Rapid detection of rare-event cells by strong UP-conversion
encoded nano-radiators (SUPER Dots): finding a needle in a haystack. Current diagnostic tests are not sensitive enough to detect cancer in its very early stages or early recurrence following treatment. The new technologies developed by this project will be able to find single cancer cells in blood and urine samples heralding a new era in medical diagnostics.
Microscale microRNA Detection and Delivery for Effective Point-of-Care Cancer Screening and Therapeutics. MicroRNAs are short RNA molecules that play a critical regulatory role in gene expression. Recently discovered in 1993, microRNA research has since received considerable attention and is regarded as an emerging revolutionary frontier in medicine given its therapeutic ability to ‘turn off’ certain genes that lead to various diseases. Additionally, microRNA expression signatures are a strong b ....Microscale microRNA Detection and Delivery for Effective Point-of-Care Cancer Screening and Therapeutics. MicroRNAs are short RNA molecules that play a critical regulatory role in gene expression. Recently discovered in 1993, microRNA research has since received considerable attention and is regarded as an emerging revolutionary frontier in medicine given its therapeutic ability to ‘turn off’ certain genes that lead to various diseases. Additionally, microRNA expression signatures are a strong biomarker for many diseases such as cancer. This project will advance the chip-scale acoustic microcentrifugation and nebulisation technology we recently pioneered to overcome the significant hurdles currently faced in microRNA detection and delivery with the aim of developing prototype portable microdevices for early stage cancer screening and therapy.Read moreRead less
Targeting the delivery of cytotoxic agents to tumour cells using novel minicells as drug delivery vehicles and engineered, bispecific antibodies. Cancer persists as a major cause of morbidity and mortality globally. A major problem is the non-specific action of drugs used for treatment. The minicell is a drug delivery vehicle, capable of packaging a variety of drugs. The project will develop tumour-specific antibodies that will target minicells to tumours, improving cancer survival rates.