Encoding Interactions and Printability into Hairy Colloidal Biomaterials. Printing mixtures of live cells and biomaterials (or 'BioInks') to make bespoke engineered tissues has the potential to enable personalised platforms for therapeutic discovery and organ replacement. Using a novel high throughput approach to materials synthesis, BioInk design and process optimisation, this project aims to discover new biomaterials and printing nozzles to help realise this potential. It will produce new insi ....Encoding Interactions and Printability into Hairy Colloidal Biomaterials. Printing mixtures of live cells and biomaterials (or 'BioInks') to make bespoke engineered tissues has the potential to enable personalised platforms for therapeutic discovery and organ replacement. Using a novel high throughput approach to materials synthesis, BioInk design and process optimisation, this project aims to discover new biomaterials and printing nozzles to help realise this potential. It will produce new insights in colloid science, cell-laden biomaterials design, and BioInk processing. Structure-property-function guides for colloid-based BioInks and quality-assured bioprinting as outcomes represent significant benefits for researchers and industries alike engaged in biofabrication, cell therapy and biotherapeutics.Read moreRead less
Force-mediated dynamic chemistry in hydrogels. This project aims to develop a new class of biomimetic material, where applied force modulates the chemistry and mechanics by incorporating mechanochemical responsive linkages in hydrogel networks. This work intends to generate new knowledge in the chemistry and mechanical properties of soft materials using an interdisciplinary approach involving synthesis, computational modelling, and mechanical analysis. Expected outcomes include novel hydrogel ma ....Force-mediated dynamic chemistry in hydrogels. This project aims to develop a new class of biomimetic material, where applied force modulates the chemistry and mechanics by incorporating mechanochemical responsive linkages in hydrogel networks. This work intends to generate new knowledge in the chemistry and mechanical properties of soft materials using an interdisciplinary approach involving synthesis, computational modelling, and mechanical analysis. Expected outcomes include novel hydrogel materials that are mechanochemically active, tough, and fatigue resistant, along with design criteria for force-activated molecule immobilisation and release expected to provide significant benefit forbiomedical applications, additive manufacturing, soft robotics and flexible electronics.Read moreRead less
Biofabricated tissue mimics for nanoparticle design and development. Nanoparticles are widely used in commercial applications spanning biotechnology, health and environmental monitoring, and drug delivery. Materials scientists can generate large libraries of nanoparticles, but the toolbox available to test these nanoparticles is limited. We will use biofabrication to comprehensively evaluate the fate of polymer grafted nanocellulose across simulated tissue barriers. Model blood vessels with reci ....Biofabricated tissue mimics for nanoparticle design and development. Nanoparticles are widely used in commercial applications spanning biotechnology, health and environmental monitoring, and drug delivery. Materials scientists can generate large libraries of nanoparticles, but the toolbox available to test these nanoparticles is limited. We will use biofabrication to comprehensively evaluate the fate of polymer grafted nanocellulose across simulated tissue barriers. Model blood vessels with recirculating flow will help understand permeation; tunable matrices will establish ‘matrix structure—nanoparticle diffusion’ criteria. The outcome from this project will be an understanding of how plastic nanoparticles penetrate tissue, to guide nanomaterials design and mitigate risk associated with toxicity. Read moreRead less
Biomaterials with multifaceted tunability and bio-specificity. Polyurethanes, a family of polymers with independently tunable mechanical and biodegradation properties, will be developed as a versatile platform material for biomedical implants. Novel energetic ion treatments that allow the coupling of bioactive agents to surfaces will eliminate adverse reactions and enable integration with surrounding tissue.
A novel electrospraying technology platform for controlled and targeted growth factor delivery. This project will develop a new growth factor delivery strategy to stimulate bone regeneration. The project will utilise the technique of electrospraying to create small dissolving polymer microspheres containing bone-relevant growth factors, which are released gradually as the polymer degrades after implantation into a bone defect site to promote healing.
Multifunctional surfaces for implantable biomedical devices. This project aims to improve the quality of life of patients receiving biomedical implants. The project will develop new plasma processing methods to create surfaces for implants that will give control over the response of human tissues. Tissue integration with the device will be achieved where required and infection suppressed.
Polyion complex micelles as smart nano-sized drug carriers for proteins. Novel treatments against diseases are often based on proteins, which are unstable against hydrolysis and sometimes difficult to deliver across the cell membrane. The aim of the project is to create a smart drug carrier that can encapsulate proteins efficiently. A range of block copolymers will be synthesised that are able to condense a positively charged protein resulting in the formation of polyion complex micelles. The po ....Polyion complex micelles as smart nano-sized drug carriers for proteins. Novel treatments against diseases are often based on proteins, which are unstable against hydrolysis and sometimes difficult to deliver across the cell membrane. The aim of the project is to create a smart drug carrier that can encapsulate proteins efficiently. A range of block copolymers will be synthesised that are able to condense a positively charged protein resulting in the formation of polyion complex micelles. The polymer structure will be fine-tuned to create a drug carrier that releases the protein efficiently once inside mammalian cells. The outcome will be the enhanced understanding of the relationship between polymer structure and the activity of the protein and ultimately the design of an advanced and smart drug carrier.Read moreRead less
Clean technologies for the synthesis and purification of a biohybrid and biodegradable polymer. The project aims to transform an Australian industry in the forefront of the global market for manufacturing biodegradable polymers and boost export earnings derived from CO2 based biohybrid polymers. The project will develop cost-effective and clean methods for processing CO2 based polymers and demonstrate its potential for packaging and biomedical applications.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130101550
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Functional polymer encapsulation to enhance biological performance of implantable materials. This project will develop biomaterial films from essential oils using a low-cost 'green' technology. Applied to commercial biomaterials, these films will minimise infections and inflammations commonly associated with implants. These films will also enable clinical use of metallic resorbable implants for tissue engineering and function restoration.
Nanoporous siloxane membranes for ultrasound mediated ophthalmic drug delivery. This project will develop tailored polymers for use in a novel non-invasive ocular drug delivery device which treats vision threatening conditions such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The outcomes of this project will enable an entirely new ocular drug delivery technology, thereby delivering significant benefit to ophthalmic healthcare.