Faculty of Science

Australia’s forensic taphonomy facility The Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research (AFTER) is a unique body donation facility dedicated to the study of forensic taphonomy in Australia. Forensic taphonomy is the study of human remains from the time of death to the time of discovery. This field of science aims to solve problems surrounding the physical, chemical, and biological processes of human decomposition. Facility unique to Australian conditions Until now, human decomposition has only been studied in the USA at facilities colloquially known as ‘body farms’. These facilities carry out research through the invaluable donation of willed bodies to forensic science. Due to the distinct climatic, ecological and geological variation that we experience in Australia, a need was recognised for a facility that was representative of Australian conditions to better assist local police investigations. In 2016, AFTER officially opened as the only facility of its kind in Australia and the Southern Hemisphere. AFTER represents a multidisciplinary collaboration between academic, police and forensic agencies, who have members regularly involved in death investigations. Contribution to society AFTER will enable our researchers and practitioners to improve their understanding of the human decomposition process and assist police and forensic investigators to search for, locate, recover, and identify victim remains. The research will also enhance our ability to estimate time since death. Such research is important for investigations involving missing persons, as well as victims of homicide, genocide, and mass disaster. Donors to AFTER contribute to the most integral part of this work and our research would not be possible without their invaluable contribution to forensic science.

A training and production facility housing sophisticated bioprocessing technology to provide biologics manufacturing solutions and transform professional training in a simulated GMP environment. The Biologics Innovation Facility (BIF) is a training and production-focused facility located at the University of Technology Sydney. The state-of-the-art single-use biomanufacturing equipment gives the fast-changing biomanufacturing and pharmaceutical industry the opportunity to have employees locally trained and upskilled in both upstream and downstream processing techniques. This offers a unique chance for students and biotech companies to up-skill their future workforce. Uniquely, the BIF provides critical infrastructure for biotechnology companies to scale and refine their processes. This allows researchers and industry to develop processes in a GMP simulated environment, which de-risks project translation to commercial impact. As a flexible, single use, small batch production and testing facility, BIF overcomes current constraints in local facilities often geared to long production runs. The facility is based on a 200L manufacturing process capable of manufacturing a range of products from viral vector therapies and mRNA vaccines to lab-grown meat and alternative proteins . With state-of-the-art biomanufacturing equipment suitable for process development of Viral Vectors therapeutics, RNA vaccines and associated products, cellular agriculture and more

Chemical Technologies provide research laboratories for high quality research, training, education and consultancy services. Research laboratories assists in a variety of corporate, government and community organisations in Chemistry, Forensic Science, Nanotechnology and Material science. Chemical Technologies also provide instrumentation support for research, teaching and the consultancy service. Our Services The Centre provides knowledge, analysis and interpretation of data for researchers and students at University of Technology Sydney. The focus of the Chemical technologies team is to build relationships and endorse opportunities for collaboration between the customers of researcher industry, government and tertiary laboratories with our centre. Furthermore the Centre of Chemical Technologies has more than 20 highly sophisticated instruments for hire either with or without a Facility staff operator. The Facility can run courses for industry workers in basic and advanced analytical, forensic and material techniques. On completion of the formal training program industry users are able to access Facility instrumentation 24 hours, 7 days a week. Research laboratories consist of 3 suites: Analytical suite The analytical suite in Chemical Technologies can cater to a range of analytical questions ranging from structural identification and elucidation to the elemental composition of samples. Forensic suite The Forensic suite has various specialised instruments available for forensic applications such as fibres analysis, finger marks detection, chemical trace analysis (including paint, fibres, glass, fire and explosive residues), document examination, drug analysis and microscopy analysis. Contact Dr Linda Xiao for more information about the instruments and facilities. Materials suite The Materials Suite in Chemical Technologies provides support for characterisation of physical samples. Characterisation of samples are usually performed on instruments currently residing in the Materials Suite of Chemical Technologies.

The Elemental Bio-Imaging facility (EBiF) is a world-class multidisciplinary facility, unique in Australia. By combining research expertise in analytical chemistry, physics and clinical and biological sciences, we have established an international reputation for state of the art bio-imaging solutions for solving complex analytical and biological research questions. It is the only dedicated facility in the world for imaging of trace elements by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Our fully equipped facilities and world-recognised expertise enable us to continuously break new ground in research and to develop innovative analysis solutions to meet the needs of our collaborators, clients and industry partners. The facility is part of the Chemical Technologies Facility which carry resources of specialised equipment and instruments in analytical chemistry, materials science and forensics. The laboratories service fee paying customers, academics and students for research, teaching and training.

The Environmental Research Facility supports the research activities of the School of the Environnment, including the research strengths of the Climate Change Cluster and the Centre for Environmental Sustainability. This involves a diverse range of research areas from aquatic to terrestrial environments, in both laboratory and field settings.

The Microbial Imaging Facility (MIF) at UTS has been established to provide: • High-resolution imaging of bacteria and parasites, and their interactions with host eukaryotic cells. • High-resolution imaging of biological processes of and within larger eukaryotic cells. • Training and on-going support on the use of both basic and advanced microscopes including: - transmitted light - wide-field fluorescence - confocal laser-scanning - super-resolution and a range of image analysis and 3D-image visualisation software (ImageJ, FIJI, Huygens and Bitplane™ Imaris).

