Research in the School of Natural Sciences

Research within the School of Natural Sciences is currently focussed in three key complementary thematic areas:

• Multifunctional Landscapes
• Nanoscale Systems and Surface Science
• Science and Society
  

Multifunctional Landscapes

This theme features research activities (and associated infrastructure) in areas such as animal science, plant science (including agriculture, agronomy and horticulture),environment and ecology (including climate change), water and geochemistry. Particular features of our animal science programs include the School’s reptile house (which underpins our studies in reptile nutrition), marsupial house (where work on endangered species such as kultarrs and phascogales is undertaken) and collaborative, field based research with wildlife in the Blue Mountains World Heritage area.

Vibrant collaborative research programs are also underway in geochemistry and environment and ecology.

The Native and Pest Animal Unit research team is available for consultations and research opportunities on any aspects of the environment, ecological surveys and local management of pest species. The research unit provides expertise in the ecology, evolution, physiology and immunology of native small mammals, birds and reptiles; innovative management options, ecology of invasive species; and hydro-ecology of our rivers and streams.

Nanoscale Systems and Surface Science

The Nanoscale Systems and Surface Science theme embodies several strong research programs in biological and biologically inspired systems (including pre ocular tear films), encapsulation (particularly of probiotics and other biologically active species), separation science and materials chemistry (including carbon nanotubes and sol gel science and technology). The work is underpinned by a number of strong collaborations with commercial and academic partners (including the ARC Centre for Functional Nanomaterials, of which UWS is a member).

Science and Society

The Science and Society theme draws together research strengths in several areas that have a significant impact on society. These areas include:

• science education, particularly in the areas of chemical and biological sciences;
• nutrition and food science;
• forensic science;
• environmental health, focussing on the impacts of working environments on health;
• occupational health and safety.
  

The school hosts a collaborating World Health Organisation Centre for Environmental Health Development.

Our work in these key thematic areas is underpinned by a variety of world class facilities, including NMR, electron microscopy and confocal microscopy. In particular, the Confocal Bio-Imaging Facility (CBIF) draws together a suite of instruments which collectively produce live, three-dimensional images of almost any material. This state-of-the-art facility, which is unique in Australia, uses a suite of lasers to depict inorganic materials, plants and animal cells in incredible detail. Confocal laser imaging is increasingly being used to image:

• Viruses crossing cell membranes in real-time;
• Living cells dividing and changing over days or weeks;
• Live cells, with little or no sample preparation;
• Real-time, solution-based molecular interactions, in femptolitre volumes;
• The effects of drugs or other chemicals at the cellular level

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