Photoreversible hydrogels to study stem cell memory and fate. This project will develop materials whose stiffness can be reversibly increased and decreased by the simple application of light, and use these to build knowledge of how stem cell fate is regulated. The influence of mechanical cues on the structure and organisation of the nucleus will be determined. Expected outcomes are new synthetic and light-reversible culture materials, and fundamental insights into how forces change the nucleus t ....Photoreversible hydrogels to study stem cell memory and fate. This project will develop materials whose stiffness can be reversibly increased and decreased by the simple application of light, and use these to build knowledge of how stem cell fate is regulated. The influence of mechanical cues on the structure and organisation of the nucleus will be determined. Expected outcomes are new synthetic and light-reversible culture materials, and fundamental insights into how forces change the nucleus to alter stem cell aging and fate. The findings will provide critical information required for the future development of assays to measure cell potency and instructive biomaterials to drive stem cell expansion and tissue-regeneration and will have impact by underpinning future advances in stem cell technologies.Read moreRead less
A Biologically Responsive and Anatomically Authentic Human Nasal Model. As respiratory conditions caused by pollutants and viruses become more prevalent, human nasal models to study infection/protection mechanisms and nasal drug/vaccine delivery are increasingly important. This project aims to develop a world-first human nasal model to mimic both anatomical and biological aspects of the nasal cavity and predict the distribution and deposition of fine particles and the resultant biological respon ....A Biologically Responsive and Anatomically Authentic Human Nasal Model. As respiratory conditions caused by pollutants and viruses become more prevalent, human nasal models to study infection/protection mechanisms and nasal drug/vaccine delivery are increasingly important. This project aims to develop a world-first human nasal model to mimic both anatomical and biological aspects of the nasal cavity and predict the distribution and deposition of fine particles and the resultant biological response from the nasal mucosa. The aim is to overcome a key fabrication challenge - to 3D print an anatomically accurate nasal construct with a porous wall on which to grow and mature functional nasal tissue that lines a nasal cavity wall. The benefit would be enabling faster development of more targeted drugs and vaccines.Read moreRead less
Switching the light on cartilage repair. Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of pain and disability in adults and affects 15 per cent of the Australian population. This project will develop a revolutionary new approach to treat joint disorders using smart materials and stem cells. The novel materials and techniques developed will help Australia maintain its leading edge in biotechnology.
Industrial Transformation Training Centres - Grant ID: IC170100022
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,420,408.00
Summary
ARC Training Centre for Innovative BioEngineering. The ARC Training Centre for Musculoskeletal Biomedical Technologies will provide the next-generation of skilled graduates to overcome industry-focused challenges in musculoskeletal regeneration. The Centre expects to engineer a set of integrated technologies to personalise implants for the unique biological, physical and lifestyle characteristics of the recipient. Expected outcomes of the Centre include embedded bioelectronic sensors to assess a ....ARC Training Centre for Innovative BioEngineering. The ARC Training Centre for Musculoskeletal Biomedical Technologies will provide the next-generation of skilled graduates to overcome industry-focused challenges in musculoskeletal regeneration. The Centre expects to engineer a set of integrated technologies to personalise implants for the unique biological, physical and lifestyle characteristics of the recipient. Expected outcomes of the Centre include embedded bioelectronic sensors to assess and optimise the healing process. In addition, the Centre will produce data for use in deriving the next-generation of implants, giving rise to improved health outcomes, economic benefits, and a skilled workforce able to advance and perpetuate this important field.Read moreRead less
Dual Stimulation Approach to Stem Cell Based Tissue Engineering. This Project aims to determine how human stem cells differentiate into different cell types in response to electrical and mechanical stimulation on a conductive biomaterial platform, and to use this knowledge to develop a custom built bioreactor. It expects to generate new insight into the mechanisms that control stem cell fate using innovative single cell measurements, and will deliver a bioreactor capable of using these mechanism ....Dual Stimulation Approach to Stem Cell Based Tissue Engineering. This Project aims to determine how human stem cells differentiate into different cell types in response to electrical and mechanical stimulation on a conductive biomaterial platform, and to use this knowledge to develop a custom built bioreactor. It expects to generate new insight into the mechanisms that control stem cell fate using innovative single cell measurements, and will deliver a bioreactor capable of using these mechanisms for large scale stem cell differentiation. The expected outcomes are a significant advancement in knowledge in the field of tissue engineering and more efficient methodology for patient-derived stem cell therapy. This will provide new pathways to improving stem cell therapy for tissue engineering applications.Read moreRead less
