A Micro-Physiological System to Mimic Human Microbiome-Organ Interactions. This project aims to mimic gut microbiome-organ interactions by developing a microbial-gut coculture chip, which can reversibly interface with other organs-on-chips. This is achieved through the systematic integration of highly customisable biofabrication and microfluidic technologies. This project fills a critical technological gap in the availability of an animal-alternative system to investigate microbiome-host interac ....A Micro-Physiological System to Mimic Human Microbiome-Organ Interactions. This project aims to mimic gut microbiome-organ interactions by developing a microbial-gut coculture chip, which can reversibly interface with other organs-on-chips. This is achieved through the systematic integration of highly customisable biofabrication and microfluidic technologies. This project fills a critical technological gap in the availability of an animal-alternative system to investigate microbiome-host interactions, which will greatly complement existing meta-omics approaches. The deliverables include a proof-of-concept system validated for gut-liver axis as well as the creation of new knowledge and framework to assimilate design thinking and advanced manufacturing to elevate tissue engineering into physiology engineering. Read moreRead less
Understanding dynamic interfaces in electrochemical systems. This project aims to develop nanoscale characterisation methods to understand dynamic processes in zinc-ion batteries and high temperature electrolysis systems under real working (in operando) conditions. This project expects to reveal critical solid-liquid and solid-gas interfacial processes in these two distinctly different electrochemical systems. The expected outcomes include improved understanding of electrochemical interfaces and ....Understanding dynamic interfaces in electrochemical systems. This project aims to develop nanoscale characterisation methods to understand dynamic processes in zinc-ion batteries and high temperature electrolysis systems under real working (in operando) conditions. This project expects to reveal critical solid-liquid and solid-gas interfacial processes in these two distinctly different electrochemical systems. The expected outcomes include improved understanding of electrochemical interfaces and improved tools and methods to observe nanoscale interfacial processes. This information can be used to underpin mechanistic models, which will facilitate new materials design. Read moreRead less
Indoor Photovoltaics Enabled by Wide-Bandgap Perovskite Quantum Dots. This project aims to develop a high-efficiency indoor photovoltaic (PV) technology to provide reliable low-cost power in the multi-billion dollar “Internet of Things” (IoT) market. There are currently no devices that meet the requirements for maximum operating efficiency under indoor illumination. We propose to solve this problem by fabricating PV cells using colloidal perovskite quantum dots that offer class-leading stability ....Indoor Photovoltaics Enabled by Wide-Bandgap Perovskite Quantum Dots. This project aims to develop a high-efficiency indoor photovoltaic (PV) technology to provide reliable low-cost power in the multi-billion dollar “Internet of Things” (IoT) market. There are currently no devices that meet the requirements for maximum operating efficiency under indoor illumination. We propose to solve this problem by fabricating PV cells using colloidal perovskite quantum dots that offer class-leading stability and band gap tunability across the required range, enabled by quantum confinement. The outcome is the development of integrated self-powered IoT devices potentially impacting Advanced Manufacturing growth in Energy, Cyber Security, Food and Agribusiness, as all of these will ultimately rely on networked smart devices.Read moreRead less
Molecular definition of cellular states in the vascular endothelium. The endothelium is the main cell type forming blood vessels and spans across multiple cell states from stem/progenitor to a variety of terminally differentiated cells. How each of these cell states are defined at the molecular level is not known preventing the optimal formation and integration of blood vessels in bioengineered tissues. Using innovative single cell gene expression and chromatin accessibility studies combined wit ....Molecular definition of cellular states in the vascular endothelium. The endothelium is the main cell type forming blood vessels and spans across multiple cell states from stem/progenitor to a variety of terminally differentiated cells. How each of these cell states are defined at the molecular level is not known preventing the optimal formation and integration of blood vessels in bioengineered tissues. Using innovative single cell gene expression and chromatin accessibility studies combined with innovative analysis, we propose to define and validate each cell state at the molecular level.
This new knowledge would greatly enhance our ability to control the transition between cell states leading to a more widespread use of endothelial cells in bioengineering of tissues globally for many applications.
