Summer/Winter Research Program
In the knowledge-based global economy, in-demand skills include the ability to think and reason critically, develop innovative ideas, analyse data and clearly explain results.
The Summer/Winter Research Program provides an opportunity for motivated students at the University of Queensland (UQ) to participate in an educational research experience.
This program is offered over 6 weeks during the summer university vacation period (January to February) and over 4 weeks during the winter university vacation period (June to July). All selected students will receive a grant. Participation is open to undergraduate (including honours) and postgraduate coursework students who are currently enrolled and will maintain ongoing enrolment in a program at UQ.
AIBN Summer/Winter Research Program projects provide an opportunity for high-achieving science and engineering students interested in a career in research to experience the unique environment of one of Australia’s leading research institutes. Your AIBN research experience is an authentic research project that provides:
- An opportunity to develop new academic and professional capabilities to enhance employability;
- Experience in research as a "test-drive" before embarking on future research studies;
- Access to research networks and connections with staff and postgraduate students;
- Supervision by world-class UQ researchers;
- Possibility of obtaining credit towards your degree.
To check your eligibility, how to apply, and to find out more about what's included in the program, please visit the central Summer/Winter Research Program website.
Available Projects
Building manganese oxide cathodes for safe aqueous zinc batteries
Supervisor: Associate Professor Cheng Zhang
Research Group: Zhang Group
Contact: c.zhang3@uq.edu.au
Description
Aqueous zinc batteries are promising for safe and sustainable energy storage because of the non-flammable water-based electrolytes and low-cost zinc metal. However, their performance is strongly affected by the structure and stability of the cathode electrode materials.
In this project, manganese oxide will be prepared directly on conductive substrates using a simple electrodeposition method. The student will investigate how different deposition conditions, particularly continuous and pulsed current, influence the morphology, loading and electrochemical performance of the manganese oxide. The resulting electrodes will be characterised and tested in aqueous zinc batteries.
This work aims to establish a straightforward and reproducible method for producing manganese oxide cathodes and to identify promising deposition conditions for further development.
What you’ll do
- Review relevant literature on aqueous zinc batteries and manganese oxide cathodes.
- Prepare manganese oxide electrodes using continuous and pulsed electrodeposition.
- Optimise key deposition parameters, including current density, deposition time and pulse conditions.
- Characterise the morphology and structure of the prepared electrodes using techniques such as scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction.
- Assemble and test aqueous Zn||MnO₂ batteries using cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge–discharge and cycling measurements.
- Analyse the results to establish relationships between deposition conditions, electrode properties and battery performance.
- Summarise the findings in a final report and research presentation.
What you’ll learn
The student will gain practical experience in preparing electrode materials, assembling aqueous zinc batteries and conducting electrochemical measurements. The student will learn to use techniques such as cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge–discharge testing, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction.
The student will also develop skills in experimental design, data analysis, laboratory record keeping, problem-solving and communicating scientific results.
Project outcomes
By the end of the project, the student is expected to establish a reproducible method for preparing electrodeposited manganese oxide cathodes and identify suitable deposition conditions for aqueous zinc batteries. The project will produce a comparative dataset linking deposition conditions with electrode morphology and electrochemical performance.
The student will summarise the findings in a final research report and presentation.
Who should apply?
This project would suit an undergraduate or postgraduate student in materials engineering, chemical engineering, chemistry or a related discipline, preferably in their third year or above. An interest in energy-storage materials, electrochemistry or materials characterisation would be beneficial.
Previous laboratory experience is desirable but not essential, as relevant training will be provided.
Team & supervision
The project will be conducted within the Zhang Group at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland. The student will be supervised by Associate Professor Cheng Zhang, AIBN Group Leader, with day-to-day guidance from Dr Jingxi (Jeff) Li, who is working in electrochemical energy storage.
The student will work alongside researchers with expertise in battery materials, electrochemistry and materials characterisation, with regular meetings to discuss experimental progress, results and future directions.
Additional opportunities
The student will have opportunities to present their findings to the research group, engage with researchers working across battery materials, electrochemistry and advanced characterisation, and gain insight into postgraduate research at AIBN.
Strong project outcomes may contribute to an ongoing research program and potentially support a future conference presentation or research publication. The project may also provide a pathway to further research experience, an honours project or research degree study.
Expected engagement
The student is expected to participate for approximately 15–20 hours per week over the six-week project period. Working hours will generally fall between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm on weekdays and can be arranged with the supervisors according to the experimental schedule. Some flexibility may be required to accommodate battery assembly and electrochemical testing.
