Our research into titanium and other metals used in orthopaedic implants or devices aims to provide surgeons with improved arthroplasty outcomes, including greater osseointegration and reduced periprosthetic infection.
We're also developing technologies where a patient's own cells are grown into 3D printed biodegradable scaffolds, providing self-donated tissue replacement options for larger bone and cartilage defects and tissue loss.
Current projects
Additive manufacturing of titanium mesh technologies for orthopaedic medical devices.
3D printing technology is used to build complex mesh structures for use in orthopaedic implants, which require fusion with bone.
By using engineering Josephine Shum is looking to optimise these structures so that they mimic the behavior of bone and encourage implant-to-bone integration during healing.
Her research investigates the application of these meshes in humans as well as for use in veterinary surgery.
Osteochondral regeneration for articular joints
The ends of our articular joints comprise smooth protective layers of articular cartilage (chondro) over bone (osteo). And one of Dr Steven Cui's research directions is the development of a co-culture system for making three-dimensional layered osteochondral tissue.
His research strategies include the use of biofabricated microstructures seeded with living cells to encourage automatic bioassembly of cartilage.
He also explores systems of biomolecule and growth factor delivery, and the application of mesenchymal stem cells from umbilical cord blood in his pre-clinical model of cartilage regeneration.