ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics

Name of Group Leader:

A/Prof Brant Gibson  

Physical Address:

CNBP RMIT node

Building 14, Level 5, Room 3

School of Applied Sciences

RMIT University

Victoria 3001

Australia  

Phone:

+61 3 9925 3649  

Fax:

+61 3 9925 2356  

Email:

brant.gibson@rmit.edu.au  

Nanotechnology Research Programs/Activities:

Science Theme 1: Illuminate

Theme Leaders: A/Prof Brant Gibson and A/Prof Jin Dayong

Pursuing bio-compatible fluorescent nanoparticles, next generation optical fibres and nanoparticle enriched hybrid materials.

The science theme of Illuminate explores advanced optical materials that efficiently deliver and collect light to and from cells and molecules locally. This allows us to non-invasively probe individual interacting biomolecules by using nanoparticle-based “lamps”. Bio-compatible fluorescent nanoparticles, next generation optical fibres and nanoparticle enriched hybrid materials are being pursued.

Novel nanoscale “lamps”

Fluorescent nanomaterials have enormous potential as nanoscale light sources and sensors operating as beacons within biological environments. We are building a tailored library of nanoparticles with the aim to interrogate target molecules down to the single molecule level. This nanoparticle library consists of a broad range of fluorescent materials including nanodiamond, upconversion particles, nanoruby, metal oxides and additional wide optical band materials. Within this library, we are exploring a range of properties including absorption and emission wavelengths, size, brightness (both single and ensemble emitters) and functionality. Our long-term aim is to create photon-switchable biocompatible nanoparticles which are sub-10 nm in size with ultra-high brightness (> 10 MHz). In addition to controlling the growth of hybrid-multifunctional nanoparticles, this theme also focuses on building our expertise in the optical characterization of luminescent nanoparticles.

Nanoparticle enriched hybrid materials.

Nanoparticle-enriched active hybrid materials will serve as a bridge between nanoparticles and bulk materials while conserving and enhancing nanoprobe functionality. We are currently exploring the physical and chemical interactions between the nanoparticles and the materials they are embedded in or attached to with the ultimate aim of controlling the nanoparticles’ properties and sensing performance. This area of research is being performed in the context of creating multi-functional nanomaterials with improved fluorescence and Raman sensing properties. We are also focusing on integrating nanoscale ‘lamp’ sensing elements with optical fibres for the development of novel macroscopic sensing architectures.
 

Scale of Nanotechnology Research Effort:

Approximately 30 researchers out of 120 across the entire CNBP are working in the area of nanotechnology  

Nanotechnology research facilities:

At the RMIT node of the CNBP there is approximately 150 square meters of refurbished laboratory space including three optics laboratories (housing custom and commercial confocal microscopes), a nanomaterials laboratory (with a range of high temperature furnaces and gases) and a wet chemistry laboratory (with nanoparticle preparation and synthesis facilities).

Within the  

Participants

• Dr Amanda Abraham
• Mr Marco Capelli
• Mr Patrick Capon
• Dr Andrew Care
• MR WENJIE CHEN
• Dr Nicole Cordina
• Ms Minakshi Das
• Dr Wei Deng
• Dr Denitza Denkova
• Dr Daniel Drumm
• Mrs Mina Ghanimi fard
• Ms Anna Guller
• Mr Ashleigh Heffernan
• Miss Aimee Horsfall
• Prof Mark Hutchinson
• Dr Lianmei Jiang
• Ms Zahra Khabir
• Dr Roman Kostecki
• Ms. Yuan Liu
• Dr Lindsay Parker
• Mr Dmitry Polikarpov
• Dr Philipp Reineck
• Mr Aaqil Rifai
• Dr Georgina Sylvia
• Mr Giannis Thalassinos
• Ms Emma Wilson
• Mr Josef Worboys
• Dr Andrei Zvyagin

 

Collaboration Information

 

Group Websites:

http://www.cnbp.org.au
http://www.rmit.edu.au/research/cnbp