AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 1 Vice-Chancellor’s message 63 International companies on board with 3 Director’s message bio jet fuel research 4 New board to raise AIBN’s 64 Functions showcase research and international profile industry collaborations 5 Leadership 65 Building links with industry 6 Our vision 66 AIBN start-up companies 7 2012 Highlights 67 International collaborations 8 Strategies aim to combat cell 68 International collaborations transformations 69 Computational modelling at the core 11 Research to keep aircraft flying of global networking 12 Tissue regeneration a step closer 70 Stem cell researchers benefit from 15 Microscopy helps art conservators global network preserve valuable artworks 71 AIBN gains Hendra funding 16 Key collaborations drive research 72 Leading academics gather at outcomes conference 18 Major successes in bioplastic research 73 International materials scientists share 21 Research and commercialisation push their research for needle-free vaccination 74 Engaging with international 23 Trojan horse approach targets researchers cancer cells 75 Facilities and research 24 Tenacious plastics become reality environment 27 Advancing understanding and 76 Infrastructure facilitates research exploitation of biological interactions 78 Enabling cutting-edge research with 28 Developing novel polymer protein expertise architectures for targeted applications 79 Funding secured for specialist facility 31 Nanomac has change of leadership 80 Microscopy and microanalysis 34 Trash to treasure 36 Personalising breast cancer treatment 81 Mentoring and career through nanotechnology development 38 Continuous green energy moves 82 Multiple disciplines boost closer to reality career aspirations 41 Fantom global collaboration 83 Building the basis for researching gene networks a successful career 42 Team targets smaller, smarter 84 Industry relevance a good grounding computer chips 85 Rapid progress towards saliva 44 Reprogramming a path to diagnostics understanding brain disease 86 Student becomes awarded researcher 46 Spice may hold clue to curing brain tumours 87 Engagement 48 Associate group leaders 88 Researchers take science into the community 52 State fellows to further infection research 90 Ambassador to make science accessible 53 ARC Fellowships 91 School engagement activities expand 54 Grant to develop innovative nanotechnologies for breast cancer 92 Student takes science to the classroom 55 Philanthropy advances AIBN research 56 Recognition for AIBN’s innovative 93 Student experience researchers 94 RHD report 58 Senior researchers depart 97 Graduates 2012 59 Commercialisation activities 98 Student association and industrial engagement 99 International students join 60 Developing next-generation smart summer intake medicines 100 Research higher degree students 61 Dow Chemical Company and AIBN 101 Grants join forces 107 Publications 62 Vaccine delivery at core of licensing 114 Patents granted in 2012 agreement 115 Seminar series 2012 Vice-Chancellor’s Message

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2012 Annual Report of the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), an institute that helps drive UQ’s ambition to couple excellent research with effective industry and government partnerships.

Since becoming UQ President and Vice- pharmaceuticals, among other sectors, For Australia to sharpen its competitive Chancellor in October 2012, I have enjoyed elevate the opportunities for AIBN edge and productivity, I maintain that we, opportunities to deepen my knowledge of researchers to have a global impact. as a nation, must intensify interactions AIBN. Its researchers show exciting capacity between universities and business. The institute’s Industrial Affiliates Program to develop scientific and engineering (IAP) is a standard-bearer for engagement AIBN is showing how it can be done, but frontiers, all the while being aware of the between UQ researchers and businesses, this is only possible because of strong practicalities of industry practice. large and small. While giving companies partnerships with businesses, funding AIBN is part of why UQ is globally access to the latest research, it helps AIBN agencies and philanthropists. respected as a top 100 university, and the to maintain the industrial relevance of its So, while congratulating AIBN’s leadership institute’s outcomes helped us secure the projects. and its team for their high-calibre work and highest ratings possible in five specialised The IAP has successfully seeded their enthusiasm for industry engagement, fields in the 2012 Excellence in Research collaborations that target domestic and I thank all our partners, without whom our for Australia evaluation. global challenges, bring research and mission and vision would not be sustained. By combining this high-quality research development income to Queensland and Together, you have helped enable success with links to the market, AIBN contributes Australia and add vibrancy to the state and stories such as those featured in this report. towards progress in the health, environment national innovation economies. I am confident that, in future, we will jointly and prosperity of people worldwide. Fine examples of this are the relationships celebrate the benefits these and other AIBN Its many contributions in 2012 included a with The Dow Chemical Company and projects are delivering to society. licensing deal between Merck and AIBN DSM Biologics, which are both industrial spin-off Vaxxas, and new funding from affiliates. Thanks in part to the goodwill built the National Breast Cancer Foundation through IAP, we now have the Dow Centre Professor Peter Høj for AIBN-led work on personalised breast for Sustainable Engineering Innovation at President and Vice-Chancellor cancer treatments. UQ, and DSM is establishing a Brisbane The University of Queensland base, attached to the new Translational Partnerships with some of the biggest Research Institute. names in aviation, manufacturing and

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 1 2 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Director’s Message

understanding nanoscale systems and ranging from Brisbane technology-intensive molecular reactions are complementary to companies to large multinationals. research conducted in other AIBN groups. AIBN has a philosophy of ensuring our AIBN researchers and higher high-quality research, as evidenced by 303 After six years as a Group Leader, degree research students have peer-reviewed journal articles in 2012, is Dr Krassen Dimitrov left to concentrate his had an outstanding year. This successfully translated into new products efforts on building the spin-off company report summarises many of the and processes. Digital Diagnostics, based on intellectual achievements and successes. property developed at AIBN. Australia ranks near the bottom of OECD While extensive, the report cannot tables in collaboration between business We were very pleased in October to include the full spectrum of activities and the public research sector. The IAP welcome UQ’s new Vice-Chancellor and that make AIBN such an exciting gives us a creative new model, and we President, Professor Peter Høj, and are research environment. know we have the right, highly motivated, delighted he has so rapidly engaged with people to ensure the institute’s talent and AIBN’s activities and style. ideas are successfully applied. In 2012, AIBN held the first International To help us achieve these goals we Conference on BioNano Innovation AIBN welcomed more than 7000 visitors particularly appreciate the advice and (ICBNI) at the Brisbane Convention and to the institute in 2012, including eminent wisdom of AIBN Board Chairman Euan Exhibition Centre, a three-day conference scientists such as Sir Gregory Winter, FRS, Murdoch and his fellow board members incorporating a symposium for early who developed the world’s first fully human Kathy Hirschfeld, Professor Chris Lowe, career researchers, organised by the AIBN monoclonal antibody. Such visitors provide Professor Max Lu, Dr Susan Pond and Student Association. vision and inspiration to people such as our Bob McCarthy. own Amanda Pearce, winner of UQ’s final ICBNI attracted more than 500 delegates Finally I would like to thank UQ’s senior of the Three Minute Thesis competition; and 74 invited speakers from nine management and particularly Professors and Associate Group Leader Dr Kris countries. The conference was judged an Peter Høj, Debbie Terry, and Max Lu for Thurecht, recipient of a Queensland Young outstanding success, and we accepted the the interest and support shown to the Tall Poppy Science Award. kind invitation from Chinese Academy of institute during the year, which has been Sciences President Professor Chunli Bai to During the year we welcomed Professor instrumental in achieving the outcomes host ICBNI 2013 in Beijing. Debra Bernhardt as a new Group Leader summarised in this report. and AIBN Centre for Theoretical and The Vice-Chancellor has commented on Computational Molecular Science director. AIBN’s Industrial Affiliates Program (IAP) Debra’s skills in developing theoretical and the strong links between the institute Professor Peter Gray and computational approaches to and a wide range of innovative companies, AIBN Director

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 3 New board to raise AIBN’s international profile

It reviews AIBN’s progress in research, internationalisation, commercialisation, The AIBN Board was established in governance and management. 2012 as an advisory body to assist The board is charged with advising on the Director, Professor Peter Gray, matters such as raising AIBN’s international in matters relating to the institute’s profile to maximise benefits to Queensland governance, defined strategic goals, and Australia generally, and with assisting progress against goals, and levels of to maintain the institute’s high visibility funding required to support ongoing and reputation in research, industry, government and public domains. operations and strategic initiatives. Board Chairman Euan Murdoch is the founder of Herron Pharmaceuticals. His career has included positions on the The board met for the first time in July, co- Australian Food and Grocery Council, the inciding with the first International Conference Complementary Healthcare Council of on BioNano Innovation in Brisbane. Australia, the Queensland Biotechnology Advisory Council, the Reserve Bank of AIBN Board members are high-calibre Australia Small Business Advisory Board, representatives with broad-ranging experience Harvest Fresh Cuts Pty Ltd and Sigma and expertise in the university, industry, Pharmaceuticals. community and government sectors. Board members are Kathy Hirschfeld, The board has a broad ambit, including Professor Chris Lowe, Professor Max Lu, providing advice on funding opportunities, Bob McCarthy, Dr Susan Pond, Professor commercialisation paths, extension activities Gray and board secretary Janice Besch. and growth strategies for AIBN on a strategic and operational basis.

www.aibn.uq.edu.au/aibn-board

4 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Leadership

gives industry partners access to AIBN facilities; involves them in symposiums and AIBN has a dynamic and cohesive networking events; and offers them staff training. group of talented research group leaders, all recognised experts in AIBN Group Leader Professor Darren their fields, who are committed Martin is Deputy Director (Graduate to the institute’s vision and Studies). His responsibilities include acting as Postgraduate Coordinator for research underlying research philosophy. higher degree (RHD) students and chairing AIBN’s RHD Committee. He took over the responsibilities from fellow Leadership is provided by Director Group Leader Professor Michael Monteiro, Professor Peter Gray and five Deputy who oversaw the expansion of RHD student Directors, two of whom marked their first numbers from 2008 to 2012. full year in their positions in 2012. Deputy Director (Bioengineering) Dr Ian Nisbet is AIBN’s Deputy Director Professor Anton Middelberg provides (Commercialisation), with responsibility leadership in research policy, processes for commercialisation, creating closer ties and infrastructure. Deputy Director with industry and ensuring technology (Nanotechnology) is Professor Matt Trau, makes it onto the market. Dr Nisbet steers with responsibility for advancement, the Industrial Affiliates Program, which engagement and public relations.

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 5 OUR VISION

To build a nationally and internationally acknowledged bioengineering and nanotechnology institute recognised for sustained research excellence, with strong collaborative links to leading global research groups and corporations

6 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 2012 Highlights

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 7 Strategies aim to combat cell transformations

Researchers from four UQ The Alexandrov research group has been laboratories have started a five-year working at the Australian Cancer Research program in membrane interface Foundation Cancer Biology Imaging Facility Professor Kirill Alexandrov’s biology targeting cancer and auto- at UQ. “We use the facility to analyse vision is to apply the immune diseases. the interaction of proteins,” Professor Alexandrov said. “We have developed a principles of synthetic biology system for individual protein synthesis. We to the analysis and design make protein in a test tube. We don’t need cells or living organisms.” of biotechnologically and The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) announced in 2012 The researchers will ultimately gain a medically important protein- that UQ’s lead consortium, together with detailed understanding of the molecules based molecular machines a group from the University of New South and mechanisms associated with the Wales, would receive funding of more than transformation of healthy cells to cancerous $7 million. cells – and the invasion of cancerous cells through the body. It will lead to better A joint appointment between AIBN and treatment of cancer and other serious UQ’s Institute for Molecular Biosciences diseases. (IMB), Professor Kirill Alexandrov is part of the consortium. “The research program In a separate project, Alexandrov group aims to gain a detailed understanding of researchers are working with colleagues at the organisation of the cell surface at the IMB to develop a way for patients to use molecular level,” he said. smart phones to communicate diagnostic data to healthcare providers. “The cell surface is organised into domains with distinct functions. Visualisation of They are merging engineering and biology the domains; identifying their important to develop biological semiconductors that components; and understanding how could be used in diagnostic devices. The they form and function will have huge Alexandrov research group has filed a importance for therapeutic strategies aimed patent on one of its designs and hopes to at combating the changes associated interest private sector investors. Professor with cell transformation in cancer and Alexandrov is confident the technology other human diseases, such as muscular will eventually allow patients to monitor dystrophy.” themselves and better manage their diseases. Professor Alexandrov said his researchers would examine a cell’s ability to form, its “An ideal case would be for them to have a conduct with others and its migration. That little chip connected to their smart phone,” has immediate relevance to the progression he said. “They could get a reading from of cancer in the body. They would also their saliva or urine, rather than having to examine cases where the immune system go to hospital to have their blood analysed. attacked its own cells rather than foreign “It increases patients’ responsibility for organisms. handling their disease. The future of health “The end result will be that we can care will see much greater patient self address the basic biology that underlies participation, but only if they can get data the diseases. We will have a better about their condition in real time and at very understanding and can devise molecules to low cost. We hope this approach will find mitigate these conditions. We can identify widespread application in biotechnology.” new targets that can be treated by small molecular compounds.”

8 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 has secured three Australian Research – 2011 Choroideremia disease Workshop, Council (ARC) and two National Health and France. Invited plenary speaker Medical Research Council (NHMRC) project – 2011 9th Australian Peptide Conference, and program grants since 2008; and been Australia. Invited plenary speaker awarded an ARC Australian Postdoctoral Fellowship and a Future Fellowship. In 2004, Professor Alexandrov was awarded Germany’s highest career development Professor Alexandrov has retained close fellowship, the Heisenberg Award. collaborative links with the Dortmund Protein Production Facility. He has close Key publications in the past five years: collaborations with Brisbane biotechnology Kovtun O, Mureev S, Johnston W, company Bioproton LLC and Perth Alexandrov K. (2010) Towards the biotechnology company Phylogica. construction of expressed proteomes using Professor Alexandrov has raised about a Leishmania tarentolae based cell-free $22 million in funding since 2008. He has expression system. PLOS One 5, e14388. filed six patents, including one that has Mureev S, Kovtun O, Nguyen UTT, reached international phase. Alexandrov K. (2009) Species-independent Professor Kirill Alexandrov Professor Alexandrov has received more translational leaders enable the rapid Group Leader than 30 invitations to speak at national and development of novel cell-free expression Research: Next-generation technologies international conferences. They include: systems. Nature Biotechnology 27, 747-752. for protein research – 2011 PepTalk, US. Invited plenary Nguyen UT, Guo Z, Delon C, Wu Y, Deraeve Professor Kirill Alexandrov is a co-founder speaker, chair of round table discussion C, Fränzel B, Bon RS, Blankenfeldt W, of successful biotechnology company Jena – 2011 9th Matsuyama International Goody RS, Waldmann H, Wolters D, Bioscience and credited with establishing Symposium on Cell-Free Sciences, Alexandrov K. (2009) Analysis of the the Dortmund Protein Production Facility at Japan. Invited plenary speaker eukaryotic prenylome by isoprenoid affinity the Max-Planck Institute in Germany. tagging. Nat Chem Biol 5(4), 227-235. – 2011 FASEB Summer Research He introduced high−throughput molecular Conferences on Protein Lipidation, www.aibn.uq.edu.au/kirill-alexandrov cloning technology to the UQ Protein Signaling, and Membrane Domains, US. Expression Facility. Professor Alexandrov Invited plenary speaker

* Joint appointment with UQ’s Institute for Molecular Biosciences Dr Zhong Guo

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 9 Professor Debra Bernhardt grant funding of more than $4.7 million Group Leader since 1998. She has been involved in organising several conferences, including Research: Theoretical and Nonequilibrium Processes: the Last computational molecular science: 40 years and the Future in Obergurgl, nonequilibrium systems, fluids and Austria in 2011; First Australian-Italian materials Workshop on Statistical Physics on the Professor Debra Bernhardt is Gold Coast in 2006; and International internationally recognised for her Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry’s contributions to the development of World Chemistry Congress 2001. She nonequilibrium statistical mechanics is co-chair of Molecular Modelling 2014, and thermodynamics including far-from- which will be in Queensland. equilibrium fluids and confined fluids. Professor Bernhardt has been plenary, She is a Fellow of the Royal Australian keynote or invited speaker at many international conferences, including Fluid-Structure Interactions in Soft- Matter Systems: From the Mesoscale to the Macroscale (Prato, Italy, 2012); Gordon conference on the Chemistry and Physics of Liquids (New Hampshire, US, 2011); StatPhys-Kolkata VII (SINP, Kolkata, India, 2010); and the Warwick EPSRC Symposium on Challenges in Scientific Computing (University of Warwick, UK, 2009). In 2011, while at Griffith University, Professor Bernhardt was awarded the Vice Chancellor’s Research Excellence Award for Research Leadership.

Key publications in the past five years: Professor Bernhardt publishes using her maiden name, Debra J Searles. Dr Qiao Sun with Professor Debra Bernhardt Davie SJ, Reid JC, Searles DJ. (2013) Free energy calculations with reduced Chemical Institute and director of potential cutoff radii. Journal of Chemical the AIBN Centre for Theoretical and Theory and Computation 9(4), 2083- Computational Molecular Science. 2089 AIBN research under the Professor Bernhardt’s 30 years of research experience includes Reid JC, Evans DJ, Searles DJ. (2012) leadership of Professor Debra appointments at the University of Basel, Beyond Boltzmann’s H-theorem: Bernhardt could go a long way Switzerland; the Australian National Demonstration of the relaxation theorem to keeping new-generation University; and Griffith University, for a non-monotonic approach to passenger aircraft in the sky. where she was founding director of the equilibrium. Journal of Chemical Physics Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology 136, 021101. Centre. Sun C, Searles DJ. (2012) Lithium Professor Bernhardt joined AIBN as a Professor Bernhardt’s research interests storage on graphdiyne predicted by Group Leader in July 2012. Her research focus on use of a range of theoretical DFT calculations. Journal of Physical group is interested in the study of matter and computational approaches to Chemistry C 116, 26222. to address a broad range of fundamental develop a fundamental understanding of Bernardi S, Brookes SJ, Searles DJ, and practical problems. In simple terms, the behaviour of matter, and application Evans DJ. (2012) Response theory for the group is developing theoretical and of those approaches to a wide range confined systems. Journal of Chemical computational approaches to understand of problems including transport in Physics 137, 074114. and predict the behaviour of matter, which nanopores, fluctuation phenomena, will ultimately lead to new materials and design of materials, gas separation, Michel G, Searles DJ. (2012) devices with desired characteristics. energy storage and conversion. Contribution of the stochastic forces to the fluctuation theorem. Physical Review Professor Bernhardt said computational Professor Bernhardt has three current E 85, 042102. molecular science researchers in her Australian Research Council (ARC) group were developing a fundamental funding grants and has received ARC www.aibn.uq.edu.au/debra-bernhardt understanding of nanoscale systems and quantum descriptions of molecular reactions.

10 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Research to keep aircraft flying

The Bernhardt research group is Her group is also considering desalination. Professor Bernhardt said the nanotubes investigating why lithium-ion batteries, used Desalination plants are regarded as an would act in a similar way to steel to power aircraft electrical systems, can answer to water shortages intensified by reinforcement in concrete. “It could have overheat. The overheating has previously global climate change. However, they are widespread use under extreme conditions resulted in the grounding of aircraft. expensive to build and operate. where strong materials are required.” Professor Bernhardt’s group is taking a Professor Bernhardt said her research Researchers will examine how strongly theoretical and computational approach group was interested in considering new the nanotube and metal bind and whether to the problem and hopes to provide materials that might make the plants more there are any reactions, such as the metal fundamental understanding of the process efficient and cheaper to run. oxidising. Again, the work is conducted on and possible alternative materials for use in computers rather than in the laboratory. the batteries. “We are trying to develop improved membranes to separate pure water from Professor Bernhardt said theory and Professor Bernhardt said her group was salty water. Before the membranes are computer simulation often provided a using quantum chemical calculations developed, we can do controlled tests relatively cheap and effective way to predict and molecular dynamics simulations on the computer. We can also look at the behaviour of new materials or examine in the research. “We are considering the mechanism of separation on high- them under conditions inaccessible to different types of materials for the battery performing membranes to understand what physical experiments. components to improve their efficiency, characteristics are required.” heat and current flow,” she said. For example, researchers can instantly Work started in 2012 has resulted in make nanotubes in metals shorter, longer “Using computers, simulation can give us funding from the Asian Office of Aerospace or wider on a computer. That would be insight into why lithium-ion batteries heat Research and Development for a project time-consuming and costly if they had to up. We hope we can provide manufacturers due to start in 2013, with a focus on be manufactured first for experiments. with some fundamental understanding.” investigating how to build stronger Other areas of interest included separation Professor Bernhardt said similar theory materials using metal matrix composites. of gases, melting, solubility, lubrication, and computation could be applied to test Bernhardt group researchers will examine design of ionic liquids, and design and materials for hydrogen production, gas whether inserting nanotubes into a metal, assessment of materials for energy separation and carbon dioxide sequestration. such as titanium, will make it stronger. conversion and storage.

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 11 Tissue regeneration a step closer

Researchers working with Professor learning which cues are important and how consider include which factors to use, and Justin Cooper-White have made they influence cell behaviour. Knowledge of in what combination; the concentrations discoveries in 2012 that have this will allow us to design better strategies of each; the timing of treatment; and cell brought them closer to designing for tissue regeneration.” densities. The new technology lets that proceed in a more high-throughput manner, ‘deterministic’ tissue engineered In addition to work on engineered requiring fewer cells and reagents than a scaffolds for cardiac, cartilage and substrates for controlling MSC behaviours, standard culture format would need to gain bone tissue repair and generation. Professor Cooper-White’s research group a snapshot of the differentiation process has developed a microbioreactor array and the factors that contribute to it. technology platform that permits cells to be cultured under hundreds to thousands The multidisciplinary, collaborative research It is part of his Tissue Engineering and of different conditions, to work out the project brought together elements of Microfluidics (TEaM) lab’s focus on best conditions for growing them or microfabrication; stem cell and developmental developing bioengineered systems and differentiating them into target cell lineages biology; and genetic engineering. – all in a device the size of a credit card. device platforms that allows them to It involved AIBN graduates Dr Drew Titmarsh dissect the microenvironment in which In a paper published in PLoS ONE in late and Dr James Hudson; PhD student stem cells ‘live’ during early tissue 2012, the researchers showed how the Alejandro Hidalgo-Gonzalez; Group Leader development. They have found that new technology could be applied to study Associate Professor Ernst Wolvetang; and variations in the microenvironment lead to early differentiation in human embryonic collaborators Professor Andrew Elefanty the generation of different tissues. stem cells, to a stage called ‘primitive and Professor Edouard Stanley from the Using Australian Research Council (ARC) streak’, from which other lineages, such as Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in Discovery Project funding, Professor cardiac cells, ultimately emerged. Victoria. The research received financial support from Stem Cells Australia, an ARC Cooper-White’s research group determined Development is complex – and developing Special Research Initiative. StemCore/Stem the importance of spacing of adhesion a protocol to derive cells of interest, such Cells Ltd provided cell culture services. peptides presented to mesenchymal stem as cardiac cells, means many parameters The work would have been impossible cells (MSC) in influencing morphology, have to be optimised. The parameters to migration and differentiation. MSCs without the microfabrication facilities at the presented with closely-spaced peptides Australian National Fabrication Facility – were predisposed to form bone, while Queensland node. those on widely-spaced peptides were more likely to differentiate into fat cells. Dr Jane Fitzpatrick with Ellen Otte and Jason Ross. The research involved Professor Cooper- White; ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award recipient Dr Jess Frith; and recent Cooper-White research group graduate Dr Richard Mills – now working at Karolinska Institute’s Department of Cell and Molecular Biology in Stockholm, Sweden. The findings were published in Journal of Cell Science and the paper was an issue highlight. Professor Cooper-White said the research showed, for the first time, that nanoscale spacing of adhesion peptides influenced stem cell differentiation and added to the understanding of how MSCs interacted with their surroundings. “This knowledge could be used in the future to optimise differentiation of MSCs in tissue engineered therapies,” he said. “In recent years, it has been acknowledged that physical cues have a profound influence on stem cell fate. We are still

12 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Dr Titmarsh, who developed the platform during his PhD thesis under the principal supervision of Professor Cooper-White, said Professor Justin Cooper-White the research showed the device platform Group Leader was able to screen combinations of inducing factors and small molecules and also Research: Smart surfaces, scaffolds allowed screening of ‘paracrine factors’ – and diagnostic microdevices for stem factors produced by the cells themselves cell expansion, tissue engineering that affected their differentiation. and early disease detection “These factors and their impacts are really Professor Justin Cooper-White is a challenging to study with standard culture global leader in using engineering to platforms, but were streamlined using the solve problems in biology. In addition microfluidic control of culture medium in our to being an AIBN Group Leader, device,” Dr Titmarsh said. Professor Cooper-White is director of the Australian National Fabrication “By identifying and modulating these Facility – Queensland Node and is the paracrine signals with drugs, we could Associate Dean (Research) of UQ’s better understand the signals involved Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and and optimise the primitive streak Information Technology. He is a past Key publications in the past five years: differentiation. This helps our understanding president of the Australasian Society Frith JE, Mills RJ, Cooper-White JJ. of how the complex human body is for Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering (2012) Lateral spacing of adhesion programmed to develop itself starting and the Australian Society of Rheology. peptides influences human mesenchymal with just a few cells. Once we have this stem cell behaviour. Journal of Cell understanding, we can exploit the results to Professor Cooper-White has been Science 1252, 317-327. artificially induce cells or tissues of choice chair or co-chair of three international using stem cells as a starting material.” conferences, focusing on either rheology Titmarsh DM, Hudson JE, Hidalgo A, or biomaterials and tissue engineering. Elefanty AG, Stanley EG, Wolvetang The technology has been patented and the He is on the Asian Biomaterials EJ, Cooper-White JJ. (2012) Cooper-White research group is seeking Council and the International Union Microbioreactor arrays for full factorial to develop it in new applications with of Societies for Biomaterials Science screening of exogenous and paracrine collaborators, with the aim of proving the and Engineering. Professor Cooper- factors in human embryonic stem cell value of data the technology can provide White is an inventor on six international differentiation. PLoS One 7(12), e52405. with industrial partners. Ultimately, the patents and has successfully licensed technology will accelerate research in technology from his lab to an Australian Cameron AR, Frith JE, Cooper-White JJ. stem cell development and regenerative small-to-medium-sized enterprise. He (2011) The influence of substrate creep medicine, drug screening, and bioprocess has performed contract and sponsored on mesenchymal stem cell behaviour engineering, so the researchers want to research work for multinationals such as and phenotype. Biomaterials 32(26), take it to the world. Mesoblast, Rhodia, Unilever and Nestlé 5979-5993. International – and has received more Rowlands AS, George PA, Cooper- than $45 million in competitive White JJ. (2008) Directing osteogenic grant funding. and myogenic differentiation of MSCs: Professor Cooper-White has many interplay of stiffness and adhesive past and currently active international ligand presentation. American Journal collaborations with world-leading of Physiology Cell Physiology 295(4), research groups at MIT (US); C1037-1044. Stanford (US); ETH (Switzerland); Chau L, Doran M, Cooper-White JJ. EPFL (Switzerland); SNU (Korea); (2009) A novel multishear microdevice for the University Of Grenoble (France); studying cell mechanics. Lab Chip 9(13), Politecnico di Milano (Italy); UCL (UK); 1897-1902. and the Max Planck Institute (Germany). www.aibn.uq.edu.au/jcw Recognition of Professor Cooper- White’s standing in the research field is reflected in the nine plenary and more than 25 keynote presentations he has been invited to give at national and international conferences since 2001.

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 13 carboxylates can lead to paint failure or lumps erupting through the paint surface. Researchers are racing against time to determine why many AIBN and UQ’s Centre for Microscopy and famous oil paintings are Microanalysis (CMM) are using detailed deteriorating. microstructural analysis to help AIBN PhD student and Queensland Art Gallery conservator Gillian Osmond investigate the mechanism behind zinc soaps. When oil-based paint containing zinc CMM director and AIBN Professor John oxide (ZnO) is used in artworks, an Drennan’s research group received irreversible reaction begins. Large, unsightly funding through a 2009-2012 Australian protrusions can form, cracking and severely Research Council (ARC) Industry Linkage damaging a painting. project. Ms Osmond is working on one Art conservators are trying to identify of four research programs examining art at-risk paintings and develop mitigation practices in Australia and the Asia-Pacific techniques to limit long-term damage. That region. Galleries, universities and research requires ongoing research into the factors institutes in Australia, Asia, the UK and the that determine when ZnO reactivity leads to US are participating. deterioration. Professor Drennan said UQ’s world-class ZnO was used as a white pigment in late macrostructural analysis facilities gave 19th century and early-mid 20th century oil scientists the ability to understand what paintings. Today it has largely been replaced was happening at a microscopic level. His with titanium dioxide-based paints. research group uses various techniques, including electron microscopy, x-ray ZnO reacts with fatty acids from the oils diffraction and infrared microspectroscopy, in paint. The reaction forms “zinc soaps”, to analyse the soaps. such as zinc stearate. Aggregation of zinc

international journals such as the Journal Auchterlonie GJ, Yao XD, Drennan J, Lu of Materials Science, Solid State Ionics, GQ, Zou J, Yu CZ. (2008) Solving complex the Journal of European Ceramic Society concentric circular mesostructures by using and the Journal of the Ceramic Society of electron tomography. Angewandte Chemie- Japan. International Edition 47(35), 6670-6673. Professor Drennan has been a visiting Yuan P, Zhou XF, Wang HN, Liu NA, Hu scientist at IBM’s TJ Watson Research YF, Auchterlonie GJ, Drennan J, Yao XD, Centre in New York, US. He has been Lu GQ, Zou J, Yu CZ. (2009) Electron- an associate editor of the Journal of tomography determination of the packing the American Ceramic Society. He has structure of macroporous ordered siliceous been a key driver in obtaining more than foams assembled from vesicles. Small 5(3), $12 million in infrastructure funding from 377-382. competitive sources, including the ARC Knibbe R, Auchterlonie and National Collaborative Research GJ, Mori T, Lashtabeg A, Infrastructure Strategy. Professor John Drennan Drennan J. (2010) Glass- Affiliate Group Leader Professor Drennan is the recipient of phase movement in the 2010 John Sanders Medal from the yttria-stabilised zirconia/ Research: Materials development and Australian Microscopy and Microanalysis alumina composites. characterisation Society; two travelling fellowships from the Journal of the American Professor John Drennan is an Science and Technology Agency, Japan; Ceramic Society 93(5), internationally-recognised expert in and a Commonwealth Post Graduate 1494-1500. advanced materials characterisation and Scholarship. He was the invited plenary Ou DR, Mori T, has worked with the US Department of lecturer at the International Symposium Togasaki H, Takahashi Energy; the National Institute of Materials on EcTopia Science at Nagoya University, M, Ye FE, Drennan J. Science, Japan; and IBM. He has held Japan, in December 2011. (2011) Microstructural four Australian Research Council (ARC) and metal-support Discovery grants. Key publications for the past five years: Interactions of the pt- Osmond G, Boon JJ, Puskar L, Drennan Professor Drennan has been a member of CeO2/C catalysts for J. (2012) Metal stearate distributions in the International Advisory Committee of direct methanol fuel cell modern artists’ oil paints: surface and the NanoCluster at Nanyang Technological application. Langmuir cross-sectional investigation of reference University, Singapore; worked at Imperial 27(7), 3859-3866. paint films using conventional and College, London; been an external synchrotron infrared microspectroscopy. reviewer of the materials division of the www.aibn.uq.edu.au/ Applied Spectroscopy 66(10), 1136-44. Australian Nuclear Science and Technology john-drennan Organisation (ANSTO); and a reviewer for Yuan P, Liu N, Zhao LZ, Zhou XF, Zhou L,

14 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Microscopy helps art conservators preserve valuable artworks

This is part of the interests of Professor of paint formulations and the many variables The reaction is irreversible. “Once you Drennan’s research group in materials that influence subsequent drying and aging have ZnO in there, you’ve effectively development and characterisation. The processes. “You need to analyse each pulled the trigger. However, by improving focus includes conduction of oxygen ions in painting individually,” Ms Osmond said. understanding of the underlying mechanism, materials, which has application in solid oxide conservators can better identify vulnerable She has investigated some of the variables fuel cells; tight microstructural control at the paintings and use this knowledge to inform using naturally aged paint films of known atomic level for developing materials with design of controlled storage environments composition, supplied by the Smithsonian longer operating life; and novel materials for and appropriate conservation interventions. Museum Conservation Institute in extreme environments, suitable for protecting If you can identify how it all works, you Washington DC. That has enabled the critical components in hypersonic scram jets. can try to mitigate the damage,” Professor contributing influence of oil type, pigment Drennan said. Research into zinc soap deterioration began combinations and specific paint additives in Amsterdam in the 1990s, when Vincent to be considered. In 2012, the Drennan research group van Gogh’s Falling Leaves developed published a paper in Applied Spectroscopy Professor Drennan said the research had surface defects. Since then other paintings and Ms Osmond presented the research prompted more questions. However, they have been identified with similar problems. internationally. now know the reaction starts immediately ZnO is prevalent in many 20th century ZnO is introduced; the availability of Ms Osmond said the ARC Industry Linkage paintings, including those of Pablo Picasso fatty acids in the paint is critical; the project was a major step forward for art and Australia’s Sidney Nolan. environment, including heat and humidity, conservation science in Australia. “We Identifying deterioration and predicting the plays a major role in how quickly soaps are contributing to an international field of severity is difficult because of the complexity form; microscopic cracks in paintings research but can now start applying it to facilitate soap formation; and the existence the Australian context.” The research was of other components in paint, such as important in tackling ongoing conservation aluminium stearate, influence the formation challenges specific to the region’s tropical, and location of zinc soaps. humid climate.

Dr Elliot Cheng

15 AIBN’s biologics expertise is attracting important industry collaborators.

AIBN Director Professor Peter Gray said partnerships were vital to help transform research from the experimental stage to reality. Biologics are medicines based on natural proteins, developed using DNA technology. They offer new treatment options for a wide range of diseases, including cancer and auto-immune disorders. Six of the world’s top ten selling therapeutics are now biologics. In 2012, a key collaboration with global biopharmaceutical manufacturer DSM Biologics progressed and a partnership was formed with Sydney-based Biosceptre International Ltd. The Biosceptre partnership aims to develop a bio-process for producing monoclonal antibodies to treat cancer. Biosceptre develops and commercialises antibody technologies for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Its technology is based on the discovery of a subtly changed form of P2X7, called non-functional P2X7 (nf-P2X7), which is found on solid state cancer cells but not on normal cells. P2X7 is a major cellular receptor responsible for normal cell death. When an aging cell is ready to die, P2X7 is expressed on the cell wall, triggering a sequence of biological processes that leads to apoptosis. But cancer cells have abnormal “death receptors” known as nf- P2X7, so programmed apoptosis does not occur. Dr Trent Munro Biosceptre’s discovery prompted development of monoclonal, polyclonal and domain antibodies that target diseased cells, attaching to abnormal receptors, but have no adverse effects on healthy cells. Professor Gray said the technology was unique in its ability to target solid and blood-based tumours and had the Key potential to radically change how cancer was diagnosed and treated. Under the research collaboration, AIBN’s National Biologics Facility (NBF), led collaborations by operations manager Dr David Chin, will characterise candidate therapeutic monoclonal antibodies that bind to nf-P2X7. Research and development drive research will include antibody and cell line development; bioprocess development; and recombinant protein production in pre-commercial quantities ahead of outcomes preclinical trials. The Biosceptre collaboration is a critical step towards preclinical and human clinical trials. The long-term goal is to

16 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 develop a therapeutic monoclonal antibody experiments and the bioprocesses required capable of specifically detecting nf-P2X7 to produce clinical grade material. and inducing cancer cell death without Professor Gray said working with DSM affecting normal healthy cells. was important because the company had In recognition of NBF’s important an excellent global reputation for biologics contribution to research infrastructure production. “Having DSM operating capability, it received $1.2 million in a scale-up facility in Brisbane means Queensland Government coinvestment Queensland research can go from the lab, funding in 2012 for the coming two years. through manufacturing and to the market.”

Funding aids DSM Biologics link Invasive bacteria research AIBN received $485,000 in funding from Dr Munro has been awarded a $720,000 the Queensland Government’s Research Queensland Government fellowship to Partnership Program in 2012 to grow its continue researching invasive bacterial strategic link with DSM Biologics. infections. The three-year funding started in May 2012. DSM Biologics is a contract manufacturer that takes early-stage projects to the next He is researching ‘biologic bullets’, stage of commercial development. NBF recombinant monoclonal antibodies that is developing mammalian cell lines, which target bacteria. The work focuses on drug form the basis for biologics production, -resistant strains, such as golden staph; and and DSM will produce and commercialise group A streptococcus. Both are acute or them at a $65 million scale-up facility at chronic infections on which antibiotics have Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital, little effect. Dr Munro hopes to conduct an due to open in mid-2013. efficacy assessment in late 2013. AIBN Associate Group Leader Dr Trent He said although antibiotics were less Munro said the NBF had the expertise to effective against so-called superbugs, drive biologics production. Established monoclonal antibodies may provide new in 2007, it helps bridge the gap between treatment options.

Professor Peter Gray the board of Biopharmaceuticals Australia AIBN Director and Group Leader Pty Ltd, the company established to build a GMP grade biopharmaceuticals Research: Bioengineering of mammalian manufacturing facility in Brisbane, and has cell protein expression and stem cell been heavily involved in negotiations that systems Key publications in the past five years: led to DSM Biologics becoming the facility’s Codamo J, Munro TP, Hughes BS, Song Professor Peter Gray is a pioneer of operator. M, Gray PP. (2011) Enhanced CHO cell biotechnology research and development in Professor Gray is a Fellow and Vice- based transient gene expression with the Australia. In 2003 he was appointed AIBN’s President of the Australian Academy of Epi-CHO expression system. Molecular inaugural Director and has since overseen Technological Sciences and Engineering Biotechnology 48(2), 109-115. the institute’s growth to 450 people and and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of an annual turnover of $40 million. Before Prowse ABJ, Chong F, Gray PP, Munro TP. Company Directors. He has chaired, served joining AIBN, he was Professor and Head (2011) Stem cell integrins: Implications for on organising committees for, and given of Biotechnology at UNSW. ex-vivo culture and cellular therapies. Stem plenary and keynote addresses at many Cell Research 6(1), 1-12. Professor Gray has held academic key international conferences. In 2006 positions at University College London and he attracted to Sydney and chaired the Prowse ABJ, Doran MR, Cooper-White JJ, the University of California, Berkeley. He International Biotechnology Symposium – Chong F, Munro TR, Fitzpatrick J, Chung TL, has had commercial experience in the US, the first time a conference in the four- Haylock DN, Gray PP, Wolvetang EJ. (2010) working for Eli Lilly and Co and the Cetus yearly series was held in the southern Long-term culture of human embryonic stem Corporation. His research collaborations hemisphere. Professor Gray is a founder cells on recombinant vitronectin in ascorbate include groups at Stanford University; the and past president of the Australian free media. Biomaterials 31(32), 8281-8288. University of California, Berkeley; and the Biotechnology Association (Ausbiotech). Ladewig K, Niebert M, Xu ZP, Gray PP, Lu GQ. University of British Columbia, Vancouver. Professor Gray has graduated more than (2009): Efficient siRNA delivery to mammalian Professor Gray serves on several boards 60 PhD students from his research group, cells using layered double hydroxide and government committees. He is on in fields including secondary metabolite nanoparticles. Biomaterials 31(7), 1821-1829. the board of Engineering Conferences bioprocesses; bioconversion of cellulosic Pilbrough W, Munro TP, Gray PP. (2009) International, New York, a group that substrates; mammalian cell expression of Intraclonal protein expression heterogeneity runs global, multi-disciplinary engineering complex proteins; nanoparticles for drug in recombinant CHO cells. PLoS ONE conferences, many of which have played delivery; and the development of stem-cell 4(12), e8432. doi:10.1371/journal. key roles in developing emerging industry based bioprocesses. He has twice been pone.0008432. sectors. The conferences cover cell culture listed by Engineers Australia among the top engineering; vaccine technology; and 100 most influential engineers in Australia, www.aibn.uq.edu.au/peter-gray scale-up and manufacturing of cell-based and in 2001 was awarded the Australian therapies. Professor Gray also serves on Government’s Centenary Medal.

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 17 major successes in bioplastic research

Enhancing conductivity third world, for cheap, reliable drug delivery In another project, Professor Halley and detecting a range of diseases. AIBN chemical engineer Professor collaborated with Queen’s University Bio-based films for food and drug delivery Belfast and the University of Alabama to Peter Halley has combined A third major funding success in 2012 for secure Australian Research Council (ARC) with industry and international Professor Halley’s research group of seven Discovery Project funding in 2012 for work collaborators in 2012 to secure post-doctoral research fellows and 12 PhD on biopolymer nanomaterials for electronic students was an ARC Linkage Project. funding to develop high-value applications. bioplastics for use in farming, food In collaboration with former UQ spin-out The new biopolymer nanomaterials will company Plantic Technologies; UQ’s Centre packaging, solar cells and medical incorporate ionic liquid and carbon nanotube for Nutrition and Food Sciences; and the treatment. technologies for the first time to enhance School of Chemical Engineering, the project stability and conductivity. That will enable the will develop bio-based films for smart food materials to be used globally, including in the packaging and biomedical films.

Professor Halley’s collaborations will develop polymers from a biological source with properties that allow for scaling up to industrially-relevant quantities. “In 2012 our biopolymer research really came of age,” Professor Halley said. “Building on our early successes in low- value industrial biodegradable polymers, we grew in three ways. We developed a broader biopolymer platform, focused on higher value applications and began projects that were closely linked with industry.”

Polymers for agriculture The Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Polymers extended funding from 2012 to 2017, with Professor Halley listed as node leader at UQ. The research involves Professor Halley’s development of sustainable polymers for agriculture and Professor Lianzhou Wang’s work on polymer solar cells. Professor Halley’s polymers for agriculture are tailored to address significant global problems of overuse of pesticides and water in non-sustainable farming practices. The films help retain soil moisture, prevent weed growth and maintain favourable growing temperatures. The CRC links more than 20 industry and research providers both domestically and internationally, while the project within the CRC links UQ, Queensland University of Technology, Integrated Packaging, CSIRO and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation.

Donna Capararo

18 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Professor Peter Halley Group Leader Research: Biofluids characterisation and biopolymer processing Professor Peter Halley is a leading international expert in bio-based polymers and translational polymer research. His initial work on Australia’s first biodegradable thermoplastic starch polymers led to the establishment of The films have a complex architecture and spin-out company Plantic Technologies, advanced barrier technology that will control more than $75 million in venture the environment around foods by reducing financing, sales of commercially-viable oxidation and spoilage, and control delivery products and a continued research Professor Halley is a fellow of the Royal of active components in pharmaceuticals. provider relationship with Plantic. Australian Chemical Institute and the “We have done the groundwork. We Institution of Chemical Engineers. He is Professor Halley has led translational are now looking to develop high-value on the editorial board of three journals. research projects in biopolymers applications,” Professor Halley said. “Our and biofluid platforms for agrifood, Professor Halley has been visiting or new biomaterials’ design is managed – biomedical and high-value manufacturing invited professor at Queen’s University together with our industrial partners in all sectors that have attracted more than Belfast, Ireland, the University of these projects – so they can be readily $14 million in government and industry Strasbourg and Institut National des scaled up and translated into products.” funding; and produced patents, licences Sciences Appliquées de Lyon in France. and new industrial knowledge. He has strong international collaborations with Los Alamos National Labs, US; the Cadbury Research Centre, UK; the US Department of Agriculture; the Colorado School of Mines, US; AnoxKaldnes, Sweden; the University of Bradford, UK; the University of Warwick, UK; and TNO, in the Netherlands.

Key publications in the past five years: Halley PJ. (2012) Rheology of thermosets, in Thermosets. Guo Q (Ed.), Oxford, UK: Woodhead Pub. Laycock B, Halley PJ, Pratt S, Werker A, Lant P. (2012) The chemomechanical properties of microbial polyhydroxyalkanoates. Progress in Polymer Science, doi: 10.1016/j. progpolymsci.2012.06.003 Xie F, Halley PJ, Avérous L. (2012) Rheology to understand and optimise processability, structures and properties of starch polymeric materials. Progress in Polymer Science 37, 595-623 Liu W-C, Halley PJ, Gilbert RG. (2010) Mechanism of degradation of starch, a highly branched polymer, during extrusion. Macromolecules 43(6), 2855–2864. Halley PJ, George G. (2009) Chemorheology of polymers: from fundamental principles to reactive processing, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

www.aibn.uq.edu.au/peter-halley

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 19 Professor Mark Kendall to commercialise it as a medical device ARC Future Fellow and Group Leader product for widespread human use. Research: Targeting the skin for In 2012, Professor Kendall was made a needle-free, minimally invasive vaccine Rolex Laureate, one of just five selected delivery and diagnostics for disease from more than 3500 international applications. He is using the award Professor Mark Kendall is internationally- and associated funding to progress the recognised as a leader in vaccine and drug Nanopatch for developing world use, delivery, culminating from his focused 15 including a usability trial in Papua New Sally Yukiko years of research and development in the Guinea aimed at improving access to field. Professor Kendall and his research vaccines in low-resource regions. group advanced the Nanopatch needle- free delivery system at UQ, leading to the Professor Kendall has received many founding of spin-out company Vaxxas prestigious accolades for his research, with $15 million in capital investment leadership and innovation. They include the 2011 Australian Museum Eureka Prize for Interdisciplinary Research; inaugural Australian Innovation Challenge overall winner in 2011; the 2008 Australian Medical Researcher Award; and the Younger Engineer of Britain Award in 2004. The generation of novel ideas has led Professor Kendall to publish more than 200 papers. He is the inventor of 96 patents. While lecturing at the University of Oxford, he advanced technology leading to spin- out company PowderMed, which was sold to Pfizer for $400 million in 2006.

