Synthetic leukocytes: bio-inspired DNA nanorobots powered by flow. Inspired by the way white blood cells roll along blood vessel walls, our goal is to build DNA nanorobots that roll along surfaces in flow. We take a synthetic biology approach to using biomolecules, such as DNA and proteins, to build functional particles and surfaces. To achieve this, we will combine our teams’ technological advances in DNA nanotechnology, plasma-activation for biomolecule immobilisation, and microfluidic devices ....Synthetic leukocytes: bio-inspired DNA nanorobots powered by flow. Inspired by the way white blood cells roll along blood vessel walls, our goal is to build DNA nanorobots that roll along surfaces in flow. We take a synthetic biology approach to using biomolecules, such as DNA and proteins, to build functional particles and surfaces. To achieve this, we will combine our teams’ technological advances in DNA nanotechnology, plasma-activation for biomolecule immobilisation, and microfluidic devices. This project will contribute new methods for synthetic particle motion in flow and provide new insights into biomolecule interactions and motion. Ultimately, this will allow us to harness rolling for the delivery of synthetic nanorobots for detection and remediation in flow systems, such as the body.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100759
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,000.00
Summary
Trans-omic networks: A machine learning and omics integration approach. This project aims to map and model ‘trans-omic’ networks that cut through omic layers using machine learning and multi-omic data integration. Global networks regulated by molecular programs, including signalling, epigenetic, transcriptional and translational regulation, orchestrate cellular functions. Technological advances can profile these molecular programmes, giving rise to various ‘omics’. However, data generated from e ....Trans-omic networks: A machine learning and omics integration approach. This project aims to map and model ‘trans-omic’ networks that cut through omic layers using machine learning and multi-omic data integration. Global networks regulated by molecular programs, including signalling, epigenetic, transcriptional and translational regulation, orchestrate cellular functions. Technological advances can profile these molecular programmes, giving rise to various ‘omics’. However, data generated from each omic layer are predominantly analysed separately owing to their heterogeneity. To understand cellular functions in its entirety, it is essential to interpret omic data across multiple omic layers. Applying this project’s methods is expected to improve use of omics data and fundamental molecular programs.Read moreRead less
Novel tools and nanotechnology to navigate intracellular trafficking. This project aims to investigate how material accesses different compartments inside cells, also known as trafficking. Using immunology, cell biology and nanotechnology, the project will manipulate intracellular trafficking to achieve specific cellular functions. Outcomes will also form the basis of intellectual property development for new products by Australian biotechnology companies. These products will improve veterinary ....Novel tools and nanotechnology to navigate intracellular trafficking. This project aims to investigate how material accesses different compartments inside cells, also known as trafficking. Using immunology, cell biology and nanotechnology, the project will manipulate intracellular trafficking to achieve specific cellular functions. Outcomes will also form the basis of intellectual property development for new products by Australian biotechnology companies. These products will improve veterinary and human health services, leading to increased productivity.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220100964
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$443,869.00
Summary
Statistical approaches for spatial genomics at single cell resolution. Cells cooperate to form complex, dynamic and varied tissue structures. This project aims to develop statistical and computational approaches to analyse spatial genomics data, a novel technology that retains vital spatial information at single cell resolution while detecting RNA molecules for hundreds of genes. Observing the molecular activity of cells in their spatial context is critical for tackling key biological questions, ....Statistical approaches for spatial genomics at single cell resolution. Cells cooperate to form complex, dynamic and varied tissue structures. This project aims to develop statistical and computational approaches to analyse spatial genomics data, a novel technology that retains vital spatial information at single cell resolution while detecting RNA molecules for hundreds of genes. Observing the molecular activity of cells in their spatial context is critical for tackling key biological questions, such as how tumour cells behave during malignancy or how stem cells determine their fate. Expected outcomes also include techniques to fully harmonise spatial and non-spatial genomics datasets, and methods toward understanding the complex relationships among cells in their environment, revealing novel cell biology.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130101458
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Investigation and development of biological anti-adhesive coatings. Lubricin is a biological anti-adhesive protein that is found in mammalian joints. This project will investigate the properties and action of Lubricin and develop novel anti-adhesive coating technologies to eliminate problems associated with non-specific binding of biomolecules in microfluidic and biosensor applications.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100092
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,000.00
Summary
