Using bio-inspired approaches to contribute to drug discovery, disease diagnostics and therapeutics. Improving societal outcomes and supporting ecosystems through a focus on aquaculture, conservation and biodiversity.
Research Themes
Applied Microbiology
This theme includes studies into major diseases in both humans and animals as well as the development of disease diagnostics and therapeutics.
Aquaculture Biotechnology
This theme is focused on the development and application of innovative technologies for the enhancement of the aquaculture industry.
Learn more about Cultivated Crustacean Meat.
Biodiscovery
This theme focuses on drug discovery from natural products and proteins for applications mainly in the medical world but also as new technologies for aquaculture and conservation. The tools used, based on the advanced instrumentation lab, are also used for basic research into the role of metabolites in biology.
Conservation and Biodiversity
This theme is focused on applying molecular tools to address key questions in global conservation and biodiversity.
Human and Animal Health and Disease
The Human and Animal Health and Disease theme focuses on infectious diseases affecting humans, animals, and the environment. Members work on novel diagnostics, prevalence and epidemiological aspects of disease, prevention, management, and therapeutics development, including vaccines and anti-microbials. Other health-related research includes the study of human breast milk.
About us
Our Vision, Mission and Values
Vision
- Contribute to society through innovation in creating knowledge and solutions using bio-inspired approaches, to improve societal outcomes
- To support our ecosystem through conservation of biodiversity and heritage
Values
- Excellence and scientific integrity
- Collaboration and sharing of knowledge
- Collegiality and respect
Mission
- Bring together local, national and international leading researchers to enable the Centre to lead international efforts in solving key biological challenges
- Promote innovation through the creation of new technologies that are applied for the benefit of society and the environment
- Support the advancement of knowledge and the achievement of excellence through the promotion of state-of-the-art facilities and strong national and international collaborations
- Provide high quality training of future scientists and ensure they are exposed to innovation and opportunities to expand their research and horizons
- Promote productive partnerships with industry to ensure research is applied and solves real world challenges, being built on innovative basic science
- Work closely with commercial partners to ensure research outcomes are industry relevant
- Create an internally supportive and collegiate research environment that would foster excellence and international standing
Bioinnovation in the news
Study finds liquid rapidly inactivates coronavirus for faster and potentially life-saving testing
10 Oct 2023A Queensland research collaboration has identified a simple way to safely kill coronavirus in patient diagnostic samples by using a unique preparation liquid – developed by UniSC – that has the potential to save lives by speeding up testing, leading to faster test results and faster treatment.
Rapid detection vital in deadly bat-borne virus outbreak
20 Sep 2023A University of the Sunshine Coast researcher who has helped develop a simple dipstick test to screen for the highly infectious Nipah virus says rapid detection is critical to controlling deadly outbreaks.
New rapid test for deadly mosquito-borne virus
18 Aug 2023University of the Sunshine Coast researchers have developed a rapid portable test for one of the world’s fastest-spreading mosquito-borne diseases, following funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Research Foundation.