The University of Wollongong is a step closer to establishing a world first bioprinting facility.
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Receiving $347,000 from the Australian Research Council (ARC) will help to establish the facility to enable development of bioinks and customised bioprinting systems for clinical applications.
The ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (LIEF) funding was awarded to UOW and research partners from Deakin University, University of Melbourne, University of Adelaide, Sydney University, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Royal Adelaide Hospital, South Australian Health, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District and Lions NSW Eye Bank.
The bioprint facility project is being led by ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science (ACES) and the Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF) Materials node, both headquartered at UOW.
ACES and ANFF (Materials) director Professor Gordon Wallace said the ARC LIEF funding will enable acquisition of state-of-the art 3D printing tools.
‘’We will use these in association with our partners to develop customised 3D bioprinting systems for specific applications,’’ Professor Wallace said.
‘’The project will address the current and future need for delivering 3D printing globally for research, applied science, medical devices and diagnostics and advanced therapeutics.’’
The ARC funding comes on top of a $400,000 grant from MTPConnect - the Medical Technologies and Pharmaceuticals Industry Growth Centre, to enable establishment of a bioprint facility.
‘’The proposed facility will expedite the development of commercial opportunities in 3D bioprinting and identify opportunities with clinical partners, Small Medium Enterprise (SME) partners and other industries to enable production of relevant biomaterials, formulations of bioinks and customised bioprinting systems,’’ Prof Wallace said.