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
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
How do transcription factors control cell fate transitions? The aim of this project is to determine how transcription factors control cellular identity, which is relevant to many biological processes including embryogenesis, cellular reprogramming and differentiation. Innovative genomic tools will be combined with various in vitro cellular conversion systems to generate fundamental mechanistic insight into how transcription factors mediate these identity changes. The knowledge gained from this w ....How do transcription factors control cell fate transitions? The aim of this project is to determine how transcription factors control cellular identity, which is relevant to many biological processes including embryogenesis, cellular reprogramming and differentiation. Innovative genomic tools will be combined with various in vitro cellular conversion systems to generate fundamental mechanistic insight into how transcription factors mediate these identity changes. The knowledge gained from this work will allow us to answer standing fundamental questions in regards to cell fate control and the biochemistry of transcription factors, which in turn will aid in the development of novel gene regulation technologies applicable to a myriad of fields and industries.Read moreRead less