SILICON BASED PHOTONIC CRYSTALS FOR MONITORING BIOMOLECULAR INTERACTIONS. Two great goals of biomolecular science are to monitor biomolecular interactions in real time and with sufficient sensitivity to allow small amounts of biological material to be investigated. The achievement of these goals is limited by the methods of transducing these reactions. The aim of this multidisciplinary proposal is to overcome this limitation by developing photonic devices that exploit the unique properties of na ....SILICON BASED PHOTONIC CRYSTALS FOR MONITORING BIOMOLECULAR INTERACTIONS. Two great goals of biomolecular science are to monitor biomolecular interactions in real time and with sufficient sensitivity to allow small amounts of biological material to be investigated. The achievement of these goals is limited by the methods of transducing these reactions. The aim of this multidisciplinary proposal is to overcome this limitation by developing photonic devices that exploit the unique properties of nanoporous silicon. The hybridisation of DNA will be used as a model biorecognition reaction. Potential applications of these photonic devices are as highly sensitive affinity sensors and as tools for investigating the kinetics of biomolecular interactions.Read moreRead less
Probe-free biophysical force and torque measurements with optical tweezers. This project aims to develop probe-free biophysical force and torque measurement methods based on optical tweezers. Many areas of research in cell biology are hampered by a lack of quantitative force measurements. This project aims to provide accurate quantitative measurements to enable in-depth understanding of forces at work during cell division, properties of blood cells and sperm motility which could generate further ....Probe-free biophysical force and torque measurements with optical tweezers. This project aims to develop probe-free biophysical force and torque measurement methods based on optical tweezers. Many areas of research in cell biology are hampered by a lack of quantitative force measurements. This project aims to provide accurate quantitative measurements to enable in-depth understanding of forces at work during cell division, properties of blood cells and sperm motility which could generate further research leading to health benefits.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190100641
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$422,079.00
Summary
Brillouin microscopy for high-speed imaging of rigidity within cells. This project aims to improve the sensitivity and speed of Brillouin microscopes. Brillouin microscopes use light to measure the stiffness of samples in 3D without requiring physical access, allowing their use in inaccessible locations such as the interior of cells or within intact tissue. However, Brillouin microscopes are too slow to be used in most research. This project introduces a new approach based on different optical p ....Brillouin microscopy for high-speed imaging of rigidity within cells. This project aims to improve the sensitivity and speed of Brillouin microscopes. Brillouin microscopes use light to measure the stiffness of samples in 3D without requiring physical access, allowing their use in inaccessible locations such as the interior of cells or within intact tissue. However, Brillouin microscopes are too slow to be used in most research. This project introduces a new approach based on different optical physics that is expected to enable faster and more precise imaging. The microscope will be used to study the movement of amoeba, where it is expected to reveal the controlled stiffening and fluidising of the different regions of protoplasm believed to underlie the cell mobility.Read moreRead less
Novel effects of metamaterials on propagation and localisation of electromagnetic waves in photonic crystal structures. Australian science enjoys a long tradition of success and leadership in optical physics and, presently, Australia ranks amongst the leaders in nanophotonics. In order to maintain its position in a highly competitive field, new device designs, based on research into new concepts and new materials, is needed. This project explores the exciting new field of mixed media systems c ....Novel effects of metamaterials on propagation and localisation of electromagnetic waves in photonic crystal structures. Australian science enjoys a long tradition of success and leadership in optical physics and, presently, Australia ranks amongst the leaders in nanophotonics. In order to maintain its position in a highly competitive field, new device designs, based on research into new concepts and new materials, is needed. This project explores the exciting new field of mixed media systems comprising composite structures made from normal and meta-materials. It will deliver fundamental understanding of these systems and will explore potential new device applications based on this, in addition to enhancing research training needed to enhance Australia's international reputation in frontier technologies.Read moreRead less
Quantum effects in photosynthesis: responsible for highly efficient energy transfer or trivial coincidence? Understanding the precise details of the highly efficient energy transfer processes in photosynthesis has the potential to impact the design of efficient solar energy solutions. This project will gain this understanding by exploring the nature of interactions between different components and the significance of quantum mechanics.
