HARNESSING THE PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF STRONTIUM AND ZINC TO PRODUCE NOVEL BIOMATERIALS FOR ORTHOPAEDIC APPLICATIONS
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$560,082.00
Summary
Large skeletal defects resulting from congenital defects or disease processes are challenging to regenerate and represent a major financial burden to our health system. Bone graft treatments are widely used but have considerable drawbacks. Available synthetic alternatives lack the physical-biological properties necessary. We have developed new scaffolds with improved mechanical-biological properties for bone regeneration.
Mechanisms Of Bone Formation At The Device/tissue Interface: Role Of Biomaterial Surface Chemistry Modification
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$489,375.00
Summary
In 1992 300,000 prosthetic devices, artificial hips and knees were implanted into patients in a global market worth $2.1 billion. Growth in this field of medicine has been exceptional with now more than 1 million implants carried out each year. In 1998-99, 38,512 artificial hips and knees were implanted in Australia alone, with approximately 10% of these replacing older, failed implants. Since joint replacements provide great benefits for the patient considerable health funding is required for j ....In 1992 300,000 prosthetic devices, artificial hips and knees were implanted into patients in a global market worth $2.1 billion. Growth in this field of medicine has been exceptional with now more than 1 million implants carried out each year. In 1998-99, 38,512 artificial hips and knees were implanted in Australia alone, with approximately 10% of these replacing older, failed implants. Since joint replacements provide great benefits for the patient considerable health funding is required for joint replacements. However, failure of the implants is a major concern to the patient and financially to our health system, especially with the ever increasing life expectancy of our population. The long-and short-term success of an implant depends on the healthy support of the surrounding bone. This study aims to find ways of improving the attachment of healthy bone to the implant by modifying the surface characteristics of the implant. We will modify the surface chemistry of biomaterials with divalent cations, such as magnesium, which is known to play a critical role in bone remodelling and skeletal development. Our goal is to improve the formation of healthy bone that will promote a rapid and permanent fixation of implant into skeletons. This study goes further to study the factors, inside the cell, on the cell surface and secreted by the cell, which promote this attachment. Once these factors are identified, it should be possible to alter implant surfaces in ways to improve stability. In this proposal we will use novel bioceramic coatings and ion beam technologies. This study will not only improve our understanding of the interactions of bone and implant but also identify ways of improving implants to benefit the patient's quality of life and reduce costs in this important heath areaRead moreRead less
At present the failure rate of joint replacement is unacceptably high and will continue to rise due to the ageing and active life styles of the baby-boomer generation, placing an increasing burden on the health budget. We have developed a new bioactive material with improved mechanical-biological properties for bone regeneration. We will modify the surface of the currently used orthopaedic implants with this bioactive material to promote permanent fixation of the prosthesis to the bone.
Peptides Bound To Commonly Used Orthopaedic And Dental Biomaterials:In Vitro And In Vivo Effect On Osteogenesis.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$273,428.00
Summary
In 1992, the orthopaedics industry fitted some 300,000 prosthetic devices, artificial hips, knees, giving this industry a global market of $2.1 billion with a projected market growth exceeding 10% per annum. In (1994-5) 5,717 prosthetic hips and 4,593 knees were surgically implanted in NSW of which 14% of hips and 9.5% of knees were revisions. Considerable health funding is allocated to joint replacement for the nation, although successful, outcomes are finite. Importantly, and aside from costs, ....In 1992, the orthopaedics industry fitted some 300,000 prosthetic devices, artificial hips, knees, giving this industry a global market of $2.1 billion with a projected market growth exceeding 10% per annum. In (1994-5) 5,717 prosthetic hips and 4,593 knees were surgically implanted in NSW of which 14% of hips and 9.5% of knees were revisions. Considerable health funding is allocated to joint replacement for the nation, although successful, outcomes are finite. Importantly, and aside from costs, patients morbidity is high. The major cause of long-term failure of these prosthetic replacements is aseptic loosening, the result of bone loss at the bone-device interface. Novel approaches to development of more efficient implant materials would ultimately lead to major contributions to the mobility and and quality of life for these patients. Considerable effort has been devoted to alter surface characteristics of orthopaedic implants to improve the interlocking of device and skeleton. We were the first to demonstrate that surface chemical modification of biomaterials using selected ions resulted in an enhanced bone formation. This proposal is aimed at chemically modifying the surfaces of commonly used orthopaedic and dental materials, to improve the biocompatibility of new devices and the surface coatings for existing prostheses. Furthermore, this application will build on the in vitro data showing that particular peptides specifically bind osteoblasts and therefore have the potential to provide a surface on a prosthesis that is conducive to bone formation. To date, we have coupled these peptides to metallic surfaces and will proceed to study the osteoblastic phenotype and subsequent osteogenesis. Development of these novel biocompatible surfaces is anticipated to reduce patient morbidity and result in significant health care savings.Read moreRead less
Application Of Novel Sutureless Technology For Eye Surgery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$342,623.00
Summary
Corneal disease and trauma are major causes of blindness. Corneal trauma requires surgical repair and vision lost from disease may be restored with corneal transplantation. In both cases sutures are used and can have significant complications. Application of a new surgical adhesive for cost-effective, quick and easy corneal surgery with enhanced wound healing is an innovative solution to a major problem in public health with manifold implications in the field of eye surgery
Monitoring Bone Loss And Response To Therapy Through Bone Material And Structural Composition
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$696,111.00
Summary
Millions of scripts are filled for treatment of osteoporosis. However, there is no way of knowing if these drugs are right for these individuals, if it improves bone strength or are actually doing harm. Bone density measurement is of limited value. We have developed a new analysis method that measures changes in bone structure that tell us if the treatment is or is not working so alternative treatment can be used. The aim of this study is to test this new method.
Identification Of Novel PTH Anabolic Targets In Osteoblasts
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$547,216.00
Summary
Osteoporosis is a major disease affecting Australians. Whilst there are a number of drugs available that will reduce bone loss, there are few drugs available that build new bone, and little is known of the action of these drugs. New targets have been identified that modulate bone formation, and this project aims to validate these in appropriate models and determine their mechanism of action.
Optimising Bone Regeneration Using Advanced Design And Fabrication Technologies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$916,671.00
Summary
The aging population has produced a rapidly increasing demand for synthetic implants that can regenerate lost or diseased bone. This project will produce an implant that represents a viable alternative to bone autografts and allografts with broad applications for the repair of large or challenging bone defects. Such an achievement will have significant healthcare benefits by reducing patient morbidity and recovery time, and improving long-term outcomes.
Determining The Influences Of Cell Stress And Heat Shock Factor-1 Action In Osteoclast Formation And Pathological Bone Loss.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$657,287.00
Summary
Cancer and rheumatoid arthritis cause painful bone destruction. This occurs due to increased numbers of bone destroying cells called osteoclasts. We found stress responses in bone cells can increase osteoclast numbers by activating proteins inside the bone cells that encourage osteoclasts to form. We will thus study whether cell stress blocking drugs might stop bone loss. As arthritis and cancer both cause stress responses, this work could identify a new way that such diseases affect bone.
I am an orthopaedic surgeon and clinician-scientist based at Sydney’s largest children’s hospital. My goal is to improve treatments for children with traumatic injuries and bone deformity. I have worked in bone research for over 20 years. My current research interests are finding new treatments for drug-resistant bacterial infections, treating genetic bone disease, and developing new medical devices to help children’s bones grow straight.