Biocompatible Electro-Ionic Signal Transduction. Bioelectronics is a new frontier field concerned with integrating electrical control systems and biological entities for applications such as in-situ bio-monitoring and cellular-level control and interrogation of tissue. Electrical signals in biology are mostly carried by ion currents, whilst conventional electronics rely on electrons. This project addresses the critical challenge of bioelectronics; the development of biocompatible electrical inte ....Biocompatible Electro-Ionic Signal Transduction. Bioelectronics is a new frontier field concerned with integrating electrical control systems and biological entities for applications such as in-situ bio-monitoring and cellular-level control and interrogation of tissue. Electrical signals in biology are mostly carried by ion currents, whilst conventional electronics rely on electrons. This project addresses the critical challenge of bioelectronics; the development of biocompatible electrical interfaces capable of transducing ion-and-electron currents. This project will specifically study the complex transport physics of conducting biomacromolecules and develop new interface devices, with an ultimate goal is to create a simple and generic transducing element for cellular-level electrical communication. Read moreRead less
A scalable, synthetic retina: signal processing in droplet systems with DNA. This project aims to design DNA-based nanotechnology for processing optical signals in synthetic biological systems. The intended outcome of this project is to develop a system for signal transduction in artificial bilayers using new DNA nanostructures. The anticipated goal of the project is to deliver: 1) light-based control of membrane protein insertion into artificial bilayers; 2) novel DNA-based pores that can trans ....A scalable, synthetic retina: signal processing in droplet systems with DNA. This project aims to design DNA-based nanotechnology for processing optical signals in synthetic biological systems. The intended outcome of this project is to develop a system for signal transduction in artificial bilayers using new DNA nanostructures. The anticipated goal of the project is to deliver: 1) light-based control of membrane protein insertion into artificial bilayers; 2) novel DNA-based pores that can transduce signals across membranes; 3) signal processing using multi-compartment biological components composed. Together, this technology allows us to use light and external signals to control biochemical pathways in synthetic systems.Read moreRead less
Functional mesostructured materials in ionic liquids. Polymers, surfactants and nanoparticles are the building blocks from which smart soft matter is assembled. This project will replace conventional molecular solvents with ionic liquids, allowing us to precisely control molecular assembly through intermolecular forces and facilitate the production of new functional soft materials.
A new explanation for the hydrophobic effect. The hydrophobic effect is a fundamental natural phenomenon: why do oil and water spontaneously separate and not mix? The project team proposes a new and novel explanation for this effect, based on known properties of water. The project team's theory explains hydrophobic effects in physics, chemistry and biology.
Bioelectronic logic. This project aims to understand ion-electron interactions relevant to bioelectronics, and create transducing interfaces. Bioelectronics is a frontier field which aims to connect biological systems with modern electronics and so create biomedical devices. Transducing ion and electron signals using a biocompatible functional interface is difficult since ion and electron physics are different. By combining individual transducers, this project intends to demonstrate ground-break ....Bioelectronic logic. This project aims to understand ion-electron interactions relevant to bioelectronics, and create transducing interfaces. Bioelectronics is a frontier field which aims to connect biological systems with modern electronics and so create biomedical devices. Transducing ion and electron signals using a biocompatible functional interface is difficult since ion and electron physics are different. By combining individual transducers, this project intends to demonstrate ground-breaking bioelectronic logic capable of interface-level processing. The stretch goal is to test this new logic with a biological neuronal model. The project could deliver new science and interfacing elements to integrate tissue and circuitry, and demonstrate these in a real biological model.Read moreRead less
Rational design of new synthetic antifreeze molecules for cryopreservation. This project aims to synthesise new carbohydrate-based surfactants optimised for use as cryoprotectants, and to accurately measure, model and optimise their performance. The project will use state-of-the-art experimental methods and advanced phase-field modelling techniques to optimise the cryoprotectants so that they reduce osmotic stress in cells and inhibit ice crystal growth during freezing and thawing. The expected ....Rational design of new synthetic antifreeze molecules for cryopreservation. This project aims to synthesise new carbohydrate-based surfactants optimised for use as cryoprotectants, and to accurately measure, model and optimise their performance. The project will use state-of-the-art experimental methods and advanced phase-field modelling techniques to optimise the cryoprotectants so that they reduce osmotic stress in cells and inhibit ice crystal growth during freezing and thawing. The expected outcomes will be novel cryoprotectants that are easy to synthesise, non-toxic and effective, opening up new possibilities for the cryopreservation of cells, organs and possibly even whole organisms. This will have broad impact in critical applications such as long-term blood storage, reproductive technology and stem cell therapy, as well as preservation of endangered species.Read moreRead less
Co-oligomer amphiphiles for novel living and fixed nanomaterials. By using the Australian breakthrough Reversible Addition-Fragmentation chain Transfer (RAFT) polymerization technique to make new molecular structures, we will assemble these into nanoparticles and nanostructured materials and surface coatings with novel properties for a broad range of new technologies and applications.
Molecular scale engineering of solid/ionic liquid interfaces. Ionic liquids have enormous potential as advanced materials due to their unusual properties. This project will develop ways to use ionic liquids as lubricants, in electrochemical devices like capacitors, and in the electro-refining of metals. The technologies developed will decrease Australia's energy consumption and stimulate economic growth.