Bio-nano
Background
Bio-nano represents one of the major program areas at NRI, and involves many researchers within the institute, synergising their expertise in the fields of computer simulation, crystallisation, solid state chemistry, synthetic chemistry (macromolecules and polymers) and nano-characterisation. The research activities are particularly focused on biomaterials (including implantable materials, tissue scaffolding materials and biocompatibility studies), controlled drug delivery, computer simulation of biochips and molecular dynamics of biological molecules, ferrihydrite as a nano-material, biomineralisation, biosensors and the property control of the biomolecule lactose.
Current Activities
Listed below are a few research projects that are currently underway. More details can be obtained from the indicated web links.
- Biocompatibility and calcification studies of implantable materials
Xia Lou, Thomas Becker, Sarojini Vijayasekaran* - Biomineralisation
Mark Ogden, Franca Jones, Andrew Rohl, Gordon Parkinson - Biosensors
Roland De Marco, Bobby Pejcic - Control of physical properties and crystallization of lactose
Gordon Parkinson, Mark Ogden, Kristy Blyth - Development of TiO2 reinforced polymer scaffolds for tissue engineering
Xia Lou, Yu-Feng Zheng* - Ferrihydrite: Fundamentals of a natural nanomaterial
Gordon Parkinson, Bill Richmond, Nicole Gorham, Kate Wright - Maths-aided design of controlled drug delivery systems
Xia Lou, Song Wang* - Polymers for controlled delivery of growth factors, oligonucleotides and conventional drugs
Xia Lou, Sarojini Vijayasekaran*, Nicolette Binz*, Ian McAllister*
(* External collaborators)
Funding
- ARC Discovery Grant: Optimal Design of Controlled Drug Delivery Systems 2005-2007
- ARC Discovery Grant, Ferrihydrite: Fundamentals of A Natural Nanomaterial 2004 -2006
- ARC APD: Computer Simulation of DNA Biochips 2005-2010
- Dairy Australia: Lactose
