Soft carbon nanotube materials. There is no doubt that the realisation of new bionic materials will dramatically improve quality of life for many individuals. The new soft conducting materials proposed will impact on several areas of bionics, including the development of the next generation Bionic Ear, conduits for spinal cord regeneration as well as muscle regeneration and other applications. This project will further enhance the international profile of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Electro ....Soft carbon nanotube materials. There is no doubt that the realisation of new bionic materials will dramatically improve quality of life for many individuals. The new soft conducting materials proposed will impact on several areas of bionics, including the development of the next generation Bionic Ear, conduits for spinal cord regeneration as well as muscle regeneration and other applications. This project will further enhance the international profile of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science in the field of Bionics. The end-user network already in place will ensure all opportunities are fully exploited.Read moreRead less
Nanobionics. There is no doubt that the realization of new bionic materials capable of functioning at the cellular through to the mechanical level will dramatically improve quality of life for many individuals. For example, the studies proposed here will impact directly on endothelial and muscle cell growth (important for implants such as stents) and nerve cell regeneration (important for peripheral nerve cell and spinal chord repair). The establishment of the research team proposed within the f ....Nanobionics. There is no doubt that the realization of new bionic materials capable of functioning at the cellular through to the mechanical level will dramatically improve quality of life for many individuals. For example, the studies proposed here will impact directly on endothelial and muscle cell growth (important for implants such as stents) and nerve cell regeneration (important for peripheral nerve cell and spinal chord repair). The establishment of the research team proposed within the framework of the ARC Centre of Excellence in Electromaterials Science builds on world class expertise and infrastructure. The end user network in place will ensure all opportunities are exploited to the full extent.Read moreRead less
Nanoelectromechanical Mass Spectrometry with Molecular Imaging. This project aims to develop new technology to enable simultaneous measurement of the mass and conformation of single molecules. Mass spectrometry and high-resolution microscopy are independent analytical tools used widely to characterise the chemical and physical properties of molecules. This project aims to develop new technology based on advanced nanoelectromechanical systems that combines the capabilities of these complementary ....Nanoelectromechanical Mass Spectrometry with Molecular Imaging. This project aims to develop new technology to enable simultaneous measurement of the mass and conformation of single molecules. Mass spectrometry and high-resolution microscopy are independent analytical tools used widely to characterise the chemical and physical properties of molecules. This project aims to develop new technology based on advanced nanoelectromechanical systems that combines the capabilities of these complementary instruments. This would enable synchronous measurement of molecular mass and conformation with nanometre resolution. In contrast to current mass spectrometry, this technology could be operated in fluid and detect neutral species. This significant change in capability could be applied to advance biological and medical research.Read moreRead less
The Protein Corona: Imaging the nanoparticle biological identity card. The project will determine how the intrinsic physico-chemical properties of nanoparticles translate into extrinsic biological properties through their interaction with physiological proteins in the body. This process is complex and poorly understood due to our inability to visualise it through standard imaging techniques. The project aims to develop a new tool to visualise, study, quantify and design the protein ‘corona’. The ....The Protein Corona: Imaging the nanoparticle biological identity card. The project will determine how the intrinsic physico-chemical properties of nanoparticles translate into extrinsic biological properties through their interaction with physiological proteins in the body. This process is complex and poorly understood due to our inability to visualise it through standard imaging techniques. The project aims to develop a new tool to visualise, study, quantify and design the protein ‘corona’. These are the adsorbed protein layers that are rapidly formed in contact with biological liquids which allow cells to recognise and process nanoparticles. The proteins are dependent on factors such as size, shape, surface chemistry and biological history of the particles. Being able to ‘read’ and ‘write’ the protein corona would enable efficient cellular targeting of pharmaceutical drugs.Read moreRead less
Biomolecular activity modulated by interaction with nanostructures. Nanotechnological methods are able to reliably fabricate artificial nanostructures with dimensions similar to those of large biomolecules (a few to tens of nanometers). This study focuses on the interaction of artificial nanostructures with biomolecules such as proteins and DNA, and will enable scientists to better understand biomolecular recognition and binding events, which are central to all biological processes. The underst ....Biomolecular activity modulated by interaction with nanostructures. Nanotechnological methods are able to reliably fabricate artificial nanostructures with dimensions similar to those of large biomolecules (a few to tens of nanometers). This study focuses on the interaction of artificial nanostructures with biomolecules such as proteins and DNA, and will enable scientists to better understand biomolecular recognition and binding events, which are central to all biological processes. The understanding gained can then be used to design biomimetic surfaces for use in health monitoring and medical diagnostic devices with improved sensitivity, robustness and portability, thereby providing significant benefits to the health sector.Read moreRead less
Development of dense gas technology platforms for the formulation of oral vaccines. This project will aim to develop a technology platform that enables the formulation of vaccines that can be delivered orally and this research has the potential to radically change existing vaccination regimens. The availability of needle-free vaccination also has potential for considerable societal and economic impact in developing countries.
