A Micro-Physiological System to Mimic Human Microbiome-Organ Interactions. This project aims to mimic gut microbiome-organ interactions by developing a microbial-gut coculture chip, which can reversibly interface with other organs-on-chips. This is achieved through the systematic integration of highly customisable biofabrication and microfluidic technologies. This project fills a critical technological gap in the availability of an animal-alternative system to investigate microbiome-host interac ....A Micro-Physiological System to Mimic Human Microbiome-Organ Interactions. This project aims to mimic gut microbiome-organ interactions by developing a microbial-gut coculture chip, which can reversibly interface with other organs-on-chips. This is achieved through the systematic integration of highly customisable biofabrication and microfluidic technologies. This project fills a critical technological gap in the availability of an animal-alternative system to investigate microbiome-host interactions, which will greatly complement existing meta-omics approaches. The deliverables include a proof-of-concept system validated for gut-liver axis as well as the creation of new knowledge and framework to assimilate design thinking and advanced manufacturing to elevate tissue engineering into physiology engineering. Read moreRead less
Micro/nano smart surfaces to unlock the potential of multipotent stem cells. This project aims to determine the interplay of micro/nanostructures on stem cell mechanotransduction and to control the cellular environment. It is expected that this will expand our knowledge on how to control stem cell fate. Expected outcomes are novel scalable technologies for micro/nanostructures and smart surfaces, controlled stem-cell expansion and differentiation, and the creation of a library of protein express ....Micro/nano smart surfaces to unlock the potential of multipotent stem cells. This project aims to determine the interplay of micro/nanostructures on stem cell mechanotransduction and to control the cellular environment. It is expected that this will expand our knowledge on how to control stem cell fate. Expected outcomes are novel scalable technologies for micro/nanostructures and smart surfaces, controlled stem-cell expansion and differentiation, and the creation of a library of protein expression based on the cell interactions. These outcomes will provide critical information required for the future development of instructive biomaterials to drive stem cell expansion and tissue-regeneration. Those materials should benefit the future development of efficient and cost-effective regenerative medicine solutions.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130100739
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$354,958.00
Summary
Deterministic coherent diffractive imaging for the nanosciences. The technological trend towards nanoscale device fabrication demands picoscale measurements which will only be possible with the development of novel and advanced imaging techniques. This project will develop and implement cutting edge approaches to lensless imaging using both electrons and x-rays and will enable real-time imaging at the picoscale.
Dissecting the physiology of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells to develop vaccine candidates for respiratory disease. The project aims to gain an understanding of how a type of adult stem cell inhibits immune responses that cause asthma. The project will produce new stem cell products and facilitate the design of a vaccine for asthma and other respiratory diseases, which would greatly reduce the burden of such conditions.
Single spin molecular microscope. This project aims to create a new tool for imaging and analysing material at the atomic level. The tool is based on individual quantum coherent spins in diamond which can be manipulated and optically read. The project expects to generate knowledge in quantum metrology and an understanding of molecular dynamics at the nanoscale. The expected outcome is a new type of device capable of imaging complex physical systems at the level of their individual constituent co ....Single spin molecular microscope. This project aims to create a new tool for imaging and analysing material at the atomic level. The tool is based on individual quantum coherent spins in diamond which can be manipulated and optically read. The project expects to generate knowledge in quantum metrology and an understanding of molecular dynamics at the nanoscale. The expected outcome is a new type of device capable of imaging complex physical systems at the level of their individual constituent components. This has significant benefits in improving designer materials, energy production, information storage, and drug design.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150101755
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
