Spectroscopic investigations into nano-scale drug interactions and molecular processes in single living cells and isolated molecules. This project will develop micro-spectroscopy and nano-spectroscopy molecular imaging based techniques to spatially locate and determine the bonding sites of a new range of chemotherapeutic drugs designed to treat cancer and malaria. This project will adopt a translational approach looking first at drug interactions directly with molecules such as DNA. Secondly, in ....Spectroscopic investigations into nano-scale drug interactions and molecular processes in single living cells and isolated molecules. This project will develop micro-spectroscopy and nano-spectroscopy molecular imaging based techniques to spatially locate and determine the bonding sites of a new range of chemotherapeutic drugs designed to treat cancer and malaria. This project will adopt a translational approach looking first at drug interactions directly with molecules such as DNA. Secondly, investigating these interactions in living cells and finally applying the technology to tissue samples. The outcome of this research will be new drug screening technologies and methodologies to address two of the most devastating diseases to afflict human kind, offering hope to the countless millions suffering from these diseases.Read moreRead less
A gold-coated magnetic nanoparticle biosensor for detecting microRNA. The project aims to develop a biosensor for detecting short sequences of RNA, called microRNA (miRNA) in blood. There are about 100 miRNA sequences that are involved in most biological processes. Changes in the levels of some miRNA sequences can serve as a biomarker for many diseases including cancers. The miRNA will be detected using gold-coated magnetic nanoparticles modified with DNA sequences complementary to the miRNA of ....A gold-coated magnetic nanoparticle biosensor for detecting microRNA. The project aims to develop a biosensor for detecting short sequences of RNA, called microRNA (miRNA) in blood. There are about 100 miRNA sequences that are involved in most biological processes. Changes in the levels of some miRNA sequences can serve as a biomarker for many diseases including cancers. The miRNA will be detected using gold-coated magnetic nanoparticles modified with DNA sequences complementary to the miRNA of interest to capture the miRNA. Application of a magnetic field allows the levels of miRNA to be detected electrochemically. The expected outcome is a commercialisable biosensor for miRNA both as a diagnostic early detection device and a prognostic device for a range of miRNA biomarkers.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100068
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$390,000.00
Summary
Bioinspired liposome-based smart sensors. This project aims to develop a liposome-based biosensor technology that mimics cell sensory systems. Selective detection of compounds is increasingly important for food, health and environmental monitoring. Biosensor development faces long-standing challenges such as response time, sensitivity, specificity, and multiplexing. On the other hand, cells can sense and discriminate multiple biomolecules in seconds with high sensitivity and specificity. This pr ....Bioinspired liposome-based smart sensors. This project aims to develop a liposome-based biosensor technology that mimics cell sensory systems. Selective detection of compounds is increasingly important for food, health and environmental monitoring. Biosensor development faces long-standing challenges such as response time, sensitivity, specificity, and multiplexing. On the other hand, cells can sense and discriminate multiple biomolecules in seconds with high sensitivity and specificity. This project aims to harness cells’ exquisite biological properties to improve current detection techniques. It will integrate liposome-based sensors with microfluidics to perform analytical tasks ranging from food safety to diagnostics.Read moreRead less
New strategies for characterising and monitoring protein-surface interactions: application to a biosensor for diabetic’s blood glucose regime effectiveness. This project aims to develop an antibody based biosensor for the detection of glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) which serves as a marker of the effectiveness of a diabetic’s blood glucose treatment regime. Monitoring HbA1c is important as many of the long term health effects of diabetes are a consequence of high blood glucose levels. The si ....New strategies for characterising and monitoring protein-surface interactions: application to a biosensor for diabetic’s blood glucose regime effectiveness. This project aims to develop an antibody based biosensor for the detection of glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) which serves as a marker of the effectiveness of a diabetic’s blood glucose treatment regime. Monitoring HbA1c is important as many of the long term health effects of diabetes are a consequence of high blood glucose levels. The simple to use technology will be a general detection strategy for proteins and hence will be applicable for the detection of a wide range of diseases and biomarkers. The research will also benefit Australia by training the new generation of scientists for Australia's biomedical diagnostics industry.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130100800
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Polymer micropatches applied to the skin for integrated capture and detection of circulating biomarkers. The purpose of this project is to develop a rapid and integrated technology for user-friendly biomarker detection at the point-of-care. We expect the device to rapidly detect proteins and/or antibodies, without the need for highly trained health workers or access to scientific laboratories.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140101056
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$380,156.00
Summary