Key publications in the past five years: Fernando GJP, Chen X, Primero CA, Yukiko SR, Fairmaid EJ, Corbett HJ, Frazer IH, Brown LE, Kendall MAF. (2012) Nanopatch targeted delivery of both antigen and

20 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Research and commercialisation push for needle-free vaccination

A licensing arrangement with The two achievements are highlights of the funding an extensive development program pharmaceutical giant Merck and first calendar year of operations for start-up to explore use of the Nanopatch for delivery a prestigious 2012 Rolex Award company Vaxxas, established to advance of an important vaccine. vaccine delivery device the Nanopatch for Enterprise are fast-tracking an Earlier in 2012, Professor Kendall was one towards clinical testing and product AIBN invention aimed at delivering of only five recipients of a Rolex Award development, and mark a productive year vaccines without the need for for Enterprise. The award and associated for AIBN Professor Mark Kendall and his funding allows Professor Kendall to needles or syringes. research group. conduct a field trial in Papua New Guinea, Professor Kendall is driving the where medical and climatic conditions development, as Nanopatch inventor and mirror much of the developing world. a Vaxxas director and chief technology Commercial funding is hard to obtain for officer. He developed the Nanopatch to vaccine distribution in the developing world. adjuvant to skin synergistically drives address issues with needle stick injuries, The field trial in Papua New Guinea will enhanced antibody responses. Journal of high costs and the need to refrigerate follow the first human trials of the patch Controlled Release 159(2), 215-221. vaccines during transportation. The in Brisbane with ‘blank’ Nanopatches Crichton ML, Donose BC, Chen X, Nanopatch aims to improve the reach of (without vaccine) in human volunteers. Raphael A, Huang H, Kendall MAF. (2011) effective vaccination to people around the It aims to assess the usability of the patch The viscoelastic, hyperelastic and scale world, including those in rural or remote and applicator under developing-country dependent behaviour of freshly excised areas and developing countries. individual skin layers. Biomaterials 32(20), field conditions, as a precursor to potential It builds on the scientific focus of Professor 4670-4681. clinical trials. Kendall’s research group on micro- Chen X, Fernando GJP, Crichton ML, Flaim nanoprojection drug delivery and diagnosis. Professor Kendall sees tremendous C, Yukiko SR, Fairmaid EJ, Corbett HJ, potential to use the Nanopatch to deliver The Nanopatch has thousands of small Primiero CA, Ansaldo AB, Frazer IH, Brown the HPV vaccine, which protects women projections designed to deliver the vaccine LE, Kendall MAF. (2011) Improving the against cervical cancer. The disease claims to abundant immune cells in the skin. reach of vaccines to low-resource regions, 270,000 lives a year and is the leading Vaccines for various diseases including with a needle-free vaccine delivery device cause of cancer deaths among women in influenza and human papillomavirus and long-term thermostabilisation. Journal the developing world. The HPV vaccine is (HPV) can potentially be dry-coated onto of Controlled Release 152(3), 349-355. one of a new generation that is beyond the the Nanopatch, eliminating the need for reach of many in developing countries – but Corrie S, Fernando GJP, Crichton ML, refrigeration. could become affordable with the low-cost Brunck MEG, Anderson CP, Kendall MAF. Nanopatch. Beyond that, Professor Kendall (2010) Surface-modified microprojection “There are more than 17 million deaths a sees diseases such as influenza, malaria, arrays for intradermal biomarker capture, year from infectious diseases worldwide,” West Nile virus, herpes, chikungunya and with low non- specific protein binding. Lab Professor Kendall said. “We are in a even HIV as promising targets. on a Chip 10, 2655-2658. position to help reduce that number in a meaningful way. With the Nanopatch, we Fernando GJP, Chen X, Prow TW, Crichton Vaxxas was founded with $15 million in believe we have the potential to impact capital investment in 2011, which was one ML, Fairmaid EJ, Roberts MS, Frazer IH, broadly on that number.” Brown LE, Kendall MAF. (2010) Potent of Australia’s largest investments in a start- immunity to low doses of influenza vaccine The licensing arrangement with Merck up biotechnology company. The company by probabilistic guided micro-targeted is a sign of confidence in the Nanopatch has grown to a staff of 20. The Vaxxas skin delivery in a mouse model. PLoS technology and an avenue for accelerating board includes representation from co- ONE 5(4), e10266. doi:10.1371/journal. the process of delivering the revolutionary investors OneVentures, Brandon Capital, pone.0010266. health technology to people throughout HealthCare Ventures and UQ’s main the world. Under the agreement Merck is commercialisation company UniQuest. www.aibn.uq.edu.au/mark-kendall

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 21 Associate Professor Stephen Mahler Affiliate Group Leader Research: Discovery and development of biologic medicines Associate Professor Stephen Mahler has made significant contributions to biopharmaceutical discovery, development and delivery, including development of technology for producing human antibody biopharmaceuticals. Associate Professor Mahler has secured more than $2 million in Australian Research Council (ARC) funding during the past four years for projects principally associated with biologics discovery, recombinant protein production and development of targeted drug delivery systems. Associate Professor Mahler has delivered short courses in biologics nationally and internationally to big pharma, biotechnology companies, regulatory agencies and universities, including Pfizer Australia; the National Pharmaceutical Control Bureau, Malaysia; and at the National Forum for Biosimilars, Brazil. He has consulted for a wide range of biotechnology companies nationally and internationally, including Pfizer and Abbott. Associate Professor Mahler has been a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology since 2004; and an OzReader for the Australian Research Council (ARC) since 2003, reviewing ARC Discovery, Linkage, Australian Federation Fellowship, Australian Future Fellowships AIBN researchers are funding from industry sources. Two and ARC Centre applications. collaborating with Sydney-based provisional patent applications are in the process of being submitted. bioscience company EnGenelC Ltd, which has developed a Key publications for past five years: promising new cancer therapy Mahler SM. (2011) Biologics and that is now being tested in biosimilars: emerging technologies clinical trials. driving global opportunity. J Chem Technol and Biotechnol 86(7), 893-894. Pile KD, Graham GG, Mahler SM, Day RO. (2011) Disease-modifying The collaboration has enabled development antirheumatic drugs. In Principles of enhanced targeting ability for the of immunopharmacology (third ed.). therapeutic. Nijkamp FP, Parnham MJ (Eds.), (pp. 585-619) Basel, Switzerland: Springer. AIBN Associate Professor Stephen Mahler Munro TP, Mahler SM, Huang EP, said although there had been considerable Chin DY, Gray PP. (2011) Bridging the progress in cancer therapy, particularly with gap: Facilities and technologies for monoclonal antibodies now being used in development of early stage therapeutic front-line cancer therapy in combination mAb candidates. mAbs 3(5), 440-452. with chemotherapy, there was still “much Falconer RJ, Jackson-Matthews room for improvement”. D, Mahler SM. (2011) Analytical Chemotherapy is a non-targeted therapy strategies for assessing comparability Before joining AIBN, Associate and, although effective, results in unwanted of biosimilars. J Chem Technol and Professor Mahler was co-director general toxicity and, in many cases, Biotechnol 86(7), 915-922. of the Bioengineering Centre at the severe side effects. Another problem is University of NSW, and secured $2 Nouwens A, Mahler SM. (2012) the development of multi-drug resistance million in National Collaborative Research Evolution of proteomic methods for (MDR), with some cancer cells becoming Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) funding analysis of complex biological samples resistant to a drug therapy regimen. – implications for personalised medicine. for establishment of the Recombinant EnGeneIC has developed a novel drug In Integrative Proteomics. Hon-Chiu Products NCRIS node at UNSW. delivery vehicle, the EDV (EnGeneIC Eastwood L, Tsz-Kwong M, Ricardo JF Since 2007, Associate Professor Mahler (Eds.), (pp. 29-43) Croatia: InTech. Delivery Vehicle), which is capable of being has been interacting with biotechnology loaded with high concentrations of various companies and has secured research www.aibn.uq.edu.au/stephen-mahler potent cytotoxic drugs.

22 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Trojan Horse approach targets cancer cells

In papers published in international manufacturing process. Simultaneously, the methodologies, can optimise properties journals, including Cancer Cell and Nature EDVs’ targeting efficiency to tumour cells is such as stability and binding affinity to Biotechnology, EnGeneIC founders Dr enhanced. cancer cells.” Jennifer MacDiarmid and Dr Himanshu “One arm of the bispecific antibody binds A phase I multicentre trial, presented at the Brahmbhatt demonstrated that EDVs, the EDV, while the other arm can be 2012 Symposium on Molecular Targets containing molecules of a relatively new designed to bind specifically to cancer and Cancer Therapeutics and highlighted anti-cancer therapeutic called small cells, analogous to the computer-controlled in Cancer Discovery, involved 28 patients interfering RNA (siRNA) or cytotoxic drugs navigation system of a guided missile with end-stage solid tumours and showed and targeted via bispecific antibodies to warhead,” Associate Professor Mahler said. encouraging preliminary results. receptors on the surface of cancer cells, showed an enhanced anti-tumour activity “Since the cancer cell-specific arm can be The patients received five weekly infusions compared to conventional drug therapies. designed to bind to many different types of of EDVs filled with the chemotherapy drug cancer cells, potential exists for developing Paclitaxel and coated with antibodies In a Trojan horse approach, EDVs are tailor-made cancer treatment by changing targeting the epidermal growth factor taken up by the cancer cells and release both the payload and the targeting receptor protein found on the surface of cytotoxins that can kill the cancer cells. warhead to attack the specific tumour.” many tumour cells. Associate Professor Mahler said EnGeneIC EnGenelC Ltd is now conducting clinical EnGeneIC, founded in 2001, is a privately believed that, while EDVs had proved trials in end-stage cancer patients and held Australian bioscience company functional, the antibody targeting system Associate Professor Mahler said the formed to develop and commercialise needed to be optimised for ease of “exciting” technology has the potential novel concepts in the targeted delivery of manufacture and to progress through to change the strategy and approach chemotherapeutics for cancer drugs in the regulatory hurdles required in clinical to cancer therapy. “By safely packaging vivo. It is funded by Australian Government- development of a novel therapeutic. cytotoxic drugs, and combining with backed venture capital funds and private Using antibody engineering techniques, designer targeting antibodies, the side investors and has had previous support Associate Professor Mahler and AIBN effects of systemic chemotherapy are from the AusIndustry Commercial Ready co-researchers Dr Trent Munro, Dr Martina negated. Program, the Commercialisation Australia Jones, Dr Chris Howard and PhD student Program and the NSW Government. “As EDVs can carry several different Karin Taylor have developed single chain cytotoxic drugs and gene silencing EnGenelC began working with AIBN novel bispecific antibodies capable of molecules, the problem of MDR is as a client of the institute’s National targeting the EDVs to potentially many potentially addressed. AIBN researchers Collaborative Research Infrastructure different types of cancer cells. are improving the design of the bispecific Strategy Biologics Facility. Their work enables targeting of the antibodies and, through protein engineering EDVs to be accomplished in a simpler

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 23 Tenacious plastics become reality

Professor Martin, who is also TenasiTech’s scratch resistance or improves dimensional chief scientific officer, said the company stability or durability.” essentially manufactured nanoparticles, A nanoparticle additive that improves Professor Martin said TPU and PMMA both which are synthetic ‘plates’ only one presented major opportunities. “The total plastic properties and performance nanometre thick. “We put a special surface polyurethane market is worth more than is rapidly moving towards chemistry on the plates, which allows them $33 billion worldwide annually and acrylic commercialisation, following success to easily mix into plastic. They are super- about $8 billion. They are both significant in 2012 in attracting an industrial efficient reinforcing agents, so the particles market segments for polymers.” There were make up only about 1 per cent of the partner and starting full-scale “exciting opportunities” in the electronics resulting plastic’s weight. manufacturing trials. market, as demand grew for telephone and “Instead of making traditional layered, television screens using PMMA. composite products, such as fibreglass, we just add the nanoparticles to the plastic, AIBN Professor Darren Martin and his which improves properties including research group began developing additives strength, toughness, tear resistance, scratch for more durable acrylic polymers, or resistance and overall durability. A main poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), building benefit of using our additives is consumers on their work in additives for conventional won’t have to replace products as often. thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) products. “We had developed lots of additives The additives for TPU products date from for rubber products. After some further 2011, when Professor Martin secured modifications, a few of those worked in co-development partnerships with three acrylic as well, more than doubling its scratch companies. Commercial trials of the resistance. Hopefully the company (that has materials are progressing well. shown interest) will place orders with us and we will supply the additive soon.” His group began developing additives for PMMA in 2012 after an Australian PMMA PMMA manufacturers currently spray, products manufacturer showed interest. brush or ‘flood’ protective coatings onto product surfaces. “Our additive is actually in TPU is a flexible plastic used in products the material, not just on the surface. It can such as shoe soles, seals, and rubber handle all sorts of secondary manufacturing membranes. PMMA is a hard plastic used and forming processes – and it’s cheaper in products such as plasma television than using coatings,” Professor Martin said. screens and vehicle tail lights. The Martin research group is also Despite having worked with the acrylic for continuing its work on TPU additives. In only a year, Professor Martin said PMMA 2011, TenasiTech formed co-development additives were nearing commercialisation. partnerships with US and Australian “I’m confident we will have our first supply companies, including three interested agreement signed and will be supplying in specific applications for elite sporting goods to manufacturers before the end of goods; rubber engineering components, 2013.” including hydraulic seals; and membrane Additive development took a leap applications for water treatment. forward in 2012 after spin-out company Nanoparticle additives are melted into TenasiTech Pty Ltd, established in 2007 to plastics or added as a liquid. For TPU, a commercialise Professor Martin’s research, liquid version of the additive, with the brand received $1.4 million in funding: $925,000 name Adaptive Polyol, is dispersed into from the Queensland Government and the polyurethane during production. For $475,000 from venture fund Uniseed. acrylics, a pellet version of the nanoparticles “The funding is a great opportunity to is melted into the plastic during production. fully translate our ideas into product Additives do not require supply chain applications, start generating revenue and variations. “Nobody has to invent a grow our business into a self-sustaining new machine to process the material,” and profitable enterprise,” he said. Professor Martin said. “You just drop in our nanoparticle additive and it doubles the

24 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012

Professor Darren Martin His efforts in those areas during the Group Leader past two decades have contributed to two successful spin-outs, numerous Research: Polymer nanocomposites and products and a strong platform for globally nanotoxicology competitive nanocomposites innovation. Professor Darren Martin is the Professor Martin’s international chief scientific officer for spin- collaborators include US universities out company TenasiTech Pty Ltd, Pennsylvania State and Purdue. He also which is commercialising a polymer has several materials co-development nanocomposites platform as applied to projects and collaborations with large polyurethane and acrylic polymer companies such as Cochlear Ltd, Aortech markets and applications. Biomaterials, the EGR Group and several TenasiTech is the first Queensland others in North America, Europe and Asia. spin-out to receive Commercialisation Professor Martin has been the recipient Australia funding; has won the prestigious of three Australian Research Council iLab Prize in the national Enterprize (ARC) Discovery Grants and has secured Competition; and received the 2010 UQ more than $9 million in research and Professor Martin is a member of the EAIT Commercialisation Award. Professor commercialisation funding since 1999. Engineers Australia Nanoengineering panel. Martin’s research operates at the nexus of He has two granted patents and two During the past five years a large proportion three key themes: provisional patents. He is working with of his research funding has been derived – strong fundamental materials science Australian regulators, such as NICNAS from the private sector. with global benchmarking; and WorkSafe Australia, on policy – safe biomaterials and nanomaterials; and for nanomaterials/nanocomposites Key publications for the past five years: – scalable advanced manufacturing. occupational safety and hygiene. Belcher C, Marshall R, Edwards G, Martin DJ. (2012) The Commercialisation of Nanotechnology: The five critical success factors to a nanotech-enabled whole product, in Nanotechnology Commercialisation. Tsuzuki T (Ed.), Singapore: Pan Stanford Publishing. ISBN: 9789814303286. Butler MK, Prow TW, Guo Y-N, Lin LL, Webb RI, Martin DJ. (2012) High- pressure freezing/freeze substitution and transmission electron microscopy for characterisation of metal oxide nanoparticles within sunscreens. Nanomedicine 7(4), 541-551. (Most direct quantitative approach for in-situ assessment of nanoscale metal oxide additives in sunscreen formulations). Musumeci A, Gosztola D, Schiller T, Dimitrijevic NM, Mujica V, Martin DJ. (2009) SERS of semiconducting nanoparticles

(TiO2 hybrid composites). JACS Communication 131(17), 6040-6041. (First report of SERS phenomenon using a metal oxide nanoparticle rather than metal nanoparticle). Osman AF, Edwards GA, Schiller TL, Andriani Y, Jack KS, Morrow IC, Halley PJ, Martin DJ. (2011) Structure-property relationships in biomedical thermoplastic polyurethane nanocomposites. Macromolecules 45(1), 198-210. Deng ZJ, Mortimer G, Schiller TL, Musumeci A, Martin DJ, Minchin RF. (2010) Differential plasma protein binding to metal oxide nanoparticles. Nanotechnology 20(45), doi:10.1088/0957- 4484/20/45/455101.

www.aibn.uq.edu.au/darren-martin

Nasim Amiralian and Khairatun Najwa Mohd Amin

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 25 Professor Anton Middelberg and his group are taking significant steps in learning how to engineer new systems for vaccine engineering and novel, sustainable ‘green’ materials, including biosurfactants. Dr Yap Pang Chuan

The Chemical and Biomolecular “Innovation needs to be more than simply on fundamental understanding of how Engineering group has an overarching painting a mousetrap a different colour and to control virus assembly outside the cell intellectual goal of understanding how to calling it new, which is done too often in environment. better design new bio-inspired systems Australia.” As vaccines made with the platform are and products – and processes for their That diversity has led to numerous research much cheaper to mass-produce than via manufacture – based on control of highlights for Professor Middelberg’s traditional technologies, they represent biological interactions. group in 2012. “We published details of an opportunity where cost is an issue “Our focus on fundamental understanding our vaccine engineering research in two – for example, in the developing world. is revealing a surprising number of emerging key journals – Vaccine and Chemical Professor Middelberg received Grand applications, from platforms for ‘rapid- Engineering Science – with great interest.” Challenges Explorations funding in 2012, response’ vaccine technology through to Publication in Vaccine led to an invitation from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, new foaming proteins that are stable in for Professor Middelberg to join the to explore vaccines for rotavirus. The grant boiling water,” Professor Middelberg said. journal as an associate editor, with global established a new collaboration between responsibility for papers related to vaccine UQ and Boston Children’s Hospital. PhD The research group made significant manufacture. He was also invited to student Alemu Tekewe Mogus joined the advances in 2012, including breakthrough present the research as a plenary lecture project from Addis Ababa University in publications, new funding and deepened at the Asia Pacific Chemical Engineering Ethiopia to advance the platform toward collaborations. conference in Singapore in February 2012. use in Africa. “Some people find our array of applications The vaccine platform, invented by As the platform is much faster than existing difficult to comprehend,” Professor Professor Middelberg and Dr Linda Lua approaches, it is possible to mass-produce Middelberg said. “However, it all makes from the UQ Protein Expression Facility, sense if you look at the underlying has two key competitive advantages – scientific fundamentals. In an institute as speed and cost. A new vaccine for an significant as AIBN, we have the freedom emerging disease can potentially be to step beyond the traditional focus on developed within weeks, not months, at a applications, and drive a new future Professor Anton Middelberg cost of about one cent per dose. Available through truly bottom-up system re-design, Queensland Smart Futures Premier’s technologies are unable to match those opening new and unparalleled application Fellow, AIBN Deputy Director numbers. The platform is unique and based opportunities. (Bioengineering) and Group Leader Research: Biomolecular engineering Professor Anton Middelberg is an New approach for protein antigen delivery internationally-leading chemical engineer Professor Anton Middelberg combined the vaccine engineering and biosurfactant arms conducting breakthrough engineering of his research in 2012 to develop a new targeted drug delivery system for protein research at the interface between antigen delivery. The research uses non-covalent click chemistry based on bottom-up chemistry and the life sciences. biomolecular self-assembly, and involves collaboration with the Walter and Eliza Hall He was the youngest lecturer appointed Institute and UQ’s Diamantina Institute. “We filed a patent on the approach and have in engineering at Adelaide University had the work accepted for publication in Small,” Professor Middelberg said. and established Adelaide’s biochemical “PhD student Bijun Zeng has delivered what could be the world’s first targeted engineering laboratory, for which he was emulsion that can find a subset of dendritic cells in a full in vivo test.” awarded the Engineers Australia’s Uhde Shedden Medal for the best Australian The system relies on coating an oil droplet with a mixture of polymer and antibody chemical engineer aged under 40. to control how it interacts within a biological system. “It is enlightening that, through control of molecular self-assembly, we can take a simple drop of oil and turn it into At Cambridge University he was rapidly something that can find a specific cell type in your body and ‘instruct’ it to do a desired tenured and promoted twice, against a function – in this case activate T cells. I believe it is a perfect example of bioengineering strict quota, and pioneered new research and nanotechnology working together.” into designer biosurfactants and vaccine manufacture. In 2003 he was awarded an

26 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Advancing understanding and exploitation of biological interactions vaccine quickly against re-emerging from re-emerging infectious disease. problem, Professor Middelberg invented infectious diseases. In collaboration with Queensland can certainly play its part in the and patented a new family of four-helix partners in China and Vietnam, Professor national and international plan.” bundle protein surfactants which interact Middelberg and his group are working to with themselves and water in a unique way, In sustainable materials work, Professor develop a ‘rapid-response’ pandemic avian so their structure can be stabilised even Middelberg and his group are at the influenza vaccine technology. In 2012, in boiling water. “This design allows pure international leading edge of research into the project involved new PhD students protein to be made simply by heating cells, designed biosurfactants. In 2012, they from Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam, delivering a ten-fold reduction in the cost of started a new project into a novel protein emphasising the regional interest in biosurfactant protein manufacture.” biosurfactant, funded through an Australian breakthrough vaccination systems. Research Council (ARC) Discovery Grant. “People in our region are rightly concerned The UQ-led grant involves collaboration about the threat of influenza. We can now with Monash University and Germany’s add H7N9 to H5N1 as recognised threats,” Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, and Professor Middelberg said. The Australian brings together computational and National Action Plan for Pandemic experimental research efforts. Influenza, issued by the Department of “This activity builds logically on my earlier the Prime Minister, recognises the threat research into peptide surfactants,” he said. explicitly. “We are working to turn this “Through that research it became clear that unique UQ research into technology that the high cost of peptides was a significant can help protect Australia and our region barrier to application.” To address this

Australian Research Council (ARC) Federation (Shanghai, China, 2011); and Recovery XIV Fellowship and returned to Australia. (Lake Tahoe, USA, 2010). Professor Middelberg’s intellectual property Professor Middelberg is an elected Fellow for peptide surfactants was licensed to of the Australian Academy of Technological AIBN’s first spin-out company. Engineers Sciences and Engineering and a Fellow of the Australia has named Professor Middelberg Institution of Chemical Engineers, UK. He has one of Australia’s 100 most influential attracted more than $13 million in research engineers. funding since 2003 and been named as an Middelberg APJ, Dimitijev-Dwyer M. inventor on 58 patents, including applications. (2011) A designed biosurfactant protein for Professor Middelberg is editor-in-chief of switchable foam control. ChemPhysChem the leading international journal Chemical Key publications in the past five years: 12(8), 1426-1429. Engineering Science. He has joint Wibowo N, Chuan YP, Lua LHL, publications with researchers from Tianjin Zhao CX, He LZ, Qiao SZ, Middelberg Middelberg APJ. (2013) Modular University, China; Oxford and Cambridge APJ. (2011) Nanoparticle synthesis in engineering of a microbially-produced Universities, UK; the University of California microreactors. Chem Eng Sci 66(7), 1463- viral capsomere vaccine for influenza. Berkeley, US; KAIST, Korea; and several 1479. (5th ranked ‘hottest articles’ for the Chem Eng Sci. In press: http://dx.doi. companies, including Eli Lilly, Novartis and journal in 2011). org/10.1016/j.ces.2012.04.001. Dow. Professor Middelberg has served in Ding Y, Chuan YP, He L, Middelberg APJ. scientific roles for numerous international Middelberg APJ, Rivera-Hernandez T, (2010) Modelling the competition between conferences, including the International Wibowo N, Lua LHL, Fan YY, Magor G, aggregation and self-assembly during virus- Biotechnology Symposium (Daegu, South Chang C, Chuan YP, Good MF, Batzloff MR. like particle processing. Biotechnol Bioeng Korea, 2012); the International Small-Angle (2011) A microbial platform for rapid and 107(3), 550-560. (Front cover). Scattering Conference (Sydney, 2012); low-cost virus-like particle and capsomere the Asian Congress of Biotechnology vaccines. Vaccine 29(41), 7154-7162. www.aibn.uq.edu.au/anton-middelberg

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 27 Researchers working with AIBN Professor Michael Monteiro may have developed a potential weapon against cancer. While there is no talk of a cure, the researchers believe they are onto something special with engineered polymer nanoparticles.

Md Daloar Hossain

The results follow a three-year Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery project, developing with $400,000 in funding, which aimed to develop a potent anti-cancer drug delivery device through use of engineered nanoparticles. Novel polymer By combining novel polymer architectures with small interfering RNA (siRNA), delivery of the resultant self-assembled nanoparticle has shown the potential to kill cancerous architectures cells found in tissues or organs, Professor Monteiro said. He said siRNA was a class of double-stranded RNA molecules, 20-25 base pairs in length. for targeted Professor Monteiro said the research group had also discovered, in 2012, a new polymer that would act as a drug delivery applications device. In testing, the cationic (positively charged) polymer delivered siRNA to a cancerous cell line and stopped the cancer from developing. “We have been able to show that the polymer is non-toxic to the cells. The polymer releases its payload at the right time to good therapeutic effect. The tests have shown there are no side effects – and potentially no need for chemotherapy.” The group has submitted a ground- breaking paper for publication that reveals the researchers have knocked down biological pathways specific to the growth of cancers. “siRNA has shown real promise in treatment of cervical cancer. The research

28 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 has the potential to aid in the treatment nanoreactors for the production of of other cancers, infectious diseases and environmentally friendly pharmaceutics. genetic disorders. The research involves further developing “There are a million ways to cure cancer nanoreactors to produce linear and star in mice. Only 0.1 per cent of all that polymers in water with controlled molecular research can help humans. The challenge weights, narrow distributions and a desired is to understand why it works and then to particle size — a significant advance on translate it to humans. previous methods. “What we do with mice is understand the The group has also developed reversible process and what the factors are that drive it.” nanostructures that form spheres, rods, worms, loops and vesicles that can be In a collaboration between Professor transformed at high solids content to other Monteiro and UQ School of Chemistry and structures on demand. Molecular Biosciences (SCMB) Professor Istvan Toth, researchers believe they Professor Monteiro said it would lead to have established a synthetic pathway to ‘green’ synthesis of large-scale polymers produce polymer-peptide conjugates as for biomedical applications. macromolecular vaccine candidates against human papillomavirus-related cancers, such as cervical cancer. Professor Monteiro said while cervical cancer vaccines had been successful, a Professor Michael Monteiro large proportion of women were already ARC Future Fellow and Group Leader infected and others would be infected until there was worldwide vaccine coverage. Research: Designer polymers: Synthesis of complex polymer architectures The researchers have investigated an alternative method of inducing T cells, the Professor Michael Monteiro has body’s natural defence system, to act as established an international reputation in a vaccine against the cancer rather than the field of ‘living’ radical polymerisation bombard the body with chemotherapy. to create complex polymer architectures. Professor Monteiro said tests in a mouse He is now building designer polymers model were successful. “We can get a for various biomedical applications, therapeutic effect after only one single including vaccines, drug delivery and immunisation. There was very good tumour stem cells. He is dedicated to translating knockdown. research into commercial outcomes, with seven PCT and provisional patents “We are a long way from saying we have a since 2005 and establishment of start-up Macromolecules (2008-2010). He is cure for cancer, but we have the potential company DendriMed Pty Ltd. He was editor of European Polymer Journal. to cure certain cancers,” Professor awarded an Australian Research Council Monteiro said. (ARC) QEII Fellowship in 2004 and an Key publications for the past five years: He said many cancer patients died from ARC Future Fellowship in 2009. Jia ZF, Lonsdale DE, Kulis J, Monteiro MJ. (2012) Construction of a 3-miktoarm intensive chemotherapy, or secondary Professor Monteiro is the recipient of star from cyclic polymers. ACS Macro infections that hit when the body was the 2011 Australian Leadership Award Letters 1(6), 780-783. vulnerable. from the Australian Davos Connection. His research group hopes to develop a He has attracted more than $7 million in Kessel S, Urbani CN, Monteiro MJ. (2011) readily-available drug or vaccine delivery ARC and National Health and Medical Mechanically driven reorganisation of device that has no side effects and can Research Council (NHMRC) grants; and thermoresponsive diblock copolymer target cancer more directly and quickly. Queensland Government funding. assemblies in water. Angew Chemie – Int Ed 50(35), 8082-8085. The group has a patent on the device but Professor Monteiro has built a needs support and funding. strong collaboration with Professor Deng ZJ, Liang MT, Monteiro MJ, Toth I, “The next step is to go to different animal Virgil Percec from the University of Minchin RF. (2011) Nanoparticle-induced models that more closely resemble humans Pennsylvania to develop and understand unfolding of fibrinogen promotes Mac-1 – and then to humans. the new SET-LRP. A collaboration receptor activation and inflammation. with Professor Rachel O’Reilly, Nature Nanotechnology 6(1), 39-44. “Cancer is a very tough disease to cure. from the University of Warwick, has We still have a long way to go. That’s why Bell CA, Bernhardt PV, Monteiro MJ. developed nanoreactors that mimic (2011) A rapid electrochemical method we are being very cautious. But I hope we enzyme activity. In collaboration with would have clinical trials within five years.” for determining rate coefficients for Professor Eugenia Kumacheva, from copper-catalysed polymerisations. J Am Professor Monteiro said another research the University of Toronto, Professor Chem Soc 133(31), 11944-11947. focus was on synthesising novel Monteiro has developed temperature- nanomaterials based on polymers by responsive micron-sized particles from Skwarczynski M, Zaman M, Urbani CN, ‘living’ radical polymerisation in water. encapsulation of cells. Lin IC, Jia Z, Batzloff MR, Good MF, That would provide the enabling science Monteiro MJ, Toth I. (2010) Polyacrylate Professor Monteiro is on the editorial dendrimer nanoparticles: a self- so nanomaterials with targeted properties advisory boards of Biomacromolecules could be tailor made for biomedical and adjuvanting vaccine delivery system. (2013-) and the Journal of Polymer Angew Chem Int Ed 49(33), 5742-5745. coatings applications. Science, Part A: Polymer Chemistry The group is investigating how it can (2009-); and has been on the board of www.aibn.uq.edu.au/michael-monteiro mimic features of enzymes to catalyse organic reactions in water using polymer

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 29 Professor Lu’s significant and sustained the World (2006). He won the prestigious contributions include a new method ARC Federation Fellowship twice (2003 for synthesis of highly reactive single and 2008). 2 crystal TiO , new insights into the He is an elected Fellow of the Australian surface chemistry and modifications Academy of Technological Sciences and of nanoporous materials, molecular Engineering; a Fellow of the Australian engineering of membranes and efficient Academy of Science; and a Fellow of photocatalyst for clean energy and water. the Institution of Chemical Engineers. With more than 450 journal publications He is editor and editorial board member in high impact journals including Nature, of several international journals including J Am Chem Soc, Angew Chem and Adv Colloid and Interface Science and Carbon. Materials, he is also co-inventor of more Professor Lu has served on many than 20 international patents. Professor government committees and advisory Lu is an Institute for Scientific Information groups including the Prime Minister’s highly-cited author in materials science Science, Engineering and Innovation with 18,500 citations and a h-index of 68. Council (2004, 2005, 2009) and Australian Professor Lu has received numerous Research Council (ARC) College of Professor Max Lu prestigious awards nationally and Experts (2002-2004). His other previous board memberships include Uniseed UQ Deputy Vice-Chancellor internationally, including the China Pty Ltd, ARC Nanotechnology Network, (Research) and AIBN Group Leader International Science and Technology Award, Chinese Academy of Sciences National Emerging Technologies Forum Research: Materials chemistry and International Cooperation Award, Orica and Queensland China Council. He is nanotechnology Award, RK Murphy Medal, Le Fevre currently board member of the Australian Professor Max Lu is known for Prize, ExxonMobil Award, Chemeca Synchrotron; National eResearch his work on nanoparticles and Medal, Top 100 Most Influential Collaboration Tools and Resources; and nanoporous materials for clean energy Engineers in Australia (2004, 2010, 2012) Research Data Storage Infrastructure. and environmental technologies. and Top 50 Most Influential Chinese in www.aibn.uq.edu.au/max-lu

Abhijit Shrotri

30 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Nanomac has change of leadership

Nanomac’s principal research focus has in clean energy; Associate Professor Zhi been to address major global challenges Ping (Gordon) Xu a leader in health care; AIBN Affiliate Group Leader and UQ of clean and sustainable energy and water Dr Jorge Beltramini a leader in biofuels and Professor of Chemical Engineering, supply – and to advance innovative and clean energy; and Dr Denisa Jurcakova a Professor Lianzhou Wang, took over equitable health care. To successfully leader in energy storage. meet those challenges, the centre brings leadership of the Nanomaterials Nanomac has been part of the Australian together expertise from chemistry, biology, Centre (Nanomac) from founding Research Council (ARC) Centre of engineering and pharmacy. Several groups director Professor Max Lu in 2012. Excellence for Functional Nanomaterials work and collaborate within the centre, since 2003. While ARC funding ceased with Professors Lu and Wang leading work at the end of 2010, membership of the ARC centre remains active. In addition to financial support from UQ, key centre researchers have been successful in securing major research grants and awards in 2012, ensuring continuation and development of the core research themes.

Materials for clean energy New-generation solar cells Professor Wang and his research group joined the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Polymers in the Solar Cells sub- program investigating new barrier layer and photoanode materials for new-generation solar cells. The CRC sub-program will focus on one of the key challenges of cell encapsulation and stability of third- generation solar cells. The sub-program aims to develop a new class of composite thin films as better sealing materials for solar cell applications. Professor Wang also received an ARC Future Fellowship to continue his work designing new layered materials for efficient solar energy conversion. The fellowship enables Professor Wang to focus on some exciting research programs in new nanomaterial design and development for efficient solar energy use, including photocatalytic water/air purification, solar fuel generation and self-cleaning coatings. A new discovery project was granted to his group, supporting research into self-cleaning thin films for anti-reflective solar cell coatings until 2015. The project addresses an important industry need by designing a new class of functional composite coatings for improving solar cells’ efficiency and durability. A successful outcome could provide an important

continued overleaf…

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 31 Nanomac has change of leadership continued

breakthrough in thin film technology, Successful development of the technology A second partnership for the group is with applicable not only to solar panels but other would save energy and reduce carbon Baoshan Iron and Steel Co in China, which is coating applications. emissions. supporting research into nano and microscale

engineering of MoS2 based catalysts for Energy storage development Catalysts for biofuels conversion of syngas to ethanol. Dr Beltramini’s research group formed two An ARC Linkage project led by Dr Environment Jurcakova; and Professors Lu and new important partnerships during 2012. Efficient water purification Wang; was awarded in 2012, focusing In a partnership with the Sugar Research on new cathode materials development and Development Corporation, the group Centre research in clean water technologies for rechargeable lithium ion battery will investigate using sugar cane feedstock received a significant boost with a new applications. in fuel additives and chemicals – and ARC Discovery Project, led by Professor conversion to furan derivatives by catalytic Wang, securing funding for 2013-2015. The Thermoelectrics processes. The project aims to develop project will work to develop a new class of novel materials for use as catalysts for composite photocatalysts for efficient water Professor Lu and Dr Zhen Li were awarded producing furan derivatives from sugar purification using sunlight. an ARC Discovery Project to advance waste components. Furan derivatives are a their research in thermoelectrics. The promising product, with potential to achieve Catalytic oxidation to cut emissions project aims to develop high-performance a secure energy supply through production Dr Li Li is building a bridge between thermoelectric semiconductor nanowires of gasoline additives and chemicals from researchers in Australia and China as she for recovering waste heat from automotive renewable biomass. works to reduce vehicle emissions using exhausts and industrial processes.

32 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Professor Lianzhou Wang Mukherji A, Seger B, Lu GQ, Wang ARC Future Fellow and L. (2011) Nitrogen Doped Sr2Ta2O7 Affiliate Group Leader Coupled with Graphene Sheets as Photocatalysts for Increased Research: Characterisation Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production. and application of functional ACS Nano 5 (5), 3483–3492. nanomaterials Wu X, Chen ZG, Lu GQ, Wang L. (2011) Professor Lianzhou Wang has Nanosized Anatase TiO Single Crystals an international reputation in the 2 with Tunable Exposed (001) Facets for characterisation and application of Enhanced Energy Conversion Efficiency functional nanomaterials for use in of Dye-Sensitised Solar Cells. Advanced cleaner and more efficient energy Functional Materials 21, 4167-4172. conversion/storage systems, including photocatalytsts, rechargeable Mukherji A, Marschall R, Tanksale lithium batteries and water treatment A, Sun CH, Smith S, Lu GQ, Wang membranes. L. (2011) N-doped CsTaWO6 as a New Photocatalyst for Hydrogen Professor Wang is an Australian Production from Water Splitting under Research Council (ARC) Future Fellow; Solar Irradiation. Advanced Functional a past recipient of an STA Fellowship of Materials 21(1), 126-132 (Frontispiece, Japan; and an ARC Queen Elizabeth II highlighted by Nature Photonics, 2011). Fellowship. He has attracted more than 10 ARC grants; two CSIRO Flagship Cluster projects; major Queensland Government funding; a CRC program; and several UQ grants. Professor Wang has built long-term collaborations with world leaders in material science, including Professor Michael Hoffmann from the California Institute of Technology; Professor Guozhong Cao from the University of Washington; Professors Takayoshi Sasaki and Jinhua Ye and Dr Kiyoshi high-performance nanoengineering. Dr Li Ozawa from the National Institute for is working with experts from the Chinese Materials Sciences, Japan; Professor Academy of Sciences to reduce emissions Michael Wark from Ruhr-University of volatile organic compounds. With Bochum, Germany; and Professors support through a Queensland International Huiming Cheng, Yingchun Zhu and Fellowship, Dr Li will travel to China to Can Li from the Chinese Academy of develop a catalytic oxidation process, in Sciences. collaboration with the Research Centre Professor Wang is a member of the for Eco-Environmental Sciences Professor American Chemical Society, the Institute Zhengping Hao. Wang L, Tang FQ, Ozawa K, Chen ZG, of Chemical Engineers and the Australian Mukherj A, Zhu YC, Zou J, Cheng H, Health care Nanotechnology Network. Lu GQ. (2009) A General Single Source Associate Professor Xu, who leads Key publications in the past five years: Route for Nanoporous Hollow Structure research into innovative drug delivery at Preparation. Angew Chem Int Ed, Bai Y, Yu H, Li Z, Amal R, Lu GQ, Wang the centre, was awarded an ARC Future 7048-7051. L. (2012) In-situ Growth of ZnO Nanowire Fellowship and a Discovery Project Network within TiO Nanoparticle Film www.aibn.uq.edu.au/lianzhou-wang grant in 2012 to advance his work in 2 for Enhanced Dye-sensitised Solar Cell engineering layered double hydroxide Performance. Advanced Materials 5849- nanoparticles towards an efficient, targeted 5853 (Frontispiece). clinical delivery system and the safety of nanoparticle skin penetration.

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 33 Trash to treasure

Professor Lars Nielsen synthetic aviation fuel based on AIBN researchers are turning trash Group Leader isoprenoids involves Professor Nielsen into treasure. Under the leadership collaborating with global synthetic of Professor Lars Nielsen, they are Research: Systems and synthetic biotechnology company Amyris and developing ways to make sustainable biology leading isoprenoid metabolic engineer chemicals, such as polypropylene Professor Lars Nielsen is leading the Professor Jay Keasling, from the plastics used for Australia’s bank notes, development of experimental and University of California, Berkeley. from bioderived feedstocks including computational tools to analyse and Professor Nielsen has been granted sugar cane. design complex biological systems. four patents – two in stem cells and His expertise in metabolic modelling and the others in metabolic engineering. flux analysis is available nowhere else He is on the Scientific Advisory Board in Australia – and in few labs across the of InSphero (2009–), a Swiss company Professor Nielsen’s research group received commercialising microtissue technology $478,284 in funding through an Australian originating in the Nielsen laboratory. Research Council (ARC) Linkage Project He is an editorial board member of ACS scheme and began work in 2012 with the Synthetic Biology, Metabolic Engineering, Dow Chemical Company on the three-year Biotechnology Journal, Biotechnology project. and Bioengineering and Bioprocess and “Fossil fuels provide us with essential Biosystems Engineering. chemicals for our lifestyles,” Professor Professor Nielsen has served as an Nielsen said. “The chemical industry expert adviser to governments, research recognises limited supply and a need to bodies and domestic and major reduce carbon emissions. Microbes can international companies such as Dow produce green chemicals but efficiencies Chemical, DuPont and GS Caltex. In are often low. This project will develop the past decade, he has been part of microbes and improve the fermentative successful research grant applications processes for producing plastic precursors totalling $56 million. from sugar cane.” Polypropylene banknotes have a Key publications in the past five years: significantly longer lifespan than paper Fearnley LG, Nielsen LK. (2012) notes but, like most plastics, are made from PATHLOGIC-S: A scalable Boolean traditional fossil sources. Researchers are framework for modelling cellular seeking viable alternatives from renewable world. Professor Nielsen’s studies of signalling. PLoS ONE 7(8), e41977. resources. biological systems as diverse as bacteria, de Oliveira Dal’molin CG, Quek LE, AIBN Systems and Synthetic Biology Group baker’s yeast, sugarcane, insects and Palfreyman RW, Brumbley SM, Nielsen business manager Dr Robert Speight mammals have attracted industrial LK. (2010) AraGEM – a genome-scale said using sucrose from sugar cane could partnerships with companies including reconstruction of the primary metabolic make bio-plastic production more efficient, Dow, Metabolix, Amyris, LanzaTech, network in Arabidopsis thaliana. Plant sustainable and cheaper. As well as bank Boeing, Virgin Australia and GE. The Physiol 152, 579–589. notes, the technology would be applicable metabolic engineering partnerships have Quek L-E, Dietmair S, Krömer JO, to a wide variety of plastic products. focused on developing new ways of Nielsen LK. (2010) Metabolic flux analysis In a separate project, researchers are producing aviation fuel, various materials in mammalian cell culture. Metabolic investigating expanded uses for more parts and bioactives (antibiotics, biopesticides Engineering 12, 161-171. of sugar cane plants. Sugar cane juice and monoclonal antibodies). Timmins NE, Palfreyman E, Marturana F, for sugar production is derived from the Professor Nielsen is also applying system Dietmair S, Luikenga S, Lopez G, Fung stem, with the plant’s leaves discarded. analysis and design approaches to tissue YL, Minchinton R, Nielsen LK. (2009) But Dr Speight said AIBN researchers were engineering, including novel strategies for Clinical scale ex vivo manufacture of examining how they could use the leaves to generating microtissues for drug screening neutrophils from hematopoietic progenitor produce bio-plastics. and using stem cells to produce red and cells. Biotechnol Bioeng 104, 832-840. “The leaves are known as sugar cane white blood cells for transfusion. Chen W, Marcellin E, Hung J, Nielsen LK. trash – a waste product. They are typically Professor Nielsen collaborates with some (2009) Hyaluronan molecular weight is burnt or just left on the field,” he said. of the world’s pre-eminent metabolic controlled by UDP-N- acetylglucosamine AIBN researchers are working on ways engineers. A joint project with Professor concentration in Streptococcus to engineer the plants so bio-plastic is Sang Yup Lee (KAIST, Korea) enabled zooepidemicus. J Biol Chem 284, produced in the leaves at sufficiently high several extended mutual visits to explore 18007-18014. levels to be economically viable to recover use of sugar for higher value products. A and use. separate project focusing on producing www.aibn.uq.edu.au/lars-nielsen

34 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 “The concept is that we have to take advantage of as much of our natural resources as possible and try to add value to parts of plants that would not normally be used. The research is delivering promising results.” Professor Nielsen’s research group is focusing on another waste product in a new project with US company LanzaTech, which produces fuels and chemicals from carbon-containing gases. LanzaTech’s technology mitigates carbon emissions from industry without adversely impacting on food or land security. Dr Speight said LanzaTech was already making good use of waste carbon monoxide produced by steel factories in China to make ethanol. AIBN systems biology researchers are working with LanzaTech’s synthetic biology team in investigating microbes that can grow on gases that would otherwise be pollutants and convert them into valuable, useful products. “We are using our systems biology expertise to improve the understanding of the gas fermenting microbe and the fermentation process to allow better yields and potentially a variety of new chemical products. Using systems biology to understand and improve biological processes is a common theme that runs through all our work,” Dr Speight said.

