Radio-magnetic nanoparticles as bimodal positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents for dendritic cell tracking. Biomedical imaging is limited by a lack of commercial dual-mode contrast agents, which may be simultaneously used for magnetic resonance (MR) and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. This project will develop a nanotechnology-based biocompatible dual-mode contrast agent for simultaneous PET and MR imaging, reducing associated side effects.
Complex nano-systems for highly selective imaging and targeting of cells. The aim of the project is to design multi-functional nanoparticles that can be tracked by multiple bio-imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography imaging. The nanoparticles are designed to be targetable to specific cell populations and capable of delivering drugs. The project plans to concentrate the MRI-active gadolinium into nanoparticles to generate enhanced images, and ....Complex nano-systems for highly selective imaging and targeting of cells. The aim of the project is to design multi-functional nanoparticles that can be tracked by multiple bio-imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography imaging. The nanoparticles are designed to be targetable to specific cell populations and capable of delivering drugs. The project plans to concentrate the MRI-active gadolinium into nanoparticles to generate enhanced images, and to combine this with other imaging modalities to facilitate tracking and sensitivity. Expected outcomes would enable a new approach to extremely accurate and sensitive imaging of tumours to enable the imaging of much smaller tumours than currently possible. This would allow early therapeutic intervention. The nanoparticles are also designed to deliver a therapeutic payload to specific locations, avoiding systemic delivery of toxic anticancer drugs.Read moreRead less
Nanoparticles to combat cellular dysfunction. This project aims to design, synthesise and characterise nanoparticles that can mediate the adverse effects of reactive oxygen species. The project expects to develop nanoparticles with tailored chemical functionality to modulate the concentration of reactive oxygen species and develop a platform technology for addressing conditions where reactive species are overproduced. The project will research how nanoparticles’ physicochemical properties affect ....Nanoparticles to combat cellular dysfunction. This project aims to design, synthesise and characterise nanoparticles that can mediate the adverse effects of reactive oxygen species. The project expects to develop nanoparticles with tailored chemical functionality to modulate the concentration of reactive oxygen species and develop a platform technology for addressing conditions where reactive species are overproduced. The project will research how nanoparticles’ physicochemical properties affect their activity, and how they affect cellular function, tissue morphology and particle transport in a biological milieu. The project is expected to benefit the advanced manufacturing, veterinary and medical sectors and could lead to new chemotherapeutics.Read moreRead less
Three dimensional polymer structures for bionic applications. The polymer based three dimensional (3D) structures targeted for production in this project will bring unique capabilities to the field of bionics research. A multi-modal 3D scaffold capable of delivering biofactors, supporting cell growth and providing power for stimulation will significantly advance the efforts being made in bionic research. This will have profound effects on the quality of life for those suffering from a range of m ....Three dimensional polymer structures for bionic applications. The polymer based three dimensional (3D) structures targeted for production in this project will bring unique capabilities to the field of bionics research. A multi-modal 3D scaffold capable of delivering biofactors, supporting cell growth and providing power for stimulation will significantly advance the efforts being made in bionic research. This will have profound effects on the quality of life for those suffering from a range of medical conditions, from spinal cord injury through to epilepsy. Here we will demonstrate the capabilities of these novel polymer structures both in-vitro and in-vivo.Read moreRead less
Switching the light on cartilage repair. Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of pain and disability in adults and affects 15 per cent of the Australian population. This project will develop a revolutionary new approach to treat joint disorders using smart materials and stem cells. The novel materials and techniques developed will help Australia maintain its leading edge in biotechnology.
Functional Materials to Hijack on Lipid Transport Pathways. This Project aims to provide new design rules for novel polymers with lipid elements that would allow them to interact with natural lipid trafficking pathways in precise ways.
The anticipated goal is to generate a greater understanding on how these materials co-opt lipid transport pathways, serum albumins and lipoprotein nanoparticle assemblies, as a function of lipid component, molecular weight and macromolecular structure.
