Developing nano-particle-based molecular sensors and contrast agents for monitoring biological molecules in real biological environments. The Nano-sensor Engineering Lab works on the design, synthesis, characterization and testing of both synthetic nano-particles polymers, and biomolecules (e.g. peptides, proteins, antibodies) to detect and report the concentration of important disease biomarkers, in a real-time or rapid manner. This requires an interdisciplinary approach, combining aspects of materials science, chemistry, and molecular biology to create the materials and then collaborate with Australian and international colleagues to test the materials in pre-clinical animal models or human samples, with the ultimate aim of translation into human trials.
