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
Milk protein profiling powered by multiplexed single molecule assay. This project aims to develop a novel device, comprising advanced single molecule imaging, microfluidics and immunoassay technologies, for quantification of milk protein variants. Milk quality is central to dairying and variants of proteins in milk affect its market value. No current milk protein detection technologies are readily applied in milk production quality control. This project aims to produce a device that can be used ....Milk protein profiling powered by multiplexed single molecule assay. This project aims to develop a novel device, comprising advanced single molecule imaging, microfluidics and immunoassay technologies, for quantification of milk protein variants. Milk quality is central to dairying and variants of proteins in milk affect its market value. No current milk protein detection technologies are readily applied in milk production quality control. This project aims to produce a device that can be used by milk producers and farms to profile protein variants with high sensitivity in a single test in an hour and screen unwanted protein contamination. The platform also has great potential for detecting other complex and low content analytes. It builds on innovations in nanoparticles and recent industry collaboration.Read moreRead less
Integrated Nanoplatform for Multiomics Analysis of Cell-to-Cell Interaction. This project aims to develop an integrated nanoplatform for analysis of exosomes produced by host-pathogen interaction at the single cell level. This will be accomplished by engineering an innovative device involving plasmonic nanoparticles to probe exosomes molecular profiles over time. The intended outcome is a generic and robust platform for detailed molecular analysis of the consequences of cell-to-cell interactions ....Integrated Nanoplatform for Multiomics Analysis of Cell-to-Cell Interaction. This project aims to develop an integrated nanoplatform for analysis of exosomes produced by host-pathogen interaction at the single cell level. This will be accomplished by engineering an innovative device involving plasmonic nanoparticles to probe exosomes molecular profiles over time. The intended outcome is a generic and robust platform for detailed molecular analysis of the consequences of cell-to-cell interactions. Single cell scale will greatly improve detection accuracy for heterogeneous cell populations. Benefits will include new knowledge of cell-to-cell communication and intellectual property in manufacturing, which will foster collaborations across institutions and Australian industry by providing new technological solutions.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
The RGG/RG motif as an RNA chaperone: advancing CRISPR-Cas RNA technology. This project investigates the way in which protein molecules interact effectively with RNA molecules and also aims to enhance the CRISPR-Cas13a system for RNA detection. Innovative approaches will be used to test the role of a particular protein motif, called the RGG/RG motif, in remodelling RNA structure and enhancing the Cas13a protein. This knowledge is expected to shift our understanding of protein-RNA interactions th ....The RGG/RG motif as an RNA chaperone: advancing CRISPR-Cas RNA technology. This project investigates the way in which protein molecules interact effectively with RNA molecules and also aims to enhance the CRISPR-Cas13a system for RNA detection. Innovative approaches will be used to test the role of a particular protein motif, called the RGG/RG motif, in remodelling RNA structure and enhancing the Cas13a protein. This knowledge is expected to shift our understanding of protein-RNA interactions that are fundamental to almost every aspect of cell biology. The project is intended to benefit Australia through contributing to fundamental knowledge in the field, facilitating the development of new CRISPR-Cas biotechnologies for RNA detection and through the training of young researchers in frontier technologies. Read moreRead less
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.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130100800
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Polymer micropatches applied to the skin for integrated capture and detection of circulating biomarkers. The purpose of this project is to develop a rapid and integrated technology for user-friendly biomarker detection at the point-of-care. We expect the device to rapidly detect proteins and/or antibodies, without the need for highly trained health workers or access to scientific laboratories.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140101056
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$380,156.00
Summary
Rational Design of Plasmonic Nanoassemblies for Rapid and Multiplexed Point-of-Care Diagnosis by Surface-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS). The central aim of this project is to develop a novel technology/sensor platform for rapid, quantitative, multiplexed and highly sensitive point-of-care diagnostics using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) as the read-out approach. Three-dimensional plasmonic superstructures as novel SERS labels will be synthesised and characterised at single-partic ....Rational Design of Plasmonic Nanoassemblies for Rapid and Multiplexed Point-of-Care Diagnosis by Surface-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS). The central aim of this project is to develop a novel technology/sensor platform for rapid, quantitative, multiplexed and highly sensitive point-of-care diagnostics using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) as the read-out approach. Three-dimensional plasmonic superstructures as novel SERS labels will be synthesised and characterised at single-particle level and the choice of optimal SERS-active three-dimensional superstructures for use will be guided by empirical structure-activity correlations in combination with computer simulations. Tumour biomarkers for breast cancer will be employed as the model target for establishing the detection platform in a portable configuration for point-of-care diagnostics.Read moreRead less
Intelligent nanoparticles: Interactive tools to decode brain activity. This project aims to use nanoparticles and integrated nanoparticle devices to unravel causal relationships between molecular events and high-level brain activity. These devices, capable of real-time sensing and adaptive responses, could expose previously unmeasurable cellular events and establish their physiological effects. This is expected to reveal the complex dynamics in the living brain and advance neuroscience and analy ....Intelligent nanoparticles: Interactive tools to decode brain activity. This project aims to use nanoparticles and integrated nanoparticle devices to unravel causal relationships between molecular events and high-level brain activity. These devices, capable of real-time sensing and adaptive responses, could expose previously unmeasurable cellular events and establish their physiological effects. This is expected to reveal the complex dynamics in the living brain and advance neuroscience and analytical chemistry.Read moreRead less