A Novel Strategy For The Treatment Of Chronic Skeletal Joint Defects
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Skeletal joint injuries often heal poorly with current treatment approaches and lead to the onset of osteoarthritis. This project will produce a synthetic graft with unique properties to mimic the complex structure of joint tissues, and high bioactivity to induce optimal healing of the joint. This graft will constitute a viable alternative for the treatment of skeletal joint defects, resulting in significant healthcare benefits and improved long-term outcomes.
There is an urgent need for engineered tissue repair and replacement components for cartilage implantation in damaged joints due to a shortage of donor tissue. This project will generate smart composite biomaterials with enhanced mechanical strength and physical properties that are desirable for cartilage repair. The fabricated scaffolds will mimic the microstructure of native cartilage and are next-generation biomaterials designed to facilitate cartilage regeneration.
Bioactivated Hierarchical Hydrogels As Zonal Implants For Articular Cartilage Regeneration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$353,161.00
Summary
Cartilage is frequently damaged, but does not repair on its own, and degenerates in osteoarthritis. Unfortunately, current treatments are also not able to regenerate the structure of normal cartilage and fail to restore joint function long-term. Our project, HydroZONES, brings together expertise from 16 partners to tackle this problem and regenerate cartilage with the appropriate structure to help the millions of people worldwide suffering from cartilage problems such as osteoarthritis.
Multimodal Woven BioPolymer Fibre Conduits For Remodelling Damaged Peripheral Nerve
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$686,901.00
Summary
Damage to peripheral nerve arises as a result of trauma or disease ranging in severity from mild to severe incapacitation. Currently surgeons remove healthy nerve from individuals with nerve damage to repair more important priority nerves. We aim to create an effective implant for nerve repair that totally degrades leaving behind the regenerated nerve. This will eliminate the need for nerve harvesting as well as restoring lost nerve function in individuals with nerve injury.