Advanced micro-architecture and nanotopography for enhanced tissue growth in scaffolds. Tissue engineering scaffolds offer an urgently needed synthetic biomaterials solution to overcome disease transmission from donor transplants. This work will combine biomaterial chemistry and designed surface topography to trigger bone formation within a scaffold for the first time in the world. Collaboration with national research leaders on stem cell and animal testing of the new scaffolds will provide the ....Advanced micro-architecture and nanotopography for enhanced tissue growth in scaffolds. Tissue engineering scaffolds offer an urgently needed synthetic biomaterials solution to overcome disease transmission from donor transplants. This work will combine biomaterial chemistry and designed surface topography to trigger bone formation within a scaffold for the first time in the world. Collaboration with national research leaders on stem cell and animal testing of the new scaffolds will provide the necessary interdisciplinary approach to generate a new product for patients in need of bone regeneration. Australia will benefit from the contribution to medical science, the development of a new device for rapid prototyping tissue engineering scaffolds, retain biomaterials research expertise, and generate new biomedical products.Read moreRead less
Mesenchymal Progenitor Cells And Intervertebral Disc Repair
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$754,223.00
Summary
Low back pain affects 80% of the general population and is a major social and economic burden thus there is a clear need for effective treatment. Annual direct and indirect costs for low back pain exceeded $100 billion in the USA in 2006. We will use bone marrow derived multipotent progenitor cells in a regenerative strategy to undertake repair of the intervertebral disc in an ovine mechanical destabilisation model which reproduces early degenerative changes similar to those evident in man.
The Role Of Perlecan In Tensional Connective Tissues
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$605,037.00
Summary
Musculoskeletal diseases affect tension and weight bearing connective tissues which have notoriously poor repair capabilities. These conditions are difficult to treat clinically and surgical repair in many cases does not provide a return to optimal joint function impinging on the quality of life of afflicted individuals and their carers. Our project aims to better understand the structure and function of these tissues in health and disease with a view to improving repair strategies.
The Arthroplasty And Bariatric Surgery (ABS) Study: A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding Prior To Total Knee Arthroplasty
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$664,149.00
Summary
Knee replacement is a common surgical procedure in Australia (40,000 per year). More than 60% of this group are obese and this is associated with higher early (clinical) and long term (implant) survival complications. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is an effective and safe means of achieving sustained weight loss. This study compares the outcomes of total knee replacement in groups of obese patients who have and have not undergone pre-knee replacement LAGB.
Biomechanics of the human spine measured using magnetic resonance imaging. Statistics show that 80% of the population suffer back pain at some time. However, because the spine is very complex our understanding of its mechanics and the causes of back pain are still limited. This project will investigate the anatomy and activity of the spinal muscles and the behaviour of the intervertebral disc in living subjects using innovative Magnetic Resonance Imaging techniques. Significant outcomes will be ....Biomechanics of the human spine measured using magnetic resonance imaging. Statistics show that 80% of the population suffer back pain at some time. However, because the spine is very complex our understanding of its mechanics and the causes of back pain are still limited. This project will investigate the anatomy and activity of the spinal muscles and the behaviour of the intervertebral disc in living subjects using innovative Magnetic Resonance Imaging techniques. Significant outcomes will be new definitive descriptions of the detailed anatomy of the spine and its mechanisms. This will enhance the accuracy and detail of models under development for predicting spinal function following disease, injury or surgical procedures.Read moreRead less
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
Novel Therapeutic Interventions For The Orthopaedic Complications Of Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1).
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$628,422.00
Summary
Children with the genetic disease NF1 can develop fractures that fail to unite and this can lead to amputation. We have advanced models of NF1-deficient bone cells and fracture healing that we will use to test new pharmaceutical treatments for NF1.
Development of a Prothrombogenic Bone Graft Substitute. The clinical demand for bone is massive and to counter this bone can be either harvested from the patient or bone substitutes are used. The success or failure of a bone substitute is determined the instant it come into contact with blood. The surfaces of traditional biomaterials induce a foreign body reaction. The aim of this project is to test the bone forming capacity of a biomaterial that is optimised to produce a natural response from ....Development of a Prothrombogenic Bone Graft Substitute. The clinical demand for bone is massive and to counter this bone can be either harvested from the patient or bone substitutes are used. The success or failure of a bone substitute is determined the instant it come into contact with blood. The surfaces of traditional biomaterials induce a foreign body reaction. The aim of this project is to test the bone forming capacity of a biomaterial that is optimised to produce a natural response from the blood. This response will lead to the formation new viable tissue and eventually bone. Such a material will cause faster bone healing, less pain from graft sites, shorter hospital stays and shorter waiting lists. Read moreRead less
The Role Of V-ATPase Accessory Subunit Ac45 In Osteoclasts
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$235,500.00
Summary
Osteoclasts are directly related to many lytic bone disorders including osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and Paget's diseases. Development of strategies to control the formation or activities of osteoclasts has been a major focus of bone research. The vacuolar proton pump (V-ATPase) located on the plasma membrane of the osteoclast is responsible for creating a low pH environment critical for bone resorption, and therefore a potential molecular target for the discovery of novel bone antiresorptive ag ....Osteoclasts are directly related to many lytic bone disorders including osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and Paget's diseases. Development of strategies to control the formation or activities of osteoclasts has been a major focus of bone research. The vacuolar proton pump (V-ATPase) located on the plasma membrane of the osteoclast is responsible for creating a low pH environment critical for bone resorption, and therefore a potential molecular target for the discovery of novel bone antiresorptive agents useful for the treatment of lytic bone disorders. The proposed research will give considerable insight into the role of the both V-ATPase accessory subunit Ac45 and V-ATPase complex in osteoclasts. Understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which V-ATPases regulate osteoclast bone resorption will facilitate the development of novel and selective inhibitors for the treatment of lytic bone disorders.Read moreRead less