Virus-inspired nanoparticles based on polyion complex micelles. Viruses are nature's nanoparticles that have evolved over millions of years into intelligent nanoparticles. The unique structure of viruses with their patchy surface has inspired the design of a new drug carrier by employing the power of polymers to self-organize. The project aims at mimicking nature’s nanoparticles with intelligent polymers while enabling the design of a platform that can entrap therapeutic proteins and enhance the ....Virus-inspired nanoparticles based on polyion complex micelles. Viruses are nature's nanoparticles that have evolved over millions of years into intelligent nanoparticles. The unique structure of viruses with their patchy surface has inspired the design of a new drug carrier by employing the power of polymers to self-organize. The project aims at mimicking nature’s nanoparticles with intelligent polymers while enabling the design of a platform that can entrap therapeutic proteins and enhance their delivery. The focus will be to gain in-depth understanding on the polymer self-assembly process in order to design a synthetically robust system that can be applied to various payloads. As a result, novel nanoparticles with virus-inspired structures for the delivery of therapeutic proteins will be created.Read moreRead less
Precision-Engineered Polymer Nanomaterials. Designing polymer nanoparticles that interact with or mimic biological systems represents a challenge in the field of polymer science. The project will address this challenge to deliver a quantitative and qualitative understanding linking synthetic materials and biological systems. Structurally perfect polymeric dendrimers, prepared using break through synthetic approaches and kinetic and computer modelling, are the ideal structure to introduce this fu ....Precision-Engineered Polymer Nanomaterials. Designing polymer nanoparticles that interact with or mimic biological systems represents a challenge in the field of polymer science. The project will address this challenge to deliver a quantitative and qualitative understanding linking synthetic materials and biological systems. Structurally perfect polymeric dendrimers, prepared using break through synthetic approaches and kinetic and computer modelling, are the ideal structure to introduce this function with predictable behaviour. The project will achieve tangible impacts for global communities and industries including the development of biomimetic nanodevices for smart drug delivery devices and peptide mimics.Read moreRead less
Permanent Concentration Gradients Captured in Molecular and Framework Co-Crystals. This project aims to design, synthesise and characterise molecular and framework co-crystals in which the molecular components are arranged in permanent concentration gradients. Synthetic crystals of this type are unprecedented. The concentration gradient has significant implications for the physical properties of the crystals (for example, optical, magnetic and electronic) as these must also vary in concert with ....Permanent Concentration Gradients Captured in Molecular and Framework Co-Crystals. This project aims to design, synthesise and characterise molecular and framework co-crystals in which the molecular components are arranged in permanent concentration gradients. Synthetic crystals of this type are unprecedented. The concentration gradient has significant implications for the physical properties of the crystals (for example, optical, magnetic and electronic) as these must also vary in concert with the changing local molecular composition. These co-crystals promise unique magnetic and optical properties that will influence design of new smart solid-state materials with potential for use in future high-technology applications.Read moreRead less
Polymer nanodiscs. This project aims to produce disc-shaped polymer nanomaterials by utilising a new self-assembly concept based on oppositely charged polymers. This project expects to generate a modular technology that allows synthesis and control over the geometry and functionality of polymer nanoparticles. This level of control will permit a precise investigation of polymer nanodisc properties for nanomedicine applications. Expected outcomes of this project will be the fundamental understandi ....Polymer nanodiscs. This project aims to produce disc-shaped polymer nanomaterials by utilising a new self-assembly concept based on oppositely charged polymers. This project expects to generate a modular technology that allows synthesis and control over the geometry and functionality of polymer nanoparticles. This level of control will permit a precise investigation of polymer nanodisc properties for nanomedicine applications. Expected outcomes of this project will be the fundamental understanding of how nanoparticle geometry affects particle-cell interaction and how nanoscale polymer discs can be used to mimic biological nanoparticles in shape and function.Read moreRead less
Tailoring nanocomposites with controllable structural-property relationship. This project aims to process and fabricate graphene-based materials into useful devices. Understanding nanocomposite structure-property relationships are crucial to rapidly develop functional devices. This project will use graphene in the form of nanocomposites and precisely construct them in devices via three-dimensional printing. This will be achieved through the polymer chemistry and interfacial engineering of graphe ....Tailoring nanocomposites with controllable structural-property relationship. This project aims to process and fabricate graphene-based materials into useful devices. Understanding nanocomposite structure-property relationships are crucial to rapidly develop functional devices. This project will use graphene in the form of nanocomposites and precisely construct them in devices via three-dimensional printing. This will be achieved through the polymer chemistry and interfacial engineering of graphene for enhanced dispersibility and self-assembly in the targeted polymer matrix, thus affording maximum synergistic properties. The project expects to develop three-dimensional printing techniques and control and understand the effect of micro-patterning and nano-structuring on printed graphene nanocomposites.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180100007
