A Micro-Physiological System to Mimic Human Microbiome-Organ Interactions. This project aims to mimic gut microbiome-organ interactions by developing a microbial-gut coculture chip, which can reversibly interface with other organs-on-chips. This is achieved through the systematic integration of highly customisable biofabrication and microfluidic technologies. This project fills a critical technological gap in the availability of an animal-alternative system to investigate microbiome-host interac ....A Micro-Physiological System to Mimic Human Microbiome-Organ Interactions. This project aims to mimic gut microbiome-organ interactions by developing a microbial-gut coculture chip, which can reversibly interface with other organs-on-chips. This is achieved through the systematic integration of highly customisable biofabrication and microfluidic technologies. This project fills a critical technological gap in the availability of an animal-alternative system to investigate microbiome-host interactions, which will greatly complement existing meta-omics approaches. The deliverables include a proof-of-concept system validated for gut-liver axis as well as the creation of new knowledge and framework to assimilate design thinking and advanced manufacturing to elevate tissue engineering into physiology 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
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
Dissecting the physiology of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells to develop vaccine candidates for respiratory disease. The project aims to gain an understanding of how a type of adult stem cell inhibits immune responses that cause asthma. The project will produce new stem cell products and facilitate the design of a vaccine for asthma and other respiratory diseases, which would greatly reduce the burden of such conditions.
Redefining tissue-specific endothelial cells through bioengineered matrices. This project aims to improve our understanding of the biological mechanisms that drive blood vessel formation and function. The endothelial cells that make up each blood vessel are inherently unique across different sites within the human body and this project expects to generate new knowledge regarding their organ specificity. Using advanced bioengineering approaches, this project will map human endothelial cell specif ....Redefining tissue-specific endothelial cells through bioengineered matrices. This project aims to improve our understanding of the biological mechanisms that drive blood vessel formation and function. The endothelial cells that make up each blood vessel are inherently unique across different sites within the human body and this project expects to generate new knowledge regarding their organ specificity. Using advanced bioengineering approaches, this project will map human endothelial cell specificity and develop state-of-the-art modelling technologies to improve knowledge of environmental influence on endothelial cell fate and function. This should provide a new framework to modulate the adaptive capacities of endothelial cells and can potentially enable more predictive and targeted drug efficacy and safety testing.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130100986
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
An innovative platform using non-coding ribonucleic acids (RNAs) to control stem cell differentiation outcomes. It is difficult to control the tissue type that stem cells will form when combined with biomaterials, as the outcome is influenced by the 'stiffness' of the surface to which the stem cells attach. This project will determine how non-coding ribonucleic acids (RNAs) control stem cell behaviours and use this information to direct stem cell differentiation outcomes.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180100775
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$368,446.00
Summary
Using nanostructured scaffolds to understand and engineer neuronal circuits. This project aims to understand the formation of neuronal circuits in the brain. While the role of biochemical features in the brain is well understood, it is not clear how the biophysical properties of the brain affect circuit formation. The outcomes of this project will improve our understanding of neuronal circuit formation as well as provide design rules for creating scaffolds to repair neuronal circuits after brain ....Using nanostructured scaffolds to understand and engineer neuronal circuits. This project aims to understand the formation of neuronal circuits in the brain. While the role of biochemical features in the brain is well understood, it is not clear how the biophysical properties of the brain affect circuit formation. The outcomes of this project will improve our understanding of neuronal circuit formation as well as provide design rules for creating scaffolds to repair neuronal circuits after brain damage. This project will integrate Australia’s strengths in nanotechnology and neurosciences, bringing Australian research at the forefront of neural engineering.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120100423
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Tissue engineered muscle actuators as evocative cultural objects and vehicles for discourses about material agency and living machines. This interdisciplinary project will be examining shifting perceptions of what is living through case study of a vital-machine; tissue engineered muscle actuators in custom made bioreactors. It will further discourses about posthumanist perceptions of movement as an indicator for life with agency; suggesting new knowledge and modes of inquiry of material life.
Quantitative micro-computed tomography for mechanobiological measurement. This project aims to investigate novel measurement approaches for complex cartilage and joint systems by utilising engineering and software design, imaging physics and musculoskeletal biology. Accurate measurement of these living biological systems in action expects to generate new knowledge and a fundamental understanding of their mechanobiological processes. This project will enhance understanding of this complex system ....Quantitative micro-computed tomography for mechanobiological measurement. This project aims to investigate novel measurement approaches for complex cartilage and joint systems by utilising engineering and software design, imaging physics and musculoskeletal biology. Accurate measurement of these living biological systems in action expects to generate new knowledge and a fundamental understanding of their mechanobiological processes. This project will enhance understanding of this complex system and facilitate our capacity to innovate functional solutions in biomedical engineering and biosciences.Read moreRead less
Engineering floating liquid marbles for three-dimensional cell cultures. This project aims to understand the physics of three-dimensional cell cultures in a liquid marble floating on a liquid free surface. New methodology developed can produce these cell cultures without using matrices or scaffolds and with run-times well beyond existing technologies. This methodology closely mimics a normal in-vivo environment and produces spheroids needed in cell transplantation therapies. This project will re ....Engineering floating liquid marbles for three-dimensional cell cultures. This project aims to understand the physics of three-dimensional cell cultures in a liquid marble floating on a liquid free surface. New methodology developed can produce these cell cultures without using matrices or scaffolds and with run-times well beyond existing technologies. This methodology closely mimics a normal in-vivo environment and produces spheroids needed in cell transplantation therapies. This project will resolve uncertainties in the underlying phenomena. The expected outcome should support future high quality cell cultures suitable for transplantation therapies.Read moreRead less