Biofuel business case in development AIBN researchers are winding up the first phase of the Queensland Sustainable Aviation Fuel Initiative. They have submitted key findings from their techno-economic analysis of bio-aviation fuel production to leading industry journal Biofuels, Bioproducts & Biorefining. The findings have been accepted for publication in 2013. Dr Speight said work began in 2012 on the second phase of the project, which is investigating the business case for bio-aviation fuel production from sugar cane in Mackay. AIBN researchers are also using the project to apply systems and synthetic biology techniques to improve the Dr Manuel Plan performance of microbial production strains in fermentation. “The overall aim of this multi-stage program Chris Tindal for discussions on the Nielsen is to manufacture sustainable aviation fuel Group’s world-leading biofuels research. components and diesel from Queensland The US Department of Defense intends to sugar cane; supply the aviation fuel market pursue new green fuel sources and has in Australasia; and help seed a strong, committed to halving its energy use from sustainable domestic advanced biofuel renewable sources by 2020. industry,” he said. The US Navy has expressed keen interest in A 2012 highlight was a visit from the US AIBN’s work and Dr Speight said research Navy’s Director for Operational Energy had shown promising early results.

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 35 AIBN researchers are working on a solution for the large number of breast cancer patients who do not Personalising respond to chemotherapy, using $5 million in new funding. breast cancer

It is the second time the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) has funded AIBN Professor Matt Trau’s research into treatment developing new nanotechnology-based diagnostics, understanding the epigenetics of breast cancer biology and moving towards specialised treatment methods. through Researchers hope their work will reduce the onset of advanced breast cancer and recurrence rates; stop disease progression; nanotechnology and significantly increase survival rates. “Early detection and personalised treatment is one of the greatest weapons we have against breast cancer. Survival and “All these areas are major clinical needs Professor Trau said the second tranche of remission rates for breast cancer patients that must be solved if we are to radically funding would enable research to translate are drastically increased when the disease improve patient outcomes and overall new discoveries and nanotechnology is caught early,” Professor Trau said. breast cancer care.” innovations into the clinic. The work involves refining diagnostic tools to Professor Trau is the project’s lead “If the disease is caught later, the major pinpoint markers for cancer sub-types and chief investigator and will work with a clinical question is which chemotherapy (if monitoring patients during treatment. any) should be used to treat the specific multidisciplinary team of researchers in type of breast cancer present. After surgery nanotechnology, epigenetics, oncology and The research will dramatically expand on and treatment, the major challenge is to pathology from seven other institutions and the current breast cancer treatment regime, detect whether the disease has recurred. organisations around Australia. with recognition that the disease is not the same in all patients.

Ramanathan Pudhukode Vaidyanathan, Dr Sakandar Rauf and Dr Laura Garcia Carrascosa

36 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 “It’s not one disease. Research suggests it a personalised medical therapy; the is at least nine different diseases, each of development of nanodiagnostics, protocols which requires a different treatment regime. and processes for breast cancer screening In the clinic, we currently do not have a very and diagnosis; and implementation of good way of distinguishing between them technologies and processes as in vitro effectively,” he said. diagnostics in certified clinical pathology laboratories. “Because of this, only a small percentage of cancer patients derive any benefit from Professor Trau said the “holy grail” was chemotherapy. With the fusion of modern a blood test to screen for breast cancer. genetics, epigenetics and nanotechnology, “That would be an incredible lifesaver.” we dream of being able to do much better.” He said the new funding would allow for clinical trials, with researchers collecting biopsy and serum samples to determine how cancerous tumours responded to chemotherapy. New technology will be used to evaluate the epigenetic biomarkers during a Professor Matt Trau patient’s treatment, enabling researchers AIBN Deputy Director to track the tumours. Researchers will also (Nanotechnology) and Group Leader develop diagnostic devices and processes for breast cancer screening and move Research: Nanoscience, towards introducing them in certified clinical nanotechnology and molecular pathology labs. diagnostics The research will build on NBCF-funded Professor Matt Trau is internationally work in the past four years, which recognised for his innovative and cross- discovered epigenetic changes in the disciplinary research at the interface human body that point to the presence of between chemistry, nanotechnology, breast cancer. biology and medicine. While the first decade of the genomic era He has held positions in industry and identified key molecular subtypes in breast academia across the globe, including cancer, the improvements in classification a Fulbright Research Fellowship at have not yet been translated into useful Princeton University, US; and research Selected publications from the past clinical practice. “A more radical approach scientist at Dow Chemical and ICI Pty five years: is required to make primary research Ltd. Professor Trau has been a visiting relevant to those most directly affected by professor at two of the largest cancer Grewal YS, Shiddiky MJA, Gray SA, this disease,” Professor Trau said. research centres in the world: the Dana Weigel KM, Cangelosi GA, Trau M. Farber Cancer Research Institute at (2013) Label-free electrochemical His aim is that surgery would be a later Harvard Medical School in Boston; and detection of an entamoeba histolytica step in the treatment process, informed the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research antigen using cell-free yeast-scFv by diagnostic analysis using innovative Centre in Seattle. probes. Chem Commun 49, 1551-1553. nanotechnologies. Professor Trau has raised more than Wee EJH, Shiddiky MJA, Brown MA, Pre-operative chemotherapy or neo- $22 million in competitive national Trau M. (2012) eLCR: Electrochemical adjuvant therapy has traditionally been and international grant funding in the detection of single DNA base changes used to treat larger operable and advanced past decade. He has initiated and led via ligase chain reaction. Chem Commun breast tumours, but is increasingly being several large international research 48, 12014-12016. used to treat patients with early-stage programs in the past five years, involving breast cancers, since it offers the potential Shiddiky MJA, Kithva PH, Rauf S, Trau close collaboration between leading to substantially reduce the size of the M. (2012) Femtomolar detection of a nanotechnologists, molecular biologists, primary tumour, thus allowing breast- cancer biomarker protein in serum with geneticists and commercial researchers, conserving surgery and surgical resection ultralow background current by anodic with the goal of creating cutting-edge of previously inoperable tumours. stripping voltammetry. Chem Commun diagnostics. 48, 6411-6413. A key strategic advantage of neo- He has co-authored more than 100 adjuvant chemotherapy is that it allows an Kozak D, Anderson W, Vogel R, Chen S, refereed publications, many of which individual tumour’s sensitivity to specific Antaw F, Trau M. (2012) Simultaneous appear in the highest impact journals in chemotherapeutic or targeted agents size and -potential measurements of his field – including two Nature and two to be assessed, in contrast to adjuvant individual nanoparticles in dispersion Science publications. His major honours therapy which typically constitutes a blind using size-tunable pore sensors. ACS include an Australian Research Council approach. Nano 6, 6990-6997. (ARC) Federation Fellowship, one of the The new research has a neo-adjuvant most prestigious scientific fellowships Connolly AR, Trau M. (2011) Rapid DNA clinical trial to collect biopsy and serum in Australia; a Fulbright Research detection by beacon-assisted detection samples to evaluate disease progression Fellowship to the US; a Queensland amplification. Nature Protocols 6, and tumour response to chemotherapy Young Tall Poppy Award; a UQ 772-778. treatment; the use of next-generation Foundation/Vice-Chancellor’s Research www.aibn.uq.edu.au/matt-trau technologies to evaluate epigenetic Excellence Award; a Paul Harris biomarkers for disease progression and Fellowship; and a Pink Circle Award for tumour response to chemotherapy during breast cancer research excellence. treatment, providing unique data that characterises each patient to construct

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 37 AIBN researchers are using solar He has been developing multifunctional and energy to develop carbon-neutral highly-ordered nanoporous semiconductors liquid fuels. with that vision in mind. A 13-strong AIBN group working with Professor Vinu has a target of developing a portable, low-cost, nanoporous energy They hope to develop a device that will be storage and conversion device before sufficiently powerful to run vehicles and 2015. The work began in 2011. household items, right down to personal Professor Vinu said the first step involved smart phones. taking CO2 from the atmosphere and Under the leadership of Professor Ajayan converting it into methanol. It uses Vinu, an Australian Research Council (ARC) semiconducting nanostructures with Future Fellow, the researchers recorded a highly-ordered porous system that good progress in 2012, and are about 60 absorbs the CO2 and converts it into clean per cent of the way to completing their methanol. high-tech project. The methanol is then used to run a fuel cell, with clean energy from the fuel cell stored in supercapacitors. The stored energy is used

again to convert the CO2 electrochemically to increase the system’s efficiency and the Continuous circle of nano life starts again. Professor Vinu said a single fuel cell could run electrical equipment, such as smart green energy phones, laptops, computers and calculators. Or cells could be stacked together to run a car or large household electrical items. The same material could also be used for solar moves closer cells, supercapacitors and a broad range of other applications. Professor Vinu’s expertise in developing fuel cells was garnered during eight years with to reality the National Institute for Materials Science, Japan’s leading materials institute, before Clean energy for a sustainable environment he came to AIBN in 2011. is Professor Vinu’s motivation. He has been He established a sub-group headed by working on nanomaterials with functional Professor Javaid Zaidi at AIBN to work moieties and hierarchically-ordered pores to specifically on developing electrodes for be used in novel technology for eliminating polymer electrolyte membranes and direct

CO2 and converting it into fuel. methanol fuel cells. “My ultimate goal is to create a continuous Professor Vinu said the novel technology supply of energy by combining fuel cells, solar would be the ultimate clean, green cells and supercapacitor technology,’’ he said. machine. The cells would be developed

Professor Ajayan Vinu impact journals with more than 6500 citations ARC Future Fellow and Group Leader and a h-index of 45. At least 16 of his papers have been cited more than 100 times and Research: Multifunctional nanoporous 40 papers have been cited more than 50 materials for energy and a clean times. Many of his works were published environment in top journals, including Angewandte Professor Ajayan Vinu is recognised as one Chemie, JACS, Advanced Materials and of the top international researchers in the Advanced Functional Materials. field of nanoporous materials. Professor Vinu has received the Friedrich His research work introduced a new field of Wilhelm Bessel Research Award from nanoporous nitrides and developed novel the Humboldt Foundation; an Australian methods for making nanoporous materials Research Council (ARC) Australian Future with different textural parameters and Fellowship (2010-2014); the Indian Society multiple functions. He discovered numerous of Chemists and Biologists Award for novel materials, such as carbon nanocage, Excellence (2010); the Chemical Society of mesoporous carbon nitride, mesoporous Japan Award for Young Chemists (2008); boron nitride and boron carbon nitrides, and Iran’s top science prize, the Khwarizmi carbon nanocoops and silica nanocoops. International Award for applied research in The research has led to 255 papers in high- nanotechnology (2008).

38 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 to convert harmful CO2 into a clean fuel, then into clean energy, which was reused to remove the harmful gas from the atmosphere again. “It has very high efficiency. It will clean the

CO2 and provide clean energy with no harm to the environment. It is the perfect device,” he said. The solar industry is also on the verge of a revolution, thanks to joint work by AIBN researchers and Yonsei University in Seoul, Korea. Under Professor Vinu’s leadership, Australian and Korean researchers have combined their expertise in polymer patterning and materials science in a bid to develop new-generation solar cells. Professor Vinu said the collaboration, involving a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2012, would encourage the creation of new science and new products, including efforts to improve solar cells’ efficiency. AIBN would contribute expertise in materials science, in particular porous semiconducting and bio-nanomaterials, while Yonsei would bring knowledge of polymer patterning and fabrication. “We have expertise in the fabrication of porous functionalised semiconducting nanostructures that will maximise quantum efficiency of dye sensitised or organic solar cells, while the Yonsei researchers have know-how in designing various types of solar cell devices,” Professor Vinu said. “The fusion of materials development and device fabrication can help us achieve a new solar cell technology or product with a low cost, which will generate a huge revolution in the solar industry.” The technology will be integrated into a nanodevice that can offer a continuous supply of energy in the future.

The innovative nature and commercial potential of research from his group is shown by 18 national and international patents. He has also secured funding of more than $US3.6 million from industry and government funding agencies. Dr Christoph Seubert Key publications in the past five years: Kim J, Anand C, Talapaneni SN, You J, Aldeyab SS, Kim E, Vinu A. (2012) Catalytic Jin X, Balasubramanian VV, Selvan ST, Tunable Pores. Angew Chemie Inter Ed Polymerization of Anthracene in a Recyclable Sawant DP, Chari MA, Lu GQ, Vinu A. 48(40), 7358-7361. SBA-15 Reactor with High Iron Content by (2009) Highly Ordered Mesoporous Carbon Ariga K, Vinu A, Ji Q, Ohmori O, Hill J, a Friedel–Crafts Alkylation. Angew Chemie Nitride Nanoparticles with a High Nitrogen Acharya S, Koike J, Shiratori S. (2008) International Edition 51, 2859-2863. Content: a Novel Metal-free Basic Catalyst. A Layered Mesoporous Carbon Sensor Angew Chemie Intl Ed 48(42), 7884-7887. Datta KKR, Subba BV, Ariga RK, Vinu A. (2010) Based on Nanopore-Filling Cooperative Gold Nanoparticles Embedded in Nanoporous Alam S, Anand C, Ariga K, Mori T, Vinu Adsorption in the Liquid Phase. Angew Carbon Nitride Stabiliser for Highly Efficient A. (2009) Unusual Magnetic Properties of Chem Int Ed 47, 7254-7257. Three Component Coupling Reaction. Size-Controlled Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Angew Chem Intl Ed 49, 5961-5965. Grown in a Nanoporous Matrix with www.aibn.uq.edu.au/ajayan-vinu

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 39 Understanding how information Associate Professor Wells plays in the in human DNA interacts with collaboration, she was invited to chair environmental factors to influence the session on immediate early response healthy development has massive genes at FANTOM’s annual conference implications in treating, and in Yokohama, Japan in October 2012. Associate Professor Wells said such potentially preventing, a range of conferences were important, given the diseases. gaps in understanding of human DNA and the rapid pace of advances in the research linked to infection and the immune system. AIBN Associate Professor Christine “We’ve been examining the ‘library’ of Wells and her research group are part genes that are switched on by immune cells of important international and domestic in the first few hours after they identify an collaborations researching the networks infection,” she said. “We now understand of genes that drive stem cell differentiation the wiring of the immune system and what and immune activation. happens at the cellular and molecular levels The FANTOM (Functional Annotation of the when you get an infection.” Mammalian Genome) project is a global Her research has implications for new effort to map the critical gene regions that diagnostic treatments for infections – and best describe each cell in the body. The for chronic conditions such as arthritis, Wells group’s efforts in the consortium diabetes and arterial sclerosis, where the focus on the immune system. The group’s immune system is inappropriately activated. key collaborators are in Japan, Germany, “While the immune system is like a set of Denmark and the US. soldiers ready to fight foreign invaders, In a demonstration of the important role it also maintains balance in the body,

she characterised a role for the C-type Key publications in the past five years: lectin Mincle in host-fungal interactions, Stem cell informatics and has identified novel proteins that Wells CA, Mosbergen R, Korn O, Seidenman modify inflammatory signalling. N, Matigian NA, Vitale AM, Shepherd J. Associate Professor Wells is leading (2013) Stemformatics: visualisation and international efforts to model robustness sharing of stem cell gene expression. Stem in gene regulatory networks, driving Cell Research 10(3), 387-395. insight into the impact of genetic and Mar J, Matigian N, Quackenbush J, Wells environmental variables. In 2011, she CA. (2011) attract: A method for identifying established Stemformatics.org – a core pathways that underlie cell state. collaborative hub for Australian and PLoS ONE 6(10), e25445. international stem cell researchers. Innate immunity Associate Professor Wells has an ongoing Vijayan D, Radford KJ, Beckhouse A, and senior role in the international genome Ashman RB, Wells CA. (2012) Mincle Associate Professor Christine Wells consortium Functional Annotation of polarises human monocytes and Queensland Government Fellow and the Mammalian genome (FANTOM), Group Leader neutrophils responses to Candida albicans. with Riken Omics Sciences Centre in Immunology and Cell Biology 90(9), 889- Research: Cellular differentiation and Yokohama, Japan. She is a member of 895 (Editorial highlight July 2012). activation the Canadian-led Project Grandiose, in collaboration with Dr Andras Nagy. She FANTOM consortium including Wells CA. Associate Professor Christine Wells is has close collaborations with Professor (2009) The transcriptional network that an internationally-recognised pioneer controls growth arrest and differentiation in of genomics in its application to innate John Quackenbush from the Dana Farber Cancer Research Institute in Boston, US; a human myeloid leukemia cell line. Nature immunity and stem cell biology. Genetics 41(5), 553-562. Professor Winston Hide from the Harvard She has driven programs to identify School of Public Health; Dr Jessica Mar Wells CA, Salvage-Jones J, Li X, Hitchens the genetic elements that define the from the Albert Einstein School of Medicine, K, Butcher S, Murray R, Beckhouse A, innate immune system, contribute to the New York; Professor Albin Sandelin from Lo Y, Cobbold C, Ma B, Orr S, Stewart L, regulation of immune genes and describe the University of Copenhagen, Denmark; Lebus D, Sobieszczuk P, Hume D, Stow the functions of new gene products. During and Professor Michael Rehli from University J, Blanchard H, Ashman B. (2008) The the past decade Associate Professor Hospital Regensburg, Germany. macrophage inducible c-type lectin, Mincle, Wells has made key contributions to is an essential component of the innate several seminal papers that mapped out Associate Professor Wells is on the immune response to Candida albicans. mammalian genome architecture and editorial board of Genomics and the open Journal of Immunology 180(11), 7404-7413. transcriptional complexity. Through gene- access journals Genomics, Proteomics & discovery programs in macrophage biology Bioinformatics and Biology Direct. www.aibn.uq.edu.au/christine-wells

40 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Fantom Global collaboration researching gene networks

regulating body weight, circadian rhythms – perhaps even sexual attraction,” she said. Another collaboration, Project Grandiose, asks the same question from a different angle. Can cells reprogram or revert to their original cell type? Scientists in Canada; South Korea; the Netherlands; the Australian National University, in Canberra; Sydney’s Victor Chang Institute; and AIBN are working together to understand how the reversion occurs. A collaboration closer to home is with UQ School of Biomedical Sciences neurologist Dr Thiruma (Garrie) Arumugam, who is working with the Wells research group to determine how the Mincle protein operates within the human brain. Associate Professor Wells discovered the macrophage inducible C-type lectin (Mincle) in 2008, a critical player in defence against fungal infection, including thrush, Edward Huang and Elizabeth Mason and mycobacteria such as TB. Mincle helps recruit the right white blood cells to a fungal infection, so triggering the protein can fight The Wells research group’s domestic derived from different laboratories or infection faster. collaborations have resulted in significant derived under different experimental But there are also advantages in ‘turning advances on the www.stemformatics.org conditions. portal that provides an important public off’ Mincle. In stroke patients, parts of Stemformatics hosts a large collection of and proprietary database of experiments the brain die because of blood vessel exemplar stem cell data that is carefully describing human and animal stem cells blockages. The immune system triggers a curated and provides fast visualisation and how they differentiate to become sterile inflammation to clear the dead cells, of gene expression across a range more mature cells, tissues and organs. which can intensify the stroke’s impact. of mouse and human datasets, with Blocking Mincle production can modulate The group worked with collaborative transparent links back to the original the severity of the inflammation, thus entity Stem Cells Australia in 2012 studies. to help its participants organise improving stroke outcomes and that is the One difficulty in the analysis of stem and understand the data generated area where Dr Arumugam’s expertise is cell signatures is the paucity of public and navigate it to identify significant vital. pathways/gene lists relevant to stem cell signatures and overarching patterns. Associate Professor Wells aims to drive that or developmental biology. Stemformatics work to clinical trials within five years. “This The portal was the focus of a major provides a simple mechanism to create, collaboration is very important and very publication accepted in 2012 for Stem share and analyse gene sets, providing a practical,” she said. Cell Research, detailing the challenges repository of community-annotated stem the stem cell research community faces cell gene lists that are informative about The Wells group has also identified an as it adopts genome-scale technologies pathways, lineage commitment, and additional 12 proteins similar to Mincle and and tries to share and visualise data common technical artefacts. is working in the lab to understand how they function.

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 41 Team targets smaller, smarter computer chips

a manufacturing tool, the solubility of the polymer changes, allowing the exposed It was not so many years ago when polymer to be washed away to reveal the computers were the size of a room. underlying silicon wafer. Today AIBN researchers are working “It is then possible to deposit a metal into towards computers that operate on the silicon to make a conducting circuit. the molecular level. The process is repeated many times to generate a complex three-dimensional pattern that’s a computer chip. A team led by AIBN Professor Andrew “We work at the cutting edge of this Whittaker and Associate Professor Idriss technology, developing new polymers to Blakey is developing a new generation allow printing of circuits consisting of very of computer chips. Professor Whittaker’s fine lines, about 20 nanometres or smaller research group is making materials that will in size. help industry build faster, smaller, cheaper and more powerful super computers. “The smaller size is required for a high density of transistors, meaning greater the number of transistors that could fit onto “We work in the field of polymers for computing power, faster chips and smaller a computer chip would double every 18 photolithography,” Professor Whittaker devices. Our research success is based on months. It has become a guiding principle said. “That’s the process used for detailed knowledge of the chemistry and for an industry continually developing more manufacturing integrated circuits – that is, physics of these polymers.” powerful chips. computer chips. Professor Whittaker referred to the well- “If we keep going down this dramatically “Put very simply, the polymers are an known Moore’s Law. Intel Corporation co- improving path, we’ll need new essential part of the manufacturing founder Gordon Moore in 1965 predicted technologies. That’s what we are ultimately process. When exposed to laser light in aiming for,” Professor Whittaker said.

Professor Andrew Whittaker by funding from leading semiconductor ARC Australian Professorial Fellow companies Intel, Sematech and the Dow and Group Leader Chemical Company. Research: Polymer chemistry, Outcomes include novel high-index resists for nanotechnology, photolithography, 193nm immersion lithography, new concepts biomaterials science and magnetic for design of non-chemically amplified resists resonance for EUV lithography, and novel approaches to Professor Andrew Whittaker is an healing roughness in IC features. Australian Research Council (ARC) In the field of biomaterials science, Australian Professorial Fellow, a Fellow of Professor Whittaker is most active in the Royal Australian Chemical Society and developing novel imaging agents for a member of the ARC College of Experts. MRI, and introduced a new class of 19F He directs research funded through polymeric agents. He is an expert in the more than $26 million in competitive fundamentals of diffusion process in grants since 2002. Professor Whittaker’s major development programs in several complex solids. He has an international work in synthesis and characterisation key areas. In the field of materials for reputation in the field of NMR and MRI of of polymeric materials has underpinned photolithography, it has been supported polymeric systems.

42 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Dr Simon Puttick

The research may lead to improved Work in the Whittaker research group was Yami Chuang’s new method of healing the human-device interfaces with smaller and supported in 2012 through a $360,000 roughness of lithographic features using a smarter sensors for disease identification Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage class of novel polymers called amphiphilic and treatment. Computer chips could read Project grant, awarded jointly with Associate block copolymers. “The method has shown signs from the body and respond or control Professor Idriss Blakey, to work with the considerable promise. Recently part of biological responses. Dow Chemical Company in a three-year her work has been protected by filing of a program to introduce new methods of provisional patent,” Professor Whittaker said. “Miniaturisation allows us to do amazing printing smaller features on wafers. things at the interface between chemistry In 2012, Professor Whittaker and and biology,” Professor Whittaker said. The work is partly based on PhD student collaborators Dr Kevin Jack and Dr Hui Peng received $420,000 from the ARC Discovery grant program to study in detail the structure of very thin polymer films such as those used in photolithography. “The structure of the thin films may contribute Key publications in the past five years: polymers for molecular imaging: to the quality of the pattern achieved on the Designing polymers for parahydrogen silicon wafer. The study promises to provide Chuang Y-M, Jack KS, Cheng H-H, induced polarisation (PHIP). Chemical a detailed understanding of an important Whittaker AK, Blakey I. (2012) Using Communications 48(10), 1583-1585. class of materials and, in particular, directed self assembly of block copolymer for manufacturing integrated circuits,” nanostructures to modulate nanoscale Peng H, Thurecht KJ, Blakey I, Taran E, Professor Whittaker said. surface roughness: towards a novel Whittaker AK. (2012) Effect of solvent lithographic process. Advanced Functional quality on the solution properties of Researchers use fine metal wires that Materials 23(2), 173-183. assemblies of partially fluorinated conduct electricity to make the circuits. The wires are 10 to 20 nanometres wide. Keen I, Yu A, Cheng H-H, Jack KS, amphiphilic diblock copolymers. By comparison, a human hair measures Nicholson T, Whittaker AK, Blakey I. (2012) Macromolecules. 45(21), 8681-8690. 50,000 to 100,000 nanometres in diameter. Control of the orientation of symmetric Truong V, Blakey I, Whittaker AK. (2012) poly(styrene)-block-poly(D,L-lactide) block Hydrophilic and amphiphilic polyethylene Professor Whittaker said the work involved copolymers using statistical copolymers of glycol-based hydrogels with tunable identifying and repairing errors on the dissimilar composition. Langmuir 28(45), degradability prepared by ‘click’ chemistry. patterns of the integrated circuits. It has the 15876-15888. Biomacromolecules 13(12), 4012-4021. potential to improve the quality of integrated circuits considerably. “The real challenge is Munnemann K, Kolzer M, Blakey I, Whittaker to make even smaller lines for integrated AK, Thurecht KJ. (2012) Hyperbranched www.aibn.uq.edu.au/andrew-whittaker circuits. We are developing a completely new chemical process for smaller devices.”

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 43 Reprogramming a path to understanding brain disease

The research resulted in world-first 21 in Down syndrome interfered with early identification of altered brain development brain development. They found the Down Associate Professor Ernst in Down syndrome, allowing researchers syndrome brain produced too many glial Wolvetang’s research in 2012 in Associate Professor Wolvetang’s lab to cells and neurons died more readily. The has taken major steps in focus on treatments to improve the lives of features are likely to affect brain architecture identifying steps in overcoming children with trisomy 21. and function and may be related to the impaired motor co-ordination and cognitive two neurodegenerative diseases: Building on work that earned Professor impairment common in people with Down Down syndrome and ataxia- Shinya Yamanaka and Sir John Gurdon syndrome. telangiectasia. a Nobel Prize, the research involved reprogramming skin cells from people with The researchers found antioxidants Down syndrome into induced pluripotent could rescue the cell death of the Down stem (iPS) cells to study the first month of syndrome neurons. foetal brain development in a lab dish. The research was published in the The researchers investigated how journal Stem Cells in 2012 and involved the extra copy of chromosome collaboration with AIBN colleague

Samah Alharbi

44 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Associate Professor Ernst Wolvetang Group Leader Research: Induced pluripotent stem cells, in vitro disease models and novel regenerative medicine approaches Associate Professor Ernst Wolvetang is leading the derivation of footprint-free induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) in Australia, with a particular focus on neuronal and cardiac disease models. He is the inaugural director of the collaborative reprogramming network Cell Reprogramming Australia and Key publications in the past five years: organises the only annual Australian iPSC workshop. Associate Professor Wolvetang E, Herszfeld D, Langton- Wolvetang is a chief investigator for the Bunker E, Chung T, Filipczyk A, Australian Research Council’s Special Houssami S, Koh K, Laslett AL, Research Initiative in Stem Cell Science, Michalska A, Nguyen L, Reubinoff Stem Cells Australia and two National BE, Tellis I, Auerbach JM, Ording CJ, Associate Professor Christine Wells and Health and Medical Research Council Looijenga LHJ, Pera MF. (2006) CD30 UQ’s Institute for Molecular Biosciences project grants (2013-2015). is a survival factor and a biomarker for (IMB) Professor Sean Grimmond. transformed human pluripotent stem He is a senior reprogramming scientist cells. Nat Biotech 24(3), 351-357. Associate Professor Wolvetang said in Stem Cells Ltd; chaired the Genetic understanding a multigenic disease such Stability of Stem Cells session at the Chung T-L, Brena RM, Kolle G, as Down syndrome was challenging but 2007 International Society for Stem Grimmond SM, Berman BP, Laird PW, advances in cell reprogramming and Cell Research (ISSCR) conference Pera MF, Wolvetang EJ. (2010) Vitamin genome editing allowed researchers in Cairns; and organises, among C promotes widespread yet specific unprecedented insights into the molecular other conferences, the Frontiers in demethylation of the hESC epigenome. basis of complex human disease. Reprogramming conference. Stem Cells 28(10), 1848-1855. Reprogramming has enabled a better Associate Professor Wolvetang has Nayler SP, Gatei M, Kozlov S, Gatti R, understanding of ataxia-telangiectasia, a given 25 lectures and was an invited Mar JC, Wells CA, Lavin M, Wolvetang condition in which a gene that recognises speaker at 23 platform meetings, EJ. (2012) Induced pluripotent stem cells and repairs DNA damage is inactive, including giving two keynote addresses. from ataxia-telangiectasia recapitulate resulting in cancer and brain degeneration. He spoke at the ISSCR conference in the cellular phenotype. Stem Cells Reprogramming supports moves to study Toronto, Canada in 2006; and the 2nd Translational Medicine 1, 523-535. the effectiveness of potential treatments. Annual World Congress of Regenerative Briggs JA, Sun J, Shepherd J, As part of a collaborative project Medicine & Stem Cells in Dalian, China Ovchinnikov DA, Chung TL, Nayler SP, with Professor Martin Lavin, from the in 2009. Associate Professor Wolvetang Kao LP, Morrow CA, Thakar NY, Soo SY, Queensland Institute of Medical Research organised a masterclass on iPS cells Peura T, Grimmond SM, Wolvetang EJ. and UQ’s Centre for Clinical Research, at the 2nd Annual World Stem Cells (2012) Integration-free iPS cells identify Associate Professor Wolvetang’s lab has & Regenerative Medicine Congress in genetic and neural developmental reprogrammed, for the first time, skin cells Seoul, Korea in 2010. features of Down syndrome etiology. from people with ataxia-telangiectasia. Stem Cells 31(3), 467-478. www.aibn.uq.edu.au/ernst-wolvetang Associate Professor Wolvetang said Briggs JA, Mason E, Ovchinnikov DA, the ability to reprogram skin cells from Wells CA, Wolvetang EJ. (2012) New children with ataxia-telangiectasia provided paradigms for Down syndrome research a renewable resource to study the using iPSCs: tackling complex human neurodegeneration and find medicines to genetic disease. Stem Cells Translational combat it. Medicine 2(3), 175-184. “The next step is to correct the genetic mutations in the iPS cells from patients; turn the corrected stem cells into brain project grants totalling more than $1.2 come from combining DNA- and RNA- and blood cells; and demonstrate these million, researchers could start screening sequencing technologies with cell can replace the defective cells that cause medicines in one to two years. reprogramming and genome editing the problems in this disease,” Associate capabilities,” Associate Professor Professor Wolvetang said. The focus of Associate Professor Wolvetang’s lab during coming years will be using genome Wolvetang said. “This provides a clear path “Delivery of such corrected cells, which editing technology and cell reprogramming from disease discovery to uncovering the is still some years away, or novel drugs to both correct and generate human underlying cellular disease mechanisms discovered using the cells generated in this neurological disease models in the dish, such and subsequent development of novel study, may help treat the disease.” as is in progress for Prader-Willi syndrome in therapeutic approaches for currently With support from two National Health a collaboration with IMB Professor Ryan Taft. poorly understood and untreatable brain diseases.” and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) “Future innovation in health care will

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 45 World-renowned materials scientist The Yu research group is finding solutions The group’s broad research interests Professor Chengzhong (Michael) in balancing the development of varied include projects in clean energy and Yu is making rapid progress in materials that can target specific cancer environmental protection, such as lithium developing new vehicles for drug and cells and deliver drugs or vaccines quickly ion batteries; bio-diagnostics; and toxin removal from water. vaccine delivery. and efficiently – yet producing the materials more cheaply. Professor Yu said nanomaterials could also Professor Yu said his research group had be used to absorb ions, such as phosphate to consider the vehicles’ shape, size and and arsenic, in polluted water or detect Professor Yu and his AIBN research group composition; their interaction with the biomolecules for clinical applications, believe they are looking at a significant cargo; their ability to withstand an attack by including disease diagnosis and treatment. breakthrough that may lead to more enzymes in the body; and the subsequent effective treatment of brain tumours and The Yu research group has solid interaction with target cells. other cancers. They have found that partnerships with governments and the curcumin, a derivative from the Indian spice The Yu research group is creating new private sector, and several patents have plant turmeric, is a promising anti-cancer nanomaterials and smart devices with been filed for devices the group has agent for treating many cancers, including specific characteristics, allowing doctors to developed. glioblastoma. determine when the material should release a cancer drug inside a patient to target Glioblastoma is the most malignant brain tumours. tumour and is incurable. About 1200 people die from it in Australia every year. Professor Yu said curcumin was insoluble, which limited its therapeutic efficacy and clinical applications. Scientists in global labs have previously used an organic solvent to make curcumin sufficiently Spice may hold soluble, but the method has limitations in human treatments. “Due to limited success in current treatment regimes and side effects associated with clue to curing synthetic compounds, there is a compelling need to investigate natural anti-cancer compounds with minimal side effects at very high dose and/or targeting the blood- brain tumours brain barrier,” Professor Yu said. His research group took a novel approach to the problem in 2012 using a spray dryer, common in the food industry, to prepare functional nanomaterials. With the addition of three new members in 2012, Professor Yu’s research group developed a low-cost, large-scale method to produce a delivery vehicle that made curcumin soluble. “We can make it soluble and small. Our delivery vehicle has big potential and, in the coming years, my aim is to see it attract commercial interest,” Professor Yu said. The research extends beyond cancer treatment. Professor Yu said nanomaterials were vital for drug and vaccine delivery, but they were usually produced in the laboratory on a small scale. Trying to transfer the expertise to large-scale, low- cost production was problematic. “It is difficult to produce functional nano- materials on a bigger scale because it can change the materials’ structure and performance. We have been using methods from the food and pharmaceutical industries that have allowed us to prepare functional nanomaterials on a bigger scale.” He said his work could be simply described: “We make nano-vehicles for efficient delivery. We don’t make the vaccine, the drug molecules, the antibodies or the therapeutics. We are like the drivers. We know which direction we want the vehicle to go.”

46 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Professor Chengzhong (Michael) Yu of China; the 2009 Young Scientist ARC Future Fellow and Group Leader Award of the Ceramic Society of China; the 2005 New Century Scientist Award Research: Applied functional from the Chinese Ministry of Education; nanomaterials and the 2004 Young Scientist Award Professor Chengzhong (Michael) Yu is from the Chemistry Academy of China. an internationally recognised expert in Professor Yu received the National materials science. Excellent Doctoral Dissertation Award He is an Australian Research Council (ARC) in China (2004); the second prize of the Future Fellow; a referee for more than 50 National Science Award of China (2004); international journals; and a reviewer for and the Shanghai Science & Technology the ARC and National Health and Medical Progress Award (2002). He has been Research Council (NHMRC). invited to give more than 30 plenary, keynote and invited talks. Professor Yu has collaborations with scientists in chemistry, material science and chemical Key publications in the past five years: engineering from the US, Japan, Scotland, Sweden, France and China. Through these Yang J, Zhou L, Zhang J, Zou J, Yuan collaborations, more than 30 international ZG, Yu CZ. (2013) Confinement of journal papers have been published. Chemisorbed Phosphates in Controlled Nano-space with Three-dimensional to CD44-overexpressing Cancer Cells. Since he joined AIBN in 2010, Professor Yu Mesostructures. Chem Eur J. doi: Nanoscale 5(1), 178-183. has attracted four ARC grants and funding 10.1002/chem.201300273. from Cancer Council Queensland; and Huang XD, Qian K, Yang J, Zhang J, Li L, Yu the Queensland Government’s Research Zhou L, Zhou XF, Huang XD, Liu ZP, Zhao CZ, Zhao DY. (2012) Functional Nanoporous Partnership Project, with a total of more DY, Yao XD, Yu CZ. (2013) Designed Graphene Foams with Controlled Pore than $6.2 million in three years. Before Synthesis of LiMn2O4 Microspheres with Sizes. Adv Mater 32, 4419–4423. he joined AIBN, he attracted 12 grants Adjustable Hollow Structures for Lithium- Qian K, Gu WY, Yuan P, Liu F, Wang YH, Ion Battery Applications. J Mater Chem A from the National Science Foundation of Monteiro M, Yu CZ. (2012) Enrichment and 1, 837-842. China; the Chinese Ministry of Science Detection of Peptides from Biological Systems and Technology; the Chinese Education Yu MH, Jambhrunkar S, Thorn P, Chen Using Designed Periodic Mesoporous Ministry; and the Shanghai Government. JZ, Gu WY, Yu CZ. (2013) Hyaluronic Organosilica Microspheres. Small 8, 231. Professor Yu is the recipient of the 2009 Acid Modified Mesoporous Silica Innovation Award of the Chemistry Academy Nanoparticles for Targeted Drug Delivery www.aibn.uq.edu.au/chengzhong-yu

Irene Emmanuelawati

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 47 Associate group leaders

AIBN recognises the work of early and mid-career researchers through the appointment of Associate Group Leaders. They are senior members of the AIBN research community and are fundamental to the institute’s ongoing success and long-term viability. Associate Group Leaders’ activities may develop to a level where they can be considered for promotion to AIBN Group Leader.

Associate Professor Idriss Blakey Key publications in the past five years: ARC Future Fellow and Associate Group Chuang Y-M, Jack KS, Cheng HH, Leader Whittaker AK, Blakey I. (2013) Using Research: Rational design, synthesis directed self assembly of block copolymer and self assembly of functional polymers nanostructures to modulate nanoscale and nanomaterials for nanofabrication, surface roughness: Towards a novel sensors and biomedical imaging agents lithographic process. Advanced Functional Materials 23, 173-183. Associate Professor Idriss Blakey is an Australian Research Council (ARC) Future Keen I, Yu A, Cheng H-H, Jack KS, Fellow (2010-2014) and a chief investigator Nicholson T, Whittaker AK, Blakey I. (2012) on an ARC Linkage project in partnership Control of the orientation of symmetric with the Dow Chemical Company. poly(styrene)-block-poly(D,L-lactide) block copolymers using statistical copolymers His contributions to polymer science have of dissimilar composition. Langmuir 28, Associate Professor Idriss Blakey been published by leaders such as Wiley, the American Chemical Society and the 15876-15888. Royal Society of Chemistry. Associate Blakey I, Merican Z, Rintoul L, Chuang Y-M, Professor Blakey is a regular reviewer and Jack KS, Micallef AS. (2012) Interactions adjudicative reviewer for more than 20 of iodoperfluorobenzene compounds with journals, and for granting bodies including gold nanoparticles. Physical Chemistry the ARC, the Wellcome Trust, the US Chemical Physics 14, 3604-3611. Department of Energy and the Australian Synchrotron. He has been lead chief Chen L, Goh YK, Cheng HH, Smith BW, investigator on three ARC Discovery grants Xie P, Montgomery W, Whittaker AK, and chief investigator on three ARC Linkage Blakey I. (2012) Aqueous developable dual projects grants in partnership with Intel switching photoresists for nanolithography. Corporation and Sematech, a consortium of Journal of Polymer Science Part A: Polymer leading semiconductor companies. Chemistry 50, 4255–4265. Associate Professor Blakey has been a Thurecht KJ, Blakey I, Peng H, Squires recipient of a Queensland Government O, Hsu S, Alexander C, Whittaker AK. Fellowship, working with Sematech on (2010) Functional hyperbranched polymers: developing advanced polymers for use in Toward targeted in vivo 19F magnetic computer chip manufacture. He has one resonance imaging using designed fully granted patent and patents at the PCT macromolecules. Journal of the American and provisional stages. Chemical Society 132, 5336-5337.

48 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Dr Simon Corrie Smart Futures Fellowship to join Professor ARC Discovery Early Career Research Mark Kendall’s research group at AIBN, Award Fellow and Associate Group Leader developing novel diagnostics technologies based on micropatches applied to the skin. Research: Design, fabrication and testing of microprojection array Key publications in the past five years: technology for rapid, multiplexed Liang F, Lai R, Arora N, Zhang KL, Yeh biomarker detection via skin application C-C, Barnett GR, Voight P, Corrie SR, Dr Simon Corrie is a recipient of the Barnard RT. (2012) Multiplex-microsphere- Australian Research Council’s (ARC) quantitative polymerase chain reaction: prestigious Discovery Early Career nucleic acid amplification and detection of Researcher Award (2013-2016). microspheres. Analytical Biochemistry 422, 89-95 (Front cover image). He has developed several molecular technologies with applications in diagnostics, Bhargav A, Muller DA, Kendall MAF, publishing the work in Royal Society of Corrie SR. (2012) Surface modifications Chemistry and American Chemical Society of microprojection arrays for improved journals and presenting it at international biomarker capture in the skin of live mice. Dr Simon Corrie conferences. He regularly reviews journal ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces 4, articles for a range of publications and reviews 2483-2489 (Front cover image). (2010) Surface-modified microprojection ARC fellowship and grant applications. Muller DA, Corrie SR, Coffey J, Young arrays for intradermal biomarker capture, with low non-specific protein binding. Lab on a After completing his PhD in physical chemistry, PR, Kendall MAF. (2012) Surface modified Chip 10, 2655-2658 (Featured in Highlights in Dr Corrie received an American Australian microprojection arrays for the selective Chemical Technology series, October 2010). Postdoctoral Fellowship in 2007 to work extraction of the dengue virus NS1 protein in Professor Nancy Kiviat’s HPV Research as a marker for disease. Analytical Chemistry Corrie SR, Sova P, Feng Q, Blair T, Kiviat 84, 3262-3268 (To be featured in an Laboratory at the University of Washington NB, Trau M. (2011) Bisulfite-free analysis of upcoming issue of the American Chemical in Seattle, gaining experience in developing 5MeC-binding proteins and locus-specific Society’s Chemical and Engineering News). clinically-relevant diagnostic technologies. Dr methylation density using a microparticle- Corrie returned to Queensland as a lead chief Corrie SR, Fernando GJP, Crichton ML, based flow cytometry assay. Analyst 136, investigator on an ARC Discovery Project and Brunck MEG, Anderson CP, Kendall MAF. 688-691 (Front cover image).

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 49 Associate Group Leaders continued

Dr Annette Dexter Dr Trent Munro ARC Future Fellow and Associate Group Queensland Government Fellow and Leader Associate Group Leader Research: Design and bioproduction Research: Production of complex of helical peptides as functional therapeutic recombinant proteins known surfactants and responsive gelling as biologics or biopharmaceuticals and agents for cell growth and drug delivery; engineered scaffolds for stem cells specific ion effects in the control of self- Dr Trent Munro is a Queensland assembling systems Government Fellow. He has given Dr Annette Dexter is a founder and ongoing presentations at a large number of national consultant to AIBN’s first start-up company, and international conferences. He won Pepfactants Pty Ltd. UQ’s Trailblazer competition in 2011 and was awarded the Sanofi-Aventis Vision At the TechConnect Summit in Boston in Award for Better Health at the national 2006, Pepfactants received an Emerging final. Dr Munro obtained his PhD in Technology Award. The company won the protein biochemistry from UQ in 2001. Queensland Government’s Best Technology He completed postdoctoral studies at Award and the UQ Business School the Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Enterprize Competition in the same year. Medical School; and at the Wellcome Dr Annette Dexter Dr Dexter is sole or joint inventor on three Trust and Cancer Research UK Gurdon patents comprising the key intellectual Institute, University of Cambridge. Dr property of Pepfactants. She has presented Munro returned to Australia in 2006 to data at two national meetings of the take up a position at AIBN, where he is an American Chemical Society, the seventh Associate Group Leader and a founding World Congress of Chemical Engineering member of the National Biologics Facility. and the annual meeting of the American Dr Munro has published widely in the fields Institute of Chemical Engineers. of mammalian cell therapeutics and stem cell bioengineering. Reports in Australasian Science, New Scientist, Materials Today and The Key publications in the past five years: Economist have highlighted Dr Dexter’s Zhu J, Wooh JW, Hou JJ, Hughes BS, work and a video of rapid-phase emulsion Gray PP, Munro TP. (2012) Recombinant separation has been receiving hits on human albumin supports single cell cloning YouTube. of CHO cells in chemically defined media. Biotechnol Prog 28(3), 887-891. Key publications in the past five years: Fletcher NL, Lockett CV, Dexter AF. (2011) Codamo J, Munro TP, Hughes BS, Song A pH-responsive coiled-coil peptide M, Gray PP. (2011) Enhanced CHO cell- hydrogel. Soft Matter 7, 10210. based transient gene expression with the Epi-CHO Expression System. Mol Dr Trent Munro Dexter AF. (2010) Interfacial and emulsifying Biotechnol 48(2), 109-115. properties of designed -strand peptides. Langmuir 26, 17997. Prowse AB, Doran MR, Cooper-White JJ, Chong F, Munro TP, Fitzpatrick J, Chung Malcolm AS, Dexter AF, Katakdhond JA, TL, Haylock DN, Gray PP, Wolvetang Karakashev SI, Nguyen AV, Middelberg EJ. (2010) Long-term culture of human APJ. (2009) Tuneable control of interfacial embryonic stem cells on recombinant rheology and emulsion coalescence. Chem vitronectin in ascorbate free media Phys Chem 10, 778 (Front cover image). Biomaterials 31(32), 8281-8288. Kaar W, Hartmann BM, Fan Y, Zeng B, Lua Jones ML, Seldon T, Smede M, Linville A, LHL, Dexter AF, Falconer RJ, Middelberg Chin DY, Barnard R, Mahler SM, Munster D, APJ. (2009) Microbial bio-production Hart D, Gray PP, Munro TP. (2010) A method of a recombinant stimuli-responsive for rapid, ligation-independent reformatting biosurfactant. Biotech Bioeng 102, 176. of recombinant monoclonal antibodies. J Middelberg APJ, He L, Dexter AF, Shen Immunol Methods 354(1-2), 85-90. H-H, Thomas RK. (2008) The interfacial Pilbrough W, Munro TP, Gray PP. (2009) structure and Young’s modulus of peptide Intraclonal protein expression heterogeneity films having switchable mechanical in recombinant CHO cells. PLoS One 4(12), properties. J Roy Soc Interface 5, 47. e8432.