Regulation of cell reprogramming to pluripotency by complex topographies. This project aims to use nanotopography approaches to improve the efficiency of generating induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) by changing cell behaviour at biomaterial surfaces. The significance is that iPSCs have enormous potential in stem cell therapy, regenerative medicine, and disease-specific treatment, with the potential to replace other stem cell types. The expected outcomes are that cellular reprogramming proce ....Regulation of cell reprogramming to pluripotency by complex topographies. This project aims to use nanotopography approaches to improve the efficiency of generating induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) by changing cell behaviour at biomaterial surfaces. The significance is that iPSCs have enormous potential in stem cell therapy, regenerative medicine, and disease-specific treatment, with the potential to replace other stem cell types. The expected outcomes are that cellular reprogramming process for iPSCs generation will be improved and the canonical reprogramming factors might be reduced using surface nanotopographies of self-assembled colloidal crystals. The benefits are the promotion of productivity, the reduction of costs, and the application of iPSC derivatives, aimed at future clinical applications.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180100775
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$368,446.00
Summary
Using nanostructured scaffolds to understand and engineer neuronal circuits. This project aims to understand the formation of neuronal circuits in the brain. While the role of biochemical features in the brain is well understood, it is not clear how the biophysical properties of the brain affect circuit formation. The outcomes of this project will improve our understanding of neuronal circuit formation as well as provide design rules for creating scaffolds to repair neuronal circuits after brain ....Using nanostructured scaffolds to understand and engineer neuronal circuits. This project aims to understand the formation of neuronal circuits in the brain. While the role of biochemical features in the brain is well understood, it is not clear how the biophysical properties of the brain affect circuit formation. The outcomes of this project will improve our understanding of neuronal circuit formation as well as provide design rules for creating scaffolds to repair neuronal circuits after brain damage. This project will integrate Australia’s strengths in nanotechnology and neurosciences, bringing Australian research at the forefront of neural engineering.Read moreRead less
Enabling semiconductor nanowire technologies via 3D atomic-scale insight. Semiconductor nanowires (NWs) are nanotechnology building blocks that have the potential to transform solar cells, light emitting diodes, lasers and transistors, creating new industries in communications, energy and healthcare. The industrial development of NWs has been blocked by uncertainties in the relationships between their growth conditions, properties and atomic-scale structure. This project will address this chall ....Enabling semiconductor nanowire technologies via 3D atomic-scale insight. Semiconductor nanowires (NWs) are nanotechnology building blocks that have the potential to transform solar cells, light emitting diodes, lasers and transistors, creating new industries in communications, energy and healthcare. The industrial development of NWs has been blocked by uncertainties in the relationships between their growth conditions, properties and atomic-scale structure. This project will address this challenge by establishing a rigorous framework for these relationships. The project aims to achieve this by harnessing the unique power of atom probe microscopy to reveal the NW structure in three dimensions, and at atomic-resolution. The project aims to place Australian research at the frontier of development of these future industries.Read moreRead less
Making every electron count in atomic resolution microscopy. The development of aberration-corrected electron microscopy, which allows individual atom imaging with unprecedented precision, was recognised by the 2011 Wolf Prize in Physics. However, only a very limited amount of the wealth of information obtainable from such microscopes is currently exploited. By collecting a maximal data set of electrons scattered in manifold different ways and using the fundamental theory of electron-specimen in ....Making every electron count in atomic resolution microscopy. The development of aberration-corrected electron microscopy, which allows individual atom imaging with unprecedented precision, was recognised by the 2011 Wolf Prize in Physics. However, only a very limited amount of the wealth of information obtainable from such microscopes is currently exploited. By collecting a maximal data set of electrons scattered in manifold different ways and using the fundamental theory of electron-specimen interaction, this project will realise the huge potential of this untapped data. This will improve the utility of scanning transmission electron microscopy far beyond its current level. Applying these new techniques will expand our understanding of the structure and function of advanced materials.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130100986
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
An innovative platform using non-coding ribonucleic acids (RNAs) to control stem cell differentiation outcomes. It is difficult to control the tissue type that stem cells will form when combined with biomaterials, as the outcome is influenced by the 'stiffness' of the surface to which the stem cells attach. This project will determine how non-coding ribonucleic acids (RNAs) control stem cell behaviours and use this information to direct stem cell differentiation outcomes.