Bioinks that Advance 3D bioprinting of cells to the 4th dimension. The aim of this research is to provide a simple method for creating complex 3D cell cultures for in vitro cell based assays using 3D printing. A versatile polymer system as a bioink made from entirely commercially available components, will be advanced that gives a full range of soft tissue mimics and which can be dynamically change on-demand after printing of the 3D cell cultures. The latter will provide in vitro mimics of in vi ....Bioinks that Advance 3D bioprinting of cells to the 4th dimension. The aim of this research is to provide a simple method for creating complex 3D cell cultures for in vitro cell based assays using 3D printing. A versatile polymer system as a bioink made from entirely commercially available components, will be advanced that gives a full range of soft tissue mimics and which can be dynamically change on-demand after printing of the 3D cell cultures. The latter will provide in vitro mimics of in vivo events never previously possible with more realistic models of what is found in vivo. Applications are in fundamental cell biology, studying diseases and developing new drugs. The outcomes from this research will be new knowledge on designing cheap extracellular matrix mimics and high throughout 3D cell assays.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
Harnessing the bioactivity of proteins and polypeptides: understanding and controlling adsorption processes to optimise linker free immobilisation. This project will use physical techniques and simulations to understand the interactions of biomolecules and plasma activated surfaces, allowing control of the biomolecule layer composition, orientation and conformation. This control, together with the ability of these surfaces to "lock-in" the optimised layer, will create a new generation of biodevi ....Harnessing the bioactivity of proteins and polypeptides: understanding and controlling adsorption processes to optimise linker free immobilisation. This project will use physical techniques and simulations to understand the interactions of biomolecules and plasma activated surfaces, allowing control of the biomolecule layer composition, orientation and conformation. This control, together with the ability of these surfaces to "lock-in" the optimised layer, will create a new generation of biodevices.Read moreRead less
Nanoengineering materials to combat antimicrobial resistance. This project aims to understand how nanoengineered materials can be designed to kill bacteria and fungi without causing antimicrobial resistance. Resistance to antimicrobial drugs already leads to many thousands of deaths annually and costs society billions of dollars. Nanomaterials have unique abilities to attack microbes in multiple ways that could limit resistance. This project will engineer new antimicrobial nanomaterials tailored ....Nanoengineering materials to combat antimicrobial resistance. This project aims to understand how nanoengineered materials can be designed to kill bacteria and fungi without causing antimicrobial resistance. Resistance to antimicrobial drugs already leads to many thousands of deaths annually and costs society billions of dollars. Nanomaterials have unique abilities to attack microbes in multiple ways that could limit resistance. This project will engineer new antimicrobial nanomaterials tailored to selectively kill microbes with reduced likelihood of developing resistance by using synergies between inorganic nanoparticles and antimicrobial peptides. This technology could be used to prevent infections and biofilms on surfaces in a wide range of future applications, such as medical / veterinary devicesRead moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220100302
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$461,300.00
Summary
A long-lasting interface for communicating with the brain. This project aims to address the most urgent challenges in developing the next generation of implantable devices for communicating with the brain. Using a new type of carbon-based electrode, along with light therapy, this project expects to build innovative technologies that can greatly enhance the functionality and longevity of these devices. Expected outcomes include a novel tool that can be implemented to obtain detailed insights into ....A long-lasting interface for communicating with the brain. This project aims to address the most urgent challenges in developing the next generation of implantable devices for communicating with the brain. Using a new type of carbon-based electrode, along with light therapy, this project expects to build innovative technologies that can greatly enhance the functionality and longevity of these devices. Expected outcomes include a novel tool that can be implemented to obtain detailed insights into neural circuits, advancing our understanding of neural function and pioneering feedback and closed-loop neuroscience. This project should provide significant benefits in neuroscience research and the neural interface industry, both of which have the ultimate goal to unlock the mysteries of the brain.Read moreRead less
Biofabricated tissue mimics for nanoparticle design and development. Nanoparticles are widely used in commercial applications spanning biotechnology, health and environmental monitoring, and drug delivery. Materials scientists can generate large libraries of nanoparticles, but the toolbox available to test these nanoparticles is limited. We will use biofabrication to comprehensively evaluate the fate of polymer grafted nanocellulose across simulated tissue barriers. Model blood vessels with reci ....Biofabricated tissue mimics for nanoparticle design and development. Nanoparticles are widely used in commercial applications spanning biotechnology, health and environmental monitoring, and drug delivery. Materials scientists can generate large libraries of nanoparticles, but the toolbox available to test these nanoparticles is limited. We will use biofabrication to comprehensively evaluate the fate of polymer grafted nanocellulose across simulated tissue barriers. Model blood vessels with recirculating flow will help understand permeation; tunable matrices will establish ‘matrix structure—nanoparticle diffusion’ criteria. The outcome from this project will be an understanding of how plastic nanoparticles penetrate tissue, to guide nanomaterials design and mitigate risk associated with toxicity. Read moreRead less
Establishing nanoscale design principles for non-viral genome engineering. This project aims to develop a bio-nanotechnology platform for non-viral genome engineering using dendronised polymers. The project will advance both fundamental and practical knowledge at the forefront of nanotechnology and cell biology, whilst providing training to the research community. Outcomes from the project will also provide significant benefits, such as positioning Australia at the forefront of genome engineerin ....Establishing nanoscale design principles for non-viral genome engineering. This project aims to develop a bio-nanotechnology platform for non-viral genome engineering using dendronised polymers. The project will advance both fundamental and practical knowledge at the forefront of nanotechnology and cell biology, whilst providing training to the research community. Outcomes from the project will also provide significant benefits, such as positioning Australia at the forefront of genome engineering.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE170100096
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$325,000.00
Summary
High resolution atomic force microscopy facility for bionanotechnology. This project aims to establish a collaborative high resolution atomic force microscopy facility. Nanoscale surface structure and the complex structure/mechanical-functional relationships underpin many biological processes, and understanding cell systems at the molecular level is expected to lead to scientific knowledge and therapeutic and other biotechnological applications. Expected outcomes include innovations in advanced ....High resolution atomic force microscopy facility for bionanotechnology. This project aims to establish a collaborative high resolution atomic force microscopy facility. Nanoscale surface structure and the complex structure/mechanical-functional relationships underpin many biological processes, and understanding cell systems at the molecular level is expected to lead to scientific knowledge and therapeutic and other biotechnological applications. Expected outcomes include innovations in advanced manufacturing in the pharmaceutical and medical devices industries, underpinning economic returns from new industries.Read moreRead less
Bridging the interface between nanoengineered materials and biological systems. Advances in nanotechnology have the potential to revolutionise how we treat many diseases. Nanoengineered drug carriers can deliver drugs to the areas in the body where they are required, limiting harmful side effects. This project will investigate how nanomaterials interact with biological systems and understand any potential side effects.