Major Research Areas
ANALYSIS OF PATIENT THERAPIES
R Odell
Application of mathematical models for compartmental analysis.
ARTERIAL HAEMODYNAMICS
A Avolio, C Bertram
Analysis of relationships of blood pressure and flow in arteries; application of wave transmission theory; mechanics of artery wall.
ARTERIAL MORPHOMETRY
A Avolio
Quantification of arterial wall structure using image analysis algorithms. Application of mathematical techniques of pattern recognition. Relation of elastin structural changes to age and disease.
ARTIFICIAL BLOOD VESSELS
L Poole-Warren, J Whitelock
Construction of artificial blood vessels by growing endothelial cells on bare mechanical scaffolds and other scaffolds that have been modified with extra cellular matrix molecules to encourage cell attachment and growth.
BIOMATERIALS AND BIOCOMPATIBILITY
B Milthorpe, R Odell, K Schindhelm,
L Poole-Warren, D Regan, J Whitelock
Interaction of material with specific tissues; biological reactions; mechanical properties of materials; interfacial reactions, protein interactions with materials.
BIOMECHANICS OF JOINTS
B Milthorpe, W Walsh
Specification of articulation of joints in 3 dimensions. Modeling of joint movement.
BIOMEDICAL INSTRUMENTATION AND COMPUTER ACQUISITION
N Lovell
Instrumentation used for data acquisition and signal analysis.
BIOMEDICAL POLYMERS
L Poole-Warren, D Regan, A Simmons
Biomaterials with mechanical properties suitable for manufacturing implantable devices.
BIOMEDICAL SIGNAL ANALYSIS AND PROCESSING
C Bertram
Analysis of time-series data from respiratory transducers and other measurement devices. Software for optimal graphical presentation of complex data.
CARDIAC ASSIST DEVICES
C Bertram
Flow-field characterisation and numerical modeling of pulsatile and rotary ventricular assist devices. Muscle-powered pumping. Fluid-structure interactions.
CARDIOVASCULAR EFFECTS OF BODY MOVEMENT
A Avolio
Body movement and ground impact during running causes changes in blood pressure due to interaction of movement of the thorax and cardiac ejection. This could be relevant in athletic training and in exercise testing of patients with heart disease.
CARDIOVASCULAR FUNCTION AND TASK PERFORMANCE
A Avolio
Analysis of changes in heart rate and blood pressure with external stimuli simulating stress. Measurement of reaction time to a range of stressful stimuli. Methods are applied to testing of specific groups, e.g. student airline pilots.
CELL INTERACTIONS WITH THREE-DIMENSIONAL STRUCTURES
C McFarland, J Whitelock
Cell growth, differentiation and matrix remodeling in three-dimensional supporting scaffolds
CELL RESPONSE TO MECHANICAL CUES
C McFarland, B Milthorpe
Differentiation of adult stem cells in response to cyclical uniaxial mechanical loading.
CELL THERAPY TECHNOLOGIES
R Nordon
Medical devices for the production of therapeutic cellular subsets from cord blood or adult peripheral blood stem cells.
Application to the prevention of neutropenia following high-dose chemotherapy of cancer.
CEREBROSPINAL FLUID MECHANICS
C Bertram
Cerebrospinal fluid motion and pressure waves in the spinal cord. Aetiology of syringomyelia.
COMPUTER-AIDED HISTOLOGICAL ANALYSIS
B Milthorpe
Pattern recognition analysis of cellular morphology. Applied to quantitative histology of biomaterials, prognosis of cancer.
ENDOTHELIAL CELL/FLUID SHEAR INTERACTIONS
L Poole-Warren, C Bertram
Assessment of endothelial cell function in response to mechanical stress.
ENDOTHELIAL DERIVED FACTORS AND ARTERIAL STIFFNESS
A Avolio
Effects of endothelium-derived factors in regulation of large artery stiffness. Investigations done in the iliac artery of the sheep and in humans undergoing diagnostic procedures.
