News

NIMS article on the electrophoretic polymer assembly judged as "Hot Paper"

A recent research paper from the NIMS group has been assessed as a “Hot Paper” by the Wiley journal, Angewandte Chemie (International Edition). The peer-reviewed article reveals how multilayered polymer thin films were assembled on particles immobilized in agarose by electrophoresis on the basis of various interactions. Core removal then led to robust capsules with different polymer compositions. This approach enables the versatile and routine assembly of nanometer- and micron-sized capsules and coated particles with very few processing steps. Hot Papers are chosen by that journal’s editors for their importance in a rapidly evolving field of high current interest.

Frank Caruso delivers Bayer Distinguished Lectureship at Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University, USA, honoured Prof. Frank Caruso with the Bayer Distinguished Lectureship in which he gave a presentation entitled “Nanoengineering Particles for Therapeutic Delivery: Prospects and Challenges” in early April 2013.

Frank Caruso appointed Honorary Research Fellow at Bionics Institute

Prof. Frank Caruso has been selected as an eminent clinician in Melbourne and appointed an Honorary Research Fellow at the Bionics Institute, Melbourne, Australia. This will entail contributing to research initiatives, collaborations and grant applications.

New EAB positions for Frank Caruso

Prof. Frank Caruso has been appointed to the Editorial Advisory Boards of the prominent American Chemical Society journal, ACS Nano (2011 impact factor of 11.421), and the new journal from the Royal Society of Chemistry, Biomaterials Science. This builds on his other existing EAB positions on high-ranked journals published by Wiley-VCH and Elsevier.

Frank Caruso profiled by Angewandte Chemie journal

Leader of the NIMS group, Prof. Frank Caruso, received an author profile in the Wiley journal Angewandte Chemie, which has an impressive impact factor of 13.4 (2011 ranking). Authors are profiled with personal highlights when they have published a significant number of papers in the journal, in this case 10 papers.

nanotechweb.org features NIMS research on nanocapsule shapes

nanotechweb.org, the nanotechnology information website, has provided a technology update on NIMS research, specifically layer-by-layer polymer capsules with well-defined shapes and how these capsules interact with biological cells. The study has shown that the cells more readily take up spherical-shaped capsules than rod-shaped ones – this is an important result when it comes to using the structures for efficient drug delivery. The results of this research have been published in the peer-reviewed article in ACS Nano.

Frank Caruso makes list of Melbourne’s Top 100 influential people

Prof. Frank Caruso featured in The Age Melbourne Magazine’s annual list of Melbourne’s 100 most influential, inspirational, provocative and creative people. He was included in the list as one of the world’s leading nanotechnology researchers, with a focus on his work to increase the effectiveness of lifesaving drugs. The University of Melbourne's School of Engineering also reported on this high-profile achievement.

NIMS new imaging tools under the microscope

The University of Melbourne’s School of Engineering has profiled the new imaging tools in the NIMS labs. The School's e-news, The Melbourne Engineer, has released a publicly available Visions podcast featuring Prof Frank Caruso and provides an overview how the latest high-resolution imaging tools, powered by computers, are helping to aid nanoengineering discoveries.

NIMS postdoc scores Young Tall Poppy Award

Dr Georgina Such, a postdoctoral researcher in the NIMS group, received a Victorian Young Tall Poppy Science Award for her research into effective and efficient drug delivery using ‘smart’ capsules. The Award celebrates the work of early career researchers, who are leaders in their field and the commitment they have to communicating their research to the wider community.

Frank Caruso awarded Discovery Project grant

Prof Frank Caruso has been awarded a Discovery Project grant as part of a collaboration with fellow departmental academic, Prof Greg Qiao. The collaborative project is titled “Engineered Hybrid Materials via Continuous Assembly of Polymers for Advanced Technologies”, and will engineer nanostructured materials and interfaces for targeted applications through the use of next-generation polymer assembly techniques. Potential applications include water purification, pharmaceutical development and drug delivery. Discovery Projects support excellence in applied research to expand Australias knowledge base and research capability, and to enhance international collaboration in research.

NIMS postdoc scores DECRA grant

Dr Yan Yan of the NIMS group has scored Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) from the Australian Research Council to pursue her project that focuses on the cellular dynamics of nanoengineered particles. The DECRA scheme seeks to support and advance promising early career researchers and provide expanded research opportunities, as well as focus research efforts in Australias National Research Priority areas.

