Surface engineering of biomaterials for optimal bone bonding characteristics. The ideal bone-implant material is hydroxyapatite. Chemically similar to bone mineral, hydroxyapatite is capable of inducing bone ongrowth. An ideal surface coating for metal hip implants, plasma spraying has been the preferred commercial hydroxyapatite coating technique. Until recently, it was always presumed that the bioactivity of hydroxyapatite resulted from its surface chemistry. However, a recent study has shown ....Surface engineering of biomaterials for optimal bone bonding characteristics. The ideal bone-implant material is hydroxyapatite. Chemically similar to bone mineral, hydroxyapatite is capable of inducing bone ongrowth. An ideal surface coating for metal hip implants, plasma spraying has been the preferred commercial hydroxyapatite coating technique. Until recently, it was always presumed that the bioactivity of hydroxyapatite resulted from its surface chemistry. However, a recent study has shown that the bioactivity of HAp coatings strongly correlates with surface roughness on the scale of bone cells. This project will explore cell-attachment behaviour for hydroxyapatite coatings prepared by plasma spraying compared with engineered surface morphology/chemistry by microlithography and vapour coating.Read moreRead less
Multivalent drug delivery carrier for the targeted delivery of platinum anticancer agents to hepatocytes. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is often treated with chemotherapy using cytotoxic drugs. This systemic treatment results in the distribution of the drug throughout the body. Employing a polymer particle as a drug carrier for these drugs ensures a temporal control of the release and therefore supply of the drug within the body. By attaching carbohydrate moieties onto the surface of the polyme ....Multivalent drug delivery carrier for the targeted delivery of platinum anticancer agents to hepatocytes. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is often treated with chemotherapy using cytotoxic drugs. This systemic treatment results in the distribution of the drug throughout the body. Employing a polymer particle as a drug carrier for these drugs ensures a temporal control of the release and therefore supply of the drug within the body. By attaching carbohydrate moieties onto the surface of the polymer particle the drug carrier can specifically be recognized by cell receptors, thus allowing a targeted delivery of the drug to the desired area in the body. A range of carbohydrate-based drug carriers will be synthesized and tested towards their interaction with hepatocytes to allow optimisation of this drug carrier system.
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Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0668506
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$150,000.00
Summary
A Multi-Axis Biomaterials Testing Facility. Damage to bones and joints, due to injury or diseases such as osteoporosis and arthritis, is a major cause of disability and cost to the nation. Australia's ageing population contributes not only to an increasing incidence of such conditions, but also to more patients out-living implants such as replacement joints. In 2001-2, Australia spent over $800 million on joint replacement. Because over 11% of procedures are revisions of failed implants, even sm ....A Multi-Axis Biomaterials Testing Facility. Damage to bones and joints, due to injury or diseases such as osteoporosis and arthritis, is a major cause of disability and cost to the nation. Australia's ageing population contributes not only to an increasing incidence of such conditions, but also to more patients out-living implants such as replacement joints. In 2001-2, Australia spent over $800 million on joint replacement. Because over 11% of procedures are revisions of failed implants, even small improvements in implant life represent significant cost savings. By accurately simulating conditions within the body, this biomechanical testing facility will lead to new developments in implant designs and materials, in turn improving quality of life, productivity and treatment costs.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150101518
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$345,000.00
Summary
Cellular responses to nanoparticles from cells on micropatterned surfaces. The mechanisms underlying cell-nanoparticle interactions remain largely unknown. It has hampered the design and development of innovative nano devices to be used for drug delivery, biomarkers and diagnostics. This project aims to explore the influences of cell size, density, geometry, intercellular communication and substrate properties on cell-nanoparticle interactions. A micropatterning technology is applied to precisel ....Cellular responses to nanoparticles from cells on micropatterned surfaces. The mechanisms underlying cell-nanoparticle interactions remain largely unknown. It has hampered the design and development of innovative nano devices to be used for drug delivery, biomarkers and diagnostics. This project aims to explore the influences of cell size, density, geometry, intercellular communication and substrate properties on cell-nanoparticle interactions. A micropatterning technology is applied to precisely control cell behaviour and provide a novel in vitro cellular model for nanoparticle studies. This project aims to significantly improve the understanding of cell-nanoparticle interactions to provide new insight into nanoparticle design and improve the efficacy of nano devices.Read moreRead less
Biomaterials with multifaceted tunability and bio-specificity. Polyurethanes, a family of polymers with independently tunable mechanical and biodegradation properties, will be developed as a versatile platform material for biomedical implants. Novel energetic ion treatments that allow the coupling of bioactive agents to surfaces will eliminate adverse reactions and enable integration with surrounding tissue.