Dynamics of constrained Brownian motion of neuro-secretory vesicles. This project will shed light on a fundamental problem the mechanism of brain cell communication by use of quantitative biophotonics methods including laser tracking, optical tweezers and three dimensional fluorescence microscopy. This work will give valuable new clues to finally solve the dynamics of molecular interactions underpinning neuronal communication.
Force microscopy with arbitrary optically-trapped probes and application to internal mechanics of cells. The ability to perform micromanipulation on particles, macromolecules, subcellular organelles, or whole cells is fundamental in elucidating processes such as chromosome movement during cell division, and movement of cell components in and out of the cell. The recent advances in optical tweezers have allowed this type of micromanipulation to approach reality. However, determination of the true ....Force microscopy with arbitrary optically-trapped probes and application to internal mechanics of cells. The ability to perform micromanipulation on particles, macromolecules, subcellular organelles, or whole cells is fundamental in elucidating processes such as chromosome movement during cell division, and movement of cell components in and out of the cell. The recent advances in optical tweezers have allowed this type of micromanipulation to approach reality. However, determination of the true optical force is critical for this technique to reach its full potential. This project will develop novel techniques to quantitatively determine the absolute optical force applied to the cell component using the process of ingestion (phagocytosis) as a proof-of-principle test, and measure forces in chromosome movement and vesicle transport within cells.Read moreRead less
Intravital super-resolution imaging via Stimulated Emission Depletion microscopy (STED)-microendoscopy. We will develop a new technology to enable the imaging of sub-cellular structures within a biological specimen, with super-resolution. This intravital super-resolution imaging technology will build off world leading techniques to image objects with super-resolution and to perform this within a specimen, with minimal invasion. The broad ramifications of this technology apply to biology, medical ....Intravital super-resolution imaging via Stimulated Emission Depletion microscopy (STED)-microendoscopy. We will develop a new technology to enable the imaging of sub-cellular structures within a biological specimen, with super-resolution. This intravital super-resolution imaging technology will build off world leading techniques to image objects with super-resolution and to perform this within a specimen, with minimal invasion. The broad ramifications of this technology apply to biology, medical science, imaging and sensing. Important applications include the early detection of debilitating diseases and the advancement of understanding of cellular biology. This research will raise Australia's profile as a world leader in science and technology, building on our emerging presence in the biophysical sciences.Read moreRead less
Nonlinear optics of soft matter. This project will develop new strategies for the use and control of soft-matter systems by exploiting nonlinear interactions with light, and therefore falls into the Designated Research Priority 3: Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries - Breakthrough Science. With soft matter research being increasingly important for applications within industry and medicine, the emergence of new technology for control of nanoparticles could pr ....Nonlinear optics of soft matter. This project will develop new strategies for the use and control of soft-matter systems by exploiting nonlinear interactions with light, and therefore falls into the Designated Research Priority 3: Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries - Breakthrough Science. With soft matter research being increasingly important for applications within industry and medicine, the emergence of new technology for control of nanoparticles could provide significant benefits for the scientific community as well as Australian companies.
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Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989390
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
Versatile Scanning X-ray Microscopy Facility at the Australian Synchrotron. The challenges of the modern world means that the Australian community must continue to have access to state of the art research tools. An important component of international synchrotron sources is the very high resolution x-ray microscope. These microscopes are used to image samples of biological, material or environmental significance with extraordinary precision. This project will establish such a microscope at the A ....Versatile Scanning X-ray Microscopy Facility at the Australian Synchrotron. The challenges of the modern world means that the Australian community must continue to have access to state of the art research tools. An important component of international synchrotron sources is the very high resolution x-ray microscope. These microscopes are used to image samples of biological, material or environmental significance with extraordinary precision. This project will establish such a microscope at the Australian Synchrotron in Clayton, and nucleates an extensive nationwide collaboration that is devoted to the development of this and related techniques and their application to problems of national scientific, environmental and technological importance.Read moreRead less