Ultrasensitive electrochemical biosensors. This project aims to develop novel proteins that can convert biochemical cues into electronic signals. Using protein engineering, this project will produce redox protein-based OFF switches. The project expects that the use of the OFF-switches (as opposed to ON switches) will simplify biosensor design and create a new class of sensory architectures. Integration of OFF-switch-based biosensors with an enzymatic signal amplification circuit is expected to y ....Ultrasensitive electrochemical biosensors. This project aims to develop novel proteins that can convert biochemical cues into electronic signals. Using protein engineering, this project will produce redox protein-based OFF switches. The project expects that the use of the OFF-switches (as opposed to ON switches) will simplify biosensor design and create a new class of sensory architectures. Integration of OFF-switch-based biosensors with an enzymatic signal amplification circuit is expected to yield ultrasensitive sensory systems with near-real-time response. The project will address a need for new technologies that enable collection of physiological and environmental information rapidly, and at low cost outside of the specialised laboratories.Read moreRead less
Molecular approaches to solving current and emerging problems in the epidemiology and diagnosis of Marek's disease in Australia. Marek's disease (MD) is a ubiquitous viral disease of chickens that is currently controlled in meat chickens by blanket vaccination of all chickens. However, as has happened overseas, the efficacy of the HVT vaccine being used in Australia is breaking down resulting in subclinical and clinical losses due to MD. To assist industry deal with this situation we propose to ....Molecular approaches to solving current and emerging problems in the epidemiology and diagnosis of Marek's disease in Australia. Marek's disease (MD) is a ubiquitous viral disease of chickens that is currently controlled in meat chickens by blanket vaccination of all chickens. However, as has happened overseas, the efficacy of the HVT vaccine being used in Australia is breaking down resulting in subclinical and clinical losses due to MD. To assist industry deal with this situation we propose to develop novel molecular methods for the quantification of Marek's disease viruses (MDV) in the host and the environment, to use these methods to design effective early monitoring systems for MD in broilers that predict disease and performance outcomes, and to develop an epidemiological model that will predict the spread and severity of MD as failure of vaccinal protection progresses.Read moreRead less
Novel concepts to engineer low cost blood diagnostics. Novel concepts to engineer low cost blood diagnostics. This project aims to deliver the next generation of on-paper blood diagnostics: cheap, fast, easy to use, reliable, specific and robust. Transformational methods in on-paper and thread-based diagnostics could make indirect and weak blood typing possible. This project expects on-paper testing for fibrinogen to assess clotting capability could revolutionise treatment of massive blood loss. ....Novel concepts to engineer low cost blood diagnostics. Novel concepts to engineer low cost blood diagnostics. This project aims to deliver the next generation of on-paper blood diagnostics: cheap, fast, easy to use, reliable, specific and robust. Transformational methods in on-paper and thread-based diagnostics could make indirect and weak blood typing possible. This project expects on-paper testing for fibrinogen to assess clotting capability could revolutionise treatment of massive blood loss. Expected results of this project are a new class of on-paper and thread-based diagnostic tests with enhanced sensitivity, readability and lower cost, which could significantly affect trauma, rural medicine and developing nations.Read moreRead less
Electronic skin nanopatches for continuous blood pressure monitoring. Electronic skin nanopatches for continuous blood pressure monitoring. This project aims to develop soft, thin, wearable and non-invasive heart health monitors that continuously monitor blood pressures anytime anywhere, using an electronic skin technology platform with the world’s thinnest gold nanowires. Nanotechnologists, electrical engineers, clinicians, information technologists and industrial designers will collaborate to ....Electronic skin nanopatches for continuous blood pressure monitoring. Electronic skin nanopatches for continuous blood pressure monitoring. This project aims to develop soft, thin, wearable and non-invasive heart health monitors that continuously monitor blood pressures anytime anywhere, using an electronic skin technology platform with the world’s thinnest gold nanowires. Nanotechnologists, electrical engineers, clinicians, information technologists and industrial designers will collaborate to develop blood pressure correlation algorithms and evaluate sensing performances. New knowledge and commercial technologies will make Australian medical technology industries competitive global leaders in wearable technology industries.Read moreRead less
New vaccines and diagnostics to control viral disease in farmed crocodiles. Infection of farmed crocodiles with West Nile virus (WNV) causes lesions in the skin that render the hides unsuitable for high quality leather products. This results in >$20 million lost revenue to the Australian crocodile industry annually. We have developed a novel technology to generate safe and effective vaccines and diagnostic tests for WNV in animals. We aim to 1) conduct vaccine trials in farmed crocodiles to dete ....New vaccines and diagnostics to control viral disease in farmed crocodiles. Infection of farmed crocodiles with West Nile virus (WNV) causes lesions in the skin that render the hides unsuitable for high quality leather products. This results in >$20 million lost revenue to the Australian crocodile industry annually. We have developed a novel technology to generate safe and effective vaccines and diagnostic tests for WNV in animals. We aim to 1) conduct vaccine trials in farmed crocodiles to determine the optimum dose formulation and immunisation regime to provide long-lived protection against WNV disease; 2) validate pen-side tests to rapidly diagnose WNV infection in crocodiles on farms; and 3) transfer the technology to a manufacturing facility to ensure a commercial supply of the vaccines and diagnostic tests. Read moreRead less
