Innovative Antimicrobial Treatments For Successful Bone Allografts
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$473,706.00
Summary
Bone healing sites are commonly infected, and this is associated with adverse clinical and significant socioeconomic outcomes. These studies will determine whether our novel antimicrobials can be used to reduce bone infections by studying the combination of antimicrobials and bone in laboratory and bone fracture studies whilst minimising the potential of developing antibiotic resistance.
Bioactive And Biodegradable Scaffold And Novel Graft Source For The Repair Of Large Segmental Bone Defects
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$451,103.00
Summary
The treatment of large bone defects arising from trauma and tumour remains a challenge to orthopaedic surgeons. This project combines a well-established scaffold that can be custom-made to address patient specific requirements with a novel source of graft that can be harvested in significant volumes with minimal pain and morbidity. This novel tissue engineering approach will be evaluated in a previously established pre-clinical model that reflects the severity of challenging clinical scenarios.
Enhanced And Highly Specific Delivery Of Small Interfering RNA And Oligonucleotides As Therapeutics For Gene Silencing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$311,860.00
Summary
This proposal aims to develop glyco-nanocarriers for the efficient and specific delivery of siRNA/oligonucleotides to treat liver diseases. Complex glycopolymer architectures developed here will protect desired genes from enzymatic degradation and will deliver the gene to the liver specifically for therapy, hence providing a solution towards nucleic acid therapy.
Development And Evaluation Of Novel Antibacterial Coatings For The Prevention Of Infection On Biomedical Devices
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$284,402.00
Summary
This project aims to develop infection-resistant coatings that can be applied to a wide range of biomedical devices used in human health care. Novel antibacterial compounds from Australian plants (genus Eremophila) will be coated as thin layers onto model materials used for biomedical device fabrication, then onto real-life biomedical products and evaluated for ability to deter colonization by biofilm-forming human pathogenic bacteria.
Biocompatible Synthetic Conduits To Treat Vascular Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$421,818.00
Summary
Clinically available synthetic conduits used in vascular repair and bypass are fundamentally incompatible with the vasculature. They cause inflammation at the site of implantation and increase the risk of blood clots forming. We have developed a unique method of binding bioactive protein layers to the surface of all polymeric materials and have shown a significant improvement in their compatibility. Grafts coated using our technology stand to dramatically improve the treatment of vascular diseas ....Clinically available synthetic conduits used in vascular repair and bypass are fundamentally incompatible with the vasculature. They cause inflammation at the site of implantation and increase the risk of blood clots forming. We have developed a unique method of binding bioactive protein layers to the surface of all polymeric materials and have shown a significant improvement in their compatibility. Grafts coated using our technology stand to dramatically improve the treatment of vascular disease.Read moreRead less
Development Of Gene-activated Scaffolds As Bone Bioreactor For Bone Regeneration And Osteointegration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$215,100.00
Summary
The worldwide market for bone substitutes has been estimated at over US $1 billion annually. The emerging technology of cell based therapy has opened a new window for the treatment of bone defects. This project is to develop gene-activated scaffolds able to induce blood vessel formation thus improving the local nutrition supply, and subsequently stimulating bone formation in bone defects, as well as osteointegration around implant surface. The knowledge generated from this project will help the ....The worldwide market for bone substitutes has been estimated at over US $1 billion annually. The emerging technology of cell based therapy has opened a new window for the treatment of bone defects. This project is to develop gene-activated scaffolds able to induce blood vessel formation thus improving the local nutrition supply, and subsequently stimulating bone formation in bone defects, as well as osteointegration around implant surface. The knowledge generated from this project will help the treatment of a number of orthopaedic and dental conditions.Read moreRead less
HARNESSING THE PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF STRONTIUM AND ZINC TO PRODUCE NOVEL BIOMATERIALS FOR ORTHOPAEDIC APPLICATIONS
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$560,082.00
Summary
Large skeletal defects resulting from congenital defects or disease processes are challenging to regenerate and represent a major financial burden to our health system. Bone graft treatments are widely used but have considerable drawbacks. Available synthetic alternatives lack the physical-biological properties necessary. We have developed new scaffolds with improved mechanical-biological properties for bone regeneration.
Regulating Astrocytosis For Appropriate Defence And Repair Of The Brain After Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$562,742.00
Summary
An inflammatory process, designed to clean up cell debris and maintain tissue integrity following brain insult, also results in an astrocytic scar that biochemically impedes nerve repair. After 8 weeks astrocytes switch to become supportive, however once a scar is formed repair is permanently inhibited. Here, we will test the ability of biomaterials to optimise the timing of the necessary inflammatory phase, to encourage repair by converting astrocytes to their tropic phase more rapidly.
Ocular Implant For The Treatment Of Bacterial Endophthalmitis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$483,446.00
Summary
We seek to develop an ocular implant for the treatment of bacterial endophthalmitis. The implant will be a small device that can be administered directly to the affected ocular cavity to release an antibiotic in a controlled manner to clear any infection. The implant will erode and leave no residue. It will be produced from a novel drug-polymer conjugate technology that allows polymer devices that comprise >50% drug to be made.