Development and validation of virtual epithelial cancer models using an integrated modelling and experimental three-dimensional approach. The mathematical and experimental modelling of the human prostate and ovary applying quantitative bioengineering concepts will lead to virtual cancer models. This project aims to validate these multi-scale models to delineate biological and pathological avenues in healthy and disease tissue and improve prevention and treatment of prostate and ovarian cancer.
DEVELOPMENT OF A NOVEL BIOMATERIAL FOR BONE TISSUE ENGINEERING. Tissue engineering of bone is emerging as a viable therapy for treating large defects in load-bearing bone. We wish to develop methods for combining novel heparan sulphate molecules (known to deliver growth factors to cell surfaces and thereby cause changes in bone cell phenotype) with load-bearing, macro-porous, biodegradable mineral/polymer biomaterials. Through the study of release profiles, protein adsorption and cell responses ....DEVELOPMENT OF A NOVEL BIOMATERIAL FOR BONE TISSUE ENGINEERING. Tissue engineering of bone is emerging as a viable therapy for treating large defects in load-bearing bone. We wish to develop methods for combining novel heparan sulphate molecules (known to deliver growth factors to cell surfaces and thereby cause changes in bone cell phenotype) with load-bearing, macro-porous, biodegradable mineral/polymer biomaterials. Through the study of release profiles, protein adsorption and cell responses to these derivatised biomaterials, a novel approach to bone replacement materials can be developed.Read moreRead less
Intelligent scaffolds and methods for repair of osteochondral defects. Osteoarthritis (OA) produces articulation of bone against bone resulting in extreme pain and disability. Of all musculoskeletal disorders, osteoarthritis has the greatest social and economic implications worldwide. By 2030, it is projected that 9.3% of the adult population will suffer from arthritis, significantly affecting their quality of life and overall productivity. A tissue engineered product capable of repairing osteoc ....Intelligent scaffolds and methods for repair of osteochondral defects. Osteoarthritis (OA) produces articulation of bone against bone resulting in extreme pain and disability. Of all musculoskeletal disorders, osteoarthritis has the greatest social and economic implications worldwide. By 2030, it is projected that 9.3% of the adult population will suffer from arthritis, significantly affecting their quality of life and overall productivity. A tissue engineered product capable of repairing osteochondral defects that does not require revision over time but becomes fully integrated with the host tissue will have significant benefits. It will improve patient activity and quality of life, and significantly reduce current health care costs associated with osteoarthritis sufferers.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
FATIGUE IN VERTEBRATE TENDONS: BIOMECHANICAL AND STRUCTURAL CORRELATES OF ONTOGENETIC AND ADAPTIVE CHANGE. Tendons are important vertebrate tissues, but little is known about their mechanical properties under fatigue-loading. Recent research has shown that dramatic differences in fatigue properties occur and that these appear to be linked to the functional roles of tendons. This project uses a variety of approaches to explore how mechanical and structural properties of tendons change during g ....FATIGUE IN VERTEBRATE TENDONS: BIOMECHANICAL AND STRUCTURAL CORRELATES OF ONTOGENETIC AND ADAPTIVE CHANGE. Tendons are important vertebrate tissues, but little is known about their mechanical properties under fatigue-loading. Recent research has shown that dramatic differences in fatigue properties occur and that these appear to be linked to the functional roles of tendons. This project uses a variety of approaches to explore how mechanical and structural properties of tendons change during growth, maturation and adaptation to different loading environments, and the cellular basis of fatigue resistance. An understanding of fatigue properties from cellular to tissue levels has significance in the areas of general biology, materials science and biomedical science.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE140100012
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$890,000.00
Summary