X-ray induced photoacoustic nanoprobe: Break depth dependency of bioimaging. This project aims to develop a nanoprobe using an X-ray excited luminescence “nanolaser” as the local light source to activate coupled responsive photoacoustic sensors. In-situ imaging of specific biomarkers at the molecular level is key to understanding their roles in physiological and pathological processes, but current imaging techniques using fluorescent probes cannot detect biomarkers in deep tissues due to shallow ....X-ray induced photoacoustic nanoprobe: Break depth dependency of bioimaging. This project aims to develop a nanoprobe using an X-ray excited luminescence “nanolaser” as the local light source to activate coupled responsive photoacoustic sensors. In-situ imaging of specific biomarkers at the molecular level is key to understanding their roles in physiological and pathological processes, but current imaging techniques using fluorescent probes cannot detect biomarkers in deep tissues due to shallow light penetration. By capitalising on the tissue penetrating property of X-rays and acoustic waves and collecting acoustic waves as the read-out signal, real-time monitoring of biomarkers in deep tissues could be achieved, advancing detection technology for deep-tissue biomarkers.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE120100224
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$250,000.00
Summary
Multi-mode fluorescence microscope for visualising the dynamics of cellular processes at the single-molecule level. Fluorescence is the emission of light by a substance that has absorbed light of a different wavelength. This fluorescence microscopy facility will allow the visualisation of the dynamic processes that define life at the molecular level. This insight will help us understand cellular function and how it is impaired in various diseases including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders ....Multi-mode fluorescence microscope for visualising the dynamics of cellular processes at the single-molecule level. Fluorescence is the emission of light by a substance that has absorbed light of a different wavelength. This fluorescence microscopy facility will allow the visualisation of the dynamic processes that define life at the molecular level. This insight will help us understand cellular function and how it is impaired in various diseases including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.Read moreRead less
Rational design of genetic circuits that respond to transient signals. Engineered genetic circuits with predictable and robust behaviour promise unprecedented environmental and economic benefits. Yet much work remains to be done before living devices can routinely be built from a standarised set of biological parts - the goal of synthetic biologists. By studying how natural genetic switch circuits respond to transient signals, this project aims to uncover a set of design rules which could be use ....Rational design of genetic circuits that respond to transient signals. Engineered genetic circuits with predictable and robust behaviour promise unprecedented environmental and economic benefits. Yet much work remains to be done before living devices can routinely be built from a standarised set of biological parts - the goal of synthetic biologists. By studying how natural genetic switch circuits respond to transient signals, this project aims to uncover a set of design rules which could be used to construct and control purpose-built genetic networks and pathways. The results of this project are expected to add to the molecular tookit available to synthetic biologists.Read moreRead less
The role of HP1 alpha dimerisation in maintaining chromatin structure. Heterochromatin protein 1 alpha (HP1a) is an architectural protein that decorates three-dimensional genome organisation and through self-association into HP1a dimers regulates global gene expression. While there is extensive biochemical evidence on how HP1a molecules bind DNA, dimerise and bridge nucleosomes close together, we still do not know how HP1a regulates higher order chromatin structure in the context of a living cel ....The role of HP1 alpha dimerisation in maintaining chromatin structure. Heterochromatin protein 1 alpha (HP1a) is an architectural protein that decorates three-dimensional genome organisation and through self-association into HP1a dimers regulates global gene expression. While there is extensive biochemical evidence on how HP1a molecules bind DNA, dimerise and bridge nucleosomes close together, we still do not know how HP1a regulates higher order chromatin structure in the context of a living cell. Thus, by use of cutting-edge fluorescence microscopy methods, the overall aim of this research project is to determine the biophysical mechanism by which the HP1a monomer to dimer transition spatially and temporally modulates live cell chromatin network organisation to ensure faithful transmission of the genome.Read moreRead less
Tracking DNA repair dynamics in the nuclear landscape of a living cell. This project aims to track DNA repair factor recruitment in the nuclear landscape of a living cell and quantify the role of nucleus architecture in maintenance of genome integrity. By coupling advanced fluorescence microscopy with a novel DNA double strand break inducible cell system, this project expects to uncover how the nucleus spatially coordinates DNA damage detection, assessment and repair in real time. This research ....Tracking DNA repair dynamics in the nuclear landscape of a living cell. This project aims to track DNA repair factor recruitment in the nuclear landscape of a living cell and quantify the role of nucleus architecture in maintenance of genome integrity. By coupling advanced fluorescence microscopy with a novel DNA double strand break inducible cell system, this project expects to uncover how the nucleus spatially coordinates DNA damage detection, assessment and repair in real time. This research is important because DNA damage threatens organism survival and this project has the potential to define how this genomic threat is resolved at the single molecule level. The benefit of this research is a fundamental insight into DNA repair biology and development of imaging technology to quantify genome function.Read moreRead less