50 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Dr Kristofer Thurecht Associate Professor ARC Future Fellow and Associate Group Zhi Ping (Gordon) Xu Leader ARC Future Fellow and Research: Design and synthesis of Associate Group Leader architectural polymers applied to Research: Clay nanomaterials for molecular imaging and drug delivery in drug delivery and vaccines nanomedicine Associate Professor Zhi Ping (Gordon) Xu Dr Kristofer Thurecht is an Australian is an Australian Research Council (ARC) Research Council (ARC) Future Fellow with Future Fellow (2013-2016). Since 2004, appointments at AIBN and UQ’s Centre for he has received several fellowships and Advanced Imaging. awards, including an ARC Australian Dr Thurecht has been recognised for Postdoctoral Fellowship (2005-2007), an scientific excellence with a 2012 Queensland ARC Australian Research Fellowship (2008- Young Tall Poppy Science Award and a 2012) and the UQ Foundation’s Research 2010 UQ Foundation Research Excellence Excellence Award (2009). Award for his work in developing polymer Associate Professor Xu and his colleagues ‘theranostics’. Since obtaining his PhD in have received funding from the ARC and 2005, he has been the recipient of four the National Health and Medical Research Dr Kristofer Thurecht competitive national and international Council (NHMRC) totalling more than $5 fellowships, including an Australian million. Associate Professor Xu is an ARC Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in 2008; and a NHMRC referee. and simultaneous awarding of a British Ramsay Centenary Fellowship and an 1851 Key publications in the past five years: Research Fellow in the UK in 2007. Gu Z, Rolfe BE, Xu ZP, Campbell JH, Lu He has contributed scientific and review GQ, Thomas AC. (2012) Antibody-targeted articles to various leading journals in drug delivery to injured arteries using his field, including invited articles in the layered double hydroxide nanoparticles. Emerging Young Investigator issue of Adv Healthcare Mater 1, 669-673. Chemical Communications and a Young Zhu Y, Li Z, Chen M, Cooper H, Lu Talent article in Macromolecular Chemistry GQ, Xu ZP. (2012) Synthesis of robust and Physics. Dr Thurecht has been chief sandwich-like SiO2@CdTe@SiO2 fluorescent investigator on grants from various funding nanoparticles for cellular imaging. Chem bodies, including ARC Discovery grants; Mater 24, 421-423. ARC Linkage Grants, with international Gu Z, Rolfe BE, Thomas AC, Campbell JH, pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly; a National Lu GQ, Xu ZP. (2011) Cellular trafficking of Health and Medical Research Council low molecular weight heparin carried with (NHMRC) grant; and funding from the layered double hydroxide nanoparticles Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. in rat vascular smooth muscle cells. He is co-inventor on two patents. Associate Professor Zhi Ping (Gordon) Xu Biomaterials 32, 7234-7240. Key publications in the past five years: Wong YY, Markham K, Xu ZP, Chen M, Coles D, Rolfe BE, Boase NRB, Veedu Lu GQ, Bartlett PF, Cooper HM. (2010) RN, Thurecht KJ. (2013) Aptamer-targeted Efficient delivery of siRNA to cortical hyperbranched polymers: Towards greater neurons using layered double hydroxide specificity for tumours in vivo. Chem nanoparticles. Biomaterials 31, 8770-8779. Commun (Camb) 49(37), 3836-3838. Gu Z, Rolfe BE, Xu ZP, Thomas AC, Thurecht KJ. (2012) Polymers as probes Campbell JH, Lu GQ. (2010) Enhanced for multimodal imaging with MRI. Macromol effect of low molecular weight heparin Chem Phys 213, 2567-2572. carried by layered double hydroxide nanoparticles on rat vascular smooth Boase NRB, Blakey I, Thurecht KJ. (2012) muscle cells. Biomaterials 31, 5455-5462. Molecular imaging with polymers. Polymer Chemistry 3(6), 1384-1389. Ladewig K, Niebert M, Xu ZP, Gray P, Lu GQ. (2010) Efficient siRNA delivery to Munnemann K, Kolzer M, Blakey I, Whittaker mammalian cells using layered double AK, Thurecht KJ. (2012) Hyperbranched hydroxide nanoparticles. Biomaterials 31, polymers for molecular imaging: 1821-1829. designing polymers for parahydrogen induced polarisation (PHIP). Chemical Xu ZP, Niebert M, Porazik K, Walker TL, Communications 48(10), 1583-1585. Cooper HM, Middelberg APJ, Gray PP, Bartlett PF, Lu GQ. (2008) Subcellular Thurecht KJ, Blakey I, Peng H, Squires compartment targeting of layered double O, Hsu S, Alexander C, Whittaker AK. hydroxide nanoparticles. J Control Release (2010) Functional hyperbranched polymers: 130, 86-94. Toward targeted in vivo 19F magnetic resonance. Journal of the American Chemical Society 132(15), 5336-5337.

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 51 State fellows to further infection research

Prestigious Queensland Government fellowships were awarded in 2012 to two researchers at AIBN, recognising work in diagnosing and treating infections.

Associate Professor Christine Wells Dr Trent Munro

AIBN Associate Group Leader Dr Trent Antibiotics were becoming less effective Her research group will use several Munro received a fellowship to develop a against superbugs, but monoclonal research disciplines to identify the treatment for invasive bacterial infection, antibodies, which have already been very genes important to immune function, using recombinant monoclonal antibodies successful in treating cancer and auto- including stem cell biology; statistics and that target bacteria, especially disease- immune diseases, may provide a new bioinformatics; molecular biology; and causing, drug-resistant strains such as treatment. computer modelling. the golden staph superbug and group A Biologics, a new generation of therapeutics “We want to know what the genetic basis streptococcus. including antibodies, have shown great for a healthy immune system is; what “The benefit of antibodies is that they are potential for treating infectious disease, happens when these genes don’t do their highly specific for their target,” Dr Munro accounting for five of the top 10 selling job; and, ultimately, how we can boost a said. “It means they often have less side- drugs worldwide. healthy immune response.” effects and high rates of efficacy. “Antibiotic drug resistance is a major issue,” The group focus is to identify a reaction in “The antibody molecules we produce Dr Munro said. “We hope that, within the the body and help with early diagnosis. essentially mimic proteins produced by next 12-18 months, we can come up with “It is hard to diagnose some infections,” the immune system. In this way they some proof of principle results, with pre- Associate Professor Wells said. “There is work synergistically with a typical immune clinical studies to follow after that.” a gap between the generalist symptoms response.” A Queensland Government Fellowship for most of us present with at a doctor’s Dr Munro said superbugs had evolved to AIBN Group Leader Associate Professor surgery and the specific tests needed to evade detection so the body’s immune Christine Wells will support her research diagnose. I hope my work will make it system did not adequately respond to into ways to boost natural immunity to easier for doctors to bridge that gap. fight them off. Antibody therapy could give infectious diseases. “I am very motivated to find ways of the immune system a boost to enable Associate Professor Wells will use the boosting natural immunity to infectious clearance of the infection. funding for an in-depth study of the genetic diseases. Infectious diseases are the basis for a healthy immune system and number one killer world-wide, particularly of the way the immune system recognises children under the age of five.” infection.

52 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 “Using nanotechnology, a delivery system represents the most advanced and promising way of treating various fatal diseases, such as neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases, cancers and infectious diseases.”

Associate Professor Xu

Dr Simon Corrie

Zhi Ping Xu ARC Three AIBN researchers received Australian Research Council (ARC) fellowships Fellowships in 2012 to further their work in enhanced the delivery of medicines, tissue repair and disease detection.

Dr Frith will work in the tissue engineering Dr Simon Corrie will focus on a way to and microfluidics lab of Professor Justin detect diseases without blood tests or lab Cooper-White, combining cells with analysis, using his ARC DECRA. biomaterials to reconstruct body tissues. Materials scientist Zhi Ping (Gordon) Xu Dr Corrie will work in Professor Mark was awarded an ARC Future Fellowship “Regenerative medicine has the potential to Kendall’s lab to determine if technology to continue studies on layered double transform medicine in the future but a major used for vaccine delivery device the hydroxide nanoparticles to more effectively hurdle in achieving this is our ability to Nanopatch can be tailored for disease deliver medicines to patients with a range make cells behave as we want,” she said. detection. The work combines materials chemistry with molecular biology. of diseases, including cancers. “We are working with specific stem cells Associate Professor Xu aims to engineer a derived from people’s bone marrow. They Dr Corrie aims to prove that thousands of nanoparticle delivery system using serum can be used to generate bone, cartilage, microscopic needles on a small polymer proteins to target diseased parts of the muscle and fat cells. The cells need to turn wafer can be used to quickly detect body, but leave healthy cells untouched. into the correct tissue type, but controlling biomarkers that point to the presence of Clay nanoparticles will prevent a mass this is difficult. We know stem cells are very infectious diseases such as dengue fever forming when the system is injected into sensitive to the environment around them.” and malaria. the blood. Dr Frith will investigate whether molecules The device will be designed to sit on the Associate Professor Xu expects the called microRNAs play an important skin, draw in fluids to react with antibodies targeted delivery to reduce the side effects role in how the response of cells to their and reporter probes and turn a particular of broad-spectrum treatments such as environment determines cell development colour, similar to a litmus test, if biomarkers chemotherapy, in which medicines flood the – and use biomaterials to see if they can are present. influence the microRNAs. entire body and also destroy healthy cells. “Diagnostic tests are crucially important in One challenge is to slow the body’s many areas of medicine. Early and accurate clearance rate, so it doesn’t break diagnosis of disease has proven time and down the nanoparticle until after Dr Jess Frith again to drastically improve outcomes and the medicine has reached the survival,” Dr Corrie said. diseased part. Future Fellowship funding aims to Dr Jess Frith will use her ARC address opportunity gaps for mid-career Discovery Early Career Researcher researchers and academics, many of whom Award (DECRA) to determine would otherwise be lost to international the role of specific molecules in competitors. The DECRA scheme aims cell development, with potential to provide more focused support and application in repairing bones create more opportunities for early career and cartilage in patients with researchers. osteoporosis, osteoarthritis or intervertebral disc degeneration.

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 53 grant to develop innovative nanotechnologies for breast cancer

As well as UQ, the project will include Queensland Health, the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, the University of Newcastle, the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Haematology and Oncology Clinics of Australasia, the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and Holy Spirit Northside Hospital. The new funding will support clinical trials, with researchers collecting biopsy and serum samples to determine how cancerous tumours respond to chemotherapy. Professor Trau said new technology would be used to evaluate epigenetic biomarkers during a patient’s treatment, enabling researchers to track the tumours.

Professor Matt Trau will lead Diagnostic devices and processes a $5 million multidisciplinary for breast cancer screening would be developed and researchers would move collaborative grant from the towards introducing them in certified clinical National Breast Cancer Foundation pathology labs, he said. (NBCF), announced in 2012. The research will build on work in the past four years that discovered epigenetic changes in the human body that pointed to the presence of breast cancer. Professor Trau is the lead chief investigator of a project involving researchers in NBCF Director of Research Investment Dr nanotechnology, epigenetics, oncology and Alison Butt said large-scale, collaborative pathology from around Australia. research projects were important in accelerating progress in breast cancer The project will develop nanotechnology- research. based diagnostics, work to understand the epigenetics of breast cancer biology “Bringing scientists together across and move towards specialised treatment multiple disciplines is critical to provide new methods. perspectives on current clinical challenges in breast cancer treatment,” she said. It builds on a $5 million NBCF-funded project researching novel strategies for “The NBCF is delighted to fund this exciting predicting and controlling advanced breast research program that has great potential cancer using nanoscaled epigenetic-based to make a significant impact on those living biosensors, dating from 2008. with a diagnosis of breast cancer and their families.” The new funding will secure the project until 2018 and allow for continued collaborations with high-calibre domestic and international scientists.

54 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 The antibody remained an experimental therapeutic and Hendra virus was not used Grants from philanthropic at any stage of the production, he said. organisations are supporting AIBN It was an honour for AIBN to be given the endeavours in biologics and stem chance to continue research in the field cell research, with applications using money from the memorial fund, in regenerative medicine and Professor Gray said. “People’s fundraising therapeutics. money is now going to be used at the front line of disease research.” The Alister Rodgers Memorial Fund honours the life of Dr Rodgers and was The JEM Research Foundation, a private established through UQ’s School of philanthropic organisation, provided Veterinary Science, at the request of his AIBN postdoctoral researcher Celena family, to raise money for research into Heazlewood with funding to continue her Hendra virus. stem cell research in 2012. AIBN was established with financial support It enables Ms Heazlewood to work with from Atlantic Philanthropies and the amniotic membrane derived mesenchymal Queensland Government. stem cells (MSC) in the lab of AIBN Associate Professor Christine Wells. The cells can be steered to turn into different tissue types, specifically bone and cartilage. They show promise as a therapy for injured and inflamed areas of the human body. Philanthropy “These cells are promising for cellular therapy because they can differentiate into mesodermal lineage to form bone advances AIBN and cartilage and can migrate to sites of inflammation and injury without the need for immune suppression,” Ms Heazlewood said. “However, identification of specific markers research and their use in isolating these cells remains elusive. My aim is to identify and characterise the core MSC biomarkers.” AIBN has also received funding from the Alister Rodgers Memorial Fund to produce a batch of high-quality monoclonal antibody, used to finalise pre-clinical and animal studies to determine its efficacy as a therapeutic for the deadly Hendra virus. The antibody production has been approved by the family of Dr Rodgers, who was the first person to receive the antibody in a desperate bid to save his life. Dr Rodgers died of Hendra virus in 2009, after his work as a vet brought him in contact with an infected horse. AIBN’s state-of-the-art biologics facility has the capability to produce high-quality therapeutic monoclonal antibody protein for the pre-clinical and animal studies. AIBN Director Professor Peter Gray said the funding greatly enhanced understanding of the therapeutic potential and development of the antibody. Professor Gray said the antibody was a protein-based therapeutic manufactured by cell culture, rather than through a chemical synthesis.

Celena Heazlewood

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 55 Recognition for AIBN’s innovative researchers

Chinese state leaders presented UQ Senior He will use the award to explain his work Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) and in developing polymeric imaging devices, Research at AIBN in vaccine AIBN Group Leader Professor Max Lu which aim to simultaneously diagnose and delivery, polymeric imaging, with a prestigious science and technology treat diseases such as cancer, though award in 2012. engagement activities such as school visits. nanocomposite membranes and high-performance catalysts was President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiao Professor Mark Kendall was named recognised in 2012. The awards Bao and vice premiers Li Keqiang and Liu Young Alumnus of the Year at UQ’s annual acknowledge work in the lab Yandong presented Professor Lu with the alumni awards. accolade at a ceremony in the Great Hall and moves to progress research The awards recognise UQ alumni who have of the People in Beijing. Professor Lu, an towards commercial outcomes. achieved outstanding success in their fields international nanotechnology expert, was and made exemplary contributions to their among six laureates recognised for their communities. “distinguished and sustained contributions to collaboration with China in science and Work on developing high-energy batteries technology”. that keep smart phones charged longer has earned Dr Da-Wei Wang a UQ Foundation Professor Mark Kendall was one of only Research Excellence Award. five recipients globally of a prestigious Rolex Laureate, recognising pioneering The award is designed to nurture early efforts to expand knowledge and improve career researchers across UQ and support human life. the continuation of their work. Professor Kendall is the driving force Dr Wang will use funding associated with behind developing needle-free vaccine the award to investigate how to create delivery device the Nanopatch. nanocomposite membranes made up of functionalised nanocarbons and polymers. The $100,000 prize money will be used to He will also study the ionic conductivity conduct a field trial in Papua New Guinea, and mechanical strength of the new solid following the patch’s first human trials in electrolytes. Brisbane with blank Nanopatches (without vaccine) in volunteers. It aims to assess Materials scientist Dr Li Li was the recipient the patch and applicator’s usability under of a Queensland International Fellowship to developing-country field conditions, as a travel to China to cement a collaboration pre-cursor to potential clinical trials. with Chinese Academy of Sciences researchers. Polymer chemist Dr Kristofer Thurecht was recognised for scientific excellence Her collaboration involves developing a with a 2012 Queensland Young Tall Poppy high-performance catalyst to reduce volatile Science Award. organic compound emissions from cars. Dr Thurecht’s award celebrates Australian Assisting Dr Li in developing a catalytic intellectual and scientific excellence and oxidation process is Professor Zhengping encourages younger Australians to follow in Hao from China’s Research Center for Eco- the footsteps of outstanding achievers. Environmental Sciences.

56 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Dr Chamindie Punyadeera also received a Dr Linda Lua was recognised in Portugal Queensland International Fellowship, which at the international conference Vaccine will support developing strategic alliances Technology IV. with leaders in the field of saliva-based Dr Lua, who directs UQ’s Protein early diagnostics for cancer. Expression Facility at AIBN and She is working to replace blood tests with collaborates with AIBN’s Professor Anton quicker, easier saliva tests for early disease Middelberg on the virus-like particle vaccine diagnosis, by screening a patient’s saliva platform, was the conference’s poster to determine if their DNA contains markers winner. that point to potentially cancerous cells. AIBN students were recognised with a host The fellowship will enable Dr Punyadeera of prestigious awards and scholarships to develop alliances with leading research during 2012. They are detailed in the institutes the John Hopkins Hospital; the Student Experience section of this report. Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in New York, US; the University of California in Los Angeles; and Philips Electronics in the Netherlands.

Professor Mark Kendall

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 57 Senior researchers depart

AIBN has farewelled two senior to study in Australia as a joint PhD student researchers in 2012. Dr Krassen with Harbin Institute of Technology. Dimitrov started a company to Promising results are also being shown advance his research for market. in continued joint research projects Associate Professor Aijun Du on magnetism and carbon dioxide continues to collaborate with AIBN sequestration. after accepting a specialist position Group Leader Dr Krassen Dimitrov left at another computational modelling AIBN to become principal of spin-off lab in Queensland. company Digital Diagnostics and advance research towards a diagnostic reader for the market. Associate Professor Aijun Du accepted Digital Diagnostics aims to develop devices a continuing position at the School capable of detecting metastasising tumours of Chemistry, Physics, Mechanical or monitoring treatment of life-threatening Engineering, Energy and Process blood clots or brain haemorrhages. Engineering at Queensland University of Dr Dimitrov spent six years at AIBN working Technology (QUT). through a “proof of principle” stage for Associate Professor Du is a leader in the devices, which combine biochemistry Dr Krassen Dimitrov research on computational modelling and nanoscience by measuring enzymes of materials for clean energy and found in blood. Some of the enzymes nanoelectronics. He will work closely with degrade blood clots, while others degrade experimentalists in the field at QUT and a protective cellular matrix. continue his close collaborations with A metastasising tumour will degrade the Professor Max Lu’s and Professor Debra links of the matrix to invade new tissues, Bernhardt’s AIBN research groups. so detecting the enzyme in blood is an While at AIBN, he was an Associate Group indication of the spread of a tumour. Leader and Australian Research Council In the brain, the cellular matrix holds cells (ARC) QEII Fellow, working closely with together to form a protective barrier around Group Leaders Professor Bernhardt and blood vessels. Breaking the barrier is a Professor Sean Smith. prerequisite for bleeding in the brain and Density functional theory, molecular can be detected with the same test. dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations are Dr Dimitrov said the digital diagnostic used in Associate Professor Du’s research device had been designed so a drop of to examine materials such as nanotubes, blood on a strip could be inserted and nanoribbons and nanodots for application a diagnostic reading provided within a as fuel cells; hydrogen storage; carbon minute. dioxide capture, storage and conversion; gas separation; charge and spin transport; “The target is for point-of-care Associate Professor Aijun Du spin and magnetism; solar photovoltaics; applications,” he said. “We want to and photocatalysis. provide doctors with tests that provide high sensitivity and accuracy that can be One of Associate Professor Du’s joint performed anywhere – not just in a lab.” research projects with AIBN is focused on developing hydrogen storage materials. Dr Dimitrov will continue to collaborate with The work involves Yu Huize from Professor AIBN researchers, with plans to develop a Bernhardt’s research group, who has highly multiplexed single molecule barcoding support from the China Scholarship Council system based on electrical detection.

58 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Commercialisation activities and industrial engagement

Translating cutting-edge research into Where there is no established or accessible commercial outcomes and societal company for AIBN’s technology, the benefits is core to the AIBN mission. institute nurtures the creation of start-up companies. Successful commercialisation is not the final step in a linear process, but is ongoing Highlights of AIBN’s commercialisation and iterative. and industrial engagement activities during 2012 are described in this section. At AIBN, active engagement with commercial partners and potential AIBN’s commercialisation activities are led collaborators facilitates mutual awareness by a strong team, consisting of embedded and ensures research is aligned with ‘real UniQuest personnel Dr Aoife Cullen world’ challenges. (Manager of Innovation and Commercial Development (MICD), biotechnology), AIBN’s engagement with industry is multi- Dr Phil Nelson (MICD, nanotechnology) faceted, including collaborative research and patent manager Michiyo Matsuda, projects; consulting; commercial contracts; along with AIBN Deputy Director and networking through the Industrial (Commercialisation) Dr Ian Nisbet. Affiliates Program (IAP).

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 59 Developing next-generation smart medicines

them at the new scale-up facility at the develop next-generation smart medicines Princess Alexandra Hospital, constructed in Queensland for the first time. using Federal Government funding. AIBN is part of an international “Having DSM operating a scale-up facility collaboration working towards a fully Previous Queensland Government in Brisbane means Queensland research integrated biotechnology industry in funding was used to establish can be taken from the lab, through Queensland, including developing BioPharmaceuticals Australia Pty Ltd manufacturing, to the market,” Professor next-generation smart medicines. (BPA), underpinned by the establishment Gray said. of the National Biologics Facility at AIBN “Researchers want their work to make a and leadership and support from UQ. difference to the lives of people outside Through the partnership with DSM the lab. Working on biologics at AIBN is Dutch pharmaceutical manufacturer DSM Biologics, BPA will bridge the chasm about bringing about improvements in Biologics is operating Australia’s first between the fundamental discovery human health.” of potential biopharmaceuticals and global, high-tech contract manufacturing It will allow biopharmaceuticals to biologics, and the ability to prepare facility using mammalian cells for be produced, clinically tested and clinical grade material for human trials. biologic medicines and therapeutics at a manufactured in one location, with a $65million scale-up facility in Brisbane. Biologics are medicines based on natural focus on cervical and breast cancer; The company indicated one of the proteins made using DNA technology, melanoma; liver and kidney disease; critical factors in its decision to invest in offering exciting new treatment options malaria; HIV; osteoporosis; obesity; Queensland was the research facilities for a wide range of diseases including arthritis; and diabetes. cancer and auto-immune disorders. and expertise available at AIBN. Considered to be at the forefront of AIBN received $485,000 in Queensland They offer the only known potential biomedical research, biologics are Government research partnership funding treatment for Hendra virus infection. created by biologic processes rather than being chemically synthesised. Biologics- in 2012 to build on the strategic link AIBN Director Professor Peter Gray said based medicines now account for 17 per with DSM. It laid the groundwork for a the collaboration was fitting recognition cent of total global therapeutic sales. collaboration in which AIBN develops of the skill base and facilities developed biologic medicines and DSM produces in the state and provided a capability to

60 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Commercialisation activities and industrial engagement

Dow Chemical Company and AIBN join forces

Professor Lars Nielsen and Dr Jens Kroemer will use advances in biosciences AIBN and the Dow Chemical to genetically reprogram bacteria to Company have built a research produce the chemical building blocks of the future. alliance that unites AIBN’s research expertise with Dow’s AIBN was also heavily involved in creating market knowledge. and establishing the Dow Centre for Sustainable Engineering Innovation at UQ in 2012. The centre brings together cutting-edge With the plastics industry almost exclusively research expertise in energy, water and dependent on fossil fuel feedstocks, carbon sustainability with world-class escalating oil costs, concerns about science and engineering education, funded carbon dioxide emissions and global through a Dow contribution of $10 million warming make it imperative to develop new for the next six years. It is the first time manufacturing processes. Dow has signed such an agreement outside the US. AIBN’s research excellence in metabolic engineering and polymer chemistry make The new centre will pursue an imaginative an ideal fit with Dow’s position at the program of research and collaboration forefront of sustainable chemistries. aimed at harnessing solutions designed to confront major sustainability challenges of Since the research alliance was announced the 21st century. in late 2007, AIBN and Dow have signed two contracts worth more than $500,000, The centre will feature labs at AIBN and enabling contract research in synthetic collaboration with UQ’s Global Change biotechnology investigating the feasible Institute and the School of Chemical production of new, bioderived chemical Engineering. building blocks. AIBN Director Professor Peter Gray said More recently, AIBN and Dow successfully the Dow collaboration gave the institute’s initiated two Australian Research Council researchers a real opportunity to progress (ARC) Linkage grants. The projects cover their life’s passions beyond the confines of extreme UV lithography and fermentation the lab to potential commercial outcomes. routes to propionic acid and other C3 monomers. The projects involve regular interaction between AIBN scientists and their counterparts in Dow business units. AIBN research to develop a new generation of materials for electronics components, such as computers, smart phones and hand-held devices, will involve Professor Andrew Whittaker and Associate Professor Idriss Blakey.

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 61 Vaccine delivery at core of licensing agreement

Nanopatch inventor and AIBN Group responses in animals. Our research has Leader Professor Mark Kendall said the been supported by competitive research Merck partnership had the potential to grants from both the Australian and Pharmaceutical giant Merck has accelerate the process of delivering a Queensland governments.” licensed a technology originating revolutionary health technology to people The Nanopatch technology is being from AIBN to explore its use for throughout the world and lead to the relief developed by spin-out biotechnology delivery of an important vaccine. of serious health problems. company Vaxxas, with Professor Kendall In the immediate term, would employ more involved as company founder, director and people in Brisbane’s innovation economy and chief technology officer. boost the global reputation of Queensland and Professor Kendall co-founded Vaxxas in Australian research and development, he said. Under the licence agreement signed 2011 with a $15 million investment from in 2012, Merck will fund an extensive “It is exciting to start this important Australian and US investors to advance development program to explore the use of partnership – a big step forward towards the Nanopatch towards clinical testing and vaccine delivery device the Nanopatch. the Nanopatch becoming a vaccine delivery product development. product,” Professor Kendall said. The Nanopatch has thousands of small UQ’s main commercialisation company, projections designed to deliver a dry-coated “This directly builds on intensive and UniQuest, led the Nanopatch technology’s vaccine to abundant immune cells in the skin. outstanding research on the Nanopatch, initial commercialisation before Vaxxas was conducted by my research group at created. Nanopatch delivery can improve the AIBN, taking the Nanopatch from an idea Through the Merck partnership, Vaxxas efficiency of vaccines, including pre-clinical to achieving unprecedented immune work achieving protection against influenza, will be eligible to receive payments for with only 1/100th of the dose used with a up to two additional vaccines developed traditional needle and syringe. by Merck using the Nanopatch platform; milestone payments on Merck vaccine It is designed for thermostability and, development and regulatory approvals; and because it is used with dry-coated vaccine, royalties on sales of any Merck vaccines may not need refrigeration, potentially that ultimately use the Nanopatch platform. making transport much cheaper and easier, particularly to developing nations.

Dr Simon Corrie, Dr Michael Crichton and Professor Mark Kendall

62 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Commercialisation activities and industrial engagement

Tim Brennan

International companies on board with bio jet fuel research

production on behalf of potential investors. to diversify its product portfolio, with the It will assess whether diversifying and potential for a fermentation facility to be AIBN Group Leader Professor adding new products such as advanced established near Australian sugarcane fields. biofuels would make economic sense for Lars Nielsen has a pivotal role in Professor Lars Nielsen said there was a the sugarcane industry. a collaboration aiming to make clear focus on “delivering real benefits to Queensland a leader in cleaner, The initiative’s new phase involves Queensland”. AIBN working with Boeing Research & greener aviation fuel production, “The overall aim of the multi-stage program Technology – Australia, GE, Mackay Sugar which entered a new phase in 2012. is to manufacture sustainable aviation fuel Ltd and IOR Energy. components from Queensland sugarcane, It builds on AIBN research, conducted with supply the aviation fuel market in Australasia $6.5 million in previous support from the and help seed a strong and sustainable Queensland Government funding to the Queensland Government, UQ and industry domestic advanced biofuel industry,” he said. partners, which showed promising early Queensland Sustainable Aviation Fuels Economics and sustainability are important results in use of sucrose fermentations to Initiative in 2012 will progress AIBN because aviation fuels account for 5 per produce advanced biofuels. research to turn sucrose from sugarcane cent of the world’s transport fuel use and into an advanced aviation biofuel. It will also Researchers used systems and synthetic 15 per cent of Australia’s transport use. be used to investigate a business case for biology techniques to improve the Unlike ground transport, where electric or the technology. performance of microbial production strains hydrogen cars can be used, aviation will in the process. The business case will investigate issues continue to depend on liquid fuels that have such as site requirements and scale of Success would allow the sugar industry a high energy content.

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 63 Functions showcase research and industry collaborations

About 75 people were at AIBN on Dr Claudia Vickers described the work November 22 to hear details from three on developing biofuels in Professor The value of the Industrial Affiliates senior researchers about projects that Lars Nielsen’s research group, using Program (IAP) as a vehicle for exemplified the institute’s focus on metabolomics to sucrose from Queensland outcomes delivering benefits to industry sugarcane into jet fuels for the 21st century engagement and networking was and society. The three presentations were as part of a larger project involving partners confirmed at three events in 2012: part of the IAP’s Showcase and Network from the aviation, energy and sugar the third and fourth gatherings in Function. industries. the AIBN Thought Leaders’ Dinner Series and a new end-of-year The session was prefaced by introductory Associate Professor Christine Wells remarks from UQ Vice-Chancellor Peter provided an overview of her work, speaking Showcase and Network Function. Høj, who reinforced the need for a link about the web portal Stemformatics between academia and industry as a key to and its important role in providing stem innovation and gains in productivity. cell researchers around the world with a database of experiments describing Queensland MP Dale Shuttleworth then The events attracted a strong contingent of animal and human stem cells and how they described his interest in, and enthusiasm senior members of AIBN staff and guests differentiate. for, scientific research. He noted the representing executive management from Queensland Government’s strong support Based on the function’s success, AIBN has domestic and international companies, and praised AIBN for its efforts to engage decided to make it an annual event on the government departments and university with industry. IAP calendar. leaders. Professor Darren Martin spoke about the They also demonstrated the support nanocomposite technology from his AIBN for AIBN and its industrial engagement laboratory that led to the founding of spin- initiatives from the guest speakers, who out company TenasiTech. brought to the occasions their well- considered thoughts and their prestige and prominence as leaders in their fields. Events linked to the IAP provide members with exclusive networking opportunities, bringing together key representatives from the fields that will derive the greatest benefit from collaboration. The successful Thought Leaders’ Dinner Series continued with events in March and July. Each featured guest speakers, question-and-answer sessions and significant discussion among diners. Lucy Turnbull, AO, spoke on March 15 about her role as chairman of cell therapy company Prima Biomed, which is developing new immunotherapy for treating ovarian cancer, and the development and commercialisation of science. On July 12, Resmed chairman and chief executive officer Dr Peter Farrell shared insights on the creation and development of Resmed and offered his thoughts on entrepreneurship and innovation, based on his success as an academic, large company executive and entrepreneur. Dr Ian Nisbet

64 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Commercialisation activities and industrial engagement

The IAP also provides educational and has available to support their growth and networking opportunities for its members, innovation.” AIBN has a wealth of know-how such as the successful Thought Leaders’ Brisbane-based Very Small Particle Dinner Series, which are attended by senior and intellectual property derived Company Ltd (VSPC) has been involved industry executives, representatives of from its team of leading-edge with the IAP since 2010. researchers who are committed government departments and university VSPC chief technical and operations officer to translating their research leaders. Dr Shelley Brown-Malker said the IAP outcomes into processes AIBN Director Professor Peter Gray said provided an opportunity to engage with the IAP’s activities reflected the institute’s and products to address academic and industrial contacts at events commitment to promoting and developing human health, industrial and organised to showcase commercially- the growth of innovative industries; and environmental problems. relevant technological innovation. ensuring research does not remain at the laboratory bench, but is translated into “The program provides VSPC with access positive outcomes. to the expertise AIBN offers, including state-of-the-art materials characterisation “AIBN’s focus is on developing enduring The Industrial Affiliates Program (IAP) tools and highly competent technicians and relationships with Australian and is designed to bring AIBN and industry scientists,” Dr Brown-Malker said. closer together; for partner companies to international industry, underpinning a obtain awareness of – and access to – vibrant innovation economy in Queensland “Being a small company, access to the type AIBN’s research and expertise; and for the and Australia,” he said. of external expertise AIBN can provide is crucial to the commercial development of institute to improve the industrial relevance “The IAP allows companies to make the VSPC’s technology.” of its research programs through direct most of the facilities and capabilities AIBN engagement with IAP members. The IAP has been operating for just over two years and has 20 member companies, ranging from large multinationals to small domestic start-up companies. The IAP provides a project-independent basis for interaction between AIBN and industry, with Building links the ultimate identification of collaborative projects one of the program’s critical success factors. with industry

The IAP offers multiple avenues through The level of engagement is most suitable for Industrial Affiliate Program members which members can interact with AIBN. an organisation looking to aggressively drive research and development activities in areas While the extent of member benefits varies – Agilent Technologies Australia Pty Ltd where access to state-of-the-art facilities according to the level of membership, and know-how is critical to its mission. – Alere Australia Ltd all members obtain access to exclusive Companies can become premier members networking events; invitations to seminars, – Allied Healthcare Group of the IAP by applying for membership via symposia and conferences organised by the AIBN prospectus or by entering into – Anteo Diagnostics Ltd AIBN; the opportunity to nominate suitably a major, strategic or financially significant qualified peoples as Academic Adjuncts of – Australian Red Cross Blood Service collaborative project with AIBN. UQ; and access to AIBN public disclosures. – BCS Innovations Pty Ltd IAP members receive acknowledgement and Member: recognition of their membership in AIBN’s Members are offered a high level of – BioPharmaceuticals Australia (Network) Annual Report and on the membership board engagement with AIBN and opportunities Pty Ltd in the AIBN foyer. Premier members are also to interact directly with groups and facilities acknowledged at selected AIBN functions within AIBN. This level of engagement – CBio Ltd and events. is most suitable for a small to medium – Cellestis Ltd enterprise seeking to augment its in-house Premier members and Members receive a activities with access to know-how and – Cochlear Ltd customised IAP access package. It includes facilities. an initial consultation with relevant AIBN – Creative Polymers Ltd personnel, along with substantial discounts Associate member: – The Dow Chemical Company on fees charged for subsequent consulting Associate member is an entry level advice from AIBN personnel and access fees membership designed to give companies – DSM for AIBN-managed facilities. an introduction to the breadth and depth of – Hospira Adelaide Pty Ltd AIBN. Associate members have opportunities The IAP is designed to cater for small, to interact with AIBN researchers and explore – Intel Corp medium and large companies. The program the range of services and capabilities offered. offers three levels of membership. They are: – Magnetica Ltd Associate membership is available to select Premier member: non-research organisations, such as service – Patrys Ltd This level of membership affords major providers operating in areas relevant to AIBN, – PharmaSynth Pty Ltd engagement with AIBN. Companies receive whose primary interest is access to IAP the greatest level of flexibility and options networking functions. – Queensland Clinical Trials Network Inc when interacting with institute researchers. – Unilever That translates as more opportunities www.aibn.uq.edu.au/aibn-industrial- to benefit from the ideas, expertise and affiliates-program – Very Small Particle Company Ltd capabilities at AIBN. – William A Cook Australia Pty Ltd

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 65 AIBN start-up companies

Co, a major international pharmaceutical ACYTE Biotech Pty Ltd company in the vaccine business. Vaxxas ACYTE was founded by Professor AIBN has established an enviable is extremely well placed, financially and Peter Gray at UNSW as a vehicle for track record in developing products technically, to lead development of the next developing and commercialising cell culture generation of vaccine delivery. and creating companies based technologies created in his laboratory. When Professor Gray was appointed on AIBN technology. Start-up TenasiTech Pty Ltd companies have been formed AIBN’s founding director, he moved ACYTE TenasiTech is an advanced materials and integrated its activities into his AIBN across diverse fields including drug technology company, arising from research group. delivery, vaccines and advanced research in AIBN Professor Darren materials. Martin’s laboratory. TenasiTech develops ACYTE is focused on enhancing the nanocomposites and nanofillers, productivity and yield of high-value improving the mechanical properties products from Chinese hamster ovary and performance of polymers such as (CHO) cells. ACYTE’s proprietary technologies in CHO cell expression allow During 2012, four start-up companies polyurethanes and acrylics. The company for rapid generation of recombinant protein operated largely or exclusively out of was founded in 2007 and financed through for early drug development studies, and AIBN. Institute researchers founded three an investment from Uniseed and grants the generation of highly-productive CHO companies to develop AIBN technology, from the Queensland Government and cell lines for therapeutic production of while Acyte, founded by Professor Peter Commercialisation Australia. recombinant protein. Gray, was brought to AIBN from UNSW. TenasiTech has demonstrated that The company conducts fee-for-service The start-up companies are distinct entities, incorporating its ‘adaptive polyols’ and activities and licences its technology to with their own management structures, masterbatches to polyurethanes and clients. ACYTE’s co-location with the boards and finances. AIBN provides acrylics leads to substantial improvements National Biologics Facility at AIBN leverages facilities, equipment and, through UQ’s in strength, flexibility, dimensional stability, the pre-eminent skills and equipment of the commercialisation company UniQuest, a level thermo-stability and scratch resistance. Gray research group. of specialist support, such as management The technology has the potential to deliver tangible and valuable improvements to of patents and commercial advice. Institute www.aibn.uq.edu.au/startups researchers are intimately involved with the a wide range of moulded or extruded companies, ensuring a close connection products and foams. TenasiTech between ongoing research within AIBN is collaborating with domestic and and development and commercialisation of international companies to identify and each company’s technology. develop the most compelling applications for its technology. Vaxxas Pty Ltd Pepfactants Pty Ltd Vaxxas was founded in 2011 to develop and commercialise the Nanopatch Pepfactants is a materials science technology created in AIBN Professor Mark company developing a novel class of Kendall’s laboratory. Nanopatch is a novel, reversible surfactants based on patented needle-free means of delivering vaccines research from AIBN’s Professor Anton via the skin. Animal studies demonstrated Middelberg and Dr Annette Dexter. The a Nanopatch can deliver 100 times less company uses helical peptides with the vaccine compared to conventional vaccine unique ability to reversibly stabilise or break delivery and still achieve an effective emulsions and foam by controlling the immune response. interfacial layer’s behaviour. Vaxxas received strong backing from a The Pepfactants technology has syndicate of venture capital investors, potential applications in industrial and comprising One Ventures, Medical pharmaceutical settings. Initial efforts have Research Commercialisation Fund, focused on industrial applications, such Brandon Capital and Healthcare Ventures, as use in the oil industry. For example, the with a commitment of $15 million in switchable surfactants could be used to Series A financing. It has also entered into improve the yield of oil from wells, thereby a research partnership with Merck and increasing the well’s profitability or life cycle.

66 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 International collaborations

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 67 International collaborations

Engagement with collaborators internationally is critical to AIBN’s success. They fulfill multiple objectives, including: – ensuring AIBN research is relevant and competitive on the world stage; – encouraging the growth and development of AIBN personnel through two-way exchanges of people and ideas; – raising the institute’s international profile as a means of attracting potential international students and employees; – accessing financial support and facilities unavailable, or not readily accessible, in Australia; – providing training and development for international scientists in cutting-edge technologies; Professor Kirill Alexandrov, Professor Chris Lowe – supporting Australia’s aid and Petrina Gilmore programs to less developed countries; and Professor Michael Monteiro, Dr Ezio Rizzardo and – establishing links with Associate Professor Cyrille Boyer potential commercial partners. During 2012, AIBN was involved in National Institute for Materials Science in an extensive range of international Japan; the University of California in the collaborations, including a biofuel study US; and the University of London in the UK. with the US Navy, research into spinal AIBN’s project-based international cord injuries with Canadian surgeons and collaborations were complemented by two vaccine development projects with South- major international conferences in Brisbane East Asian and Pacific Rim countries. in 2012. It is part of ongoing engagement with The first was an AIBN-initiated and industry leaders, researchers and academic managed event, the first International partners in 33 countries, including China, Conference on BioNano Innovation India, Indonesia, Brazil, Chile, the US, (ICBNI), on July 19-20. AIBN Deputy Canada, South Africa, Spain, Italy, France, Director (Nanotechnology) and Group Alexandra Depelsenaire Germany, Finland and the UK. Leader Professor Matt Trau chaired the AIBN’s international collaborations have conference. totalled more than 280 since 2004 and Also held in 2012 was the first International include work with industry partners such as Conference on Emerging Advanced The Dow Chemical Company, Boeing, Intel, Nanomaterials (ICEAN), hosted by AIBN and Merck and Amyris. chaired by Group Leader Professor Ajayan Academic links have been made with the Vinu. ICEAN 2012 was on October 22-25.

68 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 International collaborations

Dr Natalie Connors The ARC funds the research collaboration to understand the biological interactions Computational modelling has that underpin the design of biosurfactants opened the door to new insights as superior alternatives to existing low- for AIBN Professor Anton tech, non-renewable chemical surfactants. Middelberg’s research group and Foams stabilised using surfactants form laid the foundations for ongoing the basis of a $24 billion industry. The collaboration with institutions in foaming agents developed are protein China and Germany. based, bringing to the fore the expertise of AIBN and KIT research groups in protein design, bioprocessing, food manufacture and analysis. The collaborations aim to add fundamental The collaboration has already resulted in KIT brings to the collaboration a wealth insight into biomolecular interactions and three visits by the UQ vaccine team to of industrial biotechnology expertise, open new product and process design China, return visits from the Tianjin University while Queensland is in the early stages of opportunities. collaborators, two joint publications in developing such a capability. AIBN, through The Journal of Physical Chemistry B and Queensland Government National and Professor Middelberg’s research group, Professor Sun’s presentation at AIBN’s International Research Alliances Program shares its expert knowledge in biomolecular first International Conference on BioNano funding in 2010 provided support for the engineering. Innovation in Brisbane in 2012. research group to employ computational “Molecular modelling will help us modelling to further work in vaccine Dr Connors received a boost to her understand the fundamentals involved development. modelling work when the Queensland in forming four-helix bundles,” Professor Cyber Infrastructure Foundation allocated Middelberg said. “The bundles ensure the Since then, an Australian Research Council her access to the National Computational formed surfaces are stable and can be (ARC) Discovery Grant has enabled Infrastructure High Performance Clusters. modelling work to be introduced in another tailored for the correct foaming properties of Professor Middelberg’s research areas: Tailored industrial surfactants needed in industry. tailoring industrial biosurfactants. Tailoring industrial surfactants involves “While the molecular modelling is The funding enabled the establishment of Dr Mirjana Dimitrijev Dwyer working in supporting a greater understanding of relationships with Tianjin University in China Professor Middelberg’s lab and PhD fundamentals of biomolecular interactions, and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) in Germany, with researcher exchanges, joint PhD supervision and vital sharing of skills and knowledge.