NIMS-supervised student wins Endeavour Expo award

Yi Ju, a NIMS-supervised student, won the Outotec Sustainability Award - Biomedical Engineering at the 2012 Endeavour Design Expo held at The University of Melbourne for his project entitled “JC1 Low-Fouling Polydopamine Coatings via Zwitterionic Peptide Functionalization”. Mr Ju was supervised by NIMS members Prof Frank Caruso and Dr Jiwei Cui, and has since begun his PhD candidature in the NIMS group in 2013.

nanotechweb.org spotlights NIMS research on protein capsules for drug delivery

The nanotechnology information website, nanotechweb.org, has posted a technology update on recent collaborative research between the NIMS group and the University of Strasbourg in France. The objective of this research has been to fabricate mechanically robust protein capsules for targeted drug delivery. The initial results of this research have been published in the peer-reviewed article in ACS Nano.

Decoding Nano with Frank Caruso

The Australian Government’s Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education has produced an online video clip titled “Decoding Nano”, which features interviews with prominent Australian researchers in nanotechnology, including NIMS group leader, Prof Frank Caruso. The video is publicly available on YouTube.

Frank Caruso awarded RSV science research medal

The 2012 Royal Society of Victoria Medal for Excellence in Scientific Research in the Physical Sciences has been awarded to Prof Frank Caruso in recognition of his outstanding work in the fields of nanoscience and nanotechnology. Prof Caruso stated that he was proud and honoured to receive the award and that it was a credit to his NIMS research team and the support he receives from The University of Melbourne. Prof Caruso will also deliver the annual Medallist lecture when he is formally presented the Medal in December. This achievement was also highlighted in the September issue of the Melbourne University Staff/Student E-news.

NIMS interdisciplinary research highlighted by Melbourne University

The interdisciplinary research undertaken by Prof Frank Caruso’s NIMS research group has been highlighted by The University of Melbourne in The Melbourne Engineer. The NIMS group’s collaborative research projects have led to the design and generation of a series of nanoengineered capsules and particles that can be customised to meet the needs of a particular therapeutic application. These collaborations involve many prominent Australian science organisations, including the Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute, the Bionics Institute, CSIRO, the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research and the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, and bring together experts from engineering, chemistry, biology, physics and materials science.

Frank Caruso awarded Laureate Fellowship

Prof Frank Caruso has been awarded a prestigious ARC Laureate Fellowship, which have been established to build and strengthen world-class research capability in Australia. The Australian Laureate Fellowship will help him further build his multidisciplinary research team, including research into developing next-generation particle systems with engineered properties that are expected to underpin advances in the delivery of therapeutics in the areas of cancer, vaccines, cardiovascular disease and neural health. Laureate Fellowships also facilitate building and strengthening world-class research capabilities in Australia.

This achievement was also presented in The Voice, the newspaper of The University of Melbourne available online and as an insert in the Melbourne daily newspaper, The Age.

Frank Caruso named 2012 Eureka Prize finalist

Journal’s impact factor jumps higher

Prof Frank Caruso is an Editor for the peer-reviewed journal Chemistry of Materials, which recorded its highest Impact Factor to date in 2011 of 7.286, and collected 69,926 total citations for the year (as reported by Thomson Reuters), representing an 11% increase in citations. Prof Caruso has been an Editor for the journal since 2005. Put out by the American Chemical Society (ACS), Chemistry of Materials publishes original research at the interface of chemistry, chemical engineering, and materials science.

Another NIMS postdoc awarded Future Fellowship

Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the NIMS group, Dr Georgina Such, has been awarded a Future Fellowship for her project proposal, “Advanced bio-inspired polymer assembly: tools for diagnostics, imaging and therapies”. This project will involve the synthesis and application of ‘smart' polymer films and particles which mimic biological behaviour. The aim of Future Fellowships is to attract and retain the best and brightest mid-career researchers, particularly in areas of critical national importance in Australia.

Journal spotlights Australian chemistry research

The premier journal, Angewandte Chemie (International Edition) has dedicated the editorial in its v51n43 issue to chemistry research in Australia. The editor analyses Australia’s research strengths and opportunities, funding rules and limitations, and the role of the Australian Research Council. The editorial cites several renowned Australian researchers, including NIMS leader, Prof. Frank Caruso.

Science magazine profiles NIMS nanotechnology research

Science magazine interviewed Prof Frank Caruso regarding nanotechnology treatments currently being investigated by his NIMS research group. In particular, Prof Caruso elaborated on the physical and chemical properties of such nano-sized targeted drug delivery systems, particularly on the importance of composition and biocompatibility, as well as the expansive opportunities available for the treatment of illnesses.

