several hundred distinguished guests application for an ARC Future Fellowship, as and colleagues from around Melbourne. were structural biologists, Dr Begoña Heras We have now worked in the new LIMS1 building and Dr Marc Kvansakul. Several LIMS staff for a year. There is unanimous agreement that were successful in applications for external this building is as functional as it is beautiful. funding. Of special note was the success of One of the special pleasures for me as Director Professor Weisan Chen and his colleagues is to see how well the common room works from Melbourne University, in the renewal for us in catalysing the interaction between of their NHMRC Program Grant. the different disciplines which share the We look back on 2013 as a year where we LIMS facility. By providing good coffee and a raised the benchmark for research output. comfortable place to sit, this venue has become We look forward to continuing our excellent a place where people plan joint research work research efforts in a year when La Trobe and applications for funding. Evidence for this University will make major structural changes is the number of cross disciplinary projects to its academic and support structures. put before “Understanding Disease”– one of La Trobe University’s Research Focus Areas of strength – for seed funding by researchers who were previously unaware of each other’s expertise, but who now see the benefits of joining forces to increase the depth of their research investigations. Annual Report 2013 5 Exterior of the LIMS building Research and support laboratories Interior of the LIMS building 6 La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science MISSION Mission Research laboratory The mission of LIMS is to: § Stimulate the interest of students in science LIMS is an institute set via an extensive outreach program for § Train the next generation of scientists to within the academic fabric secondary school students and their teachers. carry out research in biochemistry and cell of the School of Molecular biology, molecular genetics, biotechnology, § The transforming principle of LIMS is the chemistry and nanotechnology. combining of different disciplines Sciences. Its broad mission (biochemistry, chemistry and genetics) § Carry out both first class basic research and to achieve aims that would not be possible is to educate students in translational research which will lead to the in the traditional academic setting. an environment where production of commercial products such as therapeutic and diagnostic reagents and § LIMS brings together diverse scientists for world class research is biotechnology products such as those used education and training, setting the mould being carried out. in agricultural production. for the next generation of scientists who can pool their talents to work on projects § Vertically integrate the educational process that would not otherwise be possible. by placing undergraduate and postgraduate students in the same environment where world class research is performed. Annual Report 2013 7 INCOME AND EXPENDITURE Income and expenditure 2013 2012 $’000 $’000 Commonwealth Grants – DEEWR 15,976 17,718 Student Contributions 6,390 3,972 Research Revenue 12,598 13,689 Student Fees 6,388 4,909 Commercial Revenue 37 31 Other Grants and Donations 20 81 Other Revenue 53 276 Internal Revenue 334 219 Total Revenue 41,797 40,895 Employee Benefits and On Costs 18,843 17,424 Infrastructure Related 1,100 1,113 Depreciation 1,684 1,333 Professional Fees 88 47 Student Related 842 846 General Operating 3,635 3,108 Staff Related 528 495 Financing Costs 4 1 Cost of Goods Sold -11 - Other Expenses 1,437 741 Profit / Loss on Disposal of Assets 93 2 Central Cost Allocations 18,210 17,360 Internal Expense Transfers -1,991 -625 Non-Salary Expenditure 25,618 24,421 Total Expenses 44,461 41,845 Operating Result 2,664 950 Internal Transfer Reserves and Abnormals 1,290 -75 Net (Surplus) / Deficit 3,954 875 8 La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science GOVERNANCE Governance LIMS ADVISORY BOARD LIMS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Professor Frances Shannon (Chair) Professor Nick Hoogenraad (Chair) Professor Marilyn Anderson Dr Michael Angove Professor Nick Hoogenraad Dr Anne Evans Professor Elizabeth Johnson Dr Mark Hulett Professor Brian McGaw Dr Ian Potter Professor Keith Nugent Professor Michael Ryan Professor Andrew Peele Dr Damian Spencer Dr Tony Radford Professor Emma Whitelaw Professor Michael Ryan Dr Nick Samaras Professor Emma Whitelaw Annual Report 2013 9 TEACHING REPORT Teaching report LIMS TEACHING FACILITIES ACHIEVEMENTS The School of Molecular Sciences coordinate Several members of staff were the Bachelors of Biomedical Science, Medicinal acknowledged for their contribution Chemistry and Pharmacy, majors in Biochemistry, to teaching. Dr Carmel Abrahams, Chemistry and Genetics at an undergraduate Dr Adam Mechler, Dr Ian Potter, level, and the Master of Biotechnology Dr Evan Robertson and Dr David Wilson and Bioinformatics and its associated exit (Chemistry) won an OLT Citation for qualifications at a postgraduate level. All Outstanding