The Microstructural Analysis Unit (MAU) is a centralised large equipment facility within the Faculty of Science that was established in 1993 to underpin high quality research and support a broad range of postgraduate and undergraduate teaching programs. This centre provides researchers in both the physical and biological sciences with access to a comprehensive array of state-of-the-art analytical microscopy tools as well as materials analysis and fabrication equipment. Research expertise and advanced training are provided in advanced microscopy and materials characterisation techniques by a highly experienced team of professional staff.

The UTS Proteomics and Metabolomics Core Facility brings together leading technologies for sample preparation, extraction, fractionation and separation, identification and characterisation of proteins, proteoforms, metabolites and lipids. We have world recognised expertise in the analysis of microorganisms by utilising electrophoretic and chromatographic technologies to separate proteoforms and peptides prior to analysis by mass spectrometry. These global analysis techniques are then complimented by targeted analysis to determine biological function and relevance. The facility has analysed a vast array of samples such as microorganisms, pathogens, tissue, cell lines, arthropods, plants and coral. The research facility offers services and training in proteomics and metabolomics technologies to Australian and international researchers from academia and industry. It has particular expertise in experimental design, custom method development, sample preparation, complex mixture fractionation and separations, with a particular focus on proteoforms. The Proteomics and Metabolomics Core Facility resides within the Faculty of Science’s extensive Biomedical and Bioscience research facilities that have OGTR PC2 certification and are a Quarantine Approved Premises. It has a broad range of expertise available in bacteriology, parasitology, molecular biology and tissue culture. The Facility partners its research closely with the Australian Institute for Microbiology and Infection (AIMI), the School of Life Sciences, the School of Mathematics and Physical Sciences, the Microbial Imaging Facility and Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research (AFTER).

The Next Generation Sequencing Facility is located within the Australian Institute for Microbiology & Infection (AIMI), UTS. We offer next-generation sequencing on the Illumina platform and data delivery. We aim to provide affordable sequencing support for internal and external researchers, students, and industry to generate quality genomic data. Our Services •Bacterial Whole Genome Sequencing •Small Target Express DNA Sequencing •16S rRNA Sequencing Other types: - Metagenomics - RNA Sequencing - Hi-C All sequencing services are based on the Illumina platform, and we provide Sample QC, Library preparation, sequencing, and delivery of data in Fastq format. For Small target Express DNA Sequencing, our Turnaround time is 72 hours and for all the other types of sequencing, it is 6-8 weeks. We provide special discounted pricing for 49+ samples. Please contact us for more information.

The UTS Surgical and Anatomical Science Facility is one of Australia’s foremost dedicated human anatomical laboratories. The facility has world-class specimen viewing and preparation areas, fitted with cutting edge equipment and technologies that allow students and their teachers to work in a safe and comfortable environment as they enhance both their practical skills and their anatomical knowledge. The core activities of the facility lie in three main areas: - support for anatomical teaching, - support for commercial surgical developments; and - support for anatomical and scientific research. The facility supports anatomical teaching across both undergraduate and postgraduate biomedical training contexts and provides an ideal environment for ongoing anatomical training for clinical disciplines. It supports research and development as well as training by commercial enterprises, specialising in the development of new surgical procedures and technologies for modern clinical medical practice. Our team of highly skilled technical and academic staff provides anatomical teaching and research resources that set a standard of excellence, designed to meet the increasing challenges of modern surgical and anatomical practice. Our Services The Surgical and Anatomical Science Facility is equipped to meet the needs of modern surgical industry suppliers as well as supporting medical skills updating programs. Our facility aims to facilitate development of both surgical training methodologies and technological advances associated with implantable devices. Specific services can include delivery of: - continuing professional development programs - company specific workshops for both small and large groups - surgical trial sessions for new procedures and/or devices - tailored anatomical programs targeted at specific skill upgrade outcomes - film and television surgical set provisioning and filming backgrounds. You can email us to discuss your requirements and learn more about our anatomical services.

The Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS), founded in 2005 and located on Chowder Bay in Sydney Harbour, is a world-leading marine science institute and the principal marine research facility in NSW. SIMS is a partnership between University of Technology Sydney, Macquarie University, the University of NSW, and the University of Sydney. These pages focus on SIMS infrastructure available to UTS researchers. Located in heritage buildings that have been fitted out with world-class facilities, including a running seawater aquarium with temperature and CO2 control as well as biological containment, SIMS is a unique focal point for collaborative marine research and innovation, provision of marine research for policy makers and managers, and research training and teaching in the marine sciences. If you would like to access the facilities please contact info@sims.org.au SIMS sits in the middle of Australia’s largest city – a city of over 5 million people. It also sits on a coastline that is bathed by the East Australian Current, making Sydney and the coast of New South Wales a global hotspot for ocean warming. SIMS’ unique location makes it the ideal place from which to address the combined impacts of urbanisation and climate change, two of the central challenges facing coastal sustainability today. Beyond Sydney and NSW, management and rehabilitation of our coasts and oceans in the context of urban development and a changing environment is a global issue, and SIMS scientists work across the world to share understanding and expertise on the marine environment. SIMS research is solution focused, resulting in novel approaches and technologies for enhancing our sustainable use and enjoyment of the marine environment now and into the future. If you are interested in what SIMS does, please click on See More below. If you are interested in understanding more about UTS participation in SIMS, please contact Prof Martina Doblin.