NIMS bio-click article judged as “Hot Paper”

One of the NIMS group’s recent research papers has been assessed as a “Hot Paper” by the Wiley journal, Angewandte Chemie (International Edition). The peer-reviewed article focuses on bio-click chemistry with regard to functionalising PEGylated capsules for targeting applications. Hot Papers are chosen by that journal’s editors for their importance in a rapidly evolving field of high current interest.

nanotechweb.org highlights NIMS research on biodegradable capsules for drug delivery

The nanotechnology news website, nanotechweb.org, has released a technology update on recent NIMS research about the formation of biodegradable, sugar-based capsules using polyrotaxanes; these can be used for efficient and non-toxic drug delivery, specifically anticancer drugs. The initial results of this research are presented in the peer-reviewed article in ACS Nano.

Frank Caruso’s research highlighted in Melbourne daily newspaper

Research published in the Advanced Materials journal and undertaken by NIMS group leader Prof Frank Caruso and collaborators into sensorineural hearing loss was spotlighted on 11 June 2012 in a Melbourne daily newspaper, the Herald-Sun. The newspaper article notes the potential practical outcomes in that tradespeople, machinery operators and the elderly should soon be a step closer to being immunised against hearing loss.

Frank Caruso receives inaugural ACS Nano Lectureship Award

NIMS group leader Prof Frank Caruso is the recipient of the inaugural ACS Nano Lectureship Award for the Asia/Pacific region. These awards, one for each of three designated international regions, honour the contributions of scientists whose work has significantly impacted the fields of nanoscience and nanotechnology. The awards were formally presented at the Spring 2012 E-MRS meeting in Strasbourg, France, where each of the three awardees gave an invited talk.

Frank Caruso is Guest Editor x 2

Prof Frank Caruso is the guest editor for two journals published in early 2012. Along with Profs Michael Ward and Patrick Stayton, Prof Caruso is Co-Editor for the Special Issue of the ACS journal Chemistry of Materials (volume 24, issue 5) that focuses on Materials for Biological Applications. The issue highlights the latest developments in materials used in biological applications, including biosensing, imaging, drug and gene delivery, tissue engineering, biomaterials and biointerfaces. Prof Caruso is also Guest Editor for the Special Issue on Nanomedicine in the prominent RSC journal Chemical Society Reviews (volume 41, issue 7) alongside Profs Taeghwan Hyeon and Vince Rotello. This issue focuses on how nanoscience is advancing biomedical understanding and generating new tools to improve human health.

NIMS research on polymer capsules highlighted on nanotechweb.org

nanotechweb.org, the nanotechnology news website, has given a technology update on recent research undertaken by NIMS on functionalising polymer capsules. This method should find applications for drug delivery with these capsules ideal candidates for targeting cancer cells. More details can be found in the recent research article published in the peer-reviewed journal, ACS Nano.

Inaugural issue of new Wiley journal features NIMS research on cover

NIMS postdoc awarded Future Fellowship

Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the NIMS group, Dr Angus Johnston, has been awarded a 2012 Future Fellowship for his project proposal, “Bridging the interface between nanoengineered materials and biological systems”. This research project will investigate how nanomaterials interact with biological systems, such as targeted therapeutic drug delivery, and identify pathways and interactions. It should be noted that the aim of Future Fellowships is to attract and retain the best and brightest mid-career researchers, particularly in areas of critical national importance in Australia.

NIMS scores 6 cover articles in the International Year of Chemistry

NIMS research has scored six covers in prestigious science and chemistry journals during the International Year of Chemistry 2011 (IYC 2011). These are showcased on the NIMS webpage with links to the abstracts of the various articles and reviews.

NIMS postdoc Such a notable Melbournian

Dr Georgina Such, a NIMS postdoctoral research fellow, has been ranked in the annual Top 100 list of notable Melbournians for 2011 as published by The Age newspaper on 9 December 2011. This special issue recognises and congratulates the top 100 for their achievements and contributions to life in Melbourne, in this case, Dr Such’s scientific efforts to enhance therapeutic drug delivery using multicompartmentalised nanocapsules. Premier Ted Baillieu was at the launch that included people from various social, business and scientific areas of Melbourne life.

NIMS postgrad scores Best Tutor award at Melbourne University

NIMS postgraduate, Martin van Koeverden, was awarded the Best Tutor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering for Semester 2, 2011, at The University of Melbourne. An honourable mention went to fellow NIMS postgrad, James Best.

