Tuneable “Nano-Shearing”: An Innovative Mechanism for the Accurate and Specific Capture of Cells and Molecules. Recent investigations have discovered a tuneable electro-hydrodynamic force which drives lateral fluid motion within a few nanometers of an electrode surface. Because the magnitude of this fluid shear force can be tuned externally (for example, via the application of an AC electric field), it provides a new capability to physically displace weakly (non-specifically) bound cellular and ....Tuneable “Nano-Shearing”: An Innovative Mechanism for the Accurate and Specific Capture of Cells and Molecules. Recent investigations have discovered a tuneable electro-hydrodynamic force which drives lateral fluid motion within a few nanometers of an electrode surface. Because the magnitude of this fluid shear force can be tuned externally (for example, via the application of an AC electric field), it provides a new capability to physically displace weakly (non-specifically) bound cellular and molecular analytes. By performing research to further understand and develop this tuneable effect, this project aims to build and test a new platform technology to enable highly efficient capture and specific detection of low concentration pathogenic molecules and circulating tumour cells (CTCs).Read moreRead less
A gold-coated magnetic nanoparticle biosensor for detecting microRNA. The project aims to develop a biosensor for detecting short sequences of RNA, called microRNA (miRNA) in blood. There are about 100 miRNA sequences that are involved in most biological processes. Changes in the levels of some miRNA sequences can serve as a biomarker for many diseases including cancers. The miRNA will be detected using gold-coated magnetic nanoparticles modified with DNA sequences complementary to the miRNA of ....A gold-coated magnetic nanoparticle biosensor for detecting microRNA. The project aims to develop a biosensor for detecting short sequences of RNA, called microRNA (miRNA) in blood. There are about 100 miRNA sequences that are involved in most biological processes. Changes in the levels of some miRNA sequences can serve as a biomarker for many diseases including cancers. The miRNA will be detected using gold-coated magnetic nanoparticles modified with DNA sequences complementary to the miRNA of interest to capture the miRNA. Application of a magnetic field allows the levels of miRNA to be detected electrochemically. The expected outcome is a commercialisable biosensor for miRNA both as a diagnostic early detection device and a prognostic device for a range of miRNA biomarkers.Read moreRead less
New strategies for characterising and monitoring protein-surface interactions: application to a biosensor for diabetic’s blood glucose regime effectiveness. This project aims to develop an antibody based biosensor for the detection of glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) which serves as a marker of the effectiveness of a diabetic’s blood glucose treatment regime. Monitoring HbA1c is important as many of the long term health effects of diabetes are a consequence of high blood glucose levels. The si ....New strategies for characterising and monitoring protein-surface interactions: application to a biosensor for diabetic’s blood glucose regime effectiveness. This project aims to develop an antibody based biosensor for the detection of glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) which serves as a marker of the effectiveness of a diabetic’s blood glucose treatment regime. Monitoring HbA1c is important as many of the long term health effects of diabetes are a consequence of high blood glucose levels. The simple to use technology will be a general detection strategy for proteins and hence will be applicable for the detection of a wide range of diseases and biomarkers. The research will also benefit Australia by training the new generation of scientists for Australia's biomedical diagnostics industry.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120102503
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Circulating tumor cell isolation and detection: an integrated microfluidic capture device based on alternating current (AC) electrohydrodynamics. The detection of circulating tumor cells in clinical samples plays a critical role in cancer diagnosis and management. This project aims to develop microfluidic technology by incorporating AC electric field-induced vortices with three-dimensional microstructured electrodes that will advance our ability to analyse rare cells and proteins in clinical sam ....Circulating tumor cell isolation and detection: an integrated microfluidic capture device based on alternating current (AC) electrohydrodynamics. The detection of circulating tumor cells in clinical samples plays a critical role in cancer diagnosis and management. This project aims to develop microfluidic technology by incorporating AC electric field-induced vortices with three-dimensional microstructured electrodes that will advance our ability to analyse rare cells and proteins in clinical samples.Read moreRead less
High-throughput microfluidic approach to mapping hierarchies of interactions in the gene regulation machinery. The exploration of protein-protein interactions networks is becoming an extremely active area of research in life sciences. The current project will develop new approaches to accelerate the discovery of novel interacting proteins participating in gene regulation, in order to understand how cells differentiate into different tissues and organs.
Electrochemical biosensors for detection of cardiac disease markers in blood. Cardiovascular diseases leading to heart failure have a prevalence of over 16 per cent in Australia. The social, economic and health burden is higher than for any other disease group. Hence, it is critically important to develop fit-for-purpose sensors of known cardiac biomarkers, which alert patients and clinicians of the risk of imminent heart failure.
Imaging Mass Spectrometry (IMS), a peptide biomarker discovery tool using tissue. Cancer is the second most common cause of death in Australia. The newly developed technology of Imaging Mass Spectrometry for peptides in tissue has the potential to discover biomarkers for early diagnosis of cancer. This new technology could avoid a number of cancer deaths and reduce suffering of patients through earlier and better diagnosis.
Single-molecule optofluidics: streamlining high-throughput engineering and analysis of proteins and protein assemblies. This project aims at creating novel technologies for high-throughput engineering and analysis of proteins with single-molecule sensitivity. The platform will considerably accelerate the generation of protein-based diagnostics, new vaccines and therapeutics; it will foster collaborations with industry putting Australia at the forefront of protein research.