Rational Design of Plasmonic Nanoassemblies for Rapid and Multiplexed Point-of-Care Diagnosis by Surface-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS). The central aim of this project is to develop a novel technology/sensor platform for rapid, quantitative, multiplexed and highly sensitive point-of-care diagnostics using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) as the read-out approach. Three-dimensional plasmonic superstructures as novel SERS labels will be synthesised and characterised at single-partic ....Rational Design of Plasmonic Nanoassemblies for Rapid and Multiplexed Point-of-Care Diagnosis by Surface-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS). The central aim of this project is to develop a novel technology/sensor platform for rapid, quantitative, multiplexed and highly sensitive point-of-care diagnostics using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) as the read-out approach. Three-dimensional plasmonic superstructures as novel SERS labels will be synthesised and characterised at single-particle level and the choice of optimal SERS-active three-dimensional superstructures for use will be guided by empirical structure-activity correlations in combination with computer simulations. Tumour biomarkers for breast cancer will be employed as the model target for establishing the detection platform in a portable configuration for point-of-care diagnostics.Read moreRead less
Intelligent nanoparticles: Interactive tools to decode brain activity. This project aims to use nanoparticles and integrated nanoparticle devices to unravel causal relationships between molecular events and high-level brain activity. These devices, capable of real-time sensing and adaptive responses, could expose previously unmeasurable cellular events and establish their physiological effects. This is expected to reveal the complex dynamics in the living brain and advance neuroscience and analy ....Intelligent nanoparticles: Interactive tools to decode brain activity. This project aims to use nanoparticles and integrated nanoparticle devices to unravel causal relationships between molecular events and high-level brain activity. These devices, capable of real-time sensing and adaptive responses, could expose previously unmeasurable cellular events and establish their physiological effects. This is expected to reveal the complex dynamics in the living brain and advance neuroscience and analytical chemistry.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH210100040
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,000,000.00
Summary
ARC RESEARCH HUB FOR CONNECTED SENSORS FOR HEALTH. This Hub aims to develop, manufacture and deploy high-tech, cyber-secure, medically-certified IoT sensors to global health markets by integrating disparate Australian capabilities into a productive end-to-end value chain. This Hub expects to position Australia at the forefront of connected health by integrating sensor science with cyber-secure data analytics, regulatory approval and certified manufacturing capabilities. Expected outcomes of this ....ARC RESEARCH HUB FOR CONNECTED SENSORS FOR HEALTH. This Hub aims to develop, manufacture and deploy high-tech, cyber-secure, medically-certified IoT sensors to global health markets by integrating disparate Australian capabilities into a productive end-to-end value chain. This Hub expects to position Australia at the forefront of connected health by integrating sensor science with cyber-secure data analytics, regulatory approval and certified manufacturing capabilities. Expected outcomes of this Hub include advanced manufacturing capacity for connected sensors, strategic partnerships and commercialisation skills to translate sensors research to create economic benefits such as jobs and locally-made products for domestic and export markets, as well as improving the health of Australians.Read moreRead less
How electric fields can facilitate reversible protein binding to surfaces. The aim of this project is to develop the first biosensors that prevent nonspecific protein adsorption and allow reversible protein binding. The project expects to achieve this using a combination of novel surface chemistry and pulsed electric fields that dynamically change a sensing interface. The impact of electric fields on the binding of proteins to this interface will be followed using a novel single molecule fluores ....How electric fields can facilitate reversible protein binding to surfaces. The aim of this project is to develop the first biosensors that prevent nonspecific protein adsorption and allow reversible protein binding. The project expects to achieve this using a combination of novel surface chemistry and pulsed electric fields that dynamically change a sensing interface. The impact of electric fields on the binding of proteins to this interface will be followed using a novel single molecule fluorescence microscope previously developed that can locate the position of proteins with 2 nanometer resolution. The expected outcomes of this project is a class of biosensor that can continuously monitor protein biomarkers for wearable sensors that provide information on a user’s wellness and nutrition.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL150100060
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,875,097.00
Summary
The first generation of single entity measurement tools for analysis. The first generation of single entity measurement tools for analysis: This fellowship project aims to develop a new type of diagnostic device that measures single molecules or single cells. Such measurements seek to revolutionise analysis by allowing heterogeneity and rare events in samples to be identified, rather than the average information provided by existing tools. With single molecule devices, the heterogeneity in respo ....The first generation of single entity measurement tools for analysis. The first generation of single entity measurement tools for analysis: This fellowship project aims to develop a new type of diagnostic device that measures single molecules or single cells. Such measurements seek to revolutionise analysis by allowing heterogeneity and rare events in samples to be identified, rather than the average information provided by existing tools. With single molecule devices, the heterogeneity in response enables the development of multiplexed, calibration free sensors. The outcomes of the project are hoped to be completely new thinking on performing measurements, new knowledge regarding heterogeneity in biology and the potential for novel commercialised sensors. It is expected that this will be important not only in biological discovery, but also in providing far more robust sensors for applications such as environmental monitoring, disease prediction, personalised medicine or drug discovery.Read moreRead less