Targeted isolation of specific marine bacterial species associated with higher organsims for the purpose of discovering new antimicrobial compounds. Specific bacterial species that are commonly found in association with marine plants and animals often produce active secondary metabolites. The aim of this project is to apply our understanding of these bacterial-host associations to the targeted isolation of novel antimicrobials from the marine environment. While these new compounds will undoubted ....Targeted isolation of specific marine bacterial species associated with higher organsims for the purpose of discovering new antimicrobial compounds. Specific bacterial species that are commonly found in association with marine plants and animals often produce active secondary metabolites. The aim of this project is to apply our understanding of these bacterial-host associations to the targeted isolation of novel antimicrobials from the marine environment. While these new compounds will undoubtedly have a number of commercial applications this project focuses on the development of products for dental hygiene in animals. Generally, the urgent need for new antimicrobial compounds to combat the growing number of microbes that are resistant to current antibiotics highlights the importance of this project.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE200101524
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$355,325.00
Summary
Taking Control: Understanding regulation of bacterial iron acquisition. This project aims to uncover the bacterial regulatory networks acting on a family of iron-stealing molecules called siderophores. Bacteria use siderophores to acquire iron from their hosts, the environment, and each other – as such, they have a central role in microbial life. Despite their importance, we have an incomplete knowledge of how these iron-stealing weapons are deployed. This project will develop a new genomics-bas ....Taking Control: Understanding regulation of bacterial iron acquisition. This project aims to uncover the bacterial regulatory networks acting on a family of iron-stealing molecules called siderophores. Bacteria use siderophores to acquire iron from their hosts, the environment, and each other – as such, they have a central role in microbial life. Despite their importance, we have an incomplete knowledge of how these iron-stealing weapons are deployed. This project will develop a new genomics-based, high-throughput technology for defining bacterial gene regulation networks, and use it to understand siderophore control. This will provide new knowledge of siderophore function, enhance understanding of bacterial community and host interactions, and establish leadership in a new genomics technology in Australia.Read moreRead less
A novel scintillating optical fibre array for cancer imaging and therapy. This project aims to realise a next-generation detector technology that delivers the first fully integrated solution to the X-ray imaging and dose measurement needs of cancer radiation therapy. It is planned that this will be achieved by optimising an experimental prototype device employing a scintillating optical fibre array to generate an optical signal that preserves a tissue-equivalent detector response. The acquired d ....A novel scintillating optical fibre array for cancer imaging and therapy. This project aims to realise a next-generation detector technology that delivers the first fully integrated solution to the X-ray imaging and dose measurement needs of cancer radiation therapy. It is planned that this will be achieved by optimising an experimental prototype device employing a scintillating optical fibre array to generate an optical signal that preserves a tissue-equivalent detector response. The acquired digital image can thus be used to simultaneously verify geometric accuracy (correct patient positioning) and dosimetric accuracy (correct dose distribution). This is not currently possible with existing X-ray detector technology and offers an improvement in treatment accuracy.Read moreRead less
The “New” Biochemistry of Polyamines: When Metabolic Pathways Collide. Basic biochemistry and the metabolic regulation of proliferation remain as the fundamental building blocks of knowledge in cell biology that have enabled breakthrough advances in biology and medicine. Polyamines are unique and ubiquitous low-Mr amines that play vital roles in many biological processes, including proliferation, DNA/RNA synthesis, etc. This proposal will mechanistically dissect the "new" biochemistry of polyami ....The “New” Biochemistry of Polyamines: When Metabolic Pathways Collide. Basic biochemistry and the metabolic regulation of proliferation remain as the fundamental building blocks of knowledge in cell biology that have enabled breakthrough advances in biology and medicine. Polyamines are unique and ubiquitous low-Mr amines that play vital roles in many biological processes, including proliferation, DNA/RNA synthesis, etc. This proposal will mechanistically dissect the "new" biochemistry of polyamines, as we have discovered that polyamines are regulated by iron at 2-major levels, involving >10-key polyamine pathway proteins. This proposal represents first-in-field studies specifically designed to dissect mechanisms involved in this relationship. Our Central Hypothesis is that iron regulates polyamine metabolism.Read moreRead less
A novel platform-technology for long-term subcutaneous neurophysiology. This project aims to develop a novel miniature device for subcutaneous and tetherless brain sensing. It addresses the lack of a device solution for brain-sensing that combines ultra-long-term reliable sensing capability and small dimensions for minimally-invasive procedures. We achieve this through our novel electrode architecture that significantly enhances the quality and reliability of recorded brain signals. We introduce ....A novel platform-technology for long-term subcutaneous neurophysiology. This project aims to develop a novel miniature device for subcutaneous and tetherless brain sensing. It addresses the lack of a device solution for brain-sensing that combines ultra-long-term reliable sensing capability and small dimensions for minimally-invasive procedures. We achieve this through our novel electrode architecture that significantly enhances the quality and reliability of recorded brain signals. We introduce a platform technology designed for subscalp anatomy with future use in various brain-machine interfacing applications relying on reliable, long-term and easy-to-implant systems. This project's device manufacturing, training, and intellectual property are expected to strengthen Australia's position in bioelectronics.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE180100043