Vaccine development Dr Natalie Connors is heading the computational bioengineering theme for Computational Professor Middelberg’s research group and uses modelling to simulate how antigenic proteins taken from viruses, such as influenza, are presented when placed on modelling virus-like particles (VLPs). The work can also be applied to viruses such as Group A Streptococcus and Hendra virus. at the core VLPs are the shells of a virus designed to elicit a strong immune response while being inherently safe because they contain no viral genetic material. of global Dr Connors is working closely with a group headed by Tianjin University’s Professor Yan Sun, a world leader in the simulation of bioprocessing. networking The collaboration is built on a memorandum of understanding with Tianjin University, negotiated through UQ’s Confucius Institute, and links AIBN to a partner with expertise in vaccine manufacturing in the country with student Andrea Schaller providing input nothing can be developed without the the largest global vaccine market. through computational modelling. experimental validation – and that is where AIBN has its expertise. “Computational modelling assists us Ms Schaller graduated from KIT with a in understanding the fundamentals of Master’s degree and started her thesis “Working collaboratively on molecular biomolecular interactions for our modular at AIBN in 2012 with joint supervision. modelling brings fundamental insight and VLP platform,” Dr Connors said. “It helps AIBN hosted an information-sharing visit in capability to industrial biotechnology and us appreciate what antigenic peptides 2012 involving KIT research group leader biomolecular engineering efforts, at the will look like on the VLP. That is important Professor Jürgen Hubbuch, a long-time leading edge of international developments. because if the peptide is not the same collaborator with Professor Middelberg; If we worked in isolation we would find it as in the native virus, it may not illicit the biomolecular engineer Dr Stefan Oelmeier; hard to achieve at the same level. Science appropriate immune response.” and PhD student Christopher Ladd. is international – so is AIBN.”

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 69 Stem cell researchers benefit from global network

“We collaborate with a group in under the supervision of Professor David Copenhagen for cutting-edge Hume, who established UQ’s involvement AIBN researchers are providing bioinformatics, to understand chromatin and has become a major partner in valuable input and reaping the state at a resolution that would otherwise subsequent rounds of the consortia. be impossible – because we lack the benefits, with leading roles in an Kelly Hitchens, Dipti Vijayan, Ashley expertise or facilities to look at this question international network of genome Waardenberg and Anthony Beckhouse ourselves.” biologists, bioinformaticians, are foundation members from Associate biostatisticians and stem cell AIBN PhD student Liam Fearnley, a Professor Wells’s research group. Edward biology researchers. member of Professor Lars Nielsen’s Huang and Suzy Butcher are new research group, is working with members covering validation aspects of the computational scientists in Sweden and project. Rowland Mosbergen and Othmar Norway on analysing aspects of FANTOM Korn provide bioinformatics support and Three AIBN research groups are actively research datasets. support data exploration through the collaborative hub Stemformatics. Essential involved in the Functional Annotation Involvement in FANTOM also includes input from Associate Professor Wolvetang’s of the Mammalian Genome (FANTOM) UQ School of Chemistry and Molecular research group comes from Dr Dmitry consortium. Biosciences Professor Mark Walker, Ovchinnikov and honours student James AIBN Associate Professor Christine Wells contributing work on pathogen-activated Briggs. contributes findings from her research monocytes via an Australian infectious group’s work into the networks of genes diseases consortium. Material has been “On an academic level, we are working that drive stem cell differentiation and processed in Japan and forms part of the together to address fundamentally immune activation. Working closely with atlas of human expression information at philosophical questions about how our AIBN Associate Professor Ernst Wolvetang, FANTOM. genome works,” Associate Professor Wells said. her group also provides FANTOM with a set Associate Professor Christine Wells said the of high-quality stem cell libraries, studying collaboration with FANTOM members went “I would argue that this is the most pressing neural differentiation. beyond furthering AIBN research projects. question in biology today – and the foundation for genomic-based medicine, or Associate Professor Wolvetang’s group has “The interactions provide important genome-based technologies. key strengths in stem cell research, with a experience on how research is conducted focus on induced pluripotent stem cells, in in a collaborative framework. They open up “FANTOM is bringing together leading vitro disease models and novel regenerative a raft of opportunities for the institute, and expertise in very diverse disciplines and medicine approaches. for interactions that stretch far beyond the working together to tackle some foundation “In FANTOM we’ve hooked up with FANTOM program itself,” she said. questions in genome biology. It’s exciting to work on this scale and challenges us researchers from the US, the Netherlands Associate Professor Wells has been part of to think beyond our own boundaries and and Scotland to look at stem cell FANTOM since 2002 and became a lead expertise. It opens up a scale of research differentiation to neural, cardiac, blood and investigator in 2005, while AIBN has been that we can be otherwise blinkered to when skin cells,” Associate Professor Christine a partner since 2011. Her involvement working on our own small patch in isolation.” Wells said. “It means conclusions we can came after hosting FANTOM lead principal draw are much broader in their application investigator Prof Yoshihide Hayashizaki – and this increases the significance of our from Japan’s Riken Omic Sciences Centre findings. We can hook into an international in 1999. Later she completed her PhD network for specialist tools and protocols.

70 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 International collaborations

Since Hendra virus (HeV) was first detected in the Brisbane suburb of Hendra in 1994, there have Dr David Chin been 14 outbreaks in Queensland.

The virus was fatal for four of the seven people who contracted it. HeV can be passed from bats to horses and, occasionally, from horses to humans. AIBN gains US scientist Professor Chris Broder is an expert on HeV who has developed a monoclonal antibody active against the virus. He has conducted extensive work Hendra examining whether the antibody works in animal models, using ferret and monkey models of Hendra infection. funding The work has involved the CSIRO and US-based groups and resulted in very promising results. Professor Broder and the CSIRO have been investigating the mechanism of action of the drug and the virus. In 2012, AIBN received a $400,000 grant Intergovernmental Hendra Virus Taskforce, from the National Health and Medical established in 2011 to address the risks Queensland Health (QH) became aware of Research Council (NHMRC) as seed posed by HeV. the work and knew of AIBN’s capability to funding to start the process for conducting make high quality therapeutic antibodies. Professor Broder and his US colleagues a Phase I human clinical trial. It became a natural fit to manufacture developed the antibody, which binds to a emergency stockpiles of the antibody in Princess Alexandra Hospital’s Dr Geoffrey protein on the surface of HeV, potentially Queensland. Playford, who has been supervising blocking entry to healthy human cells and treatment of HeV-infected people to date, allowing the immune system to fight the In 2010, QH contracted AIBN researchers will be the clinical lead for the trial. virus. to develop a process to produce clinical grade batches of the antibody, including AIBN biotechnologist Dr Trent Munro Under an agreement with QH, Professor some to be used as a potential therapeutic said the Phase I trial would involve a Broder’s lab provided the cells that produce for HeV infection in humans. safety assessment of the antibody in the antibody and AIBN’s National Biologics humans. “We are looking to receive more Facility developed the process to produce Because there has been no large-scale government funding for the efficacy trial, to larger amounts of the antibody needed for clinical testing of the antibody, the be conducted in late 2013,” he said. emergency compassionate use and the experimental therapy can be used only in clinical trial. emergency situations with approval from The additional funding needed for the an ethics committee and the Therapeutic trial is being sought from the National Goods Administration. Hendra Virus Research Program and the

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 71 Leading academics gather at conference

AIBN Deputy Director (Nanotechnology), To encourage young researchers in the Group Leader and 2012 conference field, the conference held a special event The first International Conference convenor Professor Matt Trau said for early career researchers, the BioNano on BioNano Innovation (ICBNI) it connected scientists, researchers ECR Symposium. and entrepreneurs in the rapidly in 2012 showcased the research The ECR Symposium’s 44 speakers expanding areas of bioengineering and excellence of a large number of included representatives from Harvard nanotechnology. top scientists from around the Medical School and UC Berkeley in the US; world. During the preceding six years, AIBN had the Agency for Science, Technology and run a successful series of annual symposia Research (A*STAR), Singapore; CSIRO; in July. As the size, scale and range of and the University of NSW. AIBN research activities grew, it became Professor Trau said the conference The conference program included plenary imperative for the institute to expand into aimed to connect scientists, researchers addresses from Chinese Academy of an international conference format. and entrepreneurs in the rapidly Sciences President Professor Chunli ICBNI attracted international leaders and expanding areas of bioengineering and Bai; Lockheed Martin’s Travis Earles; the experts working at the intersection of nanotechnology. University of Toronto’s Professor Peter biology and nanotechnology. Zandstra; CSIRO’s Dr Ezio Rizzardo; and “The intersection of biology with Harvard University’s Dr Kenneth Chien. As well as plenary and keynote sessions, nanoscience and nanotechnology the conference hosted parallel symposia represents one of the most exciting More than 500 delegates registered to on nanostructured polymers; vaccines; wellsprings of scientific innovation,” he said. attend the three-day conference at the nanomaterials; regenerative medicine; and Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. The conference’s success prompted an synthesis of biological systems. It featured 74 invited speakers from nine invitation from Professor Bai to host ICBNI countries. in China in 2013, cementing a mutually- beneficial international relationship.

72 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 International collaborations

International materials scientists share their research

AIBN hosted the conference, co-organised Professor Vinu said ICEAN provided an by South Korea’s Yonsei University and important opportunity to share knowledge Materials scientist and AIBN France’s Centre National de la Recherche and hear of developments across the fields Group Leader Professor Ajayan Scientifique. of research. Vinu brought together researchers ICEAN featured speakers from Germany, “Discovery of novel materials can offer from around the world in 2012 the US, China, Japan and Australia and solutions to various problems facing as conference chair of the attracted more than 650 scientists from society, such as greenhouse gas emissions, first International Conference countries including South Korea, France, depletion of fossil fuels and pollution,” on Emerging Advanced Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, India, the Professor Vinu said. Czech Republic, Poland, Canada, Italy, Nanomaterials (ICEAN). “These discoveries provide for greater Saudi Arabia and South Africa. quality of life, comfort and stability and Max Planck Institute of Colloids and are only made possible by the novel Interfaces Professor Markus Antonietti, technologies that emerge from scientific from Potsdam in Germany, opened the research. conference with details of research into “ICEAN aims to ensure material scientists artificial photosynthesis to convert light into do not work in isolation, but can share chemical energy for storage and use. their knowledge and bring the fruits of their Other speakers included Ewha Woman’s labour closer to commercial outcomes. University Professor Jin-Ho Choy, from Seoul, “The aim of the conference has been to South Korea; Professor Susumu Kitagawa, bring together from all over the world from Kyoto University, Japan; Professor scientists active in the fields of advanced Dongyuan Zhao, from Fudan University, nano- and biomaterials.” China; and Professor Mietek Jaroniec, from Kent State University in the US. After peer reviewing, the proceedings of the accepted papers will be published in ICEAN covered fundamentals and Science of Advanced Materials, which has technological aspects of various advanced an impact factor of 3.3. materials and their industrial, biomedical, electronic, photonic, energy and Positive feedback on ICEAN has resulted environmental applications. in plans for another conference, potentially scheduled for early 2015.

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 73 Engaging with international researchers

Her collaboration with AIBN’s Dr Firas Rasoul involves multidisciplinary research Regenerative medicine experts into ways of stimulating the body to repair and students from around the itself, providing stem cell therapies to world attended major events regenerate and repair injured areas. at AIBN in 2012, strengthening Dr Rasoul said his research involved professional networks and designing biomaterials that could target providing an important exchange injured spinal areas, stimulate cell regrowth of information. and encourage repairs. That complemented Dr Tsai’s work, which examined how patients responded to the medicines or genes to ensure safe, Experts in spinal cord injury and repair effective tissue repair or regrowth. gathered at AIBN in December for a one-day symposium covering stem cell In August, AIBN hosted the Induced research, materials science, patient Pluripotent Stem Cell Training Workshop, rehabilitation and social support networks. with a focus on providing practical experience in generating, identifying and University of Ottawa neurosurgeon analysing the cells; and lectures to explain and scientist Dr Eve Tsai spoke at the their application in regenerative medicine. symposium, involving AIBN and UQ’s Centre for Advanced Imaging. Among the researchers, students and doctors attending the workshop was She spent time in Professor Andrew Professor Sang Gu Kang from Yeungnam Whittaker’s AIBN labs to further work University, South Korea. being conducted as part of a Queensland Government National and International He has applied the new knowledge of small Research Alliances Program grant molecules and cell reprogramming to his collaboration. work at the School of Biotechnology in small molecule expression and synthesis. Dr Tsai’s research focuses on spinal cord repair strategies, axonal regeneration, MRI imaging of spinal cord tracts in humans and animals, and clinical outcomes after spine surgery.

74 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Facilities and research environment

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 75 Dr Lauren Butler

Infrastructure facilitates research

Expertise in nanofabrication, metabolomics expertise in silicon carbide technology and and biologics played a part in progressing Raman spectroscopy to clients. National Research and cutting-edge research in medicines, A commitment to assisting industrial and vaccine delivery and antibody production. Development Infrastructure academic clients achieve their outcomes housed at AIBN has continued to The infrastructure supported Queensland was demonstrated by ANFF-Q’s continued prove invaluable during 2012. and Australian businesses undertaking support of new technologies such as the research, development and innovation. Nanopatch, through the biotechnology Staff expertise and facility equipment is spin-out company Vaxxas, and through available to the broader Australian research industry clients such as mining consultancy community, which includes industry, SkillPro Services. academia and private organisations. With federal and Queensland government Nanofabrication funding, ANFF-Q secured additional equipment, including deposition and metrology The Australian National Fabrication Facility, tools, and further clean room space to Queensland node (ANFF-Q) worked closely enhance and develop the node’s capabilities. with researchers around the country in 2012, including those at the University of Client numbers and hours of usage Western Australia, the University of South continued to grow in 2012, underlining the Australia, the University of NSW and unique and high-quality service provided to Queensland University of Technology. the Australian research community. Incorporation of facilities at Griffith University’s ANFF-Q’s professional officers can support Queensland Micro and NanoTechnology clients at every stage of their projects Centre into the ANFF-Q node was achieved by leveraging the expertise, full range of in 2012. That brought a new set of tooling and experience of their network.

76 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Facilities and research environment

Dr Hiui Peng

Biologics work closely with, and provide expert services recruited a new analyst in 2012, with Dr Biologics research continued to to, the Australian biotechnology industry. Manuel Plan bringing more than 10 years of analytical experience to the team. demonstrate its industry relevance in The NBF received a further $1.2million in 2012. The National Biologics Facility Queensland Government co-investment With federal and Queensland government (NBF) worked with government, research funding. funding, MA-Q expanded its bioanalytical organisations and industry during the year. A collaboration between AIBN and capabilities by buying additional high- The NBF continued to build on support Biosceptre, established with a deal through resolution mass spectrometry equipment received from the federal and Queensland investment company Medigen, continues to for metabolomic analysis. governments in 2011 for its creation, with involve significant input from the NBF, with MA-Q projects in 2012 covered a wide 15 staff members now housed in the AIBN development of a bio-process for antibody spectrum of metabolomics applications. building. production ahead of pre-clinical trials for AIBN projects included analysis needed for The NBF’s world-class experience in cell line biologics targeting cancers. producing industrial chemicals, bioplastics development and state-of-the-art facilities Researchers led by NBF operations from sugarcane, biopesticides from insect cell viruses and biofuels from yeast fermentations. were instrumental in AIBN securing a share manager Dr David Chin are using cultured of $400,000 in National Health and Medical mammalian cells to develop therapeutic- Analysis of biofuel production is an integral Research Council (NHMRC) funding in 2012 grade biologics for clinical studies. part of the Queensland Sustainable to study the safety of a promising treatment Aviation Fuel Initiative’s work to develop AIBN secured the deal with Biosceptre for humans infected with Hendra virus. the production of advanced aviation biofuel in late 2011 because of the institute’s from sugarcane. The yeast engineering and The funding will be used for the NBF specialised facilities, ensuring mammalian analysis is performed in partnership with to produce a monoclonal antibody and cells can be grown in sterile areas with supply it to Princess Alexandra Hospital the US biotech company Amyris. minimal chance of contamination. infectious diseases expert Dr Geoffrey Collaborations within UQ included Playford, who will lead the safety study. It The NBF continues its strategic partnership assessing Streptococcus pneumoniae is part of a collaboration with Queensland with CSIRO in Melbourne and the creation of strains, measuring anaesthetic levels Health, CSIRO’s Australian Animal Health a second node of the facility, using Federal in Drosophila, or fruit fly, and analysing Laboratories and the Uniformed Services Government Education Investment Fund anti-epileptic drug and nucleotide University of the Health Sciences in the US. and Super Science Initiative support. The concentrations in plasma and brain tissue. partnership further enhanced the capability Queensland Government funding in 2012 and knowledge base that exists in early In the wider community, MA-Q provided boosted an international collaboration involving stage biologics technology in Australia. metabolomic analysis for groups within AIBN and the NBF in developing the next- CSIRO and the Australian Wine Research generation of smart medicines in Brisbane. Metabolomics Institute in Adelaide. Dr Louise Conwell, at The NBF has collaborated with more than Metabolomics Australia, Queensland node the Royal Children’s Hospital in Brisbane, 25 biotechnology companies and research (MA-Q) continued to supply key analytical collaborated with MA-Q in 2012 on research organisations, completed more than 450 support in 2012 for projects requiring the on juvenile diabetes and the Dow Chemical projects and produced more than 750g discovery, identification and quantification Company took advantage of MA-Q facilities of high-quality recombinant biologics for of endogenous and exogenous through collaboration with Professor Lars research and pre-clinical use. It continues to biochemicals and metabolites. MA-Q Nielsen’s AIBN research group.

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 77 Enabling cutting- edge research with protein expertise

provided 30 per cent of its 2012 services to external users, including universities and The Protein Expression companies. Facility (PEF) based at AIBN PEF hosted the Australian Protein has continued to achieve in Production Symposium at UQ in July, 2012, with successful research with a three-day program featuring 19 collaborations, a three-day presentations from world-leading national symposium and membership of a and international speakers and 14 trade top protein network. displays. Presentations covered topics in fields such as vaccine development, protein therapeutic production and bioprocessing. Staff members also presented at a PEF is a unique facility in Australia, workshop linked to the symposium, enabling cutting-edge research through covering protein design, molecular comprehensive services in recombinant cloning, expression, purification and protein production, including molecular characterisation. cloning, microbial expression, animal cell culture and protein purification. Sentinext Therapeutics chief scientific officer Dr Jane Cardosa represented the Efficient protein production requires different Malaysian biotechnology company at the strategies and broad technical expertise, symposium and entered into a research dedicated equipment and considerable collaboration with PEF during the visit. expenditures of time and effort. The collaboration enables PEF to continue In 2012, PEF expertise underpinned to provide Sentinext Therapeutics with engagement with 56 academic research support to optimise bioprocesses and groups and companies, completing 229 product characterisation for developing projects that expedited achieving of efficacious vaccines for tropical infectious research objectives and milestones. diseases. The engagement included researchers from In another 2012 highlight, PEF was global biopharmaceutical company CSL, invited to join the Protein Production clinical-phase biotechnology company and Purification Partnership in Europe, Lipotek, global animal health company a network based in Germany which is Zoetis, CSIRO, the Queensland Institute of establishing a platform to exchange Medical Research, the University of Sydney, information, know-how and materials Griffith University and Monash University. between core facility labs. International collaborators are Nanyang PEF director Dr Linda Lua said 2012 Technology University, Singapore; the was an important year, with the facility Protein Sciences Corporation in the US; demonstrating a continued annual growth the Dortmund Protein Facility at the Max and taking steps to secure its future by Planck Institute, Germany; the Oxford becoming a UQ central facility. Protein Production Facility in the UK; and “Every year we have grown, in terms of the Institut Agronomique neo-Caledonien in technical development, staff expansion and New Caledonia. capabilities,” Dr Lua said. PEF staff continued to work closely with “We started with a small number of AIBN research groups, demonstrating the services and built in molecular cloning, advantages of co-location and building a microbial work with bacteria and yeast, hub of research excellence. insect and mammalian cell systems. Every The engagement enabled PEF to achieve year, we can offer additional elements. Staff a record year in 2012, with revenue up increases and professional development more than 40 per cent in five years. PEF have enabled us to add capacity.”

78 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Facilities and research environment

Stem cell research in Australia the Stemformatics team to further develop Workshop at AIBN. During one week, eight continued to develop during 2012, critical stem cell research infrastructure. participants attended hands-on practical training sessions covering the generation, with Stem Cells Ltd providing The two key stem cell researchers were culture and characterisation of iPS cells. support in its first calendar year of appointed the facility’s Senior Scientists operations at its StemCore facility in 2012 and became advisers to the In addition to the practical elements at AIBN. operations, enabling the facility to remain of working with stem cells, workshop at the forefront of cutting-edge stem cell participants were invited to a series of research in Australia. seminars from leaders in the field of reprogramming. The workshop was a Stem Cells Ltd has been focused on The facility works closely with research success, attracting participants from across developing networks with other stem organisations from around Australia Australia and internationally. cell research organisations including Cell providing expert staff, support services, Reprogramming Australia and the Stem Training workshops are an important training and technology platforms to sustain Cells Australia research consortium. component of Stem Cells Ltd’s activities, and grow Australia’s capacity in the stem providing future scientists with the skills cell field. In 2012, Stem Cells Ltd and Cell necessary to effectively use stem cells in Reprogramming Australia held the inaugural Using $470,000 secured from a their research programs. Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Training Queensland Government co-Investment fund in 2012, the facility has been enabling scientists to access valuable stem cell strategies for modelling human diseases. StemCore manager Victoria Turner said her team worked with stem cell scientists to advance research into Funding diseases such as schizophrenia, Down syndrome, Parkinson’s disease and ataxia telangiectasia. The team continues to work closely with secured for AIBN Associate Professor Ernst Wolvetang, whose research and leadership provides a scientific foundation for Stem Cells Ltd’s generation of induced pluripotent stem specialist (iPS) cell lines. The team also collaborated with AIBN Associate Professor Christine Wells and facility

Nishta Ramnoruth

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 79 Microscopy and microanalysis

CMM’s cryo-transmission electron microscopes were used to support Microscopy and microanalysis Professor Anton Middelberg in further services are available to AIBN developing Virus-Like Particles, a platform researchers within the institute’s with the potential to mass-produce building. vaccines quickly for re-emerging infectious diseases. AIBN’s Professor Michael Monteiro benefited in 2012 from CMM’s scanning The Centre for Microscopy and electron microscopes to analyse polymer Microanalysis (CMM) promotes, supports structures being developed for biomedical and initiates research and teaching in applications such as anti-cancer drug microscopy and microanalysis, as well as delivery. developing the disciplines themselves. CMM bridges the sciences and is Purpose-built laboratories at AIBN house dedicated to an understanding of six state-of-the-art electron microscopes the structure and composition of all and a range of sample preparation facilities materials at atomic molecular, cellular and catering for materials and biological macromolecular scales. disciplines. The understanding arises primarily from the The laboratory is equipped with a application of optical and electron-optical sophisticated optical microscopy suite, techniques to biological and non-biological featuring three optical microscopes materials, but also includes use of x-rays, in various configurations, under the ions and surface signals. supervision of AIBN Affiliate Group Leader Primary fields of research associated with and CMM manager Professor John materials sciences include microstructure Drennan. investigations of processing parameters in The CMM acquired instrumentation in 2012 ceramics, metals and polymers; interface that is unique in Australia, with the potential studies on a range of metals, ceramics and to significantly impact on the imaging composites; and the characterisation of available to AIBN users. catalysts and substrates. The Gatan 3-View enables serial sections of material to be cut within the microscope and images recorded. The aim is to build three-dimensional sections at a resolution in the nanometer scale and applicable to biological and physical science programs. During 2012, CMM’s scanning electron microscopy capabilities assisted fellow AIBN Group Leader Professor Mark Kendall in developing the vaccine delivery device the Nanopatch as part of a push to advance the technology towards clinical testing and product development.

80 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Mentoring and career development

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 81 Dr Jess Frith had only worked in biology labs when she arrived at AIBN in 2010, but the institute’s multidisciplinary nature made such an impression, she now has her sights set on a career in stem cells and tissue engineering.

Dr Frith joined Professor Justin Cooper- White’s Tissue Engineering and Microfluidics (TeaM) lab at AIBN after undergraduate studies in biology, working in plant biology, and completing a PhD in mesenchymal stem cell cultures. With support from Professor Cooper- White to attend conferences and career workshops, tap into a network of collaborators and incorporate other disciplines in her research, Dr Frith quickly found her feet. She received a boost in late 2012, with the announcement of an Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Early Career Researcher Award. The award will support her research, from 2013 onwards, into how microRNA signalling in stem cells derived from bone marrow affects their response to different biomaterials and how it may be used to promote the formation of specific tissues, such as bone, cartilage, muscle and fat. The research relies on integrating cell biology, genomics and biomaterials, adding Multiple further weight to the importance of AIBN’s multidisciplinary nature and the breadth of Professor Cooper-White’s research group. disciplines “I have learnt many new techniques, including some polymer chemistry, surface functionalisation and rheology,” Dr Frith said. “The opportunity to work alongside boost career people from different disciplines has opened my eyes to new areas and different styles of thinking. “Key opportunities at AIBN come from the aspirations ability to mix with people from so many different disciplines and to have excellent facilities to be able to follow these ideas through.” Birmingham; and was first author on key As well as working closely with Professor publications in Journal of Cell Science and Cooper-White and fellow Group Leader Stem Cells and Development. Associate Professor Christine Wells at AIBN, Dr Frith is collaborating with She hopes the ARC award, which aims researchers at the University of Adelaide, to provide more focused support and leading stem cell company Mesoblast and create more opportunities for early career Professor Alpha Yap from UQ’s Institute for researchers, will take her closer to the aim Molecular Biosciences. of one day heading her own research group in stem cells and tissue engineering. Dr Frith has presented her work to specialist international audiences at “I like to think my research will one day lead conferences in Vienna, Boston, Sydney, to the tissue engineering of replacement Adelaide and Brisbane; been selected tissues that are fully functional. I think as one of four UQ representatives at an regenerative medicine has the potential to early career workshop at the University of transform medicine.”

82 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Mentoring and career development

Building the basis for a successful career

Since 2009, he has worked alongside “Diagnostic tests are important medical Professor Kendall, an inaugural ARC tools, but could be more useful if they were Dr Simon Corrie is taking steps Future Fellow and Australia’s second faster, cheaper and simpler to use,” Dr in building what he hopes is Rolex Laureate, who has a track record of Corrie said. commercialisation. Professor Kendall was a successful research career. “While billions of dollars are spent each instrumental is building up PowderJect/ He has a prestigious award to year developing drugs for treatment, only a PowderMed, which was sold to Pfizer for fraction is spent on diagnostics. However, support a new area of research, $US400 million. His Nanopatch technology early and accurate diagnosis of disease adding to previous fellowships was licensed to pharmaceutical company has proven time and again to drastically that enabled him to work in an Merck & Co in 2012. improve outcomes and survival.” American lab. Dr Corrie is also Dr Corrie said the high standard of As an AIBN Associate Group Leader, Dr seeing technology from AIBN labs research and industrial relevance found Corrie is working towards running his own move towards commercialisation at AIBN provided him with a constructive research group, focusing on combining as part of Professor Mark and stimulating environment to further his materials chemistry and molecular biology Kendall’s research group. ambitions. to produce novel medical devices. From a scientific perspective, Dr Corrie “AIBN provides the perfect combination aims to prove the thousands of microscopic of top-quality research and facilities and needles on the Nanopatch can be used to Dr Corrie received an Australian Research a commercialisation culture to ensure quickly detect biomarkers that point to the Council (ARC) Discovery Early Career translation to products and services, which presence of infectious diseases such as Researcher Award in 2012, enabling his assist me in reaching my goals,” Dr Corrie dengue fever and malaria. research on a way to detect diseases said. without needing blood tests or lab analysis. He is designing a device to sit on the skin, draw in fluids to react with antibodies and The award will help Dr Corrie combine reporter probes and turn a particular colour, materials chemistry with molecular biology similar to a litmus test, if biomarkers are to investigate if technology used for vaccine present. delivery device the Nanopatch can be tailored for disease detection. He is working in the same labs where Professor Kendall is leading a team towards rapid research and product development for the Nanopatch, through spin-out company Vaxxas and $15 million in capital investment. Dr Corrie gained experience in developing clinically-relevant diagnostic technologies in 2007-08, when he received an American Australian Postdoctoral Fellowship to work in Professor Nancy Kiviat’s HPV Research Laboratory at the University of Washington in Seattle. He returned to Queensland as a lead chief investigator on an ARC Discovery Project and Queensland Fellowship to join Professor Kendall’s research group, developing novel diagnostics technologies based on micropatches applied to the skin.

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 83 Industry relevance a good grounding

2003, Dr Codamo worked on campus as a At DSM’s new Brisbane facility, Dr research assistant and facility manager with Codamo’s role involves designing large- As well as gaining research Professor Gray’s research group until 2006. scale biopharmaceutical production processes and co-ordinating process capabilities at AIBN, Dr Joe He started his PhD studies and moved to transfers from the Netherlands to Brisbane, Codamo credits the institute with Brisbane to join AIBN in July 2007, with while ensuring compliance with Good skilling him in manufacturing Professor Gray and Dr Trent Munro as his Manufacturing Practices. through its industrial partnerships supervisors. DSM will use AIBN facilities to perform and focus on commercial “There were several reasons why I chose process development for Australian relevance. AIBN. It was (and still is) the first institute of customers, with Dr Codamo managing the its kind in Australia, having a strong focus activities. in biotechnology and commercialisation. It suited my aspirations of eventually moving He will also take a leading role in Since his PhD was awarded in July 2011, into a biotechnology-related industry collaborating with AIBN to develop a cell Dr Codamo has worked in bioprocess position,” he said. line generation platform for rapid and engineering for biopharmaceutical efficient production of biologics that can be “The greatest benefits of working at AIBN manufacturer DSM Biologics, first in the used in large-scale biologics manufacturing have included access to the extensive Netherlands and more recently at a new processes such as those in Brisbane. range of specialised equipment and facility in Brisbane. resources, and extensive training in “DSM is the first contract manufacturing Skills and experience have assisted Dr operating the instruments, which is of organisation of the type in Australia. What Codamo in being promoted to senior vital importance when moving into the I have learned in the Netherlands will be bioprocess engineer at the new $65 million workforce. used in establishing and operating the DSM scale-up facility nearing completion at facility in Brisbane, which will hopefully “A critical benefit is the ability to work Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital. foster further biotech development in and collaborate with experienced Queensland.” He can now take a leading role in researchers from diverse backgrounds, building the biopharmaceutical industry which contributed significantly towards me in Queensland, involving continued successfully completing my PhD and in my collaboration with AIBN and Director training as a research scientist. Professor Peter Gray. “Many of the experiences I had at AIBN Dr Codamo has a long-standing working prepared me for my time at DSM, including relationship with Professor Gray. After the interactions I had with industry and the completing a Bachelor of Science in importance of understanding the research Biotechnology at the University of NSW in and process development.”

84 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Mentoring and career development

“The work at AIBN allowed me to build a foundation that has taken me a step closer Support at AIBN has aided Dr to my aim of developing a saliva test to Chamindie Punyadeera’s rapid replace blood tests and diagnose cancers much earlier.” progress in developing early diagnosis of heart disease using a At the new centre, Dr Punyadeera will simple saliva test. continue research she started at AIBN, with a specific focus on detecting biomolecules including DNA, RNA and proteins, which point to potentially cancerous cells. “At the moment there are no early detection methods for head and neck cancers. When Dr Punyadeera joined Professor Justin diagnosed, the cancer is at an aggressive Cooper-White’s Tissue Engineering and stage,” Dr Punyadeera said. Microfluidics (TeaM) lab in 2009 as part of an Australian Research Council (ARC) “Saliva is an ideal biological fluid for Linkage grant, looking at measuring diagnosing head and neck cancers the physical properties of saliva with a because saliva sampling is non-invasive, microfluidic device. quick and easy. Tiny tumours can be hidden in the oral cavity but a saliva test During that time, the idea of using a has the potential to pick up biomolecules microfluidic device for saliva diagnostics secreted by the tumours.” was born and, with Professor Cooper- White’s support, a Queensland Fellowship In Queensland alone 500 new cases of application was submitted to expand the head and neck cancers are diagnosed scope of the research. every year, with a poor five-year survival rate of less than 30 per cent. That can be Dr Punyadeera received financial support, reduced with early detection. had access to state-of-the-art equipment and was mentored as part of Professor Cooper-White’s group. Work at the Princess Alexandra Hospital’s Heart Failure Clinic and the Mater Outpatient Clinic provided an opportunity to collect saliva and blood samples from Rapid progress patients. Two further major awards boosted Dr Punyadeera’s research. towards saliva She received a UQ Research Excellence Award in 2010, recognising her work at AIBN and UQ’s School of Chemical Engineering. At that time, the research diagnostics focussed on developing a saliva test to detect heart disease in its early stages. Receiving a Queensland International Fellowship in 2012 enabled Dr Punyadeera to travel overseas to develop strategic alliances with leaders in the field and broaden the diagnostic applications of saliva to include head and neck cancers. The same year, she was part of a team successful in securing $15 million to establish the Queensland Centre for Head and Neck Cancer. One of the centre’s nodes is based at the newly-constructed Translational Research Institute. “Professor Cooper-White provided me with a supportive environment to conduct my research, expand my focus and build an international network of collaborators. Without those elements, it would have been a challenge to progress my career at this rapid rate,” Dr Punyadeera said.

85 Student becomes awarded researcher

The time at AIBN broadened her outlook, No commercial product or technology allowing her to share knowledge with delivers a tailored vaccine within weeks of In less than a year, Nani Wibowo leaders at the forefront of research in such a new disease emerging. engineering, chemistry, biology and has gone from a PhD student at In her new role, Dr Wibowo is working to computational sciences. AIBN to a postdoctoral researcher engineer virus-like particles (VLPs) and leading a team in vaccine She learned under the supervision of their subunits, capsomeres, for rapidly- engineering in Professor Anton Professor Middelberg, a 2010 Queensland manufactured, low-cost vaccines. Premier’s Fellow with a global network of Middelberg’s AIBN lab. The VLP platform has the potential to one collaborators, including in China, Vietnam day deliver vaccines in days, by engineering and Germany. the shell of an emerging virus without “I broadened my knowledge base, learned containing infectious DNA and providing On graduating in 2012, she received a many experimental techniques, learned to at-risk people with immunity. Dean’s Award for Research Higher Degree supervise students and came to appreciate Dr Wibowo is building a network Excellence, recognising excellence in a cultures from all around the world,” Dr of collaborators and has attended research higher degree and a substantial Wibowo said. contribution to the field of research. conferences in Japan, Italy, the US and “AIBN has a world-class level of research, Vietnam. Since then, Dr Wibowo has started so your project relates directly to global She credits AIBN with giving her a head her research career with a handful of problems that need addressing. What start in her career through its cutting-edge publications already under her belt, a role in happens around the world can also affect facilities, high level and breadth of expertise student supervision and a growing network your research.” of collaborators. and range of opportunities for all staff and An example of the relevance of the students. During the first months of her PhD research in Professor Middelberg’s labs Her research has instilled in Dr Wibowo studies in 2008 she realised how much has been the focus on important problems an appreciation of the importance of benefit could be derived from being at a current technology has failed to address commercialisation, in line with AIBN’s multidisciplinary research institute such as satisfactorily, for example the re-emergence specific aim of combining research AIBN. of influenza in different forms, including excellence with an industry focus. H5N1 and H7N9. “I came to AIBN because I was looking for a research group that works in biomolecular engineering. UQ is one of Australia’s top universities and AIBN seemed a cool place. “I really like what I do in the lab. I have new skills in research – but also in supervising research assistants and students. I have opportunities to travel and a network of collaborators.”

86 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Engagement

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 87 Researchers take science into the community

Researchers focusing on areas such as Associate Professor Wells is researching stem cells, microfluidics and pre-clinical the networks of genes that drive cellular Exposing the public to drug screening were involved in the differentiation and activation. She has cutting-edge science motivated activities, expanding on the work of AIBN discovered the function of several genes colleagues in school engagement. involved in the fight against infection, and AIBN researchers to be involved that regulate inflammation. Her group in community engagement Science Week works to understand stem cell biology and activities in 2012. Stem cell researcher and Group Leader innate immunity. Associate Professor Christine Wells led a discussion of Year 10 students from around Lab-on-a-Chip workshop Australia during Science Week in August. Researchers from AIBN and the Australian National Fabrication Facility, Queensland Co-hosted by Quantum Victoria and node explained microfluidics at a Lab-on-a- Stem Cells Australia, the discussion forum Chip workshop at the State Library in June. involved 80 students in Melbourne and others joining electronically from rural and The audience learned how microfluidics remote parts of Victoria. helped AIBN researchers move towards a new era of disease detection and develop Associate Professor Wells and CSIRO stem characterisation tools. cell researcher Dr Andrew Laslett covered topics such as genomics, bioinformatics Dr Jane Fitzpatrick said the workshop gave and stem cell research. the audience exposure to a field of science they were unlikely to come across during “Science is really the next great place for schooling, working lives or leisure time. moving forward and having important discussions about the world we will inhabit “It was about getting them excited in years to come,” Associate Professor about science and giving them an idea Wells said. that science is useful. It is a wonderful opportunity to share our cutting-edge “I love having students who want to be research with the broader community,” part of the dialogue. I want them to push Dr Fitzpatrick said. scientists to new discoveries. There is so much we don’t yet know about the human The workshop involved people making body, for example, but that will change moulds of microfluidic structures, sealing dramatically in the coming years.” them and flowing liquid through them. Associate Professor Wells said students Microfluidics deals with the behaviour, needed to seriously consider studying control and manipulation of fluids at very science at school, even if they did not plan small length scales – similar to the thickness a career in traditional flow-on areas such as of a human hair. One application can medicine, pharmacy, dentistry or research. produce a suitable environment for growing cells, which can then be used in research in Skills needed in science, such as analysis areas such as regenerative medicine. and critical thinking, were also valuable in business, law and politics. Studying It combines the expertise of engineering, science at school could open doors to a physics, chemistry, microtechnology life-long interest in science and involvement and biotechnology, with uses in inkjet in discussions about future scientific printheads, DNA chips, lab-on-a- endeavours. chip technology, micropropulsion and microthermal technology.

88 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Engagement

Associate Professor Christine Wells talks to research group members

Mad Scientist Tea Party It combined microfluidic design and Post-doctoral researcher Dr Drew Titmarsh fabrication; pluripotent stem cell culture and was a guest at a Mad Scientist Tea Party differentiation; and modelling. at the State Library in June as part of a Dr Titmarsh said the tea party was a program called Bioscience: Other Nature. perfect way to educate people because it The program aimed to bring scientists, was interactive and fun. science aficionados and newcomers “What we do at AIBN will hopefully have together to discuss everything from micro- a major impact in the field of medicine in organisms and DNA to art and ethics. years to come,” he said. “It could improve Dr Titmarsh detailed his research in the health of people around the world. Yet Professor Justin Cooper-White’s AIBN many people are unaware of our research laboratory, with a focus on a technology and the transformational impact stem cells to aid stem cell medical therapies, are poised to have during our lifetime. pre-clinical drug screening and basic “It is rewarding to educate people about biological research. the possibilities of that future and dispell The multidisciplinary project, funded with common misconceptions. The best way to a UniQuest Pathfinder Grant, involved do that is through an interactive program working with commercial partners and where the scientist is accessible and easy leading laboratories on microbioreactor to understand.” array technology that Dr Titmarsh developed in his PhD studies.

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 89 Ambassador to make science accessible

Dr Popat has an active role in AIBN student outreach activities, providing guidance to AIBN researcher Dr Amir Popat students on placement in labs for up to a aims to make science accessible week and demonstrating his research as part of building tours. to everyone, with his appointment in 2012 as an Australian The Young Nanoscience Ambassador Nanotechnology Network Young program has funding from the Federal Nanoscience Ambassador. Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education.

Dr Popat will use the appointment to demonstrate his research to high school students in regional Queensland in 2013, while presenting science as a rewarding career and showing the relevance of research in daily lives. “Few schools outside the metropolitan area have the opportunity to engage with scientists and be in touch with cutting-edge technology, especially nanotechnology,” Dr Popat said. “I want to promote science and higher education to students. It is important for students to know they can become researchers and come to AIBN. Students may not think of research as an employment area, but it is satisfying work. “What we are developing at AIBN is part of technology that is already in every- day use, such as tennis racquets with carbon nanotubes and better cancer medicines with nanoparticles. That is nanotechnology.” Dr Popat is working in Professor Chengzhong (Michael) Yu’s research group to develop intelligent nanocarriers that can deliver medicines specifically to cancer cells. As part of his vision to share the benefits of science and technology, he is also a part-time lecturer to undergraduate students at the Pharmacy Australia Centre of Excellence at UQ.

90 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Engagement

AIBN continues to foster relationships with schools around Queensland as part of its outreach activities. Researchers and students were involved in engaging with a growing number of students in 2012 through school visits, placements in AIBN labs and guided tours of institute facilities.

Queensland Academy for Science, Mathematics and Technology (QASMT) placed 35 students in AIBN labs in 2012, offering them an insight into cutting-edge research and the life cycle of research from experimentation and collaboration to School commercialisation. Places were also offered to students from Anglican Church Grammar School and Proserpine State High School engagement during the year. Researchers and students travelled to schools. PhD student Clementine Pradal visited Atherton State High, Gordonvale activities State School and Gordonvale State High in September 2012 with support from the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering’s Young Science expand Ambassador program. Miss Pradal explained her work in tissue engineering, conducted in AIBN Professor Justin Cooper-White’s lab, and used simple More formal lectures were presented during Among the groups conducted through experiments to demonstrate the beneficial visits to QASMT as part of the school’s AIBN were students involved in Young properties of hydrogels. Like Minds program, with students Scientists of Australia’s The Science receiving an insight into research Experience; those enrolled in Corinda State PhD student Amanda Pearce visited undertaken to develop next-generation High School’s gifted and talented program; Borrowes State School in August to vaccines and intelligent nanocarriers to and those who came to UQ to hear a conduct basic science experiments with deliver medicines to cancer cells. lecture from Nobel Laureate Elizabeth Year 4 students, including making slime Blackburn. and bouncy balls. As part of the AIBN Ambassador Program, researchers and students conducted tours AIBN’s outreach activities aim to foster an In May, a group visited Indooroopilly State of the institute’s facilities with equipment interest in science; create an understanding High School to chat casually to students demonstrations and explanations of of the value of science in the lives of during their lunch break about UQ, PhD research projects, detailing real-life Queenslanders; and present science to studies, the research environment and applications. students as a potential area of study and a careers in science. career path.

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 91 PhD student Clementine Pradal Miss Pradal visited Atherton State High, has presented her research Gordonvale State School and Gordonvale to school students in North State High in September 2012 to Queensland as part of her role explain her work in tissue engineering, as an Australian Academy of conducted in AIBN Professor Justin Cooper-White’s lab. Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) Young Science She told students her focus was to ensure Ambassador. hydrogels were designed to ensure they elicited the correct response before they could be introduced in a human body for regenerative therapies. Miss Pradal also helped students prepare presentations for ATSE’s regional interschool science competition Wonder of Science, with entries covering topics such as energy transfer, solar vehicle design and the impact of salt levels on water ecosystems. The visits expanded Miss Pradal’s previous work as an active member of Student takes the AIBN Ambassador Program, involving demonstrations for visiting school groups during tours of institute facilities. science to the “I enjoy explaining scientific concepts, trying to break it down and make it simple for people to understand,” Miss Pradal said. classroom “I want people to understand advances in science and what it will mean for them in the future. At school, students learn basic scientific principles but don’t necessarily hear about the latest developments that will improve their lives.” Miss Pradal also wants students in regional and remote areas to understand there are few barriers to their entry into science or research. “I don’t want students to think science is inaccessible. Even if they don’t want to take it up as a career option, science is something they can become informed about. “I want to give them the facts about stem cell research so they can think about it and form their own opinions.” In Professor Cooper-White’s lab, Miss Pradal is designing hydrogels for stem cell- based tissue engineering. She is developing hydrogels with optimal mechanical, chemical and biological properties to direct the fate of the stem cells and produce biological tissues. She completed a Masters at UQ’s School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences before starting her PhD project with Professor Cooper-White. Miss Pradal was selected as a Young Science Ambassador on personal qualities and scholarly excellence. As well as using the appointment to promote science and science education through school visits, she met parliamentarians and addressed ATSE Fellows.

