Intravital super-resolution imaging via Stimulated Emission Depletion microscopy (STED)-microendoscopy. We will develop a new technology to enable the imaging of sub-cellular structures within a biological specimen, with super-resolution. This intravital super-resolution imaging technology will build off world leading techniques to image objects with super-resolution and to perform this within a specimen, with minimal invasion. The broad ramifications of this technology apply to biology, medical ....Intravital super-resolution imaging via Stimulated Emission Depletion microscopy (STED)-microendoscopy. We will develop a new technology to enable the imaging of sub-cellular structures within a biological specimen, with super-resolution. This intravital super-resolution imaging technology will build off world leading techniques to image objects with super-resolution and to perform this within a specimen, with minimal invasion. The broad ramifications of this technology apply to biology, medical science, imaging and sensing. Important applications include the early detection of debilitating diseases and the advancement of understanding of cellular biology. This research will raise Australia's profile as a world leader in science and technology, building on our emerging presence in the biophysical sciences.Read moreRead less
SILICON BASED PHOTONIC CRYSTALS FOR MONITORING BIOMOLECULAR INTERACTIONS. Two great goals of biomolecular science are to monitor biomolecular interactions in real time and with sufficient sensitivity to allow small amounts of biological material to be investigated. The achievement of these goals is limited by the methods of transducing these reactions. The aim of this multidisciplinary proposal is to overcome this limitation by developing photonic devices that exploit the unique properties of na ....SILICON BASED PHOTONIC CRYSTALS FOR MONITORING BIOMOLECULAR INTERACTIONS. Two great goals of biomolecular science are to monitor biomolecular interactions in real time and with sufficient sensitivity to allow small amounts of biological material to be investigated. The achievement of these goals is limited by the methods of transducing these reactions. The aim of this multidisciplinary proposal is to overcome this limitation by developing photonic devices that exploit the unique properties of nanoporous silicon. The hybridisation of DNA will be used as a model biorecognition reaction. Potential applications of these photonic devices are as highly sensitive affinity sensors and as tools for investigating the kinetics of biomolecular interactions.Read moreRead less
Quantum effects in photosynthesis: responsible for highly efficient energy transfer or trivial coincidence? Understanding the precise details of the highly efficient energy transfer processes in photosynthesis has the potential to impact the design of efficient solar energy solutions. This project will gain this understanding by exploring the nature of interactions between different components and the significance of quantum mechanics.
Quantum coherence of electronic transport in layered magnetoresistive materials. The continued rapid expansion of information technology requires new materials and devices for information storage. State of the art computer memories are based on new materials which consist of layers of complex arrays of atoms. These materials have metallic properties quite unlike those of simple metals such as copper and steel. This research will lead to a greater understanding of and ability to design better ma ....Quantum coherence of electronic transport in layered magnetoresistive materials. The continued rapid expansion of information technology requires new materials and devices for information storage. State of the art computer memories are based on new materials which consist of layers of complex arrays of atoms. These materials have metallic properties quite unlike those of simple metals such as copper and steel. This research will lead to a greater understanding of and ability to design better materials. Australia's capacity for research and development in this scientifically challenging and technologically important field will be enhanced by this project. Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190100641
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$422,079.00
Summary
Brillouin microscopy for high-speed imaging of rigidity within cells. This project aims to improve the sensitivity and speed of Brillouin microscopes. Brillouin microscopes use light to measure the stiffness of samples in 3D without requiring physical access, allowing their use in inaccessible locations such as the interior of cells or within intact tissue. However, Brillouin microscopes are too slow to be used in most research. This project introduces a new approach based on different optical p ....Brillouin microscopy for high-speed imaging of rigidity within cells. This project aims to improve the sensitivity and speed of Brillouin microscopes. Brillouin microscopes use light to measure the stiffness of samples in 3D without requiring physical access, allowing their use in inaccessible locations such as the interior of cells or within intact tissue. However, Brillouin microscopes are too slow to be used in most research. This project introduces a new approach based on different optical physics that is expected to enable faster and more precise imaging. The microscope will be used to study the movement of amoeba, where it is expected to reveal the controlled stiffening and fluidising of the different regions of protoplasm believed to underlie the cell mobility.Read moreRead less