Measurement and imaging of pathogenic and diagnostic iron oxide nanoparticles using proton magnetic resonance. This project is likely to result in new and improved technologies to aid in the management and diagnosis of a range of diseases including iron metabolism disorders such as thalassaemia and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Other aspects of the research may lead to technologies for the early detection of some cancers. The technologies will enhance Australia's intern ....Measurement and imaging of pathogenic and diagnostic iron oxide nanoparticles using proton magnetic resonance. This project is likely to result in new and improved technologies to aid in the management and diagnosis of a range of diseases including iron metabolism disorders such as thalassaemia and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Other aspects of the research may lead to technologies for the early detection of some cancers. The technologies will enhance Australia's international standing in the field of advanced medical imaging and have the potential to be commercialised within the Australian biotechnology sector. During the project, research students will receive high quality multidisciplinary training ensuring the supply of personnel with high-level technical expertise into the future.Read moreRead less
Devices that use Ion Channels. The proposed device would supply the community of researchers in Australia and internationally with new techniques to enable them to quickly and conveniently investigate properties of ion channels and to speed the screening of potential ion channel targets for pharmaceutical hits and leads. In addition, the tethered membrane technology will be developed to fill an unmet need for a quick and biologically relevant test of EMC hazards. This will enhance the science an ....Devices that use Ion Channels. The proposed device would supply the community of researchers in Australia and internationally with new techniques to enable them to quickly and conveniently investigate properties of ion channels and to speed the screening of potential ion channel targets for pharmaceutical hits and leads. In addition, the tethered membrane technology will be developed to fill an unmet need for a quick and biologically relevant test of EMC hazards. This will enhance the science and technology infrastructure within Australia, taking it into original and exciting directions, contribute to training young Australian scientists and students, as well as enhance Australia's competitive position in the field of nanobiotechnology.Read moreRead less
Optically-driven micromachines and microtools. The use of optical forces to trap and manipulate microscopic particles has developed from a novelty into a widely used versatile research tool - optical tweezers. New advances, such as the application and optical measurement of optical torque, have been brought to the brink of practical application. We will apply these methods to the development and production of micromachines of unprecedently small size, and the development of new medical diagnosti ....Optically-driven micromachines and microtools. The use of optical forces to trap and manipulate microscopic particles has developed from a novelty into a widely used versatile research tool - optical tweezers. New advances, such as the application and optical measurement of optical torque, have been brought to the brink of practical application. We will apply these methods to the development and production of micromachines of unprecedently small size, and the development of new medical diagnostic techniques, and industrial and research tools.Read moreRead less
ARC Centre of Excellence - Australian Centre for Electromaterials Science. The Centre will tackle some of the biggest challenges facing society: those of renewable energy, sustainable industries and enhancing human health. Improvements in all these areas are possible by developing electromaterials with improved efficiency in the generation and transfer of electrical charge. By developing new nano-materials and new theories to explain their behaviour, the Centre will make advances in the areas ....ARC Centre of Excellence - Australian Centre for Electromaterials Science. The Centre will tackle some of the biggest challenges facing society: those of renewable energy, sustainable industries and enhancing human health. Improvements in all these areas are possible by developing electromaterials with improved efficiency in the generation and transfer of electrical charge. By developing new nano-materials and new theories to explain their behaviour, the Centre will make advances in the areas of human health through the regeneration of damaged nerves (eg. in spinal injury) and development of artificial muscles; in renewable energy (plastic solar cells, lightweight batteries and electronic textiles) and in sustainable industries (recovery of precious metals and new corrosion protection technologies).Read moreRead less