Bioelectronic logic. This project aims to understand ion-electron interactions relevant to bioelectronics, and create transducing interfaces. Bioelectronics is a frontier field which aims to connect biological systems with modern electronics and so create biomedical devices. Transducing ion and electron signals using a biocompatible functional interface is difficult since ion and electron physics are different. By combining individual transducers, this project intends to demonstrate ground-break ....Bioelectronic logic. This project aims to understand ion-electron interactions relevant to bioelectronics, and create transducing interfaces. Bioelectronics is a frontier field which aims to connect biological systems with modern electronics and so create biomedical devices. Transducing ion and electron signals using a biocompatible functional interface is difficult since ion and electron physics are different. By combining individual transducers, this project intends to demonstrate ground-breaking bioelectronic logic capable of interface-level processing. The stretch goal is to test this new logic with a biological neuronal model. The project could deliver new science and interfacing elements to integrate tissue and circuitry, and demonstrate these in a real biological model.Read moreRead less
Co-oligomer amphiphiles for novel living and fixed nanomaterials. By using the Australian breakthrough Reversible Addition-Fragmentation chain Transfer (RAFT) polymerization technique to make new molecular structures, we will assemble these into nanoparticles and nanostructured materials and surface coatings with novel properties for a broad range of new technologies and applications.
A scalable, synthetic retina: signal processing in droplet systems with DNA. This project aims to design DNA-based nanotechnology for processing optical signals in synthetic biological systems. The intended outcome of this project is to develop a system for signal transduction in artificial bilayers using new DNA nanostructures. The anticipated goal of the project is to deliver: 1) light-based control of membrane protein insertion into artificial bilayers; 2) novel DNA-based pores that can trans ....A scalable, synthetic retina: signal processing in droplet systems with DNA. This project aims to design DNA-based nanotechnology for processing optical signals in synthetic biological systems. The intended outcome of this project is to develop a system for signal transduction in artificial bilayers using new DNA nanostructures. The anticipated goal of the project is to deliver: 1) light-based control of membrane protein insertion into artificial bilayers; 2) novel DNA-based pores that can transduce signals across membranes; 3) signal processing using multi-compartment biological components composed. Together, this technology allows us to use light and external signals to control biochemical pathways in synthetic systems.Read moreRead less
The geometry of genome access: lessons from HIV. Access to the cell’s nucleus, and hence its genome, is of deep scientific and commercial significance. It is controlled by a phase-separated diffusion barrier within the nuclear pore complex. Recent evidence, however, has shown that HIV can cross this barrier with its protective capsid intact, despite it being over one thousand times larger than the limit for passive transport. Combining concepts from soft-matter physics with recombinant assays, t ....The geometry of genome access: lessons from HIV. Access to the cell’s nucleus, and hence its genome, is of deep scientific and commercial significance. It is controlled by a phase-separated diffusion barrier within the nuclear pore complex. Recent evidence, however, has shown that HIV can cross this barrier with its protective capsid intact, despite it being over one thousand times larger than the limit for passive transport. Combining concepts from soft-matter physics with recombinant assays, this project aims to uncover the link between the unique geometry of HIV capsids and their ability to subvert the nucleus’ defenses. The expected outcome is a step-change in the understanding of nuclear access control, with downstream benefits to virology, bio-engineering and bio-technology.Read moreRead less
Rational design of new synthetic antifreeze molecules for cryopreservation. This project aims to synthesise new carbohydrate-based surfactants optimised for use as cryoprotectants, and to accurately measure, model and optimise their performance. The project will use state-of-the-art experimental methods and advanced phase-field modelling techniques to optimise the cryoprotectants so that they reduce osmotic stress in cells and inhibit ice crystal growth during freezing and thawing. The expected ....Rational design of new synthetic antifreeze molecules for cryopreservation. This project aims to synthesise new carbohydrate-based surfactants optimised for use as cryoprotectants, and to accurately measure, model and optimise their performance. The project will use state-of-the-art experimental methods and advanced phase-field modelling techniques to optimise the cryoprotectants so that they reduce osmotic stress in cells and inhibit ice crystal growth during freezing and thawing. The expected outcomes will be novel cryoprotectants that are easy to synthesise, non-toxic and effective, opening up new possibilities for the cryopreservation of cells, organs and possibly even whole organisms. This will have broad impact in critical applications such as long-term blood storage, reproductive technology and stem cell therapy, as well as preservation of endangered species.Read moreRead less
Functional mesostructured materials in ionic liquids. Polymers, surfactants and nanoparticles are the building blocks from which smart soft matter is assembled. This project will replace conventional molecular solvents with ionic liquids, allowing us to precisely control molecular assembly through intermolecular forces and facilitate the production of new functional soft materials.
