New Polymers for Cellulose-based Bioplastics. We will design new cellulose derivatives by combining carefully engineered synthetic polymers to cellulose. We will explore the fundamental science underpinning the manufacture of these bioplastics, and apply the concept to the design of two new materials, with (super)hydrophobic and antibacterial properties. These materials have the potential to replace synthetic plastics, which comprise one of the major outputs of the chemical industry worldwide. P ....New Polymers for Cellulose-based Bioplastics. We will design new cellulose derivatives by combining carefully engineered synthetic polymers to cellulose. We will explore the fundamental science underpinning the manufacture of these bioplastics, and apply the concept to the design of two new materials, with (super)hydrophobic and antibacterial properties. These materials have the potential to replace synthetic plastics, which comprise one of the major outputs of the chemical industry worldwide. Plastic is present everywhere in human life, but its manufacture and disposal have a strong negative impact on the environment; the new materials manufactured in this project are viable alternatives to plastics, and are sustainable from a production and disposal point of view.Read moreRead less
New Transparent Polymer Nanocomposite Coatings Using Multireactive Inorganic Cages. New polymeric nanocomposite coatings are proposed with enhanced abrasion resistance, toughness and optical functionality, suitable for the coating of optical plastic substrates. These composites contain inorganic cages, dispersed and chemically-coupled within the crosslinked organic matrix. In addition to good mechanical behaviour, high value properties such as colorisation on exposure to light and resistance to ....New Transparent Polymer Nanocomposite Coatings Using Multireactive Inorganic Cages. New polymeric nanocomposite coatings are proposed with enhanced abrasion resistance, toughness and optical functionality, suitable for the coating of optical plastic substrates. These composites contain inorganic cages, dispersed and chemically-coupled within the crosslinked organic matrix. In addition to good mechanical behaviour, high value properties such as colorisation on exposure to light and resistance to damage from high energy lasers will be achieved by attachment to the cages of chemical units with optical activity. These cages are of nanometre size and an important aspect of the project involves probing the resultant structure at the molecular level, using advanced characterisation techniques.Read moreRead less
Dynamics of Photon-Induced Processes in Engineered Polymer Systems. This project will investigate photo-induced energy and electron transport in innovative polymer systems of well defined structure. New functionalised, aromatic and conjugated polymers will be synthesised and studied by ultrafast laser spectroscopic techniques. Information on the dynamics of light energy dissipation processes in these polymers on time-scales down to the femtosecond regime and at a single molecule level will be ....Dynamics of Photon-Induced Processes in Engineered Polymer Systems. This project will investigate photo-induced energy and electron transport in innovative polymer systems of well defined structure. New functionalised, aromatic and conjugated polymers will be synthesised and studied by ultrafast laser spectroscopic techniques. Information on the dynamics of light energy dissipation processes in these polymers on time-scales down to the femtosecond regime and at a single molecule level will be obtained. The results will provide the basic information required to develop novel photon-active materials and devices.Read moreRead less
The Synthesis and Evaluation of White Nano Particles that Reinforce the Mechanical Properties of Elastomers. This project will introduce admicellar polymerization technique to produce a bound polymer layer on the surface of fillers used for reinforcement of elastomers. The novel approach in this project will provide advanced material with excellent mechanical properties. Such composites can be used in various high performance elastomer applications such as rubber for tyres in automotive vehicles ....The Synthesis and Evaluation of White Nano Particles that Reinforce the Mechanical Properties of Elastomers. This project will introduce admicellar polymerization technique to produce a bound polymer layer on the surface of fillers used for reinforcement of elastomers. The novel approach in this project will provide advanced material with excellent mechanical properties. Such composites can be used in various high performance elastomer applications such as rubber for tyres in automotive vehicles. Products based on this new technology will produce significantly improved properties. The development of this new technology will not only advance polymer science, it will also provide great opportunities for new elastomer applications in a number of industries.Read moreRead less
The development of unique cyclic polymers. The project will yield cyclic polymers with a large range of commercial and industrial applications (e.g. drug delivery, contamination clean-up, nano-wires, sensors) that will result in positive economic and social benefits for Australia. The research will lead to increased employment opportunities within the manufacturing industry and R&D, and also underpin and extend Australia's leading position in the development of innovative polymeric and advanced ....The development of unique cyclic polymers. The project will yield cyclic polymers with a large range of commercial and industrial applications (e.g. drug delivery, contamination clean-up, nano-wires, sensors) that will result in positive economic and social benefits for Australia. The research will lead to increased employment opportunities within the manufacturing industry and R&D, and also underpin and extend Australia's leading position in the development of innovative polymeric and advanced materials. The resulting materials will provide new and improved technological innovations for commercial products, delivering benefits direct to the public. Furthermore, there is potential development of spin-off companies - leading to further investment in Australian science and industry.Read moreRead less
Macromolecular Self-Assembly of Amyloid Fibrils. The misfolding of proteins is a key issue in public health. Common diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease are associated with protein misfolding, and have a major impact on society. The use of proteins as therapeutic drugs is now common ( e.g. as vaccines, for immune disorders) but they can be rendered ineffective or harmful by protein misfolding. Through this project, we will enhance the fundamental understandin ....Macromolecular Self-Assembly of Amyloid Fibrils. The misfolding of proteins is a key issue in public health. Common diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease are associated with protein misfolding, and have a major impact on society. The use of proteins as therapeutic drugs is now common ( e.g. as vaccines, for immune disorders) but they can be rendered ineffective or harmful by protein misfolding. Through this project, we will enhance the fundamental understanding of the processes of protein assembly in solution, at solid surfaces, and under shear.
