Bioactive Polymers for Wound Healing Applications. VitroGroR is a growth factor complex which enhances cell growth and migration, and hence has great potential for treating wounds. Tissue Therapies, which holds the rights to commercialization of VitroGroR, is seeking to develop methods of delivering VitroGroR in its active form to the wound environment. Two solutions to this problem will be developed in this project; a bioactive bandage containing a novel combination of microspheres and a hydrog ....Bioactive Polymers for Wound Healing Applications. VitroGroR is a growth factor complex which enhances cell growth and migration, and hence has great potential for treating wounds. Tissue Therapies, which holds the rights to commercialization of VitroGroR, is seeking to develop methods of delivering VitroGroR in its active form to the wound environment. Two solutions to this problem will be developed in this project; a bioactive bandage containing a novel combination of microspheres and a hydrogel matrix, and secondly an in-situ polymerisable matrix for treatment of deep wounds. The growth factor complex will be protected from aggressive proteases through encapsulation within microspheres, and the use of MMP-inhibiting comonomers.Read moreRead less
Functionalised nanostructured polythiophenes: novel platforms for bionics. The nanostructured organic polymer materials targeted for production in this project will bring unique capabilities to the field of muscle regeneration. A multi-modal stimulation platform is expected to bring significant improvements in muscle cell growth. This will have profound effects on the quality of life for those suffering from neuromuscular disorders or other traumas that require muscle regeneration. This project ....Functionalised nanostructured polythiophenes: novel platforms for bionics. The nanostructured organic polymer materials targeted for production in this project will bring unique capabilities to the field of muscle regeneration. A multi-modal stimulation platform is expected to bring significant improvements in muscle cell growth. This will have profound effects on the quality of life for those suffering from neuromuscular disorders or other traumas that require muscle regeneration. This project will demonstrate the capabilities of these nanostructures in-vitro.Read moreRead less
New Biomimetic Nanostructured Coatings for Hip Implants. Over 30,000 hip implants operations take place in Australia each year, due largely to a significant and growing proportion of the population suffering from conditions such as osteoporosis. The coating on the implants, required to cause good bone ingrowth and adhesion between bone and implant, is far from perfect. We propose to spray coatings which mimic the structure of bone, and thus offer improved mechanical properties such as appropriat ....New Biomimetic Nanostructured Coatings for Hip Implants. Over 30,000 hip implants operations take place in Australia each year, due largely to a significant and growing proportion of the population suffering from conditions such as osteoporosis. The coating on the implants, required to cause good bone ingrowth and adhesion between bone and implant, is far from perfect. We propose to spray coatings which mimic the structure of bone, and thus offer improved mechanical properties such as appropriate rigidity and toughness, and stimulate better bone growth at the interface. In this way the implant should be much longer lasting and the need for undesirable revision surgery reduced. The processing technique proposed could also be a useful platform coating technology in a number of other industries.Read moreRead less
Single molecule actuators. The study of actuation processes in single molecules will lead to the development of improved advanced materials for Australian industry and, ultimately, to the more futuristic and exciting nanotechnologies. The research will improve our understanding of how polymer artificial muscles function, so that these materials can be further developed to meet the demand from industry. Applications include biomedical devices, robotic applicators and various machine parts. In ....Single molecule actuators. The study of actuation processes in single molecules will lead to the development of improved advanced materials for Australian industry and, ultimately, to the more futuristic and exciting nanotechnologies. The research will improve our understanding of how polymer artificial muscles function, so that these materials can be further developed to meet the demand from industry. Applications include biomedical devices, robotic applicators and various machine parts. In addition, the research will also contribute to one of the greatest promises of nanotechnology: the development of molecular machines. We will demonstrate the mechanical forces and movements possible from single molecules so that the design of useful nano-machines can begin.Read moreRead less
Heparan sulfate complexes with VEGF for control of angiogenesis in tissue engineered constructs. The national/community benefits that will arise from this work include, the generation of knowledge related to the growth of blood vessels in the presence of a synthetic polymer that has been made to look like the natural polymers present in the body. This will lead to an understanding of the underlying mechanisms involved that may have down stream effects relevant to the replacement of many types o ....Heparan sulfate complexes with VEGF for control of angiogenesis in tissue engineered constructs. The national/community benefits that will arise from this work include, the generation of knowledge related to the growth of blood vessels in the presence of a synthetic polymer that has been made to look like the natural polymers present in the body. This will lead to an understanding of the underlying mechanisms involved that may have down stream effects relevant to the replacement of many types of tissues being generated for clinical applications, including possible applications in the treatment of heart disease, the largest killer of people in the Western world. Read moreRead less