ENGINEERING THE EXTRACELLULAR ENVIRONMENT TO CONTROL CELL BEHAVIOUR AND GENERATE FUNCTIONAL TISSUE
J Whitelock
Extra cellular matrix glycoprotein's and proteoglycans control cell phenotype by providing cell adhesive surfaces and delivering growth factors and cytokines: An investigation of their roles and applications in Tissue Engineering.
EXTRACORPOREAL THERAPIES
R Odell, A Simmons
Blood and fluid exchange techniques as used in the artificial kidney and other dialysis methodologies.
FLOW IN COLLAPSIBLE TUBES
C Bertram
Mechanics of flow in tubes affected by external pressure. Analysis applied to studies of blood flow in veins, generation of auscultatory phenomena and fluid flow in other physiological systems.
FLOW VISUALISATION AND MEASUREMENT
C Bertram
Measurement of flow fields using laser techniques (LDV, PIV)
FLUID/STRUCTURE INTERACTION COMPUTATION
C Bertram
Application to strongly coupled fluid structure problems with large motions of flexible walls.
HOME TELECARE/CLINICAL DECISION SUPPORT
N Lovell
Instrumentation and measurement of physiological parameters of ambulatory subjects in the home. Communication protocols and software for data logging, monitoring and decision-making.
INFECTION ASSOCIATED WITH MEDICAL DEVICES
L Poole-Warren
Interactions of microorganisms with biomaterials and devices and antimicrobial coating strategies.
MEASURING CELL ATTACHMENT AND GROWTH
C McFarland, N Lovell
Use of impedance measurements to quantitate attachment, spreading and growth of cells on artificial membranes.
MECHANISMS OF AGE RELATED ARTERIAL DEGRADATION AND HYPERTENSION
A Avolio
Arterial mechanics associated with changes in wall properties with age and increased arterial blood pressure. Finite element modeling. Functional changes related to changes in wall stiffness.
MECHANICAL FORCES AND REMODELLING OF VASCULAR TISSUE
A Simmons, L Poole-Warren
Examination of the role of mechanical stress within blood vessel walls on remodeling of tissue and development of capillary sprouts from existing blood vessels.
MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING
B Milthorpe
Pattern recognition and image processing techniques applied to imaging of biological tissue.
MEDICAL INFORMATICS
N Lovell
Development of databases related to efficient storage and retrieval of patient medical information.
MODELLING OF ARTIFICIAL KIDNEY THERAPY
R Odell
Simulation of the dialysis process for calculation of flow rates and filtration parameters for efficient operation of the artificial kidney.
MODELLING OF CARDIAC ELECTRICAL POTENTIALS
N Lovell, S Dokos
Development of simulation techniques describing biopotentials of cardiac cells. Analysis applied to studies of dynamic changes related to irregularities of the heartbeat.
MODELLING OF CELL MOTILITY AND DIVISION
R Nordon, D Regan
Developing models to predict cell proliferation and dynamic behaviour in response to biological signaling.
MODELLING OF MASS TRANSFER PROCESSES IN MEDICINE
R Odell, D Regan
Simulation of fluid exchanges across membranes. Calculation of water and solute transport in different compartments.
NEURAL PROSTHESES
N Lovell
Development of sensors and stimulation techniques applied to replacement of neurological function such as artificial vision.
NON-INVASIVE BLOOD PRESSURE MEASUREMENT
A Avolio, C Bertram
Application of instrumentation, sensors and analysis techniques for the non-invasive measurement of arterial pressure.
NONLINEAR DYNAMICAL SYSTEMS ANALYSIS
C Bertram
Analysis of a periodic time series. Application to experimental systems. Separating noise and chaos.
OCULAR BIOMATERIALS
K Schindhelm, B Milthorpe
Development and use of materials for construction of contact lenses.
ORTHOPAEDIC APPLICATIONS OF HYDROXYAPATITE
B Milthorpe
Specific applications of specialised materials for replacement of bone function.
ORTHOPAEDIC IMPLANTS
B Milthorpe
Development, construction and mechanical testing of materials and devices used for implants to restore function of bones.
