At the CNBP we use the power of light to measure, seeking to understand the complex molecular processes that underpin the living body, as well as other dynamic biological systems.
Our approaches and technologies encompass Discovery—of chemical, nanomaterial and fibre based light responsive tools—that Sense and that can also Image.
Bringing these three core capability areas together, we are driving the development of innovative new molecular sensing tools that have broad application across the biosciences, medical, agriculture, food and manufacturing sectors.
From next-generation diagnostic devices monitoring for health and disease, through to advanced bio-devices overseeing food and quality control—our tools are measuring activity at the nanoscale, in ways that are producing societal benefit and impact.
Read more About us, delve deeper into our Research activity, look at our Case studies and play the video below to find out more about our innovative and transformational biophotonics activities!
28 May 2020: When the Reserve Bank of Australia wanted to develop new security technologies for bank notes, Prof Jim Piper’s Advanced Imaging research group in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP) at Macquarie University had an answer: timecoded nanoparticles. Prof Piper and his team could code the fading glow of nanoparticles […]
13 May 2020: Originally published by UNSW: Non-invasive colour analysis of cells could one day be used in diagnostics, a proof-of-concept study has shown. An imbalance of unstable molecular species called ‘free radicals’ will change the colour of cells – and a new imaging technique could one day allow scientists to detect and decode this […]
13 May 2020: When a couple cannot conceive naturally, they often turn to in-vitro fertilisation. And that’s when the spectre of ‘aneuploidy’ arises — the risk that a fertilised embryo will have an abnormal number of chromosomes instead of the usual 46, triggering a range of congenital disorders, most of which result in miscarriage, stillbirth […]
7 May 2020: Medical researchers face a hurdle when studying cells under an optical microscope — the laws of physics. Obtaining an image of anything below a certain size is complicated; optical apertures and the wavelength of visible light play havoc with clarity. Known as the diffraction limit, it was first encountered by German physicist […]
29 April 2020: A host of diseases – like meningitis, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, Alzheimer’s disease, even some cancers – are ultimately caused by problems at the cellular level. Hence, understanding what is happening inside cells is essential. Observing cells under a microscope helps, but what medical researchers would really like to do is see processes […]
The Centre for Nanoscale BioPhotonics links Australia's key nanophotonics groups and builds on Global Collaborations with a focus on doing the science required to advance biology.
