- Home /
- People /
- Engineering /
- Sally Gras
Sally Gras
|
Research in the Gras laboratory is in four key areas:
Our research in novel nanobiomaterials spans several disciplines ranging from peptide synthesis and microscopy, to spectroscopy and protein structural studies. Our studies are centred around a theme of protein or peptide self-assembly and the formation of non-native protein structures, such as amyloid fibrils. These fibrils are found in a number of diseases (Eg. Alzhiemer's and Type-II diabetes) but are also associated with positive functions, can be made from generic proteins and have outstanding properties including strength and stability in a wide range of environmental conditions. We examine how amyloid fibril-like structures made from synthetic precursors can be used to make new materials. We also seek to determine their structure and to extend their properties for biotechnology and nanotechnology applications. Our research in industrial biotechnology is focused in the area of Functional foods (also known as neutraceutical products) and the development of specialised dairy ingredients such as galacto-oligosaccharides. These ingredients deliver medicinal benefits in addition to their nutritional benefits and are aimed at domestic and export use. We are also conducting dairy research which aims to understand how process parameters influence the microstructure of cheese and other dairy products, across a number of dairy manufacturing sites in Victoria. Techniques include: We use peptide synthesis (microwave assisted and manual) to make the starting materials for building fibrils and other protein-based materials. We monitor protein aggregation and self-assembly (light scattering, dye binding), and characterise the properties (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, circular dichroism), structure (fibre X-ray diffraction using Wide and Small X-ray sources such as the synchrotron) and appearance of samples (microscopies including Transmission Electron Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy). Cell lines are also cultured and used to study cell adhesion, cell migration and cell behaviour (confocal microscopy) in response to new nanostructured surfaces or nanofibers and to examine the potential toxicity of these novel materials. We also use HPLC, Mass Spectrometry, ultra and nanofiltration, microscopy (confocal and cryo SEM), rheology, and texture analysis in our dairy research. Our fermentation research is on the 5L scale and we have the capability to grow bacterial, fungal, insect or mammalian cells in our new fermentation facility. Sally Gras BioDr Sally Gras is a lecturer in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at The University of Melbourne where she teaches Metabolic Engineering. This second year undergraduate subject begins with cell metabolism and teaches Chemical Engineering students how to systematically alter cell metabolism to create new bioproducts on a large scale in reactors. She is also a research group leader at the Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute. Dr Gras received her Ph.D. in protein misfolding from Cambridge University in the UK under the supervision of Dr Cait Macphee and Professor Chris Dobson and her B.Sc. (biochemistry and molecular biology) and B.Eng. (Chemical) degrees from The University of Melbourne. Her research focuses on four themes: protein self-assembly and misfolding, tissue engineering, fermentation science and diary science. Gras Research Group
In the News
|
Sally Gras
T: (+61 3) 8344 2259 / 6281 Related Links
|
