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Fibre-Polymer Composites With Graded Microstructure. This project concerns the development of a novel fibre-polymer functionally graded composite material that mimics the structure of the spinal disk. The spinal disk comprises a soft core (nucleus) and a tough fibrous periphery (annulus). The graded composite approach of this proposal represents a significant advance over spinal fusion, and over the current generation of spinal disk protheses (metal plates with springs/polymers as shock absorber ....Fibre-Polymer Composites With Graded Microstructure. This project concerns the development of a novel fibre-polymer functionally graded composite material that mimics the structure of the spinal disk. The spinal disk comprises a soft core (nucleus) and a tough fibrous periphery (annulus). The graded composite approach of this proposal represents a significant advance over spinal fusion, and over the current generation of spinal disk protheses (metal plates with springs/polymers as shock absorbers). Chronic back pain affects a significant proportion of the population and is primarily caused by failure of the spinal disk. Therefore a strong social and economic imperative exists to develop engineering solutions to this problem.Read moreRead less
Patient-specific biomechanical modelling for improved treatment of spinal deformity. Spinal deformities negatively affect social acceptance, physical and mental wellbeing in children and adolescents. The direct costs of spinal deformity surgery are approximately $30 million per year in Australia, yet poor treatment outcomes due to post-operative complications incur a much higher cost as patients with persistent pain and disability face a lifetime of dependency and reduced ability to work. The pa ....Patient-specific biomechanical modelling for improved treatment of spinal deformity. Spinal deformities negatively affect social acceptance, physical and mental wellbeing in children and adolescents. The direct costs of spinal deformity surgery are approximately $30 million per year in Australia, yet poor treatment outcomes due to post-operative complications incur a much higher cost as patients with persistent pain and disability face a lifetime of dependency and reduced ability to work. The patient-specific biomechanical modelling techniques developed in this project will reduce complications and improve correction for Australian children who undergo spinal deformity surgery. Better treatment outcomes will ensure quality of life, health and productivity for spinal deformity patients throughout their entire lives.Read moreRead less
Direct measurement of the kinetics of trans-femoral amputee gait during activities of daily living. This project involves the use of a novel technique to accurately measure the loads placed upon the lower limbs of above-knee amputees. Included in the subject group will be a number of amputees fitted with an artificial leg fitted directly into the bone. The ability to monitor a range of activities is possible by the use of a wireless telemetry system. The outcomes of this work will benefit ampute ....Direct measurement of the kinetics of trans-femoral amputee gait during activities of daily living. This project involves the use of a novel technique to accurately measure the loads placed upon the lower limbs of above-knee amputees. Included in the subject group will be a number of amputees fitted with an artificial leg fitted directly into the bone. The ability to monitor a range of activities is possible by the use of a wireless telemetry system. The outcomes of this work will benefit amputees around the world, as well as clinicians and companies who are dedicated to developing significant improvements in the functional abilities of subjects who have suffered amputation.Read moreRead less
Design and Fabrication of an Engineered Bone Graft System (EBGS) by combining a composite scaffold and growth factor delivery system. The lifetime risk for long bone fractures in Caucasians over the age of 50 is 17% for women and 6% for men. The prevalence of age-related fractures - and with it higher mortality rates due to complications following bone fractures - is therefore bound to increase over the coming decades. There is clearly a great need for therapies that take age-related changes in ....Design and Fabrication of an Engineered Bone Graft System (EBGS) by combining a composite scaffold and growth factor delivery system. The lifetime risk for long bone fractures in Caucasians over the age of 50 is 17% for women and 6% for men. The prevalence of age-related fractures - and with it higher mortality rates due to complications following bone fractures - is therefore bound to increase over the coming decades. There is clearly a great need for therapies that take age-related changes into consideration, in particular the diminishing capacity of bone to heal with age. In an effort to address the therapeutic challenges of providing bone grafts, we aim to mesh two leading-edge technologies to design and fabricate an Engineered Bone Graft System (EBGS) system. Read moreRead less
Scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration and use in orthopaedic applications. Damaged joints do not repair spontaneously, often leading to arthritis. Bone 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. This created a need for scaffolds to provide temporary support for new bone. However they lack the combined physical/biolo ....Scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration and use in orthopaedic applications. Damaged joints do not repair spontaneously, often leading to arthritis. Bone 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. This created a need for scaffolds to provide temporary support for new bone. However they lack the combined physical/biological properties necessary for bone repair. We developed new scaffolds with improved mechanical/biological properties to mimic bone which will lead to new treatments for bone damage.Read moreRead less
Mobility of water in cartilage as a probe of molecular structure and function. Clinical diagnosis of early-stage osteoarthritis is difficult, and most patients are not diagnosed until a substantial degradation of cartilage has occurred as a result of the disease. This research will study the interaction between different components of articular cartilage and investigate, how this interaction can be exploited for the development of reliable and non-invasive techniques of cartilage imaging. Mobili ....Mobility of water in cartilage as a probe of molecular structure and function. Clinical diagnosis of early-stage osteoarthritis is difficult, and most patients are not diagnosed until a substantial degradation of cartilage has occurred as a result of the disease. This research will study the interaction between different components of articular cartilage and investigate, how this interaction can be exploited for the development of reliable and non-invasive techniques of cartilage imaging. Mobility of water molecules is a potent indicator of the microscopic structure of the cartilage scaffold. We will use this fundamental biophysical relationship to measure the internal architecture of collagen fibres; observe the changes effected by mechanical load; and distinguish between healthy and osteoarthritic cartilage.
