Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160101565
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$330,000.00
Summary
Flexible data modelling via skew mixture models:challenges and applications. This project seeks to explore new models for handling data with non-normal features. Parametric distributions are fundamental to statistical modelling and inference. For centuries, the ‘normal’ distribution has been the dominant model for continuous data. However, real data rarely satisfy the assumption of normality. There is thus a strong demand for more flexible distributions. This project aims to develop new methodol ....Flexible data modelling via skew mixture models:challenges and applications. This project seeks to explore new models for handling data with non-normal features. Parametric distributions are fundamental to statistical modelling and inference. For centuries, the ‘normal’ distribution has been the dominant model for continuous data. However, real data rarely satisfy the assumption of normality. There is thus a strong demand for more flexible distributions. This project aims to develop new methodologies in finite mixture modelling using skew component distributions to provide better models for handling data with non-normal features (such as skewness, heavy/light tails, and multimodality). Applications may include security intrusion detection, clinical diagnosis and prognosis, and flow and mass cytometry.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120102503
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Circulating tumor cell isolation and detection: an integrated microfluidic capture device based on alternating current (AC) electrohydrodynamics. The detection of circulating tumor cells in clinical samples plays a critical role in cancer diagnosis and management. This project aims to develop microfluidic technology by incorporating AC electric field-induced vortices with three-dimensional microstructured electrodes that will advance our ability to analyse rare cells and proteins in clinical sam ....Circulating tumor cell isolation and detection: an integrated microfluidic capture device based on alternating current (AC) electrohydrodynamics. The detection of circulating tumor cells in clinical samples plays a critical role in cancer diagnosis and management. This project aims to develop microfluidic technology by incorporating AC electric field-induced vortices with three-dimensional microstructured electrodes that will advance our ability to analyse rare cells and proteins in clinical samples.Read moreRead less
Tuneable “Nano-Shearing”: An Innovative Mechanism for the Accurate and Specific Capture of Cells and Molecules. Recent investigations have discovered a tuneable electro-hydrodynamic force which drives lateral fluid motion within a few nanometers of an electrode surface. Because the magnitude of this fluid shear force can be tuned externally (for example, via the application of an AC electric field), it provides a new capability to physically displace weakly (non-specifically) bound cellular and ....Tuneable “Nano-Shearing”: An Innovative Mechanism for the Accurate and Specific Capture of Cells and Molecules. Recent investigations have discovered a tuneable electro-hydrodynamic force which drives lateral fluid motion within a few nanometers of an electrode surface. Because the magnitude of this fluid shear force can be tuned externally (for example, via the application of an AC electric field), it provides a new capability to physically displace weakly (non-specifically) bound cellular and molecular analytes. By performing research to further understand and develop this tuneable effect, this project aims to build and test a new platform technology to enable highly efficient capture and specific detection of low concentration pathogenic molecules and circulating tumour cells (CTCs).Read moreRead less
Bioinks for the 3D printing of cells made from off-the-shelf components. This project aims to develop a simple method for creating complex, multiple-cell-type three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures for in-vitro cell based assays. Using 3D printing technology, this project will develop a versatile polymer system, made from entirely commercially available components, that gels upon printing and has functionality to assist cells in adhering, growing and migrating. The 3D printing of multiple cell typ ....Bioinks for the 3D printing of cells made from off-the-shelf components. This project aims to develop a simple method for creating complex, multiple-cell-type three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures for in-vitro cell based assays. Using 3D printing technology, this project will develop a versatile polymer system, made from entirely commercially available components, that gels upon printing and has functionality to assist cells in adhering, growing and migrating. The 3D printing of multiple cell types will provide biological scientists with more realistic in-vitro cell assays to those found in-vivo. Applications of the research are in cell biology, studying diseases and developing new drugs.Read moreRead less
Automatic cartilage segmentation in magnetic resonance imaging. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, affecting nearly 1.4 million Australians. This research aims at engineering new tools for use in Magnetic Resonance Imaging systems to enable automated analyses of the cartilage and bones in joint images. The goals of the work are to assist with improved diagnosis and treatment planning for both chronic disease, such as OA, and acute injuries, such as cartilage and ligament ....Automatic cartilage segmentation in magnetic resonance imaging. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, affecting nearly 1.4 million Australians. This research aims at engineering new tools for use in Magnetic Resonance Imaging systems to enable automated analyses of the cartilage and bones in joint images. The goals of the work are to assist with improved diagnosis and treatment planning for both chronic disease, such as OA, and acute injuries, such as cartilage and ligament tears in sporting injuries and other traumas.
The software developed will be provided on the project’s partner (Siemens) platform and will therefore be available worldwide and have a consequently large impact on the field.
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Dynamic magnetic resonance imaging in orthopaedics. The research in this proposal aims at developing new imaging systems that enable joints to be imaged while they are moving. This is an Australian first technology and will change the way in which diagnosis of joint diseases is done. The applications of this new technique include the diagnosis and monitoring of treatment in Osteoarthritis and related chronic joint diseases. Also, acute injuries to knees, hips, shoulders and other joints will be ....Dynamic magnetic resonance imaging in orthopaedics. The research in this proposal aims at developing new imaging systems that enable joints to be imaged while they are moving. This is an Australian first technology and will change the way in which diagnosis of joint diseases is done. The applications of this new technique include the diagnosis and monitoring of treatment in Osteoarthritis and related chronic joint diseases. Also, acute injuries to knees, hips, shoulders and other joints will be able to be better diagnosed and hence improve treatment planning as a result.Read moreRead less
Sino-Australian neurogenetics initiative. This project will undertake large population studies to identify genes that are associated with motor neuron disease, schizophrenia and intracranial haemorrhage. The project will determine genetic markers, aid development of diagnostic tools and identify new therapeutic targets for these common heritable neurological diseases.
Novel imaging technologies for continuous measurement of tracer kinetics in awake animals. The fates of biologically relevant molecules, such as proteins and antibodies, in the body are fundamentally important for understanding the mechanisms and treatment of disease. This project will enable for the first time continuous imaging of the location and time course of labelled molecules in conscious, freely moving animals.
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
Highly multiplexed rapid-analysis microarrays for early disease diagnosis. Molecular diagnostics are revolutionising the treatment of disease in hospitals by providing rapid and accurate identification of pathogens; saving costs, time and lives. This project will accelerate this revolution by combining new array technology from the University of Sydney with a proven multiplex method from the Sydney based company, AusDiagnostics.