Role of mRNA polyadenylation control in gene expression. Several benefits would come from a more complete understanding of the function of the messenger RNA poly(A) tail. It is frequently targeted by mechanisms that control cellular protein synthesis. This is most evident in developmental biology, where tail length control regulates maternal mRNA expression. Our previous work suggests that it has much wider importance for cellular function than previously thought and thus its study will produce ....Role of mRNA polyadenylation control in gene expression. Several benefits would come from a more complete understanding of the function of the messenger RNA poly(A) tail. It is frequently targeted by mechanisms that control cellular protein synthesis. This is most evident in developmental biology, where tail length control regulates maternal mRNA expression. Our previous work suggests that it has much wider importance for cellular function than previously thought and thus its study will produce knowledge of broad relevance to modern life sciences and its applications in medicine and biotechnology. Finally, a better understanding of yeast cellular biology is of benefit to the food and biotechnology sector of industry.Read moreRead less
Determining the sequence of events during eukaryotic translation initiation. Multiple benefits will arise from a more complete understanding of translation initiation. It is a frequent target for mechanisms that control gene expression and its dys-regulation is associated with human disease. For example, this is evident in cancer biology, since altered translation is a frequent cause of tumorigenesis. Translation is of universal importance for cellular function and knowledge of how it works is c ....Determining the sequence of events during eukaryotic translation initiation. Multiple benefits will arise from a more complete understanding of translation initiation. It is a frequent target for mechanisms that control gene expression and its dys-regulation is associated with human disease. For example, this is evident in cancer biology, since altered translation is a frequent cause of tumorigenesis. Translation is of universal importance for cellular function and knowledge of how it works is central to modern life sciences and its application to medical and biotechnological problems. Finally, a better understanding of yeast cellular biology is of benefit to the food and biotechnology sector of industry.Read moreRead less
Molecular scale engineering of solid/ionic liquid interfaces. Ionic liquids have enormous potential as advanced materials due to their unusual properties. This project will develop ways to use ionic liquids as lubricants, in electrochemical devices like capacitors, and in the electro-refining of metals. The technologies developed will decrease Australia's energy consumption and stimulate economic growth.
Touch and Tension: Molecular Determinants of Human Mechanosensation . Feelings of touch and muscle tension are initiated by mechanosensory neurons found within the peripheral nervous system. Knowledge of human mechanosensory neurons has predominantly relied on rodent studies because of the limited availability of human tissue, which is not ideal. Our team has developed novel technologies for generating human mechanosensory neurons ‘in the dish’. The major aim of this project is to use human stem ....Touch and Tension: Molecular Determinants of Human Mechanosensation . Feelings of touch and muscle tension are initiated by mechanosensory neurons found within the peripheral nervous system. Knowledge of human mechanosensory neurons has predominantly relied on rodent studies because of the limited availability of human tissue, which is not ideal. Our team has developed novel technologies for generating human mechanosensory neurons ‘in the dish’. The major aim of this project is to use human stem cell-derived mechanosensory neurons as a platform to extensively study their molecular and functional properties. The significant benefits are the advancement of knowledge in the human mechanosensory system, which to date has been lacking, and in the long-term progress commercial development of novel drugs.Read moreRead less