Core-shell nanoparticle from polymers with pendant cyclodextrins. A better drug delivery system will be developed for the treatment of cancer with albendazole. These nanoparticles enhance the circulation time in the body, but also facilitate the delivery of the drug to the site of the tumour, which will increase the efficacy of the treatment. The nanoparticles are obtained by processing polymers with pendant cyclodextrin groups, which are a type of complex sugars. Aim of this work is the explora ....Core-shell nanoparticle from polymers with pendant cyclodextrins. A better drug delivery system will be developed for the treatment of cancer with albendazole. These nanoparticles enhance the circulation time in the body, but also facilitate the delivery of the drug to the site of the tumour, which will increase the efficacy of the treatment. The nanoparticles are obtained by processing polymers with pendant cyclodextrin groups, which are a type of complex sugars. Aim of this work is the exploration of synthetic routes to generate nanoparticles. Tailoring the underpinning polymer structure of these nanoparticles will allow the optimisation of the release of albendazole from the drug carrier, thus improving cancer treatment.Read moreRead less
Degradable hollow microspheres for liver cancer treatment. The expected outcome of this multidisciplinary approach is a controlled drug delivery system for the treatment of liver cancer. We aim to increase the understanding of drug release using polymeric microspheres and the influence of the polymer properties on the release kinetics resulting in the tailored drug release for liver cancer treatment. An indepth knowledge in drug delivery can lead to optimised release kinetics leding to an increa ....Degradable hollow microspheres for liver cancer treatment. The expected outcome of this multidisciplinary approach is a controlled drug delivery system for the treatment of liver cancer. We aim to increase the understanding of drug release using polymeric microspheres and the influence of the polymer properties on the release kinetics resulting in the tailored drug release for liver cancer treatment. An indepth knowledge in drug delivery can lead to optimised release kinetics leding to an increased patient convenience and life prolonging treatments.Read moreRead less
Platinum drugs containing core-shell nanoparticles. Many drugs such as cancer drugs contain metal ions. While the therapeutic benefits of metal containing drugs are highly promising, their administration is often accompanied by substantial side effects. Encapsulation of these drugs into nano-sized core-shell particles will prolong the circulation of the drug and therefore reduce the amount of repeated administrations. In addition, the shape and nature of the particle will enable the targeted del ....Platinum drugs containing core-shell nanoparticles. Many drugs such as cancer drugs contain metal ions. While the therapeutic benefits of metal containing drugs are highly promising, their administration is often accompanied by substantial side effects. Encapsulation of these drugs into nano-sized core-shell particles will prolong the circulation of the drug and therefore reduce the amount of repeated administrations. In addition, the shape and nature of the particle will enable the targeted delivery of these drug loaded nanocarriers to the tumor while healthy tissue remains unaffected. Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354797
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$20,000.00
Summary
The Australian Tissue Engineering Network. Driven by four key nodes across the country, the Initiative aims to bring together geographically and financially separated groups into a critical mass of cell and tissue engineering research. This new and rapidly-growing field uses a bio-synthetic approach to replace, repair or regenerate damaged tissues and organs. The Initiative will build the framework which will enable the Network to: identify appropriate expertise, manage duplication, enhance co ....The Australian Tissue Engineering Network. Driven by four key nodes across the country, the Initiative aims to bring together geographically and financially separated groups into a critical mass of cell and tissue engineering research. This new and rapidly-growing field uses a bio-synthetic approach to replace, repair or regenerate damaged tissues and organs. The Initiative will build the framework which will enable the Network to: identify appropriate expertise, manage duplication, enhance communication, bring together innovative skill sets, create linkages, generate focussed research programs and foster novel commercial opportunities. Ultimately the Initiative and Network will deliver an improved quality of life, reduced healthcare costs, and increased productivity to Australia.Read moreRead less
Growth of Bioartificial Tissue Containing an Inbuilt Blood Supply. The large and growing demand for replacement tissues and organs has spurred rapid growth in the emerging field of tissue engineering, which aims to form new tissues in the laboratory by combining living cells and synthetic scaffolds. A major challenge lies in the production of thick tissues, which require a blood supply in order to survive. Uniquely, this project aims to grow in the laboratory a vascular system based on natural ....Growth of Bioartificial Tissue Containing an Inbuilt Blood Supply. The large and growing demand for replacement tissues and organs has spurred rapid growth in the emerging field of tissue engineering, which aims to form new tissues in the laboratory by combining living cells and synthetic scaffolds. A major challenge lies in the production of thick tissues, which require a blood supply in order to survive. Uniquely, this project aims to grow in the laboratory a vascular system based on natural structures, which can then be used to support new tissue growth. Australia is well placed to reap the rewards of this work, having a track record in commercialisation of medical technologies, resulting in an improved quality of life for many Australians and substantial direct and indirect economic benefits.Read moreRead less