Ultra-low fouling active surfaces. This project aims to develop chemistries and fabrication approaches through innovative materials evaluation to develop ultra-low fouling active electrode surfaces. Development of ultra-low fouling surfaces will have significant impact in a range of applications where system or device failure is attributed to fouling. The growing field of bionics, where implantable electronic devices interface directly with the nervous system, is one such device. The expected ou ....Ultra-low fouling active surfaces. This project aims to develop chemistries and fabrication approaches through innovative materials evaluation to develop ultra-low fouling active electrode surfaces. Development of ultra-low fouling surfaces will have significant impact in a range of applications where system or device failure is attributed to fouling. The growing field of bionics, where implantable electronic devices interface directly with the nervous system, is one such device. The expected outcomes will be an understanding of the material requirements that lead to the elimination of protein and cell accumulation at surfaces that degrades the performance and lifetime of these implants. The findings will benefit any application where fouling is a problem.Read moreRead less
Engineering Functional Antimicrobial Polypeptide Surfaces. Antimicrobial coatings are vital in preventing bacterial contamination but a versatile solution does not exist. Structurally nanoengineered antimicrobial peptide polymers (SNAPPs) were recently developed to fight multidrug-resistant bacteria. To expand their application into antimicrobial coatings across a range of surfaces, a simple and universal coating strategy is needed. By developing phenolic-functionalised SNAPPs, this project aims ....Engineering Functional Antimicrobial Polypeptide Surfaces. Antimicrobial coatings are vital in preventing bacterial contamination but a versatile solution does not exist. Structurally nanoengineered antimicrobial peptide polymers (SNAPPs) were recently developed to fight multidrug-resistant bacteria. To expand their application into antimicrobial coatings across a range of surfaces, a simple and universal coating strategy is needed. By developing phenolic-functionalised SNAPPs, this project aims to exploit the adhesive nature of metal–phenolic materials to rapidly coat diverse surfaces, including stainless steel and textiles. The expected outcome is the generation of antimicrobial polypeptide surfaces, which will have benefits in food safety, medical implant technology and advanced textiles.Read moreRead less
Nanoengineering of Biomaterial Surfaces to Tailor Innate Immune Responses. The overarching aim of this project is to provide a mechanistic understanding of how surface nanotopography affects inflammatory responses. Recently, we showed that surface nanotopography induced conformational changes in adsorbed proteins can activate or deactivate immune cells. These exciting findings are important because they show that it may be possible to engineer the nanotopography of a biomedical device surface in ....Nanoengineering of Biomaterial Surfaces to Tailor Innate Immune Responses. The overarching aim of this project is to provide a mechanistic understanding of how surface nanotopography affects inflammatory responses. Recently, we showed that surface nanotopography induced conformational changes in adsorbed proteins can activate or deactivate immune cells. These exciting findings are important because they show that it may be possible to engineer the nanotopography of a biomedical device surface in a manner which leads to a desired and predictable level of inflammation. The outcomes of the project will create new fundamental knowledge that in the future can instruct the development of the next generation of biomaterials capable of controlling and directing the body’s inflammatory responses.Read moreRead less
Functional Strontium Phosphate Coated Magnesium Alloys For ?Orthopaedic Use. This project aims to develop a functional strontium-release surface on magnesium-based orthopaedic implants to suppress the rapid degradation rate of magnesium, facilitate new bone formation and ultimately shorten the healing process. The development of practical, bone-favourable and degradation-inhibiting surfaces for magnesium implants are in demand and can bring significant patient benefits. The project seeks to esta ....Functional Strontium Phosphate Coated Magnesium Alloys For ?Orthopaedic Use. This project aims to develop a functional strontium-release surface on magnesium-based orthopaedic implants to suppress the rapid degradation rate of magnesium, facilitate new bone formation and ultimately shorten the healing process. The development of practical, bone-favourable and degradation-inhibiting surfaces for magnesium implants are in demand and can bring significant patient benefits. The project seeks to establish an understanding of the formation mechanisms of strontium-releasing coatings and determine the critical release rate of strontium to activate bone cell responses.Read moreRead less
Nanoengineered hybrid coatings that control inflammation to artificial bone. This project aims to develop novel biocompatible surfaces using nanotechnology approaches to understand how cells attach to and grow on artificial bone materials. This research is significant because it combines novel nanofabrication and surface modification strategies for unprecedented control and manipulation of inflammatory cell behaviour relevant to orthopaedic implants. The project will overcome current limitations ....Nanoengineered hybrid coatings that control inflammation to artificial bone. This project aims to develop novel biocompatible surfaces using nanotechnology approaches to understand how cells attach to and grow on artificial bone materials. This research is significant because it combines novel nanofabrication and surface modification strategies for unprecedented control and manipulation of inflammatory cell behaviour relevant to orthopaedic implants. The project will overcome current limitations of uncontrollable inflammatory reactions to surfaces. The multifunctional surfaces are expected to give the biomaterials field new tools to control and maintain bone cell functionality, in vitro. Potential long-term benefits include applications as coatings in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and medical implants.Read moreRead less
Engineering biomaterials that actively promote blood vessel growth. This project aims to improve understanding of the effect of biomaterials on vascular growth & to develop new biomimetic materials using natural polymers silk & gelatin. It expects to generate new knowledge in biomaterials, matrix biology & advanced material processing. Expected outcomes include new knowledge & technological advances in biomaterial-driven vascular growth, porous material manufacture, & proteoglycan-mediated grow ....Engineering biomaterials that actively promote blood vessel growth. This project aims to improve understanding of the effect of biomaterials on vascular growth & to develop new biomimetic materials using natural polymers silk & gelatin. It expects to generate new knowledge in biomaterials, matrix biology & advanced material processing. Expected outcomes include new knowledge & technological advances in biomaterial-driven vascular growth, porous material manufacture, & proteoglycan-mediated growth factor signalling, as well as cross-disciplinary, international collaboration & research training. This should provide significant benefit to Australia’s scholarly output & reputation & long term benefits to biomedical, veterinary, cosmetic, & food industries through new materials & processing technologies. Read moreRead less