Keeping plants and humans healthy

The research of leading Charles Sturt nanotechnology scientist Distinguished Professor Muhammad JA Shiddiky focuses on developing biosensing methods and portable diagnostic devices for various biomedical, agricultural and environmental uses.

Professor Shiddiky said the availability of simple, fast and affordable molecular testing methods and devices for detecting and treating diseases on-site has the potential to change the way we approach healthcare and agriculture.

“This shift would move us towards a more personalised, predictive and preventative model, focusing on early detection and effective management of diseases.”

Currently, diagnostic methods for healthcare and agriculture often require expensive materials, facilities and are time-consuming, making them inaccessible in low-income and resource-poor countries. These advancements in molecular testing and technology have led to more affordable, on-site testing.

“Such testing is also applicable to agricultural biomarkers, including plant disease-causing pathogens and global water-related disease biomarkers like cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis.”