Bionic bras, handheld 3D printers for repairing damaged cartilage, shape-shifting medical implants and anti-cancer drugs delivered using nanoparticles. This is not the stuff of fantasy. This is the now.
Welcome to the world of polymers. But what are they we hear you ask? When many small molecules (which are made up of atoms held together by chemical bonds) are joined together end to end, you end up with polymers. And they are transforming the world as we know it.
Join us for an evening of science where we will delve into the world of polymers and how they are being used to make better humans.
Our presenters will explore how polymers are being used in everything from cancer treatments, to tackle antibiotic resistance and in 3D printed body parts.
Date: Thursday 17 August 2017
Time: Refreshments 6.00pm. Talk and Q&A. 6.30pm-7:45pm
Location: iC Event Centre, Level 2, Building 230, Innovation Campus, Squires Way, North Wollongong NSW 2500
This series is presented with the generous support of Academy Fellow and developer of the
polymer banknote, Professor David Solomon AC FAA.
As bacteria become more resistant to commonly used antibiotics, it is becoming harder to treat a range of infectious diseases using existing antibacterial drugs. Scientists are in a race against time to find new ways of administering treatments that target infection, leaving bacteria less time and opportunity for resistance.
CSIRO research scientist, Dr Katherine Locock, is developing safe antimicrobial polymers that can kill a wide range of bacteria and fungi, including antibiotic resistant strains.
In a world first Dr Locock and her colleagues have demonstrated that CSIRO’s patented RAFT technology can eradicate single and mixed microbial biofilm infection, which has been identified as the likeliest cause of delayed healing in chronic, open wounds.
Cancer patients often suffer from the side effects of conventional treatments such as chemotherapy. Enter polymer scientist Martina Stenzel. By developing ‘smart’ nanoparticles to deliver powerful anti-cancer drugs, the ARC Future Fellow and UNSW Chemistry Professor is revolutionising the way we target and treat cancer and other diseases.
Professor Stenzel is researching how to package anti-cancer drugs into a ‘magic bullet’ containing polymer (plastic) nanoparticles with diameters more than 1,000 times smaller than the point of a needle.
The nanoparticles are loaded with drugs and biological molecules that help find and destroy the cancer. They act a ‘nano-trojan horse’ helping to accumulate drugs where they are needed - in the tumour.
The advent of 3D printing has changed the way we think about making things as well as the materials and components we use. Not so long ago it would have been unthinkable that humans could print three-dimensional biopolymer structures using living stem cells.
Academy Fellow Professor Gordon Wallace from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science and his collaborators are working on innovative devices such as a 3D printer pen.
The ‘Biopen’ is loaded with ink containing a patient’s own cells and is designed to be used in surgery to repair damaged cartilage. Developed with a view to preventing osteoarthritis, this technology will have a significant impact on those suffering from the debilitating and painful condition.
The talk will be chaired by Dr Bobby Cerini, the national manager for Inspiring Australia. Their aim is to deliver a more scientifically engaged Australia.
Bionic bras, handheld 3D printers for repairing damaged cartilage, shape-shifting medical implants and anti-cancer drugs delivered using nanoparticles. This is not the stuff of fantasy. This is the now.
Welcome to the world of polymers. But what are they we hear you ask? When many small molecules (which are made up of atoms held together by chemical bonds) are joined together end to end, you end up with polymers. And they are transforming the world as we know it.
Join us for an evening of science where we will delve into the world of polymers and how they are being used to make better humans.
Our presenters will explore how polymers are being used in everything from cancer treatments, to tackle antibiotic resistance and in 3D printed body parts.
Date: Thursday 17 August 2017
Time: Refreshments 6.00pm. Talk and Q&A. 6.30pm-7:45pm
Location:
This series is presented with the generous support of Academy Fellow and developer of the
polymer banknote, Professor David Solomon AC FAA.
As bacteria become more resistant to commonly used antibiotics, it is becoming harder to treat a range of infectious diseases using existing antibacterial drugs. Scientists are in a race against time to find new ways of administering treatments that target infection, leaving bacteria less time and opportunity for resistance.
CSIRO research scientist, Dr Katherine Locock, is developing safe antimicrobial polymers that can kill a wide range of bacteria and fungi, including antibiotic resistant strains.
In a world first Dr Locock and her colleagues have demonstrated that CSIRO’s patented RAFT technology can eradicate single and mixed microbial biofilm infection, which has been identified as the likeliest cause of delayed healing in chronic, open wounds.
Cancer patients often suffer from the side effects of conventional treatments such as chemotherapy. Enter polymer scientist Martina Stenzel. By developing ‘smart’ nanoparticles to deliver powerful anti-cancer drugs, the ARC Future Fellow and UNSW Chemistry Professor is revolutionising the way we target and treat cancer and other diseases.
Professor Stenzel is researching how to package anti-cancer drugs into a ‘magic bullet’ containing polymer (plastic) nanoparticles with diameters more than 1,000 times smaller than the point of a needle.
The nanoparticles are loaded with drugs and biological molecules that help find and destroy the cancer. They act a ‘nano-trojan horse’ helping to accumulate drugs where they are needed - in the tumour.
The advent of 3D printing has changed the way we think about making things as well as the materials and components we use. Not so long ago it would have been unthinkable that humans could print three-dimensional biopolymer structures using living stem cells.
Academy Fellow Professor Gordon Wallace from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science and his collaborators are working on innovative devices such as a 3D printer pen.
The ‘Biopen’ is loaded with ink containing a patient’s own cells and is designed to be used in surgery to repair damaged cartilage. Developed with a view to preventing osteoarthritis, this technology will have a significant impact on those suffering from the debilitating and painful condition.
The talk will be chaired by Dr Bobby Cerini, the national manager for Inspiring Australia. Their aim is to deliver a more scientifically engaged Australia.
iC Event Centre, Level 2, Building 230, Innovation Campus, Squires Way New South Wales false DD/MM/YYYY© 2024 Australian Academy of Science