92 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Student experience

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 93 RHD report

AIBN’s student research program has continued to grow and develop in 2012. Anna Gemmell and Yosephine Andriani

Professor Darren Martin has been The award recognises outstanding appointed AIBN Deputy Director (Graduate PhD and MPhil graduates who have Studies) and been involved in formally demonstrated excellence in a research embedding AIBN top-up funding into the higher degree and who have been institute’s over-arching funding policy for commended by advisers and independent domestic and international research higher examiners for substantial contribution to degree (RHD) students. their field of research. The policy demonstrates a commitment Fewer than 10 per cent of PhD and MPhil to RHD support and progress as a graduates are recognised this way each year. distinguishing feature of AIBN. Dr Wibowo was recognised for her work RHD completions were strong at AIBN, in engineering microbially-synthesised with 15 students awarded in 2012. They viral capsomeres and their demonstrated were Andrew Cameron, Natalie Connors, potential as a rapid-response, low-cost Michael Crichton, Stefanie Dietmair, Mirjana vaccine platform to target the influenza virus. Dimitrijev Dwyer, Tao Ding, Jeff Hou, Hui Dr Dietmair’s commendation was for her Hui Lee, Jane Mooney, Geety Nabi, Amir work in characterisation of mammalian cells Popat, Anthony Raphael, Oliver Squires, during protein production, using a systems Nani Wibowo and Hidayatul Zakaria. biology approach. Dr Dietmair and Dr Wibowo were recipients PhD student Kebaneilwe Lebani was one of the Dean’s Award for Research Higher of 63 women around the world awarded a Degree Excellence in 2012. Schlumberger Foundation Fellowship and

94 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Student experience

a $13,000 scholarship, in recognition of The Australian Academy of Science leadership capabilities and scientific talent. provided funding for Mr Anderson’s travel costs, while the Japan Society for the Top-up incentives developed Miss Lebani will use the scholarship to Promotion of Science covered his living complete a Graduate Certificate in Higher expenses. The Research Higher Degree (RHD) team Education, in addition to her PhD studies at AIBN is implementing a system of top- The meeting enabled Mr Anderson to at AIBN in next-generation dengue fever up funding for domestic and international hear from world leaders, including Nobel diagnostics. RHD students that provides an incentive Laureate in Chemistry, Dr Akira Suzuki. She hopes to use the dual qualifications to for timely completion and support teach the next generation of researchers The Australian Academy of Technological throughout candidature. Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) in Palapye, Botswana, in partnership with AIBN Deputy Director (Graduate Studies) appointed Clementine Pradal a Young bigger universities abroad. Professor Darren Martin; RHD manager Science Ambassador in 2012. A prestigious State Government PhD Tony Miscamble; and RHD program Top Up Scholarship was awarded to Miss Pradal was selected on personal administrator Laurie Sendra developed Li-yen Wong to work on a cardiac tissue qualities and scholarly excellence and will the policy through deep consultation engineering project under the guidance of use the appointment to promote science with the student body, the UQ Graduate AIBN Professor Justin Cooper-White and and science education through school School and AIBN Group Leaders. visits, meeting parliamentarians and Associate Professor Ernst Wolvetang. Professor Martin said the top-up addressing ATSE Fellows. Using stem cells, biomaterials and growth model struck a fair balance between factors, Miss Wong will work towards AIBN PhD student Amanda Pearce providing a financial incentive to eligible repairing damaged heart tissue. The represented UQ at the highly-competitive RHD students at the attainment of research project is a joint collaboration Trans-Tasman final of the Three Minute each progress milestone and ensuring with cardiologists at the Baker IDI Heart & Thesis competition (3MT). She won a financial safety net in cases where Diabetes Institute in Melbourne. the UQ 3MT Final and UQ’s Combined candidatures were extended. Institute Final, where she was also named “The top-up policy is not a quality tool, Stefano Meliga secured two accolades the People’s Choice for her engaging but it does reward bright students who in 2012. and concise explanation of her polymer win competitive scholarships – and it chemistry research. Engineers Australia’s National Committee rewards students who work hard. We on Applied Mechanics awarded Mr Meliga The 3MT competition challenges students have many such students at AIBN,” the Postgraduate Student Best Paper to strip away the jargon and explain their Professor Martin said. Award at the Australasian Congress of research in a compelling way to a general The top-up applies to RHD students who Applied Mechanics at the University of audience within three minutes. 3MT is a started at AIBN after October 1, 2011. Adelaide. trade-marked UQ innovation in research It recognised Mr Meliga for his mathematical communication now adopted by more than modelling work that simulates the 80 universities in 12 countries. application to skin of microscopic needles Benoit Maisonneuve presented work used on vaccine delivery device the at the XVIth International Congress on Nanopatch. Rheology in Lisbon, Portugal in August – an The funding supported Miss Amiralian The award will support Mr Meliga’s travel impressive achievement given the congress during a student exchange in September, to Singapore to build collaborations with Dr is held only once every four years. allowing her to strengthen a collaboration with Purdue’s Professor Robert Moon Keng-Hwee Chiam at the Institute of High Mr Maisonneuve spoke about his PhD and Dr Jeffrey Youngblood involving Performance Computing and Professor project in rheology, conducted under development of nanocellulose from native Victor Shim at the National University of the joint supervision of AIBN Professor grasses, with potential application as Singapore – and secure validation of his Justin Cooper-White and researchers at nanocomposite fillers, scaffolding for tissue research. Laboratoire de Rheology in Grenoble, engineering and packaging. The second accolade was the MMM2012 France. Donna Capararo won a section Student Scholarship, received from the UQ actively supports joint PhDs, such as presentation at the DMTC Student Materials Research Society of Singapore to cotutelle arrangements, as an integral part Conference 2012, organised by the support Mr Meliga’s travel to the Multiscale of a strategy to foster and expand global Defence Materials Technology Centre, in Material Modelling conference. research collaborations. Melbourne in October. Mr Meliga was invited to speak at the Nasim Amiralian travelled to Purdue The win secured an opportunity for Miss conference in Singapore, at least partly University in Indiana, US, as part of an Capararo to present at the DMTC Annual because of the cutting-edge nature of his exchange program, using more than Conference 2013 at Shine Dome Canberra modelling work and its potential application $15,000 in competitive funding received in March. Her PhD project has a focus on in vaccine delivery. from two sources. polymers found in aeronautical paints and is Will Anderson was one of only five Australian Miss Amiralian was awarded a UQ contributing a fundamental understanding students selected to attend the fourth Hope Graduate School International Travel Award of what happens as it ages, both chemically Meeting in Tsukuba, Japan in March. and a UQ-Purdue University Early Career and mechanically – valuable information in Researcher Mobility Scheme Grant. predicting when corrosion will begin.

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 95 Andrew Cameron Research project: The research involved Qualifications: BEng (Hons) UQ, identifying the fundamental material GCertResCom UQ, PhD UQ properties of skin, using measurement techniques on a micro-scale. This fills PhD awarded: July 2012 a void that was hindering the ability to Principal supervisor: introduce more sophisticated design Professor Justin Cooper-White techniques for advanced medical devices Thesis title: The influence of substrate relying on complex interaction with these creep on mesenchymal stem cell behaviour properties – such as the Nanopatch and phenotype vaccine delivery device. Research project: The research focused Graduate position: Medical device on the effects inherent mechanical engineer at Vaxxas, based at AIBN properties of biomaterials have on adult stem cell behaviours, particularly properties Stefanie Dietmair pertaining to the viscous component of Qualifications: Dip Chem Eng Technische a material. Three major goals achieved Universitat Munchen, PhD UQ during the research were developing a PhD awarded: September 2012 platform that could be used to isolate and tune viscoelastic mechanical properties not Principal supervisor: Professor Lars Nielsen previously considered in mechanobiology; describing the effects of variations in Thesis title: Characterisation of these mechanical properties on numerous mammalian cells during protein production stem cell behaviours; and identifying – a systems biology approach the underlying cellular mechanisms that Research project: Mammalian cells mediated the effects. The implications are used for producing a wide range of of this research are far-reaching, biopharmaceuticals but production costs having relevance to tissue engineering are high due to their complex nutritional and a broad range of other fields, requirements and low productivities. To including biomaterials, cell physiology, identify new avenues for reducing the costs Dr Mirjana Dimitrijev Dwyer mechanobiology and developmental associated with mammalian cell culture biology. processes, it is necessary to improve Graduate position: Postdoctoral understanding of the factors influencing researcher at the Royal College of mammalian cell product titers. The thesis Surgeons, Ireland, with a primary research paved the way the applying of a systems project focused on developing collagen- biology approach to mammalian cells and demonstrated how the combined based, tissue engineered scaffolds for Jeff Hou corneal regeneration applications application of global measurements, such as metabolomics, fluxomics and Qualifications: BSc (Biotech, Hons) Natalie Connors transcriptomics, can improve knowledge of UNSW, PhD UQ Qualifications: BSc (Biochemistry/Hons I) cellular interactions. PhD awarded: November 2011 UQ, PhD UQ Graduate position: Process improvement Principal supervisors: Professor Peter PhD awarded: May 2012 scientist at Sanofi Pasteur, Toronto, Canada Gray, Dr Trent Munro Thesis title: Modulating epigenetic and Principal supervisor: Mirjana Dimitrijev Dwyer Professor Anton Middelberg post-transcriptional regulation for increased Qualifications: BE (Chem) UQ, PhD UQ Thesis title: Identification of properties that recombinant protein production in affect in vitro virus-like particle assembly PhD awarded: August 2012 mammalian cells Research project: The research involved Principal supervisor: Professor Anton Research project: The thesis involved computational analyses to better Middelberg further development of stable CHO cell line understand virus-like particle quaternary Thesis title: Properties of novel development for producing biologics, such structure and protein heterogeneity, and biosurfactants: linking the molecular, meso as monoclonal antibodies. The project’s the first known computational model for and macro length scales focus was on host cell line characterisation, specifically examining the epigenetic and second virial coefficient prediction for the Research project: The project studied post-transcriptional mechanisms of the viral assembly process. the fundamental properties of surface- host cell line to identify new alternatives for Graduate position: Postdoctoral active proteins, focusing on how changes improvements in cellular productivity. researcher at AIBN in their molecular structure (amino acid sequence) affected their material properties Graduate position: Postdoctoral research Michael Crichton – and in turn their functional behaviour as fellow at AIBN Qualifications: MEng (Aeronautical surfactants. Such knowledge is required Hui Hui Lee Engineering) University of Glasgow, PhD to fuel progress in materials development, (Biomedical Engineering) UQ which has matured beyond the polymer Qualifications: BSc (Chem, Hons I) UQ, PhD UQ PhD awarded: May 2012 revolution and is looking toward bio-based PhD awarded: November 2012 Principal supervisor: building blocks, such as proteins, as future Professor Mark Kendall materials. Principal supervisor: Dr Bronwin Dargaville Thesis title: Measuring key mechanical Graduate position: Postdoctoral fellow at Thesis title: Novel hydrogelators for the properties of skin to engineer a micro- AIBN, continuing work on biosurfactants, in creation of supramolecular self-healing device for precise vaccine delivery into the particular trying to understand and develop hydrogels as artificial vitreous substitutes epidermis and dermis molecules that are cheaply and easily Research project: The research goal was produced and have good functionality to produce novel artificial substitutes for the eye’s vitreous humour. These non-covalent hydrogels must be stable in water and

96 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Student experience

Graduates 2012

able to self-reform after being disrupted Amir Popat and diffusion of microstructures within into viscous fluids following exposure to Qualifications: BPharm, MPharm, skin. The PhD contained both applied shearing forces. A library of supramolecular GradCertResComm UQ, PhD and fundamental research. The applied hydrogels based on multiple hydrogen (Nanomedicine) UQ focus related to developing an alternate bonds was created and investigated. vaccine/drug delivery platform for the PhD awarded: July 2012 Graduate position: Corporate information targeted delivery of vaccines into the Principal supervisor: Professor Shizhang manager at Australian Recruiting Group, skin. The fundamental focus provided Qiao Brisbane information on the structure-dependent Thesis title: Porous silica nanoparticles diffusion characteristics of the skin and Jane Mooney for controlled and targeted delivery of more specifically the diffusion of dissolving biomolecules Qualifications: BSc (Biochem/Biomed Sci, Nanopatches and Nanopatch-delivered Hons I) UQ, PhD UQ Research project: The studies involved payloads. developing a novel method to coat polymer PhD awarded: May 2012 Graduate position: Postdoctoral research onto nanoparticles for controlled release of Principal supervisor: Dr Barbara Rolfe fellow at the Translational Research drugs and biocides. Institute, Brisbane Thesis title: Characterisation of myeloid Graduate position: Postdoctoral research cells in the peritoneal foreign body Nani Wibowo response: evidence for phenotypic plasticity fellow with Professor Chengzhong (Michael) Yu at AIBN Qualifications: BEng (Chem) Widya Research project: The thesis investigated Mandala Catholic University Surabaya, the role of myeloid cells, specifically Anthony Raphael Indonesia, MScEng (Chem) National Taiwan macrophages and neutrophils, in the University of Science and Technology, PhD peritoneal foreign body response. The Qualifications: BBiot (Hons I) UQ, PhD UQ (ChemEng) UQ research confirmed the involvement PhD awarded: October 2012 PhD awarded: October 2012 and importance of macrophages in the Principal supervisor: response, and showed that, while the cells Professor Mark Kendall Principal supervisor: Professor Anton do not transdifferentiate to myofibroblasts Thesis title: Dissolving Nanopatches for Middelberg in the fibrotic tissue, they do adopt a targeted vaccine delivery to the skin Thesis title: Engineering viral capsomeres ‘fibroblastoid’ phenotype characterised by Research project: The project as a vaccine platform morphological changes and co-expression addressed the shortcomings of current Research project: The thesis of macrophage and myofibroblast genes. dissolving microneedles in relation to demonstrates the potential of microbially- The results contribute to the growing their fabrication, dissolution and use as synthesised viral capsomeres as a rapid- body of knowledge demonstrating the a delivery platform. This was achieved response, low-cost vaccine platform to remarkable plasticity of myeloid cells. by introducing a fabrication method for target influenza virus. Graduate position: Research support dissolving Nanopatches and analysing the Graduate position: Research officer at coordinator, Science and Engineering Faculty, mechanisms of administration, dissolution AIBN Queensland University of Technology

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 97 Alexandra Depelsenaire, Abdul Karim Al Sultan, Michael Song and Lei (Alice) Yu

Student association

NSW Fellow Dr Joshua McCarroll; poster Mr Song said the buddy system sessions; and networking drinks. demonstrated to new students that An important support and AIBN understood the importance of their advocacy network continues to Many AIBN students presented to a scientific audience for the first time at the symposium, wellbeing, as well as their academic and be provided through the AIBN research requirements. Student Association (ASA). giving them an opportunity to hone presentation skills in a familiar setting and “The challenge for international students, in obtain valuable feedback from their peers. particular, is that they are away from their Mr Song represented AIBN through homes and their support networks,” he The ASA demonstrated its ongoing value his appointment to the UQ Association said. “We ensure the students do not feel in 2012, with a full program of engagement of Postgraduate Students and the UQ they have to do everything by themselves.” and social activities, leadership in providing Research Higher Degrees Committee, a voice for students and vital input in a Additional ASA activities included an all-of- providing students with a voice in reports major early career researcher conference. institute Christmas function; Melbourne Cup to the Academic Board and ultimately the festivities; a Halloween party; the annual staff Overseeing the calendar of events in UQ Senate. versus students soccer match; a trivia night; 2012 were ASA president Michael Song, He also lodged a submission to the student feedback sessions; and an active role vice president Marianne Gillard, secretary McKeon Review of health and medical in promoting, supporting and participating Amanda Pearce, treasurer Thomas Bennett research on behalf of AIBN’s student body, in the Three Minute Thesis competition. and executive officers Yadveer Grewal, Lei adding weight to a separate submission (Alice) Yu, Nghia Truong Phuoc and Li-yen The ASA took a leading role in the AIBN from AIBN Group Leader Associate Wong. Ambassador Program. Professor Christine Wells. A major undertaking for Mr Song and Mr ASA executive officers took numerous The ASA provided further support to groups of visitors around the AIBN building Truong Phuoc in 2012 was involvement students in 2012 through PhD skills in organising the early career researcher during the year, presented demonstrations workshops, with speakers sharing of their research and explained their symposium at AIBN’s first International their knowledge of statistics, scientific Conference on BioNano Innovation in July. relevance to improving people’s lives. It writing and experiences as postdoctoral was part of tours organised for school They worked with 2011 ASA members researchers. Among the workshop groups, prospective PhD students, industry Alexandra Depelsenaire, Maria Buchsteiner presenters were AIBN Group Leader delegations, visiting researchers and the and Yami Chuang in sourcing speakers, Professor Lars Nielsen and Royal Society of public. finalising the program and securing sponsors. Chemistry publishing editor Dr Hilary Burch. Marianne Gillard and Amanda Pearce gained The symposium attracted 102 submissions The ASA continued to operate a buddy recognition for their ASA activities, each and 44 speakers. It featured a full day of system to help new students settle into the receiving a 2012 Award for Outstanding research presentations; plenary lectures institute, find their feet as PhD students Contribution to the AIBN Community from from University of NSW polymer chemist and – in many cases – develop a support Director Professor Peter Gray. Dr Cyrille Boyer and Cancer Institute network in a new city or university.

98 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Student experience

Ahmad Subkhi Aziz Agus was studying “At AIBN, I gained a clearer picture of physics at the University of Indonesia the entire process of a research project, Undergraduates studying at when he came to AIBN to spend time in from writing the research proposal to the universities abroad have been Professor Debra Bernhardt’s lab to further execution of relevant experiments and how attracted to AIBN for the first his skills in computational studies. the findings are applied commercially,” Miss time to take part in the Summer Edham said. Research Scholarship Program. “AIBN has lots of facilities that support my current – and upcoming – research in “It is definitely not something that can physics,” he said. be learned in a classroom. The hands- on aspects are really what make all the “I am trying to develop new methods Students from India and Indonesia; Curtin difference.” to progress technology in electronics; University in Western Australia; and UQ sustainable energy; and biomolecular and UQ student Ellyce Dickinson returned to came to experience life in an AIBN lab as biomedical applications. For that, I needed AIBN for her second Summer Research part of a program run during the traditional resources and knowledge that AIBN had. I Scholarship Program in 2012, citing end-of-year holiday break. learned so many things. I will return again the institute’s multidisciplinary nature The program was established to allow to enrich my research.” and the ability to combine her areas of highly motivated undergraduate students undergraduate studies. After a successful scholarship program, to spend eight to 12 weeks undertaking Ekatrina Edham is considering PhD studies “My project was an overlap between focused research projects. at AIBN when she has completed her biochemistry and chemical engineering. As well as gaining valuable research Masters at Curtin University. She was I am studying biological and chemical skills, students had access to cutting- attracted to the program after meeting engineering, so it was right up my edge research facilities; received career AIBN biologics expert Dr David Chin in alley. I also like the fact it had practical mentoring; and some received credit Malaysia and hearing him speak about applications.” towards an undergraduate degree. Some customising mammalian cell lines to students qualified for scholarships, with UQ produce biotherapeutic molecules. and AIBN sharing the costs. The 2012-13 cohort of 34 students gave professional 10-minute presentations of their research and submitted written reports of their work. Some will be co-authored on publications arising from their research – a testament International to the quality of the projects provided by their AIBN advisers and to the talent and commitment of the students themselves. They completed tasks such as customising students JOIN mammalian cell lines to produce biotherapeutics; testing nanomaterials for potential in cancer detection and diagnosis; developing peptide-based solutions to summer intake produce foams for use in the drilling industry; and furthering computational studies for work in new technologies in electronics.

Michael MacDonald, Lewis Chambers and Ellyce Dickinson 2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 99 Research higher degree students

Rufika Shari Abidin Alexandra Depelsenaire Derong Lu Jessica Schwaber Yusilawati Ahmad Nor Stefanie Dietmair Yiming Ma Khaled Sebakhy Suad Alateeq Thanh Tam Doan Benoit Maisonneuve Abhijit Shrotri Samah Alharbi Hai-Yan Dong Veronica Martinez Salazar Michael Song Eid Alosime Liam Fearnley Elizabeth Mason Frances Stahr AbdulKarim AlSultan Erika Fiset Sainimili Vaubula Mateyawa Karin Taylor Nasim Amiralian Nicholas Fletcher Stefano Meliga Alemu Tekewe Mogus Will Anderson Wanli Johnny Fu Khairatun Najwa Mohd Amin Nilay Thakar Melisa Anggraeni Marianne Gillard Sean Muir Thi-Bich-Trinh Tran Aditya Ardana Stephen Goodall Geety Nabi Nguyen Tran Thi Dat Luqman Atanda Yadveer Grewal Jamileh Nabizadeh Nghia Truong Phuoc Thomas Bennett Ryan Harrison Hoang Quan Nguyen Jennifer Turner Mercy Rose Benzigar Alejandro Hidalgo-Gonzalez Yuting Niu Kewei Wang Nathan Boase Kelly Hitchens Huey Wen Ooi Yangyang Wen Mareike Bongers Md Daloar Hossain Camila Orellana David Wibowo Timothy Brennan Hoai Huynh Azlin Fazlina Osman Nani Wibowo Marion Brunck Sani Saite Jahnke Gillian Osmond Thomas Williams Michele Bruschi Siddharth Jambhrunkar Ramkumar Palanisamy Li-yen Wong Maria Buchsteiner Pamela Jaramillo Ferrada Amanda Pearce Chun Xu Sandy Budi Hartono Atikah Kadri Warren Pilbrough Tianyu Yang Teera Butburee Sujith Kalluri Amirali Popat Jie Yang Jessica Cameron Li Pin Kao Clementine Pradal Yosephine Andriani Donna Capararo Jakov Kulis Ramanathan Pudhukode Meihua Yu Liyu Chen Geoffrey Lawrence Vaidyanathan Bijun Zeng Xiaoli Chen Kebaneilwe Lebani Kun Qian Cheng Zhang Xiaojing Chen Hui Hui Lee Samuel Richardson Hongwei Zhang Panagiotis Chrysanthopoulos Chang Lei Tania Rivera Hernandez Jun Zhang Ya-Mi Chuang Peng Li Suriana Sabri Yao Zheng Jacob Coffey Mervyn Liew Anne Sandstrom Ruifeng Zhou Holly Corbett Soo Lim Miriem Santander Borrego Yingdong Zhu Licona Cuauhtemoc Chunli Liu Andrea Schaller Yian Zhu

*List includes graduating students and those in a UQ RHD program undertaken at AIBN during 2012

100 Grants

Lead AIBN 2012 Type Scheme Other Chief Investigators Project Title Duration Investigator Income Australian ARC Discovery Prof Anton Sustainable processes for next- 2010- $160,000 Competitive Projects Middelberg generation surface coatings and 2012 Grant Income core-shell nanoparticles based on biomolecular templating

Australian ARC Discovery Prof Prof Ian Frazer, Prof Michael Improving immune response to 2010- $275,000 Competitive Projects Mark Kendall Roberts, Prof Davide Ambrosi vaccines by selective targeting 2012 Grant Income of epithelial regions with the Nanopatch

Australian ARC Discovery Dr Jian Liu Nanostructured degradable 2010- $80,182 Competitive Projects polymer for drug delivery 2012 Grant Income

Australian ARC Discovery A/Prof Idriss Dr Kristofer Thurecht, Multimodal biomedical 2010- $85,000 Competitive Projects Blakey Peter Fredericks, imaging probes: development 2012 Grant Income Cameron Alexander of advanced polymer nanocomposite devices for oncology

Australian ARC Discovery Prof Justin Prof Nicholas Fisk, Scalable, high throughput 2010- $140,000 Competitive Projects Cooper-White Dr Lizbeth Grondahl, microfluidic platforms for 2012 Grant Income A/Prof Ernst Wolvetang tissue specific biomaterials development and tissue genesis

Australian ARC Discovery Prof Prof Max Lu, Dr Xinguo Jiang, Designer nano-carriers for 2011- $140,000 Competitive Projects Chengzhong Yu Dr Jian Lu targeted hydrophobic anticancer 2013 Grant Income drug delivery with enhanced bioavailability

Australian ARC Discovery Prof Justin Elucidating surface-mediated 2011- $130,000 Competitive Projects Cooper-White permissive cues for cellular 2014 Grant Income differentiation

Australian ARC Discovery Dr Chunxia Zhao Engineered nanoporous 2011- $95,000 Competitive Projects materials and composites 2014 Grant Income having hierarchical structures by emulsion templating

Australian ARC Discovery A/Prof Prof Sean Smith, Exploring electronic functionality 2011- $145,000 Competitive Projects Aijun Du Prof Stefano Sanvito in low-dimensional carbon and 2014 Grant Income boron-nitride nanomaterials via advanced theoretical modelling

Australian ARC Discovery Prof Prof Rowan Truss, Highly functional green materials 2012- $120,000 Competitive Projects Peter Halley Prof Robin Rogers, platform: Starch-ionic liquid- 2014 Grant Income Prof Tony McNally carbon nanotube polymer melt nanocomposites

Australian ARC Discovery Prof Michael Dr Trent Munro On-Demand 3-Dimensional 2012- $145,000 Competitive Projects Monteiro Polymer Scaffolds for Directed 2015 Grant Income Stem Cell Differentiation

Australian ARC Discovery A/Prof Dr Andrei Zvyagin, Skin Penetration of 2012- $120,000 Competitive Projects Gordon Xu Prof Michael Roberts Nanoparticles Promoted by 2016 Grant Income Particle Design, Formulation and Application Method

Australian ARC Discovery Prof Anton Dr Lizhong He, Sustainable Molecular and 2012- $130,000 Competitive Projects Middelberg Dr Juergen Hubbuch Chemical Engineering of Stimuli- 2017 Grant Income responsive Soft Materials

Australian ARC Discovery Prof Debra Dr Barbara Kirchner Computational studies of 2012- $247,568 Competitive Projects Bernhardt melting and the solvation 2013 Grant Income properties of ionic liquids

Australian ARC Discovery Prof Debra Dr Denis Evans Dissipation and Relaxation in 2012- $143,532 Competitive Projects Bernhardt Statistical Mechanics 2014 Grant Income

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 101 Lead AIBN 2012 Type Scheme Other Chief Investigators Project Title Duration Investigator Income Australian ARC Future Prof Michael Transformer 3D nanostructures: 2009- $222,800 Competitive Fellowships Monteiro stimuli responsive polymers 2013 Grant Income

Australian ARC Future Prof Novel synthesis and bio- 2010- $197,200 Competitive Fellowships Chengzhong Yu applications of functional 2014 Grant Income macroporous ordered siliceous foams

Australian ARC Future Dr Annette Designed peptides as functional 2010- $171,600 Competitive Fellowships Dexter surfactants 2013 Grant Income

Australian ARC Future Prof Optimising the body’s immune 2010- $222,800 Competitive Fellowships Mark Kendall response with a Nanopatch that 2014 Grant Income delivers biomolecules to the skin

Australian ARC Future Prof Design of novel nanoporous 2011- $229,958 Competitive Fellowships Ajayan Vinu semiconductor materials for 2015 Grant Income clean environment and energy

Australian ARC Future A/Prof Idriss Smart magnetic resonance 2011- $176,527 Competitive Fellowships Blakey imaging (MRI) contrast 2014 Grant Income agents: from early detection to assessment of drug delivery mechanisms

Australian ARC Future Dr Kristofer Traceable theranostics: tools 2011- $169,360 Competitive Fellowships Thurecht for visualising drug delivery and 2015 Grant Income therapeutic benefit in vivo

Australian ARC Future A/Prof Zhi Ping Engineering Layered Double 2012- $98,357 Competitive Fellowships (Gordon) Xu Hydroxide Nanoparticles toward 2016 Grant Income an Efficient Targeted Clinical Delivery System

Australian ARC Discovery Early Dr Muhammad Circulating Tumor Cell Isolation 2012- $125,000 Competitive Career Researcher Shiddiky and Detection: An Integrated 2015 Grant Income Award Microfluidic Capture Device based on Alternating Current Electrohydrodynamics

Australian ARC Linkage Prof Andrew Prof Maree Smith, Novel polymeric microparticles 2010- $16,000 Competitive Projects Whittaker Dr Bruce Wyse, for slow-release intrathecal 2013 Grant Income Dr Kristofer Thurecht delivery of analgesics

Australian ARC Linkage Prof Lars Nielsen Dr Stevens Brumbley, Redirecting carbon flow through 2010- $400,000 Competitive Projects Dr Kristi Snell mesophyll and bundle sheath 2014 Grant Income cells of sugarcane to produce poly-3-hydroxybutyrate

Australian ARC Linkage Prof Peter Halley A/Prof Rowan Truss, High performance thermoplastic 2012- $100,000 Competitive Projects Prof Mike Gidley starch polymer films for 2015 Grant Income controlled barrier and delivery

Australian ARC Linkage A/Prof Stephen Dr Trent Munro, Targeting the delivery of 2011- $119,000 Competitive Projects Mahler Dr Martina Jones, cytotoxic agents to tumour 2014 Grant Income Dr Himanshu Brahmbhatt, cells using novel minicells Dr Jennifer MacDiarmid as drug delivery vehicles and engineered, bispecific antibodies.

Australian ARC Linkage Prof Andrew A/Prof Idriss Blakey, Next Generation High Sensitivity 2012- $120,000 Competitive Projects Whittaker Dr Peter Trefonas, Polymeric EUV Resists 2015 Grant Income Dr JamesThackeray

Australian ARC Linkage Dr Jens Kroemer Prof Lars Nielsen, Sustainable Dollar Notes and 2012- $160,284 Competitive Projects Dr Susan Domke Other Polypropylenes from 2015 Grant Income Bioderived Feedstocks

Australian NHMRC Project A/Prof Christine Dr Robert Ashman, Genomic characterisation of 2011- $177,887 Competitive Grant Wells Prof Vicky Avery, novel inflammatory regulators in 2012 Grant Income Prof Sean Grimmond a mouse model of disseminated Candidiasis

Australian NHMRC Targeted Prof A/Prof Geoffrey Playford, Safety of Hendra virus anti-G 2012- $400,000 Competitive Research Peter Gray Dr Deborah Middleton, A/Prof glycoprotein monoclonal 21013 Grant Income Stephen Mahler, Dr Trent Munro, antibody in humans Dr Christopher Broder

Australian NHMRC Training Dr Hang Ta Bifunctionalised imaging agents 2012- $43,818 Competitive (Postdoctoral) for diagnosis and treatment of 2016 Grant Income Fellowship cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases

Australian Queensland Prof Prof Lidia Morawska, Detection, characteristics 2011- $15,000 Competitive University of Darren Martin Dr Thor Bostrom, and dynamics of airborne 2013 Grant Income Technology (ARC Dr Congrong He engineered nanoparticles for Discovery Project human exposure assessment administered by QUT)

102 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Grants

Lead AIBN 2012 Type Scheme Other Chief Investigators Project Title Duration Investigator Income Australian Queensland Prof Andrew Prof Pam Russell, Simultaneous Imaging and Drug 2012- $40,000 Competitive University of Whittaker Dr Kris Thurecht Delivery forProstate Cancer 2014 Grant Income Technology (ARC Theranostics Discovery Project administered by QUT)

Australian University of Prof Peter Gray Prof Melissa Little, Prof Justin Stem Cells Australia 2011- $656,250 Competitive Melbourne (ARC Cooper-White, Prof Sean 2018 Grant Income Special Research Grimmond, A/Prof Ernst Initiative administered Wolvetang, Prof Lars Nielsen, by the University of Prof Perry Bartlett, A/Prof Melbourne) Christine Wells, Prof Martin Pera, Prof Trevor Kilpatrick, Prof David Gardner, Prof Doug Hilton, Prof Nadia Rosenthal, Prof Andrew Elefanty, Prof Ed Stanley, A/Prof Tiziano Barberi, Prof Richard Harvey, Prof Robert Graham, Prof Warren Alexander, Dr Andrew Laslett, Dr Susie Nilsson, A/Prof David Haylock

Australian University of Sydney Prof Justin Prof David Little, A/Prof Andrew Pre-clinical validation of a 2012 $53,000 Competitive (NHMRC Project Cooper-White Ruys, Dr Aaron Schindeler novel implant for bone tissue Grant Income grant administered engineering by the University of Sydney)

Australian Wesley Research Dr Barbara Rolfe Prof Julie Campbell, Prof David Macrophages: A therapeutic 2011- $95,565 Competitive Institute Limited Johnson, Dr Ming Wei target in peritoneal dialysis- 2013 Grant Income (NHMRC Project induced fibrosis? Grant administered by Wesley Research Institute)

National and Bill & Melinda Gates Prof Anton Dr Philip Dormitzer A Transformational Vaccine 2012- $96,480 International Foundation Middelberg Platform for Rotavirus 2013 Grant Income

National and Cancer Council Prof Dr Wenyi Gu Novel photodynamic therapy 2012- $100,000 International Queensland Chengzhong Yu for targeted skin cancer 2013 Grant Income treatment: an integrated bionanotechnology

National and CRC for Polymers Prof Prof Mike Gidley, A/Prof Rowan Degradable packaging materials 2005- $196,640 International Peter Halley Truss, A/Prof Darren Martin, derived from renewable 2012 Grant Income Dr Fengwei Xie, Mr Luke resources Matthew, Mr Grant Edwards, Mr Stephen Coombs, Mr Robert Shanks

National and Foundation Jerome A/Prof Ernst Prof David Ma Use of induced pluripotent 2011- $30,375 International Lejeune Wolvetang stem cells to define genetic 2014 Grant Income factors involved in abnormal myeloproliferation and leukaemia in Down syndrome patients

National and Murdoch University Prof Michael Prof Peter Gray, Dr Trent Munro, Highly productive and selective 2011- $106,378 International Monteiro A/Prof Lianzhou Wang bio-organic hybrid membrane 2013 Grant Income water filters – National Centre of Excellence in Desalination

National and National Breast Prof Matt Trau Prof John Forbes, Prof Susan Novel strategies for prediction 2008- $1,000,000 International Cancer Foundation Clark, Prof Melissa Brown, and control of advanced 2013 Grant Income A/Prof Glenn Francis, Prof breast cancer via nanoscaled Alexander Dobrovic, Prof epigenetic-based biosensors Rodney Scott, Dr Bronwyn J Battersby, Dr Kymberley Vickery

National and Queensland Dr Zhen Li Smart Futures Fellowship: 2009- $10,000 International Government Smart Multifunctional magnetic 2012 Grant Income Futures Fellowships nanomatrials: robust contrast agents for detection and treatment of cancers

National and Queensland Dr Chenghua Smart Futures Fellowship: 2009- $10,000 International Government Smart Sun Computer-aided synthesis of 2012 Grant Income Futures Fellowships high-performance titanium dioxide for solar cells and photocatalysts

National and Queensland Dr Claudia Smart Futures Fellowship: 2010- $40,000 International Government Smart Vickers Engineering sucrose-based 2014 Grant Income Futures Fellowships industrial isoprenoid production in yeast cells

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 103 Lead AIBN 2012 Type Scheme Other Chief Investigators Project Title Duration Investigator Income National and Queensland Dr Chamindie Smart Futures Fellowship: 2010- $80,000 International Government Smart Punyadeera Saving hearts with a simple 2013 Grant Income Futures Fellowships saliva test

National and Queensland Dr Simon Corrie Smart Futures Fellowship: 2009- $10,000 International Government Smart Micropatches for non-invasive 2012 Grant Income Futures Fellowships disease diagnostics

National and Queensland Dr Trent Munro Biological bullets for beating 2012- $120,000 International Government Smart antibiotic resistant bacteria 2015 Grant Income Futures Fellowships

National and Queensland A/Prof Christine Fighting the good fight: How 2012- $120,000 International Government Smart Wells our immune systems recognise 2015 Grant Income Futures Fellowships infection

National and Queensland Prof Anton Delivering smarter vaccines 2010- $250,000 International Government Smart Middelberg faster through nanotechnology 2015 Grant Income Futures Premiers Fellowships

National and Queensland Dr Li Li High-performance nano- 2012- $13,000 International International engineered catalysts for volatile 2013 Grant Income Fellowships organic compound (VOC) elimination

National and Queensland Dr Chamindie Saving Smokers from Cancer: 2012- $15,625 International International Punyadeera Saliva DNA Test 2013 Grant Income Fellowships

National and Queensland Prof Justin Australian National Fabrication 2011- $1,500,000 International Government Cooper White Facility Qld Node 2013 Grant Income Education Investment Fund

National and Queensland Prof Peter Gray National Biologics Facility 2011- $900,000 International Government 2013 Grant Income Co-Investment Fund

National and Queensland Prof Lars Nielsen Metabolomics Australia Qld 2011- $125,000 International Government Co- Node 2013 Grant Income Investment Fund

National and Queensland Prof Max Lu Prof Sean Smith, Queensland-China alliance in 2008- $97,500 International Government Smart Prof John Zhu, nanomaterials for clean energy 2012 Grant Income State National A/Prof Lianzhou Wiang, technologies (QCANCET) and International A/Prof Joe Diniz Da Costa Research Alliances Program

National and Queensland Prof Lars Nielsen Prof Sang Yup Lee Korea-Australia bio-product 2008- $70,404 International Government Smart alliance 2012 Grant Income State National and International Research Alliances Program

National and Queensland Prof Mark Prof Ian Frazer, International needle-free 2009- $124,052 International Government Smart Kendall Prof Michael Roberts vaccination alliance (INVax) 2012 Grant Income State National and International Research Alliances Program

National and Queensland Prof Andrew Dr Firas Rasoul, Spinal cord repair 2010- $335,397 International Government Smart Whittaker A/Prof John Forsythe, 2013 Grant Income State National Dr Eve Tsai, Prof Ian Brereton, and International Dr David Nisbet, Research Alliances Prof George Simon, Program Dr Bronwin Dargaville

National and Queensland Prof Anton Prof Sun Yan Vaccine now – beating 2010- $240,000 International Government Smart Middelberg infectious disease with rapid 2013 Grant Income State National response technology and International Research Alliances Program

National and Queensland Prof Lars Nielsen Prof Peter P Gray, Mr Brad Queensland Sustainable 2010- $600,000 International Government Smart Wheatley, Dr Claudia E Vickers, Aviation Fuel Initiative 2013 Grant Income State National Prof Rocky De Nys, A/Prof Ben and International Hankamer, Dr Ralf Dietzgen, Research Alliances Prof Peter M Gresshoff, Program Dr Neil Renninger

National and Queensland Prof Peter Gray Dr Trent Munro, Dr David Chin Cell line development for the 2012- $194,000 International Government Smart biologics plant of the future 2014 Grant Income Futures Research Partnerships Program

104 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Grants

Lead AIBN 2012 Type Scheme Other Chief Investigators Project Title Duration Investigator Income National and Queensland Mr Bob Dr Robert Speight Queensland’s Sustainable 2012- $150,000 International Government Smart McCarthy Aviation Fuel Plant 2015 Grant Income Futures Research Partnerships Program

National and Queensland Prof Anton Prof Chengzhong Yu New Vaccines for Improved 2012- $62,102 International Government Smart Middelberg Animal Health 2016 Grant Income Futures Research Partnerships Program

National and Seattle Biomedical Prof Matt Trau Prof Gerard Cangelosi Accelerated molecular probe 2009- $67,805 International Research Institute pipeline 2013 Grant Income

National and Department of Prof Justin Australian National Fabrication 2011- $1,500,000 International Innovation, Industry, Cooper White Facility, Qld node 2013 Grant Income Science and Research (DIISR), Education Investment Fund

National and Department of Prof Peter Gray National Biologics Facility 2011- $900,000 International Innovation, Industry, 2013 Grant Income Science and Research (DIISR), Education Investment Fund

National and Department of Prof Lars Nielsen Metabolomics Australia, 2011- $125,000 International Innovation, Industry, Qld node 2013 Grant Income Science and Research (DIISR), Education Investment Fund

Contract Uniquest Pty Ltd Prof Mark Nanopatch – delivery device 2011- $1,820,221 Research and Kendall 2012 other Industry Income

Contract Uniquest Pty Ltd Dr David Chin Recombinant antibody 2011- $529,987 Research and manufacture 2012 other Industry Income

Contract Uniquest Pty Ltd Prof Justin Encapsulating tea tree oil for 2012 $8,553 Research and Cooper-White incorporation into a stock feed other Industry Income

Contract Uniquest Pty Ltd Dr Linda Lua Expression of EV71 VLPs in 2012- $56,629 Research and insect cells 2013 other Industry Income

Contract Uniquest Pty Ltd Prof Anton PEGylated DAMP4 manufacture 2012- $16,240 Research and Middelberg and supply 2013 other Industry Income

Contract Uniquest Pty Ltd Dr Annette Peptide Surfactant Performance 2012 $23,530 Research and Dexter other Industry Income

Contract Uniquest Pty Ltd Prof Justin Production of Encapsulated 2012 $33,328 Research and Cooper-White TTO other Industry Income

Contract Uniquest Pty Ltd Prof TenasiTech plastics 2012- $117,651 Research and Darren Martin development and manufacture 2013 other Industry Income

Contract Uniquest Pty Ltd Prof Darren Non-polyurethane 2012- $48,973 Research and Pathfinder proof- Martin nanocomposites with a focus on 2014 other Industry of-concept grant acrylics and silicones Income program

Contract Uniquest Pty Ltd Dr David Chin Dr Martina Jones Construction of a commercial 2012- $48,792 Research and Pathfinder proof- human antibody phage library 2013 other Industry of-concept grant for therapeutic monoclonal Income program antibody discovery

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 105 Lead AIBN 2012 Type Scheme Other Chief Investigators Project Title Duration Investigator Income Contract Australian Coal Dr Krassen Laurie Gibson Application of nano particles to 2011- $65,000 Research and Research Limited Dimitrov fine coal float sink test 2013 other Industry Income

Contract LanzaTech New Prof Reconstruction of a Genome 2011- $23,350 Research and Zealand Limited Lars Nielsen Scale Model 2013 other Industry Income

Contract Pfizer Australia Pty Prof Clostridial Systems Biology 2012- $237,750 Research and Limited Lars Nielsen 2014 other Industry Income

Contract Stahmann Farms Dr Polly Burey The effect of processing on 2012 $1,451 Research and Enterprises Pty Ltd pecan nut texture and shelf life other Industry Income

Other Research Donation Prof Nanopatches for the developing 2012- $55,000 Generic Mark Kendall world 2013

Other UWA-UQ Bilateral Prof Prof Colin Raston, Prof Michael A general platform technology 2012 $15,500 Research Chengzhong Yu Monteiro, Prof Jin Zou, for functional nanocomposites Collaboration Award Dr Jorge Beltramini, Dr Zhen Li, with advanced applications Dr Denisa Jurcakova, Dr Jian Liu, Dr Li Li, Dr Paul Eggers, and others

Other UWA-UQ Bilateral Prof Prof Ian Small, Prof Harvey Plant Fluxomics Platform to 2012 $18,200 Research Lars Nielsen Millar, Dr Cristiana Dal’Molin, understand the interplay of plant Collaboration Award Dr Lake-ee Quek, Dr Robin metabolic networks Palfreyman,Dr Ian Castleden, Dr Sandra Tanz

Other UQ - Purdue Prof Nasim Amiralian, Jeffrey Joint scale-up of nano-cellulose 2012 $10,627 University Early Darren Martin Youngblood, Robert Moon based polymer nanocomposites Career Mobility Scheme

Other University of A/Prof Ernst Dr Amein Al-Ali Towards curing of beta- 2011- $153,000 Dammam Wolvetang thalassemia with iPS cells 2013

Other JEM Research A/ Prof Christine Understanding the molecular 2012- $75,000 Foundation Wells and functional properties of 2014 Amnion derived Stem Cells

