Artificially building the bacterial flagellar motor. This project will allow us to learn how nature’s most sophisticated rotary motor works and how to build these artificially, establishing a new field of research into man-made biological machines. This has potential applications for the emerging field of nanotechnology to make nanometre-scale devices that are powered by efficient biological machines.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180100206
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$365,058.00
Summary
Intelligently linking nanoscience to neuroscience with glycan biology. This project aims to provide a comprehensive description of the unique cell-surface glycan expression on inflamed neurons, astrocytes, microglia and oligodendrocytes. This project will use glycan profiling data to engineer luminescent nanoparticles with superior neuroimaging qualities for cell type-specific in vivo targeting and drug delivery in the central nervous system. The project outcomes are expected to improve our fund ....Intelligently linking nanoscience to neuroscience with glycan biology. This project aims to provide a comprehensive description of the unique cell-surface glycan expression on inflamed neurons, astrocytes, microglia and oligodendrocytes. This project will use glycan profiling data to engineer luminescent nanoparticles with superior neuroimaging qualities for cell type-specific in vivo targeting and drug delivery in the central nervous system. The project outcomes are expected to improve our fundamental understanding of neurobiological cell-surfaces.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE150100004
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$540,000.00
Summary
An automated 3D electron microscopy facility. An automated 3D electron microscopy facility: The aim of this project is to establish the next generation of electron microscopy facility, with a fully automated tool enabling 3D imaging. The automated serial section system incorporated in a scanning electron microscope circumvents the limitation of transmission electron microscopy, which provides unique insights into molecular structures and cell components at high resolution, however, the area and ....An automated 3D electron microscopy facility. An automated 3D electron microscopy facility: The aim of this project is to establish the next generation of electron microscopy facility, with a fully automated tool enabling 3D imaging. The automated serial section system incorporated in a scanning electron microscope circumvents the limitation of transmission electron microscopy, which provides unique insights into molecular structures and cell components at high resolution, however, the area and volume are limited in size to a few microns. This new type of microscope can image whole organisms and be used by non-electron microscopists. It will be housed in an open access facility and will meet a growing demand for 3D electron microscopy.Read moreRead less
An integrated nano-bioengineered chip for enhanced molecular evolution. This project aims to develop a novel molecular evolution platform technology for the rapid selection of high value target binding molecules from diverse molecular libraries using an electrically activated nanofluidic chip coated with target. Significant outcomes from the project is the controlled selection of target binding molecules that is not possible with current methods and improved understanding of nanoforce driven mol ....An integrated nano-bioengineered chip for enhanced molecular evolution. This project aims to develop a novel molecular evolution platform technology for the rapid selection of high value target binding molecules from diverse molecular libraries using an electrically activated nanofluidic chip coated with target. Significant outcomes from the project is the controlled selection of target binding molecules that is not possible with current methods and improved understanding of nanoforce driven molecular collisions on nano-bioengineered surfaces. This provides significant benefits, creating new knowledge in nanomaterials and advanced manufacturing of nanofabricated devices, creating commercial interest and positioning Australia at the forefront of molecular discovery technology, a highly valuable global market.
Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE160100008
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$347,500.00
Summary
Super Resolution Confocal Microscopy Facility. Super resolution confocal microscopy facility:
This project aims to establish a super-resolution confocal microscopy facility with unrivalled resolution, sensitivity and speed. The widespread application of super-resolution microscopy has so far been limited because of the special sample preparation and technical skills required. The project aims to provide us with the ability to image thicker samples, such as animal and plant tissue, without these ....Super Resolution Confocal Microscopy Facility. Super resolution confocal microscopy facility:
This project aims to establish a super-resolution confocal microscopy facility with unrivalled resolution, sensitivity and speed. The widespread application of super-resolution microscopy has so far been limited because of the special sample preparation and technical skills required. The project aims to provide us with the ability to image thicker samples, such as animal and plant tissue, without these limitations. This would enable us to capture three-dimensional data at both the cellular and tissue level, providing researchers with a level of detail never before seen. The facility may create new knowledge in life science, including visual neuroscience, developmental neurobiology, plant growth, stem cell regeneration, the role of trace metals in physiology, and vaccine and drug development.Read moreRead less