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The role of protein glycosylation in erythropoiesis . This project aims to understand how the sugar code of key-signalling proteins influences the development of red blood cells. This project expects to generate new fundamental knowledge in the area of stem cell signalling by innovative integration of biological and computational molecular characterisation techniques. The expected outcomes of this project include the development of novel workflows to study key regulators of cell development and ....The role of protein glycosylation in erythropoiesis . This project aims to understand how the sugar code of key-signalling proteins influences the development of red blood cells. This project expects to generate new fundamental knowledge in the area of stem cell signalling by innovative integration of biological and computational molecular characterisation techniques. The expected outcomes of this project include the development of novel workflows to study key regulators of cell development and the generation of new knowledge in stem cell signalling that will find applications in transforming stem cell therapies and associated research for future applications such as the laboratory manufacturing of red blood cells to close the availability gap for transfusion purposes.Read moreRead less
Redefining tissue-specific endothelial cells through bioengineered matrices. This project aims to improve our understanding of the biological mechanisms that drive blood vessel formation and function. The endothelial cells that make up each blood vessel are inherently unique across different sites within the human body and this project expects to generate new knowledge regarding their organ specificity. Using advanced bioengineering approaches, this project will map human endothelial cell specif ....Redefining tissue-specific endothelial cells through bioengineered matrices. This project aims to improve our understanding of the biological mechanisms that drive blood vessel formation and function. The endothelial cells that make up each blood vessel are inherently unique across different sites within the human body and this project expects to generate new knowledge regarding their organ specificity. Using advanced bioengineering approaches, this project will map human endothelial cell specificity and develop state-of-the-art modelling technologies to improve knowledge of environmental influence on endothelial cell fate and function. This should provide a new framework to modulate the adaptive capacities of endothelial cells and can potentially enable more predictive and targeted drug efficacy and safety testing.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL230100095
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,095,070.00
Summary
Materials Nanotectonics: Designing Conductive Inorganic Porous Materials. This project aims to develop the next generation of conductive porous materials through an integrated approach which combines inorganic synthesis with informatics. Using this approach, transition metals can be combined with nonmetals creating mesoporous materials with precise control of their internal space allowing the correlations between structure, composition, properties, and performance to be revealed. This project is ....Materials Nanotectonics: Designing Conductive Inorganic Porous Materials. This project aims to develop the next generation of conductive porous materials through an integrated approach which combines inorganic synthesis with informatics. Using this approach, transition metals can be combined with nonmetals creating mesoporous materials with precise control of their internal space allowing the correlations between structure, composition, properties, and performance to be revealed. This project is expected to generate new highly efficient electrocatalysts and energy conversion devices based on low-cost and earth-abundant transition metals. The project outcomes will position Australia at the forefront of research and development in advanced materials, smart catalysts, and renewable energy technologies.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL160100089
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,600,796.00
Summary
In situ electron microscopy toward new materials and applications. In situ electron microscopy toward new materials and applications. This project aims to develop materials for structural and green energy applications, using spatially-resolved, dynamic in situ transmission electron microscopy to research fundamental mechanical, electrical, thermal, optical, optoelectronic and photovoltaic properties of diverse nanostructures. These techniques measure nanomaterial (one-dimensional nanotubes and n ....In situ electron microscopy toward new materials and applications. In situ electron microscopy toward new materials and applications. This project aims to develop materials for structural and green energy applications, using spatially-resolved, dynamic in situ transmission electron microscopy to research fundamental mechanical, electrical, thermal, optical, optoelectronic and photovoltaic properties of diverse nanostructures. These techniques measure nanomaterial (one-dimensional nanotubes and nanowires and two-dimensional graphene-like nanosheets) response to external stimuli, including mechanical, electrical, optical and thermal stimuli. Anticipated outcomes are new ultralight and superstrong structural composites and ‘green-energy’ nanomaterials, such as solar cells, touch panels, batteries, supercapacitors, field-effect transistors, light sensors and displays.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL160100139
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,965,538.00
Summary
Outside-In: Strain stiffening as a key to cell control. Outside-In: Strain stiffening as a key to cell control. This research project aims to unravel the highly complex mechanical behaviour of the extracellular matrix, and develop a whole new class of sophisticated and responsive extracellular matrix (ECM) materials. In any multicellular organism, the ECM provides cells with essential mechanical (such as strain stiffening) and biochemical support. The ECM is also critical for biological processe ....Outside-In: Strain stiffening as a key to cell control. Outside-In: Strain stiffening as a key to cell control. This research project aims to unravel the highly complex mechanical behaviour of the extracellular matrix, and develop a whole new class of sophisticated and responsive extracellular matrix (ECM) materials. In any multicellular organism, the ECM provides cells with essential mechanical (such as strain stiffening) and biochemical support. The ECM is also critical for biological processes inside the cell, including proliferation, differentiation and migration. Exactly how the physical and chemical properties of ECMs on the outside of the cell modify the behaviour of a cell on the inside remains unclear. Outcomes would include a blueprint for synthetic ECMs, pushing the boundaries of materials development in the biological and life sciences.Read moreRead less
High Performance Anode for Direct Ammonia Solid Oxide Fuel Cells. Solid oxygen fuel cells are a clean energy generation device with very high energy efficiency and if with hydrogen as fuel, the emission is zero. However, the utilisation of hydrogen is limited by on-board storage. Ammonia is a promising hydrogen carrier and can be directly fed to solid oxide fuel cells without fuel storage problem, and the products are just hydrogen and nitrogen. For direct ammonia solid oxide fuel cells, the key ....High Performance Anode for Direct Ammonia Solid Oxide Fuel Cells. Solid oxygen fuel cells are a clean energy generation device with very high energy efficiency and if with hydrogen as fuel, the emission is zero. However, the utilisation of hydrogen is limited by on-board storage. Ammonia is a promising hydrogen carrier and can be directly fed to solid oxide fuel cells without fuel storage problem, and the products are just hydrogen and nitrogen. For direct ammonia solid oxide fuel cells, the key challenge is the anode. This project aims to develop a high performance anode for direct ammonia solid oxide fuel cells with both high activity and high stability at low temperature (below 600 degree C), thus addressing a key issue to make the direct ammonia solid oxide fuel cells commercially viable.Read moreRead less