Properties of nanomaterials determine their disposal by liver cells. This project aims to understand how the liver handles and is affected by nanomaterials in the body. Nanomaterials are widely used in industrial, environmental, consumer and drug products, but how they affect human health is poorly understood. This project will characterise the spatiotemporal distribution of a set of nanomaterials with defined attributes in naïve and modified livers using chemistry, imaging and biological method ....Properties of nanomaterials determine their disposal by liver cells. This project aims to understand how the liver handles and is affected by nanomaterials in the body. Nanomaterials are widely used in industrial, environmental, consumer and drug products, but how they affect human health is poorly understood. This project will characterise the spatiotemporal distribution of a set of nanomaterials with defined attributes in naïve and modified livers using chemistry, imaging and biological methods. This work is expected to determine how nanomaterials’ attributes direct pathways for liver cell disposal and describe nanomaterial–liver interactions at the cellular level, information crucial in enabling safer nanomaterials for use in products such as drug formulations, sunscreens and cosmetics.Read moreRead less
Engineering layered double hydroxide nanoparticles toward an efficient targeted clinical delivery system. This project will develop a more effective drug delivery system using clay nanoparticles and biofriendly serum proteins. Outcomes from this project will provide a tremendous opportunity for potent therapies of cancers, vasculature and neuronal diseases, and place Australia at the forefront of nanotechnology drug delivery research.
Development of a market relevant DNA nano-vaccine platform. DNA vaccine technology can potentially provide a rapid response to existing or new pathogens, but its market success has been limited. By addressing key scientific and technical challenges, this project aims to develop a new and cost-effective DNA nanovaccine platform using a multiscale engineering approach. It is anticipated that novel nanoparticles for DNA delivery and an end-user-driven DNA vaccine technology with enhanced immunogeni ....Development of a market relevant DNA nano-vaccine platform. DNA vaccine technology can potentially provide a rapid response to existing or new pathogens, but its market success has been limited. By addressing key scientific and technical challenges, this project aims to develop a new and cost-effective DNA nanovaccine platform using a multiscale engineering approach. It is anticipated that novel nanoparticles for DNA delivery and an end-user-driven DNA vaccine technology with enhanced immunogenicity, stability and safety will be generated. Expected outcomes include new knowledge in nanomaterial science and a market ready technology platform, improving Australia’s capabilities in nanobiotechnology and vaccine development, as well as delivering a new value-added product for the Industry Partner. Read moreRead less
Development of Unprecedented Aluminosilicate Adjuvants. High-performance adjuvants are essential components of vaccine technology. Aluminium-based adjuvants are widely used, but provide weak cellular immunity and possible risk of neurotoxicity. Combining state-of-the-art nanotechnology and classic coordination chemistry, this project aims to apply a new design principle to create novel mesoporous aluminosilicate nanoparticles with alkalinity, for use as nanoadjuvants. This project expects to adv ....Development of Unprecedented Aluminosilicate Adjuvants. High-performance adjuvants are essential components of vaccine technology. Aluminium-based adjuvants are widely used, but provide weak cellular immunity and possible risk of neurotoxicity. Combining state-of-the-art nanotechnology and classic coordination chemistry, this project aims to apply a new design principle to create novel mesoporous aluminosilicate nanoparticles with alkalinity, for use as nanoadjuvants. This project expects to advance knowledge of how immune systems respond to changes in chemistry and nanostructure of aluminosilicate materials and enable the design of nanoadjuvants with enhanced cellular immunity and reduced toxicity. Outcomes include a new family of functional materials with unprecedented adjuvant performance.Read moreRead less
Next-Generation Multifunctional Nanoparticles for mRNA Transfection. This project aims to engineer a multifunctional nanoparticle platform tailored for mRNA delivery. An innovative assembly approach will be used to design nanoparticles with adjustable composition, asymmetry and surface topography. Uniquely, three functions will be integrated in one nanoparticle, with the goal to enhance transfection efficiency in target cells. This project expects to advance knowledge of mRNA transfection mechan ....Next-Generation Multifunctional Nanoparticles for mRNA Transfection. This project aims to engineer a multifunctional nanoparticle platform tailored for mRNA delivery. An innovative assembly approach will be used to design nanoparticles with adjustable composition, asymmetry and surface topography. Uniquely, three functions will be integrated in one nanoparticle, with the goal to enhance transfection efficiency in target cells. This project expects to advance knowledge of mRNA transfection mechanisms, and determine how cell-type dependent particle-mRNA interactions correlate with the nanoparticle structure and delivery performance. Outcomes include a new family of functional materials with improved mRNA delivery performance over benchmark systems to facilitate and broaden the application of mRNA technology.Read moreRead less
Quantification of airborne engineered nanoparticles: developing a scientific framework to inform their regulation and control. Despite the presence of airborne engineered nanoparticles in many commercial/research facilities, there are no established methods for their detection/characterisation. This work aims to develop a foundation for the quantitative assessment of airborne engineered nanoparticles, which is critical for controlling exposure and minimising health risks.
Detection, characteristics and dynamics of airborne engineered nanoparticles for human exposure assessment. Recent advances in nanotechnology have led to questions about the safety of airborne engineered nanoparticles in commercial and research facilities. This project aims to develop an understanding of nanoparticle emission and behaviour in the air, which is needed to control workplace exposure to these particles and minimise the risk to human health.
In pursuit of high performance lithium-oxygen batteries. This project aims to achieve high-energy lithium-oxygen batteries for electric vehicles. Electrification of road transport will minimise consumption of fossil fuels, reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and increase energy security. Lithium-oxygen batteries have the highest energy density among all rechargeable battery systems, which is more than 10 times the density of current lithium-ion batteries. Through exploration of new catalysts, redox ....In pursuit of high performance lithium-oxygen batteries. This project aims to achieve high-energy lithium-oxygen batteries for electric vehicles. Electrification of road transport will minimise consumption of fossil fuels, reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and increase energy security. Lithium-oxygen batteries have the highest energy density among all rechargeable battery systems, which is more than 10 times the density of current lithium-ion batteries. Through exploration of new catalysts, redox mediators, and porous material architectures, this project intends to significantly improve the performance of lithium-oxygen batteries, including specific capacity, cycle life and round-trip efficiency.Read moreRead less
Lithium-air battery: a green energy source for the sustainable future. Electrification of vehicles and the implementation of smart electric grids can dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and realise sustainable development. Lithium-air batteries have the highest energy density among all battery systems and are therefore a promising power source for electric vehicles and stationary energy storage.
Exploration of Advanced Nanostructures for Sodium-ion Battery Application. The aim of this project is to develop advanced nanostructured electrode materials for high energy, long service life sodium-ion batteries. Sodium-ion batteries are the most promising choice for large-scale electrical energy storage, in particular for renewable energy sources and smart electric grids, owing to their low cost and natural abundance of sodium. The success of this project will advance fundamental understanding ....Exploration of Advanced Nanostructures for Sodium-ion Battery Application. The aim of this project is to develop advanced nanostructured electrode materials for high energy, long service life sodium-ion batteries. Sodium-ion batteries are the most promising choice for large-scale electrical energy storage, in particular for renewable energy sources and smart electric grids, owing to their low cost and natural abundance of sodium. The success of this project will advance fundamental understanding of sodium-ion batteries, and provide techniques for the development of a promising low-cost system for renewable energy storage, which is urgently needed in smart electricity grids. Read moreRead less