Research training centre for portable sample analysis

The Australian Research Council (ARC) has opened its latest research training centre, the ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Portable Analytical Separation Technologies (ASTech), at the University of Tasmania (UTAS). A collaborative effort between the federal government, UTAS and Trajan Scientific and Medical, the centre is dedicated to developing portable, miniature technologies for sample analysis.

Analytical separation science allows samples to be broken down into their component parts and measured. It has a range of applications in areas including forensics, medical and clinical analysis, environmental testing, and food safety. But as noted by the director of the new centre, Professor Emily Hinder, “Right now, analytical separations are typically done in large labs due to the size and complexity of the technology.

“What if you could carry out a full suite of tests on a pin-prick droplet of blood rather than a full vial, and what if those tests could be done on equipment at the GP’s office rather than sent off to a central lab?” asked Professor Hinder. “What if you could carry out tests on your smartphone?”

The result, according to the collaborators, would be huge efficiencies in time and logistics. Additionally, ARC CEO Professor Aidan Byrne noted that the centre could help progress portable separation science systems in the manufacturing industry - a key sector identified by the government in its Industry Innovation and Competitiveness Agenda.

“This centre will have a significant impact on the development of high-end manufacturing in Australia, both through its research and by creating a new cohort of industry-ready researchers in a field poised for rapid advancement,” said UTAS Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Rathjen.

Professor Byrne said the training centre will “combine industry knowledge with research capability for innovations in product design and manufacturing techniques”. Industry partner Trajan will focus on developing and commercialising technologies that enable analytical systems to be more selective, sensitive and specific for biological, environmental or food related measurements.

The centre will also “train a cohort of innovative scientists in an industry setting by providing Higher Degree by Research and postdoctoral training”, said Professor Byrne. Professor Rathjen noted that the university is offering three postdoctoral research fellowship and scholarships for 10 PhD students through the centre.

For more information, visit www.astech.org.au