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Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0668506
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$150,000.00
Summary
A Multi-Axis Biomaterials Testing Facility. Damage to bones and joints, due to injury or diseases such as osteoporosis and arthritis, is a major cause of disability and cost to the nation. Australia's ageing population contributes not only to an increasing incidence of such conditions, but also to more patients out-living implants such as replacement joints. In 2001-2, Australia spent over $800 million on joint replacement. Because over 11% of procedures are revisions of failed implants, even sm ....A Multi-Axis Biomaterials Testing Facility. Damage to bones and joints, due to injury or diseases such as osteoporosis and arthritis, is a major cause of disability and cost to the nation. Australia's ageing population contributes not only to an increasing incidence of such conditions, but also to more patients out-living implants such as replacement joints. In 2001-2, Australia spent over $800 million on joint replacement. Because over 11% of procedures are revisions of failed implants, even small improvements in implant life represent significant cost savings. By accurately simulating conditions within the body, this biomechanical testing facility will lead to new developments in implant designs and materials, in turn improving quality of life, productivity and treatment costs.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0882864
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$260,000.00
Summary
High Speed Fluorescence Imaging coupled with Total Internal Reflection Microscopy and Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching System. The addition of the TIRF equipment will provide researchers with access to one of Australia's most technologically advanced light microscopy systems. This system will support research across a number of high profile areas, and promote strategic collaborations in cell and neurobiology. The high resolution fast acquisition TIRF system will significantly enhance r ....High Speed Fluorescence Imaging coupled with Total Internal Reflection Microscopy and Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching System. The addition of the TIRF equipment will provide researchers with access to one of Australia's most technologically advanced light microscopy systems. This system will support research across a number of high profile areas, and promote strategic collaborations in cell and neurobiology. The high resolution fast acquisition TIRF system will significantly enhance research capacity and research excellence. Its acquisition will allow Australia to play a major role in the global challenge to advance understanding of cellular and molecular events, contributing significantly to the National Research Priority Area of Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries.Read moreRead less
Development and characterization of a technology platform to study the mechanisms of scaffold/Bone Morphogenic Proteins (BMP) augmented large segmental bone healing. This project will increase understanding of bone engineering and in doing so will lead to superior treatments for bone defects. Such a treatment would be valuable in addressing the ever-increasing problems of diminished productivity and reduced quality of life associated with bone disorders as the population ages. The multidisciplin ....Development and characterization of a technology platform to study the mechanisms of scaffold/Bone Morphogenic Proteins (BMP) augmented large segmental bone healing. This project will increase understanding of bone engineering and in doing so will lead to superior treatments for bone defects. Such a treatment would be valuable in addressing the ever-increasing problems of diminished productivity and reduced quality of life associated with bone disorders as the population ages. The multidisciplinary and international team will be valuable in establishing Australia's prominence in this field and training the next generation of young scientists and engineers. The technologies developed will be of great interest to a large number of research groups and companies worldwide and will assist with fostering international collaboration and placing Australia at the forefront of this emerging field.Read moreRead less
Regulation of mammalian heart development by transcription factors FHL2, GATA-4 & FOG-2. FHL2 is involved in many biological processes including intracellular signaling and gene transcription. GATA and FOG proteins are critical for the development of diverse tissues, including the heart. Knowledge gained in this project will advance our understanding of many cellular processes, including heart development, and will contribute to our knowledge in Biology, Zoology and Veterinary Science. More spe ....Regulation of mammalian heart development by transcription factors FHL2, GATA-4 & FOG-2. FHL2 is involved in many biological processes including intracellular signaling and gene transcription. GATA and FOG proteins are critical for the development of diverse tissues, including the heart. Knowledge gained in this project will advance our understanding of many cellular processes, including heart development, and will contribute to our knowledge in Biology, Zoology and Veterinary Science. More specifically, it will contribute to Stem Cell research, a 'hot' area in the biotechnology industry, particularly towards building a strong base of expertise, skills and technological capability in this new field, and may even lead to the development of a commercial product e.g. a heart muscle cell-coated biomaterial to aid failing heart.Read moreRead less