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
Self-zoning in natural uraninite: radiation driven chemical separation. In this project we aim to explore and define the effects of the substitution of lead and rare earths on the crystal chemistry of uranium dioxide (uraninite) and related minerals, towards establishing the oxygen stoichiometry (as a measure of oxygen fugacity) of these materials both in nature and in synthetic materials. This project will use synthetic materials to understand the variability of oxygen stoichiometry, establish ....Self-zoning in natural uraninite: radiation driven chemical separation. In this project we aim to explore and define the effects of the substitution of lead and rare earths on the crystal chemistry of uranium dioxide (uraninite) and related minerals, towards establishing the oxygen stoichiometry (as a measure of oxygen fugacity) of these materials both in nature and in synthetic materials. This project will use synthetic materials to understand the variability of oxygen stoichiometry, establish accurate and precise structures for the oxides, and distinguish both long range and short-range order which is critical to understanding both natural and synthetic U-oxides. This will help to define the geochemical conditions leading to the formation of deposits like Olympic Dam towards potential economic benefit.Read moreRead less
Response of Proteins to External Non-Ionising Radiation: an Experimental and Computer Modelling Investigation. The expanding use of digital technologies such as mobile phones has led to major health concerns about the effects of non-ionising pulsed radiation exposure which has been shown to produce instantaneous temperature rises undetectable by normal thermometry. The health implications of exposure are not understandable without establishing molecular mechanisms by which pulsed microwaves can ....Response of Proteins to External Non-Ionising Radiation: an Experimental and Computer Modelling Investigation. The expanding use of digital technologies such as mobile phones has led to major health concerns about the effects of non-ionising pulsed radiation exposure which has been shown to produce instantaneous temperature rises undetectable by normal thermometry. The health implications of exposure are not understandable without establishing molecular mechanisms by which pulsed microwaves can cause biological effects. We aim to establish methods for studying the molecular mechanisms of protein structural and energetic changes occurring due to non-ionising radiation. The results will help our industry partner to design specific drugs as well as formulate a scientifically based standard for microwave utilisation.Read moreRead less
Development of Novel Nanostructured Electro-optical Systems. The development of flexible and conformal electro-optical systems will strengthen Australia's position in the automotive industry establishing a value adding technology. The auto-dimming mirror industry is worth in excess of US$500 million per annum, with predictions of industry sales of US$2 billion. This project will tap existing Australian manufacturing capabilities and utilise the intellectual capacity of internationally recognise ....Development of Novel Nanostructured Electro-optical Systems. The development of flexible and conformal electro-optical systems will strengthen Australia's position in the automotive industry establishing a value adding technology. The auto-dimming mirror industry is worth in excess of US$500 million per annum, with predictions of industry sales of US$2 billion. This project will tap existing Australian manufacturing capabilities and utilise the intellectual capacity of internationally recognised scientists from UoW and UniSA. The science behind this proposed development will have significance well beyond its initial scope with applications in areas such as ophthalmic lenses, architectural glazing and electronic textiles providing further Australian opportunities in these rapidly developing areas.Read moreRead less
Long-term acid rock and tailings drainage mitigation through source control. Effective long-term management of acid rock drainage (ARD) from sulfidic mine wastes in current, exhausted and legacy mine sites is of critical importance to communities and for sustainable mining. An optimised geochemical and microbial multi-barrier approach to long-term reduction of ARD to environmentally acceptable rates will be developed by this project.
Estimating per capita use and release of chemicals by wastewater analysis. This project aims to systematically collect and analyse wastewater to assess human exposure to chemicals including drugs, pharmaceuticals, lifestyle chemicals and environmental pollutants. By combining temporal sampling from key sewage treatment plants with comprehensive nationwide sampling over the week of the 2016 census day, the project expects to estimate the per-capita human exposure to chemicals in the Australian po ....Estimating per capita use and release of chemicals by wastewater analysis. This project aims to systematically collect and analyse wastewater to assess human exposure to chemicals including drugs, pharmaceuticals, lifestyle chemicals and environmental pollutants. By combining temporal sampling from key sewage treatment plants with comprehensive nationwide sampling over the week of the 2016 census day, the project expects to estimate the per-capita human exposure to chemicals in the Australian population. Accurate and objective per-capita based consumption and release estimates for a wide range of chemicals is intended to provide a baseline against which to measure changes in our chemosphere.Read moreRead less
Enhancing Seagrass Restoration : Improving Hessian Durability in Marine Environments. The establishment of an environmentally benign method for restoration of seagrass beds (which provide habitat for a wide range of commercially, recreationally and ecologically important marine species) will enhance Australia's capability of maintaining its coastal marine environment in support of its fishing and ecotourism industries. Furthermore, it will ultimately improve our capacity to manage the environmen ....Enhancing Seagrass Restoration : Improving Hessian Durability in Marine Environments. The establishment of an environmentally benign method for restoration of seagrass beds (which provide habitat for a wide range of commercially, recreationally and ecologically important marine species) will enhance Australia's capability of maintaining its coastal marine environment in support of its fishing and ecotourism industries. Furthermore, it will ultimately improve our capacity to manage the environmental impact of human development on our natural resources. If successful, the knowledge gained of the dynamics of marine biofilms on differentially coated natural fibers could facilitate broader application of methods used in environmental restoration and marine based industries, and foreshadow new applications.Read moreRead less
Development and evaluation of novel antibacterial coatings. Infections caused by bacterial biofilms adhering to biomedical implants and devices cause considerable problems in human health care. This project aims to develop a thin coating that can be applied to a wide range of implants and devices to prevent such bacterial infections. The coating is based on novel antibacterials from Australian plants.
Universal immunogenic reagents for the detection of latent fingermarks. This project will deliver the first antibody reagents for the routine detection of natural fingermarks. This will assist law enforcement agencies to provide a safer society through improved crime clearance, as they will be able to enhance and detect fingermarks that otherwise remain undetected with current techniques (e.g. fingermarks on human skin).
Near Infrared (IR) Laser Dyes for Latent Fingermark Detection. This project will enable Australian law enforcement agencies to recover latent fingerprints from difficult surfaces through the use of near infrared dyes. The project will allow the recovery of fingerprints from a scene which would otherwise be lost to an investigation. We will provide new fingerprint development techniques and imaging methods to law enforcement agencies, enhancing their ability to identify a perpetrator and thereb ....Near Infrared (IR) Laser Dyes for Latent Fingermark Detection. This project will enable Australian law enforcement agencies to recover latent fingerprints from difficult surfaces through the use of near infrared dyes. The project will allow the recovery of fingerprints from a scene which would otherwise be lost to an investigation. We will provide new fingerprint development techniques and imaging methods to law enforcement agencies, enhancing their ability to identify a perpetrator and thereby reducing crime rates.Read moreRead less