Injectable scaffolds for treatments of neurological disorders. Cell replacement therapies offer potentially effective treatments for a host of neurological disorders but a major obstacle confronting their development is to ensure appropriate connections are formed within the brain. This proposal aims to utilize injectable biodegradable polymers, to demonstrate the feasibility of assisting neural cells and stem cells to bridge glial scars or significant distances in the brain and repair damaged n ....Injectable scaffolds for treatments of neurological disorders. Cell replacement therapies offer potentially effective treatments for a host of neurological disorders but a major obstacle confronting their development is to ensure appropriate connections are formed within the brain. This proposal aims to utilize injectable biodegradable polymers, to demonstrate the feasibility of assisting neural cells and stem cells to bridge glial scars or significant distances in the brain and repair damaged neural pathways. This proposal will focus on naturally occurring polysaccharides, which will act as "scaffolds" for the growing neurones. The role the scaffolds play in regulating neurite extension will be investigated in vitro and in vivo.Read moreRead less
Manipulating nano-fibres to control nerve regeneration. Diseases of the brain and mind are the most common diseases in the western world; being even more prevalent than cardiac or malignant disease. With Australia's aging demographic, diseases of the brain and mind will continue to impact on our productivity in the workplace, our quality of life, and the ability of the medicare and private health care systems to keep up with the ever-increasing demand for older Australians.
The research prop ....Manipulating nano-fibres to control nerve regeneration. Diseases of the brain and mind are the most common diseases in the western world; being even more prevalent than cardiac or malignant disease. With Australia's aging demographic, diseases of the brain and mind will continue to impact on our productivity in the workplace, our quality of life, and the ability of the medicare and private health care systems to keep up with the ever-increasing demand for older Australians.
The research proposed here will enable us to find solutions to this serious problem by building on Australia's strong track record in nanotechnology and biotechnology research, and help towards new and effective treatments.
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Characterization and optimisation of Myomatrix: A novel extracellular matrix hydrogel from muscle. This project would have several sources of benefit for the community. Foremost we will have produced a product that will have a strong commercial application in several fields including basic science and bioengineering. If its full potential were achieved, the development of this innovative new hydrogel would strengthen Australia's standing in the biotechnology field and also enrich specific applic ....Characterization and optimisation of Myomatrix: A novel extracellular matrix hydrogel from muscle. This project would have several sources of benefit for the community. Foremost we will have produced a product that will have a strong commercial application in several fields including basic science and bioengineering. If its full potential were achieved, the development of this innovative new hydrogel would strengthen Australia's standing in the biotechnology field and also enrich specific applications. The knowledge gained from the characterization of this product could also be of benefit to several areas including chemical engineering, tissue engineering, tissue repair, polymer chemistry and food manufacture. The expertise generated and the possibility of collaboration, both academic and with industry would also benefit the community. Read moreRead less
Biomimetic blood bag materials for prolonged platelet storage. Platelet storage is limited to five to seven days before there is a reduction in viable platelets. This results in a continual mismatch between supply and demand resulting in patients in remotes areas or those that have rare phenotypes missing out on platelets. It also results in the wastage of platelets because they expire before they can be used clinically. This project aims to extend the platelet shelf life beyond seven days by de ....Biomimetic blood bag materials for prolonged platelet storage. Platelet storage is limited to five to seven days before there is a reduction in viable platelets. This results in a continual mismatch between supply and demand resulting in patients in remotes areas or those that have rare phenotypes missing out on platelets. It also results in the wastage of platelets because they expire before they can be used clinically. This project aims to extend the platelet shelf life beyond seven days by developing biomimetic blood bag materials that reflect the natural molecular structures of blood vessels through the use of novel synthetic and biological materials. With the realisation of longer platelet storage times, this project aims to have significant impacts on the health and economic benefits of Australians.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130101458
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Investigation and development of biological anti-adhesive coatings. Lubricin is a biological anti-adhesive protein that is found in mammalian joints. This project will investigate the properties and action of Lubricin and develop novel anti-adhesive coating technologies to eliminate problems associated with non-specific binding of biomolecules in microfluidic and biosensor applications.
