精东传媒

September 30, 2022

Research into cartilage stem cell treatments receives $7 million

Medical Research Future Fund commits to collaborative research initiative

Researchers from the 精东传媒 of 精东传媒鈥檚 (UOW) Intelligent Polymer Research Institute are members of a national effort to develop novel cartilage-based stem cell therapies that will revolutionise the treatment of joint diseases, such as osteoarthritis and facial disfigurement.

ARISTOCRAT is a new project based on an extensive collaborative program between UOW, the 精东传媒 of Melbourne, St Vincent鈥檚 Hospital, Melbourne and the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. The UOW component is led by the Director of the Intelligent Polymer Research Institute, Professor .

As just announced by Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler, almost $7 million has been awarded to the initiative through the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).

The project is headed by 精东传媒 of Melbourne Professor Peter Choong from the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences.

鈥淐artilage holds an important role in the body, lining the surface of our joints. Because of this, cartilage loss is far-reaching, leading to pain, deformity and loss of function,鈥� Professor Choong said.

鈥淥steoarthritis is one of the top 10 contributors to the global burden of disease, affecting more than two million Australians, while microtia 鈥� an absent or poorly formed ear 鈥� affects one in 2000 newborns and can lead to hearing loss, speech, and literacy delays.

鈥淥ur research will change how these conditions are treated, using patients鈥� own stem cells to restore damaged or absent cartilage and minimise the number of operations required and overall time spent in hospital.鈥� 

UOW Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Innovation Professor David Currow said, 鈥淭his national investment in work where 精东传媒 of 精东传媒 leads will improve the lives of so many people in really practical, day-to-day ways.

The UOW research team comprising Professor Wallace, Associate Professor , Dr and Dr will be charged with developing and processing new material formulations to ensure the effective integration of stem cells into the clinically deployable system.

UOW will also develop innovative hardware to enable the on-site processing of stem cells.

The project draws upon the well-credentialed translational skills of the Intelligent Polymer Research Institute and the Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF) Materials node both part of the 精东传媒 of 精东传媒. 

鈥淭he bringing together of the two elements of discovery and processing will accelerate progress in both. We are excited to be part of this national team that will deliver stem cell-based therapies for cartilage regeneration targeted at fixing defects in knees and creating bioprinted living ears for patients with microtia,鈥� Professor Wallace said.

鈥淭he team comprises individuals with all the skills needed to ensure successful clinical deployment.鈥