Biomedical materials: creating materials for the future

Our researchers are developing and evaluating new platform materials and devices for applications in tissue repair, replacement and regeneration.

• 21 June 2011 | Updated 14 October 2011

• Our capabilities
• Bioactive scaffolds
• Biomanufacturing
• Therapeutic delivery 
• Research highlights

Our capabilities

The aim of our biomaterials and regenerative medicine research is the development and evaluation of new platform materials and devices for applications in tissue repair, replacement and regeneration.

These innovative technologies will impact positively on the health outcomes of an ageing Australian society, improving both quality of life and offsetting the rate of progression to more expensive forms of healthcare.

We have three major research priorities:

• bioactive scaffolds
• biomanufacturing
• therapeutic delivery.

Bioactive scaffolds

To design, synthesise and apply novel materials for application in tissue repair or regeneration.

Photo-crosslinking

To further develop a CSIRO invented photoactive oxidative cross-linking technology using a number of well-defined matrix substrates for tissue sealant (PhotoSeal™). CSIRO is seeking partners to exploit our tissue sealant (PhotoSeal™) and tissue engineering applications. 

Biomedical materials for surgery

To develop high strength, biodegradable surgical materials with novel cure mechanisms.

Collagen scaffolds

CSIRO has several projects developing new collagen-based materials with commercial partners. CSIRO also provides consultancy on collagen and extra-cellular matrix proteins.

Tissue Engineering

To develop methods, for example in cartilage repair, using rapid culturing methods to expand and control cell behaviour, in combination with novel polymer delivery scaffolds.

Biomanufacturing

To develop new platform technologies of smart polymer surfaces that control cell function and fate.

Stem cells

In collaboration with our partners in Corporate Research Centre for Polymers (CRC Polymers) [external link], we are developing novel surfaces for the proliferation and differentiation of adult (haemopoeitic) and embryonic stem cells.

Bioactive Surfaces

This research seeks to develop platform technologies capable of controlling biological response for application in cell arrays, microfluidic technologies, antibacterial coatings and bioreactors. CSIRO is seeking partners to exploit provisional IP.

Therapeutic delivery

To develop, in collaboration with our partners in the Centre for Eye Research Australia [external link], novel ophthalmic products.

Research highlights

New companies:

• AorTech Biomaterials Pty Ltd
• PolyNovo Biomaterials Pty Ltd
• Adventus Inc
• PolyActiva Pty Ltd.

New products:

• Focus Night and Day™ contact lens
• O2OPTIX™ contact lens.

New opportunities:

• Bio-active surface technologies
• siRNA delivery
• Photo-crosslinking for surgical materials and cell delivery.

Our biomaterials customers:

• Aortech Biomaterials Pty Ltd
• PolyNovo Biomaterials Pty Ltd
• CRC Polymers
• PolyActiva Pty Ltd.

CSIRO also provides consultancy and contract analytical/biocompatibility services to a wide range of clients such as Colltech (collagen processing).

Learn more about CSIRO's work in Biomedical Materials.