Microfluidics to explore the uptake of nanoparticles by endothelial cells. This project aims to develop microfluidic technologies for generating lipid nanoparticles with customised properties and investigating their delivery to endothelial cells under various flow dynamics. The project expects to advance our fundamental knowledge of biophysical and biological mechanisms underlying the uptake of lipid nanoparticles by endothelial cells. Expected outcomes of this project include enhanced delivery ....Microfluidics to explore the uptake of nanoparticles by endothelial cells. This project aims to develop microfluidic technologies for generating lipid nanoparticles with customised properties and investigating their delivery to endothelial cells under various flow dynamics. The project expects to advance our fundamental knowledge of biophysical and biological mechanisms underlying the uptake of lipid nanoparticles by endothelial cells. Expected outcomes of this project include enhanced delivery of nanoparticles to vessel walls. This should provide significant benefits, such as establishing a framework for designing future nano delivery systems, which would benefit Australian biotechnology industries.
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On the Hunt: Boosting Productivity of Cell Factories by Advanced Searches . This project aims to advance our fundamental understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying protein secretion in yeast, an industrial workhorse and a model organism. It will develop a unique multifaceted research platform to identify and analyse superior yeast strains with the desired traits at the single-cell level. Expected outcomes include a new analytical tool for high-throughput strain analysis and advanced knowle ....On the Hunt: Boosting Productivity of Cell Factories by Advanced Searches . This project aims to advance our fundamental understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying protein secretion in yeast, an industrial workhorse and a model organism. It will develop a unique multifaceted research platform to identify and analyse superior yeast strains with the desired traits at the single-cell level. Expected outcomes include a new analytical tool for high-throughput strain analysis and advanced knowledge of yeast molecular biology that can be applied to improve cell factories for the next generation of fuels, food and pharmaceuticals. This will provide significant economic and social benefits by boosting biotech industry growth, facilitating the transition to a sustainable society and improving Australia’s biosecurity.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL230100023
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,362,355.00
Summary
Highly efficient microscale liquid handling and bio interfacing. The aim is to establish the exciting new field of micro elastofluidics, enabling the development of a highly competitive, sovereign capability in Australia, utilising flexibility and stretchability for efficient and precise handling of tiny volumes of liquid. The program will fill a critical gap in fundamental knowledge in fluid-structure interactions, leading to the development of wearable and implantable devices. The expected out ....Highly efficient microscale liquid handling and bio interfacing. The aim is to establish the exciting new field of micro elastofluidics, enabling the development of a highly competitive, sovereign capability in Australia, utilising flexibility and stretchability for efficient and precise handling of tiny volumes of liquid. The program will fill a critical gap in fundamental knowledge in fluid-structure interactions, leading to the development of wearable and implantable devices. The expected outcomes include innovative platform technologies for sample storage, handling and unique device-human interfaces with broad applications in health and defence. Expected benefits include enhanced capabilities in medical diagnostics, defence force protection and Australia’s sovereign high-tech manufacturing.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240101027
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$414,000.00
Summary
Deciphering the mechanisms of object manipulation with viscoelastic fluids. This project aims to innovate how tiny objects in mixed samples are sorted using the forces generated by fluids that are both viscous and elastic. The developed technology is expected to break the limitations of conventional methods by automating sample processing and by enabling the sorting capability based on not only size, but also shape and fluid properties. This will meet the growing demand for rapid processing of c ....Deciphering the mechanisms of object manipulation with viscoelastic fluids. This project aims to innovate how tiny objects in mixed samples are sorted using the forces generated by fluids that are both viscous and elastic. The developed technology is expected to break the limitations of conventional methods by automating sample processing and by enabling the sorting capability based on not only size, but also shape and fluid properties. This will meet the growing demand for rapid processing of complex real-world environmental samples. The expected outcomes include new knowledge and techniques for sorting algae and insects from water samples for the assessment of water quality and biodiversity. It is expected to benefit Australians by providing faster, cheaper, and more efficient environmental monitoring methods.Read moreRead less
A Biologically Responsive and Anatomically Authentic Human Nasal Model. As respiratory conditions caused by pollutants and viruses become more prevalent, human nasal models to study infection/protection mechanisms and nasal drug/vaccine delivery are increasingly important. This project aims to develop a world-first human nasal model to mimic both anatomical and biological aspects of the nasal cavity and predict the distribution and deposition of fine particles and the resultant biological respon ....A Biologically Responsive and Anatomically Authentic Human Nasal Model. As respiratory conditions caused by pollutants and viruses become more prevalent, human nasal models to study infection/protection mechanisms and nasal drug/vaccine delivery are increasingly important. This project aims to develop a world-first human nasal model to mimic both anatomical and biological aspects of the nasal cavity and predict the distribution and deposition of fine particles and the resultant biological response from the nasal mucosa. The aim is to overcome a key fabrication challenge - to 3D print an anatomically accurate nasal construct with a porous wall on which to grow and mature functional nasal tissue that lines a nasal cavity wall. The benefit would be enabling faster development of more targeted drugs and vaccines.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230100837
