A team of researchers ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science (ACES) at the University of Wollongong are part of an international consortium awarded $59 million in Federal Government' Cooperative Research Centres Program funding to fast-track the growth of Australia's next generation marine bioproducts industries.
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ACES researchers will provide bioengineering and biomaterials expertise for the Marine Bioproducts Cooperative Research Centre (MB-CRC) in conjunction with Dr Pia Winberg, of Venus Shell Systems, to identify new molecules from seaweed for successful biofabrication in clinical applications.
They will use fabrication skills developed from growing research and industry activity in marine bioresource to help accelerate the development of new marine materials to an advanced manufacturing level for health or sustainable materials.
The Marine Bioproducts Cooperative Research Centre includes research, industry and government partners working together to expand existing enterprises and drive new, high-value products, commercial technologies and employment opportunities o meet the rapidly growing demand for certified, safe and sustainable products.
UOW's Translational Research Initiative for Cellular Engineering and Printing is providing its expertise to help accelerate commercialisation opportunities in 3D bioprinting of seaweed molecules.
Dr Winberg said the Marine Bioproducts CRC will create a range of opportunities to develop marine bioindustries that are sustainably integrated with the coastal and marine environment.
"I believe that sensitively and ecologically incorporating these practices into the ecosystem is a necessary way forward to achieving sustainable products across a number of industries," she said.
"Our continued partnership through the MB-CRC will allow us to build on our research and access advanced tools to develop, refine and validate marine bioproducts in an environmentally and economically sustainable way.
"This is such an opportunity for Australia and especially for the south east coast of NSW."
ACES director Prof Gordon Wallace said the funding was a real boost to the team at UOW.
"Our leadership and extensive expertise in bioengineering, biomaterials, 3D bioprinting, and the design and development of innovative fabrication hardware will allow us to further our exciting research in the field, and provide significant industry linkages for translation of this research," he said.
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
