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Curtin University
Nanochemistry Research Institute

Bio-nano

Enhanced cell growth induced by the controlled released vascular endothelia growth factors (VEGF) from polymer microspheres Enhanced cell growth induced by the controlled released vascular endothelia growth factors (VEGF) from polymer microspheres. Calcification studies of implantable polymer hydrogels Calcification studies of implantable polymer hydrogels. Adequate porous structure is critical for tissue and cells to grow in a polymer scaffold Adequate porous structure is critical for tissue and cells to grow in a polymer scaffold. Biocompatibility studies aim to understand the cell and protein responses to the surface of polymer implants Biocompatibility studies aim to understand the cell and protein responses to the surface of polymer implants.

Bio-nano represents one of the major program areas at NRI, and involves many researchers within the institute, synergising their expertise in the fields of computer simulation, crystallisation, solid state chemistry, synthetic chemistry (macromolecules and polymers) and nano-characterisation. The research activities are particularly focused on biomaterials (including implantable materials, tissue scaffolding materials and biocompatibility studies), controlled drug delivery, computer simulation of biochips and molecular dynamics of biological molecules, ferrihydrite as a nano-material, biomineralisation, biosensors and the property control of the biomolecule lactose.

Current Activities

Listed below are a few research projects that are currently underway. More details can be obtained from the indicated web links. [* External collaborators]

  1. Biocompatibility and calcification studies of implantable materials
    Xia Lou, Thomas Becker, Sarojini Vijayasekaran*
  2. Biomineralisation
    Mark Ogden, Franca Jones, Andrew Rohl, Gordon Parkinson
  3. Biosensors
    Roland De Marco, Bobby Pejcic
  4. Control of physical properties and crystallization of lactose
    Gordon Parkinson, Mark Ogden, Kristy Blyth
  5. Development of TiO2 reinforced polymer scaffolds for tissue engineering
    Xia Lou, Yu-Feng Zheng*
  6. Ferrihydrite: Fundamentals of a natural nanomaterial 
    Gordon Parkinson, Bill Richmond, Nicole Gorham, Kate Wright
  7. Maths-aided design of controlled drug delivery systems
    Xia Lou, Song Wang*
  8. Polymers for controlled delivery of growth factors, oligonucleotides and conventional drugs
    Xia Lou, Sarojini Vijayasekaran*, Nicolette Binz*, Ian McAllister*

Funding