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$441,454.00
Summary
Modulating protein phase behavior: cell functions vs material development. It has been recognized recently that cellular proteins can undergo liquid-liquid phase separation, however, a further liquid-to-solid transition can lead to aberrant biological processes. This project aims to investigate and control this behaviour to gain insights into cell dysfunction and new routes for biomaterials development. An integrated approach combining microfluidic platforms, optical techniques, and vibrational ....Modulating protein phase behavior: cell functions vs material development. It has been recognized recently that cellular proteins can undergo liquid-liquid phase separation, however, a further liquid-to-solid transition can lead to aberrant biological processes. This project aims to investigate and control this behaviour to gain insights into cell dysfunction and new routes for biomaterials development. An integrated approach combining microfluidic platforms, optical techniques, and vibrational spectroscopy will be exploited. Expected outcomes of this project include the mechanistic understanding of protein phase behaviour and protein-based biomaterial engineering. This should provide significant benefits in the prevention of aberrant protein aggregation and the generation of materials as plastic substitutes.Read moreRead less
Mathematics to underpin and drive novel inertial microfluidic technologies. Particles suspended in flow through microfluidic ducts migrate under inertial and drag forcing to different regions in the cross-section depending on particle size, duct geometry and control parameters, enabling isolation of, for example, cancer cells/microplastics from a blood/water sample. Device design needs mathematical models yielding understanding of the particle dynamics, and tools for determining geometry and con ....Mathematics to underpin and drive novel inertial microfluidic technologies. Particles suspended in flow through microfluidic ducts migrate under inertial and drag forcing to different regions in the cross-section depending on particle size, duct geometry and control parameters, enabling isolation of, for example, cancer cells/microplastics from a blood/water sample. Device design needs mathematical models yielding understanding of the particle dynamics, and tools for determining geometry and control parameters. Particle boundary conditions strongly influence the inertial lift and drag forces that drive particle motion. This project will develop these mathematical tools for boundary conditions applicable to both passive and active particles, so driving development of novel devices for existing and new applications.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240100236
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$463,583.00
Summary
Designing and fabricating artificial blood cells for global shortages. This project aims to create the first biophysically accurate artificial blood cells through fabrication of novel synthetic particles that mimic the complex layers of red blood cells. Using innovative methods from engineering and biology, this project expects to advance biofabrication techniques for biosynthetic microparticles. Expected outcomes from this project include the development of a portable, cost-effective platform t ....Designing and fabricating artificial blood cells for global shortages. This project aims to create the first biophysically accurate artificial blood cells through fabrication of novel synthetic particles that mimic the complex layers of red blood cells. Using innovative methods from engineering and biology, this project expects to advance biofabrication techniques for biosynthetic microparticles. Expected outcomes from this project include the development of a portable, cost-effective platform technology to immediately advance foundational understanding of cell membrane dynamics, interactions, and integrity. We anticipate that the new bioengineered blood product will provide significant future benefits for blood storage and transfusion, including potentially alleviating global blood shortages.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240100408
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$446,411.00
Summary
Advancing bioelectronics with silicon carbide on microfluidics. Flexible bioelectronics is an emerging technology for real-time monitoring of vital signals on skin and in the body. Microfluidics is a technology for fluid handling in microscale. This project aims to develop the first platform technology with both flexible bioelectronics and microfluidics for enhanced sensing, thermal management and actuation. The project is expected to establish new fundamental knowledge in sensitivity boosting m ....Advancing bioelectronics with silicon carbide on microfluidics. Flexible bioelectronics is an emerging technology for real-time monitoring of vital signals on skin and in the body. Microfluidics is a technology for fluid handling in microscale. This project aims to develop the first platform technology with both flexible bioelectronics and microfluidics for enhanced sensing, thermal management and actuation. The project is expected to establish new fundamental knowledge in sensitivity boosting mechanisms with nano-thin semiconducting films, practical prototypes for long-lasting bioelectronics with integrated microfluidics and their large-scale manufacturing processes. Outcomes include step changes in designing innovative wearable and implantable devices and their massive commercialisation opportunities.Read moreRead less