Single molecule sensing on nanopillars: Reading complex molecular circuits. This project aims to develop an entirely new nanotechnology to visualise dynamic molecular circuits in real time, and within any biological sample as small as a single cell. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the field of cell biology and sensor technology, using innovative nanofabrication and nanoscopic fluid flows to advance understanding of the emerging field of single protein molecule interactions in c ....Single molecule sensing on nanopillars: Reading complex molecular circuits. This project aims to develop an entirely new nanotechnology to visualise dynamic molecular circuits in real time, and within any biological sample as small as a single cell. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the field of cell biology and sensor technology, using innovative nanofabrication and nanoscopic fluid flows to advance understanding of the emerging field of single protein molecule interactions in cellular pathways. Expected outcomes include a universal technology platform to detect single molecules in single cells, with potential to deliver valuable intellectual property of commercial interest and economic benefit through technological advancements.Read moreRead less
Novel link between bacterial sugar metabolism and cell-to-cell signalling. This project aims to understand the role and function of the bacterial communication system that enables bacteria to form complex communities and alter phenotypic traits, essential for survival in their environment. Bacteria survive in their environmental niches by developing complex multicellular communities. Cell to cell communication, termed quorum sensing (QS), is critical for this process and is linked to their capac ....Novel link between bacterial sugar metabolism and cell-to-cell signalling. This project aims to understand the role and function of the bacterial communication system that enables bacteria to form complex communities and alter phenotypic traits, essential for survival in their environment. Bacteria survive in their environmental niches by developing complex multicellular communities. Cell to cell communication, termed quorum sensing (QS), is critical for this process and is linked to their capacity to detect and secrete small signalling molecules, autoinducers. This project will provide a new paradigm in bacterial adaptation through comprehensive characterisation of the Autoinducer-2 QS system. This knowledge will provide future opportunities for intervention in microbial infestation with broad potential benefits.Read moreRead less
Cell Membrane Coated Photonic Crystal to study Receptor-Ligand Interactions. The current gold-standard assays for examining receptor-ligand interactions require expensive and costly fluorescent or radioactive labels or proteomics processes. This project aims to develop Artificial Photonic Cells by directly coating photonic crystals with cell membranes. The Artificial Photonic Cells retain the protein receptors in their native cell membrane environment and allow for label-free monitoring of the r ....Cell Membrane Coated Photonic Crystal to study Receptor-Ligand Interactions. The current gold-standard assays for examining receptor-ligand interactions require expensive and costly fluorescent or radioactive labels or proteomics processes. This project aims to develop Artificial Photonic Cells by directly coating photonic crystals with cell membranes. The Artificial Photonic Cells retain the protein receptors in their native cell membrane environment and allow for label-free monitoring of the receptor-ligand interactions using inexpensive miniature spectrometers - radically transforming these assays. This would generate fundamental and applied knowledge of materials sciences, photonic, and biointerfaces for label-free, ultra-sensitive, and selective assays to enable future drug and diagnostics target discovery. Read moreRead less
Nano optoelectronic coupling: towards an ultrasensitive sensing technology. This project aims to elucidate ultrasensitive mechanical and thermal sensing effects that are tens of thousands of times better than conventional sensing technologies. This is achieved through controlling interactions between photons and electrons at the interface of two semiconductors. Outcomes of this project include scientific breakthroughs that are expected to revolutionise and disrupt the established sensing technol ....Nano optoelectronic coupling: towards an ultrasensitive sensing technology. This project aims to elucidate ultrasensitive mechanical and thermal sensing effects that are tens of thousands of times better than conventional sensing technologies. This is achieved through controlling interactions between photons and electrons at the interface of two semiconductors. Outcomes of this project include scientific breakthroughs that are expected to revolutionise and disrupt the established sensing technologies. Microscopic low power mechanical and thermal sensors with ultra-high sensitivity have great value to enhance safety, security, and productivity of industry and society. The project is expected to generate new knowledge and place Australia as the world leader in physical sensing and create a new industry.Read moreRead less
Nanoarchitectured multifunctional porous superparamagnetic nanoparticles. This project aims to develop a method for the direct detection of biomarkers based on a new class of highly porous superparamagnetic nanoparticles with peroxidase-like activity. The particles will be used as dispersible capture agents for isolating specific targets in biological samples, and electrocatalytic nanozymes for naked-eye evaluation and electrochemical detection. The project is expected to develop simple, low-cos ....Nanoarchitectured multifunctional porous superparamagnetic nanoparticles. This project aims to develop a method for the direct detection of biomarkers based on a new class of highly porous superparamagnetic nanoparticles with peroxidase-like activity. The particles will be used as dispersible capture agents for isolating specific targets in biological samples, and electrocatalytic nanozymes for naked-eye evaluation and electrochemical detection. The project is expected to develop simple, low-cost, portable devices for the analysis of exosomes and exosomal miRNA in biological samples. The future development of this technology into diagnostic devices will improve patient outcomes by enabling earlier disease diagnosis and improved monitoring of treatment.Read moreRead less
