Organic Bionics: Soft Materials to Solve Hard Problems in Neuroengineering. This project aims to combine innovations in organic conductors, nanotechnology, 3D biofabrication and neuroengineering to develop a bioelectronic system capable of wireless neuromodulation with unprecedented stability and precision. This project expects to generate new knowledge regarding the properties of materials that promote optical neuromodulation and new strategies to obtain long-term material stability in biologic ....Organic Bionics: Soft Materials to Solve Hard Problems in Neuroengineering. This project aims to combine innovations in organic conductors, nanotechnology, 3D biofabrication and neuroengineering to develop a bioelectronic system capable of wireless neuromodulation with unprecedented stability and precision. This project expects to generate new knowledge regarding the properties of materials that promote optical neuromodulation and new strategies to obtain long-term material stability in biological environments. The expected outcome is to generate new material design rules to facilitate wireless neuromodulation technologies in biomedical engineering. The project will position Australia as a leader in bionic devices by creating a new 3D bioprinting hub for low-cost fabrication of bioelectronic systems.Read moreRead less
Seeing the Bio-Nano "Talk" in the brain via real-time multiplex tracking. This project aims to develop new knowledge and smart tools that have the potential to greatly improve brain research. The blood-brain-barrier is the major physiological barrier that protects the brain from environmental toxins, bacteria and viruses, but limits the effectiveness of nanoparticle-based brain imaging agents. Expected outcomes of this project include a better understanding of the mechanisms that allow nanoparti ....Seeing the Bio-Nano "Talk" in the brain via real-time multiplex tracking. This project aims to develop new knowledge and smart tools that have the potential to greatly improve brain research. The blood-brain-barrier is the major physiological barrier that protects the brain from environmental toxins, bacteria and viruses, but limits the effectiveness of nanoparticle-based brain imaging agents. Expected outcomes of this project include a better understanding of the mechanisms that allow nanoparticles to penetrate the blood-brain-barrier, as well as improving brain imaging. Benefits of the project include the commercialisation of technologies and smarl tools developed in this projetct, and establishment of a new Australian biotechnology company that exports brain-imaging technologies to the world.Read moreRead less
Organic Bioelectronics: Solving Key Barriers to Precision Neuromodulation. This project aims to combine the principles of molecular electronics and neurobiology to create organic conductors with enhanced biocompatibility that enable optical neuromodulation. This project expects to generate new knowledge regarding the properties of materials that promote connectivity with neurons and the ability of new microscopy tools to visualise this bio-interface. The expected outcome of this project includes ....Organic Bioelectronics: Solving Key Barriers to Precision Neuromodulation. This project aims to combine the principles of molecular electronics and neurobiology to create organic conductors with enhanced biocompatibility that enable optical neuromodulation. This project expects to generate new knowledge regarding the properties of materials that promote connectivity with neurons and the ability of new microscopy tools to visualise this bio-interface. The expected outcome of this project includes new high performing materials, measurement tools and fabrication approaches to overcome the key challenges to precision neuromodulation. A significant benefit of the new materials is their printability, providing the opportunity to establish a sovereign capability to manufacture low-cost bioelectronic systems in Australia.Read moreRead less
Micro-electrofluidic platforms for monitoring 3D human biological models. The ability to study living cells and human biological models (cell cultures) delivers greater understanding of basic biological function and response to applied (bio)chemical stimuli. Creating the physical environments to sustain biological models, and mimic natural conditions and fluidic pathways, is immensely challenging, yet essential to deliver meaningful observational data. This project will deliver this capability t ....Micro-electrofluidic platforms for monitoring 3D human biological models. The ability to study living cells and human biological models (cell cultures) delivers greater understanding of basic biological function and response to applied (bio)chemical stimuli. Creating the physical environments to sustain biological models, and mimic natural conditions and fluidic pathways, is immensely challenging, yet essential to deliver meaningful observational data. This project will deliver this capability through the convergence of expertise and innovation in analytical chemistry, materials science and cellular biology, ultilising the latest technology and understanding of 3D micro/electrofluidics, to enable the study and stimulation of advanced biological models, sustained within precisely controlled 3D micro-environments.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160101308
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
An in vitro model of biomaterial-induced thrombosis. This project intends to use bioengineering strategies to develop new methods to understand material interactions with proteins and cells. The project plans to develop microfluidic channels to contain test materials and immobilise a key enzyme associated with thrombosis by plasma immersion ion implantation. This knowledge may increase our understanding of material-biomolecule interactions and have implications for manipulating biological foulin ....An in vitro model of biomaterial-induced thrombosis. This project intends to use bioengineering strategies to develop new methods to understand material interactions with proteins and cells. The project plans to develop microfluidic channels to contain test materials and immobilise a key enzyme associated with thrombosis by plasma immersion ion implantation. This knowledge may increase our understanding of material-biomolecule interactions and have implications for manipulating biological fouling across multiple fields.Read moreRead less