Controlling the adhesome to regulate cell fate on biomaterials. Mesenchymal stem cell-based tissue engineering practices are hampered worldwide by the lack of appreciation and understanding of the matrix-mediated cues that must be provided during adhesion and spreading to drive cells to definitive tissue end points. This project will address these knowledge deficiencies by combining high throughput array technologies, a set of tailorable self-assembling biomaterials and real-time biosensors to r ....Controlling the adhesome to regulate cell fate on biomaterials. Mesenchymal stem cell-based tissue engineering practices are hampered worldwide by the lack of appreciation and understanding of the matrix-mediated cues that must be provided during adhesion and spreading to drive cells to definitive tissue end points. This project will address these knowledge deficiencies by combining high throughput array technologies, a set of tailorable self-assembling biomaterials and real-time biosensors to rapidly, at high resolution, elucidate how mechanotransductive cues determine the fate choice of mesenchymal stem cells, and furthermore, how to manipulate them with smart biomaterial design to achieve desired outcomes for tissue engineering. Read moreRead less
Micro/nano smart surfaces to unlock the potential of multipotent stem cells. This project aims to determine the interplay of micro/nanostructures on stem cell mechanotransduction and to control the cellular environment. It is expected that this will expand our knowledge on how to control stem cell fate. Expected outcomes are novel scalable technologies for micro/nanostructures and smart surfaces, controlled stem-cell expansion and differentiation, and the creation of a library of protein express ....Micro/nano smart surfaces to unlock the potential of multipotent stem cells. This project aims to determine the interplay of micro/nanostructures on stem cell mechanotransduction and to control the cellular environment. It is expected that this will expand our knowledge on how to control stem cell fate. Expected outcomes are novel scalable technologies for micro/nanostructures and smart surfaces, controlled stem-cell expansion and differentiation, and the creation of a library of protein expression based on the cell interactions. These outcomes will provide critical information required for the future development of instructive biomaterials to drive stem cell expansion and tissue-regeneration. Those materials should benefit the future development of efficient and cost-effective regenerative medicine solutions.Read moreRead less
The Role Of Stem-progenitor Cells In Regeneration Of Mouse Endometrium.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$311,938.00
Summary
The endometrium (lining of the uterus) undergoes breakdown and re-growth each month as part of the menstrual cycle. This restorative process is not well understood. For the first time stem cells have been identified within human endometrium that are likely to be responsible for its remarkable regeneration. The aim of this project is to identify stem cells within the mouse endometrium, to use as a model to understand how the endometrium restores each month after menstruation.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150101755
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
Regulation of cell reprogramming to pluripotency by complex topographies. This project aims to use nanotopography approaches to improve the efficiency of generating induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) by changing cell behaviour at biomaterial surfaces. The significance is that iPSCs have enormous potential in stem cell therapy, regenerative medicine, and disease-specific treatment, with the potential to replace other stem cell types. The expected outcomes are that cellular reprogramming proce ....Regulation of cell reprogramming to pluripotency by complex topographies. This project aims to use nanotopography approaches to improve the efficiency of generating induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) by changing cell behaviour at biomaterial surfaces. The significance is that iPSCs have enormous potential in stem cell therapy, regenerative medicine, and disease-specific treatment, with the potential to replace other stem cell types. The expected outcomes are that cellular reprogramming process for iPSCs generation will be improved and the canonical reprogramming factors might be reduced using surface nanotopographies of self-assembled colloidal crystals. The benefits are the promotion of productivity, the reduction of costs, and the application of iPSC derivatives, aimed at future clinical applications.Read moreRead less
We have discovered a single tumour factor which causes cancer cachexia, a wasting condition that is one of the worst complications of malignancy, for which there is no current effective treatment. We have developed antibodies which effectively block this condition in preclinical models and have produced human/humanised version of this. This application is to characterise these human antibodies to allow us proceed to clinical trials.