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$435,279.00
Summary
High-throughput portable and wearable device fabrication facility. This project aims to establish a fabrication and characterisation facility for high-throughput production of portable, wearable and stretchable biomedical devices to accelerate the design–fabrication–evaluation process and save ‘trial-and-error’ costs during optimisation turnaround. It will apply computer-aided design for the programmable synthesis of hybrid materials for high-throughput screening of disease biomarkers, and super ....High-throughput portable and wearable device fabrication facility. This project aims to establish a fabrication and characterisation facility for high-throughput production of portable, wearable and stretchable biomedical devices to accelerate the design–fabrication–evaluation process and save ‘trial-and-error’ costs during optimisation turnaround. It will apply computer-aided design for the programmable synthesis of hybrid materials for high-throughput screening of disease biomarkers, and super-solution imaging of single molecules in live cells. This facility will provide capability for researchers pursuing industry transformation and other initiatives in the development of advanced materials, biomolecular sciences, nanotechnology, photonics and device engineering.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH150100028
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,708,510.00
Summary
ARC Research Hub for Integrated Device for End-user Analysis at Low-levels. ARC Research Hub for Integrated Device for End-user Analysis at Low-levels. This hub aims to improve detection of biological materials by building a portable device for rapid, time-critical detection of low-abundance molecular and cellular analytes. It is expected that the resulting technologies would be used at medical points of care, ordinary workplaces and centres of activity to test for tiny levels of targeted molecu ....ARC Research Hub for Integrated Device for End-user Analysis at Low-levels. ARC Research Hub for Integrated Device for End-user Analysis at Low-levels. This hub aims to improve detection of biological materials by building a portable device for rapid, time-critical detection of low-abundance molecular and cellular analytes. It is expected that the resulting technologies would be used at medical points of care, ordinary workplaces and centres of activity to test for tiny levels of targeted molecules. The initial focus would be early diagnosis of disease and point-of-care drug testing for humans and animals, but the technology platform could be used to sample food and environmental toxins. The hub expects these disruptive technologies will make Australian biotechnology, diagnostics, veterinary, agribusiness and manufacturing firms globally competitive.Read moreRead less
Development of an electrode for stimulation of a transplanted neosphincter. This project aims to develop a novel electrode as an integral component of a new treatment for severe stress urinary incontinence. Treatments for severe stress urinary incontinence are associated with complications and are not completely effective. The new electrode is designed to be activated by an implanted stimulator to control an innervated smooth muscle graft (the neosphincter) to regulate the flow of urine from the ....Development of an electrode for stimulation of a transplanted neosphincter. This project aims to develop a novel electrode as an integral component of a new treatment for severe stress urinary incontinence. Treatments for severe stress urinary incontinence are associated with complications and are not completely effective. The new electrode is designed to be activated by an implanted stimulator to control an innervated smooth muscle graft (the neosphincter) to regulate the flow of urine from the bladder. Project research into the design of the electrode will focus on providing safe, effective and efficient stimulation of the neosphincter, while ensuring minimal damage to the surrounding tissues and affording straightforward implantation at surgery.Read moreRead less
Development of an electrode assembly for the stimulation of a transplanted innervated smooth muscle sphincter. This project will design and assess a number of different electrode designs for use in a medical device being developed for the treatment of severe stress urinary incontinence. The project will identify an optimal electrode design, which will be used in future clinical trials of the device.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0454184
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$155,792.00
Summary
Silicon Imaging Device Construction Facility - Wirebonder. The development of state-of-the-art, high precision semiconductor imaging devices (for high energy particle physics, synchrotron science and medical imaging ) requires a significant capability in modern assembly facilities. In constructing test and 'production' modules consisting of fine-grained, multi-channel bare silicon or other semiconductor imaging devices and custom electronic chips, a high-reliability, highly flexible wire-bonding ....Silicon Imaging Device Construction Facility - Wirebonder. The development of state-of-the-art, high precision semiconductor imaging devices (for high energy particle physics, synchrotron science and medical imaging ) requires a significant capability in modern assembly facilities. In constructing test and 'production' modules consisting of fine-grained, multi-channel bare silicon or other semiconductor imaging devices and custom electronic chips, a high-reliability, highly flexible wire-bonding machine is an essential tool. The international reputation from success in several challenging projects under difficult conditions, gained by the Chief Investigators has resulted in several more projects being planned in addition to a foreseen program of device development. A modern wirebonder, to replace the existing 30 year-old machine, has become critical to maintain our leading position in this area.Read moreRead less