NIMS postdocs awarded Early Career Research Grants

Two NIMS postdoctoral researchers have received Early Career Research Grants for projects beginning 2012. Dr Jiwei Cui’s project will be on intelligent polymer particles for bioapplications, while Dr Hannah Lomas’ research will focus on the fouling properties of membranes with novel coatings for seawater desalination.

Frank Caruso featured in Australian Life Scientist

Prof Frank Caruso, leader of the NIMS research group, has been featured in the July/August 2011 issue of Australian Life Scientist magazine, which highlights recent significant developments in the world of science, particularly at the national Australian level. The article focuses on his nanotechnology-based research into therapeutic drug delivery using multilayered capsules, with the analogy given of an onion.

NIMS postdoc’s nanodiamond research featured on the ABC’s Catalyst

Dr Yan Yan, a NIMS postdoctoral research fellow, presented some of her research work on the ABC’s Catalyst science television program broadcast on 25 August 2011. In particular, she discussed how nanodiamonds can be used to track drugs and can specifically interact with targeted cells, such as cancer cells. They can enable drug delivery only to those cells and so do not impair the functions of the normal healthy cells.

NIMS postdoc awarded L’Oréal Australia For Women in Science Fellowship

NIMS postdoctoral researcher Dr Georgina Such received a L’Oréal Australia For Women in Science Fellowship in a presentation ceremony held on 23 August 2011. This prestigious award recognizes her outstanding achievements and continuing research into smarter methods to deliver therapeutic drugs that target cancer cells via the bloodstream using a combination of layer-by-layer assembly (LbL) and click chemistry. These annual L’Oréal Science Fellowships are awarded to only three female early career scientists to reward excellence in their Australian research and to boost their careers and rise in leadership positions in science. This was also reported in The Age newspaper.

NIMS research into “smart” polymer capsules highlighted

Cross-disciplinary nano-research reported in The Age newspaper

The Melbourne-based newspaper, The Age, reported on cross-disciplinary research involving Prof Frank Caruso (School of Engineering) undertaken at The University of Melbourne and driven by Prof Lloyd Hollenberg (School of Physics). The other senior academic involved was Prof Paul Mulvaney (School of Chemistry). The team coated a nano-diamond carrying a nitrogen passenger with a substance that allowed a cell to envelop it. Because the nano-diamond is so small and non-toxic, it could easily be incorporated into the cell, thereby enabling it to be a potential quantum sensor in biology.

NIMS postgrad receives Dean’s Honours List award

Martin van Koeverden, a postgraduate in Prof Caruso’s NIMS group, received a Dean’s Honours Prize for 2010 from the School of Engineering at The University of Melbourne. These prizes recognise the academic performance of the top three percent of students across the School.

NIMS postgrad showcases nanotechnology research on TV

Samantha Lichter, a postgraduate in the Caruso group, appeared on the Australian television program, Scope, a show designed to make science more accessible to the younger generation. Her segment, screened on 23 April 2011, focused on carbon and the application of diamonds in bionic eye development.

NIMS host department ranked 12th in the world

According to the recently published 2011 QS World University Rankings, the host of the NIMS research group, the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at The University of Melbourne, Australia, was ranked 12th in the world in the discipline of chemical engineering. This is the first time that international rankings have gone down to the discipline level.

Frank Caruso ranked 17th in the world for materials science

Congratulations go to Prof Frank Caruso, leader of the NIMS group at The University of Melbourne, who has been listed 17th in Thomson Reuters’ top 100 materials scientists in the world. The data, released on March 2, 2011, was derived from a list of materials scientists who achieved the highest citation impact scores for their papers published since January 2000. The Royal Australian Chemical Society (RACI) and The University of Melbourne also highlighted this achievement.

NIMS research on nanocarriers noted on nanotechweb.org

The nanotechnology news website, nanotechweb.org, has featured a technology update on research conducted by NIMS on the use of nanocarriers to deliver drugs for targeting diseases such as prostate cancer. This involved generating microcapsules with multilayered polymer films and which encapsulate small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), used for treating various diseases. Further details can be found in the recent research paper published in ACS Nano.

NIMS research selected for ACS Nano Virtual Issue

Past research on targeted cancer drug delivery by the NIMS research team published in ACS Nano in 2007 was selected for inclusion in the second Virtual Issue put out by ACS Nano in 2011 , this one spotlighting significant research in the area of drug delivery. This Virtual Issue is intended to provide “a guide to some of the exciting new and important directions and laying out the critical upcoming challenges for nanoparticle delivery and nanomedicine."

