DESIGN A / FLUORESCENCE
A GFP signal
Target binding is designed to enable production of green fluorescent protein. This approach requires translation machinery and supports quantitative laboratory measurements.
TRANSLATION-DEPENDENTRNA BIOSENSING RESEARCH
Small switches.
A new perspective on melanoma detection.
We are developing programmable RNA biosensors to recognise BRAF V600E, a mutation associated with melanoma. Our goal is to make molecular testing more accessible.
Research-stage technology. Not available for clinical use.
THE MOLECULAR SWITCHCONCEPT ANIMATION
01 / 03
The RNA hairpin limits access to the translation initiation region in the GFP design.
Choose a component to explore its role.
Illustrative mechanism only. Selectivity and reporter performance require validation.
A student-led project at
The University of Queensland
Participating in the
Australasian SynBio Challenge 2026
01 / OUR APPROACH
A molecular signal
worth investigating.
What if a small RNA switch could help make molecular testing easier to access?
That question drives MelanoSense. We are investigating a biosensor that recognises mutation-bearing BRAF RNA and converts that interaction into a measurable response.
Our longer-term vision is a portable platform that could support molecular screening. First, we need to establish how reliably the sensor distinguishes its intended target from other RNA.
AccessibleLower assay complexity is a design goal.
PortableA compact readout is our long-term ambition.
02 / THE SCIENCE
RNA recognition.
A measurable response.
Engineered RNA structures can act as molecular switches. We are developing two reporter approaches around that recognition principle.
Choose your level of detail
Recognition and readout are separate design questions
The GFP architecture couples trigger binding to access to the ribosome binding site and start codon. The proposed G4 architecture instead aims to expose a G-quadruplex-forming sequence for hemin-associated reporter chemistry. A single-nucleotide target difference makes discrimination against wild-type RNA a central experimental question, rather than an assumed property.
Mutant, wild-type, scrambled and no-trigger conditions help distinguish intended activation from background. Trigger concentration and sequence context are also part of the validation plan.
THE TOEHOLD PRINCIPLECONCEPT DIAGRAM
01
A folded switch
The engineered RNA forms a hairpin. In the GFP design, this structure limits access to the translation initiation region.
02
A matching trigger
Complementary target RNA is designed to bind the toehold region and open the switch.
03
A reporter response
The activated design enables a measurable output. Distinguishing mutant from wild-type RNA is the key question we are testing.
DESIGN B / COLOUR
A G-quadruplex readout
Our proposed second design couples RNA recognition to G-quadruplex/hemin chemistry, aiming to produce a colour change without making a reporter protein.
TRANSLATION-INDEPENDENT CONCEPTBRAF V600E is a molecular target, not a diagnosis on its own. The project’s intended role is future screening support; clinical usefulness remains to be established.
03 / DEVELOPMENT
Building the evidence,
step by step.
Our current work centres on switch design and laboratory validation. Each next stage depends on the evidence from the one before it.
01CURRENT FOCUS
Design & test
Design RNA switches and compare responses to mutant, wild-type, scrambled and no-trigger controls.
02VALIDATION PLAN
Characterise performance
Evaluate signal, background and concentration dependence, including performance in cell-free systems.
03FUTURE INTEGRATION
Explore a patch format
Investigate minimally invasive microneedle sampling, RNA recovery and a potential lateral-flow readout.
The ambition is accessibility.
The priority is evidence.
Sampling feasibility, RNA stability and integrated device performance still require testing. Microneedle and at-home applications remain future goals.
FUTURE DEVICE CONCEPT
A possible route
from skin to signal.
A proposed workflow, not a working clinical device. Select a stage to see the development question it introduces.
Can sampling recover enough intact target RNA?
Microneedles are a future minimally invasive sampling option. Recovery from a relevant sample source and target availability need to be established before integrating a patch.
04 / OUR TEAM
Different disciplines.
One shared question.
Six students bringing biotechnology, biomedical science and engineering together at The University of Queensland.
Aanika Bray
Science & Biomedical Science
Finn Hutchings
Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology
Nishkarsh Jain
Master of Biotechnology
Pearl Batta
Master of Biotechnology
Sanjai Ravichandran
Master of Biotechnology
Tanya Shekhar Barua
Master of Biotechnology
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORDr Axayacatl GonzalezFollow our research on LinkedIn ↗
PROJECT NOTEBOOK
Inside MelanoSense.
Explore our team and research concepts. Select an image for a closer look.
RESEARCH UPDATES · 2026
Sharing our biosensor concept
The team presented its RNA biosensor concept at the UQ School of Chemical Engineering Symposium and took part in the ASBC Mid-Year Showcase.
Read the team's updates on LinkedIn ↗COMMON QUESTIONS
A closer look.
What we are developing, what we are testing and what comes next.
Can I use MelanoSense to test a skin lesion?
No. MelanoSense is a research-stage project and is not available for patient testing. The proposed technology has not been established as a clinical diagnostic test.
What does the sensor aim to recognise?
The current focus is BRAF RNA carrying the V600E mutation. Recognising a molecular target alone does not establish a melanoma diagnosis.
Why are there two reporter designs?
GFP provides a fluorescence-based laboratory readout that requires translation machinery. The proposed G-quadruplex/hemin route explores a colour response without producing a reporter protein. Each design requires its own validation.
Is the microneedle patch already working?
Patch sampling and lateral-flow integration are future development goals. RNA recovery, stability and integrated assay performance must first be investigated.
How can I collaborate with the team?
We welcome discussions about RNA biosensing, assay development and future translation. Email Sanjai Ravichandran to start a conversation.
Scientific foundations
Background research that informs the approach; these publications are not MelanoSense validation studies.
Green et al. (2014) · Toehold Switches: De-Novo-Designed Regulators of Gene Expression ↗Pardee et al. (2014) · Paper-Based Synthetic Gene Networks ↗SPONSORSHIP & COLLABORATION
Help promising research
take its next step.
We welcome sponsors and collaborators who want to support student-led RNA biosensor research. Financial support, materials and specialist expertise can help us investigate the questions that matter next.
A PARTNERSHIP WITH PURPOSE
Contribute to the science.
Connect with its next generation.
Work with a multidisciplinary UQ student team investigating accessible molecular sensing. We can discuss a defined contribution, relevant project updates and opportunities to share expertise.
Recognition, engagement activities and any use of names or logos would be agreed together. Research outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
START A CONVERSATION
Tell us where
your interests meet ours.
Whether you have a specific contribution in mind or would like to hear more, help us understand your organisation and what you would like to explore.
- Introduce yourselfShare your interests and the type of support you are considering.
- Explore the fitDiscuss the research priorities and a useful scope together.
- Agree the next stepDefine contributions, expectations and any recognition before proceeding.
Sanjai Ravichandran · Team contact
Connect with MelanoSense on LinkedIn ↗