Apply to:
c.zhang3@uq.edu.au (A/Prof. Cheng Zhang)
jeff.li@uq.edu.au (Dr Jingxi Li)
Chemical Biology of Bioactive Peptide Ligands
Supervisor: Professor Mehdi Mobli
Research Group: Mobli Group
Contact: m.mobli@uq.edu.au
Description
Bioactive peptides are an important and diverse class of molecules that can interact with proteins such as ion channels, receptors and enzymes with remarkable potency and selectivity. They provide valuable tools for understanding biological signalling and can also serve as starting points for the development of new therapeutics, diagnostics and biotechnology applications.
This project will investigate the production, molecular properties and biological interactions of a bioactive peptide ligand and its protein target. The precise peptide and target system will be selected according to the most active projects within the laboratory at the time of the Summer Research Program.
The project will combine peptide and protein biochemistry, structural biology and biophysical characterisation. Students will contribute directly to an ongoing research question by producing and characterising peptide or protein samples and investigating their structure, function and molecular interactions.
What you’ll do
Depending on the specific project and progress during the six-week period, activities may include:
- Recombinant production of peptides and proteins using E. coli expression systems.
- Protein and peptide purification using advanced chromatography techniques, including immobilised metal affinity chromatography (IMAC), ion-exchange chromatography (IEX), size-exclusion chromatography, FPLC and HPLC.
- Assessment of sample purity, identity and molecular properties using techniques such as SDS-PAGE, mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy.
- Preparation of high-quality samples for structural and biophysical studies.
- Investigation of peptide structure using NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography or cryo-electron microscopy, where appropriate.
- Characterisation of peptide–protein interactions using techniques such as NMR, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC).
- Where relevant, participation in cell-based or functional assays to examine the biological activity of peptide ligands.
- Analysis and interpretation of experimental data in the context of the broader research question.
The exact balance of techniques will depend on the project selected and the experimental progress achieved during the program.
What you’ll learn
Students will gain practical experience in a multidisciplinary chemical biology and structural biology research environment. Skills may include:
- Recombinant peptide and protein expression.
- Protein purification and chromatography.
- Experimental design and laboratory record keeping.
- Preparation and quality assessment of biological samples.
- Fundamentals of NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and structural biology.
- Principles of quantitative protein–ligand interaction measurements.
- Analysis and interpretation of biochemical and biophysical data.
- Understanding how molecular structure and interactions relate to biological function.
Students will also develop broader research skills including critical thinking, troubleshooting, data presentation and scientific communication.
Project outcomes
By the end of the project, the student is expected to have contributed experimental data to an active research program within the laboratory. Depending on progress, outcomes may include:
- Production and purification of a bioactive peptide or protein target.
- Molecular and biophysical characterisation of the purified material.
- Quantitative data describing a peptide–protein interaction or biological activity.
- Structural information or preliminary structural data.
- A short presentation summarising the research question, experimental approach and findings.
The work may also generate preliminary data that contributes to a larger research project or subsequent publication.
Who should apply?
This project would suit students with an interest in biochemistry, chemistry, biotechnology, molecular biology, pharmacology or structural biology.
Students who have completed approximately two or more years of undergraduate study and have some background in biochemistry, molecular biology or chemistry would be particularly well suited.
Previous laboratory experience is helpful but is not essential. More important attributes are:
- Curiosity about how molecules interact and control biological function.
- An interest in experimental research.
- Careful and reliable laboratory practice.
- Willingness to learn new techniques.
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a research team.
- Enthusiasm for analysing and interpreting experimental data.
Team & supervision
Primary supervisor: Professor Mehdi Mobli. The student will join the Mobli Laboratory at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland.
The student will join a multidisciplinary research group working at the interface of peptide chemistry, protein biochemistry, structural biology, NMR spectroscopy and molecular pharmacology.
Day-to-day research will be undertaken alongside PhD students, postdoctoral researchers and other members of the laboratory. The student will receive hands-on training in relevant experimental techniques and participate in laboratory discussions and research meetings.
Additional opportunities
Students will have opportunities to:
- Participate in research group meetings and scientific discussions.
- Present their results to members of the laboratory and/or the Summer Research Program.
- Learn about ongoing projects spanning peptide discovery, structural biology and molecular pharmacology.
- Gain insight into pathways toward Honours, Masters and PhD research.
- Where substantial results are generated, contribute data to an ongoing research project that may ultimately form part of a scientific publication.