Dual Column-Focused Ion Beam/Scanning Electron Microscope facility for Queensland. Dual column focused ion beam/scanning electron microscope facility: This facility will precisely cut specimens and surfaces that can be imaged in a variety of ways, including crystallographic and elemental space, of particular use for physical scientists, as well as biological specimens. This instrument will provide information at resolutions between optical and transmission electron microscopy, images that will ....Dual Column-Focused Ion Beam/Scanning Electron Microscope facility for Queensland. Dual column focused ion beam/scanning electron microscope facility: This facility will precisely cut specimens and surfaces that can be imaged in a variety of ways, including crystallographic and elemental space, of particular use for physical scientists, as well as biological specimens. This instrument will provide information at resolutions between optical and transmission electron microscopy, images that will effectively provide the biologist with the ability to develop the complete correlative picture of organelles and cells. The instrument will also provide a much needed resource for researchers across disciplines such as physics, chemistry, biology, geology and engineering.Read moreRead less
Composite biomaterials for modulation of dermal fibroblast function. The successful outcome of this research will revolutionize the way scars are treated for the large number of people who suffer burns and even minor trauma that leads to disfigurement. By using advanced chemical synthesis, biochemical analysis, cell biology and polymer materials science, an intelligent gel sheet will be devised that is able to control the formation of scar tissue and also reduce the effect of existing scars. Thi ....Composite biomaterials for modulation of dermal fibroblast function. The successful outcome of this research will revolutionize the way scars are treated for the large number of people who suffer burns and even minor trauma that leads to disfigurement. By using advanced chemical synthesis, biochemical analysis, cell biology and polymer materials science, an intelligent gel sheet will be devised that is able to control the formation of scar tissue and also reduce the effect of existing scars. This will produce improved quality of life for sufferers of severe scarring and have major economic benefits in reduced health costs. Read moreRead less
Engineering Articular Cartilage with Zonal Structure and Function. This project addresses the National Research Priority of Promoting and Maintaining Good Health and specifically the Priority Goal of Ageing well, ageing productively. Osteoarthritis, the most common cartilage-related disease, affects nearly 1.4 million Australians, resulting in 2 in 1000 Australians undergoing total joint replacement, annually. The incidence and impact of cartilage damage on the Australian health and economy is e ....Engineering Articular Cartilage with Zonal Structure and Function. This project addresses the National Research Priority of Promoting and Maintaining Good Health and specifically the Priority Goal of Ageing well, ageing productively. Osteoarthritis, the most common cartilage-related disease, affects nearly 1.4 million Australians, resulting in 2 in 1000 Australians undergoing total joint replacement, annually. The incidence and impact of cartilage damage on the Australian health and economy is expected to increase with the ageing population. This work leads to the development of a novel cartilage engineering technology platform that addresses Frontier Technologies and will thus provide the foundation for translation of this technology to the international marketplace. Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120101666
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Endogenous bone regenerative technique to repair hard tissue defects in congenital craniofacial clefts. This project aims to develop an endogenous bone regenerative technique to repair the bony defects in congenital craniofacial clefts, through stimulating patients' latent self-repair mechanisms and reviving their innate capacity for regeneration. The novel technique would replace the existing and controversial surgical bone grafting method.
Molecularly engineered cell-instructive hydrogels for enhanced tissue regeneration. The outcomes of this project will be relevant to range of wounds, including burns, bed-sores, and diabetic and venous ulcers. Clearly, innovation in wound healing is urgently required as the treatment of wounds represents a significant challenge at all levels of our society, in terms of cost (physical, emotional and financial) to patients, the economy and to the wider community. Despite this obvious and overwhelm ....Molecularly engineered cell-instructive hydrogels for enhanced tissue regeneration. The outcomes of this project will be relevant to range of wounds, including burns, bed-sores, and diabetic and venous ulcers. Clearly, innovation in wound healing is urgently required as the treatment of wounds represents a significant challenge at all levels of our society, in terms of cost (physical, emotional and financial) to patients, the economy and to the wider community. Despite this obvious and overwhelming need, research in wound healing is relatively under-developed and has yet to adopt modern biotechnology and biomaterials approaches. This project is therefore directed at generating cost-effective frontier wound dressing technologies that accelerate wound repair.Read moreRead less