LIPID AND LIPOPROTEIN ADSORPTION AT BIOMATERIALS AND BIO-DIAGNOSTICS INTERFACES. This project aims to investigate molecular mechanisms involved in the formation of undesired biological deposits on synthetic materials and thereby help establish the scientific basis for the rational design of materials with improved compatibility with biological fluids and the engineering of a new generation of biomedical implant devices and bio-diagnostic devices. It is well known that proteins accumulate on synt ....LIPID AND LIPOPROTEIN ADSORPTION AT BIOMATERIALS AND BIO-DIAGNOSTICS INTERFACES. This project aims to investigate molecular mechanisms involved in the formation of undesired biological deposits on synthetic materials and thereby help establish the scientific basis for the rational design of materials with improved compatibility with biological fluids and the engineering of a new generation of biomedical implant devices and bio-diagnostic devices. It is well known that proteins accumulate on synthetic solid surfaces. This project proposes to investigate whether lipids and lipoproteins also play key roles in the initiation of biological adsorption processes. Combined with the study of the interfacial forces responsible, this information will guide the design of preventative strategies.Read moreRead less
Engineering and Assembly of Bioinspired Nanostructured Materials. Scientific and technological advances at the frontiers of nano- and bio-technology are poised to revolutionise healthcare and medicine. This project will involve the design, synthesis and engineering of functional biopolymer building blocks. These 'smart' biopolymers will then be assembled into responsive, nanostructured materials for targeted drug delivery and biosensing applications. These materials are expected to ultimately ha ....Engineering and Assembly of Bioinspired Nanostructured Materials. Scientific and technological advances at the frontiers of nano- and bio-technology are poised to revolutionise healthcare and medicine. This project will involve the design, synthesis and engineering of functional biopolymer building blocks. These 'smart' biopolymers will then be assembled into responsive, nanostructured materials for targeted drug delivery and biosensing applications. These materials are expected to ultimately have health benefits for Australian citizens and contribute to the development of a robust Australian nanobiotechnology industry. The project will also provide excellent opportunities for the development of outstanding young scientists and will foster exciting, multidisciplinary collaborations.Read moreRead less
Application of Silver Coatings to medical Devices for Antimicrobial Properties using Electroless Deposition. Silver compounds, eg. in topical creams, can be used to treat chronic infections. The results are mediocre, and there may be significant side effects. Metallic silver when coated on bandages or medical devices is gaining wider acceptance, but the dissolution rate muct be improved to minimise infection. In this project an electroless silver coating process will be developed, with bath ch ....Application of Silver Coatings to medical Devices for Antimicrobial Properties using Electroless Deposition. Silver compounds, eg. in topical creams, can be used to treat chronic infections. The results are mediocre, and there may be significant side effects. Metallic silver when coated on bandages or medical devices is gaining wider acceptance, but the dissolution rate muct be improved to minimise infection. In this project an electroless silver coating process will be developed, with bath chemistry and coating conditions optimised for an ideal dissolution rate. This project will lead to the development of improved medical devices that will have significant social and economic benefits for Australia.Read moreRead less
Nanoscale Coating and Biomodification of Colloids for Biological Applications. The research entails the preparation of novel biofunctional colloids of nanometer to micrometer dimensions and their utilisation in biological applications. Self-assembly processes will be exploited to achieve nanoscale biomodification of technologically important colloid particles, including latex beads and rare earth and semiconductor nanoparticles. The studies conducted will generate fundamental knowledge pertainin ....Nanoscale Coating and Biomodification of Colloids for Biological Applications. The research entails the preparation of novel biofunctional colloids of nanometer to micrometer dimensions and their utilisation in biological applications. Self-assembly processes will be exploited to achieve nanoscale biomodification of technologically important colloid particles, including latex beads and rare earth and semiconductor nanoparticles. The studies conducted will generate fundamental knowledge pertaining to the underlying factors that govern the formation of biofunctional colloid particles through self-assembly. This is essential for the development of tailored colloids that will meet the demands placed on nanomaterials synthesis and performance by nanotechnology. The colloids prepared will find new applications in medicine, biocatalysis and bioassays.Read moreRead less
