Prof Brian Wilson, Chair, CNBP International Science Committee; University Health Network, Canada
CNBP’s scientific legacy is the discovery of chemical, nanomaterial and fibre-based light responsive tools that sense and image the molecular origins of Reproductive Success, Wound Healing and Persistent Pain.
In 2014 the ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale Biophotonics (CNBP) began with a mission: ‘To discover new approaches to measure nanoscale dynamic phenomena in living systems’. This ambition has been achieved in spades.
With 38 million dollars committed for 7 years, the CNBP has had the luxury of time: time to develop a shared language between researchers from very different fields; time to nurture a new generation of emerging science leaders; and time to create a lasting legacy of scientific innovation.
CNBP began by asking questions at the nanoscale of biological life with a focus toward understanding fundamental human physiology.
The Centre’s scientific program has focussed on the three domains of Imaging, Sensing and Discovery.
Underpinning these areas of research are fundamental motivations to capture images and make sensing measurements in 1) ultrasmall volumes; 2) in defined spatial compartments; 3) in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo, in behaving models; 4) at the relevant timescale, including in real-time; 5) at new limits of a resolution, sensitivity and specificity level; 6) using deployable devices.
Other tools and capabilities have broader application across the biosciences, medical, agriculture, food and manufacturing sectors.
But CNBP’s legacy is not just the way it has done Big Science well. The Centre has led the way by prioritising the development of a nurturing culture; innovatively communicating CNBP science to the media, industry and policy makers, and by starting the commercialisation process on the very first day of its projects.
We invite you to explore this website and learn more about the CNBP journey.
In the video below (published in 2016), CNBP Director Prof Mark Hutchinson explains the vision for the Centre and what aimed to achieve. Since the video was published, the Centre expanded to also have nodes at UNSW and Griffith University.
