The emerging interdisciplinary field, mechanobiology, is focused on understanding how cells sense their surroundings and transfer biomechanical signals to initiate cellular changes. I aim to develop hydrogel platforms with differential stiffness patterns to study cellular mechanotransduction and to generate heart muscle cells. The findings have the potential to greatly improve the clinical outcomes where more than 10 clinical trials failed to show successful regeneration after heart attack.
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.
Improving Bionic Device Safety And Performance With Conductive Hydrogels
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,048.00
Summary
Bionic devices are being developed to treat a variety of neural disorders including blindness. Conductive hydrogels (CHs) are a new soft material developed by the CI to improve device performance and safety. This project will explore CH technologies with an aim of producing flexible organic electronics for high resolution devices, such as the bionic eye. Collaboration will be sought through industry, academia and clinical researchers to accelerate technology translation from bench to bedside.
Bioengineering Endovascular Prostheses With Proactive Biocompatibility
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$627,950.00
Summary
Metallic cardiovascular implants, such as stents, used in the treatment of heart disease are not compatible with blood. They cause inflammation at the site of implantation and increase the risk of blood clots forming. We have developed a unique method of binding bioactive protein layers to the surface of metal alloys, and shown a significant improvement in their compatibility. Stents coated using our technology stand to dramatically improve the treatment of cardiovascular disease.
Development Of Endovascular Stents With Proactive Biocompatibility
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$428,470.00
Summary
Metallic cardiovascular implants, such as stents, used in the treatment of heart disease are not compatible with blood. They cause inflammation at the site of implantation and increase the risk of blood clots forming. We have developed a unique method of binding bioactive protein layers to the surface of metal alloys, and shown a significant improvement in their compatibility. Stents coated using our technology stand to dramatically improve the treatment of cardiovascular disease.
Smart Hybrid Material For Cartilage Tissue Engineering
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$299,564.00
Summary
Tissue engineering is a promising approach to repair damaged/degenerated cartilage caused by various diseases or injuries. Because of its limited capacity for self repair cartilage becomes a constriant to normal everyday life once degenerated. This project aims to develop composite polymers for cartilage repair. The potential of this newly developed material for cartilage tissue engineering will be investigated through the material and biological characterisation techniques.
Switching the light on cartilage repair. Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of pain and disability in adults and affects 15 per cent of the Australian population. This project will develop a revolutionary new approach to treat joint disorders using smart materials and stem cells. The novel materials and techniques developed will help Australia maintain its leading edge in biotechnology.
Industrial Transformation Training Centres - Grant ID: IC170100022
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,420,408.00
Summary
ARC Training Centre for Innovative BioEngineering. The ARC Training Centre for Musculoskeletal Biomedical Technologies will provide the next-generation of skilled graduates to overcome industry-focused challenges in musculoskeletal regeneration. The Centre expects to engineer a set of integrated technologies to personalise implants for the unique biological, physical and lifestyle characteristics of the recipient. Expected outcomes of the Centre include embedded bioelectronic sensors to assess a ....ARC Training Centre for Innovative BioEngineering. The ARC Training Centre for Musculoskeletal Biomedical Technologies will provide the next-generation of skilled graduates to overcome industry-focused challenges in musculoskeletal regeneration. The Centre expects to engineer a set of integrated technologies to personalise implants for the unique biological, physical and lifestyle characteristics of the recipient. Expected outcomes of the Centre include embedded bioelectronic sensors to assess and optimise the healing process. In addition, the Centre will produce data for use in deriving the next-generation of implants, giving rise to improved health outcomes, economic benefits, and a skilled workforce able to advance and perpetuate this important field.Read moreRead less
Hypoxia-mimicking bio-scaffold for skeleton regeneration. The project is to develop bioactive bone grafts to improve bone repair and shorten the recovery time of patients with fractures, degenerative joint diseases, and bone cancer and bone deformities.
The development of new scaffolds for bone repair comprising polycaprolactone and strontium-substituted bioactive glasses. The drive to develop bone grafts to fill major gaps in the skeleton, whilst circumventing the need to use permanent implants has led to a major research thrust towards developing biomaterials for bone-tissue engineering. The project will develop scaffolds with highly osteoconductive bioactive glasses in a polymer matrix for bone regeneration applications.