Convergence of biomaterials and immunology: a technology platform for delayed burst release of vaccines. A large challenge in vaccination, particularly in wildlife such as for the growing problem of Chlamydia in koalas, is to provide the necessary booster shots. This project will develop implants that will be inserted under the skin at the time of the first shot, and will spontaneously burst later to release the booster shot to provide protection.
Nanoengineering of Biomaterial Surfaces to Tailor Innate Immune Responses. The overarching aim of this project is to provide a mechanistic understanding of how surface nanotopography affects inflammatory responses. Recently, we showed that surface nanotopography induced conformational changes in adsorbed proteins can activate or deactivate immune cells. These exciting findings are important because they show that it may be possible to engineer the nanotopography of a biomedical device surface in ....Nanoengineering of Biomaterial Surfaces to Tailor Innate Immune Responses. The overarching aim of this project is to provide a mechanistic understanding of how surface nanotopography affects inflammatory responses. Recently, we showed that surface nanotopography induced conformational changes in adsorbed proteins can activate or deactivate immune cells. These exciting findings are important because they show that it may be possible to engineer the nanotopography of a biomedical device surface in a manner which leads to a desired and predictable level of inflammation. The outcomes of the project will create new fundamental knowledge that in the future can instruct the development of the next generation of biomaterials capable of controlling and directing the body’s inflammatory responses.Read moreRead less
Tissue-like, nonlinearly elastic nanobiomaterials for soft tissue regeneration. The purpose of this project is to advance the discipline of soft tissue engineering and regeneration with novel biomaterials, nanotechnology and novel clinical treatment concepts. The key outcomes include new elastic tissue-like nanobiomaterials, new varieties of medical implants and innovative treatment methodology.
Structural design of third generation biomaterials. This project will design third generation biomaterials for heart valves, cartilage and bones that guide the formation of new tissue whilst being dissolved inside the human body. As a result, it is anticipated that painful and costly revision surgery will become obsolete. Major benefits will be achieved in paediatric health as implants will have the ability to grow with the child.
Surface Engineered Biomaterials to Control Inflammation. The overarching aim of this project is to provide a mechanistic understanding of how surface nanotopography affects inflammatory responses. Experimental evidence demonstrates that engineered surface nanotopography in combination with surface chemistry downregulates the expression of proinflammatory cytokines from primary macrophages. The significance of these findings is that it may be possible to engineer the nanotopography of a biomedica ....Surface Engineered Biomaterials to Control Inflammation. The overarching aim of this project is to provide a mechanistic understanding of how surface nanotopography affects inflammatory responses. Experimental evidence demonstrates that engineered surface nanotopography in combination with surface chemistry downregulates the expression of proinflammatory cytokines from primary macrophages. The significance of these findings is that it may be possible to engineer the nanotopography of a biomedical device surface in a manner which leads to a desired and predictable level of inflammation and subsequent foreign body reaction (FBR) medical implants and tissue engineering constructs.Read moreRead less
Formation of bone-like materials for bone repair and regeneration. A successful outcome for this project would lead to the production and application of new bone-like calcium phosphate materials. Enhanced bioactivity of this material would lead to higher but controlled rates of calcium phosphate release. An understanding of the formation process of these materials and the controlled release of calcium phosphates has the potential to slow the development of metabolic diseases such as osteoporosis ....Formation of bone-like materials for bone repair and regeneration. A successful outcome for this project would lead to the production and application of new bone-like calcium phosphate materials. Enhanced bioactivity of this material would lead to higher but controlled rates of calcium phosphate release. An understanding of the formation process of these materials and the controlled release of calcium phosphates has the potential to slow the development of metabolic diseases such as osteoporosis. The WHO reports that osteoporosis is the second largest health care problem world-wide. In 2002, 44 million people in the USA were estimated to be at risk. This and similar figures in Australia and around the world emphasize the urgency of understanding and appropriately combating weak bone degenerative diseases.Read moreRead less
Functional drug-releasing polymer nano-composites for preventing medical device infection and encrustation. By developing new methodologies for producing functional biomaterials, this research will benefit Australia by continuing our high profile in this research field and by producing economic benefits arising from development and export of materials technologies to the major user groups in USA and Europe. With our demonstrated linkages with Australian based biomaterials developers at CSIRO an ....Functional drug-releasing polymer nano-composites for preventing medical device infection and encrustation. By developing new methodologies for producing functional biomaterials, this research will benefit Australia by continuing our high profile in this research field and by producing economic benefits arising from development and export of materials technologies to the major user groups in USA and Europe. With our demonstrated linkages with Australian based biomaterials developers at CSIRO and University of Queensland, as well as with companies involved in the commercialisation of polyurethane based medical devices (Aortech P/L), this group is well placed to continue the research at a more applied level once the early basic stage is complete.Read moreRead less
Advanced Polymer Systems For The Delivery Of Anti-Epileptic Drugs To The CNS
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$593,375.00
Summary
The use of organic conducting polymers as novel platforms for drug delivery is expected to provide significant improvements in our ability to treat and manage illnesses and trauma. A number of novel drug-loaded platforms with the introduction of a conducting polymer component to enable electrically stimulated release, generated physiologically (by onset of an epileptic seizure) or by a bio-corrosion process (stents) provides innovative drug release systems powered autonomously.
Bilayered and growth factor-loaded composite scaffolds for the guided bi-differentiation of bone marrow stem cells. The project will regenerate bone-cartilage (osteochondral) tissues using scaffolds, growth factors, and stem cells in order to repair osteochondral defects. The project will improve the quality of life for ~1.4 million Australians suffering from joint pain and disability due to damage or disease of cartilage and subchondral bone. The project will promote Australia research strength ....Bilayered and growth factor-loaded composite scaffolds for the guided bi-differentiation of bone marrow stem cells. The project will regenerate bone-cartilage (osteochondral) tissues using scaffolds, growth factors, and stem cells in order to repair osteochondral defects. The project will improve the quality of life for ~1.4 million Australians suffering from joint pain and disability due to damage or disease of cartilage and subchondral bone. The project will promote Australia research strength in biomaterials, tissue engineering, and drug delivery. The project will also create research opportunities for PhD students, who will be equipped with interdisciplinary skills.Read moreRead less