Establishing Design Principles Of Polymers For Intracellular Delivery . Engineered polymers have played a central role in the field of bionanotechnology by enabling targeted nanoscale cell interactions. Progress in the field of intracellular delivery is currently affected by a major bottleneck due to the absence of effective polymers that is applicable across the range of bimolecular cargoes. In essence depending on the type of cargo: DNA, RNA or protien, the polymer needs programmability. The l ....Establishing Design Principles Of Polymers For Intracellular Delivery . Engineered polymers have played a central role in the field of bionanotechnology by enabling targeted nanoscale cell interactions. Progress in the field of intracellular delivery is currently affected by a major bottleneck due to the absence of effective polymers that is applicable across the range of bimolecular cargoes. In essence depending on the type of cargo: DNA, RNA or protien, the polymer needs programmability. The limited tunability of traditional polymers agents makes them unsuitable for this particular application. The multidisciplinary project addresses this significant problem by engineering novel sequences of defined polymer based nanoscale agents to achieve efficient delivery in cells.Read moreRead less
Biologically Inspired Binaural Coupling for Selective Machine Hearing. This project aims to investigate biologically-inspired binaural coupling models in the context of the deep learning paradigm by formulating desirable higher level auditory structures as neural network sub-systems. This project expects to generate new knowledge for developing the next generation of robust speech processing systems that are capable of mimicking the selecting listening ability of humans when faced with realistic ....Biologically Inspired Binaural Coupling for Selective Machine Hearing. This project aims to investigate biologically-inspired binaural coupling models in the context of the deep learning paradigm by formulating desirable higher level auditory structures as neural network sub-systems. This project expects to generate new knowledge for developing the next generation of robust speech processing systems that are capable of mimicking the selecting listening ability of humans when faced with realistic noisy speech signals and the ‘cocktail party problem’ using innovative binaural feedback systems. This work should provide significant benefits, including improved voice biometrics and selective auditory attention capabilities in machines.Read moreRead less
Drone-based Communications for High-speed Beyond 5G Wireless Systems. Drone-based communication is a revolutionised wireless paradigm for the development of highly flexible and cost-effective beyond fifth-generation (B5G) wireless systems. This project aims to develop novel communication theories and practical techniques to realise truly high-speed and ubiquitous communication required in B5G networks. The project intends to deliver resource allocation designs, robust transceiver designs and a s ....Drone-based Communications for High-speed Beyond 5G Wireless Systems. Drone-based communication is a revolutionised wireless paradigm for the development of highly flexible and cost-effective beyond fifth-generation (B5G) wireless systems. This project aims to develop novel communication theories and practical techniques to realise truly high-speed and ubiquitous communication required in B5G networks. The project intends to deliver resource allocation designs, robust transceiver designs and a system-level analysis as the foundations and tools to unlock the potential of this promising paradigm. The outcomes of this project are expected to fundamentally advance the knowledge of drone-based communications with significant economic values to service providers and benefits to mobile users over the world.Read moreRead less
Highly Efficient Nanomotors for Autonomous Cell Recognition and Isolation. This project aims to develop next-generation self-driven nanomotors capable of long-range motion with highly controlled directionality for cell recognition, transportation and separation in complex biological environments, to allow autonomous and seamless cell sorting with high accuracy. The anticipated goal of this project is to advance the field of nanotechnology and advanced manufacturing with potential to support new ....Highly Efficient Nanomotors for Autonomous Cell Recognition and Isolation. This project aims to develop next-generation self-driven nanomotors capable of long-range motion with highly controlled directionality for cell recognition, transportation and separation in complex biological environments, to allow autonomous and seamless cell sorting with high accuracy. The anticipated goal of this project is to advance the field of nanotechnology and advanced manufacturing with potential to support new applications and to value-add Australia’s advanced manufacturing industry, presenting new opportunities for Australian MedTech industries with innovative, disruptive technologies to address its unique needs and to claim Australia’s position within the competitive global market.Read moreRead less
Developing novel two-dimensional hybrid nanostructures for renewable energy. This project aims to develop novel two-dimensional (2D) hybrid nanostructures with new physical and chemical properties. This innovation intends to address the critical challenges of control functionalisation of 2D hybrid nanostructures: essential to understanding the potential of nanomaterials in key applications of energy generation. Expected outcomes include scalable technology to produce functional 2D nanomaterials ....Developing novel two-dimensional hybrid nanostructures for renewable energy. This project aims to develop novel two-dimensional (2D) hybrid nanostructures with new physical and chemical properties. This innovation intends to address the critical challenges of control functionalisation of 2D hybrid nanostructures: essential to understanding the potential of nanomaterials in key applications of energy generation. Expected outcomes include scalable technology to produce functional 2D nanomaterials and hybrid nanostructures to accelerate research to advanced materials and frontier material manufacturing technologies. This project will provide significant social and economic benefits to Australia in the growth of sectors in advanced materials, energy generation, and advanced manufacturing.Read moreRead less