Faculty/School

Faculty of Science

School of Chemistry and Physics

Topic status

We're looking for students to study this topic.

Research centre

Centre for Data Science

Primary Supervisor

Dr Nathan Boase
Position
Senior Lecturer
Division / Faculty
Faculty of Science

Overview

The personalised treatment of disease though nanomedicine will allow for more effective and safer treatments for patients. Polymer theranostics provide for the simultaneous detection of disease, treatment, and monitoring of therapeutic response. Our research group synthesises new polymeric materials and investigates how they can be used in applications such as:

  • potent antivirals to fight future pandemics
  • the effect of radiation on materials for improved radiotherapy for cancer
  • responsive imaging agents that can report on metabolic processes of disease
  • characterizing the interaction of polymeric materials with cell membranes.

Research engagement

As part of this larger research project, there are specific sub-goals for student research projects. Projects can be developed in the following areas.

  • learn and gain experience in controlled chemical techniques to synthesise polymeric materials with defined composition and architecture as smart nanomedicines
  • have the opportunity to perform advanced analytical techniques and learn how to characterise the structure and properties of polymer nanomedicines
  • learn how to use data science and artificial intelligence to predict new polymer nanomedicine designs

Research activities

Laboratory research activities will be completed in the M6 Synthetic Chemistry Laboratory, working with a diverse team of researchers from the School of Chemistry and Physics. Chemical characterisation will use advanced instrumentation available through the Central Analytical Research Facility. AI based work offers flexible work arrangements and can work on standard personal computers.

Research skills

  • laboratory skills in polymer synthesis and modification
  • characterisation methods for analysis of polymer structure
  • characterisation methods to probe polymer interactions with models of lipid membranes
  • AI methods for prediction of polymer structures - machine learning and generative AI

Outcomes

This project will lead to new polymeric materials that are able to interact with biological systems to detect and treat disease. The project will develop new understanding of the relationship between the physical and chemical properties of polymers, and their biological interactions. It also aims to develop AI methods to predict new polymer structures for automated polymer synthesis.

Skills and experience

This project will suit students who have a passion and enthusiasm for chemistry. A foundation of at least first year undergraduate level chemistry is required for the project. Students with data science and computer science experience are also encouraged to apply for this interdisciplinary project.

Start date

2 November, 2026

End date

19 February, 2027

Location

QUT Gardens Point

Keywords

Contact

Nathan Bosae, School of Chemistry and Physics, Centre for Materials Science

31382429

nathan.boase@qut.edu.au