Expected ....Functional Materials to Hijack on Lipid Transport Pathways. This Project aims to provide new design rules for novel polymers with lipid elements that would allow them to interact with natural lipid trafficking pathways in precise ways.
The anticipated goal is to generate a greater understanding on how these materials co-opt lipid transport pathways, serum albumins and lipoprotein nanoparticle assemblies, as a function of lipid component, molecular weight and macromolecular structure.
Expected outcomes of this project may be novel lipid functional materials with tuneable pharmokinetics, plasma exposure, lymph exposure and biodistribution. These materials would have wide application in the pharmaceutical and veterinary industries.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120101547
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Novel smart materials: development of positively thermo-responsive polymers for biomedical applications. The project will develop novel materials, which drastically change their structure and shape on a microscopic level in response to subtle temperature changes. In modern pharmaceuticals, this smart behaviour can be exploited to cause tailored microscopic containers to open inside the body and release medicine exactly where and when it is needed.
Novel green scalable chemical peptide synthesis and enzyme immobilization. The Project aims to address the critical issue of developing green processes for the chemical production of peptides including on an industrial scale. It will use unique, biocompatible solid supports that have been invented by our partner SpheriTech Ltd together with other reagents to allow synthesis to be conducted in water rather than toxic organic solvents. Expected outcomes of the Project include an international part ....Novel green scalable chemical peptide synthesis and enzyme immobilization. The Project aims to address the critical issue of developing green processes for the chemical production of peptides including on an industrial scale. It will use unique, biocompatible solid supports that have been invented by our partner SpheriTech Ltd together with other reagents to allow synthesis to be conducted in water rather than toxic organic solvents. Expected outcomes of the Project include an international partnership in highly efficient environmentally-friendly assembly of peptides and of their analogues by both solid phase synthesis and immobilized enzyme-mediated ligation. The clear benefit will be the first novel, water-based, scalable green synthesis of peptides as biological probes and potential therapeutic agents.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Training Centres - Grant ID: IC170100020
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,279,502.00
Summary
ARC Training Centre for the Chemical Industries . The ARC Training Centre for the Chemical Industries will foster a world-class environment of transformative innovative research in Australia’s chemical and advanced manufacturing industry through sustained partnerships with universities. The Centre establish a new industry-led HDR graduate program. The research activities of the Centre aim to improve chemical analytical and manufacturing capabilities, new biopharmaceuticals, enhanced global compe ....ARC Training Centre for the Chemical Industries . The ARC Training Centre for the Chemical Industries will foster a world-class environment of transformative innovative research in Australia’s chemical and advanced manufacturing industry through sustained partnerships with universities. The Centre establish a new industry-led HDR graduate program. The research activities of the Centre aim to improve chemical analytical and manufacturing capabilities, new biopharmaceuticals, enhanced global competitive advantages, and long-term growth and intellectual property development in the chemistry industry. Other national benefits include up-skilled, workplace-ready graduates with experience in conducting industry-focused research.Read moreRead less
Next Generation Polymeric Scaffolds For Dual Agent Delivery. This project aims to provide a novel suite of degradable polymeric scaffolds for releasing multiple active agents with tailored release profiles by utilising both polymer and small molecule synthesis techniques. The project expects to generate new copolymers and polymer networks that exploit molecular architecture to regulate the release profile of the active agents incorporated. The expected outcome is the establishment of design crit ....Next Generation Polymeric Scaffolds For Dual Agent Delivery. This project aims to provide a novel suite of degradable polymeric scaffolds for releasing multiple active agents with tailored release profiles by utilising both polymer and small molecule synthesis techniques. The project expects to generate new copolymers and polymer networks that exploit molecular architecture to regulate the release profile of the active agents incorporated. The expected outcome is the establishment of design criteria for tailoring the release of active agent from the polymer scaffold. This should provide significant benefits by developing a new technology platform that could be readily adapted to applications in agriculture, pharmaceutical science and veterinary medicine where controlled release is required.
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