Biofunctionalisation and Biofabrication to Repair or Replace Tissue

Bronchial Epithelial Cells - research from Dr Achala de Mel

The Nanoscale and Microscale Research Centre is pleased to announce that Dr Achala de Mel will be giving a talk on Biofunctionalisation and Biofabrication to Repair or Replace Tissue next Tuesday, 11:00-12:00, in C18 Pope Building.  Achala’s current research focus is on bio-functionalisation and three dimensional biofabrication of biomaterials to repair and replace tissue that are diseased or damaged.  Her talk will highlight a platform technology that compromises biomaterial processing and biofunctionalisation to create biomimetic structures to repair and replace tissue, as well as research into methods, which can be applied simultaneously or independently to restore biochemical and physiological homeostasis at the site of tissue injury.

This talk is free to attend for University of Nottingham staff and students and no registration is required.

Biography

Achala de Mel has an active interest in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine and was a lecturer in Regenerative Medicine at Division of Surgery and Interventional Science at UCL. She was the Co-Director of Surgical Sciences iBSc programme and has introduced innovative teaching and assessment methods. Her primary degree is in Biochemistry and Biological Chemistry where she graduated from University of Nottingham and obtained a Masters in Vascular Disease from William Harvey Research Institute QMUL. She obtained her PhD in Molecular Biology and Tissue Engineering at UCL. She has published number of papers and supervised students on Tissue Engineering and accompanying research. Achala’s current research focus is on bio-functionalisation and three dimensional bio-fabrication of biomaterials to repair and replace tissue that are diseased or damaged.

Synopsis

Procedures for repairing, replacing or creating new functional tissue have been of interest for a significantly long period. There is tremendous progress in addressing diseased and damaged tissue, yet with great potential to offer efficacious biomimetic solutions.  This seminar will highlight a platform technology that compromises biomaterial processing and biofunctionalisation to create biomimetic structures to repair and replace tissue, as well as research into methods, which can be applied simultaneously or independently to restore biochemical and physiological homeostasis at the site of tissue injury. This presentation will also report how this platform technology is highly versatile and flexible, and how it can be potentially streamlined to address clinical needs as disease specific or device specific exemplars.

Selected References

1. de Mel A; 3D Printing and the Surgeon; Br J Surg. 2016 Jun;103(7):786-8  
2. Tsai KJ, Dixon S,  Hale L, Darbyshire A, Daniel M, de Mel A; Biomimetic Heterogenous Elastic Tissue Development;  npj Regenerative Medicine;  In Press
3. Chaves C, Gao C, Hunckler J, Elsawy M, Legagneux J, Renault G, Masquelet AC, de Mel A; Dual-acting biofunctionalised scaffolds for applications in regenerative medicine; J Mater Sci Mater Med. 2017 Feb;28(2):32
4. Everett W, Rammous A, Scurr D, Darbyshire, A, Hamilton, G, de Mel A; A Material Conferring heamocompatibility; Sci Rep. 2016 Jun6;6:26848 
5. Akter F, Coghlan G, de Mel A; Nitric oxide in paediatric respiratory disorders: novel interventions to address associated vascular phenomena?; Ther Adv Cardiovasc Dis. 2016 Aug;10(4):256-70.