Read moreRead less
Novel Lanthanide Complexes and Polymeric Luminescent Chelates for Biomedical Imaging and Bioassay. The development of advanced materials and frontier technologies such as the luminescent chelates proposed here is essential for Australia's evolution as a competitive nation in fields such as biomedical imaging and clinical diagnostics. For example, the total expenditure on fluorescent reagents in 2004 exceeded US$1.5 billion, with an estimated 25% annual growth. With proven applications in diagnos ....Novel Lanthanide Complexes and Polymeric Luminescent Chelates for Biomedical Imaging and Bioassay. The development of advanced materials and frontier technologies such as the luminescent chelates proposed here is essential for Australia's evolution as a competitive nation in fields such as biomedical imaging and clinical diagnostics. For example, the total expenditure on fluorescent reagents in 2004 exceeded US$1.5 billion, with an estimated 25% annual growth. With proven applications in diagnostic immunoassay and high throughput screening, the use of luminescent lanthanide complexes allows significant improvements over traditional fluorophores, facilitating miniaturisation and ultimately leading to reduced costs for the consumer.Read moreRead less
New Electron Field Emission Films Based on Aligned Carbon Nanotube Guests in Liquid Crystalline Polymer Hosts. This project seeks to develop a new class of electron field emitting nanocomposite consisting of nanotubes in liquid crystalline polymers. Electron emitting materials are in much demand in x-ray and microwave generation, computer displays and low-energy lighting. We utilise the ready alignability of liquid crystalline units in magnetic fields to cause realignment of incorporated carbon ....New Electron Field Emission Films Based on Aligned Carbon Nanotube Guests in Liquid Crystalline Polymer Hosts. This project seeks to develop a new class of electron field emitting nanocomposite consisting of nanotubes in liquid crystalline polymers. Electron emitting materials are in much demand in x-ray and microwave generation, computer displays and low-energy lighting. We utilise the ready alignability of liquid crystalline units in magnetic fields to cause realignment of incorporated carbon nanotubes, followed by polymer solidification to maintain orientation. It involves low temperature processing, contrasting very favourably with current problematic, high temperature processes. This allows materials to be cast on flexible polymer substrates, potentially enabling construction of cathode tubes to replace existing mercury-containing fluorescent lighting.Read moreRead less
Protein-protein interactions in amyloid deposits. The aggregation of specific proteins to form insoluble amyloid fibrils is characteristic of several age-related diseases such as type-II diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. In vivo amyloid deposits also contain three prominent non-fibrillar protein components, namely serum amyloid P component, apolipoprotein E and alpha1-antichymotrypsin. These non-fibrillar amyloid components bind to a wide variety of amyloid fibrils, irresp ....Protein-protein interactions in amyloid deposits. The aggregation of specific proteins to form insoluble amyloid fibrils is characteristic of several age-related diseases such as type-II diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. In vivo amyloid deposits also contain three prominent non-fibrillar protein components, namely serum amyloid P component, apolipoprotein E and alpha1-antichymotrypsin. These non-fibrillar amyloid components bind to a wide variety of amyloid fibrils, irrespective of the nature of the protein constituent. This proposal is to identify the structural basis for this recognition process, the capacity of non-fibrillar components to cross-link amyloid fibrils to form networks and the influence of these interactions on amyloid fibril cytotoxicity.Read moreRead less
Structure and dynamics of a multiprotein-mRNA complex involved in the regulation of gene expression. RNA/protein interactions are now recognised as a major control point in the regulation of gene-expression. Proteins such as HuR and the poly(C)-binding proteins (PCBPs) act to stabilise and transport specific messenger (m)RNAs, and thus determine their translation levels. In contrast to such an important function, very little is known about these protein/mRNA interactions at an atomic level. The ....Structure and dynamics of a multiprotein-mRNA complex involved in the regulation of gene expression. RNA/protein interactions are now recognised as a major control point in the regulation of gene-expression. Proteins such as HuR and the poly(C)-binding proteins (PCBPs) act to stabilise and transport specific messenger (m)RNAs, and thus determine their translation levels. In contrast to such an important function, very little is known about these protein/mRNA interactions at an atomic level. The current study will investigate the structural and biophysical properties of a recently discovered HuR/PCBP/mRNA complex implicated in the regulation of androgen receptor expression. This information has the potential to assist in the development of drugs to reduce AR expression in prostate cancer.Read moreRead less