Advanced high resolution atomic force microscopy of biomolecules in physiological environments. The proposed research is intended to explain high resolution bioimaging problems addressed only phenomenologically before. A correct physical model would help the scientific community to optimise imaging of dynamic biological systems, extending our knowledge about the way living organisms function. With dynamic bioimaging, the mechanism of certain diseases such as Alzheimer's - where biomolecule fiber ....Advanced high resolution atomic force microscopy of biomolecules in physiological environments. The proposed research is intended to explain high resolution bioimaging problems addressed only phenomenologically before. A correct physical model would help the scientific community to optimise imaging of dynamic biological systems, extending our knowledge about the way living organisms function. With dynamic bioimaging, the mechanism of certain diseases such as Alzheimer's - where biomolecule fiber formation plays a key role - can also be addressed, thus the project has even therapeutical relevance. Furthermore, adequate description of liquid phase imaging can help engineers in the design of better hardware and software solutions, for the benefit of the bio-nanotechnological industry.Read moreRead less
In-situ Scanning Probe Microscopy of biological redox processes: nanoscale structure and morphology. The science behind this project underpins the development of nanobiotechnology. Immediate applications foreseen, are the development of biosensors and diagnostic devices based on our intimate knowledge of the nature of the protein attachment to a surface. Use of synthetic membranes to create biomimetic surfaces will impact significantly on our understanding of the role and contribution membranes ....In-situ Scanning Probe Microscopy of biological redox processes: nanoscale structure and morphology. The science behind this project underpins the development of nanobiotechnology. Immediate applications foreseen, are the development of biosensors and diagnostic devices based on our intimate knowledge of the nature of the protein attachment to a surface. Use of synthetic membranes to create biomimetic surfaces will impact significantly on our understanding of the role and contribution membranes have on protein structure, function hence disease.Read moreRead less
ARC Centre of Excellence - Coherent X-ray Science. The twenty first century is said to be the century of biology. And there is no doubt that the development of our understanding of biological system is continuing at a massive rate. However as our understanding deepens, we need to draw on the whole range of scientific disciplines to proceed. This Centre draws together a multidisciplinary team of world-leading scientists to address one the key questions in modern biology, the structure of a membra ....ARC Centre of Excellence - Coherent X-ray Science. The twenty first century is said to be the century of biology. And there is no doubt that the development of our understanding of biological system is continuing at a massive rate. However as our understanding deepens, we need to draw on the whole range of scientific disciplines to proceed. This Centre draws together a multidisciplinary team of world-leading scientists to address one the key questions in modern biology, the structure of a membrane protein. We will develop techniques based on the latest developments in theoretical physics & chemistry, imaging, biology and technology - including the new Australian Synchrotron - to create new approaches to structural biology.Read moreRead less
Coherent X-ray Science and Biophysics. The twenty first century is said to be the century of biology. And there is no doubt that the development of our understanding of biological system is continuing at a massive rate. However, as our understanding deepens, we need to draw on the whole range of scientific disciplines to proceed. This program draws together a multidisciplinary team of world-leading scientists to address one the key questions in modern biology, the structure of a membrane protein ....Coherent X-ray Science and Biophysics. The twenty first century is said to be the century of biology. And there is no doubt that the development of our understanding of biological system is continuing at a massive rate. However, as our understanding deepens, we need to draw on the whole range of scientific disciplines to proceed. This program draws together a multidisciplinary team of world-leading scientists to address one the key questions in modern biology, the structure of a membrane protein. We will develop techniques based on the latest developments in theoretical physics & chemistry, imaging, biology and technology - including the new Australian Synchrotron - to create new approaches to structural biology.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0238898
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$352,000.00
Summary
Novel Optical Microprobes - fluorescence excitation, lifetime and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopies. State-of-the-art technologies in microscopy will be combined with the versatility and diagnostic power of spectroscopy for the analysis and identification of materials by methods sensitive to chemical structure as well as spatial inhomogeneity. The proposed systems will operate within an existing multi-user optical characterisation facility at Macquarie University thus supporting the research ....Novel Optical Microprobes - fluorescence excitation, lifetime and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopies. State-of-the-art technologies in microscopy will be combined with the versatility and diagnostic power of spectroscopy for the analysis and identification of materials by methods sensitive to chemical structure as well as spatial inhomogeneity. The proposed systems will operate within an existing multi-user optical characterisation facility at Macquarie University thus supporting the research of an established and expanding network of researchers in the Sydney area and in Melbourne. The suite of instruments will provide new and exciting avenues for interdisciplinary research between the physical and biological sciencesRead moreRead less
