Research Themes
Theme 6
Theme 6: The intersection of Nanoscience and Biology
The Institute's research in the intersection of Nanoscience and Biology is undertaken at the School of Chemical & Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington.
Theme Leader: Dr Richard Tilley
The biological, biomedical and medical applications of advanced materials and nanotechnology are some of the most exciting, novel and potentially, most life-enhancing. Understanding and exploiting the promise of biological systems is a complex and challenging task which is best addressed through a multidisciplinary approach. This theme combines a group of researchers who together, and with their collaborators, have a unique set of skills and facilities to tackle research problems at the intersection of nanoscience and biology. Three threads run through this research:
- Advanced physical techniques and methodologies for the study of biological systems: Two projects will continue successful research by established teams. Novel physical technologies will be used for studying biological systems, and exocytosis in cancer cells will be studied using the biochip and BioImprint technologies we have developed. Targeted delivery of proteins to supported bilayer membranes and living cells will be investigated using novel methods to control the interaction of proteinloaded vesicles with the synthetic membrane or cell. The latter project seeks to adapt a reported method for delivering the contents of vesicles to cells, and to apply it to a novel synthetic membrane for applications in sensing and drug discovery. In a new project, leading physical scientists will collaborate with biologists to apply state-of-the-art spectroscopic techniques to the study of biomolecules in an effort to understand the constraints on RNA-based early life. In collaboration with the Alan Wilson CoRE infrared, Raman and circular dichroism measurements will be carried out in high pressure cells to determine the thermodynamic stability, dimerisation and structure of biomolecules (including amino acids, nucleotides and RNA) at elevated pressures and temperatures.
- Nanomaterials for medical applications: We are part of a multidisciplinary team developing quantum dots (QDs) for biomedical applications, in which we propose to extend the liquid phase synthesis of QDs to new materials including mixed SixGey, SixSny GexSny alloys and sulfides. Biomolecules, such as antibodies, will be attached to the QD surface with the aim of targeted delivery of drugs to disease sites. Computer simulation and modelling of QD properties will accompany the synthetic work.
- Biomolecules as templates and building blocks for materials: The question of how biomolecules control the growth of inorganic materials will be studied using antifreeze proteins (which control the nucleation of ice in polar fish) as novel modifiers of the nucleation and growth of metal oxide nanocrystals. Computational methods will be combined with systematic studies of the constituent peptides to seek general relationships between peptides and their templating role. In research with a more applied focus, we will build on our important recent progress in the manufacture of protein nanotubes (fibrils) from readily available protein sources. With collaborators in other Theme areas (particularly Themes 1 and 5), we will develop methods for organizing the fibrils into higher order structures and will explore the properties of the new materials.
- Variable Nanopore: This objective aims to utilize the stretchability of an elastomer membrane in combination with attached Noble metal nanoparticles to achieve tunable plasmonic detection of biomolecules. A mid term aim is to use these ideas in combination with a variable nanopore in the membrane to achieve SERS detection of molecules translocated through the nanopore. The long-term aim is to achieve sequential detection of bases on RNA or DNA segments translocated through the nanopore.
- Manipulation of Individual Biological Cells (M. Alkaisi, J. Evans, W.M. Arnold)
- Interfacing Biomembranes with Electronic Systems (J. Dunlop, A.J. Downard)
- Quantum dots and magnetic nanoparticles for biomedical applications (R. Tilley, S.C. Hendy, J. Tallon)
- Biomimetic shape and size control of nanocrystals (D.E. Williams)
- Organising protein fi brils (nanotubes) into higher order assemblies (J.A. Gerrard, R.J.Blaikie, A.J. Downard, K.M. McGrath)
- Variable Nanopore Plasmonics for DNA sequencing (J.L. Tallon, R. Tilley, P.G. Etchegoin, G.V.M. Williams)