A New Window on Photosynthesis: Ultrafast Coherence Dynamics in Biomolecules and Semiconductor Nanostructures. Recent research has indicated that the remarkable efficiency of energy capture and transfer in photosynthesis may be due to the effects of quantum coherence, which is an intrinsically non-classical phenomenon. We will investigate these effects in biological and nanofabricated systems using ultrafast laser spectroscopy . An understanding of these energy transfer processes may open the d ....A New Window on Photosynthesis: Ultrafast Coherence Dynamics in Biomolecules and Semiconductor Nanostructures. Recent research has indicated that the remarkable efficiency of energy capture and transfer in photosynthesis may be due to the effects of quantum coherence, which is an intrinsically non-classical phenomenon. We will investigate these effects in biological and nanofabricated systems using ultrafast laser spectroscopy . An understanding of these energy transfer processes may open the door to the development to a range of new technologies, including clean and virtually limitless energy sources that convert solar energy directly into useful power and quantum computers that will revolutionize our ability to process information.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0347356
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$238,000.00
Summary
Real-time multi-dimensional multi-photon microscopy facility. The proposal seeks to establish an integrated microscopy facility and thus to expand the high-resolution imaging capabilities at Swinburne University of Technology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute and the University of Melbourne. The provision of the equipment requested will establish an innovative real-time multi-dimensional multi-photon imaging facility of world class. This facility will be accessed on a cooperative basis by the pa ....Real-time multi-dimensional multi-photon microscopy facility. The proposal seeks to establish an integrated microscopy facility and thus to expand the high-resolution imaging capabilities at Swinburne University of Technology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute and the University of Melbourne. The provision of the equipment requested will establish an innovative real-time multi-dimensional multi-photon imaging facility of world class. This facility will be accessed on a cooperative basis by the participants and will be available for collaborative projects with other Australian institutions and industry. The requested equipment will be used in conjunction with existing femtosecond laser and lifetime imaging systems installed in the research laboratories of the participating institutions. The facility will enable real-time investigations of biomolecular processes and the development of novel biomedical imaging techniques as well as the state-of-the-art nanophotonic devices such as nano-tweezers and nano compact disks.Read moreRead less
Probe-free biophysical force and torque measurements with optical tweezers. This project aims to develop probe-free biophysical force and torque measurement methods based on optical tweezers. Many areas of research in cell biology are hampered by a lack of quantitative force measurements. This project aims to provide accurate quantitative measurements to enable in-depth understanding of forces at work during cell division, properties of blood cells and sperm motility which could generate further ....Probe-free biophysical force and torque measurements with optical tweezers. This project aims to develop probe-free biophysical force and torque measurement methods based on optical tweezers. Many areas of research in cell biology are hampered by a lack of quantitative force measurements. This project aims to provide accurate quantitative measurements to enable in-depth understanding of forces at work during cell division, properties of blood cells and sperm motility which could generate further research leading to health benefits.Read moreRead less
In vivo molecular imaging using engineered affinity reagents and fluorescent laser scanning confocal endomicroscopy. The goal of this project is to develop laser scanning confocal endomicroscopy as a tool for basic scientific discovery and rapid detection of disease biomarkers. The cutting-edge instrument and associated technologies will provide scientists with unprecedented access to dynamic biological processes as they occur in real-time. In addition, it will enable the development of virtual ....In vivo molecular imaging using engineered affinity reagents and fluorescent laser scanning confocal endomicroscopy. The goal of this project is to develop laser scanning confocal endomicroscopy as a tool for basic scientific discovery and rapid detection of disease biomarkers. The cutting-edge instrument and associated technologies will provide scientists with unprecedented access to dynamic biological processes as they occur in real-time. In addition, it will enable the development of virtual biopsies and instant diagnosis without the need for costly and time-consuming histopathological reports. Thus, it will not only drive transformative research but also transform health care delivery. It will also be a major boost to the Australian biotechnology industry with potential for enormous economic benefits.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989390
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
Versatile Scanning X-ray Microscopy Facility at the Australian Synchrotron. The challenges of the modern world means that the Australian community must continue to have access to state of the art research tools. An important component of international synchrotron sources is the very high resolution x-ray microscope. These microscopes are used to image samples of biological, material or environmental significance with extraordinary precision. This project will establish such a microscope at the A ....Versatile Scanning X-ray Microscopy Facility at the Australian Synchrotron. The challenges of the modern world means that the Australian community must continue to have access to state of the art research tools. An important component of international synchrotron sources is the very high resolution x-ray microscope. These microscopes are used to image samples of biological, material or environmental significance with extraordinary precision. This project will establish such a microscope at the Australian Synchrotron in Clayton, and nucleates an extensive nationwide collaboration that is devoted to the development of this and related techniques and their application to problems of national scientific, environmental and technological importance.Read moreRead less