Microfludics
MCN Hosts CSIRO's Microfluidic Enzyme Research
Enzymes, organic catalysts capable of facilitating physicochemical and biological reactions, have captured the attention of industry and the scientific community alike. In nature, enzymes are used to catalyse and break down proteins. New methods of synthetic production have vastly broadened the applications of such enzymes to include ...........(Read more)
3-Dimensional Polymer Structure for Mussel Farming
Ms Varsha Lal, Biology Lab Manager from the Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, Dr Andrew Poole, CSIRO, Wealth from Oceans Flagship and Professor Rocky de Nys, James Cook University worked collaboratively together on 3-Dimensional Polymer Structure For Mussel Farming.
The main objective of the project was to fabricate surface textures that enhance the settlement of mussel larvae.......... (Read more)
Acoustic Nanofluidics
Simulated molecular dynamics at the nano scale show tremendous potential for improved manipulation of particles and molucules in fluids. In his fellowship project, Professor James Friend is examining the phenomena of rapid fluid flow in nanochannels induced by surface acoustic waves. Very high frequency sound waves (10–1000 MHz) applied in microchannels enables pumping, mixing, particle separation and other phenomena useful for medical diagnostics and chemical detection devices...(Read more)
Evolving enzymes on a microchip
An MCN Technology Fellowship was awarded to Dr Yonggang Zhu from CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering. This Fellowship project aims to develop an integrated microfluidic chip that can perform in vitro enzyme synthesis and evolution. This technology could potentially revolutionize nano- and bio-technology development. The current protein evolution protocol requires screening of ‘libraries’ of massive numbers (~106-1012) of candidate gene/enzyme variants. With the current screening method, this could cost millions to billions and take several years to complete. We propose to use microfluidic water-in-oil droplets to compartmentalise these libraries........(Read more)
Protecting the Nations' Water Supply
Microfluidic Sensing platforms capable of sorting and filtering nano-particles within Aquatic Sensor Systems may hold the key for future pathogen detection within community water supplies. Using a fluid separation element fabricated within MCN’s state-of-art photolithography and clean room facility, the device harnesses the process of Surface Acoustic Waves.......... (Read more)