ACS, NPG Asia Materials and RACI turn spotlight on NIMS research

Recent research by the NIMS group to develop capsules that facilitate drug delivery and target specific cells has been featured in ACS Chemical Biology Spotlight and the NPG Asia Materials featured highlight. This showcases the research to a wider audience. The original article, published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, describes how ‘click’ chemistry can be used to generate chelated polymer capsules that could act as both drug delivery vehicles and cancer cell targeting agents. This was also reported in the magazine Chemistry in Australia published by the Royal Australian Chemical Society (RACI).

Chem. Soc. Rev. cover features NIMS research in the International Year of Chemistry

ARC grant awarded for super high resolution optical microscope

Prof Frank Caruso has scored a collaborative LIEF grant from the Australian Research Council (ARC) with the Bionic Ear Institute and Monash University. The grant is for the establishment of an advanced fluorescence imaging facility which will provide cutting edge infrastructure to examine cells, pathogens and interactions between engineered drug delivery systems in both cells and whole animals. The facility will foster the development of new nanomedicines.

NIMS research promoted on cover of Wiley journal, Advanced Materials

The prominent Wiley journal, Advanced Materials, has featured current NIMS research on the inside front cover of its final 2010 issue. It highlights NIMS group’s efforts to bypass multidrug resistance in cancer cells utilising biodegradable polymer capsules as pathways. Capsules conjugated with a therapeutic drug were prepared through click chemistry via layer-by-layer assembly.

NIMS postdoc wins Young Tall Poppy Science Award

Dr Angus Johnston, a postdoctoral research fellow in Prof Caruso’s NIMS research group, was given a Victorian Young Tall Poppy Science Award. The 2010 award ceremony was hosted by the Bio21 Institute for the Australian Institute of Policy and Science (AIPS). Nine outstanding young Victorian scientists were recognised for their important work and achievements, as well as their commitment to help inspire a future generation and advance scientific literacy. The prestigious AIPS award facilitates the winners to participate in education and community outreach programs. The “Tall Poppies” will act as role models to inspire school students and educate the broader community on the possibilities of science.

Caruso group’s research featured on cover of Wiley journal, Small

The Caruso group’s collaborative research has been featured on the cover of the prestigious Wiley journal, Small, as a spotlight on their invited review article. This paper covers the layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of capsules and films as drug delivery vehicles for therapeutic drugs, and looks at past achievements and current research in the field, as well as future challenges.

NIMS postdoc given early career researcher presentation award

NIMS postdoctoral research fellow, Dr Yan Yan, was accorded the inaugural “NSW Office for Science and Medical Research Early Career Researcher for Excellence in Nanomedicine Research” award for best poster presentation at the Nanomedicine 2010 conference held in Sydney, Australia. Her presentation was entitled “Cellular Uptake of Disulfide-Bonded Polymer Capsules for Doxorubicin Delivery to Colorectal Cancer Cells”.

Frank Caruso awarded collaborative Super Science Fellowship

Prof Frank Caruso and fellow academics at The University of Melbourne, namely Prof Geoff Stevens, Prof Greg Qiao and A/Prof Sandra Kentish, were awarded a Super Science Fellowship by the Australian Research Council (ARC) for a project entitled Nanoengineered Polymeric Materials for Environmental and Biological Applications. This four-year project targets the fields of future industries research, as well as biotechnology and nanotechnology, and focuses on developing advanced materials with nanoengineered properties, specifically advanced polymeric membranes, tissue engineering scaffolds and vaccine delivery systems. This endeavour will also provide opportunities for the development of outstanding young scientists and will foster multidisciplinary collaborations.

Frank Caruso’s involvement in AAS nanotechnology report

The Australian Academy of Science (AAS) released its report, Nanotechnology in Australia: Trends, Applications and Collaborative Opportunities, in which Prof Frank Caruso provided input on the Steering Committee. The report highlights the significant growth of Australia’s nanotechnology research sector and a considerable increase in international collaborations with key nations such as China. The report examines the state of Australian nanotechnology research through a survey of the nanotechnology research community, a meeting of approximately 40 Australian stakeholders in 2009, and a bibliometric analysis of Australian and international nanotechnology publications. Collaborations between researchers, particularly with international and industrial partners, as well as access to state-of-the-art facilities, were identified as critical issues that need to be addressed if Australia is to make the most of this emerging technology.

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