106 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 publications

Gu Z, Rolfe BE, Thomas AC, Campbell Vijayan D. 2012. Isolation and differentiation of Book chapters JH, Lu GQM, Xu ZP. 2012. Heparin-related monocytes-macrophages from human blood. nanomaterials. In Heparin, properties, uses and In Leucocytes: methods and protocols, ed. BA Barner-Kowollik C, Blinco JP, Destarac M, side effects, ed. EP David, L Rhong, pp. 159-78. Robert, pp. 183-7. New York, United States: Thurecht KJ, Perrier S. 2012. Reversible addition New York, NY, United States: Nova Science Humana Press fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization: Halley PJ. 2012. Rheology of thermosets: the Xie F. 2012. Biodegradable starch-based nano- mechanism, process and applications. In use of chemorheology to characterise and composites. In Wiley encyclopedia of composites, Encyclopedia of radicals in chemistry, biology and model thermoset flow behaviour. In Thermosets: ed. N Luigi, B Assunta, ML Stuart, pp. 102-13. materials, ed. C Chryssostomos, S Armido, pp. structure, properties and applications, ed. G Hoboken, NJ, USA: John Wiley & Sons 1895-929. Chichester, West Sussex, U.K.: John Qipeng, pp. 92-117. New Delhi, India: Woodhead Wiley & Sons Publishing Battersby BJ, Chen A, Kozak D, Trau M. 2012. Jegatheesan V, Virkutyte J, Shu L, Allen J, Wang Journal articles Biosensors for disease biomarker detection. Y, Searston E, Xu ZP, Naylor J, Pinchon S, Teil In Biosensors for medical applications, ed. H C, Navaratna D, Shon HK. 2012. Removal of Seamus, pp. 191-216. Oxford, United Kingdom: lower molecular weight substances from water Ahamed MBK, Aisha AFA, Nassar ZD, Siddiqui Woodhead Publishing and wastewater: challenges and solutions. In JM, Ismail Z, Omani SMS, Parish CR, Majid AMSA. 2012. Cat’s whiskers tea (Orthosiphon Chaleat CM, Nikolic M, Truss RW, Tan I, Wastewater treatment: Advanced processes Stamineus) extract inhibits growth of colon tumor McGlashan SA, Halley PJ. 2012. Thermoplastic and technologies, pp. 275-318. Boca Raton, FL, United States: Taylor & Francis in nude mice and angiogenesis in endothelial cells starch polymer blends and nanocomposites. In via suppressing VEGFR phosphorylation. Nutrition Biobased monomers, polymers and materials, ed. Lua LHL, Chuan YP. 2012. Advances in protein and Cancer 64: 89-99 BS Patrick, AG Richard, pp. 323-34. Washington, production technologies. In Biopharmaceutical DC, United States: American Chemical Society production technology, pp. 43-77. Weinheim, Aisha AFA, Abu-Salah KM, Ismail Z, Abdul Majid AMS. 2012. In vitro and in vivo anti-colon cancer Germany: Wiley-VCH Chia JJC, Song M, Munro TP, Gray PP. 2012. effects of Garcinia mangostana xanthones Analysis of protein expression via alternate 3’ Marcellin E, Chen WY, Nielsen LK. 2012. extract. BMC Complementary and Alternative Untranslated Region (UTR) signals through the Metabolic pathway engineering for hyaluronic Medicine 12: 104.1-.10 use of site specific recombination. In Proceedings acid production. In Carbohydrate modifying Aisha AFA, Ismail Z, Abu-Salah KM, Abdul Majid of the 21st Annual Meeting of the European Society biocatalysts, ed. G Peter, pp. 571-84. Singapore: AMS. 2012. Solid dispersions of a-mangostin for Animal Cell Technology (ESACT), Dublin, Ireland, Pan Stanford Publishing improve its aqueous solubility through June 7-10, 2009, ed. J Nigel, B Niall, A Paula, pp. Middlelberg APJ. 2012. Releasing self-assembly of nanomicelles. Journal of 47-51. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer Pharmaceutical Sciences 101: 815-25 biopharmaceutical products from cells. In Chuan YP, Lua LHL, Middelberg APJ. 2012. Virus- Biopharmaceutical production technology, ed. Anand C, Srinivasu P, Mane GP, Talapaneni SN, like particle bioprocessing. In Biopharmaceutical S Ganapathy, pp. 79-105. Weinheim, Germany: Dhawale DS, Wahab MA, Priya SV, Varghese S, production technology, ed. S Ganapathy, pp. 139- Wiley-VCH Sugi Y, Vinu A. 2012. Preparation of mesoporous 63. Weinheim, Germany: Wiley-VCH titanosilicate molecular sieves with a cage type Nikolić MAL, Dean K, Halley PJ. 2012. 3D porous structure for cyclohexene epoxidation. Codamo J, Munro TP, Hughes BS, Song M, Gray Biodegradation and applications of Microporous and Mesoporous Materials 160: PP. 2012. An optimised transfection platform nanobiocomposites. In Environmental silicate 159-66 for the Epi-CHO transient expression system in nano-biocomposites, ed. A Luc, P Eric, pp. 409- serum-free media. In Proceedings of the 21st 22. London, United Kingdom: Springer Anand C, Toyama I, Tamada H, Tawada S, Annual Meeting of the European Society for Animal Noda S, Komura K-i, Kubota Y, Lee SW, Cho Cell Technology (ESACT), Dublin, Ireland, June Nouwens A, Mahler S. 2012. Evolution of SJ, Kim J-H, Seo G, Vinu A, Sugi Y. 2012. 7-10, 2009, ed. J Nigel, B Niall, A Paula, pp. 19- proteomic methods for analysis of complex Deactivation of external acid sites of H-mordenite by modification with lanthanide oxides for the 23. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer biological samples - implications for personalized medicine. In Integrative Proteomics, ed. L Hon- isopropylation of biphenyl and the cracking of Dietmair S, Timmins NE, Chrysanthopoulos Chiu Eastwood, M Tsz-Kwong, JF Ricardo, pp. 1,3,5-triisopropylbenzene and cumene. Industrial P, Gray PP, Krömer JO, Nielsen LK. 2012. 29-43. Croatia: InTech and Engineering Chemistry Research 51: 12214-21 Metabolomic analysis of CHO cultures with Saleh FA, Frith JE, Lee JA, Genever PG. 2012. Andes DR, Safdar N, Baddley JW, Playford different growth characteristics – development of G, Reboli AC, Rex JH, Sobel JD, Pappas Three-dimensional in vitro culture techniques a metabolite extraction protocol for suspension PG, Kullberg BJ, Group MS. 2012. Impact of for mesenchymal stem cells. In Progenitor cells: adapted mammalian cells. In Proceedings of the treatment strategy on outcomes in patients 21st Annual Meeting of the European Society for methods and protocols, methods in molecular with candidemia and other forms of invasive Animal Cell Technology (ESACT), Dublin, Ireland, biology, ed. AM Kimberly, MB Kristin, pp. 31-45. candidiasis: A patient-level quantitative review of June 7-10, 2009, ed. J Nigel, B Niall, A Paula, pp. New York, NY, United States: Humana Press randomized trials. Clinical Infectious Diseases 54: 37-41. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer Taran E, Nguyen AV. 2012. Surface deformation 1110-22 Frith JE, Jaramillo-Ferrada P, Mills RJ, Cameron during bubble-particle colloidal interaction Arcos-Hernandez MV, Laycock B, Donose BC, AR, Titmarsh DM, Wolvetang EJ, Cooper-White quantified by atomic force microscopy and Pratt S, Halley P, Al-Luaibi S, Werker A, Lant PA. JJ. 2012. Development of defined culture numerical modeling. In Separation technologies 2012. Physicochemical and mechanical properties conditions for expansion of human mesenchymal for minerals, coal, and earth resources, ed. of mixed culture polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHBV). stromal cells for clinical applications. In Stem cells AY Courtney, HL Gerald, pp. 19-26. Littleton, European Polymer Journal Article in press and cancer stem cells: therapeutic applications CO, USA: Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Arcos-Hernandez MV, Laycock B, Pratt S, Exploration (SME) in disease and injury, ed. MA Hayat, pp. 13-26. Donose BC, Nikolić MAL, Luckman P, Werker Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer Netherlands Timmins NE, Nielsen LK. 2012. Large scale ex A, Lant PA. 2012. Biodegradation in a soil environment of activated sludge derived Grice JE, Prow TW, Kendall MAF, Roberts vivo manufacture of blood cells. In Proceedings of the 21st Annual Meeting of the European Society polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHBV). Polymer MS. 2012. Electrical and physical methods Degradation and Stability 97: 2301-12 of skin penetration enhancement. In Topical for Animal Cell Technology (ESACT), Dublin, and transdermal drug delivery: Principles and Ireland, June 7-10, 2009, ed. J Nigel, B Niall, Ariga K, Vinu A, Yamauchi Y, Ji Q, Hill JP. 2012. practice, ed. AEB Heather, CW Adam, pp. 43-65. A Paula, pp. 557-71. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Nanoarchitectonics for mesoporous materials. Hoboken, NJ, United States: John Wiley & Sons Springer Bulletin of the Chemical Society of Japan 85: 1-32

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 107 Bai S, Liu J, Gao J, Yang Q, Li C. 2012. Butler MK, Prow TW, Guo Y-N, Lin LL, Webb RI, Deng ZJ, Liang M, Toth I, Monteiro MJ, Minchin Hydrolysis controlled synthesis of amine- Martin DJ. 2012. High pressure freezing/freeze RF. 2012. Molecular interaction of poly(acrylic functionalized hollow ethane-silica nanospheres substitution and TEM for the characterisation acid) gold nanoparticles with human fibrinogen. as adsorbents for CO2 capture. Microporous and of metal oxide nanoparticles within sunscreens. ACS Nano 6: 8962-9 Mesoporous Materials 151: 474-80 Nanomedicine 7: 541-51 Deng ZY, Bai FY, Wei DM, Li Z, Xing YH, Cao YZ, Bai Y, Yu H, Li Z, Amal R, Lu GQ, Wang L. Campbell JH, Campbell GR. 2012. Smooth Ren DX. 2012. Scorpionate nickel complexes 2012. In situ growth of a ZnO nanowire network muscle phenotypic modulation - a personal with dicarboxylic acid ligands: influence of within a TiO2 nanoparticle film for enhanced experience. Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and different spanning dicarboxylato co-ligands on the dye-sensitized solar cell performance. Advanced Vascular Biology 32: 1784-9 structures. Transition Metal Chemistry 37: 553-61 Materials 24: 5850-6 Chaleat CM, Halley PJ, Truss RW. 2012. Study Deraeve C, Guo Z, Bon RS, Blankenfeldt W, Bailey U-M, Punyadeera C, Cooper-White on the phase separation of plasticised starch/ DiLucrezia R, Wolf A, Menninger S, Stigter EA, JJ, Schulz BL. 2012. Analysis of the extreme poly(vinyl alcohol) blends. Polymer Degradation Wetzel S, Choidas A, Alexandrov K, Waldmann diversity of salivary alpha-amylase isoforms and Stability 97: 1930-9 H, Goody RS, Wu Y-W. 2012. Psoromic acid is generated by physiological proteolysis using liquid a selective and covalent rab-prenylation inhibitor Chang RYK, Nouwens AS, Dodd PR, Etheridge chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. targeting autoinhibited RabGGTase. Journal of the N. 2012. The synaptic proteome in Alzheimer’s Journal of Chromatography B-Analytical American Chemical Society 134: 7384-91 disease. Alzheimer’s & Dementia: doi: 10.1016/j. Technologies in the Biomedical and Life Sciences jalz.2012.04.009 Dhawale DS, Benzigar MR, Wahab MA, Anand 911: 21-6 C, Varghese S, Balasubramanian VV, Aldeyab Chauhan S, Mane GP, Anand C, Dhawale Balakrishnan U, Ananthi N, Velmathi S, Benzigar SS, Ariga K, Vinu A. 2012. Fine tuning of the DS, Reddy BVS, Zaidi SMJ, Al-Deyab SS, MR, Talapaneni SN, Aldeyab SS, Ariga K, supercapacitive performance of nanoporous Balasubramanian VV, Mori T, Vinu A. 2012. Low- Vinu A. 2012. Immobilization of chiral amide carbon electrodes with different pore diameters. temperature synthesis of pyrano- and furo[3,2-c] derived from (1R,2S)-(-)-norephedrine over 3D Electrochimica Acta 77: 256-61 quinolines via Povarov reaction using a highly nanoporous silica for the enantioselective addition ordered 3D nanoporous catalyst with a high Dietmair S, Hodson MP, Quek L-E, Timmins NE, of diethylzinc to aldehydes. Microporous and acidity. Synlett 23: 2237-40 Chrysanthopoulos P, Jacob SS, Gray P, Nielsen Mesoporous Materials 155: 40-6 LK. 2012. Metabolite profiling of CHO cells with Chen L, Goh YK, Cheng HH, Smith BW, Xie P, Bastami TR, Entezari MH, Hu QH, Hartono SB, different growth characteristics. Biotechnology Montgomery W, Whittaker AK, Blakey I. 2012. Qiao SZ. 2012. Role of polymeric surfactants on and Bioengineering 109: 1404-14 Aqueous developable dual switching photoresists the growth of manganese ferrite nanoparticles. for nanolithography. Journal of Polymer Science Dietmair S, Hodson MP, Quek L-E, Timmins NE, Chemical Engineering Journal 210: 157-65 Part A: Polymer Chemistry 50: 4255-65 Gray P, Nielsen LK. 2012. A multi-omics analysis Behrendorff JBYH, Moore CD, Kim K-H, Kim of recombinant protein production in Hek293 Chen X, Fernando GJP, Raphael AP, Yukiko SR, D-H, Smith CA, Johnston WA, Yun C-H, Yost cells. Plos One 7: e43394.1-e.15 Fairmaid EJ, Primiero CA, Frazer IH, Brown LE, GS, Gillam EMJ. 2012. Directed evolution reveals Kendall MAF. 2012. Rapid kinetics to peak serum Dietmair S, Nielsen LK, Timmins NE. 2012. requisite sequence elements in the functional antibodies is achieved following influenza vaccination Mammalian cells as biopharmaceutical production expression of P450 2F1 in Escherichia coli. by dry-coated densely packed microprojections hosts in the age of omics. Biotechnology Journal Chemical Research in Toxicology 25: 1964-74 to skin. Journal of Controlled Release 158: 78-84 7: 75-89 Ben T, Li Y, Zhu L, Zhang D, Cao D, Xiang Z, Chen X, Wilde KL, Wang H, Lake V, Holden PJ, Dimitrijev-Dwyer M, He L, James M, Nelson A, Yao X, Qiu S. 2012. Selective adsorption of Middelberg APJ, He L, Duff AP. 2012. High yield Wang L, Middelberg APJ. 2012. The effects of carbon dioxide by carbonized porous aromatic expression and efficient purification of deuterated acid hydrolysis on protein biosurfactant molecular, framework (PAF). Energy and Environmental human protein galectin-2. Food and Bioproducts interfacial, and foam properties: pH responsive Science 5: 8370-6 Processing 90: 563-72 protein hydrolysates. Soft Matter 8: 5131-9 Benzigar MR, Mane GP, Talapaneni SN, Varghese Chen YS, Pelekanos RA, Ellis RL, Horne R, Ding T, Middelberg APJ, Huber T, Falconer RJ. S, Anand C, Aldeyab SS, Balasubramanian VV, Wolvetang EJ, Fisk NM. 2012. Small molecule 2012. Far-infrared spectroscopy analysis of linear Vinu A. 2012. Microwave-assisted synthesis of mesengenic induction of human induced pluripotent and cyclic peptides, and lysozyme. Vibrational highly crystalline mesoporous hydroxyapatite with stem cells to generate mesenchymal stem/stromal Spectroscopy 61: 144-50 a rod-shaped morphology. Chemistry Letters 41: cells. Stem Cells Translational Medicine 1: 83-95 458-60 Donose BC, Harnisch F, Taran E. 2012. Cheng H-H, Yu A, Keen I, Chuang Y, Jack KS, Electrochemically produced hydrogen bubble probes Bernardi S, Brookes SJ, Searles DJ, Evans DJ. Leeson MJ, Younkin TR, Blakey I, Whittaker AK. for gas evolution kinetics and force spectroscopy. 2012. Response theory for confined systems. 2012. Electron-beam induced freezing of an Electrochemistry Communications 24: 21-4 Journal of Chemical Physics 137: 074114.1-.7 aromatic based EUV resist: a robust template for Doran MR, Aird IA, Marturana F, Timmins N, Bernardi S, Hansen JS, Frascoli F, Todd BD, directed self assembly of block copolymers. IEEE Atkinson K, Nielsen LK. 2012. Bioreactor for Dettmann CP. 2012. Ergodicity of a single particle Transactions on Nanotechnology 11: 1140-7 blood product production. Cell Transplantation confined in a nanopore. Journal of Statistical Cheng L, Chen Z-G, Ma S, Zhang Z-d, Wang 21: 1235-44 Physics 148: 1156-69 Y, Xu H-Y, Yang L, Han G, Jack K, Lu G, Zou J. Du A, Sanvito S, Li Z, Wang D, Jiao Y, Liao T, Bhargav A, Muller DA, Kendall MAF, Corrie SR. 2012. High Curie temperature Bi1.85Mn0.15Te3 Sun Q, Ng YH, Zhu Z, Amal R, Smith SC. 2012. 2012. Surface modifications of microprojection nanoplates. Journal of the American Chemical Hybrid graphene and graphitic carbon nitride arrays for improved biomarker capture in the skin Society 134: 18920-3 nanocomposite: Gap opening, electron-hole of live mice. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces Chuan YP, Zeng BY, O’Sullivan B, Thomas R, puddle, interfacial charge transfer, and enhanced 4: 2483-9 Middelberg APJ. 2012. Co-delivery of antigen and visible light response. Journal of the American Blakey I, Merican Z, Rintoul L, Chuang Y-M, a lipophilic anti-inflammatory drug to cells via a Chemical Society 134: 4393-7 Jack KS, Micallef AS. 2012. Interactions of tailorable nanocarrier emulsion. Journal of Colloid Du A, Sanvito S, Smith SC. 2012. First-principles iodoperfluorobenzene compounds with gold and Interface Science 368: 616-24 prediction of metal-free magnetism and intrinsic nanoparticles. Physical Chemistry Chemical Chuang Y-M, Jack KS, Cheng H-H, Whittaker AK, half-metallicity in graphitic carbon nitride. Physical Physics 14: 3604-11 Blakey I. 2012. Using directed self assembly of block Review Letters 108(19): 197207 Boase NRB, Blakey I, Thurecht KJ. 2012. copolymer nanostructures to modulate nanoscale Fearnley LG, Nielsen LK. 2012. PATHLOGIC-S: Molecular imaging with polymers. Polymer surface roughness: towards a novel lithographic A scalable boolean framework for modelling Chemistry 3: 1384-9 process. Advanced Functional Materials 23: 173-83 cellular signalling. PLoS One 7(8): e41977 Bray LJ, George KA, Hutmacher DW, Chirila TV, Chung D-J, Whittaker AK, Choi S-H. 2012. Fernando GJP, Chen X, Primero CA, Yukiko SR, Harkin DG. 2012. A dual-layer silk fibroin scaffold Electrochemical DNA biosensor based on IL- Fairmaid EJ, Corbett HJ, Frazer IH, Brown LE, for reconstructing the human corneal limbus. modified MWNTs electrode prepared by radiation- Kendall MAF. 2012. Nanopatch targeted delivery Biomaterials 33: 3529-38 induced graft polymerization. Journal of Applied of both antigen and adjuvant to skin synergistically Polymer Science 126: E28-E33 Brennan TCR, Turner CD, Kroemer JO, Nielsen drives enhanced antibody responses. Journal of LK. 2012. Alleviating monoterpene toxicity Darain F, Wahab MA, Tjin SC. 2012. Surface Controlled Release 159: 215-21 using a two-phase extractive fermentation activation of poly(methyl methacrylate) by plasma Ford K, Battersby BJ, Wood BJ, Gentle IR. 2012. for the bioproduction of jet fuel mixtures in treatment: stable antibody immobilization for The production and verification of pristine semi- Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Biotechnology and microfluidic enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. fluorinated thiol monolayers on gold. Journal of Bioengineering 109: 2513-22 Analytical Letters 45: 2569-79 Colloid and Interface Science 370: 162-9 Bruschi M, Boyes SJ, Sugiarto H, Nielsen Das D, Tnimov Z, Nguyen UTT, Thimmaiah G, Frith JE, Mills RJ, Cooper-White JJ. 2012. Lateral LK, Vickers CE. 2012. A transferable sucrose Lo H, Abankwa D, Wu Y, Goody RS, Waldmann spacing of adhesion peptides influences human utilization approach for non-sucrose-utilizing H, Alexandrov K. 2012. Flexible and general mesenchymal stem cell behaviour. Journal of Cell Escherichia coli strains. Biotechnology Advances synthesis of functionalized phosphoisoprenoids Science 125: 317-27 30: 1001-10 for the study of prenylation in vivo and in vitro. ChemBioChem 13: 674-83

108 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Publications

Frith JE, Mills RJ, Hudson JE, Cooper-White Haque E, Whittaker AK, Gidley MJ, Deeth HC, Jennings J, Beija M, Richez AP, Cooper SD, JJ. 2012. Tailored integrin-extracellular matrix Fibrianto K, Bhandari BR. 2012. Kinetics of Mignot PE, Thurecht KJ, Jack KS, Howdle SM. interactions to direct human mesenchymal stem enthalpy relaxation of milk protein concentrate 2012. One-pot synthesis of block copolymers in cell differentiation. Stem Cells and Development powder upon ageing and its effect on solubility. supercritical carbon dioxide: A simple versatile 21: 2442-56 Food Chemistry 134: 1368-73 route to nanostructured microparticles. Journal of the American Chemical Society 134: 4772-81 Fugane K, Mori T, Ou DR, Yan P, Ye F, Yoshikawa Hartono SB, Gu W, Kleitz F, Liu J, He L, Middelberg H, Drennan J. 2012. Improvement of cathode APJ, Yu C, Lu GQ, Qiao SZ. 2012. Poly-L-lysine Jia L, Mane GP, Anand C, Dhawale DS, Ji Q, performance on Pt-CeOx by optimization of functionalized large pore cubic mesostructured silica Ariga K, Vinu A. 2012. A facile photo-induced electrochemical pretreatment condition for PEFC nanoparticles as biocompatible carriers for gene synthesis of COOH functionalized meso- application. Langmuir 28: 16692-700 delivery. ACS Nano 6: 2104-17 macroporous carbon films and their excellent sensing capability for aromatic amines. Chemical Gamage HK, Mondal S, Wallis LA, Memmott Hezmee MNM, Shiels IA, Rolfe BE, Mills PC. 2012. Communications 48: 9029-31 P, Martin D, Wright BR, Schmidt S. 2012. Complement C5a: Impact on the field of veterinary Indigenous and modern biomaterials derived medicine. The Veterinary Journal 192: 264-71 Jia Y, Zou J, Yao X. 2012. Catalytically enhanced from Triodia (‘spinifex’) grasslands in Australia. dehydrogenation of MgH2 by activated carbon Hossain MD, Valade D, Jia Z, Monteiro MJ. 2012. Australian Journal of Botany 60: 114-27 supported Pd-VOx (x=2.38) nanocatalyst. Cyclic polystyrene topologies via RAFT and International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 37: Ge L, Du A, Hou M, Rudolph V, Zhu Z. 2012. CuAAC. Polymer Chemistry 3: 2986-95 13393-9 Enhanced hydrogen separation by vertically- Hsu Y-C, Weir MP, Truss RW, Garvey CJ, aligned carbon nanotube membranes with zeolite Jia Z, Monteiro MJ. 2012. Cyclic polymers: Nicholson TM, Halley PJ. 2012. A fundamental imidazolate frameworks as a selective layer. RSC Methods and strategies. Journal of Polymer study on photo-oxidative degradation of linear Advances 2: 11793-800 Science. Part A, Polymer Chemistry 50: 2085-97 low density polyethylene films at embrittlement. Ge L, Wang L, Du A, Hou M, Rudolph V, Zhu Z. 2012. Polymer 53: 2385-93 Jiao W, Wang L, Liu G, Lu GQ, Cheng H-M. Vertically-aligned carbon nanotube membranes for 2012. Hollow anatase TiO2 single crystals and Huang X, Qian K, Yang J, Zhang J, Li L, Yu C, hydrogen separation. RSC Advances 2: 5329-36 mesocrystals with dominant {101} facets for Zhao D. 2012. Functional nanoporous graphene improved photocatalysis activity and tuned Ge L, Zhou W, Du A, Zhu Z. 2012. Porous foams with controlled pore sizes. Advanced reaction preference. ACS Catalysis 2: 1854-9 polyethersulfone-supported zeolitic imidazolate Materials 24: 4419-23 framework membranes for hydrogen separation. Kao L-P, Ovchinnikov D, Wolvetang E. 2012. The Huang X, Zhou L, Yu C, Zhao D. 2012. Self- Journal of Physical Chemistry C: Nanomaterials, effect of ethidium bromide and chloramphenicol assembly of monodispersed silica nano-spheres Interfaces and Hard Matter 116: 13264-70 on mitochondrial biogenesis in primary human with a closed-pore mesostructure. Journal of fibroblasts. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology George KA, Chirila TV, Wentrup-Byrne E. Materials Chemistry 22: 11523-8 261: 42-9 2012. Effects of crosslink density on hydrolytic Huang X, Zhou X, Qian K, Zhao D, Liu Z, Yu degradation of poly(L-lactide)-based networks. Kassianos AJ, Hardy MY, Ju X, Vijayan D, Ding C. 2012. A magnetite nanocrystal/graphene Polymer Degradation and Stability 97: 964-71 Y, Vulink AJE, McDonald KJ, Jongbloed SL, composite as high performance anode for lithium- Wadley RB, Wells C, Hart DNJ, Radford KJ. Gnanasambandam A, Anderson DJ, Mills E, ion batteries. Journal of Alloys and Compounds 2012. Human CD1c (BDCA-1)+ myeloid dendritic Brumbley SM. 2012. Heterologous C-terminal 514: 76-80 cells secrete IL-10 and display an immuno- signals effectively target fluorescent fusion Hudson J, Titmarsh D, Hidalgo A, Wolvetang E, regulatory phenotype and function in response to proteins to leaf peroxisomes in diverse plant Cooper-White J. 2012. Primitive cardiac cells Escherichia coli. European Journal of Immunology species. Journal of Plant Physiology 169: 830-3 from human embryonic stem cells. Stem Cells 42: 1512-22 Gothelid M, Tymczenko M, Chow W, Ahmadi S, Yu and Development 21: 1513-23 Keen I, Yu A, Cheng H-H, Jack KS, Nicholson S, Bruhn B, Stoltz D, von Schenck H, Weissenrieder Hulicova-Jurcakova D, Fiset E, Lu GQM, Bandosz T, Whittaker AK, Blakey I. 2012. Control of J, Sun C. 2012. Surface concentration dependent TJ. 2012. Changes in surface chemistry of carbon the orientation of symmetric poly(styrene)- structures of iodine on Pd(110). Journal of Chemical materials upon electrochemical measurements block-poly(D,L-lactide) block copolymers using Physics 137: 204703.1-.7 and their effects on capacitance in acidic and statistical copolymers of dissimilar composition. Gu W, Chen J, Yang L, Zhao K-N. 2012. neutral electrolytes. ChemSusChem 5: 2188-99 Langmuir 28: 15876-88 TNF-alpha promotes IFN-gamma-induced Huynh HT, Chan LCL, Tran TTB, Nielsen LK, Reid Kessel S, Truong NP, Jia Z, Monteiro MJ. 2012. CD40 expression and antigen process in Myb- S. 2012. Improving the robustness of a low-cost Aqueous reversible addition-fragmentation transformed hematological cells. The Scientific insect cell medium for baculovirus biopesticides chain transfer dispersion polymerization World Journal 2012: 621969.1-.11 production, via hydrolysate streamlining using of thermoresponsive diblock copolymer Gu Z, Rolfe BE, Xu ZP, Campbell JH, Lu GQ, a tube bioreactor-based statistical optimization assemblies: temperature directed morphology Thomas AC. 2012. Antibody-targeted drug routine. Biotechnology Progress 28: 788-802 transformations. Journal of Polymer Science, Part delivery to injured arteries using layered double A: Polymer Chemistry 50: 4879-87 Irvine KM, Gallego P, An X, Best SE, Thomas G, hydroxide nanoparticles. Advanced Healthcare Wells C, Harris M, Cotterill A, Thomas R. 2012. Kim J, Anand C, Talapaneni SN, You J, Aldeyab Materials 1: 669-73 Peripheral blood monocyte gene expression SS, Kim E, Vinu A. 2012. Catalytic polymerization Guo M, Lu GQ, Zhu X, Wu C, Wang L. 2012. profile clinically stratifies patients with recent- of anthracene in a recyclable SBA-15 reactor with Fabrication of multilayer films of N-doped titania onset type 1 diabetes. Diabetes 61: 1281-90 high iron content by a Friedel-Crafts Alkylation. nanosheets and hematite nanocubes via layer by Angewandte Chemie-International Edition 51: Jambrina PG, Alvarino JM, Gerlich D, Hankel layer assembly. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physico- 2859-63 M, Herrero VJ, Saez-Rabanos V, Aoiz FJ. 2012. chemical and Engineering Aspects 395: 100-4 Dynamics of the D++H-2 and H++D-2 reactions: Kohnke M, Schmitt S, Ariotti N, Piggott A, Parton Guo M, Su C, Lu G, Zhu X, Wu C, Wang L. 2012. A detailed comparison between theory and RG, Lacey E, Capon R, Alexandrov K, Abankwa In-situ synthesis of gold nanoparticles in nitrogen- experiment. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics D. 2012. Design and application of in vivo FRET doped titania nanosheets via layer-by-layer 14: 3346-59 biosensors to identify protein prenylation and assembly method. Thin Solid Films 520: 7066-70 nanoclustering inhibitors. Chemistry and Biology Jaramillo-Ferrada PA, Wolvetang EJ, Cooper- 19: 866-74 Hampton MA, Nguyen TAH, Nguyen AV, Xu ZP, White JJ. 2012. Differential mesengenic potential Huang L, Rudolph V. 2012. Influence of surface and expression of stem cell-fate modulators in Kozak D, Anderson W, Grevett M, Trau M. 2012. orientation on the organization of nanoparticles in mesenchymal stromal cells from human-term Modeling Elastic Pore Sensors for Quantitative drying nanofluid droplets. Journal of Colloid and placenta and bone marrow. Journal of Cellular Single Particle Sizing. The Journal of Physical Interface Science 377: 456-62 Physiology 227: 3234-42 Chemistry C: Nanomaterials, Interfaces and Hard Matter 116: 8554-61 Han L, Li H, Choi S-J, Park M-S, Lee S-M, Kim Jayashi CM, Gonzalez AE, Neyra RC, Kyngdon Y-J, Park D-W. 2012. Ionic liquids grafted on CT, Gauci CG, Lightowlers MW. 2012. Kozak D, Anderson W, Trau M. 2012. Tuning carbon nanotubes as highly efficient heterogeneous Characterisation of antibody responses in pigs particle velocity and measurement sensitivity by catalysts for the synthesis of cyclic carbonates. induced by recombinant oncosphere antigens changing pore sensor dimensions. Chemistry Applied Catalysis A-General 429: 67-72 from Taenia solium. Vaccine 30: 7475-80 Letters 41: 1134-6 Hankel M, Jiao Y, Du A, Gray SK, Smith SC. Jejurikar A, Seow XT, Lawrie G, Martin D, Kozak D, Anderson W, Vogel R, Chen S, 2012. Asymmetrically decorated, doped porous Jayakrishnan A, Grøndahl L. 2012. Degradable Antaw F, Trau M. 2012. Simultaneous size graphene as an effective membrane for hydrogen alginate hydrogels crosslinked by the and zet-potential measurements of individual isotope separation. Journal of Physical Chemistry macromolecular crosslinker alginate dialdehyde. nanoparticles in dispersion using size-tunable C 116: 6672-6 Journal of Materials Chemistry 22: 9751-8 pore sensors. Acs Nano 6: 6990-7 Hankel M, Yue X-F. 2012. Quantum dynamics Jenkins D, Corrie S, Flaim C, Kendall M. 2012. Kulis J, Jia Z, Monteiro MJ. 2012. One- study of the N(D-2) + H-2 reaction and the effects High density and high aspect ratio solid micro- pot synthesis of mikto three-arm AB2 stars of the potential energy surface on the propagation nanoprojection arrays for targeted skin vaccine constructed from linear and macrocyclic polymer time. Computational and Theoretical Chemistry delivery and specific antibody extraction. RSC chains. Macromolecules 45: 5956-66 990: 23-9 Advances 2: 3490-5

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 109 Kumar S, Vinu A, Subrt J, Bakardjieva S, Rayalu Li Z-P, Mori T, Ye F, Ou D, Auchterlonie GJ, Zou Lu GQM. 2012. Preface from guest editor. S, Teraoka Y, Labhsetwar N. 2012. Catalytic J, Drennan J. 2012. Cerium-reduction-induced Progress in Natural Science-Materials N2O decomposition on Pr0.8Ba0.2MnO3 type defects clustering, ordering, and associated International 22: 521 perovskite catalyst for industrial emission control. microstructure evolution in yttrium-doped ceria. Ma Y, Sun Q, Li Z, Yu J-G, Smith SC. 2012. Catalysis Today 198: 125-32 Journal of Physical Chemistry C 116: 5435-43 Theoretical studies of chromophore maturation Lai R, Liang F, Pearson D, Barnett G, Whiley D, Li Z-P, Mori T, Zou J, Drennan J. 2012. in the wild-type green fluorescent protein: Sloots T, Barnard RT, Corrie SR. 2012. PrimRglo: Optimization of ionic conductivity in solid ONIOM(DFT:MM) investigation of the mechanism A multiplexable quantitative real-time polymerase electrolytes through dopant-dependent defect of cyclization. Journal of Physical Chemistry B chain reaction system for nucleic acid detection. cluster analysis. Physical Chemistry Chemical 116: 1426-36 Analytical Biochemistry 422: 89-95 Physics 14: 8369-75 Mane GP, Talapaneni SN, Anand C, Varghese Laskova B, Zukalova M, Kavan L, Chou A, Liang J, Zheng Y, Chen J, Liu J, Hulicova- S, Iwai H, Ji Q, Ariga K, Mori T, Vinu A. 2012. Liska P, Wei Z, Bin L, Kubat P, Ghadiri E, Moser Jurcakova D, Jaroniec M, Qiao SZ. 2012. Facile Preparation of highly ordered nitrogen-containing JE, Graetzel M. 2012. Voltage enhancement in oxygen reduction on a three-dimensionally mesoporous carbon from a gelatin biomolecule dye-sensitized solar cell using (001)-oriented ordered macroporous graphitic C3N4/carbon and its excellent sensing of acetic acid. Advanced anatase TiO2 nanosheets. Journal of Solid State composite electrocatalyst. Angewandte Chemie- Functional Materials 22: 3596-604 Electrochemistry 16: 2993-3001 International Edition 51: 3892-6 Marschall R, Klaysom C, Mukherji A, Wark M, Lu Lau ETL, Johnson SK, Mikkelsen D, Halley Liao T, Sun C, Du A, Sun Z, Hulicova-Jurcakova GQ, Wang L. 2012. Composite proton-conducting PJ, Steadman KJ. 2012. Preparation and D, Smith S. 2012. Charge carrier exchange at polymer membranes for clean hydrogen production in vitro release of zein microparticles loaded chemically modified graphene edges: A density with solar light in a simple photoelectrochemical with prednisolone for oral delivery. Journal of functional theory study. Journal of Materials compartment cell. International Journal of Hydrogen Microencapsulation 29: 706-12 Chemistry 22: 8321-6 Energy 37: 4012-7 Lauridsen LH, Shamaileh HA, Edwards SL, Taran Liao T, Sun C, Sun Z, Du A, Hulicova-Jurcakova D, Matindoost L, Chan LCL, Qi YM, Nielsen LK, Reid E, Veedu RN. 2012. Rapid one-step selection Smith SC. 2012. How to achieve maximum charge S. 2012. Suspension culture titration: A simple method for generating nucleic acid aptamers: carrier loading on heteroatom-substituted graphene method for measuring baculovirus titers. Journal Development of a DNA aptamer against nanoribbon edges: Density functional theory study. of Virological Methods 183: 201-9 α-bungarotoxin. PLoS One 7: e41702.1-e.6 Journal of Materials Chemistry 22: 13751-5 Matsumoto A, Manthey HD, Marsh SA, Fassett Lawrenz A, Nason F, Cooper-White JJ. 2012. Licona-Cassani C, Marcellin E, Quek L-E, Jacob RG, de Haan JB, Rolfe BE, Coombes JS. Geometrical effects in microfluidic-based S, Nielsen LK. 2012. Reconstruction of the 2012. Effects of exercise training and RhoA/ microarrays for rapid, efficient single-cell capture Saccharopolyspora erythraea genome-scale ROCK inhibition on plaque in ApoE−/− mice. of mammalian stem cells and plant cells. model and its use for enhancing erythromycin International Journal of Cardiology Article in press Biomicrofluidics 6: 024112.1-.17 production. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek Matthews SM, Shiddiky MJA, Yunus K, Elton International Journal of General and Molecular Li H, Han L, Cooper-White J, Kim I. 2012. DM, Duffy NW, Gu Y, Fisher AC, Bond AM. 2012. Microbiology 102: 493-502 Palladium nanoparticles decorated carbon Attributes of DC aperiodic and AC harmonic nanotubes: facile synthesis and their applications Liew MWO, Chuan YP, Middelberg APJ. 2012. components derived from large amplitude Fourier as highly efficient catalysts for the reduction of Reactive diafiltration for assembly and formulation transformed voltammetry under microfluidic 4-nitrophenol. Green Chemistry 14: 586-91 of virus-like particles. Biochemical Engineering control in a channel electrode. Analytical Journal 68: 120-8 Chemistry 84: 6686-92 Li H, Han L, Cooper-White JJ, Kim I. 2012. A general and efficient method for decorating graphene Liew MWO, Chuan YP, Middelberg APJ. 2012. Michel G, Searles DJ. 2012. Contribution of the sheets with metal nanoparticles based on the High-yield and scalable cell-free assembly of stochastic forces to the fluctuation theorem. non-covalently functionalized graphene sheets with virus-like particles by dilution. Biochemical Physical Review E 85: 042102 hyperbranched polymers. Nanoscale 4: 1355-61 Engineering Journal 67: 88-96 Moghaddam L, Rintoul L, Halley PJ, George Li J, Fiset E, Yang J, Yuan P, Ling X, Hulicova- Lin I-C, Liang M, Liu T-Y, Jia Z, Monteiro MJ, GA, Fredericks PM. 2012. In-situ monitoring Jurcakova D, Yu C, Wang L. 2012. Formation of Toth I. 2012. Effect of polymer grafting density on by fibre-optic NIR spectroscopy and rheometry graphitic tubules from ordered mesoporous carbon silica nanoparticle toxicity. Bioorganic & Medicinal of maleic anhydride grafting to polypropylene and their effect on supercapacitive energy storage. Chemistry 20: 6862-9 in a laboratory scale reactive extruder. Polymer Journal of Materials Chemistry 22: 21472-80 Testing 31: 155-63 Lin I-C, Liang M, Liu T-Y, Monteiro MJ, Toth I. Li J, Lu R, Dou B, Ma C, Hu Q, Liang Y, Wu 2012. Cellular transport pathways of polymer Mohamed R, Campbell J-L, Cooper-White J, F, Qiao S, Hao Z. 2012. Porous graphitized coated gold nanoparticles. Nanomedicine 8: 8-11 Dimeski G, Punyadeera C. 2012. The impact of carbon for adsorptive removal of benzene and saliva collection and processing methods on CRP, Liu D, Li Z, Sun Q, Kong X, Zhao A, Wang Z. 2012. the electrothermal regeneration. Environmental IgE, and Myoglobin immunoassays. Clinical and In situ FT-IR study of thiophene adsorbed on the Science and Technology 46: 12648-54 Translational Medicine 1: 19.1-.7 surface of sulfided Mo catalysts. Fuel 92: 77-83 Li L, Guo Z, Du A, Liu H. 2012. Rapid microwave- Mohd Hidzir N, Hill DJT, Martin D, Grondahl Liu H, Du X, Xing X, Wang G, Qiao SZ. 2012. assisted synthesis of Mn3O4-graphene L. 2012. Radiation-induced grafting of acrylic Highly ordered mesoporous Cr2O3 materials nanocomposite and its lithium storage properties. acid onto expanded poly(tetrafluoroethylene) with enhanced performance for gas sensors and Journal of Materials Chemistry 22: 3600-5 membranes. Polymer 53: 6063-71 lithium ion batteries. Chemical Communications Li P, Xu ZP, Hampton MA, Vu DT, Huang L, 48: 865-7 Mondal S, Martin D. 2012. Hydrolytic degradation Rudolph V, Nguyen AV. 2012. Control preparation of segmented polyurethane copolymers for Liu H, Su D, Wang G, Qiao SZ. 2012. An ordered of zinc hydroxide nitrate nanocrystals and biomedical applications. Polymer Degradation mesoporous WS2 anode material with superior examination of the chemical and structural stability. and Stability 97: 1553-61 electrochemical performance for lithium ion batteries. Journal of Physical Chemistry C: Nanomaterials, Journal of Materials Chemistry 22: 17437-40 Mondal S, Memmott P, Martin D. 2012. Interfaces and Hard Matter 116: 10325-32 Preparation and characterization of polyurethanes Liu H, Su D, Zhou R, Sun B, Wang G, Qiao SZ. Li Z, Du AJ, Sun Q, Aljada M, Zhu ZH, Lu from spinifex resin based bio-polymer. Journal of 2012. Highly ordered mesoporous MOS2 with GQ. 2012. Field-effect transistors fabricated Polymers and the Environment 20: 326-34 expanded spacing of the (002) crystal plane for from diluted magnetic semiconductor colloidal ultrafast lithium ion storage. Advanced Energy Mondal S, Memmott P, Wallis L, Martin D. 2012. nanowires. Nanoscale 4: 1263-6 Materials 2: 970-5 Physico-thermal properties of spinifex resin bio- Li Z, Sun Q, Yao XD, Zhu ZH, Lu GQ. 2012. polymer. Materials Chemistry and Physics 133: 692-9 Liu J, Luo J, Zhou J, Liu Q, Qian G, Xu ZP. Semiconductor nanowires for thermoelectrics. 2012. Inhibitory effect of high-strength ammonia Monteiro MJ, Cunningham MF. 2012. Polymer Journal of Materials Chemistry 22: 22821-31 nitrogen on bio-treatment of landfill leachate using nanoparticles via living radical polymerization in Li Z, Yi PW, Sun Q, Lei H, Zhao HL, Zhu ZH, Smith EGSB reactor under mesophilic and atmospheric aqueous dispersions: Design and applications. SC, Lan MB, Lu GQ. 2012. Ultrasmall water- conditions. Bioresource Technology 113: 239-43 Macromolecules 45: 4939-57 soluble and biocompatible magnetic iron oxide Liu J, Wang B, Hartono SB, Liu T, Kantharidis P, Mori T, Ou DR, Zou J, Drennan J. 2012. Present nanoparticles as positive and negative dual contrast Middelberg APJ, Lu GQ, He L, Qiao SZ. 2012. status and future prospect of design of Pt-cerium agents. Advanced Functional Materials 22: 2387-93 Magnetic silica spheres with large nanopores oxide electrodes for fuel cell applications. Li Z-P, Mori T, Auchterlonie GJ, Zou J, Drennan J. for nucleic acid adsorption and cellular uptake. Progress in Natural Science: Materials 2012. Nanodomain formation and distribution in Gd- Biomaterials 33: 970-8 International 22: 561-71 doped ceria. Materials Research Bulletin 47: 763-7 Liu J, Yang HQ, Kleitz F, Chen ZG, Yang T, Strounina Muller DA, Corrie SR, Coffey J, Young Li Z-P, Mori T, Auchterlonie GJ, Zou J, Drennan E, Lu GQ, Qiao SZ. 2012. Yolk-shell hybrid materials PR, Kendall MA. 2012. Surface modified J. 2012. Incubational domain characterization with a periodic mesoporous organosilica shell: microprojection arrays for the selective extraction in lightly doped ceria. Journal of Solid State Ideal nanoreactors for selective alcohol oxidation. of the dengue virus NS1 protein as a marker for Chemistry 192: 28-33 Advanced Functional Materials 22: 591-9 disease. Analytical Chemistry 84: 3262-8