Expected engagement
Approximately 30–36 hours per week over the six-week program. Students would typically work 4–5 days per week, with some flexibility depending on experimental schedules.
Apply to:
Evaluation of bioprocess strategies in a fermentation biofoundry (up to 3 positions available)
Supervisor: Dr Axayacatl Gonzalez
Research Group: IDEA Bio – Marcellin Group
Contact: r.gonzalezgarcia@uq.edu.au
Description
IDEA Bio is a fermentation biofoundry that integrates high-throughput experimentation, bioprocess engineering, systems biology and data analysis to accelerate the development of microbial bioprocesses.
This project will give students the opportunity to contribute to the evaluation of microbial cell factories and fermentation strategies using parallel bioreactor systems. Students will work within a multidisciplinary team to investigate how microbial strains and cultivation conditions influence cell growth, substrate consumption and product formation.
Depending on their interests, background and project priorities, students may undertake a wet-lab, computational or integrated project. Potential activities include microbial cultivation, bioreactor operation, analytical measurements, sample preparation for multi-omics analysis, metabolic modelling, data visualisation, and the application of artificial intelligence or machine-learning tools to bioprocess data.
The project is designed for students seeking practical research experience and an opportunity to develop their technical, analytical and professional capabilities in a collaborative biofoundry environment.
What you’ll do
Successful applicants will:
- Complete the required IDEA Bio, laboratory and PC2 safety onboarding.
- Work with their supervisors to define achievable research objectives and an experimental or computational plan.
- Contribute to the preparation, operation and monitoring of microbial fermentation experiments.
- Collect, organise and analyse experimental or computational data.
- Maintain accurate and traceable research records.
- Participate in team discussions and communicate progress, challenges and findings.
- Contribute to a final research summary and presentation.
Specific responsibilities will be tailored to each student’s experience, interests and allocated project.
What you’ll learn
Depending on the project pathway, students may develop experience in:
Wet-lab and bioprocess research
- Safe cultivation and handling of microorganisms in a PC2 laboratory.
- Preparation of cultures, media and materials for fermentation experiments.
- Setup, operation and monitoring of parallel bioreactor systems.
- Measurement of microbial growth, substrate consumption and product formation.
- Preparation of samples for metabolomics, proteomics or other analytical workflows.
- Experimental design, data interpretation and troubleshooting.
Computational and data-focused research
- Organisation, quality control and visualisation of bioprocess data.
- Metabolic modelling and flux balance analysis.
- Integration and interpretation of fermentation and multi-omics datasets.
- Application and critical evaluation of AI or machine-learning approaches.
- Reproducible data analysis and clear communication of results.
All students will develop broader capabilities in research integrity, critical thinking, teamwork, scientific communication and responsible use of laboratory or computational resources.
Project outcomes
By the end of the program, students are expected to have:
- Contributed to a defined component of an IDEA Bio research project.
- Generated or analysed a structured and traceable dataset.
- Developed practical knowledge of fermentation biofoundry workflows.
- Demonstrated safe, responsible and collaborative research practices.
- Summarised their methods, findings, limitations and recommended next steps.
- Presented their experience and results to the IDEA Bio team in a final seminar.
Project outcomes will depend on the experimental results and the pathway assigned to each student. The emphasis will be on the quality of the research process, critical evaluation of findings and development of research capabilities.
Who should apply?
Up to three positions are available. The project is suitable for current undergraduate or eligible postgraduate coursework students from disciplines including:
- Biotechnology
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular or cellular biology
- Chemical or bioprocess engineering
- Bioinformatics
- Data science
- Computational biology
- Systems and synthetic biology
- Genetic engineering or related fields
Applicants should be curious, reliable and interested in learning how multidisciplinary teams develop and evaluate microbial bioprocesses. They should also be willing to work collaboratively, follow laboratory and research requirements, maintain accurate records and communicate openly with their supervisors.
Previous laboratory, programming or modelling experience is desirable but not essential. Training and supervision will be provided according to the requirements of the allocated project.
Additional opportunities
Students will be onboarded as members of the UQ Biosustainability Hub, providing opportunities to engage with a broader network of researchers, students, industry collaborators and research infrastructure specialists.
Through this environment, students may gain greater insight into career pathways in biotechnology, biomanufacturing and research, including industry roles, Honours research and postgraduate programs such as MPhil and PhD degrees.
Team & supervision
Students will join the multidisciplinary IDEA Bio team and receive guidance from bioprocess engineers, fermentation scientists, systems biologists and other research specialists.
