Chemical building block size principles for discovery chemists. This project aims to deliver an innovative platform of new fundamental molecules, and associated design principles that will assist discovery chemists (DCs) to sidestep outdated, caged hydrocarbon chemical building blocks (CHCBBs). The expanding global population places significant challenges on discovery chemistry, driven by an appetite for innovative chemical technologies for societal longevity such as pharmaceuticals, agrichemica ....Chemical building block size principles for discovery chemists. This project aims to deliver an innovative platform of new fundamental molecules, and associated design principles that will assist discovery chemists (DCs) to sidestep outdated, caged hydrocarbon chemical building blocks (CHCBBs). The expanding global population places significant challenges on discovery chemistry, driven by an appetite for innovative chemical technologies for societal longevity such as pharmaceuticals, agrichemicals, and microelectronics. In translating this new CHCBB technology into accessible commodity supply streams, the project hopes to provide DCs with tools to sustain chemical technology evolution in a multitude of key industries that underpin the longevity of society.Read moreRead less
Platform technologies for multifunctional nanocarrier systems. Smart targeted nanocarriers offer new opportunities for drug delivery. This project aims to develop new platforms for reproducibly producing and screening targeted nanocarriers. The platform technologies developed in this project aim to revolutionise current strategies for designing and evaluating drug delivery systems, and will accelerate the clinical translation of targeted drug delivery. This will include a novel one-step microflu ....Platform technologies for multifunctional nanocarrier systems. Smart targeted nanocarriers offer new opportunities for drug delivery. This project aims to develop new platforms for reproducibly producing and screening targeted nanocarriers. The platform technologies developed in this project aim to revolutionise current strategies for designing and evaluating drug delivery systems, and will accelerate the clinical translation of targeted drug delivery. This will include a novel one-step microfluidic platform technology for reproducibly producing targeted polymer nanocarriers having systematically varied properties, a dual-templating method for making targeted silica nanocapsules and new design of in vivo-mimicking 'Tissue Chips' for screening and evaluating the nanocarriers.Read moreRead less
Single molecule sensing on nanopillars: Reading complex molecular circuits. This project aims to develop an entirely new nanotechnology to visualise dynamic molecular circuits in real time, and within any biological sample as small as a single cell. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the field of cell biology and sensor technology, using innovative nanofabrication and nanoscopic fluid flows to advance understanding of the emerging field of single protein molecule interactions in c ....Single molecule sensing on nanopillars: Reading complex molecular circuits. This project aims to develop an entirely new nanotechnology to visualise dynamic molecular circuits in real time, and within any biological sample as small as a single cell. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the field of cell biology and sensor technology, using innovative nanofabrication and nanoscopic fluid flows to advance understanding of the emerging field of single protein molecule interactions in cellular pathways. Expected outcomes include a universal technology platform to detect single molecules in single cells, with potential to deliver valuable intellectual property of commercial interest and economic benefit through technological advancements.Read moreRead less
Trapping and Watching Biomolecular Complexes near Nanopores. This project aims to develop a technology to trap and interrogate nanosized molecular complexes in their natural state. Nanosized complexes in water provide the core machinery of biological systems and require detailed understanding to help unravel fundamental biological mechanisms. A prototype of a methodology has been developed to trap and interrogate nanoscaled objects as small as 190 nanometres within a nanopore device. By performi ....Trapping and Watching Biomolecular Complexes near Nanopores. This project aims to develop a technology to trap and interrogate nanosized molecular complexes in their natural state. Nanosized complexes in water provide the core machinery of biological systems and require detailed understanding to help unravel fundamental biological mechanisms. A prototype of a methodology has been developed to trap and interrogate nanoscaled objects as small as 190 nanometres within a nanopore device. By performing research to fully understand, miniaturise and develop this method further, this project aims to enable the quantitative observation of nanoscaled biological machinery involved in cell-to-cell communication and DNA unfolding. Such a technology platform may have applications in areas such as biology, biotechnology and advanced materials.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE200100119
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$424,607.00
Summary
Manipulation of non-wetting droplets for cell culture. We have recently discovered an innovative and interdisciplinary approach for manipulating non-wetting droplets called “liquid marbles” as a platform for three-dimensional cell culture. This project aims to elucidate the fundamental physics underpinning the electrostatic handling concept of this platform technology. The project is expected to deliver an inexpensive but sophisticated cell culture platform that is well-suited for high-throughpu ....Manipulation of non-wetting droplets for cell culture. We have recently discovered an innovative and interdisciplinary approach for manipulating non-wetting droplets called “liquid marbles” as a platform for three-dimensional cell culture. This project aims to elucidate the fundamental physics underpinning the electrostatic handling concept of this platform technology. The project is expected to deliver an inexpensive but sophisticated cell culture platform that is well-suited for high-throughput drug screening and preparing cells for implantation therapy. Significant benefits for end users in pharmaceutical industry, life sciences research and hospitals are expected from the project and the application of the developed technology.Read moreRead less