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Munnemann K, Kolzer M, Blakey I, Whittaker AK, Paterson SM, Brown DH, Shaw JA, Chirila TV, Praxedes-Neto OJ, Dutra Borges BC, Florencio- Thurecht KJ. 2012. Hyperbranched polymers Baker MV. 2012. Synthesis of poly(2-hydroxyethyl Filho C, Rodrigues Farias AC, Drennan J, De Lima for molecular imaging: Designing polymers methacrylate) sponges via activators regenerated by KC. 2012. In vivo remineralization of acid-etched for parahydrogen induced polarisation (PHIP). electron-transfer atom-transfer radical polymerization. enamel in non-brushing areas as influenced by Chemical Communications 48: 1583-5 Australian Journal of Chemistry 65: 931-4 fluoridated orthodontic adhesive and toothpaste. Microscopy Research and Technique 75: 910-6 Nayler S, Gatei M, Kozlov S, Gatti R, Mar JC, Paterson SM, Shadforth AMA, Brown DH, Wells CA, Lavin M, Wolvetang E. 2012. Induced Madden PW, Chirila TV, Baker MV. 2012. The Prow TW, Monteiro-Riviere NA, Inman AO, Grice Pluripotent Stem Cells from Ataxia-Telangiectasia synthesis and degradation of collagenase- JE, Chen X, Zhao X, Sanchez WH, Gierden A, Recapitulate the Cellular Phenotype. Stem Cells degradable poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)- Kendall MAF, Zvyagin AV, Erdmann D, Rivierer JE, Translational Medicine 1: 523-35 based hydrogels and sponges for potential Roberts MS. 2012. Quantum dot penetration into applications as scaffolds in tissue engineering. viable human skin. Nanotoxicology 6: 173-85 Neave MJ, Streten-Joyce C, Nouwens AS, Glasby Materials Science and Engineering C: Materials CJ, McGuinness KA, Parry DL, Gibb KS. 2012. Prowse ABJ, Chong F, Elliott DA, Elefanty AG, for Biological Applications 32: 2536-44 The transcriptome and proteome are altered in Stanley EG, Gray PP, Munro TP, Osborne GW. marine polychaetes (Annelida) exposed to elevated Pelekanos RA, Li J, Gongora M, Chandrakanthan 2012. Analysis of Mitochondrial Function and metal levels. Journal of Proteomics 75: 2721-35 V, Scown J, Suhaimi N, Brooke G, Christensen Localisation during Human Embryonic Stem Cell ME, Doan T, Rice AM, Osborne GW, Grimmond Differentiation In Vitro. PLoS One 7: e52214- Ng H-I, Fernando GJP, Kendall MAF. 2012. SM, Harvey RP, Atkinson K, Little MH. 1-e-10 Induction of potent CD8(+) T cell responses 2012. Comprehensive transcriptome and through the delivery of subunit protein vaccines Punyadeera C. 2012. Human saliva as a tool immunophenotype analysis of renal and cardiac to skin antigen-presenting cells using densely to investigate intimate partner violence. Brain MSC-like populations supports strong congruence packed microprojection arrays. Journal of Behavior and Immunity 26: 541-2 with bone marrow MSC despite maintenance of Controlled Release 162: 477-84 distinct identities. Stem Cell Research 8: 58-73 Qian G, Feng L, Zhou JZ, Xu Y, Liu J, Zhang J, Nguyen NH, Levere ME, Kulis J, Monteiro Xu ZP. 2012. Solubility product (Ksp)-controlled Peng H, Thurecht KJ, Blakey I, Taran E, Whittaker MJ, Percec V. 2012. Analysis of the Cu(0)- removal of chromate and phosphate by AK. 2012. Effect of solvent quality on the solution catalyzed polymerization of methyl acrylate in hydrocalumite. Chemical Engineering Journal properties of assemblies of partially fluorinated disproportionating and nondisproportionating 181-182: 251-8 amphiphilic diblock copolymers. Macromolecules solvents. Macromolecules 45: 4606-22 45: 8681-90 Qian K, Gu W, Yuan P, Liu F, Wang Y, Monteiro Nguyen Q, Palfreyman RW, Chan LCL, Reid S, M, Yu C. 2012. Enrichment and detection of Peng Y, Ben T, Jia Y, Yang D, Zhao H, Qiu S, Yao X. Nielsen LK. 2012. Transcriptome sequencing of peptides from biological systems using designed 2012. Dehydrogenation of ammonia borane confined and microarray development for a Helicoverpa zea periodic mesoporous organosilica microspheres. by low-density porous aromatic framework. cell line to investigate in vitro insect cell-baculovirus Small 8: 231-6 Journal of Physical Chemistry C 116: 25694-700 interactions. PLoS One 7: e36324.1-e.15 Raja PK, Chokkalingam A, Priya SV, Pennisi DJ, Kinna G, Chiu HS, Simmons DG, Nguyen TAH, Nguyen AV, Hampton MA, Xu Balasubramanian VV, Benziger MR, Aldeyab Wilkinson L, Little MH. 2012. Crim1 has an ZP, Huang L, Rudolph V. 2012. Theoretical and SS, Jayavel R, Ariga K, Vinu A. 2012. Highly essential role in glycogen trophoblast cell and experimental analysis of droplet evaporation on solid basic CaO nanoparticles in mesoporous carbon sinusoidal-trophoblast giant cell development in surfaces. Chemical Engineering Science 69: 522-9 materials and their excellent catalytic activity. the placenta. Placenta 33: 175-82 Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 12: Nikolic M, Gauthier E, George K, Cash G, de Petekanos RA, Li J, Gongora M, Chandrakanthan 4613-20 Jonge MD, Howard DL, Paterson D, Laycock B, V, Scown J, Suhaimi N, Brooke G, Christensen Halley PJ, George G. 2012. Antagonism between Raja PK, Chokkalingam A, Priya SV, Wahab MA, ME, Doan T, Rice AM, Osborne GW, transition metal pro-oxidants in polyethylene films. Dhawale DS, Lawrence G, Ariga K, Jayavell R, Grimmond SM, Harvey RP, Atkinson K, Little Polymer Degradation and Stability 97: 1178-88 Vinu A. 2012. Mesoporous carbon encapsulated MH. 2012. Comprehensive transcriptome with SrO nanoparticles for the transesterification Niu Y, Popat A, Yu M, Karmakar S, Gu W, Yu C. and immunophenotype analysis of renal and of ethyl acetoacetate. Journal of Nanoscience 2012. Recent advance in silica-based engineered cardiac MSC-like populations supports strong and Nanotechnology 12: 8467-74 nanoparticles for gene therapy. Therapeutic congruence with bone marrow MSC despite Delivery 3: 1217-37 maintenance of distinct identities. Stem Cell Rauf S, Shiddiky MJA, Asthana A, Dimitrov Research 8(1): 58-73 K. 2012. Fabrication and characterization of O’Neill BP, Purnell MP, Anderson DJ, Nielsen gold nanohole electrode arrays. Sensors and LK, Brumbley SM. 2012. Sucrose mobilisation in Petrasovits LA, Zhao L, McQualter RB, Snell KD, Actuators B: Chemical 173: 491-6 sugarcane stalk induced by heterotrophic axillary Somleva MN, Patterson NA, Nielsen LK, Brumbley bud growth. Tropical Plant Biology 5: 173-82 SM. 2012. Enhanced polyhydroxybutyrate Roberts GS, Yu S, Zeng Q, Chan LCL, production in transgenic sugarcane. Plant Anderson W, Colby AH, Grinstaff MW, Reid S, O’Neill BP, Purnell MP, Nielsen LK, Brumbley SM. Biotechnology Journal 10: 569-78 Vogel R. 2012. Tunable pores for measuring 2012. RNAi-mediated abrogation of trehalase concentrations of synthetic and biological expression does not affect trehalase activity in Pettigrew JD, Bell KL, Bhagwandin A, Grinan E, nanoparticle dispersions. Biosensors and sugarcane. SpringerPlus 1: 74:1-:6 Jillani N, Meyer J, Wabuyele E, Vickers CE. 2012. Bioelectronics 31: 17-25 Morphology, ploidy and molecular phylogenetics Osman AF, Andriani Y, Edwards GA, Schiller TL, reveal a new diploid species from Africa in Rondeau E, Cooper-White JJ. 2012. Formation Jack KS, Morrow IC, Halley PJ, Martin DJ. 2012. the baobab genus Adansonia (Malvaceae: of multilayered biopolymer microcapsules and Engineered nanofillers: impact on the morphology Bombacoideae). Taxon 61: 1240-50 microparticles in a multiphase microfluidic flow. and properties of biomedical thermoplastic Biomicrofluidics 6: 024125.1-.16 polyurethane nanocomposites. RSC Advances Pfrunder MC, Micallef AS, Rintoul L, Arnold 2: 9151-64 DP, Davy KJP, McMurtrie J. 2012. Exploitation Sacarescu G, Taran E, Donose BC, Simionescu of the Menshutkin reaction for the controlled M, Harabagiu V, Sacarescu L. 2012. Surface- Osman AF, Edwards GA, Schiller TL, Andriani Y, assembly of halogen bonded architectures enhanced fluorescence of in situ synthesized Jack KS, Morrow IC, Halley PJ, Martin DJ. 2012. incorporating 1,2-diiodotetrafluorobenzene and polysilanesilver nanoparticles. Polymer Structure-property relationships in biomedical 1,3,5-triiodotrifluorobenzene. Crystal Growth and International 61: 1726-32 thermoplastic polyurethane nanocomposites. Design 12: 714-24 Macromolecules 45: 198-210 Samiee L, Beitollahi A, Vinu A. 2012. Effect of Popat A, Liu J, Hu Q, Kennedy M, Peters B, Lu calcination atmosphere on the structure and Osmond G, Boon JJ, Puskar L, Drennan J. 2012. GQ, Qiao SZ. 2012. Adsorption and release of photocatalytic properties of titania mesoporous Metal stearate distributions in modern artists’ oil biocides with mesoporous silica nanoparticles. powder. Research on Chemical Intermediates paints: surface and cross-sectional investigation Nanoscale 4: 970-5 38: 1467-82 of reference paint films using conventional and synchrotron infrared microspectroscopy. Applied Popat A, Liu J, Lu GQ, Qiao SZ. 2012. A Schulz BL, Cooper-White J, Punyadeera Spectroscopy 66: 1136-44 pH-responsive drug delivery system based on CK. 2012. Saliva proteome research: current chitosan coated mesoporous silica nanoparticles. status and future outlook. Critical Reviews in Ovchinnikov DA, Cooper MA, Pandit P, Coman Journal of Materials Chemistry 22: 11173-8 Biotechnology: doi:10.3109/07388551.2012. WB, Cooper-White JJ, Keith P, Wolvetang 687361 EJ, Slowey PD, Punyadeera C. 2012. Tumor- Popat A, Ross BP, Liu J, Jambhrunkar S, suppressor gene promoter hypermethylation Kleitz F, Qiao SZ. 2012. Enzyme-responsive Seger B, Lu GQ, Wang L. 2012. Electrical power in saliva of head and neck cancer patients. controlled release of covalently bound prodrug and hydrogen production from a photo-fuel Translational Oncology 5: 321-6 from functional mesoporous silica nanospheres. cell using formic acid and other single-carbon Angewandte Chemie International 51: 12486-9 organics. Journal of Materials Chemistry 22: Ozawa K, Nakao Y, Mochiku T, Cheng Z, Wang 10709-15 L, Iwai H, Tsuchiya Y, Fujii H, Igawa N. 2012. Postnova I, Bezverbny A, Golik S, Kulchin Y, Li Electrochemical characteristics of layered Li(1.95) H, Wang J, Kim I, Ha C-S, Shchipunov Y. 2012. Shadforth AMA, George KA, Kwan AS, Chirila TV, Mn(0.9)Co(0.15)O(3) (C2/m) as a lithium-battery Tailored hybrid hyperbranched polyglycidol-silica Harkin DG. 2012. The cultivation of human retinal cathode. Journal of Electrochemical Society 159: nanocomposites with high third-order nonlinearity. pigment epithelial cells on Bombyx mori silk A300-A4 International Nano Letters 2: 13.1-.4 fibroin. Biomaterials 33: 4110-7

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 111 Shen Q, Li L, He C, Zhang X, Hao Z, Xu Z. 2012. Sun T, Liu J, Jia Y, Wang H, Sun D, Zhu M, Yao Truong V, Blakey I, Whittaker AK. 2012. Cobalt zeolites: preparation, characterization and X. 2012. Confined LiBH4: enabling fast hydrogen Hydrophilic and amphiphilic polyethylene glycol- catalytic properties for N2O decomposition. Asia- release at ~100 °C. International Journal of based hydrogels with tunable degradability Pacific Journal of Chemical Engineering 7: 502-9 Hydrogen Energy 37: 18920-6 prepared by “click” chemistry. Biomacromolecules 13: 4012-21 Shen S, Gu T, Mao D, Xiao X, Yuan P, Yu M, Xia Sun Z, Kim JH, Liao T, Zhao Y, Bijarbooneh L, Ji Q, Meng L, Song W, Yu C, Lu G. 2012. F, Malgras V, Dou SX. 2012. Continually Utrilla J, Licona-Cassani C, Marcellin E, Gosset Synthesis of nonspherical mesoporous silica adjustable oriented 1D TiO2 nanostructure G, Nielsen LK, Martinez A. 2012. Engineering and ellipsoids with tunable aspect ratios for magnetic arrays with controlled growth of morphology and adaptive evolution of Escherichia coli for D-lactate assisted assembly and gene delivery. Chemistry their application in dye-sensitized solar cells. fermentation reveals GatC as a xylose transporter. of Materials 24: 230-5 CrystEngComm 14: 5472-8 Metabolic Engineering 14: 469-76 Shi J-w, Yan X, Cui H-J, Zong X, Fu M-L, Chen Talaei Z, Reid JC, Searles DJ. 2012. A local Valade D, Jeon Y, Kessel S, Monteiro MJ. 2012. S, Wang L. 2012. Low-temperature synthesis of dissipation theorem. Journal of Chemical Physics Influence of the Z-group on the RAFT-mediated CdS/TiO2 composite photocatalysts: Influence 137: 214110.1-.5 polymerizations in nanoreactors. Journal of Polymer of synthetic procedure on photocatalytic activity Science Part A-Polymer Chemistry 50: 4762-71 Talapaneni SN, Anandan S, Mane GP, Anand C, under visible light. Journal of Molecular Catalysis Dhawale DS, Varghese S, Mano A, Mori T, Vinu Vaquette C, Cooper-White J. 2012. The use of A: Chemical 356: 53-60 A. 2012. Facile synthesis and basic catalytic an electrostatic lens to enhance the efficiency Shi J-W, Zong X, Wu X, Cui H-J, Xu B, Wang application of 3D mesoporous carbon nitride with of the electrospinning process. Cell and Tissue L, Fu M-L. 2012. Carbon-doped titania hollow a controllable bimodal distribution. Journal of Research 347: 815-26 spheres with tunable hierarchical macroporous Materials Chemistry 22: 9831-40 Varghese S, Anand C, Dhawale D, Mano A, channels and enhanced visible light-induced Talapaneni SN, Mane GP, Mano A, Anand C, Balasubramanian VV, Raj GAG, Nagarajan S, Wahab photocatalytic activity. Chemcatchem 4: 488-91 Dhawale DS, Mori T, Vinu A. 2012. Synthesis MA, Vinu A. 2012. Mesoporous and hexagonally Shiddiky MJA, Kithva PH, Kozak D, Trau M. 2012. of nitrogen-rich mesoporous carbon nitride ordered CuAl-SBA-15-catalyzed tandem C-C and An electrochemical immunosensor to minimize with tunable pores, band gaps and nitrogen C-O bond formation between phenols and allylic the nonspecific adsorption and to improve content from a single aminoguanidine precursor. alcohols. Tetrahedron Letters 53: 5656-9 sensitivity of protein assays in human serum. ChemSusChem 5: 700-8 Varghese S, Nagarajan S, Benzigar MR, Mano Biosensors and Bioelectronics 38: 132-7 Tan JH, McMillan NAJ, Payne E, Alexander A, Alothman ZA, Raj GAG, Vinu A. 2012. 3D Shiddiky MJA, Kithva PH, Rauf S, Trau M. 2012. C, Heath F, Whittaker AK, Thurecht KJ. 2012. Nanoporous FeAl-KIT-5 with a cage type pore Femtomolar detection of a cancer biomarker Hyperbranched polymers as delivery vectors for structure: a highly efficient and stable catalyst protein in serum with ultralow background current oligonucleotides. Journal of Polymer Science Part for hydroarylation of styrene and arylacetylenes. by anodic stripping voltammetry. Chemical A: Polymer Chemistry 50: 2585-95 Tetrahedron Letters 53: 1485-9 Communications 48: 6411-3 Tan X, Li Z, Sun Q, Li P, Wang W. 2012. Vickers CE, Klein-Marcuschamer D, Kromer JO. Shiddiky MJA, Rauf S, Kithva PH, Trau M. 2012. Theoretical study on the mechanism of the 2012. Examining the feasibility of bulk commodity Graphene/quantum dot bionanoconjugates addition reaction between cyclopropenylidene production in Escherichia coli. Biotechnology as signal amplifiers in stripping voltammetric and formaldehyde. Bulletin of the Korean Letters 34: 585-96 detection of EpCAM biomarkers. Biosensors and Chemical Society 33: 1934-8 Vijayan D, Radford KJ, Beckhouse AG, Ashman Bioelectronics 35: 251-7 Tan X, Li Z, Sun Q, Li P, Wang W, Wang G. 2012. RB, Wells CA. 2012. Mincle polarizes human Shrotri A, Tanksale A, Beltramini JN, Gurav H, A theoretical study on the mechanism of the monocyte and neutrophil responses to Candida Chilukuri SV. 2012. Conversion of cellulose to addition reaction between cyclopropenylidene albicans. Immunology and Cell Biology 90: 889-95 polyols over promoted nickel catalysts. Catalysis and ethylene. Journal of the Chilean Chemical Vitale AM, Matigian NA, Ravishankar S, Bellette B, Science and Technology 2: 1852-8 Society 57: 1174-7 Wood SA, Wolvetang EJ, Mackay-Sim A. 2012. Sin D, Fitzpatrick J, Luckman P, Wolvetang Thomson DAC, Tee EHL, Tran NTD, Monteiro MJ, Variability in the Generation of Induced Pluripotent EJ, Cooper-White JJ. 2012. Fabrication of Cooper MA. 2012. Oligonucleotide and polymer Stem Cells: Importance for Disease Modeling. nanopatterned, porous microspheres using a glass functionalized nanoparticles for amplification- Stem Cells Translational Medicine 1: 641-50 capillary microfluidic device. Soft Matter 8: 10712-8 free detection of DNA. Biomacromolecules 13: Vogel R, Anderson W, Eldridge J, Glossop B, 1981-9 Song J-G, Song X, Ling T, Du X-W, Qiao SZ. Willmott G. 2012. A variable pressure method for 2012. Enhancing the conversion efficiency of Thurecht KJ. 2012. Polymers as probes for characterizing nanoparticle surface charge using semiconductor sensitized solar cells via the multimodal imaging with MRI. Macromolecular pore sensors. Analytical Chemistry 84: 3125-31 cosensitization of dual-sized quantum dots. Chemistry and Physics 213: 2567-72 Wahab MA, Chu SW, Anand C, Ha C-S. 2012. Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research Timmins NE, Kiel M, Gunther M, Heazlewood Synthesis and characterization of multifunctional 51: 10074-8 C, Doran MR, Brooke G, Atkinson K. 2012. periodic mesoporous organosilica from Sterk L, Gorka J, Vinu A, Jaroniec M. 2012. Closed system isolation and scalable expansion diureidophenylene bridged organosilica precursor. Soft-templating synthesis of ordered mesoporous of human placental mesenchymal stem cells. Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology carbons in the presence of tetraethyl orthosilicate Biotechnology and Bioengineering 109: 1817-26 12: 4531-9 and silver salt. Microporous and Mesoporous Titmarsh DM, Hudson JE, Hidalgo A, Elefanty Wahab MA, Zhao H, Yao XD. 2012. Nano- Materials 156: 121-6 AG, Stanley EG, Wolvetang EJ, Cooper-White confined ammonia borane for chemical hydrogen Styan KE, Martin DJ, Simmons A, Poole-Warren JJ. 2012. Microbioreactor arrays for full factorial storage. Frontiers of Chemical Science and LA. 2012. In vivo biostability of polyurethane- screening of exogenous and paracrine factors in Engineering 6: 27-33 organosilicate nanocomposites. Acta human embryonic stem cell differentiation. PLoS Wan L, Zhang C, Xing Y, Li Z, Xing N, Wan L, Biomaterialia 8: 2243-53 One 7: e52405.1-e.12 Shan H. 2012. Neutral mononuclear, dinuclear, Sugi Y, Kamiya M, Tamada H, Kobayashi Tnimov Z, Guo Z, Gambin Y, Nguyen UTT, Wu tetranuclear d(7)/d(10) metal complexes N, Toyama I, Tawada S, Komura K, Kubota Y-W, Abankwa D, Stigter A, Collins B, Waldmann containing bis-pyrazole/pyridine ligands Y, Chokkalingam A, Vinu A. 2012. The H, Goody R, S., Alexandrov K. 2012. Quantitative supported by 2,6-bis(3-pyrazolyl)pyridine: isopropylation of diphenyl ether over H-mordenite analysis of prenylated RhoA interaction with synthesis, structure, spectra, and catalytic activity. catalysts. Journal of Molecular Catalysis A: its chaperone, RhoGDI. Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry 51: 6517-28 Chemical 355: 113-22 Chemistry 287: 26549-62 Wang DK, Hill DJT, Rasoul FA, Whittaker AK. Sun C, Liao T, Lu GQ, Smith SC. 2012. The role Tong DS, Liu M, Li L, Lin CX, Yu WH, Xu ZP, Zhou 2012. Synthesis of a new hyperbranched, vinyl of atomic vacancy on water dissociation over CH. 2012. Transformation of alunite residuals macromonomer through the use of click chemistry: titanium dioxide nanosheet: a density functional into layered double hydroxides and oxides for Synthesis and characterization of copolymer theory study. Journal of Physical Chemistry C adsorption of acid red G dye. Applied Clay hydrogels with PEG diacrylate. Journal of Polymer 116: 2477-82 Science 70: 1-7 Science Part A: Polymer Chemistry 50: 1143-57 Sun C, Searles DJ. 2012. Lithium storage on Topkas E, Keith P, Dimeski G, Cooper-White Wang DK, Rasoul F, Hill DJT, Hanson GR, Noble graphdiyne predicted by DFT calculations. J, Punyadeera C. 2012. Evaluation of saliva CJ, Whittaker AK. 2012. The role of residual Cu(II) Journal of Physical Chemistry C 116: 26222-6 collection devices for the analysis of proteins. from click-chemistry in the catalyzed hydrolysis of Clinica Chimica Acta 413: 1066-70 Boltorn polyester-based hydrogels. Soft Matter Sun C, Smith SC. 2012. Strong interaction 8: 435-45 between gold and anatase TiO2(001) predicted Tran TTB, Dietmair S, Chan LCL, Huynh HT, by first principle studies. Journal of Physical Nielsen LK, Reid S. 2012. Development of Wang DK, Varanasi S, Hill DJT, Rasoul F, Symons Chemistry C 116: 3524-31 quenching and washing protocols for quantitative AL, Whittaker AK. 2012. The influence of intracellular metabolite analysis of uninfected and composition on the physical properties of PLA- Sun Q, Li Z, Du A, Chen J, Zhu Z, Smith SC. baculovirus-infected insect cells. Methods 56: PEG-PLAco-Boltorn based polyester hydrogels 2012. Theoretical study of two states reactivity of 396-407 and their biological performance. Journal of methane activation on iron atom and iron dimer. Materials Chemistry 22: 6994-7004 Fuel 96: 291-7

112 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Publications

Wang D-W, Du A, Taran E, Lu GQ, Gentle IR. Xing J, Fang WQ, Li Z, Yang HG. 2012. TiO2- Zhang J, Xu Y, Li W, Zhou J, Zhao J, Qian G, 2012. A water-dielectric capacitor using hydrated coated ultrathin SnO2 nanosheets used as Xu ZP. 2012. Enhanced remediation of Cr(VI)- graphene oxide film. Journal of Materials photoanodes for dye-sensitized solar cells contaminated soil by incorporating a calcined- Chemistry 22: 21085-91 with high efficiency. Industrial and Engineering hydrotalcite-based permeable reactive barrier with Chemistry Research 51: 4247-53 electrokinetics. Journal of Hazardous Materials Wang D-W, Li F, Yin L, Lu X, Chen Z-G, Gentle 239-240: 128-34 IR, Lu GQ, Cheng H-M. 2012. Nitrogen-doped Yan PF, Mori T, Suzuki A, Wu YY, Auchterlonie carbon monolith for alkaline supercapacitors and GJ, Zou J, Drennan J. 2012. Grain boundary’s Zhang P, Qian G, Xu ZP, Shi H, Ruan X, Yang understanding nitrogen-induced redox transitions. conductivity in heavily yttrium doped ceria. Solid J, Frost RL. 2012. Effective adsorption of Chemistry - A European Journal 18: 5345-51 State Ionics 222-223: 31-7 sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) by hydrocalumite (CaAl-LDH-Cl) induced by self-dissolution and re- Wang D-W, Wu K-H, Gentle IR, Lu GQ. 2012. Yan X, Zong X, Lu GQ, Wang L. 2012. Ordered precipitation mechanism. Journal of Colloid and Anodic chlorine/nitrogen co-doping of reduced mesoporous tungsten oxide and titanium oxide Interface Science 367: 264-71 graphene oxide films at room temperature. composites and their photocatalytic degradation Carbon 50: 3333-41 behavior. Progress in Natural Science: Materials Zhang Y, Huang R, Zhu X, Wang L, Wu C. 2012. International 22: 655-61 Synthesis, properties, and optical applications of Wang D-W, Zhou G, Li F, Wu K-H, Lu GQ, noble metal nanoparticle-biomolecule conjugates. Cheng H-M, Gentle IR. 2012. A microporous– Yang J, Yuan P, Chen H-Y, Zou J, Yuan Z, Chinese Science Bulletin 57: 238-46 mesoporous carbon with graphitic structure for Yu C. 2012. Rationally designed functional a high-rate stable sulfur cathode in carbonate macroporous materials as new adsorbents for Zhang Y, Xu Y, Zhang S, Zhang Y, Xu Z. 2012. solvent-based Li–S batteries. Physical Chemistry efficient phosphorus removal. Journal of Materials Study on a novel composite membrane for Chemical Physics 14: 8703-10 Chemistry 22: 9983-90 treatment of sewage containing oil. Desalination 299: 63-9 Wang J, Meng G, Tao K, Feng M, Zhao X, Li Z, Xu Yang Z, Taran E, Webb TI, Lynch JW. 2012. H, Xia D, Lu JR. 2012. Immobilization of Lipases Stoichiometry and subunit arrangement of alpha Zhao C-X, Rondeau E, Cooper-White JJ, on Alkyl Silane Modified Magnetic Nanoparticles: 1 beta glycine receptors as determined by atomic Middelberg APJ. 2012. Microfluidic elucidation Effect of Alkyl Chain Length on Enzyme Activity. force microscopy. Biochemistry 51: 5229-31 of the effects of interfacial rheology on droplet PLoS One 7(8): e43478 deformation. Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Yee B, Sagulenko E, Morgan GP, Webb RI, Fuerst Research 51: 2021-9 Wang W, Li Z, Sun Q, Du A, Li Y, Wang J, Bi S, Li JA. 2012. Electron tomography of the nucleoid P. 2012. Insights into the nature of the coupling of Gemmata obscuriglobus reveals complex Zhao C-X, Yu L, Middelberg APJ. 2012. Design interactions between uracil corrosion inhibitors liquid crystalline cholesteric structure. Frontiers in of low-charge peptide sequences for high-yield and copper: A DFT and molecular dynamics Microbiology 3: 326.1-.8 formation of titania nanoparticles. RSC Advances study. Corrosion Science 61: 101-10 2: 1292-5 Yogamalar R, Venkateswaran PS, Benzigar MR, Wang X, Liu G, Wang L, Chen Z-G, Lu GQ, Ariga K, Vinu A, Bose AC. 2012. Dopant induced Zheng H, Wang J, Jia Y, Ma Ca. 2012. In-situ Cheng H-M. 2012. ZnO-CdS@Cd heterostructure bandgap narrowing in Y-doped zinc oxide synthetize multi-walled carbon nanotubes@ for effective photocatalytic hydrogen generation. nanostructures. Journal of Nanoscience and MnO2 nanoflake core–shell structured materials Advanced Energy Materials 2: 42-6 Nanotechnology 12: 75-83 for supercapacitors. Journal of Power Sources 216: 508-14 Wang X-Y, Li Z, Sun Q, Bai F-Y, Xing Y-H. 2012. Yu H, Bai Y, Zong X, Tang F, Lu GQM, Wang L. Synthesis, structure and spectrum study of copper 2012. Cubic CeO2 nanoparticles as mirror-like Zheng Y, Liu J, Liang J, Jaroniec M, Qiao and silver complexes of pyrazole derivative. scattering layers for efficient light harvesting SZ. 2012. Graphitic carbon nitride materials: Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry 28: 483-90 in dye-sensitized solar cells. Chemical Controllable synthesis and applications in Communications 48: 7386-8 fuel cells and photocatalysis. Energy and Wang X-Y, Xing N, Song G, Li Z, Bai F-Y, Xing Environmental Science 5: 6717-31 Y-H. 2012. Syntheses, structures and spectra Yu M, Zhou L, Zhang J, Yuan P, Thorn P, Gu studies of like-scorpionate copper complexes. W, Yu C. 2012. A simple approach to prepare Zheng Y, Ran R, Qiao SZ, Shao Z. 2012. Study Gaodeng Xuexiao Huaxue Xuebao 33: 1143-50 monodisperse mesoporous silica nanospheres on oxygen activation and methane oxidation over with adjustable sizes. Journal of Colloid and La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 electrode in single-chamber Wee EJH, Shiddiky MJA, Brown MA, Trau M. Interface Science 376: 67-75 solid oxide fuel cells via an electrochemical 2012. eLCR: electrochemical detection of single approach. International Journal of Hydrogen DNA base changes via ligase chain reaction. Yu S, Ahmadi S, Sun C, Adibi PT, Chow W, Energy 37: 4328-38 Chemical Communications 48: 1214-6 Pietzsch A, Gothelid M. 2012. Inhomogeneous charge transfer within monolayer zinc Zheng Y, Thurecht KJ, Chen X, Roberts CJ, Whitworth DJ, Ovchinnikov DA, Wolvetang EJ. phthalocyanine absorbed on TiO2(110). The Irvine DJ, Howdle SM, Wang W. 2012. In situ 2012. Generation and characterization of LIF- Journal of Chemical Physics 136: 154703.1-.9 formation of crosslinked core-corona polymeric dependent canine induced pluripotent stem cells nanoparticles from a novel hyperbranched core. from adult dermal fibroblasts. Stem Cells and Yuan P, Yang J, Bao X, Zhao D, Zou J, Yu C. Polymer Chemistry 3: 2807-14 Development 21: 2288-97 2012. Highly ordered cubic mesoporous materials with the same symmetry but tunable pore Zhou G, Wang D-W, Hou P-X, Li W, Li N, Liu Wibowo N, Chuan YP, Lua LHL, Middelberg structures. Langmuir 28: 16382-92 C, Li F, Cheng H-M. 2012. A nanosized Fe2O3 APJ. 2012. Modular engineering of a microbially- decorated single-walled carbon nanotube produced viral capsomere vaccine for influenza. Yun J-H, Wong RJ, Ng YH, Du A, Amal R. 2012. membrane as a high-performance flexible anode Chemical Engineering Science: In press Combined electrophoretic deposition-anodization for lithium ion batteries. Journal of Materials method to fabricate reduced graphene oxide- Wong Y, Cooper HM, Zhang K, Chen M, Bartlett Chemistry 22: 17942-6 TiO2 nanotube films. RSC Advances 2: 8164-71 P, Xu ZP. 2012. Efficiency of layered double Zhou G, Wang D-W, Li F, Hou P-X, Yin L, Liu C, hydroxide nanoparticle-mediated delivery of siRNA Zanchet A, Gonzalez-Lezana T, Roncero O, Jorfi Lu GQ, Gentle IR, Cheng H-M. 2012. A flexible is determined by nucleotide sequence. Journal of M, Honvault P, Hankel M. 2012. An accurate nanostructured sulphur-carbon nanotube cathode Colloid and Interface Science 369: 453-9 study of the dynamics of the C plus OH reaction with high rate performance for Li-S batteries. on the second excited 1(4)A ‘’ potential energy Wu X, Liu J, Chen Z, Yang Q, Li C, Lu G, Energy and Environmental Science 5: 8901-6 surface. Journal of Chemical Physics 136: Wang L. 2012. Amino acid assisted synthesis 164309-1-9 Zhou G, Wang D-W, Shan X, Li N, Li F, of mesoporous TiO2 nanocrystals for high Cheng H-M. 2012. Hollow carbon cage with performance dye-sensitized solar cells. Journal of Zhang C, Zhu X, Li H, Khan I, Imran M, Wang L, nanocapsules of graphitic shell/nickel core as an Materials Chemistry 22: 10438-40 Bao J, Cheng X. 2012. Controllable fabrication anode material for high rate lithium ion batteries. of PS/Ag core-shell-shaped nanostructures. Wu X, Xing W, Zhang L, Zhuo S, Zhou J, Wang G, Journal of Materials Chemistry 22: 11252-6 Nanoscale Research Letters 7: 1-7 Qiao S. 2012. Nickel nanoparticles prepared by Zhou G, Wang D-W, Yin L-C, Li N, Li F, Cheng hydrazine hydrate reduction and their application Zhang H, Huang X, Li L, Zhang G, Hussain I, Li Z, H-M. 2012. Oxygen bridges between NiO in supercapacitor. Powder Technology 224: 162-7 Tan B. 2012. Photoreductive synthesis of water- nanosheets and graphene for improvement of soluble fluorescent metal nanoclusters. Chemical Wu Y, Yu Y, Zhou JZ, Liu J, Chi Y, Xu ZP, Qian lithium storage. ACS Nano 6: 3214-23 Communications 48: 567-9 G. 2012. Effective removal of pyrophosphate Zhu J, Wooh JW, Hou JJC, Hughes BS, Gray by Ca-Fe-LDH and its mechanism. Chemical Zhang H, Ouyang D, Murthy V, Wong Y, Xu Z, PP, Munro TP. 2012. Recombinant human Engineering Journal 179: 72-9 Smith SC. 2012. Hydrotalcite intercalated siRNA: albumin supports single cell cloning of CHO computational characterization of the interlayer Xie F, Halley PJ, Avérous L. 2012. Rheology to cells in chemically defined media. Biotechnology environment. Pharmaceutics 4: 296-313 understand and optimize processibility, structures Progress 28: 887-91 and properties of starch polymeric materials. Zhang H, Sun Q, Li Z, Nanbu S, Smith SS. 2012. Zhu Y, Li Z, Chen M, Cooper HM, Lu GQ, Xu ZP. Progress In Polymer Science 37: 595-623 First principle study of proton transfer in the 2012. Synthesis of robust sandwich-like SiO2@ green fluorescent protein (GFP): Ab initio PES in Xie YP, Liu G, Lu GQ, Cheng H-M. 2012. Boron CdTe@SiO2 fluorescent nanoparticles for cellular a cluster model. Computational and Theoretical oxynitride nanoclusters on tungsten trioxide as a imaging. Chemistry of Materials 24: 421-3 Chemistry 990: 185-93 metal-free cocatalyst for photocatalytic oxygen evolution from water splitting. Nanoscale 4: 1267-70

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 113 Method of producing a population of Peptide networks. Anton Middelberg, Porous polymer structures. Justin post-mitotic cells of the neutrophil lineage. Annette Dexter. Australian patent granted Cooper-White, Yang Cao. US patent Lars Nielsen, Emma Palfreyman, Nicholas August 2012. granted July 2012. Timmins. US patent granted May 2012. Polymer composite. Darren Martin. Preparation of suspensions. Gaoqing Method of screening multiply transformed Canadian patent granted August 2012. Lu, Zhiping Xu. Chinese patent granted cells using bicistronic expression of January 2012. Japanese patent granted Porous polymer blend structures. fluorescent proteins. Peter Gray, Noelle- December 2012. Justin Cooper-White, Andrew Rowlands, Anne Sunstrom, Robert Gay. Australian Yang Cao. Australian patent granted patent granted August 2012. February 2012.

Patents granted in 2012

114 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Seminar Series 2012

22 February: Associate Professor Shuhei 14 May: Dr Lily Pan, Technology Director, Furukawa, Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Performance Materials and Technologies, Sciences, Kyoto University, Japan Honeywell Technology Solutions, China Title: Porous coordination polymer hybrids Title: Performance materials and technologies 23 February: Associate Professor Heather 18 May: Dr Annette Dexter, ARC Future Fellow and Maynard, Department of Chemistry and Associate Group Leader, AIBN; AffiliatedL ecturer, Biochemistry, University of California, US UQ School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences Title: From vault nanocapsules to multicomponent Title: Peptide hydrogels for biomedical applications protein nanoarrays for applications in biomedicine 23 May: Dr Martin Kirchner, KRÜSS 23 February: Professor Cheolmin Park, Title: Surface tension of solids and liquids: Associate Professor of Metallurgical System contact angles of solids and liquids Engineering, Yonsei University, South Korea 25 May: Dr Geoffrey Playford, Director, Infection Title: Organic electronics with self-assembled Management Services, Princess Alexandra carbon nanotube networks Hospital, Brisbane 23 February: Professor Eunkyoung Kim, Title: Hendra virus, an emerging threat to humans Department of Chemical and Biomolecular and horses Engineering, Yonsei University; Director, 6 June: Professor Oliver Rackham, Western Innovation Cluster for Bio-Fusion Industry based Australian Institute for Medical Research, the on Nanotechnology, South Korea University of Western Australia Title: Conjugated polymers for visible to near Title: Re-engineering cellular gene expression infrared photon energy conversion 7 June: Dr Krassen Dimitrov, Group Leader, AIBN 1 March: Dr Kouichi Hasegawa, Institute for Title: Farewell lecture Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, National Centre for Biological Sciences, India 8 June: Associate Professor Idriss Blakey and Title: Wnt-dependent and FGF/TGF -independent Dr Kris Thurecht, Associate Group Leaders, AIBN human pluripotent stem cell renewal Title: Advanced polymeric materials: from nanomedicine to lithography 9 March: Professor Peter Gray, Director, AIBN Title: AIBN and protein production – from analysis 15 June: Dr Alastair Hodges, Chief Scientist, of expression levels by a single mammalian cell, Universal Biosensors Pty Ltd to the biologics production plant of the future Title: Challenges in whole blood point of care assays: what it took to develop a more accurate 16 March: Bob Atwill, Executive, Allied glucose test Healthcare Group; CEO, Celxcel Title: Allied Healthcare Group 22 June: Dr Colin Scott, CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences 23 March: Professor Chris Greig, Director, Title: Biotechnology at CSIRO UQ Energy Initiative Title: The global energy context and implications 27 June: Professor Gordon Wallace, Intelligent for research strategy at UQ Polymer Research Institute, the University of Wollongong 30 March: Dr David Bull, CEO, BCS Innovations Title: Nanofabrication for organic bionics Title: BCS Innovations 29 June: Associate Professor Jeffrey P 20 April: Professor Matt Trau, Deputy Director Youngblood, School of Materials Engineering, (Nanotechnology), AIBN; Professor of Chemistry, Purdue University, Indiana, US UQ School of Chemistry and Molecular Title: Superficial science: polymer surface science Biosciences at Purdue Title: Biomarkers and nanotechnology: new approaches to preventative, personalised and ‘at 29 June: Professor Eva Harth, Department of home’ medicine Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, US Title: Targeted nanosponges as superior delivery 27 April: Professor Steven Orzack, Fresh Pond systems: practical synthesis and efficacy testing Research Institute, Cambridge Massachusetts, US; Visiting Fellow, Sydney Centre for the 6 July: Professor Alan Trounson, President, Foundations of Science California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, San Title: The demographic and genetic trajectory of Francisco, California, US the human sex ratio from conception to birth Title: Stem cells in biomedicine: new opportunities in human therapeutics 9 May: Dr Michael Koepke, Director of Synthetic Biology, LanzaTech, New Zealand 25 July: Dr Sandrine Henri, Centre Title: Synthetic biology d’Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Université de la Méditerranée, Marseille, France 11 May: Professor Leaf Huang, Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of 27 July: Dr Ykelien L Boersma, HFSP Fellow, Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, US CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering Title: Nanoparticle delivery of genes and drugs to Title: Targeting the EGF receptor: DARPins as tumour and liver potential anti-cancer therapeutics

2012 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 115 27 July: Professor Peter Zandstra, 23 October: Professor Krys Matyjaszewski, the University of Toronto, Canada Centre for Macromolecular Engineering, Carnegie Title: Informal Q&A discussions Mellon University, Pittsburgh, US Title: Solomon Lecture 31 July: Adjunct Professor Hongyu Chen, Fellow and Dow Asia Pacific Chief Scientist, 24 October: Associate Professor Linyun Zhao, Dow Chemical (China) Company Ltd Department of Engineering Physics, Title: Dow innovative solutions to energy challenges Tsinghua University, Beijing, China Title: Drug-loaded magnetic nanocomposite 6 August: Professor Shigero Okamoto, devices for cancer magnetic thermochemotherapy Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, 26 October: Professor Colin Raston, Winthrop Nagoya Institute of Technology, Japan Professor/Director, Centre for Strategic Nano- Title: Photonic crystals fabricated in semi-dilute Fabrication, the University of Western Australia solutions of ultra-high-molecular-weight block Title: Controlling the organisation of matter in copolymers dynamic thin films 10 August: Associate Professor Ernst 2 November: Professor Junhu Wang, Wolvetang, Group Leader, AIBN Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Title: iPSC: tools for discovery and regenerative Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China medicine Title: Novel catalytic materials for environment and energy 24 August: Richard Grant, Principal, Spruson & Ferguson, Patent and Trademark attorneys 8 November: Professor Jürgen Hubbuch, Title: Patenting: an inventor’s guide Head of Department, MAB Biomolecular Separation Engineering, Karlsruhe Institute of 31 August: Dr Timothy Kastelle, Technology, Germany UQ Business School Title: High throughput process development: Title: You can’t innovate without business model integration of screening, rapid analytics and innovation model-based development 31 August: Professor Thomas Faunce, 9 November: Professor Justin Cooper-White, the Australian National University, Canberra Group Leader, AIBN Title: Governance challenges for global solar fuels Title: Engineering stem cell microenvironments 6 September: Dr Ben Muir, CSIRO Materials for regenerative medicine applications Science and Engineering 9 November: Professor Xiaodong Zou, Title: Clickable nanometer thin plasma polymer Department of Materials and Environmental films for biomedical applications and self- Chemistry, Stockholm University, Sweden assembled lyotropic liquid crystal nanoparticles Title: 3D structure determination of nano-sized for gene therapy and medical imaging: a tale of crystals by electron crystallography: new methods two nano research areas at CSIRO and applications 13 September: Assistant Professor Christiana 9 November: Dr Herbert Treutlein, Boi, Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, Co-founder and CEO, Computist Bio-Nanotech Mineraria e delle Tecnologie Ambientali, Title: Advanced methods for molecular design Alma Mater Studiorum, Universita di Bologna, Italy Title: Purification of biomolecules using corrective 15 November: Professor David Williams, chromatography Wake Forest Institute of Regenerative Medicine, US; Editor-in-Chief, Biomaterials 14 September: Associate Professor Stevens Title: A unified theory of biocompatibility Brumbley, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, the University of North Texas, US 22 November: Professor Zhong Zhang, Title: Production of polyhydroxyalkanoates in National Centre for Nanoscience and Technology, plant peroxisomes Beijing, China Title: Polymer nanocomposites based on nano- 21 September: Associate Professor Tiziano carbon materials Barberi, Associate Professor and Group Leader, Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, 29 November: Professor Shingo Matsukawa, Monash University Associate Professor of Food Science & Technology Title: Directing human pluripotent stem cells at Tokyo University of Marine Science & Technology, towards specific fates Japan Title: Studies on network structures in 26 September: Dr Neil Hawkins, Vice President polysaccharide gels by using gradient NMR of Sustainability and Environment, Health & Safety, the Dow Chemical Company 4 December: Dr Craig Cormick, Federal Title: Valuing ecosystem services in the private Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, sector: challenges and opportunities Research and Tertiary Education Title: How public perceptions can interfere with 3 October: Professor George Guo-Qiang your research Chen, Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology School of Life Sciences, 7 December: Dr Eve Tsai, Ottawa Hospital Tsinghua University, Beijing, China Research Institute, Canada Title: Blue water biotechnology and the Title: A multidisciplinary approach to spinal cord injury polyhydroxyalkanoates industrial value chain repair: from bench to bedside and back to bench 4 October: Dr Ekaterina Pas, 2011 RACI 10 December: Dr Juergen Zanghellini, Austrian Physical Chemistry Division Lectureship awardee Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, Graz Title: Lecture tour for the 2011 RACI Physical Title: How to design an optimal cell factory Chemistry Division Lectureship awardee 12 December: Professor Kevin Kendall, Chemical 12 October: Associate Professor Gordon Xu, Engineering, the University of Birmingham, UK Associate Group Leader, AIBN Title: Hydrogen and fuel cells for transport: an Title: Biomedical applications of layered double energy storage problem hydroxide nanoparticles 18 December: Professor Avesh Kumar Tyagi, 19 October: Professor Zee Upton, Institute Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India of Health Biomedical Innovation, Queensland Title: Design of new functional materials guided University of Technology by crystallographic concepts and novel synthesis Title: Taking a wound healing product from protocols discovery to market: the trials and tribulations

116 AIBN ANNUAL REPORT 2012 CONTACT AIBN

Reception Debbie Lord T: +61 7 3346 3877 E: [email protected]

Director Professor Peter Gray T: +61 7 3346 3888 E: [email protected]

Advancement & External Relations Manager Petrina Gilmore T: +61 7 3346 3899 M: +61 413 619 642 E: [email protected]

Deputy Director (Commercialisation) Dr Ian Nisbet T: +61 (0) 431 709 121 E: [email protected]

Research Higher Degree Manager Tony Miscamble T: +61 7 3346 3989 E: [email protected]

Marketing and Communications Manager Erik de Wit T: +61 7 3346 3962 M: +61 427 281 466 E: [email protected]

Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology Corner College and Cooper roads The University of Queensland Brisbane Qld 4072 Australia

Our history – AIBN was established by The University of Queensland Senate in December 2002. – Construction of a custom- designed 15,689sq m AIBN research facility started in November 2004. – First AIBN Group Leaders appointed in 2005. – The $73.6 million AIBN research facility was completed in August 2006. – Then Queensland Premier Peter Beattie opened the facility on October 23, 2006. DES-1176 SO 2K AUG13 • CRICOS PROVIDER NUMBER 00025B

The University of Queensland St Lucia, Brisbane Qld 4072 www.aibn.uq.edu.au