At the beginning of the program, each student will work with their supervisors to establish their objectives, responsibilities and expected outcomes. Regular discussions will be used to review progress, support technical development and address any challenges.
IDEA Bio is committed to providing a respectful, inclusive and supportive research environment in which students can ask questions, contribute ideas and develop confidence as emerging researchers.
Expected engagement
36 hours per week.
Apply to:
Exploring the Nanostructure of Membranes for Batteries & Electrolyzers
Supervisor: Tanika Duivenvoorden and Prof. Debra Bernhardt
Research Group: Bernhardt Group
Contact: t.duivenvoorden@uq.edu.au
Description
Our work aims to investigate the molecular structure of membrane materials – which are an essential component in many electrochemical devices such as flow batteries and electrolyzers. These devices have promising applications in achieving sustainable energy generation and storage.
The project will involve simulating membrane materials on a molecular level, using a computational chemistry technique called molecular dynamics simulation. Membrane materials are made up of polymers – long chain molecules with repeating units, that form an amorphous structure on the nanoscale, making them difficult to characterise. By studying simulations of these molecules, we can visualise and analyse their nanostructure, to help explain experimental results of membrane properties and performance.
The student will help to run simulations of membranes with varied compositions, to investigate the research question: “How does changing the molecular make-up of an ion exchange membrane impact the material structure and transport properties?”
What you’ll do
The student will learn about some computational chemistry software and use it to run simulations of membrane materials. They will also have the chance to visualise short movies of their simulations and use this information to analyse their results. Additionally, they will join meetings with experimental collaborators to discuss the project and present their research findings to our research group.
What you’ll learn
Students will gain experience in an academic research environment, and develop skills in teamwork, problem solving, and organization while working on their research project. They will also be taught discipline specific knowledge on the basics of any required computational chemistry software such as LAMMPS and VMD, how to run simulations using a supercomputer, and how to analyse and present their data in an effective way.
Project outcomes
After this research project, the student will have learnt the basics required to run molecular dynamics simulations and applied this knowledge to study membrane materials. The expected output will be for the student to analyse their simulations and to present their work for the research group.
Who should apply?
Students that would make a good fit for this project will have an interest in research and be undertaking study/have a keen interest in chemistry. Students studying or interested in physics, computer science, and engineering are also encouraged to apply.
No prior computational chemistry experience is required, but an interest in computational research would be beneficial!
Additional opportunities
Students will have the opportunity to present their work in front of the Bernhardt research group, as well as meet with experimental collaborators on the project.
Team & supervision
Supervision: Tanika Duivenvoorden and Prof. Debra Bernhardt. Students will work with Tanika, as well as other members of the research group where needed.
Expected engagement
20-36 hrs per week. Flexible working days.
Apply to:
How microglial states shape amyloid-beta clearance in Alzheimer's disease
Supervisor: Dr Aleksandr Kakinen
Research Group: Qiao Group
Contact: a.kakinen@uq.edu.au
Description
Microglia are the brain's resident immune cells and play a central role in responding to and clearing amyloid-beta (Aβ), a protein that accumulates in Alzheimer's disease. Importantly, microglia can adopt different functional states depending on the signals they encounter, and these states may determine whether Aβ is efficiently removed or instead persists and contributes to inflammation.
This project will investigate how distinct microglial activation signals – including disease-relevant inflammatory factors and selected cytokines – influence the uptake and intracellular processing of Aβ. The work builds on our recent finding that prior exposure to microbial amyloids can prime microglia and markedly change their subsequent response to Aβ. The broader aim is to understand which microglial states favour productive Aβ clearance and which promote dysfunctional handling of amyloid.
What you’ll do
You will culture human microglial cells, expose them to selected activation or priming signals, and then challenge the cells with fluorescently labelled Aβ. You will use fluorescence/confocal or high-content microscopy to compare Aβ uptake and intracellular localisation across different microglial states.
Depending on progress, the project may also examine lysosomal processing and selected markers of microglial activation.
What you’ll learn
You will gain hands-on experience in mammalian cell culture, Alzheimer's disease and neuroimmunology models, fluorescence microscopy and quantitative image analysis. You will also learn experimental design, appropriate controls, data interpretation and scientific communication.
Project outcomes
The project is expected to establish a comparative assay for determining how different microglial activation states influence Aβ handling. The results will provide preliminary data for a broader research program investigating inflammation, microglial function and amyloid clearance in Alzheimer's disease.
Who should apply?
Students with backgrounds in biomedical science, biochemistry, molecular biology, neuroscience, biotechnology or related disciplines are encouraged to apply. The project would suit someone interested in neurodegeneration, cell biology and microscopy.
