Facial paralysis results in loss of the ability to blink, which is the primary means of protecting and lubricating the eye. The eye becomes dry and ulcerated and eventually vision loss ensues. No therapy exists that can reliably restore blink and hence treatment is mostly palliative today. BLINC is an implantable device that artificially restores eye closure. It is wirelessly powered and readily implantable. BLINC has achieved eye closure similar to natural blinking in human cadaveric models.
Tissue Engineering Skeletal Muscle – An Important Link In The Neuro-prosthetic Interface Of Bionic Limbs.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$86,733.00
Summary
Limb loss after tumour, trauma, disease or degeneration is a major cause of disability. Use of a patient’s own nerve signals may offer an intuitive method for controlling a robotic limb to regain independence. Delicate nerves are damaged by the electrodes required for recording nerve signals, but muscles tolerate electrodes well. This project aims to create an artificial muscle construct as a bridge between nerve signals and recording electrodes to enable patient control of robotic limbs.
Development Of Targeted Therapies To Reverse The Effects Of Ageing And Disease On Wound Healing And Tissue Generation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$391,228.00
Summary
Despite success with the production of new tissues and organs in laboratory animals, tissue engineering in humans remains elusive. Emerging evidence suggests that ageing and diseases such as diabetes can adversely affect human stem cell regenerative capacity. Characterizing the effects of ageing and disease on stem cells during tissue generation is the first step in reversing these effects, paving the way for the production of new tissues and organs for use in human clinical trials.
Improving Muscle Function After Injury: Novel Tissue Engineering Strategies For Exercise, Surgery And Sports Medicine
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$288,210.00
Summary
Muscles can be injured by excessive strains when playing sports, in road and workplace accidents, and during plastic and reconstructive surgery. Some surgeries require an unavoidable interruption to the muscle's normal blood supply (called 'ischaemia'). Subsequent return of the muscle's blood supply (reperfusion) is problematic in that a severe secondary muscle injury can ensue mediated by the influx of damaging free radicals when blood flow is restored. Tissue-engineering provides a novel thera ....Muscles can be injured by excessive strains when playing sports, in road and workplace accidents, and during plastic and reconstructive surgery. Some surgeries require an unavoidable interruption to the muscle's normal blood supply (called 'ischaemia'). Subsequent return of the muscle's blood supply (reperfusion) is problematic in that a severe secondary muscle injury can ensue mediated by the influx of damaging free radicals when blood flow is restored. Tissue-engineering provides a novel therapeutic approach to restore muscle structure and function to damaged muscles after injury or disease. Our recent research using controlled release of growth factors from biodegradable hydrogels has exciting application for muscle repairafter injury. We will utilize these cutting edge tissue engineering strategies to deliver to damaged muscles a hydrogel containing controlled delivery (slow release) microcapsules loaded with an anabolic agent (the beta-agonist, formoterol) and-or a growth factor (IL-15) designed to enhance functional muscle repair after three distinct but clinically relevant models of muscle injury: a) crush injury: A model for muscle injuries on the sports field, in the workplace, and those associated with road trauma; b) ischaemia-reperfusion injury: a model for muscle damage associated with surgical interventions, muscle transfers for functional restoration, and other injuries associated with plastic and reconstructive surgery; and c) contraction-induced injury: a model for strain injuries such as hamstring muscle tears that can occur on the sports field. After injury we will assess functional muscle repair using a comprehensive series of histological, biochemical, molecular, immunochistochemical, and physiological techniques. The research has broad application to exercise and clinical medicine; including sports, emergency and rehabilitation medicine, and plastic, reconstructive, and orthopaedic surgery.Read moreRead less
Effects Of Targeted Brace On Pain And Physical Function In People With Knee Osteoarthritis After Knee Reconstruction.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$92,495.00
Summary
Early-onset knee osteoarthritis (OA) imparts a considerable burden on younger adults, by restricting physical activity, quality-of-life and work capacity. Treatment options for younger adults with early-onset OA are limited. I will investigate the immediate and medium-term effects of a commercially available brace on symptoms and physical function in people with early-onset knee OA. If beneficial, the brace may have capacity to improve the impact of early-onset knee OA in younger Australians.