Medical Nanotechnology

This research theme encompasses applications to nanotechnology with particular emphasis on medical nanotechnology, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for characterising molecular dynamics. Much of our research involves NMR and MRI pulse sequences development, theoretical analysis, and characterisation using physical NMR techniques such as diffusion and relaxation based techniques.

Since at the nanoscale (i.e., one thousand millionth of a metre) the traditional scientific disciplines blur, our research is highly multidisciplinary and includes experts in quantum mechanics, medical physics, chemistry, and biochemistry. Much of the research in this theme is linked with the Nanoscale Organisation and Dynamics Research Group.

Our research helps discover new knowledge in science which underpins medical advances. Specifically this includes molecular association, organisation and dynamics of biological molecules, and nanobiotechnical applications (e.g., protein association, drug binding, and biological adhesives). Being able to characterise, theoretically model, and ultimately understand such phenomena may lead to new biomaterials, better drugs and perhaps treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Facilities

Our research is supported by our world class scientific instrumentation in the Biomedical Magnetic Resonance Facility for conducting very high resolution MRI (NMR microscopy) and NMR diffusion measurements. Other facilities include an Atomic Force Microscope, Scanning Probe Microscope, and supercomputer facilities. Research includes collaborations with institutions and research centres both internationally (e.g. Japan, Russia, Sweden and Taiwan) and in Australia (e.g. Charles Sturt University, University of NSW, Sydney University, CSIRO and a number of hospitals), and is funded by a range of grant funding agencies in Australia and overseas.

Current and recent research includes:

• Physical NMR
• Development of fast NMR diffusion techniques and their extension to MRI studies (e.g., diffusion tensor imaging)
• New diffusion based NMR methods for studying ligand binding and transmembrane transport
• Diffusion and hybrid diffusion-relaxation techniques for studying association and association kinetics of proteins, surfactants and small molecules
• Molecular basis of ionic conduction in lithium-salt conducting electrolytes and ionic liquids
• Modelling restricted diffusion in porous systems (e.g., brain tissue)
• Development of MRI techniques for studying plants (e.g., grape development)
• New NMR diffusion sequences capable of suppressing background gradients
• Novel water suppression sequences
• Diffusion studies of supercooled liquids
• HR-MAS and diffusion studies for characterising metabolites in biological tissues
• J-compensated NMR methods for eliminating peak phase distortion and modulation
• Biophysical studies of biologically relevant molecules by NMR
• Protein structure and dynamics
• Biological adhesives
• Identifying the biological impacts of cisplatin-DNA adduct
• Design, synthesis and characterisation of metallodrugs
• Using biophysical techniques in conjunction with NMR diffusion measurements to probe biomacromolecule interactions
• Application of advanced NMR diffusion experiments to environmental science
• Development of new Brownian Motion based separation techniques

Contact for Medical Nanotechnology Research

Professor William S. Price - w.price@uws.edu.au