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
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
Numerical investigation of signal mechanotransduction of bone cells - application to bone remodeling. The understanding of signal mechanotransduction of bone cells is directly related to mechanical activation of bone remodeling processes, i.e., resorption and formation of bone tissue. Understanding of bone remodeling is essential for the development of new bone implants, the prognosis of osteosporosis, and studies related to changes in microgravity (e.g. space flight) to name a few key applicati ....Numerical investigation of signal mechanotransduction of bone cells - application to bone remodeling. The understanding of signal mechanotransduction of bone cells is directly related to mechanical activation of bone remodeling processes, i.e., resorption and formation of bone tissue. Understanding of bone remodeling is essential for the development of new bone implants, the prognosis of osteosporosis, and studies related to changes in microgravity (e.g. space flight) to name a few key applications. This research proposal closely aligns with one of the major national research priorities, i.e., promoting and maintaining good health (ageing well, ageing productively). The research project is aimed to understand how mechanically induced loading may activate remodeling of bone.
Read moreRead less
Thermo-electro-chemo-mechanical properties of biological systems. The proposal is aimed at developing a new theoretical framework for piezoelectric biological materials and structures, through theoretical analysis, computation and numerical simulations, as well as experimental investigations, to produce high-reliability, high-performance hydrogel components and smart soft tissue structures. It is envisaged that successful outcomes of this program will give the Australian biological industry a te ....Thermo-electro-chemo-mechanical properties of biological systems. The proposal is aimed at developing a new theoretical framework for piezoelectric biological materials and structures, through theoretical analysis, computation and numerical simulations, as well as experimental investigations, to produce high-reliability, high-performance hydrogel components and smart soft tissue structures. It is envisaged that successful outcomes of this program will give the Australian biological industry a technology edge over their competitors and provide easy-to-use guidelines for the design of smart biological systems.Read moreRead less
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
Structures and properties of tissue engineering matrices for cartilage and bone: Imaging, visualising and modelling tissue/scaffold constructs in 3D. Tissue engineering of bone and cartilage has the potential to lower costs and improve outcomes. The first stage requires the design of porous 3D scaffolds. To date they have been found less than ideal for clinical applications. Our ability to design and optimise scaffolds has been ad hoc, as local structure and properties have not been measurable ....Structures and properties of tissue engineering matrices for cartilage and bone: Imaging, visualising and modelling tissue/scaffold constructs in 3D. Tissue engineering of bone and cartilage has the potential to lower costs and improve outcomes. The first stage requires the design of porous 3D scaffolds. To date they have been found less than ideal for clinical applications. Our ability to design and optimise scaffolds has been ad hoc, as local structure and properties have not been measurable during tissue growth and repair. In this proposal, an interdisciplinary group from three universities will utilise microCT imaging, visualisation and numerical modelling to determine these structures and properties. This will provide an invaluable understanding for the further development of tissue engineering scaffolds.Read moreRead less
Improving orthopaedic/dental devices by surface chemical modification. The estimated world market for the orthopaedic implants is expected to be US$125 billion by 2010. Australia imports most of it's orthopaedic implants with an estimated cost in excess of AUD300 million by 2010. The current rate of prosthetic failures in orthopaedic patients is unacceptably high. The project aims to develop new implants that integrate better into bone, thus reducing the rate of revision arthroplasty. This would ....Improving orthopaedic/dental devices by surface chemical modification. The estimated world market for the orthopaedic implants is expected to be US$125 billion by 2010. Australia imports most of it's orthopaedic implants with an estimated cost in excess of AUD300 million by 2010. The current rate of prosthetic failures in orthopaedic patients is unacceptably high. The project aims to develop new implants that integrate better into bone, thus reducing the rate of revision arthroplasty. This would lead to a significant reduction in the cost of health care in our aging population and improve the quality of life for prosthetic recipients. Knowledge gained will facilitate the optimization of orthopaedic and implant dentistry, promoting the technology transfer from academia to the relevant medical device industry.Read moreRead less
Drug-delivery coating for a new generation of orthopaedic implants. In Australia, the number of people using artificial implants in orthopaedic and dental surgeries is rapidly increasing due to the higher average age of the population and higher expectations for an active and healthy life. The project will enhance the success rate of titanium implants by increasing the strength and stability of tissue at the interface between implant and host, particularly in case of hip joint implants, reducing ....Drug-delivery coating for a new generation of orthopaedic implants. In Australia, the number of people using artificial implants in orthopaedic and dental surgeries is rapidly increasing due to the higher average age of the population and higher expectations for an active and healthy life. The project will enhance the success rate of titanium implants by increasing the strength and stability of tissue at the interface between implant and host, particularly in case of hip joint implants, reducing the need for revision surgery. Read moreRead less
Advanced nanoparticles as biocompatible antioxidant agents with targeting functionality. This proposal addresses the core issue of designing nanoparticles capable of delivering antioxidant properties in a biological environment. The major benefits to Australia are two-fold: first will be in the improved health outcomes by providing materials that are better suited to targeted therapeutic delivery, thereby improving the quality of life and reducing the need for further surgical intervention; the ....Advanced nanoparticles as biocompatible antioxidant agents with targeting functionality. This proposal addresses the core issue of designing nanoparticles capable of delivering antioxidant properties in a biological environment. The major benefits to Australia are two-fold: first will be in the improved health outcomes by providing materials that are better suited to targeted therapeutic delivery, thereby improving the quality of life and reducing the need for further surgical intervention; the second is in providing greater knowledge about nanoparticle interactions with the biological environment. This project will assist in the training of researchers in this field which will in turn provide economic growth through the development of Australian industries.Read moreRead less
Interplay between mechanical and biological microenvironments in chondrocyte function: towards an understanding of cartilage pathology. This project will develop state-of-the-art laboratory models of healthy and diseased joints. These models will assist in answering questions about the causes of osteoarthritis, and provide information on how best to treat diseased joints.