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
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
Radio-magnetic nanoparticles as bimodal positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents for dendritic cell tracking. Biomedical imaging is limited by a lack of commercial dual-mode contrast agents, which may be simultaneously used for magnetic resonance (MR) and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. This project will develop a nanotechnology-based biocompatible dual-mode contrast agent for simultaneous PET and MR imaging, reducing associated side effects.
Rapid detection of rare-event cells by strong UP-conversion
encoded nano-radiators (SUPER Dots): finding a needle in a haystack. Current diagnostic tests are not sensitive enough to detect cancer in its very early stages or early recurrence following treatment. The new technologies developed by this project will be able to find single cancer cells in blood and urine samples heralding a new era in medical diagnostics.
Using the eye as a window to the central nervous system for improved drug testing. The annual cost of treating brain illnesses is US$250 billion. Each new drug costs about US$900 million to develop. This research will give Pfizer Pty Ltd, the project’s industry partner, a more efficient and direct way of testing whether drugs can get into and affect the brain. This will reduce the cost of drug development, which ultimately means cheaper drugs. The project will develop new technologies to put Aus ....Using the eye as a window to the central nervous system for improved drug testing. The annual cost of treating brain illnesses is US$250 billion. Each new drug costs about US$900 million to develop. This research will give Pfizer Pty Ltd, the project’s industry partner, a more efficient and direct way of testing whether drugs can get into and affect the brain. This will reduce the cost of drug development, which ultimately means cheaper drugs. The project will develop new technologies to put Australia at the forefront of neuropharmaceutical and neuroscience research. A new research platform will foster collaborations with the pharmaceutical industry both within Australia and overseas. This industrial link will promote a unique post-graduate experience by providing exposure to academic and industrial environments for Australian scientists.Read moreRead less
Integrative brain imaging technologies. This project aims to develop quantitative metabolic imaging using simultaneous magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET). The current generation of MR-PET scanners are capable of simultaneously acquiring MRI and PET data to enable quantitative anatomical, physiological and metabolic imaging. The project aims to develop new MRI methods for quantitative anatomical mapping, MR-based motion correction of dynamic PET scan data, and ....Integrative brain imaging technologies. This project aims to develop quantitative metabolic imaging using simultaneous magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET). The current generation of MR-PET scanners are capable of simultaneously acquiring MRI and PET data to enable quantitative anatomical, physiological and metabolic imaging. The project aims to develop new MRI methods for quantitative anatomical mapping, MR-based motion correction of dynamic PET scan data, and joint estimation of physiological and metabolic organ activity. These advances will create innovative imaging technologies for advanced biomedical imaging research with a particular emphasis in healthy ageing.
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Electrochemical biosensors for detection of cardiac disease markers in blood. Cardiovascular diseases leading to heart failure have a prevalence of over 16 per cent in Australia. The social, economic and health burden is higher than for any other disease group. Hence, it is critically important to develop fit-for-purpose sensors of known cardiac biomarkers, which alert patients and clinicians of the risk of imminent heart failure.
Proteomic study of urine to discover novel biomarkers for human prostate cancer. The purpose of this project is to identify novel markers in the urine of patients with prostate cancer. These biomarkers may ultimately prove useful in the development of novel diagnostic tools for the management of this disease.
Proteomic study of tears to discover novel biomarkers for human breast cancer. The purpose of this project is to identify novel markers in the tears of patients with breast cancer. The results from this study may improve the prognosis of breast cancer patients.