The multiplexed diagnosis of arbovirus infections using combinatorial probes. Viruses that cause serious diseases such as hemorrhagic fever or encephalitis must be quickly identified. Diagnostic tests based on DNA hybridisation are accurate and can be rapid but they are expensive. We will test a method for simplifying DNA tests and increasing their capabilities. DNA probes for detecting arboviruses will be designed at the ANU using new bioinformatic methods and their reliability will be model ....The multiplexed diagnosis of arbovirus infections using combinatorial probes. Viruses that cause serious diseases such as hemorrhagic fever or encephalitis must be quickly identified. Diagnostic tests based on DNA hybridisation are accurate and can be rapid but they are expensive. We will test a method for simplifying DNA tests and increasing their capabilities. DNA probes for detecting arboviruses will be designed at the ANU using new bioinformatic methods and their reliability will be modelled using all the available genetic information. Computer predictions will be experimentally tested in the PANBIO laboratory by using the probes to detect viral nucleic acids. The influence of virus genome complexity will be investigatedRead moreRead less
Advancing hybrid imaging with magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography (MRI-PET). This project aims to increase the utility, accessibility, cost-effectiveness and accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography (MRI-PET) hybrid imaging technology for brain tumour imaging. This project will develop new contrast agents, better ways of measuring their uptake including a new high sensitivity MRI-PET head coil and methods for predicting tumour progression us ....Advancing hybrid imaging with magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography (MRI-PET). This project aims to increase the utility, accessibility, cost-effectiveness and accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography (MRI-PET) hybrid imaging technology for brain tumour imaging. This project will develop new contrast agents, better ways of measuring their uptake including a new high sensitivity MRI-PET head coil and methods for predicting tumour progression using imaging information.Read moreRead less
Gene Expression Profiling and de novo Transcriptome Sequencing using Geneballs. The purpose of the project is to demonstrate that bead-based technology can be used in applications that currently require DNA hybridisation in order to overcome existing deficiencies in microarray technology. By providing the capability to quickly and efficiently produce, screen and utilize biomolecule libraries of nearly unlimited size, this technology provides the key to unlock the power of genomics and proteomics ....Gene Expression Profiling and de novo Transcriptome Sequencing using Geneballs. The purpose of the project is to demonstrate that bead-based technology can be used in applications that currently require DNA hybridisation in order to overcome existing deficiencies in microarray technology. By providing the capability to quickly and efficiently produce, screen and utilize biomolecule libraries of nearly unlimited size, this technology provides the key to unlock the power of genomics and proteomics for use in real world applications. The project has two aspects. First, relatively small directed cDNA-bead libraries will be compared to known low-density cDNA microarrays to validate the technique for utility in gene expression profiling. Secondly, large libraries containing short oligonucleotide sequences will be used for de novo sequencing of a complete transcriptome. Proof-of-concept in either case will pave the way for many genomic applications and catapult the technology to 'blockbuster' status.Read moreRead less
Retroviral invasion of the koala genome: prevalence, transmission and role in immunosuppressive disease. Koalas are a national symbol yet many of their populations are in decline as a result of habitat loss and disease. Lymphoid cancers and opportunistic infections are significant diseases in both captive and wild koala populations. We previously demonstrated that the recently identified koala retrovirus is associated with lymphoid cancer in koalas. This project will determine the distribution o ....Retroviral invasion of the koala genome: prevalence, transmission and role in immunosuppressive disease. Koalas are a national symbol yet many of their populations are in decline as a result of habitat loss and disease. Lymphoid cancers and opportunistic infections are significant diseases in both captive and wild koala populations. We previously demonstrated that the recently identified koala retrovirus is associated with lymphoid cancer in koalas. This project will determine the distribution of the virus in Australia, the mechanism of its spread and its effect on the immune function of koalas. This research will provide a foundation for better management of captive koalas and for conservation of wild koalas.Read moreRead less
Developing a wildlife health intelligence and vaccine distribution system. This project aims to establish an industry-linked pipeline for vaccines to be delivered to animals in edible baits and a near real-time monitoring system for assessing the impact of management actions. This project will develop ultrasensitive diagnostic tests and incorporate biomarkers into baits from Australia's leading pest animal control company. Bait uptake and disease status in the field will be monitored using artif ....Developing a wildlife health intelligence and vaccine distribution system. This project aims to establish an industry-linked pipeline for vaccines to be delivered to animals in edible baits and a near real-time monitoring system for assessing the impact of management actions. This project will develop ultrasensitive diagnostic tests and incorporate biomarkers into baits from Australia's leading pest animal control company. Bait uptake and disease status in the field will be monitored using artificial intelligence technology developed in Tasmania. This integrated wildlife health intelligence and scalable vaccine platform can help protect the iconic Tasmanian devil from disease and increase Australia's preparedness for looming threats to the livestock industry such as African swine fever.Read moreRead less