Centre for Bioinnovation

University of the Sunshine Coast

Formerly known as GeneCology Research Centre

Back to directory

Photo of scientist’s hand wearing blue glove undertaking sample preparation with a pipette in a research laboratory

The Centre for Bioinnovation brings together an interdisciplinary team of world-leading scientists to focus on biotechnological innovations and bio-inspired solutions to significantly and positively impact human and animal health, food production and security, and the environment. Our research spans five themes: Human and Animal Health and Disease; Applied Microbiology; Aquaculture Biotechnology; Biodiscovery; and Conservation and Biodiversity. We perform extensive microbiome research and develop novel diagnostics and therapeutics for infectious diseases with applications in clinical health and agriculture. We advance aquaculture through reproductive development, selective breeding, genetics, and genomics to manipulate species physiology. We also invest in the discovery of bioactive natural products from microorganisms and terrestrial and aquatic plants and animals for applications in health, agri- and aquaculture, and conservation.

Website
https://www.usc.edu.au/research/centre-for-bioinnovation
Organisation type
  • University research centre
  • Australian Research Council Industrial Transformation Research Hubs – Partner Organisation
  • Cooperative Research Centre – Partner Organisation
Number of research staff
20-100 research staff
Address
Building I (Science), UniSC Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs QLD 4556 Australia

Strengths and capabilities

  • Genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, proteomics, lipidomics, microbiomics
  • Molecular engineering and diagnostics
  • Therapeutics and vaccine development
  • Microbial, genetic, and biochemical testing
  • Biodiscovery of bioactive molecules
  • Mass and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy
  • Chromatography
  • Food analysis
  • Aquaculture Biotechnology
  • Aquatic reproductive systems
  • Induction of spawning
  • Chemical communication
  • Bioinformatics
  • Biodiversity assessment and conservation
  • eDNA analysis and DNA barcoding

Facilities and major equipment

  • Advanced Instrumentation Facility (analytical chemistry)
  • Aquaculture laboratory and facility
  • Advanced genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, microbial cell culture, cell culture, pre-PCR, PCR DNA/RNA analysis/identification/diagnostics in Physical Containment Class 2 (PC2) laboratories
  • Microscopy (confocal, scanning electron microscope)
  • Insectary
  • Glass/Greenhouse and plant grow-out area
  • Plant tissue culture facility
  • Bioinformatics software, hardware, and facilities
  • Genetics, microbiology, omics, chemistry in Physical Containment Class 1 (PC1) laboratory

Lead researchers

  • Prof Abigail Elizur, Director – Advancing genetic and reproductive biotechnologies in aquaculture for food security, health, and conservation.
  • Prof Peter Timms, Deputy Director – Leading the development of new diagnostics and vaccines for chlamydial diseases to save the Koala.
  • A/Prof Joanne Macdonald, Deputy Director – Progressing biosensing technology to develop new low resource, rapid, accurate diagnostic tools for deadly pathogens.
  • Prof Scott Cummins, Theme Leader – Innovative multi-omics approaches to elucidation of peptides and proteins for aquaculture, marine conservation, and health.
  • A/Prof Volker Herzig, Theme Leader – Biodiscovery of novel venom components for applications including bioinsecticides. Compiled world's largest arachnid venoms collection.

Achievements of the centre

Key science sectors

More information about the sectors this centre is involved in:

Update details

Is this your centre? See any issues? Send a request to update your listing.