Creation of functional surfaces for biodevices and aerospace applications. Polymers are poised to become the materials of choice for a host of applications because of their lightness, strength, ease of forming and biocompatibility. The major challenge lies in optimising their surfaces for each application. For biodevices in particular, the surfaces must support a range of complex and specific interactions. This project will create new polymer surface modifications through innovations in plasma s ....Creation of functional surfaces for biodevices and aerospace applications. Polymers are poised to become the materials of choice for a host of applications because of their lightness, strength, ease of forming and biocompatibility. The major challenge lies in optimising their surfaces for each application. For biodevices in particular, the surfaces must support a range of complex and specific interactions. This project will create new polymer surface modifications through innovations in plasma science and technology. The outcomes will be new surfaces for diagnostic arrays in medicine, biosensors and durable polymer surfaces for low earth orbit.Read moreRead less
Growth of Bioartificial Tissue Containing an Inbuilt Blood Supply. The large and growing demand for replacement tissues and organs has spurred rapid growth in the emerging field of tissue engineering, which aims to form new tissues in the laboratory by combining living cells and synthetic scaffolds. A major challenge lies in the production of thick tissues, which require a blood supply in order to survive. Uniquely, this project aims to grow in the laboratory a vascular system based on natural ....Growth of Bioartificial Tissue Containing an Inbuilt Blood Supply. The large and growing demand for replacement tissues and organs has spurred rapid growth in the emerging field of tissue engineering, which aims to form new tissues in the laboratory by combining living cells and synthetic scaffolds. A major challenge lies in the production of thick tissues, which require a blood supply in order to survive. Uniquely, this project aims to grow in the laboratory a vascular system based on natural structures, which can then be used to support new tissue growth. Australia is well placed to reap the rewards of this work, having a track record in commercialisation of medical technologies, resulting in an improved quality of life for many Australians and substantial direct and indirect economic benefits.Read moreRead less
Development of Acid Degradable Polymeric Nanoparticles for Intracellular and Tumour Site Selective Delivery of Drugs. There is an enormous need to develop effective anticancer drug delivery systems to reduce the social and economic impact of cancer. One of the most critical problems in tumour treatment is the lack of selective toxicity of anticancer drugs against tumour tissues. Our multidisciplinary team will aim to develop a novel polymer based system for tumour site-selective delivery of anti ....Development of Acid Degradable Polymeric Nanoparticles for Intracellular and Tumour Site Selective Delivery of Drugs. There is an enormous need to develop effective anticancer drug delivery systems to reduce the social and economic impact of cancer. One of the most critical problems in tumour treatment is the lack of selective toxicity of anticancer drugs against tumour tissues. Our multidisciplinary team will aim to develop a novel polymer based system for tumour site-selective delivery of anticancer drugs. Development of such advanced drug delivery systems will significantly enhance Australia`s power in biotechnology. Development and/or formation of strategies to improve the health quality of Australians, is an important anticipated outcome of this innovative project.Read moreRead less
New Types of Biomimetic Nanostructured Adhesives. Adhesives are one of the main ways in which we join materials, and have many advantages over other methods of joining. In this work we will make a new class of adhesive using nanotechnology that attempts to copy the very fine-haired feet of animals such as geckos who can stick to almost any surface, under most conditions. We will make these adhesives over large surface areas, and thus they will have commercial possibilities in a range of high tec ....New Types of Biomimetic Nanostructured Adhesives. Adhesives are one of the main ways in which we join materials, and have many advantages over other methods of joining. In this work we will make a new class of adhesive using nanotechnology that attempts to copy the very fine-haired feet of animals such as geckos who can stick to almost any surface, under most conditions. We will make these adhesives over large surface areas, and thus they will have commercial possibilities in a range of high technology industries, as well as in harsh environments. Because we will be able to manipulate the structure and observe property changes, it should also give us a greater insight into the adhesion mechanisms used by many small animals and bugs.Read moreRead less
Novel Drug Delivery Systems. The polymer based structures targeted for production in this project will bring unique capabilities to the field of drug delivery. A multi-drug delivery platform is expected to bring significant improvements in administering therapeutic drugs for a wide range of illnesses and applications. This will have profound effects on the quality of life for those suffering from epilepsy or requiring stent implants. Here we will demonstrate the capabilities of these novel polym ....Novel Drug Delivery Systems. The polymer based structures targeted for production in this project will bring unique capabilities to the field of drug delivery. A multi-drug delivery platform is expected to bring significant improvements in administering therapeutic drugs for a wide range of illnesses and applications. This will have profound effects on the quality of life for those suffering from epilepsy or requiring stent implants. Here we will demonstrate the capabilities of these novel polymer structures both in-vitro and in-vivo.Read moreRead less