Controlling the adhesome to regulate cell fate on biomaterials. Mesenchymal stem cell-based tissue engineering practices are hampered worldwide by the lack of appreciation and understanding of the matrix-mediated cues that must be provided during adhesion and spreading to drive cells to definitive tissue end points. This project will address these knowledge deficiencies by combining high throughput array technologies, a set of tailorable self-assembling biomaterials and real-time biosensors to r ....Controlling the adhesome to regulate cell fate on biomaterials. Mesenchymal stem cell-based tissue engineering practices are hampered worldwide by the lack of appreciation and understanding of the matrix-mediated cues that must be provided during adhesion and spreading to drive cells to definitive tissue end points. This project will address these knowledge deficiencies by combining high throughput array technologies, a set of tailorable self-assembling biomaterials and real-time biosensors to rapidly, at high resolution, elucidate how mechanotransductive cues determine the fate choice of mesenchymal stem cells, and furthermore, how to manipulate them with smart biomaterial design to achieve desired outcomes for tissue engineering. Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100398
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$410,507.00
Summary
How T cells modulate stem cells and tissue regeneration. The project aims to determine how T cells modulate tissue repair and regeneration in mammals. Most of the mechanisms modulating the healing of tissues are elusive. This research is expected to reveal unknown mechanisms controlling the processes of tissue repair and regeneration, particularly the nexus between the stem cells involved in the tissue healing process and the immune response .
Understanding platinum dissolution in biomedical stimulating electrodes. Platinum is the main material used in electrodes for neurostimulators like the cochlear implant. Platinum electrodes can experience dissolution during implantation, which can impact on their function. The mechanisms governing this dissolution process are complex and still not fully understood. This research aims to understand the chemical, electrical and biological factors that impact on platinum dissolution in electrodes. ....Understanding platinum dissolution in biomedical stimulating electrodes. Platinum is the main material used in electrodes for neurostimulators like the cochlear implant. Platinum electrodes can experience dissolution during implantation, which can impact on their function. The mechanisms governing this dissolution process are complex and still not fully understood. This research aims to understand the chemical, electrical and biological factors that impact on platinum dissolution in electrodes. It will also develop new 3D models to simulate conditions in the human body for more rapid testing of electrodes. The new knowledge generated will improve the accuracy of predictions of platinum dissolution, develop new approaches for minimising dissolution, and contribute to reducing need for animal experimentation.Read moreRead less
Identifying how cortical bone microstructure deteriorates with age. This project aims to define the disruptions responsible for the gradual weakening of the skeleton in ageing by integrating a range of high-resolution imaging, biomechanical, and computational methods. The expected significance of this project includes a full definition and comparison of the cellular and subcellular organisation of bone from young and elderly individuals. Expected outcomes of this international project include th ....Identifying how cortical bone microstructure deteriorates with age. This project aims to define the disruptions responsible for the gradual weakening of the skeleton in ageing by integrating a range of high-resolution imaging, biomechanical, and computational methods. The expected significance of this project includes a full definition and comparison of the cellular and subcellular organisation of bone from young and elderly individuals. Expected outcomes of this international project include the establishment of a new multidisciplinary research team, and the development of a new data-driven theoretical framework for understanding the nature and the causes of age-related bone fragility. Potential long-term benefits include new ways to treat age-related osteoporosis.Read moreRead less
Modulation of protein folding pathways: a new platform technology for molecular medicine. Misfolding of proteins is becoming recognised as a major cause of inherited disease. We propose to develop a chemical agent that will optimise the folding of alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT), misfolding of which gives rise to inheritable liver and lung disease. This agent will have potential application as a therapy for sufferers of AAT-misfolding disease and for improving the yield of AAT purified from human plasm ....Modulation of protein folding pathways: a new platform technology for molecular medicine. Misfolding of proteins is becoming recognised as a major cause of inherited disease. We propose to develop a chemical agent that will optimise the folding of alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT), misfolding of which gives rise to inheritable liver and lung disease. This agent will have potential application as a therapy for sufferers of AAT-misfolding disease and for improving the yield of AAT purified from human plasma, which is the current agent used to treat patients with AAT-misfolding disease.Read moreRead less