Multimodal biomedical imaging probes: development of advanced polymer nanocomposite devices for oncology. Despite significant research being directed toward cancer treatment, 7.6 million people died world wide in 2007. Early detection and treatment is widely recognised as being effective in significantly reducing mortality rates. Biomedical imaging techniques are routinely used for detection and staging of many cancers. However, greater sensitivity is required so that these techniques can be app ....Multimodal biomedical imaging probes: development of advanced polymer nanocomposite devices for oncology. Despite significant research being directed toward cancer treatment, 7.6 million people died world wide in 2007. Early detection and treatment is widely recognised as being effective in significantly reducing mortality rates. Biomedical imaging techniques are routinely used for detection and staging of many cancers. However, greater sensitivity is required so that these techniques can be applied to very early detection of tumours. To overcome this short-coming the next generation of imaging probes will be developed, which will require fundamental investigations in polymer and nanomaterials science to maximise imaging sensitivity and extend probe functionality. Successful outcomes will lead to significant benefits to healthcare in Australia.Read moreRead less
Non-invasive diagnosis using micropatches that sample biomarkers from skin. We are developing a technology called the micropatch that is laid onto the surface of the skin. When the patch is pulled away, it retains proteins found in the subsurface skin layers. We believe that by analysing these proteins we will be able to diagnose diseases like cancer earlier and therefore have a better chance of treating them successfully. The process is painless, and doctors already use it to give drugs and vac ....Non-invasive diagnosis using micropatches that sample biomarkers from skin. We are developing a technology called the micropatch that is laid onto the surface of the skin. When the patch is pulled away, it retains proteins found in the subsurface skin layers. We believe that by analysing these proteins we will be able to diagnose diseases like cancer earlier and therefore have a better chance of treating them successfully. The process is painless, and doctors already use it to give drugs and vaccines. In the future we hope that our technology will be simple enough for routine diagnosis, even in the Outback where doctors are hundreds of kilometres awayRead moreRead less
Beyond Microarrays: Nano-Scaled Devices for High Throughput Biomolecular Sensing. Current developments in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology hold many promises in terms of revolutionising our industrial base, transforming biology, medical science and practice. This project strives to achieve some of these aims by, for the first time, building and testing nano-scaled devices with the capability to 'read' massive amounts of biological information. With the recent completion of the Human Genome proje ....Beyond Microarrays: Nano-Scaled Devices for High Throughput Biomolecular Sensing. Current developments in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology hold many promises in terms of revolutionising our industrial base, transforming biology, medical science and practice. This project strives to achieve some of these aims by, for the first time, building and testing nano-scaled devices with the capability to 'read' massive amounts of biological information. With the recent completion of the Human Genome project, major opportunities exist to provide spectacular advances in human health care (eg, via personalised medicine) provided that appropriate high-throughput biological reading devices can be developed. In developing such devices, this project also aims to substantially catalyse the Australian Nanotechnology/Biotechnology industry.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0560680
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$901,862.00
Summary
Vibrational Spectroscopy Microprobe/FESEM/AFM Imaging of Cells, Tissues and Materials. State-of-the-art vibrational mapping and imaging equipment (integrated with a field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and an atomic force microscope (AFM)) will provide enabling technologies for cutting-edge research in disease diagnosis, identification of pathogens, mapping of the entry and distribution of pharmaceutics into cells, and materials research. An InVia Renishaw Raman spectrometer (sub ....Vibrational Spectroscopy Microprobe/FESEM/AFM Imaging of Cells, Tissues and Materials. State-of-the-art vibrational mapping and imaging equipment (integrated with a field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and an atomic force microscope (AFM)) will provide enabling technologies for cutting-edge research in disease diagnosis, identification of pathogens, mapping of the entry and distribution of pharmaceutics into cells, and materials research. An InVia Renishaw Raman spectrometer (sub-micron spatial positioning and micron spatial resolution) will be interfaced to an FEI Quanta FESEM for combined Raman (spectroscopic), EDS and SEM (morphological) imaging/mapping at the sub-cellular level. Complementary new-generation Raman and IR spectrometer upgrades will provide an integrated world-class equipment platform.Read moreRead less
The molecular biology and biochemistry of bacterial manganese oxidation. This project will further the understanding of bacterial manganese (Mn2+) oxidation. A multi-disciplinary approach will be used to further investigate the genetics and biochemistry of the Mn2+-oxidising systems of Pseudomonas putida, Leptothrix sp. and Pedomicrobium sp. This work will focus in particular on comparing the Mn2+-oxidising systems from unrelated bacteria. A combination of molecular biology, protein biochemis ....The molecular biology and biochemistry of bacterial manganese oxidation. This project will further the understanding of bacterial manganese (Mn2+) oxidation. A multi-disciplinary approach will be used to further investigate the genetics and biochemistry of the Mn2+-oxidising systems of Pseudomonas putida, Leptothrix sp. and Pedomicrobium sp. This work will focus in particular on comparing the Mn2+-oxidising systems from unrelated bacteria. A combination of molecular biology, protein biochemistry and spectroscopy will be used. This will be the first time that the enzymes of bacterial Mn2+-oxidation will have been characterised in such detail and will lead to a greater understanding of the process of bacterial manganese oxidation.Read moreRead less
Dendrimers: multidimensional sensors. The threat of terrorism is presented to us on a daily basis. Although there is often talk of dirty bombs, and biological and nuclear terrorism, the most easily sourced weapon of the terrorist is still the conventional explosive. As such the ability to detect trace amounts of compounds such as TNT or Semtex is required. This means that there is a real need for a portable detection system with the ability to reliably sense a specific explosive, selectively at ....Dendrimers: multidimensional sensors. The threat of terrorism is presented to us on a daily basis. Although there is often talk of dirty bombs, and biological and nuclear terrorism, the most easily sourced weapon of the terrorist is still the conventional explosive. As such the ability to detect trace amounts of compounds such as TNT or Semtex is required. This means that there is a real need for a portable detection system with the ability to reliably sense a specific explosive, selectively at low concentrations. This project concerns the development of new sensors that have potential to increase the nation's security.Read moreRead less
High throughput engineering of genetically encodable fluorescent sensors of intracellular signalling networks. Understanding of biochemical processes in living organisms is central to biological research and drug discovery. At present, the field suffers from a chronic paucity of adequate observation methods. The proposed project represents an interdisciplinary effort to create approaches for real-time monitoring of complex cellular chemistries. This work will deliver novel technologies for use i ....High throughput engineering of genetically encodable fluorescent sensors of intracellular signalling networks. Understanding of biochemical processes in living organisms is central to biological research and drug discovery. At present, the field suffers from a chronic paucity of adequate observation methods. The proposed project represents an interdisciplinary effort to create approaches for real-time monitoring of complex cellular chemistries. This work will deliver novel technologies for use in diagnostics and drug development. It will provide vital information on the changes in cellular processes induced by malignant transformation, viral infection and aging. This work will generate both health and economic benefits for the community and have a positive impact on the international visibility of Australian biomedical research.Read moreRead less