|
|
[Print-friendly version]
Domain Leader: Professor Peter Timms
The Cells and Tissue Domain encompasses three main research areas including:
Find IHBI research project information using the IHBI Research Matrix or view the Cells and Tissue domain research profile.
Tissue Repair and Regeneration
The Tissue Repair and Regeneration (TRR) Research Program, led by Professor Zee Upton, focuses on devising and developing innovative and improved technologies and therapeutic approaches for the management of tissues degraded through trauma, normal ageing processes, wear and tear, ageing related disease and/or associated surgery. The objective of the research is to restore functionality to damaged tissue. In particular, the research is focused in two areas: skin and wound repair, and load-bearing tissue regeneration.
The TRR Research Program encompasses research disciplines that are critical to tissue regeneration, including: cell and molecular biology; signalling molecules and growth factors; bioactive and biomimetic materials; biomechanics; tissue mechanics; diagnostic/monitoring image and signal processing; mathematical modelling in medicine; as well as clinical orthopaedics, burns and wound repair.
This unique combination of collaborating investigators enables disorders of the musculo-skeletal system, together with disorders of the skin and wound repair, to be addressed from an understanding of the cell biology, through the modelling of the function of biological systems and engineering of scaffolds, through to the development, trialling and commercialisation of clinically appropriate and novel materials. Strong links have been established with local hospitals, medical researchers and clinical specialists, as well as industry end-users, ensuring that the outcomes of our research and development feasibly address current and future clinical needs.
In 2002, Tissue Therapies Ltd was incorporated to commercialise QUT's Tissue Repair and Regeneration technology and to continue developing and advancing biomedical technologies for wound healing, tissue and various cell culture applications. Research into the core cell replication, protein synthesis and migration technologies continues to build on the basic VitroGro® intellectual property. |
Professor Zee Upton
|
Fibroblast cells migrating
from the edge of a wound
|
Key products under development
VitroGro™ is a novel growth factor complex that enhances cell proliferation and migration in a range of cell types. The "cell localisation" and "activity enhancing" functions of VitroGro™, along with the inherent "stickiness" of the complex that allows it to coat scaffolds, are being exploited for wound healing and tissue engineering applications, (WO 02/24219A1).
 More details on the Tissue Repair and Regeneration Research Program are available for:
|
VitroGro® allows faster
healing to reduce
scar tissue |
Infectious Diseases
The Infectious Diseases Research Program, led by Professor Peter Timms, aims to deliver effective vaccines, patient–friendly treatment methods and effective diagnostic tests to combat a range of important bacterial and viral diseases.
This program focuses on both bacterial and viral diseases and their global ramifications. The program utilises a diverse range of technologies
, including cell biology, bioinformatics, genomics, modelling, cell culture, biochemistry, microscopy, epidemiology and immunology to better understand the mechanisms of pathogenesis in selected microbial and viral pathogens and to develop diagnostic tests, vaccines, and therapeutics for these infections.
|
 Professor Peter Timms
|
More details on the Infectious Diseases Research Program are available for:
|
 |
Hormone Dependent Cancer Research
Prostate Cancer, is one of several hormone dependent cancers and one of the most common cancers globally. The Hormone Dependent Cancer Research Program, led by Professor Judith Clements, aims to understand more clearly the molecular and cellular basis for the development, progression, and metastasis of prostate cancer. Additionally, our research includes other hormone dependent cancers such as those of the reproductive and urogenital organs, breast, ovary, endometrium, and kidney. Currently, doctors and scientists around the world know relatively little about these cancers’ epidemiology or underlying cellular and molecular biology. At present, our primary focus is on the expression, regulation and function of growth factors, proteases and nuclear receptors known to be important in aspects of prostate and other hormone-dependent and urogenital cancers.
The Hormone Dependent Cancer Research Program is actively directed towards research as well as commercial outcomes in developing more specific and sensitive diagnostic and prognostic molecular markers, novel drug targets and better predictive genetic markers. Our work in the Program is also dependent on our strong collaborations with our clinical colleagues at hospitals and research institutes in Brisbane, nationally and internationally. We have also been, and will continue to be, instrumental in co-ordinating the APCC Bio-Resource.
|
 Professor Judith Clements
 Janet Reid investigates Human Kallikrein 14: substrates and cancer progression
|
More details on the Hormone Dependent Cancer Research Program are available for:
|
|
Cells and Tissue Research Profile
|
