Engineered plant receptors as orthogonal neuronal switches. This project aims to develop synthetic biology methods to study brain function by utilising engineered plant receptors. This project will expand our ability to manipulate nerve cell function with high specificity and without side effects in freely behaving animals. Plant receptors will be developed into molecular tools in an iterative process that improves key properties using rational protein design. Expected outcomes include innovativ ....Engineered plant receptors as orthogonal neuronal switches. This project aims to develop synthetic biology methods to study brain function by utilising engineered plant receptors. This project will expand our ability to manipulate nerve cell function with high specificity and without side effects in freely behaving animals. Plant receptors will be developed into molecular tools in an iterative process that improves key properties using rational protein design. Expected outcomes include innovative and broadly-applicable neuroscience methods and an understanding of receptors involved in plant growth and defense. Benefits of this project include an enhanced capacity to generate knowledge, multidisciplinary training opportunities and patentable synthetic biology technologies.Read moreRead less
Diamond electrodes for bimodal cellular control. The objective of the work proposed here is to develop a new tool for investigating intercellular communication. Currently, techniques for probing cellular functions are either well-suited to controlling a limited number of individual inputs or a large number of complete cells. This projects aims to address these limitations by utilising cutting edge fabrication techniques to create an optically controlled nanoscale array of diamond electrodes, cap ....Diamond electrodes for bimodal cellular control. The objective of the work proposed here is to develop a new tool for investigating intercellular communication. Currently, techniques for probing cellular functions are either well-suited to controlling a limited number of individual inputs or a large number of complete cells. This projects aims to address these limitations by utilising cutting edge fabrication techniques to create an optically controlled nanoscale array of diamond electrodes, capable of modulating a large number of single cellular inputs with precision. This technology will allow researchers to manipulate cellular processes with more control than ever before, potentially gaining insights useful for understanding brain function, memory formation, or cell death.Read moreRead less