Previous cell-culture experience is helpful; curiosity, reliability and willingness to learn are most important.
Team & supervision
Primary supervisor: Dr Aleksandr Kakinen, NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow, AIBN, UQ. The student will work within a collaborative research environment focused on protein aggregation, neuroinflammation and Alzheimer's disease, with day-to-day interaction with members of the research team.
Additional opportunities
The student will have an opportunity to present their findings to the research group and discuss potential continuation into Honours, Master's or HDR research. Strong results may contribute to ongoing research outputs and future studies.
Expected engagement
Approximately 20–30 hours per week across the six-week program. Exact working days can be discussed with the successful student.
Apply to:
Heavy metal chemistry for advancing targeted cancer therapy
Supervisor: A/Prof Brett Paterson
Research Group: Paterson Group
Contact: brett.paterson@uq.edu.au
Description
Targeted radiopharmaceutical therapy is the use of radioactive molecules to selectively deliver a cytotoxic amount of ionising radiation to treat cancer. The highly ionising alpha particles produce lethal DNA double strand breaks within the cell nucleus while reducing the amount of unwanted radiation to surrounding tissues.
Lead-212 (²¹²Pb) and bismuth-212 (²¹²Bi) are alpha emitting radionuclides suitable for radiopharmaceutical therapy. The radiometals form stable complexes with macrocyclic chelators that can be attached to cancer targeting molecules such as peptides and antibodies. However, the presence of the radioactive complex can adversely influence the biodistribution and therefore the effectiveness and safety of the radiopharmaceuticals.
The student will contribute to the synthesis of new bifunctional chelators that are ultimately designed to improve the biodistribution of the antibodies for precision medicine.
What you’ll do
The student will carry out the synthesis, characterisation and analysis of new molecules with the potential for radiolabelling with ²¹²Pb.
What you’ll learn
The student will gain practical experience in a synthetic chemistry lab. This will include solid and solution phase synthesis, mass spectrometry, NMR spectroscopy, chromatography and radiochemistry.
Project outcomes
Expected outcomes include the development and validation of a method to synthesise new chelators for ²¹²Pb. The student will compile and analyse their data and summarise their findings in a report and/or research presentation.
Who should apply?
This project would suit a student with a background in organic, inorganic and medicinal chemistry and a keen interest in applying chemistry to address challenges in biology and medicine.
Team & supervision
The project will be conducted in the Paterson Group in AIBN under the supervision of A/Prof Brett Paterson. The student will work alongside students and postdoctoral researchers with a range of experience and expertise. The student will have regular meetings and interactions with the supervisor and team.
Additional opportunities
The student will have the opportunity to interact with researchers conducting a wide variety of projects based at the Centre for Advanced Imaging. There will also be opportunities to spend time in radiochemistry, tissue culture and molecular imaging laboratories.
Expected engagement
20–36 hours per week. Flexible working days.
Apply to:
Selective plasmonic chemical and biological sensors for national security and health applications
Supervisor: Dr Yusra Rabbani
Research Group: Blakey Group
Contact: y.rabbani@uq.edu.au
Description
Selective chemical and biological sensors have a crucial role to play in numerous sectors that include the detection of chemical warfare agents for national security and the detection of biochemical markers of disease in healthcare settings. A key challenge for detecting and quantifying chemical and biological species of interest in these applications is detecting trace amounts of chemicals in a complex real-world mixture – a chemical ‘needle in the haystack’.
This project seeks to design plasmonic sensors based on assemblies of gold nanoparticles with controlled morphologies, which are designed to selectively interact with and detect chemical and biological warfare agents for rapid assessment of terrorism risk or biochemical markers of cancer for early detection.
What you’ll do
Students will undertake nanoparticle synthesis and functionalisation, experimental optimisation, spectroscopic characterisation, data analysis, and interpretation of results, with guidance in planning and troubleshooting experiments. More specifically, students will use gold nanoparticles to develop Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy sensors for specific biological and chemical species.
What you’ll learn
Students will gain experience in:
- Wet-chemical synthesis of gold nanoparticles and nanoparticle assemblies.
- Surface functionalisation strategies for selective molecular recognition.
- Basic nanoparticle characterisation.
- Data analysis and interpretation.
Project outcomes
Expected outcomes include optimised experimental methods, characterised sensor materials, and a clear set of results that can inform future research and potential publication.
Who should apply?