Programming physical and biological cues to promote vessel growth . This project aims to engineer new hydrogel-based biomaterials that allow spatio-temporal modulation of physical and biological cues to direct blood vessels growth, as well as compatible with advanced bioprinting platforms. It will generate new knowledge in biomaterials, biofabrication and advanced material processing. Expected outcomes include new knowledge in biomaterial-vascular interaction, novel vascular bioinks, cross-disci ....Programming physical and biological cues to promote vessel growth . This project aims to engineer new hydrogel-based biomaterials that allow spatio-temporal modulation of physical and biological cues to direct blood vessels growth, as well as compatible with advanced bioprinting platforms. It will generate new knowledge in biomaterials, biofabrication and advanced material processing. Expected outcomes include new knowledge in biomaterial-vascular interaction, novel vascular bioinks, cross-disciplinary, international collaboration and research training. This project will provide significant benefit to Australia's scholarly output and reputation, as well as long term benefits to biomedical, veterinary and cosmetic through new materials and cutting-edge manufacturing platforms. Read moreRead less
3D Bipolar Electroactive Architectures for Wireless BioStimulation. Traditional Electrostimulation requires hard-wired metal electrodes and electronic wires connected to a power supply. These tethered systems face numerous challenges in establishing long-lasting effective electronic interfaces with targeted cells and tissues. This project aims to combine technologies in conductive polymers, bipolar electrochemistry, 3D fabrication and cell engineering to develop a 3D bioelectronic system that e ....3D Bipolar Electroactive Architectures for Wireless BioStimulation. Traditional Electrostimulation requires hard-wired metal electrodes and electronic wires connected to a power supply. These tethered systems face numerous challenges in establishing long-lasting effective electronic interfaces with targeted cells and tissues. This project aims to combine technologies in conductive polymers, bipolar electrochemistry, 3D fabrication and cell engineering to develop a 3D bioelectronic system that enables wireless cell stimulation. The major benefit is to generate advanced knowledge of wireless powered electromaterials and novel wireless biotechnology in medical engineering, which could help well-position the Australian in smart bionic devices for human well-being with a bright future.Read moreRead less
Effect of a novel immobilised antimicrobial peptide on bacteria. This project plans to investigate a novel cationic peptide that prevents microbial colonisation of surfaces. The ability of bacteria to colonise surfaces affects almost all aspects of human life – from water to food and medical devices. As microbes become increasingly resistant to traditional biocides, the design of effective antimicrobial surfaces to prevent microbial colonisation and biofilm formation is critically important. The ....Effect of a novel immobilised antimicrobial peptide on bacteria. This project plans to investigate a novel cationic peptide that prevents microbial colonisation of surfaces. The ability of bacteria to colonise surfaces affects almost all aspects of human life – from water to food and medical devices. As microbes become increasingly resistant to traditional biocides, the design of effective antimicrobial surfaces to prevent microbial colonisation and biofilm formation is critically important. The novel cationic peptide may provide a solution, but the mechanism of action of surface-bound peptides on bacteria is poorly understood. This project aims to combine biophysics, biochemistry, microbiology and molecular biology to study interactions with the surface of two model bacteria. This may facilitate optimal design of new coatings.Read moreRead less
Engineering biomaterials that actively promote blood vessel growth. This project aims to improve understanding of the effect of biomaterials on vascular growth & to develop new biomimetic materials using natural polymers silk & gelatin. It expects to generate new knowledge in biomaterials, matrix biology & advanced material processing. Expected outcomes include new knowledge & technological advances in biomaterial-driven vascular growth, porous material manufacture, & proteoglycan-mediated grow ....Engineering biomaterials that actively promote blood vessel growth. This project aims to improve understanding of the effect of biomaterials on vascular growth & to develop new biomimetic materials using natural polymers silk & gelatin. It expects to generate new knowledge in biomaterials, matrix biology & advanced material processing. Expected outcomes include new knowledge & technological advances in biomaterial-driven vascular growth, porous material manufacture, & proteoglycan-mediated growth factor signalling, as well as cross-disciplinary, international collaboration & research training. This should provide significant benefit to Australia’s scholarly output & reputation & long term benefits to biomedical, veterinary, cosmetic, & food industries through new materials & processing technologies. Read moreRead less
Nano-mechanical and nano-structural investigation of dentine: unravelling a novel nano-scale regulator of high durability of mineralised tissues. This project proposes that proteoglycans (PG) are key regulators of the high durability of dentine. PGs are primarily responsible for the structural organization of collagen in all vertebrates, however virtually nothing is known about their role on the biomechanics of mineralized tissues. This study aims to thoroughly address this question.