Molecular probe development for high specificity and spatiotemporal control. This project aims at developing next-generation molecular probes with enhanced specificity and spatiotemporal control for the study of proteins and neuropeptide signalling. It addresses recognised knowledge gaps and technical bottlenecks in neuropeptide and memory research. Expected outcomes include a deeper molecular understanding of long-term memory formation and the role of neuropeptides in this process, as well as i ....Molecular probe development for high specificity and spatiotemporal control. This project aims at developing next-generation molecular probes with enhanced specificity and spatiotemporal control for the study of proteins and neuropeptide signalling. It addresses recognised knowledge gaps and technical bottlenecks in neuropeptide and memory research. Expected outcomes include a deeper molecular understanding of long-term memory formation and the role of neuropeptides in this process, as well as innovative chemistry strategies and novel molecular probes to advance fundamental research across the chemical and biological sciences. Anticipated benefits include technological innovations of relevance to Australia’s biotechnology sector and enhanced capacity for cross-disciplinary collaboration.Read moreRead less
DNA exhibits new self-assembled structures due to clustered DNA methylation. This project aims to develop a technology to investigate detailed epigenetic patterns in DNA by directly interrogating the physical properties of DNA polymers in their native state. Epigenetics controls whether genes and genetic programs are turned on or off in living systems. The project will build on a recent discovery that key physical properties of native DNA polymers are strongly influenced by epigenetic patterns c ....DNA exhibits new self-assembled structures due to clustered DNA methylation. This project aims to develop a technology to investigate detailed epigenetic patterns in DNA by directly interrogating the physical properties of DNA polymers in their native state. Epigenetics controls whether genes and genetic programs are turned on or off in living systems. The project will build on a recent discovery that key physical properties of native DNA polymers are strongly influenced by epigenetic patterns created by living organisms. By fully understanding this phenomenon, this project aims to provide new tools for the study of epigenetics with broad potential applications in the life sciences, biotechnology and nanotechnology.Read moreRead less
Use of Gas Expanded Liquids to Facilitate Process Intensification. The aim of this research is the utilisation of gas expanded liquids (GXLs) in technology platforms based on the principles of process intensification (PI). In order to facilitate the attainment of project objectives a comprehensive investigation of the fundamental properties of GXLs, and their interactions is proposed. A significant component of the programme is expected to be to use the knowledge obtained to facilitate the devel ....Use of Gas Expanded Liquids to Facilitate Process Intensification. The aim of this research is the utilisation of gas expanded liquids (GXLs) in technology platforms based on the principles of process intensification (PI). In order to facilitate the attainment of project objectives a comprehensive investigation of the fundamental properties of GXLs, and their interactions is proposed. A significant component of the programme is expected to be to use the knowledge obtained to facilitate the development of scale-up protocol for PI based methodologies, with particular emphasis on the production of biomaterials. GXLs technology is frontier technology with regard to the biomaterials sector.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190100082
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,000.00
Summary
Nanostructures derived from metal-organic frameworks for sodium-ion batteries. This project aims to overcome poor reaction kinetics and the lack of effective anode materials owing to the large size of sodium-ions in high performance sodium-ion batteries. The project will explore a series of functional nanomaterials with unique nanostructures and complex compositions, enabled by metal-organic framework assisted synthetic methods. High performance sodium ion batteries are demonstrating great poten ....Nanostructures derived from metal-organic frameworks for sodium-ion batteries. This project aims to overcome poor reaction kinetics and the lack of effective anode materials owing to the large size of sodium-ions in high performance sodium-ion batteries. The project will explore a series of functional nanomaterials with unique nanostructures and complex compositions, enabled by metal-organic framework assisted synthetic methods. High performance sodium ion batteries are demonstrating great potential to meet the future demand for large-scale and low-cost stationary energy storage. However, their practical implementation is still hindered by their poor reaction kinetics and the lack of effective anode materials owing to the large size of sodium-ions. The project outcomes will promote the commercialisation of sodium ion batteries and power Australia’s sustainable economy in the long run.Read moreRead less
Organic-inorganic hybrids via a combination of ring opening metathesis polymerisation, Thiol-Ene Click chemistry and Sol-Gel reactions. The research aims to develop a fast and efficient process for the preparation of advanced organic-inorganic materials. The successful completion of this research will yield new materials that may be exploited in advanced specialty applications including in biomedical and fuel cell areas.