Best suited to students in chemistry, biotechnology, biochemistry, materials science or related disciplines with an interest in nanomaterials, spectroscopy and biosensing. Ideal candidates will be curious, detail-oriented and motivated, with enthusiasm for hands-on laboratory research and learning new experimental techniques.
Team & supervision
The project will be conducted at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology. The primary supervisor will be Dr Yusra Rabbani, a postdoctoral research fellow working in the Blakey group with whom the student will be working.
Other group members include Mr Junaid Munawar and Associate Professor Idriss Blakey, who will work together for the project. The group focuses on plasmonic nanosensors for various applications.
Additional opportunities
Additional opportunities include research presentations, networking with fellow researchers, and potential contribution to publications, with pathways into Honours, Master’s or PhD research.
Expected engagement
25 hours per week.
Apply to:
Understanding Double Layer Formation for CO2 Electrolysers
Supervisor: Professor Debra Bernhardt
Research Group: Bernhardt Group
Contact: l.wylie@uq.edu.au
Description
Understanding the rate and dependences on factors such as temperature and applied potential for the formation of an electrode double layer is crucial to improving the absorption mechanism of CO2. This will enable fundamental knowledge necessary to determine how to apply a potential, such as constantly or with pulsing, to establish higher efficiencies and rates of reduction.
What you’ll do
This project will be fundamentally based on computational modelling, so will involve the simulation of electrode systems to calculate the formation of EDLs. It will involve novel molecular dynamics simulations and be undertaken on a variety of electrode/electrolyte systems, with varying reaction conditions.
What you’ll learn
Students will gain familiarity with running calculations on a high-performance cluster as well as methods to analyse large quantities of information. In addition, the student will become familiar with using molecular dynamics simulations to gain an understanding of large-scale, dynamic chemical phenomena.
Project outcomes
A greater understanding of the dynamics of EDL formation at the electrode/electrolyte interface will be obtained, with the ability to better characterise and understand how to alter the rates at which it forms.
Who should apply?
A student with background knowledge on Linux usage as well as Python coding would be ideal, or with the willingness to learn this. In addition, having a background knowledge on the basics of electrochemistry would be beneficial.
Team & supervision
The position would be situated in the group of Professor Debra Bernhardt and would have access to many resources and people to discuss theoretical chemistry methodology with to increase knowledge for the student. The student will largely work with Dr Luke Wylie, who is a research fellow within AIBN and the GETCO2 Centre of Excellence.
Additional opportunities
Given the project is within the GETCO2 Centre of Excellence, work produced may be presented at poster sessions or other events organised by GETCO2.
Expected engagement
36 hours per week.
Apply to:
Water-Borne Nanocoating for Rapid Inactivation of SARS-CoV‑2 and Other Viruses
Supervisor: Prof. Michael Monteiro
Research Group: Monteiro Group
Contact: m.monteiro@uq.edu.au
Description
The rise in coronavirus variants has resulted in surges of the disease across the globe. The mutations in the spike protein on the surface of the virion membrane not only allow for greater transmission but also raise concerns about vaccine effectiveness. Preventing the spread of SARS-CoV-2, its variants, and other viruses from person to person via airborne or surface transmission requires effective inactivation of the virus.
The aim of this work is to develop a water-borne spray-on coating for the complete inactivation of viral particles and degradation of their RNA. Produce functional nanoworms to efficiently bind and, through subsequent large nanoscale conformational changes, rupture the viral membrane and subsequently bind and degrade its RNA.
We will target completely inactivated SARS-CoV-2 (VIC01) and an evolved SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern (B.1.1.7 (alpha)), influenza A, and a surrogate capsid pseudovirus expressing the influenza A virus attachment glycoprotein, hemagglutinin.
What you’ll do
The student will carry out lab work in the synthesis and characterization of functional nanoworms, and then test for viral inactivation.
What you’ll learn
The student will learn organic and polymer synthesis techniques, coupled with characterisation of organic compounds through NMR and SEC, DLS and TEM of the nanoworms.
Project outcomes
The expected output by the end of the project will be a fully synthesised and characterised nanoworm, and may extend to the synthesis of new nanostructures. These nanostructures will be tested for antiviral activity.
Who should apply?
Students interested in synthesis of molecules and macromolecules, and studying the behaviour of the resultant nanostructures in water.
Team & supervision
Students will work with Prof. Monteiro and the Monteiro Group. The student will be supervised in the lab by one of the PhD students, who are completing their research in this field.
Additional opportunities
No additional opportunities were specified for this project.
Expected engagement
Between 30–36 hours per week.