Beyond Microarrays: Nano-Scaled Devices for High Throughput Biomolecular Sensing. Current developments in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology hold many promises in terms of revolutionising our industrial base, transforming biology, medical science and practice. This project strives to achieve some of these aims by, for the first time, building and testing nano-scaled devices with the capability to 'read' massive amounts of biological information. With the recent completion of the Human Genome proje ....Beyond Microarrays: Nano-Scaled Devices for High Throughput Biomolecular Sensing. Current developments in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology hold many promises in terms of revolutionising our industrial base, transforming biology, medical science and practice. This project strives to achieve some of these aims by, for the first time, building and testing nano-scaled devices with the capability to 'read' massive amounts of biological information. With the recent completion of the Human Genome project, major opportunities exist to provide spectacular advances in human health care (eg, via personalised medicine) provided that appropriate high-throughput biological reading devices can be developed. In developing such devices, this project also aims to substantially catalyse the Australian Nanotechnology/Biotechnology industry.Read moreRead less
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
Biologically-Inspired Recognition and Processing in Colloidal Systems. The proposed research will enhance the understanding of forces and adsorption in biologically-inspired synthetic systems, and thereby create new strategies for improving selective adsorption, stabilization, coagulation, and separation. The expected outcomes are: increased understanding of chiral interactions at surfaces, a technique for rapid measurement of surface selectivity, new and better agents for chiral separation, a ....Biologically-Inspired Recognition and Processing in Colloidal Systems. The proposed research will enhance the understanding of forces and adsorption in biologically-inspired synthetic systems, and thereby create new strategies for improving selective adsorption, stabilization, coagulation, and separation. The expected outcomes are: increased understanding of chiral interactions at surfaces, a technique for rapid measurement of surface selectivity, new and better agents for chiral separation, a reduction in the use of organic pollutants, new methods for colloidal processing that will enable the preparation of new materials, and new surface coatings for increasing the useful life-time of medical implants.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0453963
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$546,352.00
Summary
An integrated nanoscale fabrication, manipulation and characterisation facility. The fabrication of ordered structures at the nanometre scale is essential if the aspirations of nanotechnology are to be achieved. Understanding the fundamental nanoscience controlling the fabrication and operation of such devices is vital. The combination of instruments requested for this project will allow the construction of arrays of nanoparticles, their precise characterisation and the direct measurement of i ....An integrated nanoscale fabrication, manipulation and characterisation facility. The fabrication of ordered structures at the nanometre scale is essential if the aspirations of nanotechnology are to be achieved. Understanding the fundamental nanoscience controlling the fabrication and operation of such devices is vital. The combination of instruments requested for this project will allow the construction of arrays of nanoparticles, their precise characterisation and the direct measurement of interpartice and intermolecular forces at the pN level. Parallel computational chemistry and state of the art experiments will lead to the optimised design of nanostructures that will be applied in diverse areas, including mineral processing, biosensors, photonics, magnetic storage and catalysis.Read moreRead less
Advanced Intramedullary Nailing Systems. The proposed project is aimed at developing advanced orthopaedic implants (intramedullary nails and associated locking screws) commonly used for bone fracture repair. These new generation metallic implants will be developed using a comprehensive research approach centred on physico-chemical and mechanical properties investigations. A new generation of intramedullary nailing systems with superior design and mechanical properties (small diameter and high st ....Advanced Intramedullary Nailing Systems. The proposed project is aimed at developing advanced orthopaedic implants (intramedullary nails and associated locking screws) commonly used for bone fracture repair. These new generation metallic implants will be developed using a comprehensive research approach centred on physico-chemical and mechanical properties investigations. A new generation of intramedullary nailing systems with superior design and mechanical properties (small diameter and high strength) and improved bone fixation is the key expected outcome. The knowledge generated in the project is expected to lead to the growth of the Industry Partner (Austofix). Training of a world class researcher in the multidisciplinary field of biomaterials will be an additional outcome.Read moreRead less
Highly ordered and tunable extracellular DNA micro- and nanopatterns for investigating the attachment mechanisms of pseudomonas aeruginosa to surfaces. Preventing infectious bacteria from colonising artificial surfaces is a major scientific challenge. New engineered surfaces will be designed to better understand how the important pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa sticks to surfaces, facilitating new ways of reducing infections acquired from the surface of, for example, medical devices.