Nano-reactors: Protein cages as reusable scaffolds for designer enzymes. This project aims to develop robust protein cages derived from the coats of viruses to contain heat-stable P450 enzymes, for use as specialised protein bio-catalysts in chemical industries. A valuable chemical precursor of renewable bio-plastics will be produced from seed oils by enzymes, reducing the use of fossil fuels. This synthetic biology approach combines biotechnology, nanotechnology and protein engineering to estab ....Nano-reactors: Protein cages as reusable scaffolds for designer enzymes. This project aims to develop robust protein cages derived from the coats of viruses to contain heat-stable P450 enzymes, for use as specialised protein bio-catalysts in chemical industries. A valuable chemical precursor of renewable bio-plastics will be produced from seed oils by enzymes, reducing the use of fossil fuels. This synthetic biology approach combines biotechnology, nanotechnology and protein engineering to establish a plant-based platform biotechnology for using enzymes as catalysts to make high-value molecules. The project aims to show how to engineer clean, sustainable chemistry in designer nano-environments. This should make synthetic processes more sustainable and enhance advanced chemical manufacturing in Australia.Read moreRead less
DNA nanotechnology for controlled antigen presentation to T cells. The project aims to present individual antigens to T cells and to image T cell receptor signalling with single molecule microscopy. Combining DNA origami nanotechnology with single molecule imaging should reveal the sensitivity of T cell signalling. A DNA force sensor will determine whether mechanical forces contribute to antigen discrimination. The project will use the nanotechnology strategy to identify antigen-specific T cells ....DNA nanotechnology for controlled antigen presentation to T cells. The project aims to present individual antigens to T cells and to image T cell receptor signalling with single molecule microscopy. Combining DNA origami nanotechnology with single molecule imaging should reveal the sensitivity of T cell signalling. A DNA force sensor will determine whether mechanical forces contribute to antigen discrimination. The project will use the nanotechnology strategy to identify antigen-specific T cells in tissue. The project is expected to advance understanding of T cell biology, and contribute to DNA nanotechnology and super-resolution microscopy whilst providing fundamental insights into antigen recognition by T cells and ultimately derive clinically relevant practical applications.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100092
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,000.00
Summary
X-ray induced photoacoustic nanoprobe: Break depth dependency of bioimaging. This project aims to develop a nanoprobe using an X-ray excited luminescence “nanolaser” as the local light source to activate coupled responsive photoacoustic sensors. In-situ imaging of specific biomarkers at the molecular level is key to understanding their roles in physiological and pathological processes, but current imaging techniques using fluorescent probes cannot detect biomarkers in deep tissues due to shallow ....X-ray induced photoacoustic nanoprobe: Break depth dependency of bioimaging. This project aims to develop a nanoprobe using an X-ray excited luminescence “nanolaser” as the local light source to activate coupled responsive photoacoustic sensors. In-situ imaging of specific biomarkers at the molecular level is key to understanding their roles in physiological and pathological processes, but current imaging techniques using fluorescent probes cannot detect biomarkers in deep tissues due to shallow light penetration. By capitalising on the tissue penetrating property of X-rays and acoustic waves and collecting acoustic waves as the read-out signal, real-time monitoring of biomarkers in deep tissues could be achieved, advancing detection technology for deep-tissue biomarkers.Read moreRead less
Single cell glycomics: mapping the surface glycan signature of cells. This project aims to develop a platform technology for multiplexed glycan mapping of the surface of a single cell to address challenges of functional glycomics by utilising a conceptually new approach. By combining newly designed plasmonic nanoparticles with surface-enhanced Raman scattering tags and multiple specific carbohydrate-recognising lectins, this project expects to produce a generic technology that is capable of non- ....Single cell glycomics: mapping the surface glycan signature of cells. This project aims to develop a platform technology for multiplexed glycan mapping of the surface of a single cell to address challenges of functional glycomics by utilising a conceptually new approach. By combining newly designed plasmonic nanoparticles with surface-enhanced Raman scattering tags and multiple specific carbohydrate-recognising lectins, this project expects to produce a generic technology that is capable of non-destructive barcoding of the surface glycan signature of single cells in their native state and in response to metabolic perturbations. Expected project outcomes include advancing knowledge in nanobiotechnology, glycobiology and cell biology by being able to easily monitor changes to the surface of single cells.Read moreRead less
Trafficking inside the cell for effective immunity. This project aims to investigate how cargo is trafficked to the right destination inside cells. The project will investigate the trafficking routes and the critical machinery required. This project is expected to generate fundamental new knowledge in the areas of cell biology and immunology. Expected outcomes of this Project include scholarly publications and highly-trained personnel in cell biology and immunology. This project will provide sig ....Trafficking inside the cell for effective immunity. This project aims to investigate how cargo is trafficked to the right destination inside cells. The project will investigate the trafficking routes and the critical machinery required. This project is expected to generate fundamental new knowledge in the areas of cell biology and immunology. Expected outcomes of this Project include scholarly publications and highly-trained personnel in cell biology and immunology. This project will provide significant benefits such as advances to fundamental knowledge, training for higher research degree students, opportunities for the biotechnology sector and strengthened international (research collaborations.Read moreRead less