PROCESSING AND INTERPRETATION OF BIOMEDICAL SIGNALS
N Lovell
Acquisition and processing of physiological signals derived from biopotential sources. Specific application to automated analysis of electrocardiographic signals.
PULSATILE CROSSFLOW FILTRATION
C Bertram
The influence of pulsatile flow to efficacy of filtration through semi permeable membranes.
RECOMBINANT PROTEINS FOR SMART SURFACES
R Nordon, S Craig, F Foong, J Whitelock
Synthesis of recombinant proteins to provide specialised signaling for support of cells on a polymer surface
RESPIRATORY INSTRUMENTATION AND SYSTEMS
K Schindhelm
Devices and techniques applied to problems related to sleep apnea.
SPINAL CORD MECHANICS
C Bertram
Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid motion. Application to understanding the origin of certain pathologies.
STEM CELL TISSUE ENGINEERING
C McFarlane, J Whitelock,
L Poole-Warren, B Milthorpe, R Norden
Growth and differentiation of adult stem cells on artificial scaffolds, skeletal, vascular and blood cells.
ULTRASONIC DISTANCE MEASUREMENT
C Bertram
Analysis of ultrasound signals for the determination of distance
VASCULARISATION OF TISSUE ENGINEERED CONSTRUCTS
C McFarland, B Milthorpe
Generation of three-dimensional tissue constructs containing inbuilt vascular structures.
VENTRICULAR ASSIST DEVICES
C Bertram
Analysis of modalities for circulatory assist devices with specific application to artificial heart technologies.
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Description of Laboratory
Facilities
Biochemistry
This laboratory is equipped with instrumentation for UV spectrometry, electrophoresis, column chromatography, liquid scintillation and gamma counting, protein purification and iodination, along with facilities for general chemistry. Quartz crystal microbalance.
Cardiovascular Assessment
This laboratory is equipped with instrumentation and data acquisition for non-invasive measurement and assessment of cardiovascular function. Blood pressure measurements incorporate peripheral pulse detection and derivation of central aortic pressure. Bioimpedance measurement of stroke volume. Effect of body movement of arterial pressure.
Cytometry
The Graduate School has expertise in the field of flow cytometry and currently has one fluorescence activated cell analysis/ sorting instrument installed. It is also a member of the Cell Analysis Facility with access to a high-speed cell sorter; laser scanning cytometer and co focal microscope.
Device Fabrication
The Graduate School's laboratories are supported by a small workshop with additional access to other university workshops as required.
Electronics
Facilities exist for the design, construction and repair of electronic instrumentation as well as for the teaching of students in the areas of computing, microprocessor systems and medical instrumentation.
Fluid Dynamics
This facility is involved in the investigation of hydrodynamics in collapsible tubes, membrane filtration technologies and other activities, which are related to the cardiovascular system. This laboratory includes a 2D laser Doppler anemometer and automatic traverse set up for the simultaneous recording of cyclic phenomena and external time-variables, and a high-speed particle imaging velocimetry system.
Physical Materials Testing/Biomaterials
Laboratories
Various pressure, stress/strain and measurement apparatus are used in the development and evaluation of medical products and biomaterials. A laminar flow cabinet is available for work requiring a clean environment.
Polymer Processing
Facilities exist within the School for solvent casting and moldings of synthetic polymers and for laser and ultraviolet curing of natural and synthetic polymers.
Tissue Culture/Cell Biology
This PC2 laboratory has been set up for the culture of adult stem cells, lymphocytes, endothelial cells and fibroblasts which are used as experimental models for tissue engineering, cell separation technologies, vascular graft development, and in vitro cytotoxicity testing.
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Further Information
Postgraduate Research Coordinator
Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering
Associate Professor Alberto Avolio
Phone: +61 2 9385 3924
Fax: +61 2 9663 2108
Email: pgrcoord.biomedeng@unsw.edu.au
Website: http://www.gsbme.unsw.edu.au