Spectroscopy of complex and biological micro-objects for biosensing applications. The optically based test for specific DNA binding resulting from the conclusion of this project is of great potential benefit to all Australians as DNA is the building block of all living organisms. The technique developed and resulting biosensor will provide an invaluable tool for the determination and analysis of specific DNA reactions. The general technique developed for the genetic targeting of specific DNA rea ....Spectroscopy of complex and biological micro-objects for biosensing applications. The optically based test for specific DNA binding resulting from the conclusion of this project is of great potential benefit to all Australians as DNA is the building block of all living organisms. The technique developed and resulting biosensor will provide an invaluable tool for the determination and analysis of specific DNA reactions. The general technique developed for the genetic targeting of specific DNA reactions makes the detection of diseases and toxins like Chlamydia and anthrax, for example cheap, quick and accurate, keeping Australian's healthy, and strengthening national security.Read moreRead less
Understanding the molecular mechanism of force generation in the bacterial flagellar motor. The proposed research will advance the knowledge about how the bacterial flagellar motor works, enabling scientists to learn more about nature's blueprint of a nanoscale engine. It will address the fundamental question of how bacterial cells convert electrochemical energy into mechanical energy of rotation. At present, the smallest artificial electric motor is still on a micro-, rather than nanoscale. Nan ....Understanding the molecular mechanism of force generation in the bacterial flagellar motor. The proposed research will advance the knowledge about how the bacterial flagellar motor works, enabling scientists to learn more about nature's blueprint of a nanoscale engine. It will address the fundamental question of how bacterial cells convert electrochemical energy into mechanical energy of rotation. At present, the smallest artificial electric motor is still on a micro-, rather than nanoscale. Nanotechnology would therefore benefit from this work by basing their designs on the principles behind the mechanism of the bacterial motor. This research is also of interest for veterinary science, as motility by flagellar motor is a key virulence factor of common animal pathogens associated with, for example, listeriosis and gastroenteritis.Read moreRead less
Diffractive Imaging using Soft X-rays and Electrons. Optical, electron and x-ray microscopy has yielded enormous biological insights and medical benefits to society. Optical microscopy is able to image live tissue, but at relatively low resolution. Electron microscopy can yield high resolution images, but only of highly prepared material. X-ray microscopy yields images of live tissue with a resolution that is intermediate between optical and electron microscopy. This project will provide Austral ....Diffractive Imaging using Soft X-rays and Electrons. Optical, electron and x-ray microscopy has yielded enormous biological insights and medical benefits to society. Optical microscopy is able to image live tissue, but at relatively low resolution. Electron microscopy can yield high resolution images, but only of highly prepared material. X-ray microscopy yields images of live tissue with a resolution that is intermediate between optical and electron microscopy. This project will provide Australian scientists with their first access to x-ray microscopy at its optimum wavelength; and secondly it will provide a superb testbed for x-ray microscopy to be enhanced using unique methods being developed in Australia.Read moreRead less
Design and Construction of Novel Thermal Interferometers. This project aims to invent thermal interferometers, which take advantage of the interference effect of thermal waves to display standing temperature interference fringes on a surface of prism. Two coherent thermal waves are input from two other surfaces of the prism in a similar way as an optical interferometer does. By inventing such a device, the project will demonstrate a new instrumentation mechanism which may lead to its applicati ....Design and Construction of Novel Thermal Interferometers. This project aims to invent thermal interferometers, which take advantage of the interference effect of thermal waves to display standing temperature interference fringes on a surface of prism. Two coherent thermal waves are input from two other surfaces of the prism in a similar way as an optical interferometer does. By inventing such a device, the project will demonstrate a new instrumentation mechanism which may lead to its application in medical technology. Furthermore, the principle of temperature localisation due to thermal interference may provide new insights to account for the cause of conformational changes of proteins that result in diseases.Read moreRead less
Optical manipulation of single molecules in nanocontainers and nanotubes. Modern medicine has benefited greatly from technological advances in instrumentation. The ability to probe and manipulate new aspects of biological function often provides unique information that can be used as the basis of new medical treatments. Recent advances in optical instrumentation and biochemical labelling has enabled the study of biological function at the single molecule level. This project proposes to develop n ....Optical manipulation of single molecules in nanocontainers and nanotubes. Modern medicine has benefited greatly from technological advances in instrumentation. The ability to probe and manipulate new aspects of biological function often provides unique information that can be used as the basis of new medical treatments. Recent advances in optical instrumentation and biochemical labelling has enabled the study of biological function at the single molecule level. This project proposes to develop new techniques in single molecule manipulation, to perform studies not easily addressable using current techniques. The proposed research will form the basis of an enabling technology for Australian researchers to make breakthroughs in biomedical research, potentially leading to improvements in healthcare.Read moreRead less