PhD position: Development of a biosensor system to predict type I diabetes susceptibility

The incidence of Type 1 diabetes is escalating globally (increasing by 2% p.a. in Australia). 542,000 children worldwide have type 1 diabetes and several millions are at risk of type 1 diabetes (IDF 7th ed Atlas 2015); however diagnosis usually only occurs very late in the development of the disease exposing children to major irreversible health risks due to complications before treatment can even be considered. The development of a kit to predict diabetes will allow stratification of individuals “at risk” of T1D and identify those who need appropriate care/medication to retard the development of type 1 diabetes and prevent unnecessary complications.

We are seeking talented and passionate PhD candidates to join our team. The successful candidate will be enrolled in a multidisciplinary project spanning design and fabrication of silicon chip based photonic sensors, signal processing, automated microfluidic integration, chemical functionalization and clinical deployment. We offer a dynamic environment and the opportunity to work on an innovative scientific project addressing a relevant clinical problem: the early diagnosis of type I Diabetes.

The project seeks the identification of a pre-established type I Diabetes signature of microRNAs1 and cell-free (cf)DNA sequences by on chip sample preparation and multiplexed analysis to enable point of care deployment. This will facilitate improved diagnostic and monitoring tool for diabetes prediction.

The main objectives are:

1) Design, fabrication and optical characterisation of sensitive Photonic sensor devices that allow for multiplexed analyses.

2) Design, fabrication and characterization of microfluidic devices for on chip sample preparation such as blood/plasma separation, nucleic acid extraction and purification, and interfacing to array microfluidics for biosensing.

3) Interrogation of photonic biosensors using sophisticated signal processing/imaging approaches.

4) Design and assessment of diagnostic methodologies involving adequate sensor surface chemistry functionalization and validation for their implementation in biomedical and clinical settings.

We are looking for versatile and independent researchers with a solid background in related topics. If your background fits in one or more of the objectives pursued in this project do not hesitate in applying using this form.

Please contact Dist. Prof. Arnan Mitchell or Dr. Cesar S Huertas for more information.