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$386,500.00
Summary
A modular toolbox of novel polymer nanorods for better tissue penetration. This project aims to establish a suite of design parameters to provide new avenues for understanding and manipulating tissue infiltration by future therapeutic nanoparticles. The project expects to develop an innovative technology that allows independent control over nanoparticle geometry, functionality, and mechanical and surface properties. This level of control over the synthesis of polymer nanoparticles with distinct ....A modular toolbox of novel polymer nanorods for better tissue penetration. This project aims to establish a suite of design parameters to provide new avenues for understanding and manipulating tissue infiltration by future therapeutic nanoparticles. The project expects to develop an innovative technology that allows independent control over nanoparticle geometry, functionality, and mechanical and surface properties. This level of control over the synthesis of polymer nanoparticles with distinct physicochemical properties will enable precise adjustment and investigation of discrete particle properties. The project will reshape fundamental knowledge of nanoparticle design by demonstrating the centrality of particle shape, stiffness, and heterogeneity. The outcomes will significantly advance the science of polymer nanoparticle synthesis control, aiding the development of novel and more effective polymer nano-therapeutics.Read moreRead less
Polymeric nanoparticles for enzyme stabilisation. This project aims to develop glycopolymer and poly (ionic liquid) based nanoparticles (less than 150 nanometres) that enhance the stability and activity of enzymes. Enzymes have taken on an important role in organic synthesis, consumer product processing, biosensor research and as bioactive agents to treat diseases. The large market share of enzymes highlights the importance of this field in daily life, but currently the low stability and shelf l ....Polymeric nanoparticles for enzyme stabilisation. This project aims to develop glycopolymer and poly (ionic liquid) based nanoparticles (less than 150 nanometres) that enhance the stability and activity of enzymes. Enzymes have taken on an important role in organic synthesis, consumer product processing, biosensor research and as bioactive agents to treat diseases. The large market share of enzymes highlights the importance of this field in daily life, but currently the low stability and shelf life of enzymes limits their use in many settings. This project will develop a platform to stabilise and regulate their activity.Read moreRead less
Complex nano-systems for highly selective imaging and targeting of cells. The aim of the project is to design multi-functional nanoparticles that can be tracked by multiple bio-imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography imaging. The nanoparticles are designed to be targetable to specific cell populations and capable of delivering drugs. The project plans to concentrate the MRI-active gadolinium into nanoparticles to generate enhanced images, and ....Complex nano-systems for highly selective imaging and targeting of cells. The aim of the project is to design multi-functional nanoparticles that can be tracked by multiple bio-imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography imaging. The nanoparticles are designed to be targetable to specific cell populations and capable of delivering drugs. The project plans to concentrate the MRI-active gadolinium into nanoparticles to generate enhanced images, and to combine this with other imaging modalities to facilitate tracking and sensitivity. Expected outcomes would enable a new approach to extremely accurate and sensitive imaging of tumours to enable the imaging of much smaller tumours than currently possible. This would allow early therapeutic intervention. The nanoparticles are also designed to deliver a therapeutic payload to specific locations, avoiding systemic delivery of toxic anticancer drugs.Read moreRead less
Nanostructured anticorrosive coating for wave energy conversion module. The project will develop new high performance anticorrosion coatings for metal structures, such as a Waverider- a patented wave energy conversion module. It will deliver a strong intellectual property position in the frontier anti-corrosion technology to Australian Industry and train young scientists in the emerging and multidisciplinary field of research.
Biomimetic hydrogels. Hydrogels are promising materials to repair and regenerate damaged tissues, but their weak mechanical properties limit their applications. This project aims to develop hydrogels with better mechanical properties by mimicking the way natural tissues, such as cartilage, work. Specifically, we aim to develop a new class of hydrogels by adding molecular polymer brushes to traditional materials. We will design the hydrogels with long-term stability and render them suitable as vi ....Biomimetic hydrogels. Hydrogels are promising materials to repair and regenerate damaged tissues, but their weak mechanical properties limit their applications. This project aims to develop hydrogels with better mechanical properties by mimicking the way natural tissues, such as cartilage, work. Specifically, we aim to develop a new class of hydrogels by adding molecular polymer brushes to traditional materials. We will design the hydrogels with long-term stability and render them suitable as viable hosts for chondrocytes. Through this project, we will grow fundamental knowledge in polymer chemistry and tissue engineering, and pave the way for new technologies to repair damaged joints and tissues.Read moreRead less